


Questions and Review.—­1.  Who were taken as prisoners to Independence? 2.  What prediction did Joseph make while on the way? 3.  How did Joseph fulfill his own prophecy in Jackson county? 4.  Where were they taken next? 5.  How were they treated in Richmond jail? 6.  Describe Joseph’s rebuke. 7.  Where next were they sent? 8.  How long were they in Liberty jail? 9.  Why was the attempt to escape a failure? 10.  Where were they next taken? 11.  Describe their last trial. 12.  How did they escape?



From his prison in Missouri, Joseph had advised his brethren to buy land in the state of Illinois and Iowa.  Towards these states, therefore, the Saints had fled, leaving merciless, blood-stained Missouri to the judgment of God.

Twenty years afterwards when the great war broke out between the North and the South, Missouri was one of the fiercest battle grounds, and its people suffered terribly for the misery and bloodshed they had brought upon the Saints.

The people of Illinois received the homeless Saints kindly, and sold them land upon which to live.  At a small place called Commerce, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi river, Joseph bought land, and there he decided to locate the headquarters of the Church.  The place was beautifully situated in a bend of the river.  Here a city was laid out and called Nauvoo, meaning beauty and rest, and Joseph invited the Saints to settle and build up the place.  It was no small task to gather the scattered Saints into one body again, but early in the summer of 1839 a number of houses were erected in the new city.

[Illustration:  The Nauvoo house.]

Now came another trouble.  Commerce was not a healthful place, but the Saints were promised that that would be changed; however, it was not long before a great many of the Saints became sick.  Nearly every house was afflicted, and Joseph himself also took the fever.  On the morning of July 22nd, Joseph arose from his bed and commenced administering to the sick.  He began with those in his own house, then went to some camping in his yard.  The Prophet commanded the sick in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise from their beds and be made whole, and the sick were healed on ever side.  He then went from house to house and from tent to tent upon the bank of the river, healing the people.  Many wonderful healings were performed.  Joseph would take the sick person by the hand, or stand in the door of the tent and command the afflicted person to arise and be made whole.  The Prophet with some of the brethren who were now with him crossed the river to the place where Brigham Young was lying ill.  President Young was soon healed and followed with the rest.  As there were many whom the Prophet could not reach, the Twelve were sent to administer to them.  Joseph gave Wilford Woodruff a silk handkerchief which he was to use in healing some children.  President Woodruff kept the handkerchief to the day of his death.

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