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CHAPTER IX.

ZION'S CAMP.—The Prophet's "Army" marches to Missouri—A Great Storm—The Cholera desolates the "Strength of the Lord's House"—Utter Discomfiture of the Mormons—The Promises to restore the Saints to Jackson County a Total Failure—The "Army" disbanded—The Saints sue for Peace—"The Lord was only trying their Faith"—They are to curse their Enemies—Anniversary Meetings of Zion's Camp—Dancing and Rejoicing.

There is no event in the history of Mormonism of such importance as that which is portrayed in the preceding chapter it was the "call of the Lord" for "the strength of His house to go against His enemies." The Church so understood it and the brethren answered to "the Lord's call." The Company was organized in Kirtland on the 7th of May, and as "Zion's Camp" took up their march westward. They numbered 130 men, among whom were Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, Orson Hyde, Orson and Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and many other leading elders. This little army was divided into companies of twelve men, each company choosing its own officer. The Prophet's cousin, Geo. A. Smith, was elected to be his armour-bearer.^[1] Camp discipline was rigid, everything throughout the day had its appointed time, and at the sound of the evening trumpet the little "host" were called to their devotions, returning thanks for the past and invoking the protection of "the God of battles."

By the time the camp reached Missouri its numbers had increased to 205. Orson Hyde and Parley P. Pratt had been despatched in advance as delegates to the Governor of Mis-

1. All through Mormonism there is a constant effort to imitate something Hebraic. Nothing can be done without some allusion to Biblical history. The above, of course, was in allusion to Saul and his faithful armour-bearer. The same may be said of the "Armies of the Lord," "the Host," and "the God of battles."