It ended in Susannah being driven alone in a very fine carriage.  Smith, resplendent in uniform and seated upon a very fine charger, rode in his capacity of Commander-in-Chief.  Several other men whom she had known first in homespun, and latterly in cloth, were also riding in bedizened uniforms.  The scene was very perplexing to Susannah.  Elvira, with great display of dress and equipage, was not far from her, and waved her hand with patronising encouragement.  The coach in which were Emma and her children presented also a very smart appearance.  All the town drove to the scene of the review in what splendour they could afford.

Susannah was greatly occupied in looking from face to face, striving, to recognise some of her husband’s friends of earlier days.  She fully expected to see Smith or some of his friends fall from their saddles, as they could be little accustomed to manoeuvring such light-footed steeds, but she was forced to admit that Smith rode well and his officers kept their seats.  She had so much to observe, so much to think about, she hardly noticed that Smith rode constantly by her carriage, pointing out the beauties of the road.

When they stopped at the place of parade, many of the gentlemen in uniform approached her, and as this was her first appearance in public, Smith performed the introductions.  Among them was the Rev. General John Bennet, a man who had “knave” written on his countenance, but who appeared to have duped Smith, for, as Lieutenant-General of the forces, he was actually in command.  Her old friend the Danite also came, older than when she had seen him last by the hardships of an arduous missionary journey.  He passed now by the name of “Apostle Heber.”  Susannah was so glad to be able to inquire concerning his welfare, so curious to speak with him again and judge of his development, that her manner gained the appearance of animation.

After some time Susannah perceived that she was, as it were, holding court.  In their carriages the other women sat comparatively neglected.  It was in vain that she tried to put a quick end to this curious and undesirable state of things.  Smith continued to bring to her side all those whom he delighted to honour.

And this was only one of several fetes which took place in rapid succession, to all of which Susannah was by some persuasion taken.  At each she found herself an object of public attention.  She was told that this occurred because she was a stranger, or out of respect to her husband’s memory, and she placed more trust at first in these statements than a less modest or more worldly-wise woman would have done.

Soon her credulity ceased.  She despised her own beauty because it was made a gazing stock.  An article in the Nauvoo newspaper, officially inspired, spoke of her as a “Venus in appearance and an angel at heart.”  She was elsewhere publicly mentioned as the “Venus of Nauvoo.”