Elijah Box says his parents embraced the Gospel in England.--Came to
Nauvoo.--Elijah born in a turbulent time.--Moves to St. Louis.--To
the Bluffs.--To the Valley.--Storm described.--Moves to Brigham
City.--Struggle for an education.--How it is obtained.--Called on
mission.--A great contrast in Liverpool.--Visits relatives.--In London
meets with the Palestine tourists.--How poor Saints manage their Sunday
clothing.--An incident.--Closes mission.--In charge of a company of
Saints, leaves England.--Reflections.--Reaches home.--Engaged in
teaching.--Presides over Improvement Associations.--Counselor to Stake
President.
My parents embraced the Gospel in England in 1841, emigrated in 1842,
and arrived in Nauvoo in the spring of 1843. My father worked upon
the Temple almost from first to last, experiencing very hard times in
consequence of the scarcity of the necessaries of life. He was also
familiar with all those trying scenes that were enacted during the
years immediately preceding and following the martyrdom of the Prophet
and Patriarch; and that will live forever in the memories of the
persecuted Saints. It was during these times that I was born, January
4th, 1844.
When the Church left Nauvoo, father moved his family to St. Louis,
and from there to Council Bluffs, in 1848. The next four years were
occupied in procuring an outfit for "the valley," and in 1852 we
emigrated to Salt Lake, where we lived three years. While in Salt
Lake, I spent the summer months principally in herding stock upon
the mountains. While out upon one of those occasions, the sky became
suddenly overcast with heavy clouds, and, almost instantly, hail and
rain began to descend in torrents; several herd-boys were drowned--I
very narrowly escaped by finding shelter with my sister, living at the
mouth of Red Butte.
In 1855 we moved to Brigham City, and my father engaged in agriculture.
I labored on the farm during the summer, and spent the winter months
in endeavoring to obtain a meagre education, attending day and evening
schools as opportunities presented, which was not frequent; up to my
twelfth year I had attended school but part of one term. I had a kind
mother, however, who saw the great necessity of my having an education,
and assisted me much during my boyhood, for which I have always been
thankful.
At the age of seventeen, I injured myself by lifting heavy timbers,
from the effect of which I suffered several years, until I received
my endowments, when I soon recovered my health. At nineteen, I was
employed in the mercantile establishment of M. D. Rosenbaum, and
afterwards by W. C. Thomas in similar business, for whom I worked until
the fall of 1865, when President Lorenzo Snow, Samuel Smith, Bishop
Nichols and W. C. Thomas formed a copartnership or co-operation; I was
employed by this firm four years.
On Sunday, the sixth of May, 1866, I married Roxcy A., daughter of
President Lorenzo Snow, President Snow officiating. We were sealed by
President Wells the following November. (See Family Record.)
The winter of 1870-1 I spent in school, under Professor L. F. Monch,
where, I may almost say, I obtained my first start in educational
matters. By this time I was twenty-seven years old, had a wife and two
children to care for, but I saw the great lack of education in myself
and others in this locality, therefore, I determined to exert myself to
the utmost, and forego many pleasures that might otherwise be enjoyed.
I studied diligently, was greatly assisted by my wife--had an excellent
teacher, and made fair progress.
At the April Conference in 1871 I was called on a mission to England.
I made immediate preparations to start, though in so doing I had to
borrow money to go with. I was set apart for my mission on the first
of May, by Apostle Albert Carrington, and on the third of May, in
company with President Carrington and some twelve or fifteen other
missionaries, left Salt Lake City for England. The trip to New York was
pleasant, and without incident other than of an ordinary character.
We embarked in the steamship Colorado, Guion line. "Off the banks" we
experienced some very heavy weather. On such occasions, man is led to
comprehend his own insignificance as compared with other creations
of God. The monotony of the voyage was often broken by animated
discussions with non-"Mormon" passengers, upon religious topics, plural
marriage being the leading one.
After arriving in Liverpool, I was appointed to labor in the Birmingham
Conference under the direction of Elder Parry, who afterwards died of
the small-pox, he being the second to succumb to that fatal disease
in that conference. During my short stay in Liverpool, I learned to
appreciate the quiet of our mountain home. In all my life I had never
seen so much drunkenness, quarreling, fighting with both male and
female, prostitution, and debauchery of every description, as I saw
there in the short space of twenty-four hours.
On my way from Liverpool to my field of labor, I called at Manchester
to see my wife's brother, Oliver, who had been traveling in that
conference the previous twelve months. A few days were very agreeably
spent with him in visiting among the Saints. I then proceeded to
Birmingham, where I found the Saints generally very poor, very anxious
to gather, but in most instances unable to do so. It was then I
could realize the benefits and blessings derived from our system of
emigration.
