Soon after this, the family moved south from Nauvoo, about 10 miles, halfway between Warsaw and Carthage, the latter is where Joseph Smith was killed. 

Mother has told me that the Prophet used to take me on his knee and play with me. When I was old enough to understand these things I felt glad in my heart that the Prophet of the Lord had embraced me in his arms.

While living in a log house, which was occupied by two families, one Sunday about the winter of 1842, Pa and Ma went to meeting and the parents of the children in the other part of the house went off visiting, leaving two boys at home. My sisters and baby brother were playing in our own house. The big boy next door, about seventeen years old came into our house and said, "If you children don't quit making a noise, I'll shoot you."

I started to tease him by pulling his pistol out of his pocket, he then took our gun down from the wall and aimed it at my breast, but while scuffling with the girls he lowered it a little and fired shooting over half of my left leg away just above the ankle. He said, afterward that he only intended to shoot between my legs and frighten me.  After he realized he had shot me, he left me standing on one leg and went in his own house, got some brown sugar, hurried back, laid me on the lounge, took off my boot, which was very large being my father's, took my leg in his lap, covered the would with sugar,  and did all he could to stop the flow of blood. It was three months before I could walk one step.  Pa then moved about 10 miles from there.

I was now eight years old and had anxiously looked forward for this time to come that I might be baptized. The day was cold and disagreeable, being in mid winter, December 28, 1841;  but this did not daunt me, so I coaxed my Pa, who was an elder, to baptize me. My older sister, Lydia,  had waited to be baptized with me, so Pa went to the creek near home (named Bear Creek), cut the ice and baptized us both.

About two and one-half years later, after Joseph and Hyrum were shot, in June 1844, the mob became very violent and the authorities of the Church requested all the Saints in the country to gather into the City of Nauvoo, which had a population of about 20,000.

We remained there until 1846 when the Saints were forced to leave their homes and flee from the city that we loved so much. We were with the first Company. I remember crossing the Mississippi River and going with the Company until we came to Mt. Pisgah, where the Saints planted a crop for the Companies that were to follow. We then went to Council Bluffs.

I had little to do as Pa took care of the teams, so I went swimming in every creek we came to. I remember well, passing through a low marshy place where the grass was taller than my head and found some of the largest and most delicious strawberries I ever tasted.  After we reached Council Bluffs,  I took sick with a fever from being in the water so much. This lasted about three weeks. I had barely recovered when Pa took down with a severe case of typhoid fever and nearly died.

We lived in an Indian hut that had been given us. An old Indian doctor was the only help my Mother had except her faith and prayers, which she declared saved Father's life. When he was able to get around, he was advised to take his family and go into a settlement where he could get work and provide for his family.

We traveled down the river south until we came to a stream called Ottawa, where we stayed about two years, and Pa used to tend the ferry about eight miles north of St. Joe. We did some farming there too.

In 1848 we started back to Illinois and arrived there in July. My sister Lydia had married a man by the name of David Chase (outside of the Church). They lived near Quincy, Illinois. My sister wrote many letters to my parents persuading them to come to Quincy. Finally we started, arriving there in August 1848. I was then about fifteen years old. We had been away from the Church about two years.

The spirit came upon me that I must visit the body of the Saints, who were then at Council Bluffs. But being of a very delicate constitution - even from my birth - I could not get up the courage to go so far from home. I tried to cast this feeling from me, for it troubled me day and night until we reached my sister's. Then I said within myself: if God would give me a horse, I would know that he wanted me to go, and take courage and go.  This was in August.  Sometime in September, my brother-in-law, David Chase, told me he had three colts and if I would take care of them and break them to ride, I might have one for my own. I took this as a direct answer to my prayer, and felt sure the Lord wanted me to go. But as the colt was only two years old and I dreaded to leave my loved ones at home, as I was a very timid lad and had never been away from my parents, brothers and sisters. I concluded I would take the next spring and summer to break my colt and go the next fall.

