As the latter-day saints were running for their lives from Missouri, following the Extermination Order, east to Illinois, the town they came to was Quincy, just over the Mississippi River. What makes Quincy remarkable is the kindness of the people there, who took in more than triple their population and, in contrast to people they had lived among previously, continued to support them and seek their relief until the saints were able to move on, in this case, just north to what came to be Nauvoo.
Quincy also was known for helping slaves escape to the north (the underground railroad) and helping Native Americans along the trail of tears.
President Gordon B. Hinkley said of them: “In the annals of our Church, the city of Quincy and its citizens will always occupy a position of the highest esteem. We shall always be grateful for the kindness, the hospitality, the civility with which your people met our people who were exiles from the state of Missouri.”
Susan thinks the city has been blessed over the years.
At the time the saints were received into Quincy, Joseph Smith and those with him were still incarcerated in Liberty Jail. Brigham Young, the now-president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was the one who led the saints’ exodus from Missouri and their gathering there.
Soon after, Brigham also led the fulfilment of a prophecy by the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph had received a revelation that the Twelve were to leave for missions to England, and the place they were to leave from was the temple site at Far West. Even though that place was the opposite direction from England by almost 200 miles and in enemy territory, Brigham went against the advice of some and went, as did the rest of the existing Twelve.
Who did they meet there unexpectedly? How did they escape detection by their enemies? Who was added to the Quorum at that time? What prominent leaders joined the Church in Quincy?
Hear these and other great stories in this episode. Glad to have you – as always!