Although they were in the Lands of their enemies, who threatened to kill them, I always had the testimony that they would be delivered and come forth victorious.
After the 26th of April, A. D. 1839, I took leave of Far West, and in company with my brethren traveled to Illinois, where my family had removed some time previous, and I had the unspeakable pleasure of seeing my beloved friends, the First Presidency and others who had been delivered out of the hands of their enemies and had arrived safely in Illinois.
Soon after a general conference of the Church was held near Quincy, at which the Saints from all the regions round about assembled. It was a time which will long be remembered by the Saints, it being the first conference held after their expulsion.
CHAPTER XI.
FAR WEST BESIEGED—JOSEPH SMITH AND BRETHREN BETRAYED BY APOSTATES—ATROCITIES OF MOB—CONVERSATION WITH W. E. M'LELLIN—EXTERMINATION SPEECH OF GENERAL CLARK.
Before I proceed farther with my narrative, it may perhaps be as well to revert to some other things that transpired in Missouri:
After witnessing the death of D. W. Patten, I took Dr. Avard with me to Far West, a distance of three miles, to Elder Rigdon's house, where we found Brother Patrick O'Banion, who was shot in nearly the same place as Brother Patten (he was a member of Zion's Camp in 1834). He also died in a short time, firm and steadfast in the faith, was perfectly calm and composed, and bore a strong testimony to the truth of "Mormonism."
Gideon Carter, who was also a faithful Saint, was shot in the head and left dead on the ground, so defaced that the brethren did not at first know him.
This was a gloomy time!