FRAGMENTS
OF
EXPERIENCE,
SIXTH BOOK OF THE
FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES.
Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day
Saints.
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
Salt Lake City,
1882.
PREFACE.
In issuing this, the Sixth Book of the FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES, we trust
that it will meet with the same kind reception that its predecessors
have. Perhaps no books that have ever been published in our Church have
become so popular in so short a time as the volumes of this Series
which have already been issued. They have tended towards supplying a
want which has long been felt in our community, and we feel assured
that they have done a great amount of good.
Young minds, as a rule, are not attracted by those publications which
treat specially upon doctrine. They are usually too profound for young
people to grasp and fully comprehend the ideas that are contained
in them. To the person with fully matured mind and well-developed
reasoning faculties they may appear ever so simple, and even
fascinating, but to most young people they are uninteresting, to some
positively distasteful. And yet there is scarcely a child but can be
taught principle in the form of narrative, wherein the application
is made for him in scenes from real life, and appreciate it. There
is no more sure way of instilling into the mind of a child faith in
God and in the work which He has established upon the earth than by
illustrating it with incidents from actual experience. The lesson, too,
is likely to be all the more effective in the persons whose lives are
held up for examples are those with whom the child is acquainted and in
whom he has confidence. The lives of many of the Elders of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abound in incidents which, if
written and published, would tend to inspire those who might read them
with faith in God and a spirit of emulation. We hope a more general
interest may soon be felt throughout our Church in writing up such
incidents. That the host of children now growing up in the valleys of
the mountains appreciate and are ready to profit by their perusal there
can be no doubt.
The FRAGMENTS OF EXPERIENCE herein contained are collected at random,
but many valuable lessons may be drawn from the incidents narrated, and
we trust that the seed which they may sow in the hearts of those who
peruse them will be productive of a rich yield of fruit in the kingdom
of our Father.
THE PUBLISHER.
CONTENTS.
HELP PROM THE LORD.
Mission to Illinois when a Boy--Attempt of a Deacon to Put me to
Shame--Open my Bible to the Passage Required--Prove our Position
Correct from the Scriptures--Befriended by an Infidel--Preachers
Assault on the "Frogs"--The "Frog" Replies.
EARLY EXPERIENCE OF A LATTER-DAY SAINT.
Hear the Gospel by Chance--Compunction at Speaking Lightly of
the Prophet--Join the Church--A New Suit of Clothes--Opposed by
Relatives--My Old Friend, the Bible--A Dream--Required to Renounce
"Mormonism" or Leave the House--My Relatives Refuse to Speak to
me--They Pawn my Clothes--I Recover Them--Violence Used--My Clothes
Torn--My Mother's Death--My Brothers Quarrel, and call upon me to
Settle their Difficulties--My Brother Sick--Healed in Answer to my
Prayer.
DISOBEDIENCE TO COUNSEL.
Driven from my Property by the Mob--Desire to Return and Recover some
of it--Counseled by the Church Authorities not to Go--Persist in
Going--Visit a Friendly Family--Amiable Intention of my Debtors--Meet
two of Them They Threaten my Life--Despair of Getting Anything and Try
to Start Home--Beaten over the Head with a Pole--Barely Escape with my
Life--Ashamed to have my Friends Know It--The Lesson I Learned.
LORENZO DOW YOUNG'S NARRATIVE.
CHAPTER I.
My Mother's Promise--Chased by Wolves--A Remarkable Dream--Thrown from
a Horse--Providentially Saved--Religious Revival--Preachers Try in
vain to Convert me--Ridiculed for not Playing at Cards--Read Infidel
Works--Their Effect--A Vision.
CHAPTER II.
Marriage--A Vision of Other Worlds--My Reluctance at Returning to
a Mortal Existence--A Promise with Conditions--I Exhort Others to
Faithfulness.
CHAPTER III.
I Take to Preaching--Make Many Converts--Refuse to Baptize
Them--They are Baptized by a Campbellite Preacher--Urged to Join the
Campbellites--Refuse, and the Devil Tempts me--I Grieve the Spirit,
but Regain it Through Fasting and Prayer--Hear the Gospel--Visit from
Elder Gifford--He is Threatened with Tar and Feathers--My Brother and I
Defend Him.
CHAPTER IV.
Converted--Start for Missouri--Called to Preach "Mormonism" without
being Baptized--Join the Church--Voyage to Pittsburg--Preach the
Gospel and Establish a Branch--Experience as a Trunk-maker--Mission
to New York--Speak in Tongues--Effects of Preaching Counteracted by
Lies--Second Voyage Down the Ohio--Providential Delay.
CHAPTER V.
