It has been described as “one of the finest expressions of human compassion in American history.” In 1839, the Mormons were a people in flight, having been ordered out of the State of Missouri by the edict of the Governor. More than 7000 refugees fleeing in the dead of winter—and where could they go? Who would take them in? They came to the only arms open to them. The citizens of Quincy, Illinois opened their homes and hearts to a people in perilous straits—the Mormons. This is the story—seldom told–of one of the greatest rescues in 19th century American history.