The Brethren covenant to help the poor out from Nauvoo.--Lorenzo called
to obtain means.--The poverty and liberality of the Saints.--One
offers his only cow.--Anecdote of Captain Brown.--Called on a mission
to Italy.--Increase of family.--Weight of responsibility.--No
time for preparation.--Company organized.--Letter to his
Sister.--The Journey.--Wonderful manifestations of the hand of
God.--Nauvoo.--Carthage.--Arrival in Liverpool.--Meets the brethren.
Before the first companies of the Saints who were driven from Illinois
left Nauvoo, the leading brethren entered into a solemn covenant they
would not cease their exertions until all the Saints who had not the
means, but were desirious of moving to the location of the Church,
should be assisted to do so. In connection with this, in his journal,
my brother says: Early in the autumn of 1849, I was called to assist
in gathering means for emigrating the poor Saints. This movement
culminated in what is now known as the "Perpetual Emigrating Company,"
the organization of which was commenced at the October Conference, for
the gathering of Saints from all parts of the world.
In performing the mission of soliciting means from the Saints who,
after having been robbed and plundered, had performed a journey of more
than one thousand miles, and just located in an unwatered, desolate
recess of the great "American Desert," I found myself inducted into an
uphill business. With very few exceptions, the people had very little,
or nothing they could possibly spare. But the efforts and willingness,
everywhere manifested, to eke out a portion of the little--the feeling
of liberality and greatness of soul, which everywhere I met in the
midst of poverty, the warm-hearted greetings I received even where
comparative indigence held court, filled my heart with exceeding great
joy. One man insisted that I should take his only cow, saying that the
Lord had delivered him, and blessed him in leaving the old country and
coming to a land of peace; and in giving his only cow, he felt that he
would only do what duty demanded, and what he would expect from others,
were the situation reversed.
After visiting the Saints in Great Salt Lake City, I traveled north,
calling on all the inhabitants, who at this early date were much
scattered, and went as far as Ogden, then the northern limit of
our settlements, and there found about one dozen families. I was
hospitably entertained by Captain Brown, who occupied a log house
with earth floor, and roof of the same material, with the addition of
willow boughs. I called a meeting, which was held in the captain's
house--everybody attended, and we had a glorious season. The hearts
of the Saints were open, and, considering their circumstances,
they donated liberally and amply, and I need not say cheerfully.
Elder (Captain) Brown exhibited the nobility and generosity of soul
characteristic of the man. There is an amusing anecdote told of Captain
Brown, as follows: He owned a ferry on the Weber River at the time
when the "Gold Diggers" were rushing through the country, some of
whom were bitterly hostile to the "Mormons," and availed themselves
of every occasion to vent their spite in the presence and hearing of
the captain, in the following style: "Whoa haw, old Brigham," "Gee up
there, old Heber," at the same time flourishing and cracking their long
ox whips. This vulgar language applied in demeaning the leaders of the
Church, made Captain Brown very angry, so much so that he could hardly
restrain himself from retaliating; but finally, when, with increasing
impudence, they added the name of Captain Brown, his temper at once
arose to fever heat, and became uncontrollable, and to use his own
words, "I pitched into them." In public meetings, occasionally, I have
referred to this anecdote in illustrating a principle, _i. e_., when
the Priesthood is assailed, we should be more valiant in its defense
than when the offense is merely personal. Without doubt this was the
captain's sentiment, and had he received the first insult, he could
have borne it, but after having the brethren insulted, which was all
he could endure and contain himself, the addition of his name was "the
straw that broke the camel's back."
At the October Conference many of the leading Elders were called on
missions to different nations of the earth. Lorenzo was appointed to
establish a mission in Italy, with discretionary power to labor in any
other country or nation, whenever the Spirit should direct. He arranged
as best he could under the circumstances, for the comfort of his family
during his absence--his family having increased by the birth of a son,
Oliver Goddard, and a daughter, Roxcy Charlotte, born in Salt Lake City.
In less than two weeks from the time of his appointment, he was
to leave. With little means--in a wild, uncultivated country, one
thousand miles from supplies, what could he do towards providing for
the coming wants of an increasing family, which in a few days he was
to leave for an indefinite period? Although he felt the weight of the
responsibilities of a husband and father, he did not hesitate. He knew
that God, through His servants, had called him to the mission--the
mission was before him, and its accomplishment paramount to every
consideration. The two young men, John and Porter kindly proposed to
remain with his family during his absence and render all the assistance
in their power.
