Andre Begivenheder og Egenskaber:

• AFN: 2245-Z9
• FSID: KWVS-QZK
• Indvandring: 24 sep. 1848, Deseret, United States
• _MILT: 20 sep. 1853, Utah, USA
• Indvandring: 1 nov. 1857, Deseret, United States
• Bopæl: 1860, Provo, Utah, Utah, USA

Notater:

PAF - RIN: 17495.

THE MOB’S THREAT - “Make your Will before you come.”

One cold wintry day in February, an unexpected knock came at the door. When Peter opened it, a sober hard faced messenger stood before him and handed him a note. He flatly refused to come in, but said he was supposed to wait for an answer.

When Peter opened it, he found that it was a threatening note from the leader of the mob. The mob was a mixture of men from Missouri and Illinois that were stirred up with hatred toward Mormons. A newspaper in Warsaw, Illinois had been printing falsehoods and stirring up the people against them.

The note he had received said that if he were not out of his home before three days time, the mob would burn his house down over his head. Peter was fuming as he read this intimidating letter. His face turned red with anger and he clenched his fist as he eyed the messenger standing at the door. This man had asked to take back a message. So this was what it had come down to.

Peter Wilson Conover and his family had joined the church in May of 1840 after hearing a sermon by a missionary in Illinois. He had no doubt what he heard was true the first day he listened to the gospel. Because of his military experience in the Illinois Militia, he had been given the opportunity to be one of the bodyguards for the Prophet Joseph Smith and had even asked to go with him to Carthage to protect him. But Joseph had refused his protection and told him to stay with his family. So Peter reluctantly stayed behind, wishing he could have been able to help in some way. If he had gone, then he would have been killed along with the others. They had been shot in cold-blood. No one had laid a finger to help them.

Peter shook his head in anger and quickly grabbed a sheet of paper and sat down at his desk to write his reply. He was not about to be intimidated.

He wrote in bold letters: “Come right along, but make your Will before you come, for as sure as my gun will fire, I will kill you and your mob!”

Feeling satisfied with his note, Peter handed it to the messenger. When they made eye contact, the messenger could see the anger in Peter’s eyes. Without another word, he took the note and abruptly turned and left.

Peter’s wife was with child at the time and was due in May. He could not risk her life or the lives of his children. So after the messenger left with the note, Peter packed up his wife and children and sent them to Nauvoo to be safe while he waited for the mob. He was not about to be threatened and he was angry. No mob was going to push him out of his home. He had heard the mobs were attacking the residents outside of Nauvoo, burning down homes and fields. Since there wasn’t anyone close to defend the small settlements, they could do as they pleased. They were such cowards.

Peter tucked his family into the wagon, said his goodbyes and assured them that he would be fine. After they drove off, Peter got his rifle and ammunition ready and then waited. He did odd jobs around the farm to kill time. After a week passed, no one showed up. But he still waited. After two weeks, no one appeared. When the mob did not arrive after three whole weeks, Peter was satisfied. He was not about to be pushed around. Now, of his own choice, he saddled up his horse and belongings so he could leave and be with his family in Nauvoo.

As he rode off, he turned around in his saddle and looked at his home. He knew they would never return to his 160-acre farm and the house he had built. He had to be strong for his family when he told them they would never return again.

Peter and his family had given up all they owned because of their religious beliefs and because they did not deny what they knew to be true. Joseph Smith was his friend and a Prophet of God. He would not deny this. What were worldly possessions compared to eternal life?

He was ready to fight for the gospel if that was what it took. He knew the next step was to move west. They would begin again in a new part of the country, a place of freedom, where they could worship as they pleased and not be persecuted for their beliefs. Looking at his home for the last time, his attitude was one of courage and faithfulness. His belief in the church and Joseph Smith was strong.

Peter nudged his horse toward Nauvoo, knowing that he would do what God asked of him, even if they had to abandon their home and land.

Peter blev gift med Mary Jane McCarrel den 15 mar. 1852 i Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA. Mary (datter af Jesse McCarrel og Mary Locke) blev født den 11 mar. 1829 i Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana, United States; døde den 2 apr. 1896 i Provo, Utah, Utah, USA; blev begravet i Provo, Utah, Utah, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

Andre Begivenheder og Egenskaber:

• FSID: KWVS-QZ2
• Bopæl: 1850, Pottawattamie county, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States
• Bopæl: 1860, Provo, Utah, Utah, USA

Andre Begivenheder og Egenskaber:

• FSID: LL99-5RC

Peter + Hannah Combs. Hannah blev født den 5 jun. 1770 i Windsor, Middlesex, New Jersey, United States; døde den 15 okt. 1840 i Princeton, Bureau, Illinois, United States; blev begravet den 18 okt. 1846 i Morgan Co., Illinois. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

Andre Begivenheder og Egenskaber:

• FSID: L6MZ-9MD

Jesse + Mary Locke. Mary blev født i 1797 i Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana, United States; døde den 6 maj 1857 i Provo, Utah, Utah, USA. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]