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Show 133 nity, and women and children would perish. Is every man and woman wicked? No: the majority of this people are doing the best they can;... We have talked about redeeming Zion [Jackson County], but the people are not yet righteous enough to receive and build up Zion in its purity, though they are growing to it.... ... God is not willing that unholy hands shall carry out his judgements in the latter days. When men go out to fight, I want them to go so full of the power of God that balls cannot hit them.... I am willing to leave this place, if I am called upon, and to take joyfully the spoiling of my goods.... Perhaps we may come back here, and perhaps not. I would as soon be here as anywhere, and anywhere as here, wherever the Lord may require me. 3 It was four days after this speech that Brigham Young and his family abandoned the city. Accompanying him were Heber C. Kimball, Daniel H. Wells, Apostles Smith, Benson and Taylor, and a few other church authorities. The weather was cold and windy. At times the horses pulling the wagons were obscured from view by the blowing dust. President Young was not well. The strain of leading the people through the crisis was wearing on him. William Gilbert, who met him on the road April 2, recalled that "both the prophet and bis chief familiar, Kimball, had a worn and jaded look, as if under the pressure of much care and responsibility. " ^ Arriving at American Fork the first evening, the group lodged at the home of Bishop Harrington. President Young took the opportunity to address the citizens of the town. In this sermon, the president admitted the strain of his calling. "The President compared himself and his situation," wrote |
