“ The book of Mormon terms them the land of desolation, and when I get into a prairie so large that I am out of sight of timber, just as a seaman is "out of sight of land in the ocean," I have to exclaim, what is man and his works, compared to the Almighty and his creations? ”

“ The pinks variegate these widespread lawns without the hand of man to aid them, and the bees of a thousand groves, banquet on the flowers unobserved, and sip the honey dews of heaven, far beyond the busy bustling scenes of aspiring man. O what a scene for contemplation! What a good God all living have, to provide for them in all capacities in all conditions—and in all ages against a day of trouble, and for a day of righteousness! ”

“ On Shoal creek, when there is water, there are some tolerable mill seats, but the prairies,—those "old clearings"—peering one over another, as far as the eye can glance, flatten all common calculation as to timber for boards, rails, or future wants, for a thick population, according to the natural reasoning of men. ”