During the winter of 1844/45 while Edward and John Berry were in Cleveland, there may have been a great deal of discussion about the Mormons. Just 20 miles away was the city of Kirtland, Ohio where the Mormons had gathered in great numbers just a few years before.

Kirtland had been a rural trading center of about a thousand people prior to 1831. In January 1831 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church), which was less than a year old, moved its headquarters from New York State to Kirtland, Ohio. It was to be a temporary gathering place until a permanent place could be found. In five years the population grew to over 3,000 and from 1833 to 1836 a temple was built. During this same time, the Mormons were also gathering at Jackson County, Missouri.

In 1837, a general bank panic swept the country and the Kirtland bank failed, closing its doors in November of that year. Joseph Smith took blame for the economic problems and left Kirtland in January of 1838 for Missouri. The main body of the church gradually left Kirtland and moved to Far West, Missouri, leaving behind a few members, including Martin Harris.

The murder of Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, in June of 1844 may have stimulated new interest and fascination in Kirtland. It may have been a popular place to visit and get away from the routine of the day. Discussion might well have centered on the temple in Kirtland and reported "revelations" that had occurred there.

EB: I went to Kirtland to visit friends and see the temple. While there we met Martin Harris, who invited us to his house, where we went and heard him bear his testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon.

Martin Harris was the first scribe to assist in the translation of the Book of Mormon from the original golden plates, and mortgaged his farm so the Book of Mormon could be published. He was one of the "Three Witnesses", who testified they had seen an "Angel of God" and the "Golden Plates" from which the book was translated. His testimony, with that of the other witnesses, was published with the Book of Mormon.

The testimony of Martin Harris to Edward Bunker was undoubtedly electrifying. Others who heard his testimony recounted that he appeared to be "a man with a message, a man with a noble conviction in his heart, a man inspired of God and endowed with divine knowledge."

The book, A New Witness for Christ in America, recounts the testimony of Martin Harris as follows:

"Do I believe it! Do you see the sun shining! Just as surely as the sun is shining on us and gives us light, and the moon and stars give us light by night, just as surely as the breath of life sustains us, so surely do I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, chosen of God to open the last dispensation of the fullness of times; so surely do I know that the Book of Mormon was divinely translated. I saw the plates; I saw the angel; I heard the voice of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, I might as well doubt my own existence as to doubt the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon or the divine calling of Joseph Smith."

The witness to the previously stated testimony recounts:

"It was a sublime moment. It was a wonderful testimony. We were thrilled to the very roots of our hair. The little man before us was transformed as he stood with hand outstretched toward the sun of heaven. A halo seemed to encircle him. A divine fire glowed in his eyes. His voice throbbed with the sincerity and the conviction of his message. This was Martin Harris whose burning testimony no power on earth could quench. It was the most thrilling moment of my life."

Edward must have come away from his visit with a similar feeling and a desire to investigate further.

EB: I obtained work at Cleveland for eight dollars a month and board. While in Cleveland, Mr. Berry found the Book of Mormon, read it, and brought it to me to read, which I did. John Berry left me and went to Pittsburgh to obtain work and we agreed to meet in Wisconsin. The man with whom I was living had the "Voice of Warning", which I read also. I found a branch of the church there, attended the meetings, became convinced of the truth of Mormonism, and was baptized in the month of April, 1845. Then I knew why it was that I had been led from my father's house and left my mother whom I loved dearly.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints was only 15 years old in 1845. It had been persecuted wherever it went due to some unique beliefs and a requirement of total commitment from those who joined. The Church had grown rapidly and the promise of a better life touched many.

A Voice of Warning was a pamphlet written in 1837 by Parley P. Pratt, one of the high ranking Apostles of the Church. It's title page stated "Instruction to all people or an introduction to the faith and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."

The preface begins: "During the last nine years, the public mind has been constantly agitated, more or less, through all parts of our country, with the cry of `Mormonism, Mormon-ism, Dilusion, Imposture, Fanaticism,' etc., chiefly through the instrumentality of the press. Many of the newspapers of the day have been constantly teeming with misrepresentations and slanders of the foulest kind, in order to destroy the influence and character of an innocent society in its very infancy; a society of whose real principles many of them know nothing at all."

"The object of this publication is to give the public correct information concerning a religious system which has penetrat-ed every state from Maine to Missouri, as well as the Canadas, in the short space of nine years; organizing Churches and conferences in every region and gathering in its progress from fifty to a hundred thousand disciples."

The pamphlet contained seven chapters addressing various aspects of the doctrine of the Church. Two quotes from the text seem significant in relation to Edward's life. In the first chapter the author contends that only a literal interpretation of the Bible is correct.

