Writes to President Young.--The Waldenses.--Incidents.--Calls
Elder Stenhouse.--Cathedral of St. Lorenzo.--Sends two Elders
to Piedmont.--Describes the Country.--Published "The Voice of
Joseph."--Miraculous healing.--Sends for Elder Woodard.--Organization
of the Church.--Prayer.--Officers chosen.--Mount Brigham.--Rock of
Prophecy.--Testimony of an Englishman.--Invited by a Priest.--First
Baptism.--Difficulties to meet.--LaTour.--The presence of the Elders
only tolerated.--Can lift up his head and rejoice in spite of
difficulties.
In the following letter to President Young, Lorenzo gives a detailed
account of the introduction of the Gospel into the valleys of Piedmont;
and an eloquent and inspiring description of the time, place and
circumstances of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in that land of religious superstition and bigotry:
LaTour, Valley De Luzerne,
Piedmont, Italy, Nov. 1, 1850.
_Dear President Young_:
When I arrived in Liverpool, I sent you a letter, in connection with
Brothers Erastus and Franklin, which I hope you duly received. Soon
afterwards, as I contemplated the condition of Italy, with deep
tolicitude to know the mind of the Spirit as to where I should commence
my labors, I found that all was dark in Sicily, and hostile laws would
exclude our efforts. No opening appeared in the cities of Italy; but
the history of the Waldenses attracted my attention.
Amid the ages of darkness and cruelty, they had stood immovable almost
as the wave beaten rock in the stormy ocean. When the anathemas of
Rome shook the world and princes fell from their thrones, they dared
to brave the mandate of the Pope and the armies of the mighty. To my
mind they appeared like the rose in the wilderness, or the bow in
the cloud. The night of time has overspread their origin; but these
dissenters from Rome existed ages before Luther was born. During the
fierce persecutions to which they have been subjected, their limits
have greatly decreased.
A few narrow valleys, which in some places are only a bow's shot
in breadth, are all that now remain in their possession except the
mountains by which they are engirdled. But a period of deep calm has at
length arrived, and, since the storm of persecution swept over Europe,
they have received many privileges from the Sardinian government. Thus
the way was opened only a short period before the appointment of this
mission, and no other portion of Italy is governed by such favorable
laws.
A flood of light seemed to burst upon my mind when I thought upon the
subject, and I endeavored to procure some information in relation to
this people. The librarian to whom I applied informed me he had a work
of the description I required, but it had just been taken. He had
scarcely finished the sentence, when a lady entered with the book.
"O," said he, "this is a remarkable circumstance, this gentleman has
just called for that book." I was soon convinced that this people were
worthy to receive the first proclamation of the Gospel in Italy.
I made a short sojourn in England, and visited several conferences.
Going to London, after so many years' absence, was a circumstance
of uncommon interest. The happiness I experienced during two weeks'
stay was no small compensation for the anxieties and difficulties I
had endured in carrying on the work of the Lord there for two years
immediately after its foundation had been laid by yourself, Elders
Kimball, Woodruff and G. A. Smith.
When I received an appointment to that city, I found thirty or forty
members; now I find three thousand, although many have emigrated.
Here I became acquainted with Elder Stenhouse, President of the
Southampton Conference. After consultation with Brother Franklin, I
felt that it was the mind of the Spirit that he should accompany me
on this mission. I therefore returned with him to Southampton. During
his preparation for departure, we went to Portsmouth, and, among "the
forces of the Gentiles," we visited the _Victory_, the vessel in which
Lord Nelson met his death. We were very politely shown the varied
departments of this mammoth of the deep, the spot where Nelson fell,
and the cabin where he expired.
The hour at length arrived for leaving the last home of the Saints.
In the parting of Elder Stenhouse with his wife and friends, I was
forcibly reminded of my own experience. As we withdrew from this
parting scene, I observed, "Did the people of Italy but _know_ the
heart-rending sacrifices we have made for their sakes, they could have
no heart to persecute."
