Zion’s Camp at Fishing River Daviess County, , United States of America

Zion’s Camp was organized on May 6, 1834 rians were amassing with the intent of killing “Joe near New Portage, in response to Mormon Smith and his army.” A tremendous storm soon persecution in Jackson County, Missouri. Earlier arose in which rain, hail, thunder and lighting came that year, on February 24, 1834, the Lord had com- down upon the mob and prevented them from at- manded the Prophet to organize a tacking the members of the camp. Joseph and the group to aid the “brethren, who have been scat- others took refuge for the night in a small Church 1 tered on the land of Zion.” Many of the Saints not far away. had been forced out of their homes and fled into When Colonel Sconce met Joseph Smith Clay County to escape mob violence in late 1833. on June 21, he acknowledged “there is an Almighty Zion’s Camp was formed to bring aid and relief to power that protects this people, for I started from the suffering Saints and to reclaim their lands in Richmond, Ray county, with a company of armed Jackson County, Missouri, which Church members men, having a fixed determination to destroy you, viewed as the core of Zion. but was kept back by the storm, and was not able The camp began with just over 100 men, but to reach you.”5 by the time they reached Missouri, additional men However, due to the camp’s continuing met up with them bringing their number to over murmurings against the Prophet and disobedience 200. In total, the members of Zion’s Camp travel to the Lord’s commandments, cholera broke out more than 900 miles on foot between Kirtland and among them and 13 members of Zion’s Camp Missouri. They were organized into companies of died including Sidney A. Gilbert, part-owner of tens and fifties with a captain at the head of each the Gilbert Whitney Store in Independence. company. While at Fishing River, Joseph received The march of Zion’s Camp was a refin- Doctrine & Covenants 105 stating that “it is expe- ing period for many early leaders of the Church. dient in me that mine elders should wait for a little George A. Smith, future apostle and 16 year-old season for the redemption of Zion.”6 Subsequent- cousin of the Prophet Joseph Smith described ly, Zion’s camp was officially disbanded on July 3, that he was “so weary, hungry and sleepy that I 1834. Nevertheless, the instruction and experience dreamed while walking along the road of seeing a many of the early leaders of the Church received beautiful stream of water by a pleasant shade and during Zion’s Camp became invaluable to further a nice loaf of bread and a bottle of milk laid out establish the Church. All save three members of 2 on a cloth by the side of the spring.” the original Apostles and Members of Zion’s Camp endured a limited the original First Quorum of the Seventy partici- food and water supply, unsanitary conditions, trav- pated in Zion’s Camp. eling through humidity, rain, and mud for some- In speaking about his experience in Zion’s 3 times as many as 40 miles a day. The difficulties Camp, expressed that watching lead to some members of Zion’s Camp becoming Joseph’s leadership during Zion’s Camp was “the greatly discouraged and Joseph exhorted them “to starting point of my knowing how to lead Israel.”7 humble themselves before the Lord and become President Young would later lead the Saints out of 4 united, that they might not be scourged.” Missouri to while Joseph was incarcerated On June 19, the group had reached Daviess in Liberty Jail and eventually out of Illinois to the County and began to set up camp between the Lit- Salt Lake Valley. tle and Big Fishing Rivers. Five armed men rode into camp and told them that a group of Missou- 2 Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America

SOURCES set over the river, the scow in returning was met by a squall, and had great difficulty in reaching the 1 Doctrine & Covenants 103:1. Jackson side by dark. 2 When these five men were in our camp, George A. Smith, “Writings of Early Latter-day Saints,” Juvenile Instructor, 78. swearing vengeance, the wind, thunder, and ris- ing cloud indicated an approaching storm, and in 3 Alexander L. Baugh, “Joseph Smith and Zion’s Camp,” Ensign, a short time after they left the rain and hail be- (June 2005), 42. gan to fall. The storm was tremendous; wind and 4 Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day rain, hail and thunder met them in great wrath, and Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts [Salt soon softened their direful courage, and frustrated Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951], 2: 68. all their designs to ‘kill Joe Smith and his army.’ Instead of continuing a cannonading which 5 Ibid, 2:105-106. they commenced when the sun was about one hour high, they crawled under wagons, into hollow 6 Doctrine & Covenants 105:9. trees, and filled one old shanty, till the storm was 7 Quoted in Susan Evans McCloud, Brigham Young, A Personal over, when their ammunition was soaked, and the Portrait (American Fork, UT: Covenant Communications, forty in Clay county were extremely anxious in the 1996). morning to return to Jackson, having experienced the pitiless pelting of the storm all night; and as soon as arrangements could be made, this ‘forlorn The Miracle at Fishing River hope’ took the ‘back track’ for Independence, to join the main body of the mob, fully satisfied, as were those survivors of the company who were Joseph Smith1 drowned, that when Jehovah fights they would “This night we camped on an elevated piece rather be absent. The gratification is too terrible. of land between Little Fishing and Big Fishing riv- Very little hail fell in our camp, but from half ers, which streams were formed by seven small a mile to a mile around, the stones or lumps of ice streams or branches. cut down the crops of corn and vegetation gener- As we halted and were making preparations ally, even cutting limbs from trees, while the trees, for the night, five men armed with guns rode into themselves were twisted into withes by the wind. our camp, and told us we should ‘see hell before The lightning flashed incessantly, which caused it morning;’ and their accompanying oaths partook to be so light in our camp through the night, that of all the malice of demons. They told us that six- we could discern the most minute objects; and the ty men were coming from Richmond, Ray county, roaring of the thunder was tremendous. and seventy more from Clay county, to join the The earth trembled and quaked, the rain Jackson county mob, who had sworn our utter de- fell in torrents, and, united, it seemed as if the struction. mandate of vengeance had gone forth from the During this day, the Jackson county mob, to God of battles, to protect His servants from the the number of about two hundred, made arrange- destruction of their enemies, for the hail fell on ments to cross the Missouri river, above the mouth them and not on us, and we suffered no harm, ex- of Fishing river, at Williams’ ferry, into Clay coun- cept the blowing down of some of our tents, and ty, and be ready to meet the Richmond mob near getting wet; while our enemies had holes made in Fishing river ford, for our utter destruction; but their hats, and otherwise received damage, even after the first scow load of about forty had been the breaking of their rifle stocks, and the fleeing Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America 3 of their horses through fear and pain. We were not able to hold them up; but Many of my little band sheltered in an old there being an old meeting house close at hand, meetinghouse through this night, and in the morn- many of us fled there to secure ourselves from ing the water in Big Fishing river was about forty the storm. Many trees were blown down, and oth- feet deep, where, the previous evening, it was no ers were twisted and wrung like a withe. The mob more than to our ankles, and our enemies swore came to the river two miles from us, but the river that the water rose thirty feet in thirty minutes in had risen to that height that they were obliged to the Little Fishing river. They reported that one of stop without crossing over. The hail fell so heav- their men was killed by lightning, and that anoth- ily upon them that it beat holes in their hats, and er had his hand torn off by his horse drawing his in some instances even broke the stocks off their hand between the logs of a corn crib while he was guns; their horses, being frightened, fled, leaving holding him on the inside. They declared that if the riders on the ground. Their powder was wet, that was the way God fought for the , and it was evident that the Almighty fought in our they might as well go about their business.” defense. This night the river raised forty feet. In the morning I went to the river in com- 2 Heber C. Kimball pany with Brother Joseph Smith, , “This night we camped on an elevated piece Brigham Young and others, as we had it in con- of land between two branches of the Fishing River. templation to proceed that morning to Liberty, Just as we halted and were making preparations for Clay County; but we could not continue our jour- the night, five men rode into the camp and told us ney as there was no way to cross the river. It was we should see hell before morning, and such hor- then overflowing its banks; and I have seen the rible oaths as came from their lips I never heard river since and proved that it was fully forty feet before. They told us that sixty men were coming from the top of its banks to the bottom. Previous from Richmond, who had sworn to destroy us, to this rain falling, it was no more than ankle deep. also seventy more were coming from Clay County, Such a time never was known by us before; still we to assist in our destruction. These men were black felt calm all night, and the Lord was with us. The with passion, and armed with guns, and the whole water was ankle deep to us all night, even on that country was in a rage against us, and nothing but eminence, so we could not sleep.” the power of God could save us. 3 All this time the weather was pleasant. Soon Nathan Baldwin after these men left us we discovered a small black “As we neared our place of destination, the cloud rising in the west, and not more than twenty excitement of the people in the surrounding coun- minutes passed away before it began to rain and try increased. Many threats were thrown out against hail; but we had very