were to go into the wilderness through the western states and into the
Indian Territory, preaching by the way whenever a chance afforded.

It was late in October when these four elders started on this the first
important mission of the Church. They preached to some Indians near the
city of Buffalo, presented them with the Book of Mormon, and proceeded on
their journey into the state of Ohio. In the northeastern part of this
state is the town of Kirtland where Elder Pratt had some friends. They
stopped here for some time and preached the gospel to the people. Great
interest was aroused, many believed and were baptized. Among these was
Elder Pratt's former teacher, Sidney Rigdon, who also became one of the
Church's leading men. Others who joined the Church at this time were Edward
Partridge who became the first bishop in the Church, Newel K. Whitney who
became the second, Lyman Wight who became an apostle, and many others. In a
few weeks the missionaries had raised up a large branch of the Church at
Kirtland.

Having done this good work, the elders went on their way westward. One
evening they were stopping at the house of one Simeon Carter not far from
Brother Pratt's old home. They were just about to read to him from the Book
of Mormon when an officer entered and arrested Elder Pratt. The elders left
their book with Mr. Carter and went with the officer to a sort of court,
where Brother Pratt was ordered to pay a large sum of money or go to
prison. The prisoner paid no attention to these demands, which made his
persecutors very angry. It was now about midnight, but the elders took it
quietly and sang a hymn or two. Then Elder Pratt said that if the witnesses
who had told false things about them and the judge who had abused and
insulted them, would repent of their evil words and acts and would all
kneel down together he would pray that God might forgive them.