Removal to Kirtland--Work upon the Temple--A Lesson--
Sickness--Pronounced Incurable by Doctors--Healed in Answer to
Prayer--Cured of Lameness--Removal to Missouri--Commencement of
Hostilities--Surrounded by a Mob--Face Death--Rescued.
CHAPTER VI.
Warned to Leave the Country or Renounce "Mormonism"--Wife and Children
Threatened--A Boy's Pluck--Forced to Flee for our Lives--Property
Confiscated--Battle of Crooked River--Providentially Saved--Far West
Besieged--Escape to Iowa--Pursued--Providential Snow Storm.
AN INSTANCE OF DIVINE INTERPOSITION.
Visit to Scotland--Meet Old Friends--Return to Liverpool--About to go
by Steamer to Bristol--A Voice Warns me not to Go--Turn Back--Short of
Money--Means Providentially Provided--Journey to Portsmouth--Sequel to
the Warning--The Steamer Wrecked.
MY LAST MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
CHAPTER I.
Elders Called Home from the Sandwich Islands--Native Elders Left to
Preside--Gibson's Arrival in Salt Lake--Joins the Church--Asks for a
Mission to the Sandwich Islands--His Deep-laid Scheme--Leading Astray
the Hawaiian Saints--Five Elders Sent to Investigate--Arrival at the
Sandwich Islands--Attempt to go Ashore in a Boat--Capsized in the
Surf--Elder Lorenzo Snow Lost--After a Long Search, Found Under the
Boat--Efforts to Resuscitate Him--Restored to Life One Hour After Being
Drowned.
CHAPTER II.
Journey to Lanai--Meet Mr. Gibson--Reverence of Natives for Him--His
Speech and Assumption--Elder Joseph F. Smith's Reply--Elder Snow's
Prophecy--Mr. Gibson Cut Off the Church--Elder Snow's Prophecy
Fulfilled--Advised to Select a New Gathering Place--A Vision--Suitable
Place Pointed Out.
A PROPHECY FULFILLED.
Called on a Mission to the Sandwich Islands--Journey by the
Southern Route--A Prophecy--Fear After Uttering It--Residence
in Honolulu--Political and Religious Conflict--The Kingdom in
Jeopardy--Dissatisfaction Among the People--Letter to the King
Favorably Considered--A Dream--A Prince sent by the King to Ask Counsel
of Latter-day Saint Elders--Advice Accepted, and the Kingdom Saved--The
Dream and Prophecy Fulfilled Together.
SPECIAL PROVIDENCES.
Circumstances under which the Early Temples were Built--How the
Workmen were Encouraged--Arrival of Brother L---- in Nauvoo--His
Willingness to Work without Pay--His Extreme Want--Appeals to
God for Help--Money Miraculously Provided--Prayer for Food
Answered--Providential Finding of a Pair of Shoes on the Plains--A
Crippled Shoulder Restored while Defending the Character of Joseph
Smith.
INCIDENTS ON THE PLAINS.
CHAPTER I.
Army Sent to Utah--Missionaries Called Home--Large Number Assembled
at Florence--Dangers of Trip--Council to Decide Upon Course of
Action--Fortunate Fog--Providential Storm.
CHAPTER II.
Apostates Met--The Chaplain Separates From the Company to Meet some
Apostates--An Adventurous Trip--Discharged Government Teamsters
Indignant at "Mormons"--Plot to Steal the Chaplain's Horse--Advice to
the Apostates to Look to Their Own Safety--Mr. Stout's Compassion for
the Hatchet-faced Missourian--How His Confidence was Rewarded--Meet
Captain Hatch--News of Buchanan's Amnesty Proclamation--Evade the Army
and Reach the Valley in Safety.
HELP FROM THE LORD
By C.
MISSION IN ILLINOIS WHEN A BOY--ATTEMPT OF A DEACON TO PUT ME TO
SHAME--OPEN MY BIBLE TO THE PASSAGE REQUIRED--PROVE OUR POSITION
CORRECT FROM THE SCRIPTURES--BEFRIENDED BY AN INFIDEL--PREACHER'S
ASSAULT ON THE "FROGS"--THE "FROG" REPLIES.
In the year 1845, I was appointed on a mission from Nauvoo, to labor
about Cass County, Illinois, in company with Theodore Curtis.
After traveling together we concluded to separate, and I continued
alone, preaching wherever an opportunity presented itself.
One evening I was approaching a little town called Virginia, foot-sore
and weary, having been frequently denied food.
I retired, as was my wont particularly when so impressed, for prayer,
and for God to soften the hearts of those I might meet, to give me
shelter, food and rest, and finally to open up my way.
Towards evening I found a number of persons congregated at the country
store. I saluted them with "Good-evening," and inquired the opportunity
of getting a chance to preach in that place.
