Albert P. Rockwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albert P. Rockwood |
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| First Seven Presidents of the Seventy | |
| December 2, 1845 – November 25, 1879 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Albert Perry Rockwood June 5, 1805 Holliston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | November 25, 1879 (aged 74) Sugar House, Utah Territory, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Ruth Haven Elvira Teeples Angelina Horn (Orn) Julianne Sophie Olsen Susannah Cornwall |
| Children | 22 |
| Parents | Luther Rockwood Ruth Perry |
Albert Perry Rockwood (born June 5, 1805 – died November 25, 1879) was an important early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He was a member of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Contents
Early Life and Interests
Albert P. Rockwood was born in Holliston, Massachusetts. His parents were Luther Rockwood and Ruth Perry. On April 4, 1827, he married Nancy Ruth Haven. Albert was very interested in helping people. He supported movements against alcohol and slavery. He also studied military tactics and medicine.
Nancy Haven was a cousin to two important church leaders: Brigham Young and Willard Richards. In 1836, Brigham Young and his brother Joseph Young visited the Rockwood home. They left a copy of the Book of Mormon with Albert, who was often called "AP," and Nancy.
Discovering a New Faith
Soon after the Young brothers left, Nancy's cousin Willard Richards came to stay with the Rockwoods. Brigham and Joseph Young had recently joined the new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This caused a lot of talk in the family. Many thought they had made a strange choice.
Willard Richards decided to read the Book of Mormon himself. He wanted to see if it was truly from God. He read the entire book while staying with AP and Nancy. He became convinced that the book was indeed from God.
In 1837, Willard Richards and Brigham Young visited AP and Nancy again. They encouraged them to join the church. AP traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, to meet Joseph Smith, the church's founder. Even though he heard many negative stories about Joseph Smith, AP believed he was a true prophet. Brigham Young baptized AP on July 25, 1837.
Joining the church brought challenges for AP. Even though he came from a respected family in Massachusetts, he faced unfair treatment. Another church leader, Wilford Woodruff, once visited AP in jail. AP had been charged with something because of prejudice against his new faith.
Moving West: Missouri and Illinois
AP and Nancy traveled to Far West, Missouri, to live with other church members. They had to be careful not to reveal they were Latter-day Saints to avoid trouble. In Missouri, AP joined a group that helped protect the church members. He also participated in the church's militia, which tried to defend settlements from attacks. He wrote letters home describing these events. These letters are now important historical records.
When church members were forced to leave Missouri, AP and Nancy moved to Quincy, Illinois, in 1839. By 1841, they were in Nauvoo, Illinois. AP became a drill officer for the Nauvoo Legion, a local militia. He was also a commander of Joseph Smith's bodyguards.
Joseph Smith trusted AP Rockwood greatly. There are stories of AP trying to keep Smith safe. Once, AP learned that someone planned to harm Joseph Smith during a drill. AP ordered Smith's bodyguards to surround him, stopping the plan. Another time, a sheriff from Missouri tried to take Joseph Smith back to Missouri. AP led a group to try and rescue Smith. In the last days of Joseph Smith's life, AP was among a small group of trusted friends who helped hide Smith on an island in the Mississippi River.
Life in Nauvoo
After Joseph Smith's death, AP Rockwood stayed in Nauvoo. He was put in charge of getting stone for the Nauvoo Temple. This was a dangerous job. Some wives worried about their husbands working in the quarry. Rockwood promised to care for the families of any men who were killed. He kept his promise.
On December 2, 1845, AP Rockwood was chosen as one of the presidents of the Seventy. He had been ordained a seventy by Joseph Young earlier, in 1839.
Journey to the West
When mobs forced church members to leave Nauvoo, AP Rockwood, his wives, and children traveled to Winter Quarters. This was near what is now Omaha, Nebraska. Because of his church position and his connection to Brigham Young, he was a leader there.
Brigham Young organized the first group of pioneers to find and map a trail to the Great Salt Lake Valley. This group was divided into three companies. AP Rockwood was one of the three captains who led this first group of pioneers west.
Arriving in Salt Lake Valley
Rockwood was part of the first group of Mormon pioneers to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847. During the journey, some people, including Brigham Young and Rockwood, became sick. To make them more comfortable, Wilford Woodruff had them ride in his carriage for the last few days. Rockwood was in the wagon with Young when Young famously declared, "This is the right place."
As soon as AP felt better, Brigham Young sent him on a mission. He was to collect donations from church members on the East Coast. This money would help the church, which was struggling financially. After completing this mission, AP returned to Winter Quarters. In 1850, he traveled with his wives and children back to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake.
Public Service in Utah
In Great Salt Lake City, AP Rockwood was appointed Supervisor of Roads. He also continued his role as a General in the Nauvoo Legion. He was involved in efforts to resist the U.S. Army that was sent to Utah.
From 1851 to 1879, Rockwood served in the Utah territorial legislature. He was also one of the first wardens of the Territorial Prison. He was known for his kind and fair treatment of the prisoners. He was also the first game warden in Utah. He earned this title because he used prisoners to help raise game fish.
Family Life and Legacy
Albert P. Rockwood practiced plural marriage and was the father of 22 children. He passed away in Sugar House, Utah Territory, at his home on November 25, 1879. He was surrounded by his family and friends.
