Sunday, 13.—Was sick, and unable to attend meeting.
Monday, 14.—I purchased some hay and oats, and got them home.
Tuesday, 15.—Hauled a load of hay; and on Wednesday plowed and sowed oats for Brother Frederick G. Williams,
Deliverance of Zion Considered.
Thursday, April 17.—I attended a meeting agreeable to appointment, at which time the important subjects of the deliverance of Zion and to building of the Lord's House in Kirtland were discussed by Elder Rigdon. After the lecture, I requested the brethren and sisters to contribute all the money they could for the deliverance of Zion; and received twenty-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents.
An Assault Thwarted by the Spirit.
April 18.—In company with Elders Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery and Zebedee Coltrin, I left Kirtland for New Portage, to attend a conference; dined at W. W. Williams', in Newburg, and continuing our journey, after dark, we were hailed by a man who desired to ride. We were checked by the Spirit, and refused. He professed to be sick, but in a few minutes was joined by two others, who followed us hard, cursing and swearing; but we were successful in escaping their hands, through the providence of the Lord, and stayed that night at a tavern, where we were treated with civility.
An Occasion of Prayer and Blessing.
April 19.—Continuing our journey, dined at Brother Joseph Bosworth's, in Copley, Medina County. Brother Bosworth was strong in the faith, and if faithful may do much good. We arrived the same day at Brother Jonathan Taylor's, in Norton, where we were received with kindness. We soon retired to the wilderness, where we united in prayer and supplication for the blessings of the Lord to be given unto His Church. We called upon the Father in the name of Jesus, to go with the brethren who were going to the land of Zion; and that I might have strength, and wisdom, and understanding sufficient to lead the people of the Lord, and to gather and establish the Saints upon the land of their inheritances, and organize them according to the will of Heaven, that they may be no more cast down forever, We then united in the laying on of hands.
Elders Rigdon, Cowdery and Coltrin laid their hands on my head, and conferred upon me all the blessings necessary to qualify for me stand before the Lord, in my calling, and return again in peace and triumph, to enjoy the society of my brethren.