On the fifteenth of June we left Southampton by the steamboat _Wonder_,
for Havre de Grace, and then proceeded immediately to Paris. After
having our passports countersigned, we continued our journey through
the beautiful country of southern France. We passed through Lyons, and
arrived in Marseilles in about four days from Paris. We then embarked
on the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean for Antibes, the last
French port. By disembarking there we escaped being detained six days
in quarantine, under the burning sun of Genoa. We then traveled to
Nice, the first town in Italy. Here Catholicism began to show itself
more prominently--priests were very numerous. Images of the Holy
Virgin, with the infant Jesus in her arms, were to be seen on the
corner-house of every street and on the front of many others.
We left Nice by diligence, and traveled by the shores of the
Mediterranean. It was the feast-day of John the Baptist; labor was
entirely suspended, and all seemed to enjoy themselves in honor of that
great man. We certainly saw some hundreds of priests--rather a gloomy
introduction.
On the twenty-fifth of June we arrived at Genoa. Here we called upon
the Lord, and offered the praise and gratitude of our souls for His
providence. We had accomplished this journey of nearly twelve hundred
miles much quicker than we had anticipated. From the time we left
England we had only spent three nights in bed.
June 27th. This is the feast-day to St. Peter. Again all
work is suspended, and the people enjoying themselves. Jesus
said, the fathers killed the Prophets, and their children
build their tombs and garnish their sepulchres. The fathers
beheaded John and crucified Peter; this week we have witnessed
feastings and rejoicings in honor of their names. Pleasing
reflections--_starvation!--bonds!--imprisonment!--martyrdom_!--and
subsequent generations paying us divine honors.
I visited the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, and beheld the most superb
and richly decorated interior of any building I had ever seen. As we
entered, our attention was immediately attracted by the grand altar.
It was a display of richly cut candlesticks and vases, glittering with
gold and silver gilding. In the former were candles four or five feet
long, and in the latter a most delightful association of flowers. On
each side of this building were six recesses, where were placed small
altars, upon which stood a cross, with an emblem of Jesus, surrounded
with candles and flowers on a small scale. Before them were seats for
the accommodation of the devout. The side wall of each recess had a
painting, representing, in full size, some particular personage in the
act of devotion. These worshipers were portrayed, in some instances,
as holding a levee with "Holy Mary, Mother of God," who was well
surrounded with young warbling angels, which had been assisted in their
descent with _eagle's wings_! Others were represented with volumes
of smoke around them, thickly studded with young cherubs, which were
blowing profusely upon the worshiper, while they were loaded with
garlands to encircle his brow. Two beautifully cut and spiraled pillars
of choice stone, stood at the extent of each recess, supporting an
arched roof, which was also richly painted. Between every two pillars
was placed the statue of one of the ancient Apostles. The design and
execution of these monuments of departed worth elicited our admiration.
The roof of the building was completely covered with paintings,
representing the prominent circumstances recorded in the New Testament.
Each picture was surrounded with massive gilt mouldings. On the dome
over the grand altar was a representation of the day of Pentecost. The
Holy Ghost, in its plenitude of power, was portrayed in the descent of
the dove, while tongues of fire, in glowing colors, rested upon the
disciples.
Two rows of large massive pillars, from one end of the church to the
other, stood erect from floor to roof; each side of which was filled
with seats for the congregation, while the center was left for visitors
and those approaching the altar. Here we sat, and while the unmeaning
sounds of the preacher fell upon our ears, our minds were absorbed in
contemplation of the beauty and richness of art--the power of unity,
and the darkness of human understanding, as the monuments of each were
around, before and above us.
On the first of July, Elders Stenhouse and Toronto left Genoa,
according to my appointment, to visit the Protestant valleys of
Piedmont. On the twenty third of the same month I left Genoa, passing
through the city of Turin, the capital of the Sardinian States, and
arrived at LaTour, in the valley of Luzerne.
