Brother Snow's Mission terminates.--Reports four hundred Members in
the London Conference.--Is appointed to take charge of two hundred and
fifty Saints _en route_ to Nauvoo.--Embarks on the "Swanton."--The
Steward's sickness.--Grows worse and worse.--Is given up, and nearly
dead.--Sister Martin insists with the Captain.--Is repulsed, and again
asks that Elder Snow may administer to the Steward.--She obtains
consent.--The man is healed.--Baptisms in New Orleans.--The Company
reaches Nauvoo.--Great Reception.--Waving of Handkerchiefs.--The
Prophet present.--Reminiscences.--My joy in meeting Lorenzo.--How we
associated.--Appeal to my Husband.--Their Interview.--The Result.
In April, 1842, at the Conference in Manchester, President P. P. Pratt
presiding, Lorenzo Snow represented the London Conference, consisting
of four hundred members, fourteen Elders, thirty-two Priests, seven
Teachers, eight Deacons, including ten branches. During his presidency
he visited and preached to congregations in many places, bearing
testimony to the truths of the Gospel of the Son of God, having, at
the time of embarking for his native country, traveled in England four
thousand miles.
At the close of his mission, he was appointed to take charge of a
company of Saints, consisting of about two hundred and fifty souls,
_en route_ for Nauvoo; and in January, 1843, embarked on the ship
"Swanton." The commander, Captain Davenport, and officers of the crew
were kind and courteous, which contributed much to ameliorate the
discomfort incident to life on the ocean.
The steward, a German by birth, was a young man, very affable in
manner, and gentlemanly in deportment--a general favorite and highly
respected by all. During the latter part of the voyage he took sick,
and continued growing worse and worse, until death seemed inevitable.
All means proved unavailing, and the captain, by whom he was much
beloved, gave up all hope of his recovery, and requested the officers
and crew to go in, one by one, and take a farewell look of their dying
friend, which they did silently and solemnly, as he lay unconscious and
almost breathless on his dying couch.
Immediately after this sad ceremony closed, one of our sisters, by the
name of Martin, without my brother's knowledge, went to the captain
and requested him to allow my brother to lay hands on the steward,
according to our faith and practice under such circumstances, saying
that she believed that the steward would be restored. The captain shook
his head, and told her that the steward was now breathing his last, and
it would be useless to trouble Mr. Snow. But Sister Martin was not to
be defeated; she not only importuned, but earnestly declared her faith
in the result of the proposed administration, and he finally yielded
and gave consent.
As soon as the foregoing circumstance was communicated to my brother,
he started toward the cabin where the steward lay, and in passing
through the door met the captain, who was in tears. He said, "Mr.
Snow, it is too late; he is expiring, he is breathing his last!" My
brother made no reply, but took a seat beside the dying man. After
devoting a few moments to secret prayer, he laid his hands on the head
of the young man, prayed, and in the name of Jesus Christ rebuked the
disease and commanded him to be made whole. Very soon after, to the
joy and astonishment of all, he was seen walking the deck, praising
and glorifying God for his restoration. The officers and sailors
acknowledged the miraculous power of God, and on landing at New Orleans
several of them were baptized, also the first mate, February 26, 1843.
At New Orleans the Saints left the "Swanton," and, on board the
"Amaranth," wended their way up the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to
the city of Nauvoo. Descriptive of their arrival, I clip the following
paragraph from the "History of Joseph Smith," under date of April 12,
1843:
"Before the Elders' Conference closed, the steamer 'Amaranth' appeared
in sight of the Temple, coming up the river, and about noon landed
her passengers at the wharf opposite the old Post Office building,
consisting of about two hundred and forty Saints from England, under
the charge of Elder Lorenzo Snow, who left Liverpool last January,
after a mission of nearly three years. This is the first boat up this
season."
The time of the arrival had been announced, and many hearts (mine not
excepted) were anxiously and expectantly beating, and when the steamer
came in sight, every eye was turned in the direction, and as it neared
the landing, white handkerchiefs were waving along the shore, up and
down, for a great distance. President Joseph Smith, with a large number
of brothers and sisters, was present to greet our friends, and he gave
notice to the new comers to meet at the Temple on the next day at ten
o'clock, to receive instructions.
It should be borne in mind that time and progress have wrought great
changes since that event--at that time steamers were not navigating
the ocean with the astonishing rapidity they are doing forty years
later--crossing in a few days; and, at that time, letter communication
was very tardy in comparison with the present fast age, and cablegram
nonexistent. In consideration of these circumstances, it will be
readily understood that a mission to England _now_ differs very
considerably from a mission to England _then_--saying nothing about
the aid and facilities of the railroads of the present day. In view of
all these improvements, it is easy to comprehend that the arrival of a
company of Saints from Europe was hailed as an important event. To me,
personally, the one alluded to above was particularly so.
The appearance of the "Amaranth," as it came in sight, attracted the
gaze of many eyes, but I then thought, and still think, that of all the
crowd that watched its progress up the Mississippi, as it approached
the wharf, no one felt a deeper interest than myself. Knowing that the
steamer held a dear brother with whom, three years before, I parted for
an indefinite period, I watched it coming, and the white handkerchiefs
waving from its deck--perhaps one is his, and in a few moments I shall
clasp the hand that waves it! Although I determined to appear to the
bystanders undemonstrative, I have not forgotten how my heart beat when
the steamer reached the wharf. It may seem trivial to others, but that
is one of the incidents in my life that has fastened indelibly on my
memory.
While my brother was absent on this, his first mission to Europe,
changes had taken place with me, one of eternal import, of which I
supposed him to be entirely ignorant. The Prophet Joseph had taught me
the principle of plural, or Celestial Marriage, and I was married to
him for time and eternity. In consequence of the ignorance of most of
the Saints, as well as people of the world, on this subject, it was not
mentioned only privately between the few whose minds were enlightened
on the subject.
Not knowing how my brother would receive it, I did not feel at liberty,
and did not wish to assume the responsibility of instructing him in
the principle of plural marriage, and either maintained silence, or,
to his indirect questioning, gave evasive answers, until I was forced,
by his cool and distant manner, to feel that he was growing jealous
of my sisterly confidence--that I could not confide in his brotherly
integrity. I could not endure this--something must be done. I informed
my husband of the situation, and requested him to open the subject
to my brother. A favorable opportunity soon presented, and, seated
together on the lone bank of the Mississippi river, they had a most
interesting conversation. The Prophet afterwards told me that he found
that my brother's mind had been previously enlightened on the subject
in question, and was ready to receive whatever the spirit of revelation
from God should impart. That Comforter which Jesus said should "_lead
into all truth_," had penetrated his understanding, and while in
England had given him an intimation of what at that time was, to many,
_a secret_. This was the result of living near the Lord, and holding
communion with Him.