I got my colt very tame, had him in a good condition to ride, and I told my folks that I must go and visit the Saints in the fall.   But when the fall came I found it just as hard to leave my loved ones and kept putting it off, until the fall had passed away and I had not yet started; the winter came on and still I found myself delaying my visit that the Lord called me to make, and that I had promised the Lord that I would go, yet I kept putting it off. One morning I went to the stable to feed my horse, and there to my great astonishment, stood my horse bleeding to death from every pore in his body, just like he was sweating blood. In a few hours, he died.

I grieved greatly and took this as a judgment from the Lord for not keeping the promise that I had made in my heart to him. So I made up my mind to go on foot, which I did very much against the wishes of my parents, especially my Mother, for I was very delicate in health.

I went as I had promised the Lord I would do, and went on foot. I started out with only a little money in the dead of winter. I believe it was in January of 1850, with a distance ahead of about 400 miles. I stopped at farm houses over night and very seldom would they take pay. When I reached Council Bluffs, they received me very gladly and I had a fine visit with the Saints. Then I thought I would return home, but there was one dear friend who lived back on the Old Mormon Trail, about 25 miles, whom I wanted to see; we had not heard from him for four years, I concluded to go home over the old trail.

I started out one cold morning. There was a great deal of snow on the ground. I had a very severe trip - it was really dangerous to cross the wild prairie. I might have lost my way and frozen to death for there was much snow. But God had pity on me and led me to safety.

I could not find my friend so I went to a little log cabin I saw and asked if I could stay with them over night. They received me kindly, and through our conversation that night, I received a wonderful testimony as to, which was the true branch of the Church, as there were many divisions after Joseph's death. This man although a kind Latter-day Saint had been led away by [Mr.] Strang, who had pulled away from the Church and set up a church of his own and claimed it was the true branch of the church; but he said he knew of a prophecy concerning the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, that although all three had been cut off the Church, two of them would yet return -- Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris -- and unite themselves again with the true branch at the Church. Oliver Cowdery had come with a humble heart and united himself with the branch at Council Bluffs, which fulfilled his part of the prophecy just in time to prove to the man I visited, whose name was Smith, if I remember right; that this was the true branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that Brigham Young was the proper leader of the Church after Joseph Smith's death. He therefore left Strang and joined this Church.  He told me that he verily believed that Martin Harris would also come and unite himself with this Church and he was watching for that to take place.

After receiving this testimony, I started home realizing that this was what the Lord had sent me on this journey for. I arrived home in March of this same year and had to ford many streams that were swollen by the spring rains, until they were dangerous to cross. But I reached home in safety and the hearts of my parents, brother and sisters rejoiced in my coming as much as I rejoiced at being home again with them -- having been gone about three months and we truly had a joyful meeting together

I have lived long enough to know that Martin Harris did come and the prophecy was literally fulfilled for both Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris did come and unite themselves again with the Church, thus fulfilling the prophecy, for I was told by good authority; even Brother Stevenson, who was of great worth to the Church; that Martin Harris came to Salt Lake and in the great tabernacle, before thousands of people, bore his testimony that the statement in the Book of Mormon which his name was signed to was just as it happened, for he said, "We did see the angel and he showed us the plates; and we did also hear a voice from Heaven saying that this work of translating the plates to the Book of Mormon was of God."  Martin Harris repented and was re-baptized in the Church.

After Oliver Cowdery joined the Church, he went to Missouri to bid goodbye to his folks so he could follow the Saints out West. While there he took sick and died. While he was on his deathbed he testified to his friends again to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, for truly it was the word of God and he wished that non of his friends would ever go back on it, but that they should always stand firm to the Church. These two men bore double testimony to the divinity of the Book of Mormon. Their coming back and joining the Church again fulfilled the prophecy of Joseph Smith, the Prophet and testify to the faithful Saints which was the true Church. Surely their testimony is strong enough evidence to all men that the Book of Mormon is "truly the word of God."

When David Whitmer (the other witness) was on his death bed a newspaper runner from Kansas City went to his home to see if he would go back on his testimony of the Book of Mormon. He asked Whitmer what he had to say about it. "Three years ago,"  said Whitmer, "when my house was visited by a cyclone, the room which the manuscript of the Book of Mormon was in, was not harmed at all while all the other parts of the house were destroyed, and I believe the room was preserved by the power of God because of the manuscript of the Book of Mormon."