This country bears a striking resemblance to the valley of the Great
Salt Lake. Piedmont is situated at the foot of the Alps, the highest
mountains in Europe. The scenes of this land embrace all the varieties
of a region where the heavens and the earth seem to meet. The clouds
often enwrap these mighty eminences, and hide their frowning grandeurs
from our view. At other times they are covered with snow, while at
their feet the vine and fig tree are ripening their fruit. A poet has
said of this identical locality in which we are placed:
"There is a scene would well repay
The toil of many a weary day,
And every form of nature there--
Wood, rock and stream, and sunset rare--
All seem to bid the traveler rest;
For ne'er from tower or mountain crest,
In emerald vale or sunny plain,
Shall he behold such scenes again."
The Protestant inhabitants are called _Vaudois_ or Waldenses. They
number about twenty-one thousand; there are also about five thousand
Catholics. The fertile portions of these valleys are rich in their
productions; but two-thirds or more present nothing but precipices,
ravines and rocky districts, or such as have a northern aspect. The
inhabitants are far too numerous for the nature and products of the
soil They are often compelled to carry mould on their backs to form
gardens amid the barren rocks.
The French language is generally understood, but in many parts it
is spoken very imperfectly, and with a mixture of provincialism and
Italian. The latter is understood by a considerable number, but it is
not extensively used. In fact, this is where, at least, five distinct
dialects are spoken by different classes.
During our protracted journey, the health of Brother Toronto had been
considerably impaired, but the invigorating effect of this salubrious
clime so restored him, that he became very anxious to visit his
relatives in Sicily. As I felt it proper for him to do so, he took his
departure at the beginning of August.
Soon after my arrival here, I considered it necessary to issue a
publication in French; accordingly I wrote and compiled a work,
entitled, "The Voice of Joseph," containing Visions of Joseph Smith;
discovery of the gold plates filled with Egyptian characters and
hieroglyphics; their translation into the English language by the
aid of the Urim and Thummim; the sacred history of ancient America,
now clearly revealed from the earliest ages after the flood to the
beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era; organization of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; their persecutions;
expulsion from the States of Missouri and Illinois; martyrdom of Joseph
and Hyrum Smith; banishment of many thousand Saints; their travels in
the western wilderness; their present location in Upper California;
their organization of the "State of Deseret;" the missionary labors of
their Elders; sketch of their faith and doctrine.
After fruitless endeavors to find a proper person to translate this
work, I found it necessary to send to England, where through the
kindness of Elder Orson Pratt, it was translated by a professor from
the University of Paris.
I felt assured that the Lord had directed us to a branch of the house
of Israel, and I was rejoiced to behold many circumstances that
reminded me of those with whom I had been associated in the valleys of
the west. We endeavored to lay a foundation for future usefulness in
silently preparing the minds of the people for the reception of the
Gospel, by cultivating friendly feelings in the bosoms of those by
whom we were surrounded. Yet it seemed very singular, and it was no
small tax on my patience, to be weeks and even months in the midst of
an interesting people without being actively and publicly engaged in
communicating the great principles which I had been sent to promulgate.
But, as I felt it was the mind of the Spirit that we should proceed at
first with slow and cautious steps, I submitted to the will of heaven.
September 6th.--This morning, my attention was directed to Joseph Grey,
a boy of three years of age--the youngest child of our host. Many
friends had been to see the child, as to all human appearances his end
was near. I went to see him in the afternoon; death was preying upon
his body--his former healthy frame was now reduced to a skeleton, and
it was only by close observation we could discern that he was alive. As
I reflected upon the peculiarity of our situation, my mind was fully
awakened to a sense of our position. For some hours before I retired to
rest, I called upon the Lord to assist us at this time. My feelings on
this occasion will not easily be erased from my memory.
