Samuel Bent and the Miraculous Protection at Fishing River

Samuel Bent was a documented participant in the Pontiac branch division of Zion's Camp. On June 19, 1834, while the camp was situated on a ridge between the forks of the Fishing River, they were threatened by a mob of approximately five hundred armed men. A sudden and violent storm of rain and hail occurred, causing the Fishing River to rise nearly forty feet in a single night. This 'Act of God' prevented the mob from crossing the river to attack the Saints. Bent was present as a member of the camp during this intervention, which was later described by Colonel Sconce to Joseph Smith as evidence of an 'Almighty power' protecting the group.