wife, Emma,
stayed at Brother Whitney's house for some time. Shortly after this, Newel
K. Whitney was called to be bishop at Kirtland, and later he became the
second presiding bishop of the Church.
Early next spring, 1831, the Saints from New York began to come to Ohio,
buying land in and around the town of Kirtland.
Before leaving Fayette, Joseph had been visited by a young man who had
walked two hundred miles to see him and have the prophet tell him what his
duty was. This young man was Orson Pratt, brother of Parley P. Pratt.
Joseph received a revelation in which Orson was called to preach the gospel
to the world; and this duty Orson Pratt did all his life.
[Illustration: SIDNEY RIGDON.]
Elder Pratt became one of the Twelve Apostles. He went on a great many
missions in this country and to Europe, during which time he crossed the
ocean sixteen times. He became one of the most learned men in the Church,
and wrote many books on gospel subjects. Read the title, or first page of
the Book of Mormon and the book of Doctrine and Covenants and see what they
say of Orson Pratt. Elder Pratt was one of the pioneers, he and Erastus
Snow being the first two men of that company to enter Salt Lake Valley.
Another man who came to see Joseph while yet at Fayette was Sidney Rigdon,
a former Campbellite preacher whom Parley P. Pratt had baptized at
Kirtland. Elder Rigdon also became a prominent man in the Church, being
first counselor to President Joseph Smith during the life time of the
prophet. He took an active part in all the affairs of the Church up to
within a few months of the prophet's death. He was greatly disappointed
because he was not chosen to succeed Joseph as the leader of the Church,
and soon after apostatized. He died outside the Church.
Thomas B. Marsh was the name of a man who came to Kirtland with the Church.
He became a leader among the Saints and was president of the first quorum
of Twelve Apostles. Elder Marsh did much missionary work and suffered with
the Saints in their persecution; but in 1838 he became dissatisfied and did
some wicked things against his brethren. He was therefore cut off from the
Church. Nineteen years after he came back and was baptized again. He came
to Utah and lived at Ogden, where he died, a poor, broken-down man.
Topics.--1. The gathering. 2. The move to Ohio. 3. Orson Pratt. 4. Sidney
Rigdon. 5. Thomas B. Marsh.
Questions and Review.--1. What is meant by the gathering? 2
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