Transcript

Many interesting episodes occurred both going and returning, but among the most trying and affecting of these was the appearance of mountain fever, which first attacked Ezra T. Benson while at our encampment in the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, on the 21st of June. From one-half to two-thirds of our entire company were attacked with this malady before we reached the Valley of Great Salt Lake. Among the afflicted was President Brigham Young, and I also had a severe attack, from which I recovered, however, in about a week. This affliction detained us, so that with the labor on the roads through the Wasatch Mountains we were unable to reach Salt Lake Valley until the 21st of July, 1847, when Orson Pratt and I, who were exploring ahead of the working party, first emerged into the valley and visited the site of the future Salt Lake City.

When we arrived on Red Butte near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, which gave us the first glimpse of the blue waters of the Great Salt Lake, we simultaneously swung our hats and shouted "Hosannah," for the Spirit witnessed that here the Saints should find rest.