Mary Lightner and Sister Caroline Rescue Revelation Sheets from Mob at Printing Office

During the persecution of the Saints in Missouri, the mob renewed their efforts by tearing down the printing office—a two-story building—and driving Brother Phelps' family out of the lower part of the house, putting their belongings in the street. They brought out large sheets of paper and mockingly said, 'Here are the Mormon Commandments.' Mary Lightner and her sister Caroline, watching from a corner of a fence, were determined to save these sheets, which were the revelation manuscripts. When their sister expressed fear, 'They will kill us,' Mary resolved to try anyway. While the mob's backs were turned as they pried out the gable end of the house, the two girls ran and got their arms full of the sacred papers, and began turning away. Some of the mob saw them and called on them to stop, but they ran as fast as they could. Two men started after them, but seeing a gap in a fence, they entered a large cornfield, laid the papers on the ground, and hid them with their own bodies. The corn was five to six feet high and very thick. The men hunted around considerably and came very near them but did not find them. After confirming their pursuers had given up the search, the girls made their way out of the field and saved the precious revelation manuscripts from destruction. This act of courage and faith preserved sacred records during a time of terrible persecution.