John Tanner and his family

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68 John Tanner and His Family But now to return to the usual explanation given by Mormon writers for the failure of Zion's Army. From this point-of-view camp members were responsible for not having yielded complete and total obedience to all the requirements made of them. Had they measured up in all respects, "Zion might have been redeemed even now.'?" A most tragic incident took place in the camp and the im­ mediate surroundings at the very moment that the failure of the mission became apparent. Cholera, which had attacked a few of the brethren during the past several days, suddenly became epidemic. No one has described the horror better than the prophet: This night [June 4, 1834] the cholera burst forth among us, and about midnight it was manifested in its most virulent form. Our ears were saluted with cries and moanings, and lamentations on every hand; even those on guard fell to earth with their guns in their hands, so sudden and powerful was the attack of this terrible disease. At the commencement, I attempted to lay on hands for their recovery, but I quickly learned by painful experience, that when the great Jehovah decrees destruction upon any people, and makes known His determination, man must not attempt to stay his hand. The moment I attempted to rebuke the disease I was attacked, and had I not desisted in my attempt to save the life of a brother, I would have sacrificed my own." Heber C. Kimball has an even longer account of the sorrowful and, like the prophet, attributed the disease to divine dis­ pleasure, and added: event At this scene my feelings were beyond expression. Those only who witnessed it, can realize anything of the nature of our sufferings, and I feel to weep, and pray to the Lord that he would spare my life that I might behold my dear family again. I felt to covenant with my brethren, and I felt in my heart never to commit another sin while I lived." Nathan Tanner's account At this very time given fifty years later is as follows: the fight with the Pawpaw died off like sheep with the rot. It seemed as though the Lord took those who were most fit to go. It was a sorrowful time, and one long to be remembered. We had to put them into the ground in their blankets without coffins or much ceremony. Here we saw the words of Joseph Smith ful­ filled to the letter." [immediately following brush] the cholera set in, and our men