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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 39 Page: 772

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772 we bade adieu to our native land and wended our way to the "Valley of the Mountains."

On this journey my loved companion sickened and died, and I was left alone with my two little babes, Alice being four years old, and George Nephi two. When I reached our destination I was like a lone sheep on the mountains, with my two little lambs bleating at my side, without home or means, and friends very few and far between. In this condition I besought the Lord to give me a companion who would be a mother to my babes. Nor did I seek in vain. God heard my prayer, and sent me a companion, young and beautiful, whom I had never seen or heard of until I proposed to her to become my wife and a mother to my little ones, describing my helpless condition. I had not been without offers; but I failed to see in those who volunteered the characteristics that would qualify them to be mothers to my children; but here I seemed to recognize those qualities, and urged my suit, nor was it denied. And after forty-two years of experience with my present companion, I am proud to say my reading of character was not at fault, for she has proved to me and mine all that my heart could desire; and here I acknowledge the faithfulness of him who said, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God." Faithful in the observance of duty, patient in privation and poverty such as must come to every traveling elder's wife, and zealous for the cause of truth, she has always aided and encouraged me in the arduous and unenviable task of a traveling minister. And when the great awards are meted out, not the least will fall into the hands and rest upon the heads of these quiet, unobtrusive, but self-sacrificing women.

Having had the opportunity of learning by observation the workings of polygamy, where it had full sway, we became satisfied that it had its origin in lust, and pandered to the flesh, instead of bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and we were satisfied it was not of God. And while the revelation of this fact brought sorrow to our minds, and grief more poignant than death, we sadly turned our backs upon the Utah Church, utterly at a loss to know where to find the

(page 772)

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