Cyrus H. Wheelock

Cyrus Hubbard Wheelock wrote the words to “Ye Elders of Israel” (#319), which was included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a missionary to England three times and presided over the Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston Conferences. He also served as assistant editor of the Millennial Star from 1851 to 1852. He also served as a missionary in Vermont previously.

In 1844, Wheelock tried to convince Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois to release Joseph Smith Jr. from Carthage Jail. Wheelock was allowed to visit Smith and gave him the pistol which Joseph had when the mob attacked the jail at Carthage.

He was captain of one of the pioneers companies that crossed the plains to Utah Territory in 1853. In 1856, he was part of the rescue party sent to assist the Martin Handcart Company and served as one of the chaplain of one of rescue companies.

Wheelock also served as chaplain for the Utah territorial legislature from 1856 to 1858. After moving to Springville, Utah, he served as a member of the city council. In 1863, he moved to Mount Pleasant where he died on October 11, 1894.

He was born on February 28, 1813, and practiced plural marriage. He had six wives.