pel as they understand it, manifest their sincerity. Yet our "Christian" friends will not recognize them as Christians, nor believe that they are right. They go out without purse or scrip, without fee or reward. They are not paid for their work. They make sacrifice of home and its comforts, and leave their loved ones behind, and go to face a frowning world, to meet persecution and obloquy, way, which leadeth unto life, and few "BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW there be that find it." These men whom the Lord placed in His Church had the word of the Lord. God revealed Himself unto them. Jesus Christ manifested Himself unto them. This is one of the characteristics of the Church. It was in communication with its Divine Author. The spirit that came down from heaven was in these men; not and sometimes imprisonment, stripes, and only in them, but in the body of the death. What for? To proclaim that Church. The whole body was quickened which they know in their hearts is true. by it, led by it, and inspired by it. ThereThey are sincere enough, but that does fore the truth was in the Church. But not prove that they are right. Our there came a great change after the "Christian" friends will acknowledge that. Apostles were slain. Darkness came in On the other hand, the sincerity that like a flood and overspread the earth, as may be exhibited in the various "Chris- the prophet of old foresaw when he tian" sects by the people who compose said that "darkness would cover the the members, and by the preachers who earth and gross darkness the people." Beteach them, is not of itself an evidence cause of that darkness which has overthat they are right or that they have spread the earth has come the condition the truth. But the fact that they are that exists in the Christian world today. divided and conflicting is proof enough True Gospel Again Revealed From that there is a great deal of error among them. Now, that which comes from God is the truth. If Jesus Christ has a church on the earth under His direction and inspiration, containing men whom He has appointed, who hold His authority, who are sent by His word, and who have divine authority to administer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that church will have the truth. It will not have error intermingled with it, because it will be directed by Christ, being His Church. Men may build up a church and call it the Church of Christ, but that does not make it so; it is the church of the men who organized it. If John Wesley-a good man, as I believe with all my heart. a mighty man, who did a great and good work in the earth-organized a religious society and called it the Church of Christ, that does not make it so, and it is nothing more than the church of John Wesley. If other good men assemble together and agree on points of doctrine and organize a religious society that society is theirs. It is not God's unless He ordered it, revealed it, and accepted it. Oneness of the Church of Christ. I think that these simple ideas will be received by this congregation and by any reasonable person. If Jesus Christ had Heaven. Now, in this age of the world, I repeat, our Heavenly Father has been pleased to reveal Himself again. Hear it! oh, ye people! As sure as the sun shines in the heavens, as sure as we are in this Tabernacle this afternoon, the Mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and is "calling the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof.' His word to all people is that the Gospel in its purity has been restored; His Church has been set up again on the earth. under His personal direction; Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers once more are endowed with the Spirit that comes from on high, and all people who receive their testimony and are obedient to the Gospel are baptized by one spirit into one body, whether they be Jew or Gentile, bond or free, and they are all made to partake of one Spirit. This Gospel and the proclamation thereof is to all the world, to every creature. This is the commandment of God to His servants in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And all people will hear the sound thereof, no matter how much it may be opposed. The Elders of this Church, going out as the servants of God did of old, are endowed with the same authority, the same power, and the same right to administer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And the word of Christ is to them as it was to the early Apostles: "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me reciveth Him that sent me. And he that rejecteth you rejecteh Him that The word of the Lord to all sent me.' people everywhere is to turn from their wickedness, from their corruptions, from their bowing their false creeds, from down to anything that is not God, from the notions and ideas of men that have been preached in the world for the doctrines of Christ, and come unto God their Eternal Father in humility, in contrition, repenting of their sins, confessing them, and forsaking them. (Continued.) Union Pacific Railroad. Another Portland train. Two trains daily. Effective April 22, the Union Pacific. Oregon Short Line and Chicago Railroad and Navigation company wil place in service an additional Portland train. a church on the earth in the first century, it was the Church that He established. There is evidence that He did establish a church. By reading the New Testament it is plain that He organized it Himself; therefore it was His Church. He placed in it