Till I became a Mormon”
—the word “joy” being divided in the singing to “jaw-wy,” to accommodate the metre.
On the evening of the day before we entered the Mormon settlements, the leading man of the company beckoned me aside, and referred to our trip down, which he said had been a pleasant one.
“We have had,” said he, “some warm discussions about our religion, and you gentlemen, as our boys think, have been rather hard on us. But the journey is now about over, and we’ll not mind it. I sought this opportunity, however, to give you a word of caution, for I feel friendly to you. While you are at Salt Lake City you mustn’t talk as you have to us.”
“Why?” I inquired.
“Because they don’t allow it. Were you ever at Salt Lake City?”
“No.”
“Well, you’ll find out when you get there how it is. They are very severe upon people who talk as you have talked to us. Should you do it, you may be assured you’ll never leave the city alive. I thought I’d put you on your guard.” As he left me, he added,
“Don’t say a word to the boys about what I’ve told you, but keep an eye to your conduct. If the bishop knew I had told you this, it would go hard with me.”
Thanking him for the advice, we soon after separated; and on our arrival at Salt Lake City, a day or two afterwards, in conversation with a leading Mormon with whom we had business, we told him of the advice we had received, without committing our friend by name.