September 7th.--This morning I proposed to Elder Stenhouse we should
fast and retire to the mountains and pray. As we departed, we called
and saw the child--his eyeballs turned upwards--his eyelids fell and
closed--his face and ears were thin, and wore the pale marble hue,
indicative of approaching dissolution. The cold perspiration of death
covered his body as the principle of life was nearly exhausted. Madam
Grey and other females were sobbing, while Monsieur Grey hung his head
and whispered to us, "_Il meurt! il meurt_!" (He dies! he dies!)
After a little rest upon the mountain, aside from any likelihood of
interruption, we called upon the Lord in solemn, earnest prayer, to
spare the life of the child. As I reflected on the course we wished
to pursue, the claims that we should soon advance to the world, I
regarded this circumstance as one of vast importance. I know not of any
sacrifice which I can possibly make, that I am not willing to offer,
that the Lord might grant our requests.
We returned about three o'clock in the afternoon, and having
consecrated some oil, I anointed my hand and laid it upon the head of
the child, while we silently offered up the desires of our hearts for
his restoration. A few hours afterward we called, and his father, with
a smile of thankfulness, said, "_Mieux beaucoup! beaucoup_!" (Better,
much, much!)
September 8th. The child had been so well during the past night the
parents had been enabled to take their rest, which they had not done
for some time before; and to-day they could leave him and attend to the
business of the house. As I called to see him, Madam Grey expressed
her joy in his restoration. I, in turn, remarked, "_Il Dio di cielo ha
fatto questa per voi_." (The God of heaven has done this for you.)
Finding circumstances favorable as could be expected, I considered
it wisdom to send for Elder Jabez Woodard, of London, with whom I
had formed an acquaintance while in that city. By exertions of Elder
Margetts, President of the London Conference, and the liberality of the
Saints, he was enabled to join us on the eighteenth of September. The
following day, being eleven months from the time the foreign mission
left the city of the Great Salt Lake, I proposed we should commence our
public duties.
It was well known that we had come to establish a church. This was
looked upon by many as an impossibility. But we now found we had the
materials marvelously assembled from four different nations, viz:
England, Scotland, Italy, and America. With one member from each of
these countries, we proceeded to organize the Church. We ascended a
very high mountain, a little distance from LaTour, and having taken
our position on a bold projecting rock, we sang praises to the God of
heaven, and offered up the following prayer:
We, Thy servants, Holy Father, come before Thee upon this mountain,
and ask Thee to look upon us in an especial manner, and regard our
petitions as one friend regards the peculiar requests of another.
Forgive all our sins and transgressions, and let them no more be
remembered.
Look, O Lord, upon our many sacrifices in leaving our wives, our
children, and country, to obey Thy voice in offering salvation to this
people. Receive our gratitude in having preserved us from destruction
amid the cold wintry blasts, and from the hostile savages of the
deserts of America--in having led us by the Holy Ghost to these valleys
of Piedmont. Thou hast shown us that here Thou hast hid up a portion of
the house of Israel.
In Thy name, we this day lift into view before this people and this
nation the ensign of Thy martyred Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph and
Hyrum Smith, the ensign of the fulness of the Gospel--the ensign of
Thy kingdom once more to be established among men. O Lord, God of
our fathers, protect Thou this banner. Lend us Thine almighty aid in
maintaining it before the view of these dark and benighted nations. May
it wave triumphantly from this time forth, till all Israel shall have
heard and received the fulness of Thy Gospel, and have been delivered
from their bondage. May their bands be broken and the scales of
darkness fall from their eyes.
From the lifting up of this ensign may a voice go forth among the
people of these mountains and valleys, and throughout the length and
breadth of this land, and may it go forth and be unto thine elect,
as the voice of the Lord, that the Holy Spirit may fall upon them,
imparting knowledge in dreams and visions concerning this hour of their
redemption. As the report of us, Thy servants, shall spread abroad, may
it awaken feelings of anxiety with the honest to learn of Thy doings,
and to seek speedily the path of knowledge.
