BIOGRAPHIES - LORIN FARR PART 4

With the expulsion of the Saints from Missouri, many came back across the Illinois border. Among the saints were the Farr family members. They settled, for a few months, down river from what would later become Nauvoo, in Lima. Later, most saints would travel up river to what was then Commerce, Illinois. They found a swamp and malaria infested region without much hope of establishing a reasonable place to live. Joseph Smith, aided by others, saw the possibilities and began to drain the swamp. Here they would establish Nauvoo, "The City Beautiful." The city would become the most beautiful, prosperous and largest city in Illinois at that time. By the summer of 1841 there were between eight and nine thousand Saints in the Nauvoo area. Within one more year, Nauvoo was bigger than any other city in Illinois. By 1845 the Saints had singlehandedly made Hancock County the most populous in the state. It would be very advanced for its time, featuring a university and many other cultural advantages.

In this city, Winslow Farr and his family built a home with a double door. Winslow and his family would live in one side of the home with Aaron Farr and his wife in the other. Lorin Farr established a home behind this one, marked only by a foundation stone visible today. The Winslow Farr home stands today in Nauvoo as a testimony to the industry and planning of the Farr family.

In Nauvoo, Lorin would draw closer to Joseph Smith, his family, and other leaders of the church. He would serve as he did in Missouri - teacher, bodyguard, messenger, clerk and other roles, meeting the needs of the Prophet Joseph. Often he would be found in the Smith home, becoming an intimate family member with the Smiths. He was treated as a son. Lucy Walker Holmes, sister to William Walker later to become husband to Olive Farr, would speak of the warm relationship between Lorin and Joseph. She recorded, "He (Joseph Smith) often referred to Bro. Lorin as his Edwin. He was indeed his confidential and trusted friend. He was ever by his side; arm in arm they walked and conversed freely on various subjects. He was with him when he was arrested at Dixon by Wilson and Reynolds, who were determined to take hm down the river into Missouri, but were foiled in this attempt. It was in this case Uncle Billy Rogers, as he was familiarly called, made himself conspicuous in his defense; declared with an oath, that they could not come there and kidnap a man and take him away in that manner. Said he would be d--d if Smith should not have fair play. They were forced to take him through the state by way of Nauvoo. Bro. Lorin hurried on home, brought his favorite horse, Charley, and met him on foot, weary and covered with dust. He warmly embraced him, mounted his horse, and rode into Nauvoo. As they drew near the city the people turned en masse to greet him. Bro. Lorin went with him to Springfield to attend his trial, and had the exquisite pleasure of seeing him freed."

At one time, while in hiding, the prophet asked Brother William Clayton and Lorin Farr to 'bring all the writings, and papers, books and histories, for we shall want a scribe in order that we may pour upon the world the truth, like the lava from Mount Vesuvius.' (Information for this article is from research in possession of David Farr).