Apostles, Prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, (so we read in the epistle to the Ephesians, 4th chapter.) "for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God." These men were sent out to preach the Gospel without purse or scrip. They were commanded to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." And the principles which they taught were the principles of Jesus Christ. The plan of salvation that they introduced was divine. It was not their own. When Paul preached to the Gentiles and Peter preached to the Jews, they preached the same Gospel, the same doctrine, by the same Spirit. The people who received their word and repented of their sins, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, were all baptized by one spirit into one body. Equipped with Palace Sleepers. Free There was but one body, no matter how Reclining Chair Cars, ordinary Sleeping many members there were in it; there Car, Dining Car Service (to Granger). was but one church, no matter how The time of the present Portland train, many branches there might be to it."The Overland Limited," leaving Kansas The Church was one, the Gospel was one, the God they worshipped was one, the Savior was one. There was "one Lord one faith, one baptism. one God and Father of all:" and the path that they walked in was the one way marked out by the Lord Jesus Christ. who said: "Wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because straight is the gate, and narrow is the This train, "The Pacific Express," will leave Kansas City 10:40 a. m. Only three days on the road. City 6:40 p. m., will be reduced 2 hours and 45 minutes between Granger and Portland. Only 69 hours Kansas City to Portland. Palace Sleeping Cars, Dining Car Service, Buffet Cars, Chair Cars. For time tables, folders, illustrated books, pamphlets descriptive of the territory traversed, address J. F. Aglar, general agent, St. Louis, Mo. THEM." BY GEO. HILTON. fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring A good tree cannot bring forth evil forth good fruit. (Matt. 7:18. "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (20th verse). In my travels in the dif ferent parts of the world, I find hundreds of diverse denominations of religions, and all claiming to be the true followers of Jesus Christ, our file Leader. At the same time they all differ from that which Jesus taught as recorded in the Holy Bible. A short time ago I visited Winchester, the old capital of vice in the largest cathedral in England. Here I attended divine serEngland. Services commenced at 10 a. lasted until 12. m. and There were from ten to fifteen ministers officiating, appearing to be very zealous in the labors which they were engaged in. At the conclusion of the services I introduced myself to one of those gentlemen, and asked this most important question: "Is this the Church of Jesus Christ, and have you the same organization of officers as Jesus had in the church when He sojourned upon earth?" The answer was in the affirmative. I then said: "My dear sir, would you be so kind as to introduce me to one of your twelve Apostles?" I noticed at that moment he became a little uneasy. The necktie and collar needed a little adjusting. And then said: "We haven't got any Apostles or Prophets in the Church in these days. It's the Mormons or Latter-Day Saints that believe in Prophets and Apostles: "I then said: "My dear sir, how can you get along without these officers and be the true Church of Jesus Christ?" I then took my Testament from my pocket, and read from Mark 14:10. "And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the Chief Priest to betray Him unto them, and when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money; then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and elders, and he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself." At this moment we find the quorum of apostles imperfect, there being only eleven apostles. We find the church of Christ very different from the churches established by men. The apostles had returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet. And when they were come in they went up into an upper room and continued in prayer and supplication, and they prayed and said: "Thou, Lord, which knoweth the hearts of all men, shew whither of these two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias, that he may take part in the ministry and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, fell, that he may go to his own place, and they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." (Acts of Apostles 1:13-24.) Jesus addressing his apostles, said: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you." (John 15:16) "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing." Jesus appeared unto the Apostles as they sat at meat, and gave them their commissions how to preach and what to preach, and by their fruits ye shall know them. And He said unto them: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature: he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believ eth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." And they went forth History of the Southern States Mission. THE SOUTHERN STAR. friendly disposed. The ministers treat "The Saints at Hart's Branch are rived and on the following day were set A church house situated in the village The following startling dispatch from Atlanta, Ga., appeared in the Chattanooga Times of the 28th inst.: Atlanta, Ga., July 27.