“Burlington Co. New Jersey I left at the latter part of August, and came on up the Ohio River as far as Wellsburgh. Va. I stopped with Father James. Here I preached twice and baptized three persons. came on by Stage and Steam Boats to : from thence took the Canal to Leechburgh, where I stopped and preached to a small number of Saints, raised up by the instrumentality of — all in good Spirits. As I left this place about nine o clock in the morning, the most remarkable phenomenon occurred in the heavens that I ever witnessed. There appeared two bright and luminous bodies, one on the north and the other on the South side of the Sun: in length about ten yards, inclining to a circle resembling a rainbow, about fifty yards distant from the Sun; apparently east, — — — — — about twenty five yards, was a body of light as brilliant, almost, as the Sun itself; and on the west, a great distance from the Sun, [HC 4:202] appeared a white semicircle passing half way round the horizon, and another crossing it at right angles, exhibiting a scenery of the sublimest kind. It was a great wonder to the Passengers on board the boat. Put this with the fact that the Jews are gathering home, and also, that all Europe is in commotion, and on the eve of breaking out in open hostilities; and also, the tree of liberty which has long flourished in the Republican soil of , has been girdled, and her green foliage which has shielded and protected the sons of oppression from the scorching rays of despotic power, already begins to wither like the accursed fig tree. What language do these speak to the Saints? “lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth near.” I came on, and met with the Saints in , Pa. and labored there about one week with where we added six to their number. I preached about one week in and baptized twelve— came on to this place with brothers and , and held a two days meeting at which sixteen were baptized. I shall return to in a few days where I expect to meet , and then, if the Lord will, after holding a few meetings in this Country, we shall proceed on to , there take ship and sail over the Seas. .” <​see Addenda page 19.​>

[HC 4:203] “Minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in , Hancock County, Illinois October 3rd. 1840. The Conference was opened by prayer by President . Prest. Joseph Smith — — — was then unanimously called to the Chair, and . <​appointed​> Clerk. A letter from Elders and , and one from Elder were then read by the Clerk, which gave very satisfactory accounts of their mission. On motion; resolved, that a Committee be appointed to ordain such as have recommends to this Conference for ordination, and that , , , and , compose said Committee, and report their proceedings before the conference closes. The president arose and stated that there had been several depredations committed on the Citizens of , and thought it expedient that a [p. 1102]