TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 17 June

[Hemidakota]

1834 - Zion's Camp ferried over the Wakenda River and traveled eight miles across a twenty-three mile wide stretch prairie with no timber and unhealthy water. Some of the brethren, led by Lyman Wight, disapproved of the Camp moving onto the prairie and stayed behind. Later that night they arrived in Camp and were reproved by the Prophet Joseph. Lyman Wight promised that he would stand by the Prophet forever and never forsake him again. The Camp suffered from lack of water as the water carried with the Camp was found to be undrinkable. (History of the Church, 2:100-101).

1842 - The Prophet Joseph wrote in confirmation of William Law's written defense of the Saints in Nauvoo, "We might add that in regard to moral principles, there is no city either in this state, or in the United States that can compare with the city of Nauvoo. You may live in our city for a

month, and not hear an oath sworn; you may be here as long and not see one person intoxicated. So notorious are we for sobriety, that at the time the Washington convention passed through our city a meeting was called for them, but they expressed themselves at a loss what to say, as there were not drunkards to speak to" (History of the Church, 5:34).

1844 - The Prophet Joseph Smith was again arrested with others for a "riot on the 10th inst. In destroying the Nauvoo Expositor press" (History of the Church, 6:487). They appeared before Justice Wells and were discharged. Word is coming to Nauvoo of the gathering mobs threatening the Saints in and around Nauvoo. The Prophet writes a letter to the Saints in Ramus encouraging them to defend themselves against the mob unless it became too dangerous and to then flee to Nauvoo for safety. Brother Edward Hunter, with Philip B. Lewis and John Bills, left Nauvoo with a letter from the Prophet to Governor Ford of Illinois concerning the situation in Nauvoo. As Mayor of Nauvoo, Joseph Smith called on the police to take measures to protect the city. As Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion, he ordered them to assist the police if necessary in protecting the citizens of Nauvoo. He also asked that the Legion gather the next day to parade and receive instruction from him. The Prophet also asked Orin Porter Rockwell and his personal guards for help in protecting him.

1847 - After three days of ferrying their wagons across the North Platte River, the entire pioneer company was ready to move west again. Ten men would be left at the ferry in order to earn supplies from other emigrant companies and to help a large company of Saints which they had

heard were coming in a few weeks.

1888 - The Samoan Mission is organized.

1978 - The first area conference in the United States is held in Hawaii.

2000 - President Gordon B. Hinckley visits Noumea, New Caledonia, and, after crossing the International Dateline, Pago Pago, American Samoa, during his twelve day South Pacific/Southeast Asia tour.

2005 - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square began a 17-day tour of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.