Saints in Norwich Sustained by the Spirit During Extreme Hardship

Members of the Norwich Conference, including families with eight to ten children, remained cheerful, singing about Zion and Salt Lake City while facing severe poverty and lacking food for several days at a time. They were sustained by the Spirit of God which provided them contentment and peace, living by the word of God rather than just bread.

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

The Saints in this Conference are generally poor, but they are rich in faith. They are cheerful under all circumstances, and thank the Lord that they enjoy the light and knowledge of the Gospel, which has brought peace to their souls, and contentment of mind. The work of the Lord is progressing, and the Saints are striving to live their religion. Many have to go without work, and some without victuals sometimes, but the Spirit of God that is within them makes up for the loss of the pleasures and comforts of this life. You can go into their houses, and see a family of eight to ten children, from one year old up to fourteen, singing about the land of Zion and Salt Lake City, cheerful and happy, and at the same time have had little to eat for several days; but the Spirit of God is beaming in their countenances, and truly they do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.