This is followed early in the second chapter where the author states: "But O! kind reader, whoever yea are, if you are not prepared for persecution, if you are unprepared to have your name cast out as evil, if you cannot bear to be called a knave, an impostor, or madman, or one that hath a devil; or if you are bound by the creeds of men to believe just so much and no more, you had better stop here." The point is driven home with: "Indeed, it is our firm belief in the things written in the Bible, and careful teaching of them, that is one great cause of the persecution we suffer."

This then was the basis for Edward's belief in this new religion: (1) A prophet was leading the church and as such had translated the Book of Mormon from an ancient record, (2) The Bible was correct and a literal translation of such was required, and (3) Persecution would surely follow anyone with a committment to this new belief. After investigating the doctrine and meeting with the people, Edward so deeply believed that he gave his whole heart to the venture.

EB: After the lakes were opened, I got higher wages, $16 a month at Akron where I worked one month. Then I went aboard a boat and landed at Chicago, then a small frontier town. From there I went to Rock River, Wisconsin, to visit my cousin Patience Millet, and friends from Maine. After the time was spent there, during which time I told them I was a Latter-day Saint, they accused the Mormons of believing in polygamy. I told them it was only a slur and a false statement. At the end of my stay, I took the stage to Galena, ninety miles distant, and then aboard a steamboat, went down the Missis-sippi River and arrived at Nauvoo in July 1845.

Nauvoo was a city that stood on a bold point half encircled by the placid yet majestic Mississippi River. From the banks of the river the ground rose gradually for at least a mile where it reached the level of the prairie that stretched eastward in luxuriant growth of natural grasses and patches of timber. The city was on the west edge of Illinois and about 190 miles north of St. Louis on the Mississippi river.

When the Mormons were driven from Missouri in 1839 they purchased land at Commerce, Illinois. It was a disease-ridden swamp land which they drained, laid out into a square grid of ity blocks, and dedicated Nauvoo-the-Beautiful.

The Mormons began to build another temple and were gathering in great numbers. An estimated 25,000 Mormons lived in Nauvoo and surrounding villages by 1844. Persecution followed the Mormons. It continued until it culminated in the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, their leader, at Carthage Jail, Illinois, in June of 1844.

When Edward arrived in Nauvoo in 1845, the city was in a state of semi-chaos. Several individuals claimed succession to Joseph Smith and leadership of the Church. Factions had broken away, but the greatest number remained under the leadership of Brigham Young and the Apostles. There were continuing attacks from individuals and groups in the surrounding communities. Mormons living in the outlying areas saw their homes burned and were chased into the city.

EB: I had a letter of recommendation to George A. Smith, who was in council with his brothers, but came out and spoke to me and asked me what I was going to do. I told him I did not know, but wished to do whatever was the best. He asked me if I had any money. I told him I had some. He advised me to hire my board and go to work on the temple, or Nauvoo House. So I hired my board and went to work on the temple. I paid my tithing from the day I was baptized every tenth day and the tenth of the worth of my clothes. After having paid my tithing, I went to work for the Nauvoo House, cutting hay for them on the prairie with two of the brethren. We camped where we worked until the mobs broke out and began to burn the farms and drive the Saints into Nauvoo. I joined the militia and went out as a guard to assist some of the Saints to move in. I was in the infantry company that went by order of the Sheriff of Bannock County to make arrests of those who had been burning and plundering the homes of the Saints.

In late 1845, armed mobs continually threatened the lives of the Mormons. Finally, in February of 1846, about 16,000 Mormons evacuated Nauvoo. They went west, crossing the Mississippi River on the ice and in ferries. It must have seemed like the children of Israel in their exodus from Egypt: The Mormons took 3,000 wagons, 30,000 head of cattle, and great numbers of horses, mules, and sheep.

EB: The presiding priesthood compromised with the mob and agreed to leave Nauvoo. Then I crossed the river to Montrose and went to work for Peter Robinson, threshing grain and making flour barrels.

While at Montrose, Edward Bunker met Emily Abbott. She was born September 19th, 1827 at Dansville, Livingston County, New York, the oldest child of Stephen Joseph Abbott and Abigail Smith. Her father owned a woolen mill that converted wool to broadcloth. They lived in a large two-story frame home and sent Emily to the best grammar school available.

Stephen Abbott, being caught up in the spirit of westward emigration, heard of the rich farm land of the Mississippi Valley. After traveling to Pike County Illinois, he bought 160 acres of farmland and 40 acres of timberland and then returned for his family. In 1837, when Emily was not quite ten years old, her family left New York state traveling down the Allegheny River in a five week trip that eventually took her to a new home in Illinois.