I carried the badge of a "Mormon" preacher in my hand, namely, a small
round valise, containing a shirt, change of socks, Bible and hymn book.
I was soon assured by one or two that there was no earthly show for a
"Mormon" preacher to be heard in that place.
I replied, "I would like to preach in that nice, newly-finished
meeting-house just opposite." A man spoke up quite authoritatively, and
said that no "Mormon" should preach in that house, which had just been
dedicated--I think for Presbyterian worship.
They termed this man the deacon. This produced considerable talk,
for many of the crowd were of what is termed the liberal or infidel
persuasion, so much so that the deacon was overwhelmed by argument,
shame and reproach, for refusing a boy like me a chance to preach.
To cover his shame and to nonplus me, he remarked, "I have heard say
that your preachers are pretty apt with the scriptures, and can produce
almost any doctrine you like from the Bible." I replied that the men
were, but that I was but a boy; yet I thought I knew a little of the
scriptures.
He remarked "Your people believe in laying hands on the sick; don't
you?"
I answered that we did, and because Christ had said in His remarkable
commission to His apostles, that this was one of the signs following,
quoting Mark xvi, 15-18. I also quoted James v., 14.
"Yes, yes;" says he, "that is all very good, but that says only once,
and your Elders sometimes lay hands twice in succession on the same
person. Whoever heard of Jesus or the apostles doing anything like
that?" He then cited an instance where, as he said, Joseph Smith had
done this in administering to a sick woman.
The good-natured excitement was intense. The deacon thought I was
overwhelmed, and proposed that if I could prove a similar transaction
from the scriptures, I might preach in that house that very night.
Eagerness now seized the men, and the deacon chuckled over his presumed
victory, and boasted of his acquaintance with the "Blessed Word."
I unbuckled my valise, drew forth my little Bible, and opened it
intuitively to this passage in Mark viii., 22-25: "And he cometh to
Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to
touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, * * * and put his
hands upon him, and asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and
said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands _again_
upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every
man clearly."
The reading of this scripture; the sudden finding of it, for I was led
to it as clearly as a man leads his horse to the water; its aptness and
conclusiveness, accompanied by the jeers of the infidel portion of the
crowd, mortified the deacon--he was discomfited.
I remarked that I would, according to the deacon's terms, preach in the
church that evening, provided some one would find candles. The candles
were instantly offered, and accordingly, I preached with power and the
demonstration of the Spirit.
After the close of the services, I found a resting place with one of
the most avowed infidels of the neighborhood, who had listened to the
talk between the deacon and myself, and who particularly enjoyed the
good man's discomfiture. By his persuasion I staid some time in the
neighborhood, occupying occasionally the school-house.
He even proffered me some land to build me a house if I would stay,
preach and teach school; but my mind was bent on returning to Nauvoo.
But one evening, when I had been preaching my intended farewell
sermon in the closely-packed school-house, and just at its close, a
person arose and said that, God willing, he would deliver a discourse
there the next Sunday, and expose the "Mormon" delusion, giving his
announcement all the force and emphasis possible.
My friends gathered at my place of stopping, and, joining with my host,
prevailed upon me to stay. The word was given out that I had gone to
Nauvoo.
At the time appointed a great crowd had convened--time, early
candle-light.
I arrived late, purposely. My friend and I took seats near the door.
The preacher, after preliminaries, opened the Bible, and, for his text,
read the 13th and 14th verses of the 16th chapter of Revelations.
After dilating upon the swampy nature of the soil contiguous to Nauvoo,
styling it a good place for frogs, and facetiously comparing it to the
"mouth of the dragon," he came down heavily on the "false prophet," the
miracles, etc. It was a most scathing rebuke on "Mormonism."
His final peroration was on the habits of the frogs, which, while no
footsteps were heard, croaked and croaked, but at the first sound of
an approaching footstep, dodged their heads beneath the water. "So,"
said he, at the same time rising to the sublime hight of his oratory,
"where, oh where is the frog that croaked here a day or two ago? Gone
to that slough of iniquity, Nauvoo, the seat of the dragon and the
false prophet. Why has he fled? Because he heard the footsteps of your
true shepherd." After much interlarding, he dismissed by prayer.
I immediately arose and said that the frog was there yet, and would
croak once more, naming the time.
Shouts from the audience named that same evening as the time, and the
reverend preacher, amid jeers, cheers and cries of, "Give the boy a
chance!" made for the one door.
My friend was alive to the emergency, and I, nothing loth, opened a
fusilade from I. Timothy, 4th chapter, while the preacher was hemmed in
by the crowd, and my friend with his back to the door.
After an exhaustive testimony of the work, we all departed, some
pleased, some chagrined.
In both of the instances here narrated, the opening of the Bible to the
apt and confirmatory passages, were then to my mind clearly the answer
to prayer, for if ever previously read they had escaped my memory.