Whomsoever among this people shall employ his influence, riches or
learning to promote the establishment of Thy Gospel in these nations,
may he be crowned with honors in this world, and in the world to come
crowned with eternal life. Whomsoever shall use his influence or power
to hinder the establishment of Thy Gospel in this country, may he
become, in a surprising manner, before the eyes of all these nations, a
monument of weakness, folly, shame and disgrace.
Suffer us not to be overcome by our enemies in the accomplishment of
this mission, upon which we have been sent. Let messengers be prepared
and sent forth from heaven to help us in our weakness, and to take the
oversight of this work, and lead it to a glorious consummation.
Remember our families. Preserve our lives and hearts from all evil,
that when we shall have finished our missions, we may return safely to
the bosom of our families. Bless Elder Toronto in Sicily, and give him
influence and power to lead to salvation many of his father's house
and kindred. Bless President Young and his council, the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, and Thy Saints universally: And to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, shall be the praise, honor, and glory,
now and forever, amen.
Other proceedings of the day I extract from the journal of the mission:
Moved by Elder Snow, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints be organized in Italy; seconded and carried.
Moved by Elder Stenhouse, that Elder Lorenzo Snow, of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, be sustained President of the Church in Italy;
seconded and carried.
Moved by Elder Snow, that Elder Stenhouse be Secretary of the Church in
Italy; seconded and carried.
The Church in this country, this day, is composed of the following:
Lorenzo Snow, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Joseph Toronto, of
the Quorum of Seventies; T. B. H. Stenhouse, Elder, and Jabez Woodard,
Elder.
We then sang, "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah;" after
which, Elder Stenhouse engaged in prayer, calling upon the Lord to
bless and preserve our wives and families, and all who administer to
their wants during our absence.
Elder Woodard then implored the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon
the honest in heart among the ministers and people of these lands.
Elder Snow followed, calling upon the God of our fathers, in mighty
prayer, to bless and sanction the proceedings of this day, and crown
our future efforts with success.
As the Spirit of God rested upon us, we "felt it was good to be
here." After singing a song of Zion, Elder Snow prophesied and said,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now organized, will
increase and multiply, and continue its existence in Italy, till that
portion of Israel, dwelling in these countries, shall have heard and
received the fulness of the Gospel.
Elder Stenhouse prophesied and said, From this time the work will
commence, and nothing will hinder its progress; and before we are
called to return, many will rejoice and bear testimony to the
principles of Truth.
Elder Woodard prophesied and said, The opposition which may be brought
against this Church will, in a visible and peculiar manner, advance its
interests; and the work of God will at length go from this land, to
other nations of the earth.
After we had sung, prayed and prophesied, Elder Snow laid his hands
upon the head of Elder Stenhouse, and, through the operations of the
Spirit, was led to comfort and cheer his soul with the things of the
Kingdom. He then laid his hands upon the head of Elder Woodard, and
prayed that he might have the power to act as Aaron, and speak unto the
people by the power of God.
Having now finished the business for which we assembled, we felt
reluctant to leave the spot where we had rejoiced so much in the
goodness of the Lord. From the nature of our proceedings, the
fruitfulness of the mountains, the rich variety around, and the
impregnable fortress of the mountains behind, Elder Snow proposed that
this mountain be known among the people of God, henceforth and forever,
as MOUNT BRIGHAM, and the rock upon which we stood the ROCK OF PROPHECY.
We descended the mount and reached LaTour about six o'clock in the
evening. As a sign to all who might visit us, we nailed to the wall
of my chamber the likeness of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. From that day
opportunities began to occur for proclaiming our message.
There is an English gentleman, a retired English colonel, residing
here, whose name has an almost magical effect upon the Protestants. He
has materially assisted the schools and other benevolent institutions.