These Three Witnesses were chosen of God himself, who sent an angel to show them the plates that they might verily know, and they heard His voice saying, "this work of translation was of God." Commanding these Witnesses that they should testify to all the world of these things. How can the world disbelieve these strong testimonies of its truthfulness?

John, the Revelator, saw an angel flying with the everlasting gospel to preach to all the world in the last days, and the Book of Mormon being brought to light by an angel fulfilled John's prophecy. It has been preached in nearly every nation already and has been translated in many languages.

Now if the Saints had understood the order of the priesthood, there would have been no confusion as to who should be leader of the Church after Joseph Smith's death, for after the First Quorum of the Church was broken up, the next Quorum became the leading authority, and as the twelve Apostles were the next Quorum, and as Brigham Young was the President of the Twelve Apostles, he, therefore, being the highest in authority at that time, it was his just duty to take charge of the Church.  The Church was greatly scattered at this time, so it was impossible to gather all the Saints together at one time to sanction any one for their leader, therefore, it was proper for those who could, assemble together to sanction the highest in authority over the Church, even Brigham Young as their proper leader.  He was then the highest one in authority, for Joseph Smith had been killed and his two counselors had withdrawn from the Church.  Sidney Rigdon seemed to fear the persecution of the Saints, for it was then very great.  He fled with his family to the east, away from the Church, just as Jesus said about the bad shepard who fleeth when he seeth the wolf near.  But the good shepard giveth his life for his sheep, so it was with Joseph Smith.  He gave his life but the counselors fled when they saw the wolf near.   Joseph Smith's second counselor turned traitor to him, his name was William Law, so we see the Quorum was broken up and the government of the Church fell upon Brigham Young and his Quorum, and the Church accepted him.  Thus, he was legally ordained the President of the Church. 

Joseph Smith had prophesied that the Church would be driven out to the Rocky Mountains and there should become a mighty people, so it had come to pass.  This has been fulfilled before our eyes. God led us here by Brigham Young, one of earth's greatest leaders, to shield us from the judgments of God that should pass over the world, and verily we have heard and seen how God has poured out his wrath on the world by cyclones, whirlwinds, thunderings, earthquakes, famine and pestilence, destructions on land and sea.  Thus God is making his holy arm bare in the eyes of all people.

Who can but see the hand of God over this people, although He tries our faith in chastening us in many ways? But whom God loveth, he chaseneth; but God says, "He that endureth to the end shall be saved."

                                                                     --James B. Tomlinson-- signed

 

I have wandered away from my subject and must return again. Soon my Pa moved with his family up to Columbus and opened a store. I clerked for him. I remember one day,  Pa and I were trying to sell a pair of fine boots to a couple of Irish Railroad men and Pa had to throw in a pair of $.50 socks, in order to sell the $4.00 pair of boots.  I knew they would 'jew' me down on my boots, so I raised the price $.50 cents so I could throw it off when they asked for the priced to be lowered and got my $4.00 without throwing in any socks, so I beat Pa in selling the boots and getting their full price.  This is just one little occurrence that I remembered in clerking for Pa. 

We only stayed in this place a short time, as the excitement of a new railroad being built from Quincy to Chicago - about the first one built in Illinois - caused us to move to Camp Point, through which the new railroad would have to run. Pa built a house here and went to his old trade of shoemaking. I started to learn the carpenter's trade. I had a chum by the name of John Watson who was a little older than I, there was a temperance excitement and he signed the pledge, but I wouldn't because I didn't wish to be bound down by any pledge, but to be a free man.  I remember sometime after this when we were on our road to a job, we were passing a small store where they kept liquor.  We went in and he offered to treat, I accepted it but I discovered that I was creating an appetite for liquor, so I stopped it.  I often have thoughts since that although he signed the pledge he broke it and led me into drinking, which might have meant my ruin if I had not been strong enough to govern myself.  So signing a pledge does not keep us from drinking, but it takes the strength of character given to us by the Spirit of the Lord, which we should seek daily for our constant companion.  I have tried to do all my life.