How much good I did on that mission, I cannot guess. One thing I do
know, as a general rule not many are truly converted by the clamor of
crowds, or the frenzy of debates.
My object in giving these two instances is to incite my young brethren
to a study of the scriptures, the necessity of earnest secret prayer,
and confidence in the promise that at the hour and time God will help
them, and bring them off victoriously.
Great care must be taken to give God the glory in your after prayer,
"for no flesh can glory in his sight."
Enconiums should produce humility, lest we be puffed up, and, in an
after time, display our complete nothingness.
EARLY EXPERIENCE OF A LATTER-DAY SAINT.
HEAR THE GOSPEL BY CHANCE--COMPUNCTION AT SPEAKING LIGHTLY OF
THE PROPHET--JOIN THE CHURCH--A NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES--OPPOSED BY
RELATIVES--MY OLD FRIEND, THE BIBLE--A DREAM--REQUIRED TO RENOUNCE
"MORMONISM" OR LEAVE THE HOUSE--MY RELATIVES REFUSE TO SPEAK TO
ME--THEY PAWN MY CLOTHES--I RECOVER THEM--VIOLENCE USED--MY CLOTHES
TORN--MY MOTHER'S DEATH--MY BROTHERS QUARREL AND CALL UPON ME TO SETTLE
THEIR DIFFICULTIES--MY BROTHER SICK--HEALED IN ANSWER TO MY PRAYER.
The substance of the following little sketch was told to the writer by
the subject of it, who is an Elder in the Church, and lives in Salt
Lake City. His name is Robert P--k. We give it in words as near his own
as we can remember.
I was born and reared in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. I passed my
boyhood without thinking much on religious matters, till I was about
eighteen years of age. At this period of my life I was walking along
what is called the Green, a kind of public park, when my attention was
attracted by some men discussing publicly the principles of religion.
One of them was a Baptist, and I could see that he had the best of the
argument, baptism by immersion being a Bible doctrine. This was on
Sunday evening.
After listening to the discussion for some time, I was attracted to a
place where another man was preaching. This one proved to be an Elder
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I was so struck with the principles he advanced, that I drank down
greedily every word he spoke, and on hearing him tell where the
meeting-house of the Latter-day Saints was situated, I went there. I
was, however, too bashful to go inside, but I walked back and forth
around the building, listening and catching whatever words I could.
I was out later than usual that night, and when I got home I was
questioned as to the cause of my absence, by my mother (my father had
been dead many years) and brothers. I said I had been to hear the
"Mormons."
"Who are the Mormons?"
"Why, the followers of Joe Smith," said I. But I had no sooner said
this than a sharp pang shot through me, and I felt condemned for
speaking thus irreverently of the prophet. I did it because I thought
it would excuse me in the eyes of my relatives. I knew I had done
wrong, for, young as I was, I felt deeply impressed with the idea
that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. As it was, I was severely
reprimanded for staying out so late.
Shortly after this I went to meeting and heard Elder John Taylor speak
on the setting up of the kingdom of God in the latter days, which did a
great deal towards convincing me that the Lord had revealed the gospel
in this age. After attending meeting for some time, I was finally
baptized into the Church, and was filled with joy because I knew that I
was indeed a member of the true Church of Christ.
Knowing that if my mother and four brothers discovered that I had
joined the Church I would have no peace at home, I kept the matter
secret from them. I was but an apprentice and only earning the small
sum of three shillings a week (equal to seventy-five cents) and was,
therefore, somewhat dependent on my relatives.
I was about to get my wages raised a shilling a week, and my eldest
brother, Hugh, proposed that he should get me a suit of clothes, and I
pay this shilling a week until the suit was paid for, so that I might
go to church with the rest of the family.
I was glad to exchange, on Sundays, my old, patched, shabby working
suit for some respectable clothing, and it was agreed to.
On the following Sunday morning I went to meeting as usual, and was
complimented by the President of the Branch on my improved personal
appearance. When I got home in the evening the first question asked of
me was,
"Where have you been?"
"I have been to meeting."
"What meeting?"
"I have been to hear the Latter-day Saints."
At this there was a perfect storm about my ears. I went and got the old
family Bible, and laid down the "law and the testimony."
In answer to all they would say, I quoted and read from the Bible. I
explained the principles of the gospel of Jesus, and the strongest
argument any of them used was in each picking up his hat and walking
out.
On the following day (Monday) I felt somewhat timid about going home
in the evening, for I had dreamed on the Sunday night that my brothers
were plotting to turn me out of the house.
However, home I went, and just as I approached the door I heard their
voices in conversation, and they were saying they would ask me which
I would choose, to leave "Mormonism" or the house; and John, who was
always more rabid and unkind than the rest, said he would not even let
me eat my supper until I had decided what I should do.
