Kane met with members of the LDS Church at a meeting in Philadelphia in May 1846. Kane gave them his advice (told them what he thought they should do) and helped with their conflicts (arguments) with the U.S. government. He also helped them when they tried to emigrate (move) to western areas (places) in the US. , an LDS religious leader in the East, was asking for help with the Latter-day Saints' move to the West. Kane was able to get letters of recommendation (letters that say Kane can be trusted) from people who knew his father. Kane later joined Little in , and they met the secretary of state, secretary of war, and President . After they negotiated (shared and talked about ideas), the United States agreed to send 500 LDS men, in five groups of 75 to 100 men each, called the , to help in the .