Kirtland at that time was a desolate looking place, about one-half of the houses being empty and going to ruin.
We had but little means to prosecute our journey, but, God being our helper, we felt to press our way onward.
I left there with my brethren on the 22nd of November, and went to Fairport. There we were detained till the 26th on account of a tremendous snow storm. Our board cost us fifteen dollars while there. We boarded a boat and landed at Buffalo on the 27th, in the morning, and proceeded by stage to Batavia, where we arrived in the evening. The next afternoon, we took the cars for Rochester.
When we got to Byron, I got out and left the brethren, supposing Harvy Hall, my brother-in-law, was living there. I had scarcely left the cars when I was informed that he had gone to Rochester. I think I never felt worse in my life, my anticipations were so great to see him, and I could not get away till the next night. Just at evening, I got aboard the cars and arrived at Hall's at eight the next evening, where I was joyfully received. I staid there one week, and was confined to my bed some of the time. I had to take deck passage on the steamboat for the want of means, and took cold and it settled in my right side. I was so bad that I could hardly draw my breath.
A letter from my wife reached Mendon, my old home about three weeks before I did. Sister Hall was at my brother Solomon's, and advised him to take it out. He did so, and opened it, but could not tell where I was. Supposing that I was dead, my relatives were feeling very badly when I arrived there. I was taken to my brother Solomon's, and he and his family were all rejoiced to see me once more in the land of the living.
Nathaniel Campbell, my wife's brother-in-law, came and took me home with him to Victor. I received great kindness from them and from all my old friends. Several of the neighbors came in while I was there, and my wife's sister introduced me as her "Mormon" brother. They seemed to take a great interest in our sufferings, and this seemed to be the feeling of all candid people.
I was urged by my friends to return and bring my family, and remain with them, or at least to stop there till warm weather, on account of my poor health, as a little fatigue would bring me down again. However, I knew it would not do, as "no man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
I preached in Mendon school house Sunday, December 21st, at one o'clock. The house was full. Then in the evening again there was an appointment for their Methodist preacher, but as he did not come, nothing would do but I must preach. I also preached at Miller's Corner. There seemed to be a great desire to hear, but my health would not permit me to speak much.
On the 29th, Brother William E. Murray came through the snow up to his horses' sides, determined to have me go home with him. It was as much as we could do to get to his house. It was a pleasure to me to see them. William said to me, "When you want to pray, Heber, use your liberty." He and his family seemed to take much pleasure in the things of God; and on the first day of the year 1840, I went into the water and baptized him and his wife. He gave me a little money, a pair of pantaloons and a pair of drawers, and would have given me fifty dollars if he had had it. My sister, Mrs. Wheeler, gave me another pair of drawers and two fine shirts, and a shawl to wear around my neck. An old friend, John E. Tomlinson, gave me a dollar and said if I would come again he'd give me more. These, with Brother Wheeler, were the only ones who would help me upon my mission. Others were willing to assist me if I would only forsake my "Mormonism" and come back and live with them; but I felt that I would rather live in a cave, or be driven with the Saints every other year while I lived, and be one with them, than to apostatize and have all the good things of the earth, for I would feel myself disgraced in the sight of God and man.
On the 6th of January, I preached in Mendon for the fourth time. I also had calls to preach in other parts of the town, as well as other towns in that region. The Baptist church that I had formerly been a member of, had about died out.