I walked boldly in, sat down, and commenced eating supper. They sat
silent for a short time, when finally Hugh put the question to me as to
whether I would renounce "Mormonism," for if I did not I would have to
leave the house.
I again brought down my old friend, the family Bible, and said:
"Hugh, if you will prove to me from that sacred book that I am wrong
in adhering to 'Mormonism,' or rather the gospel of Christ, I will
renounce it; and if I show you that you are wrong in adhering to Church
of Scotland, then you should leave that."
I then talked upon the scriptures and the principles of the gospel, and
they could bring forward no reasonable objections to what I advanced.
Hugh rose to his feet and said: "If father had been alive he would have
kicked you out of the house."
I answered: "Father is now rejoicing because of my having embraced the
gospel of Jesus."
At this rejoinder the anger of my brothers increased; and Hugh used his
old argument of picking up his hat and walking out.
I was induced to make this remark in relation to my father, because on
the previous Sunday I had heard the doctrine of baptism and salvation
for the dead preached by Elder John Lyon. While listening to him I was
so filled with joy and gratitude at the prospect of doing something
towards the salvation of my father, who had died without a knowledge of
the gospel, that the tears chased each other down my face like rain. It
was the first time I had heard the principles by which the grand chain
which shall link the great human family together will be formed.
Seeing that threats and abuse availed nothing, making no impression
upon me, my mother and brothers took another course: they would not
speak to me.
Although I lived in the same house and ate at the same table with them,
they uttered not a word to me, and would not answer me when I spoke to
them.
Even my mother's heart seemed entirely hardened towards me, and it
often cut me keenly when she would meet me on the street and pass
without speaking.
Notwithstanding all this I rejoiced in the gospel exceedingly, feeling
that the cause of God was more dear to me than my nearest relatives.
On the next Sunday I went to the drawer where my best suit was usually
kept, and discovered that it was gone. They had not even left me a
clean shirt. Nothing daunted, however, I buttoned up my shabby, old,
every-day coat, and marched off to meeting, feeling that I could
worship God just as fervently and acceptably in an old suit as in a new
one.
Instead of handing over my wages to my mother as I usually did, I kept
them every week, and announced at home my intention of doing so until
my clothes were returned to me, thinking this would induce them to give
them up.
However, I happened to come home one day at an unusual time, and in
turning over some articles to get something I wanted, I came upon a
ticket which at once explained where my clothes had gone. They had been
pawned.
That this term may be understood, it may be well to say that they were
deposited in a place where money is loaned on goods, and when the
money is returned, with an additional sum as interest, the goods are
delivered back to the owner.
I took this ticket, and with my wages which I had saved, and a little
money which I had borrowed, I went to the pawnbroker's and got my
clothes, and left them, for safe keeping, at the house of a brother in
the Church.
I dressed up on the following Sunday and presented myself at home at
dinner time, when my brothers manifested no small astonishment and a
little shame on seeing that I had discovered their trick.
I had forgotten to say that on several occasions after I had dressed
for meeting, my brothers would attempt to stop me from going, by main
force, and several times in their efforts to keep me in, had torn the
breast out of my shirt, but I invariably succeeded in getting out, and
when my shirt was torn I would button up my coat and go to meeting.
Matters went on in this way for over two years, during which time I
had been frequently told to leave the house and never enter it again.
I paid no attention to this. On being told to go on one occasion,
however, I said the next time I was ordered off I would go.
Not long afterwards my mother told me to leave the house forever, and I
announced my intention of doing so on the Sunday following.
When Saturday came I proceeded to tie up my clothes in a bundle. No
sooner did they see me doing this than they seized my clothing, and
tore up my shirts and several other articles.
On former occasions when I had been thus abused, it was my custom to
resist, but this time this disposition had departed; my heart was full;
I pitied them for their blindness, and I felt like weeping tears of
sorrow.
I made my way out of the house as best I could, with my wardrobe
reduced to a single pair of pants, besides the clothes I wore at the
time. As I was leaving I told them that the course they had taken
towards me would bring them no good. My mind was filled with grief and
I slept none that night.
Six weeks after this my mother burst a blood vessel, from the effect
of which she never recovered, being ill from that time till her death,
which occurred a year afterwards. This broke up the family.
Hugh married, and my three other brothers, John, George and William
went to live with him. Some time afterwards John came to me and told me
they had quarrelled, and he wished me to go and settle matters between
the brothers, which I did, and the result was that John lived apart
from the others.
William, who was the most peaceable and amiable of my brothers, was
taken very ill, and one evening I was impressed to go and see him. I
found all the members of the family gathered around him, as he was not
expected to live through the night.
