“The mob came to the river, two miles from us; and the river had risen to that height that they were obliged to stop without crossing over. The hail fell so heavy upon them that it beat holes in their hats, and in some instances, even broke the stocks off their guns; their horses being frightened fled leaving the riders on the ground, their powder was wet and it was evident the Almighty fought in our defense.” — Heber C. Kimball1
Zion's Camp, led by Joseph Smith, encountered significant challenges during their 1834 expedition to aid Missouri Saints. Governor Dunklin's refusal to support the Saints with militia left the group vulnerable, but they pressed on, aiming to reach their exiled brethren in Clay County and broker peace with Jackson County's residents. As they neared their destination, a local woman alerted them to a planned ambush by a hostile group.2
The situation escalated when they camped on a hill between the forks of Fishing River. Here, they were confronted by five armed men who declared that a force of over three hundred was poised to attack. Joseph Smith counseled against preemptive violence, urging his followers to witness the "salvation of God."2 Then, a tumultuous storm suddenly unleashed torrential rains, lightning, and hail, swelling the riverbanks and preventing any attack. Joseph exclaimed, “God is in this storm!” The camp took refuge in a nearby church and endured the night with hymns and prayers, finding their surroundings miraculously preserved by morning.3
The subsequent days saw the camp relocating to a safer location along the Little Fishing River, where Joseph dictated a revelation that said God accepted the sacrifice of Zion’s Camp and it was disbanded,3 now found in Doctrine and Covenants Section 105.4
