Miraculous Storm at Fishing River (Zion's Camp, June 19, 1834)
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Zion's Camp Participant Research
On June 19, 1834, while Zion's Camp was encamped between the east and west forks of the Fishing River in Ray/Clay County, Missouri, the camp was threatened by a gathered mob (variously reported as approximately 200–300 men; one journal entry records five men). Multiple eyewitnesses recorded that a sudden, violent storm—featuring intense thunder and lightning, torrential rain, and heavy hail (described in some accounts as stones large enough to break tree limbs or hail the size of eggs)—broke that night and scattered the attackers. The Fishing River, which had been fordable and ankle-deep when the camp arrived, rose rapidly overnight; most accounts describe a rise of nearly 40 feet (other accounts record the fords becoming 20–40 feet deep or note rises of over 30 feet). The sudden flood created an impassable barrier that prevented the mob from reaching the camp, damaged some horses and equipment, and allowed time for tensions to be de-escalated. Joseph Smith is reported to have said, "God is in this storm," and later received a revelation at this location (see D&C 105) about the trial of the camp's faith. Accounts include additional details such as the Pontiac detachment (led in part by Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight) joining the main body, an African-American woman who warned the camp of men lying in wait (recorded by George A. Smith), and varied contemporary journal entries from camp leaders and participants. The incident was uniformly regarded by participants as a providential deliverance that preserved the Saints from a likely violent attack.
Sources & References
Lorenzo D. Barnes, Reminiscences and Diaries, 1834–1839, vol. 1, Church History Library MS 1436; Joseph Smith Papers, "History, 1838–1856, volume A-1" (research confidence: high) Barlow, Ora H., 'The Israel Barlow Story' (1968), pp. 55-58; Israel Barlow Autobiography (reminiscences cited in family histories and 'The Israel Barlow Story') (research confidence: high) Andrea G. Radke, 'The Women and Children of Zion's Camp, 1834,' BYU Studies Quarterly 39, no. 2 (2000); 'Journal of the Branch of the Church of Christ in Pontiac, 1834' (Elijah Fordham, Church History Library); 'Zion's Camp at Fishing River,' Ensign Peak Foundation (ensignpeakfoundation.org). (research confidence: high) Godfrey, M. C. (2017). 'Memories of Divine Intervention in the Zion's Camp Expedition,' BYU Studies Quarterly; Charles C. Rich, Journals 1833–1862, Church History Library (MS 889, box 1). (research confidence: high) Jacob Gates, "Items of History of the Life and Labors of Jacob Gates," LDS Church Archives; Andrea G. Radke, "We Also Marched: The Women and Children of Zion’s Camp, 1834," BYU Studies 39, no. 4 (2000). (research confidence: high) Frederick G. Williams, 'Journal, 1832–1834' (Joseph Smith Papers); 'Frederick Granger Williams of the First Presidency of the Church' (BYU Studies); 'Zion's Camp' (Religious Studies Center). (research confidence: high) The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt (1874), Chapter 34 (research confidence: high) George A. Smith, Autobiography, ca. 1860–1882 (MS 1322); 'We Believe the Hand of the Lord Is in It,' BYU Studies; Zion's Camp at the Fishing River, Church History Department. (research confidence: high) Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2:103-105; Zion's Camp at the Fishing River (history.churchofjesuschrist.org); Trials and Blessings: Zion's Camp (wilfordwoodruffpapers.org) (research confidence: high)