After everybody had left the room but myself, he said to me, "Robert,
do you believe I shall die to-night?"
I said: "No, I do not."
"I ask you because the others are hypocrites, for when I ask whether
they think I will die, they say, 'No, you will live,' and then I hear
them in the adjoining room arranging how they will dress me when I am
dead."
He fell asleep, and I laid hands upon him and administered to him in
the name of Jesus Christ, and when he awoke he was much better, and he
lived for four months after this.
This is a little of my first experience as a Latter-day Saint. Nearly
every true disciple of Jesus has passed through circumstances that are
instructive, although trying at the time they occur, and sometimes the
relating of such things has a good effect, however simple the narrative
may be.
DISOBEDIENCE TO COUNSEL.
BY ANSON CALL.
DRIVEN FROM MY PROPERTY BY THE MOB--DESIRE TO RETURN AND RECOVER SOME
OF IT--COUNSELED BY THE CHURCH AUTHORITIES NOT TO GO--PERSIST IN
GOING--VISIT A FRIENDLY FAMILY--AMIABLE INTENTION OF MY DEBTORS--MEET
TWO OF THEM--THEY THREATEN MY LIFE--DESPAIR OF GETTING ANYTHING AND TRY
TO START HOME--BEATEN OVER THE HEAD WITH A POLE--BARELY ESCAPE WITH MY
LIFE--ASHAMED TO HAVE MY FRIENDS KNOW IT--THE LESSON I LEARNED.
To some persons it may appear strange that the Elders of the Church
in their addresses to the Saints, should so frequently dwell upon the
necessity of constant obedience to counsel. But although this may seem
strange, still the experience of both the Elders and the Saints goes to
prove that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the
fat of rams."
The Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
contain many instances of the blessings that have attended obedience,
and the serious consequences that have followed disobedience.
I will not, however, refer to any one of these divine books; but
will give my readers an instance of the consequence of disobedience
which occurred to me in my early experience in the Church, in the
commencement of the year 1839.
At that time I was living with the Saints in Far West, though I owned
property, which I had been driven from, at the Three Forks of Grand
River, distant from Far West about thirty miles.
As I wished to learn whether I could dispose of this property or not, I
asked Father Joseph Smith and President Brigham Young for counsel about
visiting Grand River for this purpose. They counselled me not to go;
but to stay at home.
I had been driven from my property by the mob that came against the
Saints, and as the Saints were obliged to leave the State I desired
to go with them to Illinois. But I did not want to be burdensome to
others. If I could sell my property on Grand River I would not be, so I
concluded that there could not be much harm in my going to Grand River,
and I set out.
How I succeeded the following extract from my journal will show.
December 31, 1838, being anxious to obtain means to make a team, that
I might be able to go with the Saints, I this morning mounted the only
horse I had left, and started for the Three Forks of Grand River.
I arrived at my farm on new year's day, and learned that a man by the
name of George Washington O'Niel had it in his possession.
I passed on two miles further to a family by the name of Day, who had
come in from the Eastern States a few weeks before I was driven away.
This family had taken no part with the mob. I found the lady at home,
and received from her a history of my property. She informed me that
O'Niel and Culp, Missouri mobbers, had said that if ever I came to the
place they would kill me; and that one Henderson and others would help
them.
When on my farm I had sold store goods to a number of the citizens,
who were to pay me for them at Christmas. She said she had heard many
of them say that if I came there, they would pay me just as "Mormons"
should be paid.
Just at this time O'Niel and Culp came into the house. They demanded
of me my reasons for being there. I told them that I was attending to
my business. They said I had no business there, and if I got away from
there I would be smart.
I replied that I was white man, that it was time enough to be afraid
when I saw danger, and that I should go when I pleased.
They told me that they would as soon kill me as a dog, and that there
would be no more notice taken of my death than if a dog were killed.
This I very well understood.
They then told me that they supposed I had come to get my property.
I informed them I had; to which they replied that there was no property
for me.
After repeated threatenings I became convinced that it was in vain
to think of obtaining anything, and started for my horse, which was
hitched at the yard fence about five rods from the door.
They followed me. O'Niel picked up the end of a hoop pole which Mr.
Day had left there, he having been hooping a barrel. With this pole he
struck me a blow upon the head, which nearly brought me to the ground.
I looked around for a club with which to defend myself, but there was
none in sight. He continued striking me, and would doubtless have
killed me, had it not been for a very thick woolen cap on my head.
Mrs. Day threw open the door and cried murder. I ran for the house to
get something, if possible, to defend myself with; but before I reached
the door, he struck me repeatedly, and gave me one blow over the eye,
the scar of which I carry to this day.