-The Constitution has received a special from its Covington, Ga., correspondent, which says that a mob of fity masked men made way with three Mormon Elders who have been proselyting in Jasper county. The story is to the effect that the three Elders visited the home of William Cunyesterday and endeavored to persuade Mrs. nard, near Newton factory, Jasper county, Cunnard to join the church. While they were at the Cunnard home, were parleying Mr. Cunnard procured a rifle tered. rode off with them. Nothing has been seen The Elders were driven out of two towns This greatly concerned the Elders at the office because much of it might be true, for the Elders were in imminent danger. The only thing possible was to telegraph the postmaster of Flovilla, Ga., and where conference headquarters had which is near the place of the mobbing, been for some time. A reply was received later in the day, which read: "One Mormon Elder in office this morning. Told citizens he was one of the Elders in the hands of mob. Could not get particulars. He said the woman of the house was badly shot, but not by her husband, as reported in the papers. He went south, walking along the railroad track before I learned that he was one of the Elders that had been mobbed. "W. F. Smith, P. M." Other news was awaited with interest, but when it did come it showed that ders. (Continued from Page 331) July, 1899.-President Rich returned from Chicago on the 1st, while Elders Anderson and Lyman did not return until the 3d. As heretofore stated, the brethren had met Apostle F. M. Lyman, and the proposition to include Ohio in the Southern States Mission was laid before him, and the presiding authorities of the Northern States Mission. It met with the approval of all after some concessions, and Apostle Lyman promised to bring the subject up before the Mission- of mob, see page 285, Vol. 1, Southern Star.) From afar echoes of the great ary Board at Salt Lake City. Only a few days after, word was received official-uprising were heard. Facts were misly that the change was agreeable, and construed to frightful proportions. The to so make all necesasry arrangements month closed in great excitement. with the other missions. Accordingly, President Rich went to Chicago on the 23d to complete the transfer. The results were gratifying indeed. Nine of the Elders then laboring in that state remained and were given companions, while the others left the state for various fields in the Northern States Mission. John B. Erekson, who was at that time president of the Ohio Conference, was chosen to preside, and nine Elders were sent up to the Conference from the South. The transfer did not go into effect until Aug. 15. Elder Lyman, who had held council meeting with the Elders of the East Tennessee Conference at Knoxville, reported the following: "Our council meeting is just over; the Elders all feel fine, and are doing a good work. Knoxville has opened up in good shape. The mayor and other officials of the town are very (To be Continued.) Releases and Appointments. J. S. Sears, Office. P. V. Carter, Louisiana Conference. Transfers. C. E. Wade, from Louisiana to East W. H. Irvine, from Florida to North A HYPOCRITE. 343 A hypocrite is one who pretends to be what he is not. Forgetting Washington's maxim: "Speak no evil of the absent; it is unjust," he will act the part of Judas after winning one's confidence and love. Still, according to his pretentions, he is friendly, sincere and true. Satan has many such clients among the "Worldites," and one does not have to step beyond the bounds of remembrance to find such a creature. Friendship, affection, love, countrymen, kings, and even empires have vanished away by the presence of concealed hypocrisy. of deceit and treachery. Lies and falseThe subject walks upon two legs: those hoods are his companions. His mission is to pollute and destroy those attributes which come from God and are for the upbuilding of virtue, love and goodness. Heaven would not be what it is unless it were devoid of such beings. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." Hypocrisy results in confusion, and hence its source is from an inferior channel. A hero, whose deeds never die in the memory of mankind, is one whose life and character is unblotted with the traits of a hypocrite. He does not remember that a friend who fears to make enemies is not a true friend. Being twofaced, he fails to see that it is more honjust causes are present, than it is to make orable to openly make an enemy, when an enemy by telling his faults to others, and then denying his statements to the victim. Impure substances emanate from diseased bodies. Likewise, impure, bigoted and false statements come from the mind of a diseased soul. The hypocrite who prevaricates, intentionally and conscientiously, is morally diseased. Indeed, we may classify him as a living ulcer, upon the back of humanity. Corruption and constantly conceived in his thoughts, and attacks upon innocent his tongue is the weapon he disgraces by allowing it to execute his wicked heart's desire. This world possesses many people who could have their names added to the hypocrites' "Roll Honor (?).” characters are "Should you feel inclined to censure, L. F. RICH. A Word from Magnolia, Tenn. of Magnolia, Tenn. Star, that I may express my thoughts. B. A. BINGHAM, DOES A COLLEGE EDUCATION HELP of youth are positively injured by going OR HINDER? There seems to be a general impression that the college graduate is losing caste, that he is becoming a very ordinary being. This is due not to the fact that the college man is deteriorating, but that