Two years later, in 1839, her family came in contact with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was baptized. The Mormons were gathering at Nauvoo, Illinois and the Abbott family sold their holdings and, in 1842, joined with the others there. Stephen Abbott became good friends with James Brown, and upon learning of polygamy they vowed to each other that if one should die, the other would marry his widow and care for her and the children. Both had large families at the time: Stephen Abbott had eight children, six girls and two boys.

Music was loved by the Abbott family. Stephen became the bugler in the Nauvoo Legion, the local military. Young Emily, who could never remember tunes very well before, would love to sing the songs she heard at the meetings.

In October of 1843, Stephen went to gather cord wood from a small island in the Mississippi River. While so engaged he contracted pneumonia and died on the 19th. The loss of their father and husband was devastating to the family. A few months later the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, and Emily's world was turned upside down.

Each member of the family had to help out with sustaining the family. Since Emily was the oldest she sought employment outside the home. She obtained work with several families, one of which was Thomas King. Here she acquired the skills of a seamstress and tailor and met Edward Bunker. The devastation and hardship of the past was tempered by this newfound friendship and romance.

EB: While at Montrose, I became acquainted with Emily Abbott and we were married in Nauvoo by [Apostle] John Taylor, February 19, 1846, just before Brother Taylor crossed the river to join the Saints at Sugar Creek.

At the time of the exodus from Nauvoo, Captain James Brown took Emily's mother, Abigail, as his wife. He was an important figure in the community and had other responsib-ilities, but did all he could to assist the Abbott family. During Brown's frequent absences, Edward stepped in to offer leadership and assistance to the Abbott family.

EB: After my marriage, not being plentifully supplied with this world's goods, I went down the Mississippi to Keokuk. There I obtained a job cutting cord wood at 50 cents per cord, boarded myself, camped in the timber, did my own cooking, and cut 15 cords of wood a week. I worked about three weeks and obtained enough money to buy a few of the necessities of life.

I returned home and Brother William Robinson offered to take myself and wife West on condition that I drive and care for the team and Emily assist with the cooking. We agreed to do this and journeyed westward with the main body of the Saints.

When we got to Garden Grove, Mr. Robinson concluded he couldn't take us any farther, so we remained there. With the help of Brother Steward, a young man who had just been married, I bought a log cabin of one room. We put a roof on it and chucked it, but it was minus doors, floor or windows. We moved our wives into it and I went to Missouri with the intention of earning money enough to buy a team and wagon.

I was in company with two other brethren, and being unable to reach the nearest town, thirty miles distant, we camped the first night in the woods without blankets or fire. The mosquitoes were very bad. Arriving at my destination, I worked one week for corn and bacon.

At this time the report reached us that the United States government had called for a company of Saints to go to Mexico. I did not believe it, but the spirit of the Lord directed me to go home. So the following Saturday, with the side of a bacon slung over my shoulder, I started for home, thirty miles distant.

As I neared my destination, I met some brethren hunting stock and they confirmed the report I had heard concerning the call for a battalion to go to Mexico. They also told me that Brigham Young had written a letter to the Grove calling on all the single men and those that could be spared to come to the Bluffs, 140 miles distant west, to assist the families and care for the teams of those who had joined the battalion, and they in turn could have the use of their teams to bring their families to the Bluffs.

Next day being Sunday, I went to meeting and heard the letter read. Volunteers were called for and I was the first to offer my service. Eight others followed my example. They agreed to meet me at my house the following Tuesday morning at nine o'clock and we would start together for the Bluffs.

Tuesday morning came, but none of the men who had agreed to meet me put in an appearance, so, with my small bundle of clothes and provisions, I started alone on the journey of 140 miles, and only one settlement on the way. When within two days journey of the Bluffs, I overtook Mr. Robinson, who had left us at Garden Grove. He had lost a child and his teamster had deserted him, so he besought me to drive his team on to the Bluffs, which I did.

When within ten miles of our journey's end, a messenger came into camp about midnight with the information that 16 men were wanted to complete the battalion. The camp was called up and not one volunteered until I broke the ice. Soon others followed and the required number made up.

When Edward left Emily, it was under the assumption that he would be back a short time later with a team to assist in the migration. The next thing she knew, he was in the battalion and on his way to Mexico. Emily and her mother's family were left to care for themselves until Edward returned. They, with other families of the proposed battalion, were scattered in a string of camps for hundreds of miles across Iowa. They were to depend on their own initiative and the help of friends for their survival, with no certain gathering place designated, and no immediate prospect of a permanent settlement.

It would be easy to criticize Edward for this lack of concern for his wife, but one has to realize that they both were firmly committed to this new faith. The doctrine of the church promised great and marvelous spiritual blessings to those who would sacrifice their personal needs for the building of the kingdom on earth. Edward felt this sacrifice was his duty and that the Lord would protect and provide in his absence.