| 459 Many arms were purchased, for the leading men in Clay County rendered every facility in their power, in order, as they said 'to help the Mormons settle their own difficulties, and pay the Jackson mob in their own way.'
"Sunday 18th. We had preaching as usual, and the administration of the sacrament. 1 Monday l9th. Although threatened by our enemies that we should not, we passed through Vandalia quietly, and unmolested; all the inhabitants were silent and appeared as though possessed with fear. At night we encamped on an eminence, where we lost one horse.
"Wednesday 21st. We forded White River. Sunday 25th. Arrived at the State line of Illinois. We had no meeting but attended to washing, baking, and preparing to resume our journey, which we did on Monday the 26th, and at night were aroused by the continual threats of our enemies. Notwithstanding our enemies were continually breathing threats of violence, we did not fear, neither did we hesitate to prosecute our journey, for God was with us and his angels went before us, and the faith of our little band was unwavering. We know that angels were our companions, for we saw them.
1 This day Joseph wrote to his wife as follows:-
CAMP OF ISRAEL in Indiana State, Town of Richmond, 18th May.
My Dear Wife:-Meeting being over, I sit down in my tent to write a few lines to you, to let you know that you are on my mind, and that I am sensible of the duties of a husband and father, and that I am well, and I pray God to let his blessings rest upon you and the children and all that are around you, until I return to your society. The few lines you wrote and sent by the hand of Bro. Lyman, gave me satisfaction and comfort, and I hope you will continue to communicate to me by your own hand, for this is a consolation to me to converse with you in this way in my lonely moments which is not easily described. I will endeavor to write every Sunday, if I can, and let you know how I am, and Bro. Frederick will write to Oliver and give him the names of the places we pass through and a history of our journey, from time to time, so that it will not be necessary for me to endeavor to write it. But I feel a satisfaction to write a few lines with my own hand. In this way I can have the privilege to communicate some of my feelings that I should not dare to reveal, as you know that my situation is a very critical one. Bro. Jenkins, and William, Jesse, and George are all well, and are humble, are determined to be faithful; and finally all the Kirtland brethren are well and cannot fail. I must close, for I cannot write on my knees sitting on the ground, to edification. O, may the blessings of God rest upon you, is the prayer of your husband until death.
Emma Smith. Joseph Smith.
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