Your recommend as Governor of Utah procured me a ready and cheerful
introduction which resulted in several interesting interviews. On
one of those occasions he said, as he retired, "You shall receive no
opposition on my part; and if you preach the Gospel as faithfully to
all in these valleys as to me, you need fear no reproach in the day of
judgment."
The Protestant chapels here are called temples. The first that was
ever erected was that of St. Lorenzo. It has long since crumbled into
ruins; but a Catholic chapel has been erected, which now bears the
name. One day we were invited to the residence of the officiating
priest. We received every attention from our host, and were furnished
a dinner which exceeded anything we had enjoyed in Italy. When viewing
his chapel, we took the opportunity of presenting the truth of the
Gospel. He listened with great attention and proposed many interesting
questions in relation to modern revelation. Although we had intended
to return to our residence, he insisted so urgently that we consented
to stay over night. He presented me an Italian grammar, in which he
inscribed his name. In the morning, after an early breakfast, he
accompanied us some miles on our way.
It is customary among Protestants to hold small meetings for religious
worship in private houses. These are called "re-unions." We attend
them, and sometimes are permitted to speak upon our principles. This
has produced some little stir among the officials; and a short time
since we received an invitation to attend a public meeting and answer
some questions relative to our mission. We did so, and found some
of the most talented ministers present, with an evident desire to
crush our efforts. But after we had preached and discussed for three
hours, one man, at least, retired with the conviction that we were the
servants of the Lord. On the 27th of October, this person presented
himself as a candidate for baptism.
The introduction of the principles of truth in all countries has more
or less been attended with anxiety and difficulty; of these we had
our share. It was with no small degree of satisfaction I went down to
the river side to attend to this ordinance. Peculiar, indeed, were my
feelings when I thought on the past, the present, and endeavored to
penetrate the dark labyrinth of unborn time. I rejoiced that the Lord
had thus far blessed our efforts and enabled us to open the door of the
Kingdom in dark and benighted Italy. My brethren stood on the river
bank--the only human witnesses of this interesting scene. Having long
desired this eventful time, sweet to us all were the soft sounds of the
Italian as I administered and opened a door which no man can shut.
Tales of slander against the Saints have been circulated around us
already. The list of lies which we have seen in print here, might
bleach the memory of many a vile traducer in other lands. From the rise
of the Church to the death of Joseph, all the principal facts have been
changed for the foulest misrepresentations. But this is a small part
of our difficulties. We have to preach on the one hand to a people
nominally Protestants, but who have been, from time immemorial, in a
church where organized dissent has been unknown. The people regard any
innovation as an attempt to drag them from the banner of their martyred
ancestry. On the other hand, we have the Catholics, with their proud
pretensions to a priesthood of apostolic origin.
Our presence in this land is only just tolerated and not recognized as
any right, founded upon established laws. Liberty is only as yet in the
bud; and the poet says, "The bud may have a bitter taste." But while
surrounded with difficulties that seem loftier than the snow-crowned
Alps, I can lift up my head as a servant of God, and rejoice in the
anticipation of final triumph. Our course is often dark and difficult;
but I believe that, however slow it may be for a while, it will
ultimately brighten with complete success. Popery, ignorance, and
superstition form a three-fold barrier to our efforts. Strange customs,
laws and languages surround us on every side. In a word, we feel that
we are in Italy--the polluted fountain which has overspread the earth
with her defiling waters.
LaTour is the principal town in the Protestant valleys. Here is a
large Catholic chapel with a number of officiating priests. There
is a Protestant college, with several professors, and about seventy
students. They have also a large chapel in course of erection,
principally by English liberality.
Having thus given you a sketch of my travels and proceedings, I close
with my kind love to yourself and family, Elders Kimball and Richards,
and all the Saints.
I am, dear President Young, yours very affectionately,
Lorenzo Snow.
President Brigham Young,
Great Salt Lake City, California.