Alfred Boaz (continued) :

Alfred Stays in Nauvoo, Joins the Church, and Begins to Fall in Love

“I fell sick with the ague and did not recover in time to go with the fur company, but continued in Nauvoo with an increasing interest in Joseph Smith and what he had to say.  I heard him preach many times and I have not forgotten today (28 November 1904) the things he preached.  He went further in explaining matters and made them clearer to me than any other man.  He spoke with thrilling and marvelous power for good which I shall never forget to my dying day.

The Prophet was a large man, broad-shouldered and heavy-set.  There are no pictures that do justice to him.

I was slow to acknowledge my conversion to ‘Mormonism’ , but I finally felt to accept baptism, and received that ordinance in the Mississippi River, under the hands of  Elder Truman Gillett.

In May following I was sent on a mission to to Virginia.  We were only there a month when we got news of the Prophet’s martyrdom and were ordered home.

On my return I was with my old uncle, who lived diagonally across from old Father John Smith, George A., and Bathsheba.  I was looking toward the house of the latter couple when I saw a lovely young lady come out of the door and walk down the street.  I said, ‘There Goes my wife.’  My cousin said, ‘I guess not; some one else has his eye on her.’  I remarked that we would see about that very soon, and I sought an introduction on the spot and began thereupon a vigorous suit for Melissa Bigler’s hand.  I cut out her many admirers, and I lost no opportunity of showing my devotion.”

Next: Alfred marries, leaves Nauvoo, and travels west to Winter Quarters...