LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL.

CHAPTER XX.

PREPARING FOR OUR JOURNEY AND MISSION—THE BLES-
SING OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH UPON OUR HEADS, AND
HIS PROMISES UNTO US—THE POWER OF THE DEVIL
MANIFESTED TO HINDER US IN THE PERFORMANCE OF
OUR JOURNEY.

ON the first of July, 1839, Joseph Smith and his counsel-
ors, Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, crossed the river
to Montrose, to spend the day with the Twelve, and set them
apart and bless them, before they started upon their missions.
There were twelve of us who met there, and we all dined in
my house.

After dinner, we assembled at Brother Brigham Young's
house for our meeting.

Brother Hyrum Smith opened by prayer; after which the
Presidency laid their hands upon our heads and gave each of
us a blessing.

President Rigdon was mouth in blessing me, and also
blessed Sisters Young, Taylor and Woodruff.

The Prophet Joseph promised us if we would be faithful,
we should be blessed upon our mission, have many souls as
seals of our ministry, and return again in peace and safety to
our families and friends; all of which was fulfilled.

Brother Hyrum advised me to preach the first principles of
the gospel; he thought that was about as much as this gener-
ation could endure.

Then Joseph arose and preached some precious things of
the Kingdom of God unto us, in the power of the Holy
Ghost; some of which I here copy from my journal:

"Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready
to forgive our brethren on the first intimation of their repent-
ance and desire for forgiveness; for our Heavenly Father will
be equally as merciful unto us. We also ought to be willing
to repent of and confess our sins, and keep nothing back. Let