little hail in our camp. All us but none were consummated. At an early hour around us the hail was heavy; some of the hail- at evening, on the 19th of June we encamped on stones, or rather lumps of ice, were as large as an eminence between two forks of Fishing River, hens’ eggs. The thunder rolled with awful majesty, near a Baptist meeting house, built of hewn logs. and the red lightnings flashed through the hori- While we busied ourselves preparing for the night, zon, making it so light that I could see to pick up several armed men rode by (as we were camped on a pin almost any time through the night. The earth one side of the road) and swore that we should see quaked and trembled, and there being no cessation hell before morning, and they told us of compa- it seemed as though the Almighty had issued forth nies that were coming from various places, report His mandate of vengeance. The wind was so ter- said sixteen hundred sworn to our utter destruc- rible that many of our tents were blown down. tion. 4 Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America

Soon after these men left, a small black brother Brigham. The Prophet said to these two cloud appeared in the west and increased in size brothers, Elder Brigham Young and Elder Joseph until shortly the whole blue arch was draped in Young, ‘I am going to organize a company of men black, presenting a vengeful appearance, while the to journey up to Missouri, to the center stake of rain descended in torrents, the winds bellowed and Zion, from whence the Saints have been driven, such vivid flashes of lightning and such peals of and robbed of their possessions, and I want you thunder are seldom seen and heard. two brethren to consent to go with me. If you will The Lord had previously said he would fight go,’ he said, ‘I promise you in the name of the Lord the battles of his saints, and it seemed as though that you shall go safely, and return in safety to your the mandate had gone forth from his presence, to families.’ ply the artillery of heaven in defense of his ser- Of course, these faithful brethren were nev- vants. Some small hail fell in the camp but from er known to refuse a call made upon them by the half a mile to a mile around, we were told by the Prophet, and they joined the gallant company that inhabitants that the hailstones were as big as tum- accompanied the Prophet. Joseph and his brother blers; and the appearance of their destructiveness Hyrum into the land of Missouri, with two hun- showed that their size was not over-estimated. dred and ten others. I am glad of the testimonies Limbs of trees were broken off, fence I have heard borne in regard to that great mission. rails were marred and splintered and the growing At that time it was considered opportune to bring corn was cut into shreds. But the casualties were relief to those poor people, the Latter-day Saints, all on the side of our enemies. While their gather- who had been driven from their homes in that part ing hosts were hastening to our destruction, the of the state of Missouri, Independence, Jackson wrathful elements met them in a manner they had county. not been accustomed to in their previous deeds of The Prophet invited men who had some darkness, while persecuting the Saints. means, I heard my father say, and history bears this Thus brought to a sudden stand, they crept out, men that could command some resources, to under trees, wagons and anything that afforded go up to Zion, as it was called then, and redeem, by shelter and they held their horses as long as they purchase, that portion of the land from which the could stand the pelting of these chunks of ice on Saints had been driven. When they arrived in the their arms and gunstocks, the maddened steeds state of Missouri, and crossed the Fishing River, broke loose from the grasp and left them to face opposite Independence, a great storm arose, and danger on foot, while their would-be victims were this was thought to be very providential. Little secure from harm, with the exception of some few Fishing River, and Big Fishing River, rose thirty or tents which were blown down and a few men were forty feet in one night, so some of the mob testi- rained on, but others were safely housed in the fied, and this proved a protection to the little band meeting house before mentioned. All were con- of brethren who went up in Zion’s camp.” scious that God was engaged in the conflict, and 5 thankful that they were under his special care and Levi W. Hancock’s Account kind protection.” “The greatest miracle in our favor was when we had got between the two branches of Fishing 4 Seymour B. Young River, on a high ridge by a log meetinghouse. We “I rejoice today when I remember some of had been told that morning by a colored woman the things that I heard my father speak of. He said who came to the fence where we were walking, that that at one time, during the early spring of 1834, there were three hundred men who were armed the Prophet Joseph interviewed himself and his and equipped to fall on us that night and cut us off. Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America 5

