[William Clayton Journal] Morning clear and frosty. At 7 o'clock the Brethren met for prayers, and joined in supplication of the Father of mercies, with Elder Moses Daily, after which the order of the day was a general time of washing, shaving, changing clothing &c. I took a Good wash in the river and felt much refreshed after changing all my clothing. I then went to work to fetch up the camp journal for the week past, having merely kept minutes in a memorandum book, and having little opportunity to write in the evening while the weather has been so very cold.
At half after 10 A.M. the trumpeter called the brethren together for public worship. The chaplain, Orson Spencer,14 after the meeting was opened by Singing and prayer, addressed the brethren, advising them to cherish a kind feeling towards each other, and towards our animals. And also when we get abroad in the world, not to ridicule men because of their peculiar notions and ignorance, but rather to manifest a feeling of sympathy and charity for them, knowing that they are all the children of our Father in heaven, and our brethren. He thinks we will have more influence over them, by manifesting and cherishing a spirit of kindness toward them, than we shall by taking any other course.
He was followed by Elder Daniel Spencer, who agreed with the sentiments Brother Orson had advanced, and also strongly recommended the brethren not to indulge in trifling conversation, and loud laughter; but to cultivate a prayerful spirit, and devote our spare time to reading and gaining intelligence, and by this means be preparing for the mission before us . . .
It was considered best inasmuch as the weather is favorable, to go on this afternoon some 8 or 10 miles to the Little Sandy. Accordingly this afternoon at 1 P.M. we resumed our travels, but on arriving at the Little Sandy, we found it entirely destitute of grass for miles, and no prospect for camping. After counseling on the subject it was concluded to water the teams, fill our vessels with water and then proceed on till we found grass for the animals, and then stop whether there was water or not. This plan was followed accordingly and we were soon moving onward again. The whole country is barren, and destitute of grass, the places where grass is usually found being all eat off, by the vast emigration which has passed during the season. We traveled on, to the "Dry Sandy," expecting to halt there for the night, but the ground being white with alkali, it was considered decidedly unsafe to risk the teams overnight in its neighborhood, and we again traveled onward, and at half past 9 at night encamped on the "Pacific Creek" about two miles below the crossing having travelled 26 miles. The day has been fine and pleasant, and the night clear but cold. After feeding the animals and cooking a hasty supper, the brethren retired to rest without assembling for prayers; all being fatigued and glad to lay down to refresh themselves by the balmy influence of sleep.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
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