The Apostle Heber C. Kimball.
was assembled at Kirtland, on the 3rd of September. Everything was in confusion; the devil was ravaging the flock. Frederick G. Williams, one of Joseph's counsellors, and the third man in the kingdom, was in rebellion; Luke Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and John F. Boynton, three of the Apostles, "fell away." At the same time, Brigham Young was exceedingly energetic, and attempted to neutralize the influence of the apostates. The Missourians in Clay county had also become dissatisfied with the Mormons, and asked them to leave the county. They were obliged to move, and scattered into Carroll, Davies, and Caldwell counties, founding in the latter the City of Far West.
Joseph and Sidney visited Missouri in October, and remained there some weeks, counselling and encouraging the brethren and sisters in building up Zion. At the same time it was thought best to proceed no further with the great Temple in Jackson county.
During Joseph's absence in the West, the leading "apostates" in Ohio proclaimed him "a fallen prophet" and his followers heretics, and a warm time appeared to await him wherever he went.