Shortly after this, I went to a little town by the name of Paloma, which was built on the new railroad, and began to take contracts for buildings. I boarded with my sister Lydia Chase. One day as I stood in her doorway looking upon a farm across the way, it was shown to me that a man would come;  buy that farm, and build a house on it; and that he should have a daughter, Mary, and she would be my wife.

A few years after this was shown to me, Dr. Wellar Draper Rood came, bought that piece of land. He built a house and I helped him complete it. He had an only daughter in New York State going to school. Her name was Mary. She soon returned and we became acquainted. After two years we were married - thus fulfilling the impression given me by the Lord. We were married January 22, 1861. I farmed the next season. Here our first child was born, a daughter, and we named her Mary Alice, who arrived eleven months after we were married.  My wife's father gave us a lot in Quincy, where we moved in the spring of l862. We built a house and I began to work at the carpenter trade.

All these years I was faithful, in my heart, to the Latter Day Saint Religion, and I taught everyone that I had an opportunity, the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ. Many called me a Mormon and pointed the finger of scorn at me. They had driven the Saints from Illinois with a deadly hate, and they also hated me for advancing such doctrine, but the spirit of preaching was upon me, for it was the doctrine that I had loved from my youth, and I rejoiced in proclaiming it to all I could.

We lived in Quincy until the spring of 1866. While there two children were born to us - our first son, James Addison, and a daughter, Sarah Leolia.  Thus we had three children born to us, two daughters and one son.

--A Prophecy--
 

Joseph Smith, the Prophet, had prophesied in 1832 that a war would break out in South Carolina between the north and the south, and that it would terminate in the death and misery of many souls. This was started the same year we were married, in 1861.  I felt anxious to get away from the war and get to the Saints. I had a chance to trade our property for a span of mules and $400.  I then got a wagon and had it covered, put in a stove and other necessary things we needed and we were all ready to go.  My wife handed the baby, Leolia, to her grandmother to hold while she got into the wagon, but a brother to the man I got the mules from, came along and said, "Jim, you had better try those mules before you put your family in the wagon."   My wife urged me to take his advice and try the mules, so I took the lines and began to drive the team around the block; the mules became frightened at the rattling of the light stove we had in the wagon and began to run;  the harder they ran, the worse the stove rattled, the more frightened they became, until I lost control of them entirely, and the stove and everything went flying out of the wagon.  But a friend stopped them after they ran a few blocks.  My wife felt very frightened and nervous, for she had just recovered from a very sick spell, so this changed out our undertaking.

We went to Camp Point, where my parents lived, and built a home. I worked at the carpenter trade and moved houses until the spring of 1879; we then had nine children.

--The Move--

This same spring I started for Kansas, to take up some land. We located in Lyon County --about twenty-five miles from Emporia. We lived there until 1892, and on this farm which was a quarter section of land and built a house. It was then that our last child was born. a daughter, Pearl Ethel.

While we lived at this place several of our children were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Three of the children went to Utah, for the sake of their religion. After they had been there about a year, my wife and daughters Eva and Pearl went to visit them, as our daughter Jessie was soon to be married. They had been out there only about three months when my wife and baby daughter, Pearl, were united with the Church.

Eva had already been baptized. My wife did not desire to return to Kansas after this, but wrote for me to bring our youngest son, Judson, and come to Utah.

--Answer to Prayer--

The news of this letter brought me both surprise and joy, for I had been trying to convert my wife, with all my powers, even before we were married, and all these years, yet I could not, and it was marvelous in my eyes that she was converted so soon after going to Utah. After I arrived there it was plainly shown to me that the Lord had heard my prayers and had accepted my fastings in her behalf, by pouring His Spirit out upon her, and enlightening her mind to an understanding of the fullness of the Gospel.

It seemed that the hand of the Lord was in all these things and had opened the way for our going to Zion; even to the selling of our crops, which was the largest and best that we had ever raised on the farm, thus giving us ample money for the trip. It all astonished me.

