Cyrus H. Wheelock

Cyrus Hubbard Wheelock (February 28, 1813 – October 11, 1894) was an early missionary and leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as first president of the Northern States Mission. He wrote the words to the Latter-day Saint hymn "Ye Elders of Israel."

Wheelock was born at Henderson, Jefferson County, New York.^[1] Wheelock was baptized a member of the Latter Day Saint church on September 1, 1839. Shortly afterward, he served as a missionary in Vermont.^[1]

In 1844, Wheelock tried to convince Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois to release Joseph Smith, Jr. from Carthage Jail.^[1] Wheelock gave Smith the pistol which he had when the mob attacked the jail at Carthage.^[2]

Wheelock served three missions to England. He presided over the Manchester, Liverpool and Preston Conferences.^[3]

In 1853, Wheelock was a counselor to Isaac Haight, president of the camp of Latter-day Saints waiting to set out from Keokuk, Iowa. Wheelock was the captain of one of the pioneer companies that crossed the plains to Utah Territory.^[4][5] In 1854, Wheelock became the president of the 37th Quorum of the Seventy.^[6]

In 1856, Wheelock was part of a rescue party Brigham Young sent to assist the stranded pioneer companies including the Martin Handcart Company near the Sweetwater River.^[7]

Wheelock settled in Mount Pleasant, Utah Territory. He wrote several hymns while living here.^[8]

In 1878, Wheelock was made president of the Northern States Mission which then consisted of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.^[1] Wheelock served as mission president for just over a year. He died in Mount Pleasant, Utah Territory.^[1]

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