the masses are becoming better educated through the rapid increase of newspapers and periodicals, the establishment of free libraries, university extension, evening schools of all descriptions in the large centers, correspondence schools, Chautau qua reading circles, and summer schools. In this way, the sharp distinction which formerly existed between the college man and his untrained brother has become somewhat obliterated. Some one has well said that the men tal capacity of a college graduate is like the power of steam or electricity, which is not applicable to runnig one kind of engine merely, but to any mechanical appliance. "The untrained man makes one think of Niagara going to waste, or only half utilized; or of a team of horses laboring through mud and mire when they might haul tons on a smooth road." Harvey E. Fiske, the banker, in an article in "The Outlook," on "The Value of a College Education to a Business Man," says: "I am a great believer in laying deep, broad, substantial foundations for all undertakings in life. If a boy intends to become something more than an under-clerk or a small tradesman, he will need the best preliminary education that his parents can afford to give him. "In the early stages of his career in business, a young man will not appreciate what he has missed by not going to to college. Assuming that he entered an office or a store at 17, and that his friend entered college at the same age, he will feel at 21 greatly the superior of his friend in business ability. But five or ten years later, the one who had the college training' will probably be found to be working more easily, with greater confidence, and with exactly as much suc cess as the friend who had four years A college edthe start-if not greater. ucation will strengthen all your faculties, and, rightly used, will be a blessing all through life." "It is a popular fallacy," says Charles F. Wright, "that self-made men have taken the lead in this country." Of our presidents, Washington, Jackson, Van Buren. Harrison, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, Johnson, and Cleveland never went to college. On the other hand, Graut was educated at West Point, the two Adamses at Harvard, Jefferson, Monroe, and Tyler at William and Mary, Madison at Princeton, Polk at the University of North Carolina, Pierce at Bowdoin, Buchanan at Dickinson, Hayes at Kenyon, Garfield at Williams, and Arthur at Columbia. The list of fifty-three famous Massachusetts men inscribed on the dome of the Boston state house contains 72 per cent. of college graduates. Among them is Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. It is undoubtedly true that thousands to college. But this is not the fault of the college. Many of those young men receive an education which fits them for occupations and professions for which they have not the slightest inclination, and the smattering of book knowledge which they have acquired, though very superficial, has made them discontented with the common life which they are compelled to lead. An unsuccessful student with a smattering of everything is raised as much above his original condition as if he were successful. It is a significant fact that a large portion of Paris cabmen are unsuccessful students in theology and other professions, and unfrocked priests, and they are very bad cabmen. I do not claim that a college education is intended for all. Unless a youth is dead in earnest and anxious to make the most possible out of himself, he should not go to college. A great many boys who go to the universities are utterly without purpose, without any aim in life, or any ambition to be anything or to do anything. They are simply drifting drones. They wist to have a good time, and many of them go to college to get rid of hard work at home. It is lamentably true that a great many college boys waste their time in dissipation, neglect their studies until near the close of the term, and then employ tutors and cram for examinations. I do not call this a college education. Thousands of youths have diplomas which really mean nothing. Success. GLEANINGS. Rutledge, Ga., Sept. 6th, 1900. I desire to express my feelings toward the Latter-day Saints. It has been more than a year since I first saw a Mormon Elder. Two came to our house and were invited in. They talked a little on their faith and left a tract, which we did not read much, although I believed them to be servants of God. I was laughed at when I spoke in their favor, and then I thought if I never find out better I will always think they are right. called at one of our neighbor's, and were They then well treated, and held many good meetings there. I then had the privilege of hearing them preach, and I saw it was all from the Bible. My father bought the Voice of Warning. I read it with a prayerful heart and asked of God to know whether it was of God or of men, and I have received a testimony that this is the Gospel that Christ taught when He was upon the earth. That it has been taken from the earth, and that it has been brought back by an angel, as spoken of in Revelations xiv:6. And I also bear testimony that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God; that the Book of Mormon is a divine record. I was baptized on the 29th of November last, and can truthfully say that the same gifts and blessings as promised by the Savior are N. Carolina s. Carolina Mississippi Kentucky Louisiana Alabama 109 W. Gray St., Louisville Kentucky 539 Betts St., Cincinnati Ohio 41 Cheshire St., Cleveland Ohio enjoyed