The matter was taken under advisement by Brigham until next morning. In the morning he came to me in my tent and said:
"John, how would you like to go back with Brother Pace and get the remittances of the soldiers?" I said:
"My family is large, I have no houses for them; they are without provisions, and I have no means to shelter them from the winter storms. I have not hay cut to feed my stock through the winter. I must attend to keeping my stock in order or I will have nothing left to take me and my family over the plains next spring. But," said I, "there is no one more willing to sacrifice himself and his own interests for the benefit of the Church than I am."
Brigham waited and heard me through; then he said:
"Thus sayeth the Lord. You shall go, my son. Prosperity shall attend you during your absence, and you shall return in safety; not a hair of your head shall be hurt."
"It is enough to know your will; I will go. But who will take care of my family in my absence?"
"I will see to your family, and attend to all you are interested in during your absence," said Brigham.
At that, I was satisfied, and proceeded to carry out Brigham's will. I had cut considerable hay in company with the brethren, but as it had to be divided, I felt sure I would not have much to my share, especially after I had divided with the lazy poor. I never went much on this copartnership system of labor. There are always a number who will not work, and yet they are always present when there is a division to be made of the proceeds of the labor.
Joseph the Prophet classed the poor into three divisions. He said:
"There are three kinds of poor. The Lord's poor, the devil's poor, and the poor devils." I never objected to share with the Lord's poor, but when it came to dividing with the devil's poor and the poor devils, it was more than I desired; it took away the profits.