[Apostle Willard Richards Journal] Locust Creek Encampment, Middle Fork. Morning clear, wind north, ground froze hard. President Young met in general council at H. C. KimballÂ's encampment 10 o'clock a.m. The council opened at 11 and 3/4 [11:45 a.m.]. Present: Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, G. A. Smith, John Taylor, Amasa Lyman, Samuel Bent, and 7 more of the high council, Bishops Whitney and Miller, C. C. Rich, and 27 others of the camp (see minutes on file). President Young stated that he was satisfied that they were taking a course that would prove salvation to the camp and the Saints that were yet between. Said he, "I don't think that there ever has been a body of people since the days of Enoch, placed under the same circumstances that this camp has been, where there were so little grumbling and murmuring as we have had, and I am satisfied that the Lord is pleased [with] this camp, but there has been some things done which were not right and calculated to bring destruction upon us if they are not stopped, but they will be removed.
"There are men among us who are passing counterfeit money and have done it all the time since we left Nauvoo, and there are men among us who will steal, and these things must be stopped. When we once get properly situated so where every man will have plenty, there will no more need to steal, and if a man does steal when he has no need, the law will be put in force. Some plead our suffering from our enemies, and say they are justified in stealing from our enemies because they have robbed us; but suppose we suffer such to take this course, what effect will it have. It will destroy the kingdom of God, and from this time forth I caution the brethren to watch those who pass counterfeit money and when they find them, we will take care of them, and let them go to the gentiles to bring destruction upon us. There are men who eat at my [table] and feed their teams on my corn, and at the first opportunity pass a counterfeit bill to bring [?] the United States are a perfect set of bogus themselves, from the President down to the hog-whipper in the street. And if a pure principle were to come to them, they would never cease their operation till they made bogus of it.
"I propose that we go on to the new purchase on the Iowa on the Grand River and fence in a field of about 2 miles, build about 20 log cabins, and thus spend our time till the weather settles, plough some land and put in spring crops, select men and families to care for it and the remainder go on. We will also send men back from Grand River to look out new and better roads, and to pilot the next company so they may avoid the creeks, bad roads, and settlements through which we have passed. Then let those who follow either tarry on Grand River or leave their truck and proceed on. Some can go to the Missouri bottoms and another location and tarry thence to winter where there will be plenty of feed for their cattle, and come on another season as fast as they can make their way.
"I also propose that we select a number of men out of each company and send them tomorrow to Judge Miller's neighbor on Grand River to work and get corn and provisions, etc., for the camp. Also, that we select a company to start about Tuesday and go on the northern route to Grand River, find out the best road and seek a good location where we can put in the crops, and let the camp follow at short stages to give our teams a chance to graze. 100 wagons will be sufficient to cross the mountains this season and the rest can tarry, raise crops, and fit themselves to travel the next season, and those who are back can do the same. I don't want the [?] of men called in camp who were in the Missouri difficulties."
On motion of Elder Kimball, voted that the President's wishes be carried into effect immediately. The President then spoke of crossing the Missouri River at Council Bluffs instead of at BankÂ's Ferry, going up the other side of the Platte. After conversation thereon, council voted to leave direct for Council Bluffs. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, G. A. Smith, Joshua S. Holman, Henry G. Sherwood, Jedediah M. Grant, John Pack, and William L. Cutler, were selected to proceed to Grand River and look out the location. After conversation, council adjourned. President Young returned to camp about 3 p.m. About the same time 2 deer, 4 turkeys, and a pheasant were brought into camp by some of the hunters of the first 50 (and party, J. D. Lee [Young] and company). Between the hours of 7 and 8 evening, President Young came into the post office and chatted until about 9 o'clock on the subject of the redemption of Zion and the building up of the kingdom in the last days. About 4 p.m., the sixth company arrived, encamped and formed another encampment on a small ridge about one l/2 miles west of the main encampment. Evening wind variable, cloudy.
[source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
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