in this day and time by all that will obey the Gospel of Christ and keep the commandments of God. I have met with some persecutions, but that only makes my faith grow stronger, for I know all that will follow Christ must suffer persecution. I am not ashamed to say I am a Mormon, and if I will be faithful in keeping the commandments of God I will be saved in the Kingdom of God. Your sister in Christ, MOLLIE MCCLAIN. As I see nothing written from Jackson county, I will pen a few words to the much prized little Star, that lights our home once a week. valuable truth There is so much contained in the Star that it does my soul good to read and reread its valuable pages. I love to show it to the different church members of other faiths. You brethren that may chance to see this that have been to my home, remember me in your prayers, and know, too, that I and my house will serve the Lord. On the morning of the 5th of July Elders O. M. Hess and J. D. Frankland left my house, and we have not had the pleasure of seeing an Elder since. I will say to all the Elders who it has been my good fortune to meet that I am well and am fixed in purpose. I know we have the Gospel again restored to earth, and I know if I am faithful I shall meet them in heaven. Many of the Elders seem as dear to me as my own sons. Our will be the reunion, when parting will be parting is very trying. But how joyous who have been baptized into the Church no more. There are sixteen of my family of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I feel proud to know that we are enlisted in King Emmanuel's army. afraid. We are surrounded by other denominations, but they do not molest us or make truth they have to give back. In conclusion, I ask the faith and prayers of all the Saints. When we meet them with the Cottondale, Fla. E. P. MELVIN. Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness.-Ochiltree. I find nothing so singular in life as this, that everything opposing appears to lose its substance the moment one actually grapples with it.—Hawthorne. Let anyone set his heart to do what is right, and ere long his brow is stamped with all that goes to make up heroic expression.-Charles Kingsley. SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF APOSTLE GEORGE ALBERT SMITH. BY APOSTLE MATHIAS F. COWLEY. George Albert Smith, who in his lifetime was one of the Twelve Apostles and a First Counselor to President Brigham Young, was born June 26, 1817, in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York. He was the son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. His father was a brother to Joseph Smith, Sr., the father of the Prophet; thus George Albert being a first cousin to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Smith family was a noble race of sturdy, honest, industrious men and women, typical Americans, who loved their native soil and offered their lives at various times of emergency to establish and perpetuate the principles of human liberty in the United States. When George Albert was born he weighed four pounds; when full grown about 250. He was noble and dignified in his bearing, yet affable and kind, without affectation, in all his deportment. He was so conscientious that if he offended a little child he would what few men can claim-the moral courage to be humble and meek. Two traits among many other great qualities of Geo., A. Smith which characterized our Lord and Savior were the courage of a lion and the meekness of a lamb. He dared to do right, no matter what the consequences might be, and would rather suffer a great wrong than to do the least wrong himself. In boyhood he was trained in the tenets of the Congregational church until 15 years of age. While attending APOSTLE GEORGE A. SMITH. school in Pottsdam a peculiar circum- wiser of older and persons, he made no effort to curry sympathy and favor with the boys of the school. They continued to make fun of and ridicule him until he felt thoroughly outraged and determined that longer forbearance would not be a virtue. He therefore resolved to resent this kind of treatment by whipping the perpetrators. He had been very sick, and was just recovering, when these resolutions were firmly established in his mind as the right thing to do. He therefore waited patiently until sufficient strength was regained, when he started in to threshing the boys, and did not refrain until he had soundly whipped every boy of his age and size in the school. It was a very practical lesson for his schoolmates, but it was effectual, for they never made fun of him after that. In the winter of 1828, Geo. A. Smith's father received a letter from the latter's nephew, Joseph Smith, Jr., in which he predicted that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth because of wickedness and abominations which exist among the people. This letter made a lasting impression upon George A.'s mind, and his father remarked that "Joseph writes like a Prophet." In August, 1830, Joseph Smith, Sr., and his son Don Carlos, paid their relatives a visit in Potsdam. They brought with them the Book of Mormon and left it with father John Smith, while they proceeded to visit other family relations. Geo. A. and his mother immediately set about reading the strange book. Neighbors came in and heard portions of it read. They ridiculed and raised objections to it. These objections young Geo. Albert found himself trying to answer, and with remarkable success, although but 13 years old. The Spirit of Light rested upon him to the discomfiture and defeat of