In response to the plight of the poor, Brigham Young appointed 15 May as “a day of fasting & prayer.” Work was suspended on all public and church projects such as the Nauvoo House and the temple, and meetings were held throughout the city. William Clayton recorded that “the brethren consecrated there days victuals and handed it to the Bishops for the poor and considerable was realized by the plan.” Willard Richards similarly stated that there were “meeting[s] in each ward” and noted that the “Saints [were] liberal to the poor[.] Bishops recived enough to keep the poor till after harvest.” (Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 11 May 1845; Clayton, Journal, 15 May 1845; Richards, Journal, 15 May 1845.)
Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL
Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.