Expression of appreciation creditable.--Lorenzo speaks of his
wives.--Their nobility.--How he made choice of them.--His
earthly prospects.--How they accepted the position.--The Editor
explains.--They prove superior to circumstances of trial and
hardships.--Are comfortably situated.--Step forth as mothers in
Israel.--Their positions.--Questions to the defamers of Latter-day
Saint women.--Lorenzo's independence of character.--Where credit is
due.--Wife-missions.--Success attributed to God.--Testimonials of love
and respect.
The following expression of appreciation, which I am most happy to find
recorded in my brother's journal, does no more credit to the recipients
of the enconiums, than to the heart that prompted, and the head that
indited them. The acknowledgment of true merit is a virtue as well as a
duty.
In the journal, Lorenzo, speaking of his wives, says: After years
of companionship, I can truly say I have been perfectly satisfied,
and have never, for one moment, felt that I had the least reason or
occasion for regret. In making choice of wives--in view of continuing
the relationship, not only through time, but through endless eternity,
realizing my own lack of wisdom and incompetency of judging in this
important matter, it has been my invariable practice to seek in humble,
earnest prayer, the mind and will of God; and I acknowledge His guiding
wisdom in this respect, and realize it impossible for me to feel
sufficiently thankful for the good, noble-minded women He has given me,
which applies to each without one exception.
Previous to marriage, I explained my position as a public servant, a
minute man--one to whom was committed a dispensation of the Gospel
of the Son of God; and gave them to understand definitely that so
far as this world's goods were concerned, my prospects were not very
flattering, and to their praise be it written, their minds were
elevated, and the desires of their hearts lifted far above the gross
yearnings of frail humanity after perishable objects, and they have
proven themselves superior to the hardships, privations, poverty, and
even perils which the Saints, in the earlier periods of the history of
the Church, experienced.
Possessing, as they did, that rare gift--the gift of sound common
sense, my wives all acted in concert, mutually assisting each other;
and with all the inconveniences, hard work, and privations, to which,
while raising our children, they have experienced through my frequent,
and, at times, long absence, like the brave Altnomock, they "scorned
to complain," and never have they, at any time, sought to detain me,
or prevent my fulfilment of public duties; but on the other hand,
have been and are co-laborers with me in the great work of the last
days. This testimony of my true and faithful wives I would fain have
"engraven with an iron pen, in the rock forever," as I bear record in
this my journal.
When, by the cruel hand of persecution, the wives of my brother and the
Saints generally were homeless and destitute of all conveniences, and
most of the comforts of domestic life, at times living in tents and
wagons, in storm and sunshine--at others, in temporary houses or huts,
my brother, feeling the weight of responsibility as husband and father,
with all the warm sympathies of his nature aroused, had to suppress and
struggle against his feelings in view of the circumstances.
It was at such times that the nobility of soul, of heart and mind,
of his wives shone out, approaching almost to sublimity. In the most
gloomy times, when all was toil and privation, their cheerfulness and
courage, in which they arose superior to trials, were like sunbeams
shining though dark, threatening clouds, and really seemed to warm the
cold hand of poverty which, apparently, was extended in every direction
toward the Latter-day Saints.
Through the blessings and overruling hand of God, the Saints have
had a season of comparative peace and temporal prosperity, and the
circumstances of my brother's wives have greatly changed, exhibiting a
striking contrast to those in bygone days. Through Lorenzo's exertions,
industry and economy, God has wonderfully prospered and bestowed upon
him means, insomuch that his wives have within their reach not only
the necessaries but conveniences and comforts of life. Instead of
tents and wagons, they now live in good, well furnished houses, with
plenty of food and clothing, and wherewith to entertain their friends,
and instead of the hurrying, bustling scenes of other days, congenial
quietude.
And now, instead of merely fulfilling their very important duties as
wives and mothers of children, they step forth into the broad arena
of public life and officiate in the wider sphere, and with increasing
responsibilities, as mothers in Israel; thus, in connection with the
faithful discharge of home duties, they are actively engaged in various
organizations as presidents, counselors, secretaries, teachers, etc.;
and some of them have the pleasing satisfaction, even now, of seeing
their daughters following, in this direction, in their footsteps,
occupying important positions. Mary Adaline, the eldest of my brother's
wives, during the trying scenes through which we have passed, has been
as a mother to all his family. Naturally of a cheerful disposition,
all within her sphere were recipients of her motherly, comforting
and encouraging influence. Now age is tracing its lines on her still
cheerful face.
Harriet Amelia, after having been for some length of time president
of a ward relief society, has been for several years past, and is at
present, a very efficient president of the relief society of Box Elder
Stake of Zion, also president of the general monthly meetings of the
four branch (ward) societies of Brigham City.
Sarah Ann has, for two successive years, performed the duties of
teacher in the relief society.
Eleanor has been, and now is, acting as teacher in the relief society
in the Second Ward of Brigham City.