This was the first company of missionaries sent from the Rocky
Mountains; it was organized on the nineteenth of October, by President
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, and the brethren started the same
day on their various missions--some to Nauvoo to assist in gathering
the Saints remaining there--some to the Eastern States, and others
to the nations abroad. Shadrach Roundy was appointed captain of the
company across the plains.
We will now glean a portion of my brother's history from his letters,
in which we meet him in Southampton, England:
Southampton, England, June 14, 1850.
_My Dear Sister_:
Although nearly half the world lies between us, I hope this brief
record of my travels will reach you in safety. Wherever I may be
destined to wander, I shall ever remember those claims of relationship,
which may be interrupted on earth, but are happily consecrated in your
bosom and mine for eternity; they seem like a golden chain, passing
over earth and ocean, and linking this foreign shore with your dwelling
in the far distant West.
Recalling the scenes of the past, my mind reverts to the nineteenth of
October, 1849, when, in solemn silence, I left what, next to God, was
dearest to my heart--my friends, my loving wives and my dear little
children. As I pursued my journey, in company with my brethren, many
conflicting feelings occupied my bosom. The gardens and fields in and
around our new-born city, just emerging from nature's barrenness,
through the faith, energy and the necessities of the exiled Saints, now
struggling for subsistence, in a wild recess in the Rocky Mountains,
were exchanged for the vast unbroken wilderness which lay spread out
before us for a thousand miles.
If my mind still glanced onward, there was the stormy main, and, in
the far distant perspective, a land of strangers--the field of my
mission. We were hastening farther and still farther from the mighty
magnet--HOME. But we knew that the work in which we were engaged was
to carry light to those who sat in darkness and in the Valley of the
Shadow of Death, and our bosoms glowed with love and compassion toward
them.
Some persons feared our horses were too enfeebled to bear us over
the mighty plain; but when the snows began to fall, winds swept our
pathway, and enabled us to pass without difficulty, while on our right
and left the country was deeply covered for hundreds of miles.
One day, as we were taking our noontide meal, and our horses were
quietly grazing on the prairie; the following thrilling scene occurred.
A startling call resounded through our little camp, "_To arms! to arms!
the Indians are upon us_!" All eyes were turned in the direction, and
we beheld a spectacle, grand, imposing and frightful. Two hundred
warriors, upon their furious steeds, painted, armed and clothed with
all the horrors of war, rushing towards us like a mighty torrent. In a
moment we placed ourselves in attitude of defence. But could we expect,
with thirty men, to withstand this powerful host? Onward rushed the
savage band with accelerated speed as a huge rock, loosened from the
mountain's brow, dashes impetuously downward, sweeping, overturning,
and burying everything in its course!
We saw it was their intention to crush us beneath the feet of their
foaming chargers. They approached within a few paces, and in another
moment we should be overwhelmed, when lo! an alarm like an electric
shock struck through their ranks and stayed their career, as an
avalanche, sweeping down the mountain side, stops in the midst of its
course by the power of a hand unseen. The Lord had said, "_Touch not
mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm_."
Many incidents occurred which called forth the remark that in our
past experience the hand of the Lord had never been more visibly
manifested. When we arrived on the banks of the great Missouri, her
waters immediately congealed for the first time during the season, thus
forming a bridge over which we passed to the other side; this was no
sooner accomplished than the torrent ran as before.
On arriving at Kanesville, we were saluted with shoutings, firing
of cannon, songs of rejoicing, and other demonstrations of welcome.
During the few days of our stay, we experienced universal kindness
from the Saints. I shall never forget the parting with President Hyde,
and the deep interest he manifested for myself and mission as he gave
an affectionate farewell, and in the fulness of his soul implored
the powers of heaven to protect me from evil in that stronghold of
superstition, dark and benighted Italy.
I passed through Mount Pisgah and Garden Grove. At both places I much
enjoyed the society of my old acquaintances. I proceeded to Nauvoo--I
gazed upon its ruins--the direful work of mobocracy. My heart sickened
as I contemplated that once beautiful city, filled with the songs of
rejoicing, and all that was good and virtuous; where the voice of the
Prophet had sounded forth upon the ears of thousands the deep and
heavenly mysteries that had been concealed for ages. There we had met
together, oft relating the sad tale of our past woes, the bitter cup
of persecution of which we had taken such abundant draughts; there the
old and the young had rejoiced together in the New and Everlasting
Covenant. But now, O how sad the change! The moss was growing upon the
buildings, which were fast crumbling down; the windows were broken in,
the doors were shaking to and fro by the wind, as they played upon
their rusty, creaking hinges. The lovely Temple of our God--once the
admiration and astonishment of the world and the hope of the Saints,
was burned, and its blackened walls were falling upon each other! Ever
and anon a human head would be thrust through windows to gaze upon the
traveler; but these people were not Saints--they who were dwelling in
those houses, who walked those streets, believed not in Jesus, the Son
of God--they were professed infidels.
