PRESIDENCY OF LORENZO SNOW.
September 13, 1898, the quorum of Twelve Apostles met at Salt Lake City and
chose Lorenzo Snow President of the Church. President Snow chose George Q.
Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as his counselors.
President Snow was born in Ohio, April 3, 1814. While yet a young man, he
went to Kirtland, where he became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph.
Joining the Church, he was soon in the field as a missionary, traveling
through the States preaching the gospel. From Nauvoo, he went on a mission
to England, returning in 1843 with a large company of Saints. He was
ordained a member of the Twelve Apostles, February 12, 1849, at Salt Lake
City. Shortly afterwards he was called on a mission to Italy. His labors,
however, were not confined to that country, as he organized many branches
of the Church in other European lands.
[Illustration: PRESIDENT LORENZO SNOW.]
In 1853, President Snow removed to Brigham City, where for many years he
united the people in a system of co-operation, which rapidly built up the
country. At the completion of the Salt Lake temple he was called to preside
in that sacred building.
Though so far advanced in years when called to stand at the head of the
Church, President Snow was quite strong in body and in mind. During the
summer of 1899, with a party of Apostles and, other leading men, he visited
many of the stakes of Zion in their conference gatherings. President Snow
said he had a special message to deliver to the Saints which was that they
should in the future more fully observe the law of tithing. This law had
been neglected in the past, but now, the Prophet said, the Lord expected
the Saints to observe this commandment. It is pleasing to state that most
of the Saints heeded the timely instruction and warning, and there was
great improvement in keeping this law of the Lord.
When President Snow took charge of the affairs of the Church, it was
largely in debt, owing to the troubles incident to the confiscation of its
property by the government some time before. Now, because of the
improvement in the payment of tithes and offerings, the First Presidency
were able to pay some of the debts of the Church, and make arrangements for
the payment of others as they became due.
President Snow put new life into many departments of the Church. The School
system which the Church had established received much attention. The
Latter-day Saints' University at Salt Lake City was established, and one of
its buildings was erected. Many other Church buildings were planned and
begun.
At an election held in the fall of 1898, Brigham H. Roberts was elected to
represent Utah in Congress. At this election the people, as they had done
many times before, voted as either Democrats or Republicans, and both
"Mormons" and non-"Mormons" were elected to office. Now, however, some
anti-"Mormon" newspapers, assisted by many of the Utah sectarian preachers,
made a great stir. The enemies of the Saints continued to send a flood of
falsehood all over the country. Much excitement was worked up and a
determined effort was made to keep Utah's representative out of Congress.
Representative Roberts fought bravely for his own and his people's rights,
but once more hatred against "Mormonism" overcame better judgment, and he
was refused admission to the seat to which he was fairly elected, on the
ground that he had obeyed the law of plural marriage.
August 19, 1899, the Utah volunteers returned from the Philippines where
they had proved themselves valiant soldiers in the service of their
country. A grand celebration was held in Salt Lake City in their honor.
On April 12, 1901, President George Q. Cannon died at Monterey, California,
where he had gone for his health. This great and good man had done much for
the Church, and he was greatly beloved by the Saints.
Elder Heber J. Grant, with Horace S. Ensign, Louis A. Kelsch, and Alma O.
Taylor, left Salt Lake City July 24, 1901, for a mission to Japan. They
landed in that country August 12, and at once set to work learning the
language. September 1, of that year, Elder Grant dedicated the land for the
preaching of the Gospel. Since that time a good beginning has been made in
the distribution of the printed word, and the Book of Mormon has been
translated into Japanese and printed.
President Snow died after a brief illness at his home in Salt Lake City,
October 10, 1901. He was not president of the Church long, but during the
three years of his presidency, the Lord blessed him and gave him power to
do much good.
Four days before he died, President Snow addressed the Saints assembled in
conference in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City. The burden of this, his
last message was, "God bless you." He urged the presidents of stakes and
the high counselors to take upon themselves more of the responsibility of
looking after the affairs of the Church, so that the Twelve could devote
their time to their special work of preaching the gospel.
Topics.--1. Lorenzo Snow as President. 2. Election of B.H. Roberts to
Congress. 3. The Mission to Japan.
Questions and Review.--1. Who constituted the fifth Presidency of the
Church? 2. Tell what you can about Lorenzo Snow. 3. What is the law of
tithing? 4. What message did President Snow deliver regarding the law of
tithing? 5. Why was the Church in debt? 6. Who opened the Japanese mission?