his opponents. They would leave the house with the remark to his mother, that her boy was a little too smart for them. George A. himself, felt or thought he saw objections to the book. Upon the return of his uncle and Don Carlos, he expressed these objections, when his uncle Joseph took them up one by one, quoting the Bible to show that such a work should come forth, and that it was perfectly reasonable that such should be the case. George Albert Smith was thoroughly convinced, and from this time on became a staunch advocate and defender of the Book of Mormon as a divine record. He was also convinced that some authorized system of religion was essential to salvation. Soon after this he attended a Congregational revival, and while nearly every non-believer in the audience was converted but himself, he sat day after day in the gallery awaiting the sensation of religion. Finally the minister gave Geo. A. up as a reprobate and sealed him up to eternal damnation, saying, "Thy blood be upon thine own hand." "Nine times he thus delivered this inoffensive but unsatisfied seeker for religion to the buffetings of Satan and the burning of an endless hell." Two years later, Sept. 10, 1832, Geo. A. Smith embraced the Gospel of Christ being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Joseph H. Wakefield. May 1, 1833, he left with his parents for Kirtland, O. They reached their destination May 25 and were warmly received by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Geo. A. at once im. bibed the spirit of the work, became deeply interested in the affairs of the Church, and was delighted with his cousin, Joseph the Prophet. This was their first meeting. Early in 1837 he performed a mission in Ohio and Virginia occupying about one year, traveling 2,500 miles; half the distance on foot. In 1838 he removed with his father's family from Ohio to Davies county, Missouri. June 28, 1838, he was ordained a High Counselor. seventy animals. They reached Salt Lake Valley Oct. 27, 1849. Apostle Smith was a member of the Senate in the Provisional State of Deseret. He presented a bill for the organization of the judiciary. This was the first bill presented for the consideration of members. He also reported a relating to the construction of a railroad across the continent. bili The fall of the same year found him a missionary in Kentucky and Tennessee. He traveled 800 miles on foot, 700; y In December, 1850, he headed a comwater during his absence, and acco-pany of volunteers to make explorations plished a good work. Subsequently ne in Southern Utah. They determined the moved into Illinois with his father's location of Parowan and built a road family and early in 1839 returned to Far six miles into the canyon. They hoisted West. the American flag on a 90-foot pole on On the 26th day of April, 1839. Geo. the town site and dedicated the ground A. Smith was ordained one of the Twelve by prayer and supplication to the Lord. Apostles of the Church on the south-east He had been elected Chief Justice of corner stone of the Temple which through the Provisional State, and was empersecution had not yet been built. powered to complete the organization of On Sept. 21, 1839, he started on his Iron county. An election being called, mission to England, arriving in Liver- two associate justices, county recorder, pool the 6th of April, 1840. He was one member of the House in the General Asof the best of missionaries, always affa-sembly and all other officers to make ble and kind in his manner, and perfectly the organization of the county complete, clear in his testimony and understanding were elected. of the Gospel. These good qualities were so thoroughly quickened by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Apostle Smith that he won the love and respect of the honest in heart wherever he traveled and was instrumental in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. He returned to Nauvoo July 5, 1841. The 25th of the same month he received in marriage Bathsheba W. Bigler. From this time until the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch of the Church, Elder Smith was busy at home and abroad, building up the city and the Temple and spreading the Gospel throughout the land. He preached in the principal cities of Illinois and performed another faithful mission in the middle and eastern states. When he learned of the death of his cousins, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, he was engaged as a missionary in the state of Michigan. He returned at once to Nauvoo and actively participated in all the councils and deliberations essential to the well-being of the Saints in those sad days of trial and tribulation. Nauvoo. The In February, 1846, he crossed the Mississippi river with his family, an exile from home, to find a place of rest and respite from the furious rage of religions bigots, who were mobocrats while hypocritically professing Christianity. ensuing winter he lived at winter quarters, where the people suffered much sickness. At this place his wife and four children died. He visited all the camps of the Saints and urged the raising and use of potatoes as a remedy for scurvy. But little seed could be obtained, but from that little a marvelous yield was the result. He was valiant for the cause to the Sept. 17, 1844, he was made quarterfullest extent. On hand for any duty re- master of the Nauvoo Legion; was also quired. He spent many nights guarding a trustee of the Nauvoo House Associthe brethren whose lives were in jeopardy ation and active