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Show Page 127 and adding: "If I had, especially without the least cause, insulted any of your families in so disgraceful a manner I should have been very thankful if I escaped without getting my head broke. And I never would have voted to turn one of you out of meeting." 49 Orson soon learned in confidence that the girl who had accompanied Parley to New York the year previous was actually Belinda, a plural wife sealed to him by Brigham Young in November 1844. The dispute was rapidly settled and Orson returned to fellowship, for by January 24 he was presiding once again in the temple and he and Parley officiating- together. The incident reveals perhaps nothing more than a momentary squabble between two brothers, based on a misunderstanding; however, it also demonstrates that the painful episodes involving Sarah, which Orson had attempted to put behind him, still rankled. On the eve of the departure from Nauvoo Orson had found himself again frustrated at what he perceived as inconsistencies in those around him - he was perhaps not so much infuriated as hurt and bewildered. In his mind, his family was "much injured" by events at Nauvoo, and he found it difficult to come off the emotional defensive. The Pratts' stormy sojourn at Nauvoo ended with the birth of a son. Sarah delivered a little boy, the fifth of their children, on January 23, 50 1846, whom Orson blessed and named "Vanson." The young philosopher and scientist of the Mormons now prepared to leave his new brick house by the Mississippi to wander into the Great American Desert - with three wives, a boy, a girl, and an infant - into the ravages of the prairie winter. |