| Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that he was to take a
group of men up to Zion to redeem Zion. This was known as Zion's Camp. In 1834, the call went out
for 500 men. On February 26, 1834, Joseph Smith started from
Kirtland, Ohio to gather volunteers for Zion's Camp. About 200 responded. From these, Joseph organized an expedition to march one thousand miles
from Kirtland, Ohio to Clay County, Missouri to provide aid to persecuted church members. This expedition,
lasting from 5 May to 22 Jun 1834, proved to be an excellent leadership training experience for church
leaders. "On the 7th [of May, 1834], the Prophet Joseph organized the Camp . . . The day following we
continued our journey. We pitched our tents at night and had prayers night and morning. The Prophet gave
us our instructions every day . . . It was a great school for us to be led by a Prophet of God a thousand
miles through cities, towns, villages, and through the wilderness." -- Wilford Woodruff: History
of His Life and Labors, by Matthias Cowley, p. 40
"This circumstance alone would have made the journey worth any
sacrifice. Joseph left Kirtland on the 5th of May of 1834 and
the Camp was disorganized on the 3rd of July, 59 days later.
During that time, many of the members of Zion’s Camp watched and
learned from the Prophet constantly. They heard him prophesy and
instruct and warn and encourage and rebuke. They saw him work
when there was work to be done and they saw him go hungry when
there was too little food. What a lesson they must have learned
about servant leadership!" (Ted L. Gibbons, Desert Blossoms #60,
15 Oct 2002, http://www.ldsliving.com)
From the men participating in this march, the Prophet was told that the twelve apostles would be chosen
and ordained. On February 14, 1835 by revelation the Lord commanded all those that took part in Zion's
Camp to meet together so that the twelve apostles might be chosen. The three witnesses to the Book of
Mormon had been promised in June 1829 that they would have the privilege of choosing the twelve apostles. (Doctrine
& Covenants 18:37) At the meeting the three witnesses bowed in prayer for revelation and
inspiration to make the correct-choice. Afterward they chose the twelve by inspiration, and then laid
their hands on them with President Smith and ordained them.
Many other members of the church were tested by the Lord on this expedition and later chosen for key
leadership roles. From the members of Zion’s Camp, nine of the original Twelve were chosen. All seven
presidents and all sixty-three members of the First Quorum of Seventy were expedition members.
"As might be expected, food was a recurring problem for during the march to Missouri. On May 12,
George A. Smith, the youngest member of the camp, recorded that for the first time in his life he had
bread and uncooked pork for breakfast. Two days later, on the 14th, the supply of bread was exhausted. The
commissary had expected to purchase needed supplies in Buchyrus,
Ohio, but were unable to do so. This was the first recorded time
that camp member Sylvester Smith complained. He felt as though
preparations for the march had not been adequate. Joseph’s
comment is simple: 'We discovered refractory feelings in
Sylvester Smith.'" (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 65) (Ted
L. Gibbons, Desert Blossoms #63, 5 Nov 2002, http://www.ldsliving.com)
"The refining furnace of this forced march was the kind of
experience that would uncover a great many hidden inclinations.
As Joseph notes correctly, Zion’s camp did not cause these
feelings. It revealed them. On the 17th of May, just after the
camp reached Ohio, there “was a difficulty between some of the
brethren and Sylvester Smith, on occasion of which [Joseph] was
called to decide in the matter." (Ted L. Gibbons, Desert
Blossoms #63, 5 Nov 2002, http://www.ldsliving.com)
"Finding a rebellious spirit in Sylvester Smith, and to some extent in others, I told them they
would meet with misfortunes, difficulties and hindrances, and said, 'and you will know it before you leave
this place,' exhorting them to humble themselves before the Lord and become united, that they might not be
scourged. A very singular occurrence took place that night and the next day, concerning our teams. On
Sunday morning, when we arose, we found almost every horse in the camp so badly foundered that we could
scarcely lead them a few rods to the water. The brethren then deeply realized the effects of discord. When
I learned the fact, I exclaimed to the brethren, that for a witness that God overruled and had His eye
upon them, all those who would humble themselves before the Lord should know that the hand of God was in
this misfortune, and their horses should be restored to health immediately; and by twelve o'clock the same
day the horses were as nimble as ever, with the exception of one of Sylvester Smith's, which soon
afterwards died." (History of the Church, Vol.2, p.68)
During this expedition, the prophet also found opportunities to teach respect for all life:
In pitching my tent we found three massasaugas or prairie rattlesnakes, which the brethren were about
to kill, but I said, "Let them alone -- don't hurt them! How will the serpent ever lose his venom,
while the servants of God possess the same disposition, and continue to make war upon it? Men must become
harmless, before the brute creation; and when men lose their vicious dispositions and cease to destroy the
animal race, the lion and the lamb can dwell together, and the sucking child can play with the serpent in
safety." The brethren took the serpents carefully on sticks and carried them across the creek. I
exhorted the brethren not to kill a serpent, bird, or an animal of any kind during our journey unless it
became necessary in order to preserve ourselves from hunger. (History of the Church, Vol.2, Ch.5,
p.72) Zions Camp clearly was a leadership training experience for the prophet as well as for the men who accompanied him on their march to Missouri. It was also an opportunity for the prophet to evaluate
and prove each man's faithfulness, leadership ability, and selflessness. Most of the early members of the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Quorum of Seventy had served in Zion's Camp. |
