Miraculous Provision of Means for Thousand-Mile Journey to Missouri

In the autumn of 1838, Jesse Wentworth Crosby determined to go west to join the body of the Church located in western Missouri. The doctrine of the 'gathering' was strongly grounded in his mind, and he set to work with his might to prepare for the thousand-mile journey. According to his testimony, means almost miraculously came into his hands to make the journey possible. Despite neighbors warning him that war was raging between the Missourians and the Mormons and that he would surely meet with death if he persisted in going to the seat of war, Crosby and his family set out in April 1839 with horse teams and wagons arranged as traveling homes. They traveled at about twenty-five miles per day and eventually arrived safely at Kirtland, Ohio and then continued to the main body of the Church in Missouri. This miraculous provision of means enabled Crosby to fulfill the command to gather with the Saints despite seemingly impossible circumstances.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

In the spring of 1839, I started with my family for the west. I had but little means, but I felt it my duty to go. I had a team and a wagon, and some few things necessary for the journey. My neighbors told me I was going to certain death, that the Mormons were all killed or driven out of the state, and that if I went I would be killed too. But I felt that the Lord would protect me, and I went on my way. I had not gone far before I found that I had not means enough to carry me through. I prayed to the Lord to open the way, and he did so in a miraculous manner. I found friends where I least expected them, and means were put into my hands that I did not look for. I arrived in safety at the place of gathering, and found the Saints in a suffering condition, but they were full of faith and hope.