The Edgy Kentucky Rifle

When Elijah was about 10 days old (April 1844), his father was the Presiding Elder of the church in Illinois. The anti-Mormons were persecuting the saints and driving them away from their homes. The mob got on top of their house and tore the chimney off and threw the mud down it. Solomon took up his gun, a Kentucky rifle, and moved his wife and family out under a large elm tree and was only able to save what little clothing and bedding he could carry. Seeing the men on top of his house, he drew his gun, ready to shoot but a voice came, "Don't shoot, Solomon, you know your gun goes easy." So he put his gun down and went over where his wife was. He felt so bad that his house was being burned that he raised his gun the second time and the second time the voice came so strong, "Don't shed blood, you know your gun goes easy. Spare their lives. The promise is made that your children and your children's children will never ever be in bondage." Solomon then laid his gun down and watched his house and belongings burn, while he wept. Taken from Elijah and Francis Palmer, by Spencer Palmer