September Dawn

First, state your name, age,

and the present condition of your health,

and whether in your condition

you could travel to attend in person

to Beaver, the court now sitting there.

I am Brigham Young. I am in my 75th year.

It would be a great risk

to both my health and life

for me to travel to Beaver at this time.

Because I am, and have been for some time,

an invalid.

Second, what office,

either ecclesiastical, civil or military,

did you hold in the year 1857?

I was Governor of the Territory,

ex-officio Superintendent to Indian Affairs,

and President of the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints,

in the year 1857.

The last time I was here,

I was six months old.

They say you don't remember things

at that age, but I remember feelings.

I remember the feel of wooden wagon

wheels bouncing over the rocky ground.

I remember the feel of horse hooves

as they pounded across the meadow.

I remember the feelings of love

that flowed through everyone

on that wagon train.

It felt special.

Two different worlds met on this spot,

one of love, the other of hate.

- What is it?

- Riders. Looks like six of them.

Let's go see who we have.

Greetings.

I'm Captain Alexander Fancher,

and this is Captain John Baker.

Perhaps you could tell us,

are we close to the supply station?

There is no supply station.

We were told there was a supply station

near here.

No supply station. Best if you keep going.

We need supplies,

which we will happily pay for,

and a resting spot where we can graze

and water our livestock.

We have nothing to sell.

We passed rich fields being cultivated

all across this territory,

- yet you say you have nothing to sell us.

- That's right.

We don't have enough supplies

to get us to California.

Is there a problem, Alexander?

- Seems they don't like strangers.

- Just making sure that you do not stop here.

We're willing to pay top dollar.

- Money is the root of all evil.

- What about charity and mercy?

Our livestock need to graze and water.

Our people need rest.

You should have thought about that before.

Name's General Jacob Samuelson,

and these are my sons, Jonathan and Micah.

Folks around here call me the Bishop

or the General.

I'm the Bishop of the Church,

the General of the local militia,

and the Mayor all rolled into one.

I'm Captain Alexander Fancher,

one of the leaders of this wagon train.

This is Captain Baker, Nancy Dunlap.

Well, these people here are telling us

to move along.

We were hoping to buy provisions

and water and graze our livestock.

We don't come begging.

We're willing to pay.

Not an unreasonable request.

We need to show some Christian charity

here, now don't we?

Thank goodness.

The men here sometimes get a little excited.

We've had many problems with emigrants

using this trail.

I'm sorry to hear that.

So you understand,

we need to check you out

before we decide whether

to help you or not.

Of course. We have nothing to hide.

You stay here.

My sons and I will look things over.

That's a fine animal you're on, sir.

This is One Eyed Blaze.

He's my pride and joy.

- Must be worth a pretty penny.

- Two thousand, that's no lie.

Now, what fool would pay so much

for a horse?

A breeding or a gaming man, sir.

You interested in horses, son?

We have the best horses

west of the Mississippi with us.

Well, there's nothing here

that looks menacing.

You all seem to be good Christian men

and women.

Thank you, Bishop.

Does this mean you'll let us stay here

and rest awhile?

First, let me ask where you people are from.

Most of us are from Arkansas,

some of us are from Missouri.

Missouri?

Our people need rest, Bishop.

We'll pay double

with American Gold Eagles.

No, of course not.

- One should not pay for what God provides.

- Thank you.

My men will direct you to a place

not very far from here

where you can camp

for no more than two weeks.

You'll be safe from the hostile Indians there.

- Thank you. Thank you very much, Bishop.

- Good day.

Did you see those horses?

Weren't they something?

I've never seen horses like that before.

Two thousand dollars for a horse!

A man could have a mansion

with that kind of money!

Those horses are going to be used

for gambling. Gambling is a sin.

Some of them come from Missouri

and Arkansas.

I want you to keep an eye on the emigrants.

We need to find out more about them.

- We will.

- Yes, Father.

I want to know every detail.

There's no telling what could be important.

"The woman shall not wear

that which pertaineth unto a man.

"All that do so are abomination

unto the Lord thy God."

Put the horses and wagon away.

Dinner is in exactly one hour. Don't be late.

Micah, I expect you and your new wives

to be on time. No excuses.

- Yes, sir.

- You spend too much time with them.

The Prophet recommends that every man

should have at least three wives.

Maybe you should take another one.

What are you smiling at?

- You don't even have a single wife yet.

- He's particular.

Too particular if you ask me.

Here, let me take her.

Emily, you've been a godsend

since my Jenny died.

Well, you know,

we've all got to help one another, Robert.

You know, the baby needs a mother.

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

We thank you for the food we eat,

the shelter that keeps us dry,

the clothes that keep us warm.

Thank you for this beautiful place

for us to rest,

and for the animals to feed and drink.

We thank you for delivering

the Gentiles into our hands.

Bless the Bishop and his family

for allowing us to stay.

Surely these people are cursed

beyond hope of redemption.

Thank you for showing

the light of Christian charity

to those who doubted our motives

for staying in this glorious place.

Cursed are the Gentile dogs

who allow abominations

like that woman in pants who carries a gun.

Curse all the people from Missouri

who drove us from our land

...in Jesus' name.

May these children of Satan go to hell!

Amen.

"As he rode along, he wondered what

he would do if he came face to face.

"He had a lot of things..."

A word with you, Captain Fancher?

In private, if you please.

- How long do you plan to stay here?

- The Bishop has allowed us two weeks.

Two weeks?

We need that time for our people to rest,

the animals to get their bellies full,

their strength back.

I have a bad feeling about this place.

It isn't safe. And I think

we should move on as soon as possible.

The Bishop himself said we'd be safe here.

I know, but I don't like it.

I have children that depend upon me.

As do I.

I can't help it.

Since Lorenzo got sick,

I just worry all the time.

My children have only me to depend upon.

Nancy, you're not alone. You've got

an entire wagon train here with you.

Now, the Bishop seems to have

an understanding with the Indians, and...

Well, I believe we're safe here.

It's not the Indians I worry about.

How long will you be gone, Father?

Two days. Jonathan, you're the eldest.

You'll be responsible.

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