Mary Elizabeth is president of the relief society in the Second Ward,
Brigham City, also Stake secretary.
Phebe Amelia, for several years Stake secretary for the relief society,
in which she was efficient, has now turned her attention to promoting
the interests of the primary association.
Minnie, for some time president in branch (ward) capacity, now presides
over the young ladies' mutual improvement associations of Box Elder
Stake of Zion; she also officiates as organist for the tabernacle choir.
Are these women "down-trodden?" Are they ignorant? Are they enslaved?
Do the foregoing expressions of their husband indicate that he
estimates them below his own status, as slaves to do his bidding, or as
dupes to gratify his passions?
Let the defamers of Latter-day Saint women hide their faces in shame
and confusion. Well may ignorance blush and persecution cower beneath
the cloak of apostate Christianity; and well might the corrupt,
foul-hearted and foul-mouthed calumniator of "Mormon" women retire to
the depth of a lone solitude, and there bewail the day of his birth,
else, _forever hold his peace_.
The staunch feeling of independence, a peculiar trait exhibited in my
brother's character in early youth, has marked his career through all
the vicissitudes of his active and eventful life. Although it greatly
augmented the trial of his nature in going forth to preach without
purse or scrip, particularly the purse, it has fortified and many times
enabled him to rise superior to circumstances.
During forty-eight years he has been engaged in the work of the
ministry, either at home or abroad. He has crossed the ocean eight
times, and traveled over one hundred and fifty thousand miles, and
withal raised and supported a large family--many of his children having
become fathers and mothers of families. However, much credit is due his
wives--a compliment which he fully endorses. In fact, it is a conceded
point that when the husband and father is abroad and performing
missionary labors, the wife or wives and mothers, with all the family
cares and responsibilities devolving upon them, have quite as much of
a mission at home. Notwithstanding my brother's frequent sudden calls
abroad, and at times under pecuniary embarrassments, his wives have
never solicited nor received assistance from any source, nor have they
ever accumulated debts for their husband to cancel on his return.
In going to his fields of labor, he has invariably borne his own
expenses, even when on some occasions obliged to borrow money at a
heavy and exorbitant percentage. When on his English and Italian
missions, the Saints in Europe contributed liberally in furnishing
means which he expended in the translation and publication of the
Book of Mormon and other works; also in introducing the Gospel into
different countries, but no gratuity from the Church.
In meeting the heavy expenses of the Sandwich Islands and Palestine
missions, his good friends in Brigham City generously contributed.
A few years since, at a conference in Salt Lake City, in view of the
constant spiritual labors of the Twelve Apostles, the Saints voted
them a certain specified amount, to be drawn from the tithing funds.
With the foregoing exceptions and small gifts occasionally slipped
into his hand as testimonials of friendship, my brother and his family
have managed to take care of themselves; but to accomplish this and
gratify their commendable independent ambition, has required very
careful management, and, at times, rigid frugality and strict economy,
contenting themselves for years with the common necessaries and
dispensing with many of the ordinary conveniences of life.
I have been prompted to bear this testimony as a rebut to the frequent
untruthful charges of our opponents that the "Mormon" Elders and their
families are supported by tithing of the Saints.
That my brother and his family have been thus successful, he
acknowledges the overruling hand of God; and in recounting His constant
aid and the wonderful manifestations of His special favors and
kindness, his heart swells with gratitude beyond the power of language
to express.
"Honor To Whom Honor Is Due." Some two years after my brother's return
from the Italian mission, as a grateful expression of their love and
their appreciation of his efforts, devotion and faithfulness in opening
up the Gospel to them, and in establishing the Church of God in that
far distant nation, the Saints in Switzerland forwarded to him, as an
affectionate memorial, a magnificent gold chronometer.
The rich and beautiful gift was received with corresponding feelings
of love and sincere, heartfelt gratitude, and Lorenzo, for a season,
took pride and pleasure in wearing it, out of respect to those who
so generously presented it; and afterwards, feeling that President
Brigham Young, more than any other man living, was worthy of the costly
tribute, presented it to him, and he manifested his appreciation by
having the presentation with the donor's name inscribed in full on the
interior, and I think he carried it till the close of his life.
Some years after the above presentation, my brother being in Salt Lake
City on a visit, President Young sent a note, requesting him to call at
the office of the latter; he did so, and was invited by the President
to accompany him to his carriage house, which was occupied by a number
of carriages. By this time my brother was in quite a quandary, silently
wondering "what was up," when, to his great surprise and astonishment,
President Young, pointing to a very substantial and beautiful one,
said, "Brother Lorenzo, that carriage is for you; I shall send it
on your return to Brigham City." The carriage was nearly new--had
been purchased at the manufactory at a cost of five hundred dollars.
Feeling almost bewildered with surprise, Lorenzo protested against its
acceptance, but on his arrival in Brigham City, he received a message
that the carriage had been shipped on the Utah Central railroad.