The Belle of Nauvoo - Book One

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-seven

I went to work with a will. That afternoon Nauvoo was put under martial law. Whether due to exhaustion or peace of mind, we all slept much more soundly that night in our beds. Knowing the whole army paraded under my window, along the river, and upon each roadway leading to the city brought great comfort to me. No one was permitted into or out of the city without a pass. Guards stood upon every street and alley within the city. All the unclaimed arms within the city were put to use. I kept my gun in my pocket.

A few nights later, Father and Mother came home late from visiting the Mansion. Mother was suggesting, “Hyrum, perhaps we should take Joseph’s advice and remove to Cincinnati.”

Father sat down firmly in his chair. “Mary, I cannot leave my brother. I simply cannot do such a thing. What would my father say of me?”

“No even when Joseph asks you to?” she asked gently as she lovingly hung up his hat. “For his sake?”

But Father shook his head. “No. I cannot do it. Do not ask it of me.”

“Yes, Hyrum. I will support you.” Mother turned to me and sighed. There was no moving Father when his mind was made up. He was even more obstinate than Mother. And she was the most determined woman I knew!

I had no desire at all to go away from Lorin, so I did not attempt to persuade Father. Indeed, I asked instead if we might stay and move the wedding date forward.

“Fine!” said Father, putting his hands on the arms of his chair. “That’s the soundest idea I’ve heard all night. You let me know when, and I’ll perform the ceremony. That’s all I ask. These fancy fripperies can be done without.”

Mother protested, “Oh, Hyrum! It’s our first wedding. Every girl needs a party!”

“Mother,” I pleaded, “it’s not as important to me anymore. Can we move the wedding forward?”

“All that work! And in a time of war? Do you know what you are asking?” said Mother.

I went to her and placed my hand on her arm. “Yes, I know. But I’m afraid. What if Lorin were killed?”

Mother placed her arms about me and rocked me back and forth like little Martha Ann. “Lovina, don’t you know that God is watching over your soldier? Angels guard us all across the prairie. Nothing can happen to him.”

“I suppose that’s true,” I sniffled. But those angels hadn’t completely protected us from the mobs in the past. How we had suffered! Would it happen again? Would we all be killed?

The wedding plans hastened. We made a shorter guest list and decided to dispense with half the cooking and leave off two rows of lace on my dress. I made my way to Brother Taylor’s printing office the next day, determined to change the date of my wedding to the twenty-ninth of June, one week and one day away. It was the soonest Mother could prepare. I came upon several of the sisters in conversation. They hushed as I approached them.

“Is there any news?” I asked them uneasily.

They looked at one another, then one spoke. “If anyone ought to be worried, it should be you. It’s rumored that Joseph Jackson is at Davidson Hibbard’s and a posse has been sent to arrest him.”

The worst of all news! I had not heard more of him and thought him gone away for good. I felt fresh dismay rush though my being. “But would he dare to slip past the Legion guard?” I asked.

“That man would dare anything!” one sister responded.

“Why, I heard…”

Just then a soldier approached and stopped our talking. “Break it up, sisters! No gathering about in groups, no matter how juicy the gossip! Along with you.”