As soon as I got into the house I clutched the fire shovel. At that
moment Mrs. Day closed the door, so that I could not get out nor O'Niel
in. He and Culp then passed the window, on which Mrs. Day supposed they
had started for their guns, so I mounted my horse and rode for Far West
as fast as I could.
My head and face soon commenced swelling. On my way home I washed
myself, and resolved not to inform any one what had happened, as Father
Smith and President Young had both told me not to go.
I reached home about eleven o'clock at night, and went to bed without
making a light. In the morning I arose, and just as soon as I got out
of bed, I fell upon the floor. My wife was alarmed and screamed. I told
her what had happened; but told her to keep the matter from my family.
Father Smith, however, soon heard of the occurrence, and came to see
me. He hoped, he said, that the lesson would do me good, and that he
was glad that I was not quite killed.
Had I obeyed the words "do not go, but stay at home," I should not have
fallen into this trouble. May you who read this be wise, and in this
particular, profit by my experience.
LORENZO DOW YOUNG'S NARRATIVE.
CHAPTER I.
MY MOTHER'S PROMISE--CHASED BY WOLVES--A REMARKABLE DREAM--THROWN FROM
A HORSE--PROVIDENTIALLY SAVED--RELIGIOUS REVIVAL--PREACHERS TRY IN
VAIN TO CONVERT ME--RIDICULED FOR NOT PLAYING AT CARDS--READ INFIDEL
WORKS--THEIR EFFECT--A VISION.
I was born October 19th, 1807, in the town of Smyrna, Chenango County,
New York.
My mother was afflicted many years with consumption. I remember her
as a fervent, praying woman. She used, frequently, to call me to her
bedside and counsel me to be a good man, that the Lord might bless my
future life. On one occasion, she told me that if I would not neglect
to pray to my Heavenly Father, He would send a guardian angel to
protect me in the dangers to which I might be exposed.
She had so trained me to trust in God, that, even in my early youth, I
seemed capable of grasping, in my faith, the prophetic promise she had
made. It sank deep into my heart, and ever since has been an anchor of
hope in the difficulties and dangers to which I have been exposed.
This pious, faithful, friend and mother, drooped and died on the 11th
of June, 1814.
Soon after her death, my father broke up housekeeping, and I was sent
about sixty miles to live with my brother-in-law, John P. Green, near
Cayuga Bridge.
It was a marshy, malarious country, and I was taken very sick with
fever and ague, with which I suffered severely. In the fall of 1815,
we removed to Tyrone, Schuyler County. In the meantime, my father had
taken up some land on which to make a home, about six miles from where
Mr. Green lived. This country, at that time, was new, and there was
nothing but a dense forest between Mr. Green's house and my father's.
The wolves were very numerous in this forest. At one time, several of
them chased me to Mr. Green's house, and I seemed to barely escape with
my life.
During the winter of 1815-16, in company with my brothers, Joseph,
Phinehas and Brigham, I worked for my father and assisted him to clear
off some land.
In the autumn of 1816, when about nine years old, I had a peculiar
dream. I thought I stood in an open, clear space of ground, and saw a
plain, fine road, leading, at an angle of 45 degrees, into the air, as
far as I could see. I heard a noise like a carriage in rapid motion, at
what seemed the upper end of the road. In a moment it came in sight.
It was drawn by a pair of beautiful, white horses. The carriage and
harness appeared brilliant with gold. The horses traveled with the
speed of the wind. It was made manifest to me that the Savior was in
the carriage, and that it was driven by His servant. The carriage
stopped near me, and the Savior inquired where my brother Brigham was.
After informing Him, He further inquired about my other brothers, and
our father. After I had answered His inquiries, He stated that He
wanted us all, but He especially wanted my brother Brigham. The team
then turned right about, and returned on the road it had come.
I awoke at once, and slept no more that night. I felt frightened,
and supposed we were all going to die. I saw no other solution to
the dream. It was a shadowing of our future which I was then in no
condition to discern.
In the morning I told my father the dream, and my fears that we were
going to die. He comforted me with the assurance that he did not think
my interpretation was correct.
In the winter of 1817-18, I went to live with my brother-in-law, James
Little, in the town of Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York. I remained
there about five years, learning the business of a gardener and fruit
raiser.
In the summer of my twelfth year, I was placed upon a race horse by
Mr. Little, and sent on an errand. The animal was too spirited for a
boy of my age to safely ride. It became frightened and unmanageable.
It turned so rapidly around that I was thrown out of the saddle. As I
fell my bare foot slipped through the iron stirrup, where I hung with
my head just touching the ground. With my left hand, I still grasped
the bridle rein, on that side, firmly. The horse endeavored to kick me,
but, fortunately, did not succeed on account of my being too close to
him. My hold on the bridle rein prevented the animal from running away
and caused him to whirl around almost in a circle.