I had longed to go to Utah all these years, but at the time I was married, I promised my wife's father I would never drag my wife to Utah against her will; how strange it seemed that in after many years, she came to Utah of her own desire and sent for me!

Our youngest son, Judson, often asked me, "when will we start to go to Zion?" The Spirit always prompted me to say, 'Sometime in October." Although I could not see how this could come about. My heart was much troubled, for I had my blind and aged mother and two daughters, Leolia and Carrie, who were dress makers in a small town nearby, with me; they had not united with the Church and did not wish to go.  After my wife went away, they sold out their shop and came home to keep house for mother, Judson and myself, and made home pleasant in the absence of their mother.  I could not bear the thought of leaving my mother, but she felt that she would like to spend her last days with her daughter Jane, in Illinois, so I consented to her wishes.  My two daughters who were with me took her as far as Topeka and her step-daughter, Lydia, then took her the rest of the way, and my daughters stayed in Topeka and worked at their trade.  Judson and I then left the farm and many things, such as household furniture, farming implements and carpenter tools, which we would not sell, in the hands of George W. Lester, our dear friend who was going to act as our agent.  We took what things we could pack in our trunks and started for Utah, the land of the Latter-day Saints, where my heart had been for so many years. 

--The journey to Utah--

We enjoyed our trip and arrived in Heber City October 15, 1892, and had a joyful meeting with my wife and children. My brothers and sisters in the Gospel welcomed us warmly.

I was successful in getting work as a carpenter; I rented a house for our family and enjoyed our new home among the saints. President Hatch of Heber had Judson and me build him a brick house on his farm land in Lehi.   We two build the foundation, layed the brick walls, did the carpenter work, plastered and painted it. 

We stayed there one summer, then came to Salt Lake City, as our two daughters, Leolia and Carrie, had come from Kansas to build a home for the family. Through the blessings of the Lord they had accomplished it, had it all furnished and prepared for us, so we came to enjoy it. We have lived in Salt Like ever since.

In 1897 our daughter Carrie was married to Henry Walker and went to California [San Francisco] to live. Leolia continued the payments on our home. Our grand-daughter, Mary Alice Galloway, whose mother had died in Dallas, Texas, came to live with us and remained until she was married.

One year after the marriage of our daughter, Carrie, Leolia had our home dedicated to the Lord by Angus M. Cannon. and appointed Pearl and Allie to take charge of the home during her absence, as she was going to California. Leolia desired a blessing from her father, I laid my hands upon her head and my daughter, Leolia, desired a blessing by her father. So I laid my hands upon her head and gave her a blessing as the spirit directed. The blessing was to the effect that she might have a clear understanding of truth from error, and all the ways of the Lord. Being guided by His Spirit: that the scriptures might be unfolded to her and the words of God be clear.

Soon after this, Leolia and Alice were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and from that time to this, have been growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, and I hope will continue until they become perfect, even as Our Father in Heaven is perfect.

--A Wonderful Inspiration--

About one year and a half after her conversion, my daughter, Leolia, went to San Francisco to visit her sister, Carrie, where she stayed for six years.  While there she worked at her trade as a fitter and enjoyed herself very much, both at her business and in her Church work, attending her meetings, Sunday School, sacrament meetings, trying to build up the Kingdom of God.

In her absence my youngest daughter, Pearl, and my grand daughter, Alice, stayed with us and lent a helping hand in the support and comfort of the family, until the return of Leolia, which was in August of 1905.

The Spirit of the Lord directed me to send for her. I wrote for her to come home at once. She disliked very much to leave, as she was very happy. She was associated with President and Mrs. Robinson, President of the California Mission, and all the Elders, and helping in all the organizations. She also loved her work and California in general.

But desiring to comply with my request, she immediately gave up everything and came home. Two weeks after her return an earthquake destroyed the greater part of San Francisco, and many people perished. Both her place of business and hotel she lived in were destroyed.

My daughter, Leolia, soon obtained work in Cohn's store as fitter and taught in Sunday School, became President of the Mutual and spent her time in the work of the Lord and in taking care of her parents. which she did to her dying day.