in forwarding this House from the violence of mobs. In the sum- and the Temple to completion and premer he was occupied quarrying and haul-paring for the exodus of the Saints from ing rock for the Temple and doing other manual labor about the building. Geo. A. Smith and Harvey Stanley hauled the first two loads of rock from Stanard's quarry to the Temple ground. He was one of that valiant band known as Zion's Camp, leaving Kirtland for Missouri in May, 1834. The Camp had to undergo many hardships, and, like many in the Camp of Ancient Israel, murmured against the Prophet Moses, so did some in Zion's Camp complain against the Prophet Joseph Smith. Geo. A. was not only free from the least disposition to murmur, but was extremely cheerful, possessed of a happy vein of becoming humor. On one occasion when sent to a house to obtain some buttermilk, the lady of the house gave him the milk in a bucket not very clean. Some of the brethren complained very severely, when Geo. A. laughingly remarked: "If you had seen the churn the buttermilk came from, you'd never mention the bucket.' On his journey to and from Missouri he traveled on foot 2,000 miles. In the winter of 1850-51 the settlers erected a fort in the enclosure of which they built their homes, house of worship, the latter being used for meetings, schools and a watch tower. It was built of logs and shaped like a Greek cross. It was used for fifteen years and then replaced by a suitable stone structure. In the winter Brother Smith taught school with thirty-five pupils. Around the camp-fire at night he gave them lectures on English grammar. When the Territory of Utah held its first election, Geo. A. Smith was elected a member of the council. He held positions (one of postmaster at Centre Creek, Iron county) by appointment of Postmaster-General Hall. and military offices under appointment of Gov. Brigham Young. In every place he honored his calling and filled the office with great ability. He was very efficient as a peace-maker among the Indians, protecting the Saints by wise council and proper precautions from much trouble. Like President Young, he felt it better to feed than to fight the Indian, and this has been the principle of the Latter-day Saints from the beginning. In 1852, having been called by President Young to preside over the affairs of the Church in Utah county, he left Iron county. He traveled much, especially where he had immediate oversight, encouraging the Saints in all their labors to promote the growth of the Church and State. At the general conference in 1854 he was chosen and sustained as Historian and General Church Recorder. President Willard Richards was his predecessor in the office of Historian, and had written on some blanks he had prepared to be filled out, as if with prophetic eye. "To be supplied by Geo. A. Smith." President Richards well said, for after his decease Geo. A. Smith was the man chosen to fill this important position. The next season in Pottawattamie He was well qualified for this particular county, Iowa, the potato crop was a fail-work, for he was himself a fund of history. ure, and the saying went out that it was because Geo. A. Smith, "the Potato Feb. 2, 1855, he was admitted as a Saint," had gone to the mountains. member of the bar in the Supreme Court In 1847 he was numbered with the 143 of Utah Territory, receiving his certifiPioneer Company to Salt Lake Valley, cates as an attorney, solicitor in chanHe was one arriving in the valley July 24, 1847. He cery and counselor-at-law. walked much of the distance and in find- of a committee in convention which ing the place and subsequent places for the drafted a constitution, was elected by the location of the Saints, Brother Geo. A. convention with Apostle John Taylor to was one of the foremost and best ex- present the constitution to the President and Congress, asking admission into the first potato from which a crop was proUnion on the same footing with the oriduced by the Saints in Salt Lake Val-ginal states. Performing his duty with ley. He built a house for his father in ability and devotion as a delegate, he June 5, 1835, with his second cousin, the Old Fort, and returned to winter also did valiant missionary work in New Lyman Smith, he left on a mission to the quarters in the fall, arriving there Oct. York, New Jersey. Connecticut, Pennsyleast. They journeyed on foot, traveled 31, the same year. He opened a farm vania, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and without money, held about eighty meet- near Kanesville, had charge of the conMissouri. He was absent about eleven ings in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New gregating Saints, and with the last com- months, and this was a pleasant respite York. Geo. A. returned to Kirtland Oct.pany of them, left with his family for from the close application of his labors 5. 1835. He received his endowment in the Valley July 4, 1849. Their teams in the Historian's office. the Kirtland Temple in the spring of 1836 and soon after performed a mission in Ohio, traveling nearly 1,200 miles on foot. March 1st, 1835, he was ordained a Seventy by Joseph Smith, Sr., Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, the lat-plorers in the Church. He planted the ter being spokesman. Geo. A. was the junior member of the First Quorum of Seventies in this dispensation. were overloaded and progress slow. They April 11, 1866, he was commissioned by Gov. Durkee brigadier-general and appointed aide-de-camp to the lieutenantgeneral of the Nauvoo Legion. |