In danger we often think with great rapidity. I comprehended my
situation in a moment, and, at first, could see no way of escape from
having my brains dashed out. But, as I hung, I was suddenly impressed
to get hold of the stirrup with my right hand, and make an effort to
raise myself up, so as to get my foot loose from it. By a great effort
I succeeded in drawing myself up, and slipping the stirrup over my
foot. I then let go all hold and fell to the ground.
The horse went at full speed for home and his stable. I got up and was
not much hurt.
The promise my mother made me flashed into my mind, and I felt thankful
to the Lord that I had been preserved from serious harm by a kind
providence.
In the winter of 1819-20, I left Aurelius and went about twenty miles
to Hector, Schuyler County. A Methodist revival occurred in that town,
and religious excitement ran so high that it became fashionable to make
a profession of religion.
So far as I knew, every young person in the neighborhood but myself
professed to receive "a saving change of heart" before the close of the
revival.
As was usual during such periods of religious excitement, meetings were
held nightly. In these meetings it was the custom to request those who
were "seeking religion," to come forward to some seat reserved for the
purpose, to be prayed for.
I was somewhat affected by the intense religious feeling. One evening,
I attended a meeting presided over by Elder Gilmore, the leading
minister. Two or three other preachers were also present. The usual
invitation was given for penitents to come forward to the "anxious
seat."
Some time was spent in prayer, when all who had come forward, except
myself, professed to have a "change of heart." The meeting was closed,
and Elder Gilmore proposed that those who were willing to do so, should
retire to a private house with me, and continue in prayer till I was
converted.
As proposed, we retired to a neighboring house, where the praying
continued until two o'clock in the morning.
Elder Gilmore then asked me if I had not received a "change of heart."
I replied that I had not realized any "change."
After so much fruitless labor, they were evidently disposed to give me
up as a reprobate. Elder Gilmore told me that I had sinned away the day
of grace, and my damnation was sure. He asserted that he would never
offer another prayer for me.
Although religious in my nature, even at that early age, sectarian
religion seemed empty and void.
The following morning, I left the scene of this religious excitement
in Hector and returned to Cayuga County, about three miles from
Auburn. There I went to work for Mr. Monroe, to learn the trade of a
blacksmith. He carried on considerable business, and employed a number
of young men and apprentices.
One evening, Mr. Monroe and the workmen gathered around the center
table, in the sitting room, to while away the evening in a game of
cards. Mr. Monroe invited me to participate.
My father had counseled me never to play a game of cards. "Not," said
he, "that there is any particular harm in playing a game of cards, but
card-playing has a tendency to lead those who follow it into other
vices."
I determined, at the time, to keep his counsel should it cost me my
situation. Mr. Monroe did not appear disposed to receive any apology
for not accepting his invitation. I arose, took a Bible that was near
me, and read during the evening while the remainder of the company
played cards.
The most of Mr. Monroe's workmen were inclined to infidelity, and the
course I took that evening, afterwards brought upon me much annoyance
and ridicule.
Although infidel in principle, Mr. Monroe was kind to those around him,
and manifested that kindness to me as well as others. He placed in
my hands several infidel books. Among them, I recollect the writings
of Voltaire and Thomas Payne. My experience at this time, taught me
that skeptical works cannot be read without leaving their impression
on the mind. A continuation of reading them must, eventually, lead to
confirmed infidelity.
The teachings of my pious parents had given me considerable faith in
God, and I enjoyed some of His Spirit. It has since been evident to me,
that the reading of those infidel books stirred up an antagonism in me
between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of skepticism. The struggle
between them, in my bosom, continued about a year, and was a source of
great affliction to me. The Lord, through His Spirit, was trying to
save me from error and darkness.
I would advise all my young friends, and especially those who have had
the testimony of the Spirit of truth, to never, by any act of theirs,
invite the spirit of infidelity into their hearts, lest they fall away
into darkness, and go down to death.
I remained with Mr. Monroe nearly two years. I injured myself lifting a
log, and it was evident that I could not again work at the blacksmith
business for some time. For this reason I left Mr. Monroe, and went to
visit Mr. J. P. Green, who lived in Watertown, about one hundred miles
from Auburn, in Jefferson County.
For sometime my health continued poor. One day I lay on a bed to rest
where I could see the family in their ordinary occupations. All at
once I heard the most beautiful music. I soon discovered from whence
it came. Standing side by side, on the foot board of the beadstead on
which I lay, were two beautiful, seraph-like beings, about the size
of children seven or eight years old. They were dressed in white, and
appeared surpassingly pure and heavenly. I felt certain that I was
fully awake, and these juvenile personages were realistic to me. With
their disappearance the music ceased. I turned and asked two of my
sisters, who were in the room, if they had not heard the music. I was
much surprised to learn that they had heard nothing.