Another forced exodus would help to drive certain memories from his mind and silence the cries that were now beginning to ring in his ears.
Obedient to priestly counsel, the Saints declined, in the language of Brigham, "to trust again in Punic faith." In April they began to move south, starting from the settlements on the north.

During that and the two succeeding months thirty thousand of them left their homes.

They took only their wagons, bedding, and provisions, leaving their other possessions to the mercy of the expected despoiler.

Before locking the doors of their houses for the last time, they strewed shavings, straw, and other combustibles through the rooms so that the work of firing the city could be done quickly.

A score of men were left behind to apply the torch the moment it became necessary,--should a gate be swung open or a latch lifted by hostile hands.