<​March 1​> purchased at , or from any of our travelling Elders. As soon as the news of this discovery was made known, false reports, misrepresentation, and slander flew as on the wings of the wind in every direction, the house was frequently beset by mobs, and evil designing persons, several times I was shot at, and very narrowly escaped and every device was made use of to get the plates away from me but the power and blessing of God attended me, and several began to believe my testimony. On the sixth of April 1830, the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” was first organized in the Town of <​should be: , Seneca Co,​> , Ontario County, State of New York. Some few were called and ordained by the Spirit of Revelation, and Prophesy, and began to preach as the Spirit gave them utterance, and though weak yet were they strengthened by the power of God, and many were brought to repentance, were immersed in the water, and were filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They saw visions and prophesied, devils were cast out and the sick healed by the laying on of hands. From that time the work rolled forth with astounding rapidity, and Churches were soon formed in the States of , , , Indiana, , and ; in the last named state a considerable settlement was formed in : numbers joined the Church and we were increasing rapidly; we made large purchases of land, our farms teemed with plenty, and peace and happiness were enjoyed in our domestic circle and throughout our neighborhood; but as we could not associate with our neighbors, who were many of them of the basest of men and had fled from the face of civilized society, to the frontier country to escape the hand of justice, in their midnight revels, their sabbath breaking, horseracing, and gambling, they commenced at first ridicule, then to persecute, [HC 4:538] and finally an organized mob assembled and burned our houses, tarred and feathered and whipped many of our brethren and finally drove them from their habitations; who houseless, and homeless, contrary to law, justice and humanity, had to wander on the bleak prairies till the children left the tracks of their blood on the prairie, this took place in the month of November, and they had no other covering but the canopy of heaven, in this inclement season of the year; this proceeding was winked at by the Government and although we had warrantee deeds for our land, and had violated no law we could obtain no redress. There were many sick, who were thus inhumanly driven from their houses, and had to endure all this abuse and to seek homes where they could be found. The result was, that a great many of them being deprived of the Comforts of life, and the necessary attendances, died; many children were left orphans; wives, widows; and husbands, widowers; Our farms were taken possession of by the mob, many thousands of cattle, sheep, horses, and hogs, were taken, and our household goods, store goods, and printing press, and type were broken, taken, or otherwise destroyed.