William Clayton Writes 'Come, Come, Ye Saints' — Inspired Hymn Born of Frontier Faith

William Clayton (1814–1879) was one of the most important record keepers and clerks in the history of the Church, serving as a close personal secretary and scribe to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo. He kept meticulous journals that became primary sources for early Church history.

On April 15, 1846, as the Saints were being driven from Nauvoo and making their way across the muddy plains of Iowa in biting cold, William Clayton received a message—his wife Diantha, who had stayed behind in Nauvoo, had safely delivered their baby son. Flooded with relief, gratitude, and faith, and surrounded by the suffering and perseverance of the pioneer camp, Clayton sat down and wrote what would become one of the most beloved hymns in the Latter-day Saint tradition: 'Come, Come, Ye Saints.'

The hymn's words captured the spirit of the entire pioneer movement:

'Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;

But with joy wend your way.

Though hard to you this journey may appear,

Grace shall be as your day.’

The final verse, written by a man who did not know if he himself would survive the journey, declared:

‘And should we die before our journey’s through,

Happy day! All is well!

We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!’

Clayton also invented the roadometer—a mechanical device attached to a wagon wheel that measured mileage—during the pioneer trek, allowing the Saints to track their progress across the plains.

As Joseph Smith's personal clerk, Clayton was present for and recorded some of the most sacred revelations and historical events of the Nauvoo period, including portions of the revelation on celestial marriage. His journals are among the richest primary sources of early Church history. He remained faithful throughout his life and died in Salt Lake City in 1879.