Locust Creek, Wayne County, Iowa

(by Kenneth Mays deseretnews.com 5-8-13)

Following the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, William Clayton served in a similar capacity of clerk to President Brigham Young during the exodus to the West. Clayton's wife, Diantha Farr Clayton, had stayed back in Nauvoo because she was expecting a child.

Among Clayton's many responsibilities was that of counting the revolutions of a wagon wheel so the camp could keep track of the mileage covered. That method would later be abandoned at North Platte, Neb.

While camped at Locust Creek in Wayne County, Iowa, Clayton received word that Diantha had given birth to a healthy son. Clayton noted in his journal that in the spirit of the joyous news, he penned the words of "a new hymn," which he titled "All is Well."

That hymn is now known as "Come, Come Ye Saints." The pioneers felt the comforting influence of that hymn as they crossed the Plains, and it still has great meaning to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765628991/Picturing-history-Locust-Creek-Wayne-County-Iowa.html