That fall President Young with the main body of Saints arrived from the
East. There were now about five thousand people in the valley, and
prospects were not very encouraging, owing to the small crop raised. Food
was scarce, as also was clothing. Many people lived for weeks on "greens"
and the roots of the sego and thistle. A kind of soup was made by cooking
raw-hides. Yet in the midst of these times Heber C. Kimball declared in a
public meeting that it would not be three years before "states goods" would
be sold in Salt Lake cheaper than in St. Louis. No one at that time could
see how it could be possible, but the prophecy was fulfilled within a year,
and it was in this way: That winter gold was discovered in California, and
early the next summer great companies of men came flocking from the east on
their way to the gold mines. Salt Lake City was a sort of half way house.
These gold seekers were heavily laden with all manner of goods, but being
anxious to get to California as soon as possible they traded to the people
in Salt Lake City their goods for lighter wagons, fresh horses, etc. Thus a
great deal of merchandise was brought to the valley, and Brother Kimball's
prophecy was fulfilled.

The city had now been laid out into blocks, and lots were given to the
settlers. Some built houses and moved in that fall, but most of the people
remained in the fort until the spring of 1849.

The city now began to grow rapidly, as companies of Saints were continually
coming from the east. In February, 1849, the city was divided into nineteen
wards and a bishop appointed over each. On the 12th of the same month the
four vacancies in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles were filled by the
calling of Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, and Franklin D.
Richards to the apostleship.