We have spent many happy years in the lovely home Leolia and Carrie prepared for us [275 Paxton Avenue]. It was a beautiful two-story red brick, and furnished elaborately - even a piano for Mother. Since arriving in Utah we have had two boys and four girls marry, besides our granddaughter, Alice, and now each one of them has a family and a comfortable home.

Two of our sons have been called on missions. Our son, Joseph was called to labor in the Southern States, where he served nearly two years, and was called home on account of his wife's illness. Our son, Judson, was called on a mission to the Samoan Islands. It rent our hearts severely when we were notified by Church authorities that our Judson had passed away with tropical fever. The Lord saw fit to call him home so we must not complain but say "Thy Will be done." 

Our dear son Judson had been in the mission nearly two years and had done a wonderful work. Everyone loved him very much - the natives were very fond of him and did everything possible for him when he took sick. It was the tropical fever and he was sick only ten days when the Lord called him Home. He had to be buried at once as it was so hot there. It was under German rule, and they have to be buried three years before taking bodies up, so the President of the Mission advised us to leave him there. He was buried in a lovely spot.

Our children are somewhat scattered now, but we are blessed with three daughters living here. They all have nice homes and are happy. My son John has lived in Salt Lake most of the time, but has lately moved to Idaho.

Our first child, Mary Alice, married when eighteen and went to Texas. She died in 1883, leaving two children, a boy and a girl. Her oldest son, James Wilburt, died lately in California, leaving a young wife. The daughter, Mary Alice, came and lived with us. She is married now and has two beautiful sons. (Her name is Mrs. Benjamin J. Brown.)

James Addison, our first son, is living in Los Angeles. He also has a family.

Sarah Leolia, our next daughter, is still living with us, caring for our needs and comforts.

Joseph is still in Heber, where he has lived most of the time since he came to Utah.

Carrie is living in Los Angeles, California (Mrs. Robert Walker).

Jessie is living in Canada. (Mrs. Clark Sherwood).

Eva, (Mrs. John Halverson); Pearl, (Mrs. Thomas G. Lambert); and Allie, our grand-daughter, are still around us in Salt Lake City, making us happy with their visits. While Judson, our youngest son, lies sleeping in Samoa.

--Gratitude--

I feel greatly favored of the Lord in possessing the blessings he has given me, and for my family which has been a great comfort to me, nearly all having been converted to the Gospel. Each one of my children seemed to have a certain work to do and all seemed willing to lend a helping hand to the family and in all the work the Lord has assigned them to do.

Mary Alice brought great joy and comfort to our hearts during her short life.

James Addison also filled our hearts with gladness as a true and loving son.

Sarah Leolia's work seemed to be in caring for her parents in their old age, which she has lovingly and faithfully performed in all her duties toward us with unselfishness.  Words are too weak to express all her love and tenderness; she sees to have no selfishness, but is full of love and care for all. 

Joseph's work seemed to be to bring the family to Utah, which proved a blessing to all.

John E.S. Tomlinson  performed a great and marvelous work in paying off one of my largest debts, and the Lord put it in his heart to accomplish this.  He labored with untold energy on the farm, and has always been a faithful son, and the spirit of God would not give him rest in his heart and mind, night and day, until he had accomplished his task.

In April 1879, Jimmie, Leolia, John and Carrie went in a wagon with their father from Camp Point, Illinois to Kansas where we took up one hundred and sixty acres of land and built a house on the side of a hill.  Carrie was a great help to Mother, taking all responsibility when mother was very poor in health.  While we lived on the farm at Bluff Creek, which we always called our "Mount Bliss Home" or "Hill Side".  She was always a dear daughter.  Carrie was a girl that was not afraid of work and was a great help to mother in keeping things in order in the home on the farm, and she also labored diligently and unselfishly in helping Leolia prepare a home for the family in Salt Lake City, to make us comfortable and happy in our mountain home in Utah.  She was always my standby on the farm and my heart is very tender toward my daughter Carrie.  She was always faithful to her parents, brothers and sisters, until her lover, Robert H. Walker, came in 1897 and made her his wife; he then took her to sunny California, where they still live.