While in this conference, I had an opportunity to visit many relatives
and procure genealogies for several generations back. In all instances
my friends were pleased to see me, and received me with kindness, but
seemed to care nothing for the principles of the Gospel.
My stay in Birmingham was short. In consequence of the illness of Elder
Bromley, I was sent to Bristol to preside in his stead. I found the
people in this locality in much worse circumstances than where I had
previously labored. Farm hands worked for from six to seven shillings
per week; and with this small pittance had to furnish their families
with all the necessities and comforts of life, if they had them. Often
I have seen families make a meal of turnip-top greens and dry bread. I
then learned to appreciate the luxuries of Deseret, and the blessings
that God bestows upon His people; and if Joseph Smith had actually been
an impostor, he still deserves great credit for inaugurating a system
of religion that has been the means of bringing so many from a state of
wretchedness, and making them comparatively independent.
The Saints of this conference, though poor, were very kind; I made many
excellent acquaintances, traveled a great deal on foot, and baptized a
few; among them was one Joseph Smith; he had been convinced for many
years, but put off baptism until he was so worked upon that he could
delay no longer.
It was during my labors here that President George A. Smith and other
Palestine tourists landed in England and held a conference in London,
which I attended, and had truly a happy time in meeting the brethren
and sisters from home, especially Father Snow and Aunt Eliza. We spent
a few days in visiting the principal places of interest in that noted
city--the Crystal Palace, the Albert Memorial, etc.
In June, 1872, I was appointed to the Manchester Conference. I found
the Saints much as elsewhere, but generally better in temporal
circumstances; still the people were so educated to spend what they
earned, that whether they received seven, twelve or twenty shillings
per week, none could be laid away for any future purpose.
In this conference I rebaptized Brother Moorhouse, who had not been an
active member in the Church for a number of years, but as good a soul
as ever lived. He afterward died in full fellowship.
I will here relate an incident which will show the amount of interest
taken in "Mormonism" by some. Sunday, November 10, 1872, I went from
Macclesfield to Longton to fill an appointment with the Saints of
the Burslem branch, which was my first visit to that branch. I was
met at the station by a Brother Tovey, who piloted me to the meeting
house, informing me on the way that they had engaged a hall capable of
seating three hundred persons, had placarded the town, advertising E.
A. Box, Esq., from America, to deliver two lectures that day, on the
principles of the Gospel. This news was somewhat startling; it was the
first time I had been advertised as a lecturer, and then to lecture to
three hundred strangers, this was the capacity of the hall, and not
more than a dozen Saints in the branch; and Brother Tovey was sanguine
the hall would be full. I determined to put myself in the hands of the
Lord, and if He wished that large congregation converted, He must do it
through me. Meeting was opened at 10 a.m., and Brother Platt, president
of the branch, and I occupied the forenoon. Our hearers were seven
Saints, three strangers and one apostate. In the afternoon I occupied
most of the time; we had present the same number of Saints, with three
apostates and one stranger. So much for the ample hall and liberal
advertisement.
In June, 1873, I was released to return home. I sailed from Liverpool
in charge of three hundred and fifty Saints, on the tenth of July. As
land faded from sight, many thoughts passed through my mind. I had
been on English soil a little more than two years, had formed the
acquaintance of hundreds of Saints, and many strangers of almost all
classes, had preached and borne testimony before Saints and sinners,
had met and conversed with those who knew not God, had seen many
relatives for the first time, had traveled on foot a little more than
six thousand miles; and the following questions arose: Have I done
any good? Have any believed my report? Have I been the cause of any
stumbling in the path of life? Shall I ever set foot on those shores
again? The future only could tell, and that was silent.
The trip by sea, excepting one stormy day, was very agreeable. Apostle
Erastus Snow crossed the ocean with us, and the time was spent in
holding meetings, concerts, etc.
I reached home on the second of August, after an absence of two years
and three months; having visited the principal cities of England,
Scotland and Wales; had enjoyed myself exceedingly in my missionary
labors, with all the consequent hardships and privations; I could
recall but one season of despondency, and that was on hearing of the
death of my mother and sickness of my two little children. Through the
blessing of God, on my return I found my immediate family all alive and
well.
I soon engaged in school teaching in Ogden City--moved my family there
and remained one year, then returned to Brigham City, where I followed
the same profession for several consecutive years.
In the autumn of 1876 I was chosen to preside over the the Mutual
Improvement Association of Brigham City, and afterwards, when the city
was divided into four wards, I was appointed over the Second Ward,
which position I occupy at present (1884).
When Box Elder Stake of Zion was re-organized in 1877 I was chosen
First Counselor to Oliver G. Snow, President of the Stake.
My family now numbers ten. In obedience to the law of celestial
marriage, I entered into the marriage relation with Sarah Hadley, who
is now the mother of two children.
Elijah A. Box.