Shortly after leaving Nauvoo, I visited another place of painful
interest in the history of the Saints. If, on ordinary occasions, words
are too weak to convey the feelings of the soul, where shall I find
language to portray the thoughts that agitated my mind as I entered
Carthage? There, but a few years before, was a scene over which my
breast alternately glows and chills with horror and indignation. There
an infamous mob were imbruing their hands in the blood of our beloved
Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph and Hyrum. O Earth! Then flowed on thy
cold bosom the blood of thy noblest and best. Who were those MARTYRED
ONES? Ask the ministering angels from on high! Ask the demons of the
dark abyss! Ask the mighty throng whom they have guided to peace,
knowledge, wisdom and power! And who are they? My friends--the friends
of millions, the friends of UNIVERSAL MAN.
Over that guilty place there seemed to hang the gloom of death, the
emblem of the deed committed, and the foreshadowing of righteous
retribution! Although fatigued and hungry, nothing could induce me to
eat or drink among that cursed and polluted people.
In St. Louis, we found a large branch of the Church of nearly four
hundred members. We were kindly received; and it was delightful to see
them assembled in their spacious and beautiful hall. The completeness
of their organization reflects the highest credit upon their officers.
On the twenty-fifth of March, I left New York on board the _Shannon_. I
had a pleasant voyage over the great waters, and on the nineteenth of
April, came in sight of Albion's shores. I never beheld a more lovely
morning. Everything wore an enchanting appearance. A calm serenity
rested upon the broad bosom of the waters. Old England lay before
me, besprinkled with forms and multitudes of human dwellings, with
beautiful hawthorn hedges and newly plowed grounds. Around, about on
the water, in full view, were ships of all nations--some passing in one
direction and some in another.
In the midst of this enchanting scene, my feelings suddenly changed
from the high thrilling tone of animation and fell into pensive
melancholy, as the thoughts of my loved home crowded upon my mind. Six
long months I had been augmenting the distance between me and those I
love, and still I must continue to do so. Things certainly appeared
strange to me when I thought of the unknown future of my mission. But
the Lord of the whole earth had sent me, and in His name I was resolved
ever to go forward.
On my arrival in Liverpool, I was favored with the company of Elders
Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards and President Pratt's family. After
leaving that city, I visited the following conferences: Manchester,
Macclesfield, Birmingham, Cheltenham, South Conference, London,
and Southampton. Presidents, officers and members received me with
kindness, and contributed liberally towards my mission; and though I
have not had the opportunity of visiting "Cambria's hills," the Welsh
brethren have sent donations with all the nobility of soul which gives
unsolicited.
How changed are my feelings to what they were some eight years ago.
Then, I might say, I entered Britain a lonely foreigner, unacquainted
with the laws, manners, customs and institutions of the country. At
this time I felt comparatively at home. Many who were my children in
the Gospel, surrounded me as I passed through those conferences where
I had formerly labored. I also had the pleasure of seeing men whom
I baptized when on my former mission, now preaching the Gospel and
presiding over conferences.
The traveler in the desert sometimes finds a green spot which stands in
deep contrast to the barrenness of surrounding nature. England appears
thus now, as I am about to leave its shores for the lands of darkness.
The voice of a thousand friends are dying away in the distance, while
before me is a land of strangers, whose tongues will sound in my ears
like the jargon of Babel. I have been refreshed with the company of so
many kind friends, that I go forth on my mission with renewed energy of
body and mind.
To-morrow I leave this place for Italy. Farewell, my dear sister, and
may Heaven's choicest blessings be your continued portion, is the
prayer of
Your affectionate brother,
Lorenzo Snow.
To Miss Eliza R. Snow,
Great Salt Lake City,
California.
"Even the address of this fascinating letter is historically valuable,
for it reminds us that Utah was once a part of the province of
Upper California; but it is its beautiful enthusiasm--tenderness
of the spirit and tone, and the graphic eloquence of the
description, which constitutes the charm of this gem of epistolary
literature."--_Tullidge's Magazine_.