Location: Mitchell, Nebraska - Location: 41:56:25N 103:48:29W
Elevation: 3945 feet
Date: May 28, 1847
On the North Platte River, Nebraska:
The morning was rainy, which delayed the day's journey until
11 a.m. Thick, heavy clouds remained in the sky. While they were
waiting, Howard Egan and Luke Johnson took the boat wagon, "Revenue
Cutter" up the river about three miles in search of wood. They
found a beautiful, clear stream from a spring with a large number
of small fish.
As the pioneers traveled, the crossed the clear stream found
by the brethren earlier in the morning. Wilford Woodruff commented: "We
passed along side a clear steam of water with some beaver dams & houses
upon it. At one place it raised the water about two feet which
was lined with fish, a good share of which was speckled trout."
Orson Pratt described: "A very few scattering trees were seen
on the opposite side of the river . . . I believe, the first
seen for several days, with the exception of small cedars or
pines, which are thinly scattered over and upon the sides of
the bluffs. . . . Small hillocks or ant-hills are numerous; they
consists of small pebbles or gravel, accumulated with great industry
from the neighbouring soil. Mingled with these were found, in
different places, small Indian beads, which these insects had
collected to beautify and adorn their habitations."
After traveling eleven and a half miles, they camped near the
river. There was plenty of driftwood to use for building fires.
Porter Rockwell and Thomas Brown went out hunting and spotted
five or six Indians.
Appleton Harmon wrote: "President Young and Brother Kimball
have been privately exhorting some of the brethren to forsake
an excess of mirthfulness and indulging in plays, dances, sham
trials, etc., which have been carried to excess for the last
few days and would have a tendency to cause a neglect of duties
which ought not to be."
Wilford Woodruff also wrote on this subject: "During the evening
President Young called at my fire & seeing several of the brethren
playing dominoes in a waggon nearby began to teach by saying
that the devil was getting power over the camp. That for several
days past nearly the whole camp had drank into a spirit of card,
checker, & domino playing & dancing & the spirit of folley & if
they did not speedily repent their works, labours, & journey
would be in vain." Wilford Woodruff felt the Spirit testify to
him that President Young's words were true. Elder Woodruff went
to Willard Richard's wagon where they read a chapter in the Book
of Mormon and offered prayers. Afterwards, a council meeting
was held at Brigham Young's wagon with other members of the Twelve.
They wrote "the word of the Lord" receive by Brigham Young for
the camp concerning their need to repent.
Winter Quarters, Nebraska:
Mary Richards visited two hours with her new neighbors, Sisters
Wilder and Matson. "Had an interesting talk with them about the
principles of the Gospel after which I came home, got supper, molded
some candles."
St. Louis, Missouri:
Elder Lyman O. Littlefield arrived at St. Louis on the way to his mission in
England. He wrote of St. Louis: "A large number of Saints resided there. They
were in good spirits and held meetings regularly for the preaching of the gospel."