Men came riding by who cussed and swore that SOURCES before morning we would all be in hell, for there 1 was an army before and behind, and death was our Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day portion. Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jenkins Salsbury wanted Joseph to let him 1932-1951), 2: 103-105. fight. 2 ‘No,’ said he, ‘the Lord will give us a bram- Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City: Kimball Family, 1888), 53. ble to keep off the dogs this night.’ 3 In a short time it commenced thundering Milton V. Backman, Jr. and Richard O. Cowan, Joseph Smith and and the clouds arose. I went into the tent and lay the (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., down and knew no more till I found myself one 1992), 99. 4 third buried in water. The tent had blown down Seymour B. Young, Conference Report, (April 1915), 125. and all hands were gone. I soon found they had 5 gone to the old church for shelter, where I also Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, comps., They Knew the Prophet (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974), 22. went. The lightning flashed and thunder roared one continual sound. The flashes were so connect- ed that one could hardly hear any interval between the flash and the peal of thunder, as if the marshal The Outbreak of Cholera bands of the whole earth had assembled and were beating the sounds of war. 1 We lay on the benches dripping with water Joseph Smith until daylight, when we were called to go and dis- “While we were refreshing ourselves and charge our pieces and load anew, which we did. To teams about the middle of the day [June 3rd], I our astonishment, two thirds, if not more, went got up on a wagon wheel, called the people to- off. gether, and said that I would deliver a prophecy. It was a pleasant morning. We got our After giving the brethren much good advice, ex- breakfast and soon learned that the two branches horting them to faithfulness and humility, I said of Fishing River were so high we could not cross the Lord had revealed to me that a scourge would over. The branch west had raised upwards of forty come upon the camp in consequence of the frac- feet and all boats were gone. We turned our course tious and unruly spirits that appeared among them, northward about three miles and camped near an and they should die like sheep with the rot; still, if old acquaintance of some in our camp. Next day they would repent and humble themselves before we were visited by a committee from the mob. Ly- the Lord, the scourge, in a great measure, might be man Wight explained to them the cause of our turned away; but, as the Lord lives, the members coming, and others spoke, which appeared to give of this camp will suffer for giving way to their un- satisfaction. ruly temper... After the meeting, those of the community Brother Ezra Thayre and Joseph Hancock went away, and Joseph said, ‘Let us help this man are sick with the cholera. Thomas Heyes was taken right up his corn.’ We all went into our friend’s today. Previous to crossing the Mississippi river I field and straightened up the corn that the storm had called the camp togetherfn and told them that had laid low.” in consequence of the disobedience of some who had been unwilling to listen to my words, but had rebelled, God had decreed that sickness should come upon the camp, and if they did not repent 6 Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America and humble themselves before God they should the rest of you, but you will understand soon that die like sheep with the rot; that I was sorry, but I occupy a position where God governs and con- could not help it.fn The scourge must come; re- trols me.’ Those who were present know the feel- pentance and humility may mitigate the chastise- ings that we had. There was not a dry eye in camp. ment, but cannot altogether avert it. But there were He stood upon a wagon and told us the judgments some who would not give heed to my words.” of God would visit our camp and we would be chastised. 2 Heber C. Kimball These things came to pass. The day that “Here Brothers Ezra Thayer and Thomas we landed the destroying angel visited our camp, Hayes were taken sick with the cholera. We left and, of course, there was sorrow. I do not know them there, and also Brother Joseph Hancock, the number that went to the grave, but somewhere who had been taken with the cholera during the about fourteen, I think. Then we understood that storm, and who was the first person attacked with we had a Prophet in our midst. We knew very well it. Brother Joseph called the camp together, and that what he said would come to pass. Well, every- told us that in consequence of the disobedience thing that was done in that camp, going and re- of some who had not been willing to listen to his turning, a record of it, in a measure, has been kept. words, but had been rebellious, God had decreed During that thousand miles journey the word of that sickness should come upon us, and we should the Lord was given unto us, and we fully under- die like sheep with the rot; and said he, ‘I am sorry, stood we were being led by a Prophet of God. We but I cannot help it.’ When he spake these things it realized that all the way through that mission.” pierced me like a dart, having a testimony that so it would be.” Seymour B. Young4 “While there encamped, there was dis- 3 satisfaction among some of the members of the “I was with him when he received that rev- camp, some of them felt to rebel against the re- elation given on Fishing River. Of course, we know quirements made upon them by the Prophet. One that he was a Prophet of God, and that he held the evening some of them were stricken down with a keys of the kingdom of God. We knew the inspi- terrible disease known as the Asiatic cholera—I do ration of Almighty God was with him, and that not know as the brethren recognized at that time when he prophesied it came to pass. that that was the nature of the disease. Those who are here today, Brother Gates, Fourteen of that little band of brethren Brother Noble, and perhaps others, who were died within three days, with that terrible scourge. present on that occasion, will remember the day It is written in history that the Prophet Joseph and that Joseph Smith called the camp together. We his brother Hyrum, by request of some of the af- were all well. There was no disease nor sickness in flicted ones, laid their hands upon the brethren our camp. But he told us what awaited us. He gave who were sick and tried to rebuke the disease, but us to understand that there was to be a chastise- the disease laid hold upon these two great men to ment visit our camp. He told us the reason. He had that degree that they were thrown to the ground given counsel to the brethren with regard to many in terrible convulsions. As they lay together writh- things, and a number of them had disobeyed that ing in pain, they seized each other by the hand counsel. and struggled to their knees, holding fast to each They did not understand and appreciate other’s hands, with a vow in their hearts that they fully his position and standing as a Prophet of would not arise from their kneeling position until God. ‘Yes,’ says he, ‘you think of me as a boy, like they had a testimony from God that they would be Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America 7 restored. Camp,” Ensign, (June 2005), 42. After praying for some time, the Prophet Daniel F. Boone, “Zion’s Camp: A Study in Obe- records, lifting their hearts to God, pleading with dience, Then and Now,” The Heavens are Open: Him with all the strength that they could muster, The 1992 Sperry Symposium on the Doctrine & Hyrum Smith rose to his feet and began to shout Covenants and Church History, ed. Byron R. Mer- ‘Hosanna to God and the Lamb forever, for,’ said rill, 1993. he to his brother Joseph, ‘I have had a vision, I James Bradley, Zion’s Camp 1834: Prelude to the Civil have seen our dear old mother kneeling in the or- War, 1990. chard praying for her boys, and I have had a testi- Donald Q. Cannon, “Zelph Revisited,” in Regional mony from God that her prayers will be heard, and Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Illinois, that we shall once more see her in life.’ ed. H. Dean Garrett, 1995. Joseph, the Prophet, immediately arose Peter L. Crawley & Richard L. Anderson, “The from his knees and joined in praise and hallelujah Political and Social Realities of Zion’s Camp,” to God, for he too felt renewed strength and pow- BYU Studies, 1974. er from the intercession of her faithful prayers, C. Fry, “Zion’s Camp; or the Expedition to Mis- and exclaimed, ‘God bless our dear old mother; souri. Its Purpose,” Journal of History, 1913. how often has she brought us from the depths of Donald G. Godfrey, “The Zelph Story,” BYU despair, sickness, pain and suffering through her Studies, 1989. devotion and prayers.’” Andrew Jenson, “Zion’s Camp,” Historical Record, 1888. SOURCES Andrew Jenson, “Members of Zion’s Camp,” Historical Record, 1889. 1 Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Stanley B. Kimball, “Zion’s Camp March from Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ohio to Missouri, 1834,” Ensign, (April 1979), 1932-1951), 2: 80, 106-107. 45. 2 Warren A. Jennings, “The Army of Israel March- Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City: es into Missouri,” , 1968. Kimball Family, 1888), 56. Missouri Historical Review Rodger D. Launius, “The Rescue of Zion’s 3 Brian H. Stuy, ed., Collected Discourses, 5 vols. (Burbank, Calif., Camp,” Restoration Witness, 1980. and Woodland Hills, Ut.: B.H.S. Publishing, 1987-1992), Vol- Rodger D. Launius, Zion’s Camp: Expedition to Mis- ume 2. souri, 1834, 1984. 4 President Seymour B. Young, Conference Report, April 1915, Lyman O. Littlefield, “The Prophet Joseph Smith 125-126. in Zion’s Camp,” Juvenille Instructor, 1892. J. Parry, “The Story of Zion’s Camp,” Juvenille Instructor, 1902. Further Reading Resources George A. Smith, “My Journal,” Instructor, 1946. Bruce Van Orden, “Zion’s Camp: A Refiner’s Fire,” in The Prophet Joseph, eds. Larry C. Porter “Zion’s Camp,” in Encylopeida of Mormonism, ed. and Susan Easton Black, 1988. Daniel H. Ludlow et al., 1992. Ronald W. Walker, “Zion’s Camp,” Tambuli, (De- Milton V. Backman, Jr. comp., A Profile of Latter- cember 1978), 37. day Saints of Kirtland, Ohio, and Members of Zion’s Camp, 1830-1839, 1982. Alexander L. Baugh, “Joseph Smith and Zion’s 8 Zion’s Camp near Fishing River, Daviess County, Missouri, United States of America