Chapter 4.
Leaving my family, starting upon my missions
and Incidents upon the Journey

Aug 8, 1839 Early on this important morning I arose
from my sick bed, laid my hands upon the head
of my wife Phebe and blessed her and departed from
her ^the^ embrace of my companion and left her
almost without food or raiment the necessaries of life
she parted with me with this fortitude that becomes
a Saint realizing the responsibility of her compan-
ion. Phebe farewell, be of good chear, remember
me in your prayers, I leave these pages for your
perusal when I am gone, I shall see thy face again in
the flesh I go to obey the command of Jesus Christ.
Although feeble I walked to the Bank of the Mississippi
River there President Brigham Young took me in a
canoe (having no other conveyance) & paddled me across the
river I lay down on a side of sole leather by
the post office to rest some Br Joseph the prophet
of God came along & looked at me Well Br Woodruff
says he you have started on your Mission yes says
I but I feel & look more like a subject for the

Chapter 4. Leaving my family, starting upon my missions and Incidents upon the Journey

Aug 8, 1839 Early on this important morning I arose from my sick bed, laid my hands upon the head of my wife Phebe and blessed her and departed from the embrace of my companion and left her almost without food or the necessaries of life she parted with me with this fortitude that becomes a Saint realizing the responsibility of her companion. Phebe farewell, be of good chear, remember me in your prayers, I leave these pages for your perusal when I am gone, I shall see thy face again in the flesh I go to obey the command of Jesus Christ. Although feeble I walked to the Bank of the Mississippi River there President Brigham Young took me in a canoe (having no other company) & paddled me across the river I lay down on a side of sole leather by the post office to rest some Br Joseph the prophet of God came along & looked at me Well Br Woodruff says he you have started on your Mission yes says I but I feel & look more like a subject for the