As a result of missionary work in the British Isles initiated by members of the Quorum of the Twelve, many converts to the restored gospel made their way to Nauvoo, Ill., in the spirit of gathering to Zion.

In addition to the perils and discomfort of crossing the Atlantic and then traveling by river boat from the mouth of the Mississippi to their destination, many of the Latter-day Saints had to endure the taunts and discouragements occasioned by prejudice against the Church in the river towns along the way.

In Natchez, Miss., someone came on board the Church-owned steamboat Maid of Iowa and tried to start it on fire. The blaze was extinguished, but not before it had consumed several beds and bedding.

At another landing, Dan Jones, the Mormon captain of the boat, kept an angry mob at bay by mustering the male passengers to parade on the side of the boat with loaded muskets.

William Rowley, in a letter printed in the Church-published Millennial Star in England, described his relief and pleasure at finally reaching Nauvoo:

"You may suppose we were most pleasingly surprised, after having had our ears continually assailed with the doleful accounts of 'the wretchedness of the place,' its 'log and mud' built cabins,' its 'knee deep' muddy streets, the 'poverty and starvation' that awaited us, the 'villainy and roguery' of its inhabitants, the 'awful delusion of Mormonism,' 'beware of old Joe Smith,' and a thousand other such like salutations; you may judge then, how much we were gratified at beholding the striking contrast, while gazing with rapturous delight, first upon the 'Temple,' which already assumes a lofty bearing from the commanding eminence on which it is being erected; then the 'Nauvoo House'; the 'Mansion House,' (the residence of him of whom the world is not worthy); the Masonic, Music, and public halls; some completed, and others are being so, besides numerous well-built and substantial brick stores, and private dwellings. The whole site and aspect of the city, presenting a most cheering picture of the enterprise and industry of its inhabitants, exhibiting a remarkable difference to many of the western towns which we passed in coming up the Mississippi, of far longer standing and origin." ("Letter from W. Rowley," Millennial Star 4, No. 12; January 25, 1844: 193.) (Source: Fred E. Woods, Gathering to Nauvoo, Covenant Communications Inc., pp. 79-80, 84-85.)