OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT KIMBALL--TRIBUTES AND TESTIMONIES OF HIS
BROTHER APOSTLES--"HE WAS A MAN OF AS MUCH INTEGRITY AS ANY MAN WHO
EVER LIVED"--EARTH RETURNS TO EARTH AND THE SPIRIT UNTO GOD WHO GAVE
IT.
The day set for the funeral of President Kimball was Wednesday, the
24th of June. The place, the large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City. His own
desire, expressed many times before his death, was that it should be
held at his private residence, and with as little display as possible;
but out of deference to public sentiment, and to accommodate the great
multitude of his friends who desired to be present, it was found
necessary to hold the services in the Tabernacle.
Throughout the city on that day, all ordinary business was suspended,
and draped flags, at half mast, swung to the breeze from the tops of
public and private buildings. It was a general time of mourning. The
very heavens seemed weeping in unison with the earth. The skies were
hung with black clouds, the solemn thunders roared, the wind sighed
and moaned, and the rain fell heavily.
Long before the hour for the commencement of the services, thousands
were on their way to the Tabernacle to pay the last tribute of respect
to the memory of the mighty dead; one whom all Israel revered and
mourned as a father and a friend. Notwithstanding the pouring rain,
fully eight thousand people assembled within the vast auditorium. Many
of the settlements and counties throughout the Territory were
represented by their leading men.
While the masses congregated at the Tabernacle, Presidents Brigham
Young and Daniel H. Wells, with the Apostles and many others,
representing general and local authorities in the Priesthood, repaired
to the late residence of President Kimball, where the funeral
procession formed under the personal supervision of President Young.
The procession moved from the residence at 2 o'clock p. m., in the
following order:
1st. Croxall's brass band, consisting of Messrs. M. Croxall, C. Evans,
R. Golightly, T. McIntyre, W. D. Williams, J. Croxall, T. Croxall, T.
Griggs, J. Cartwright, J. Currie, W. Foster, C. Sansom, B. Eardley, H.
Sadler, J. Wakeham, W. Adkins, G. Wareing, D. Evans, H. Sperry and W.
Lloyd.
2nd. Of the High Council, Elders W. Eddington, J. L. Blythe, C. V.
Spencer, W. H. Folsom, T. E. Jeremy, J. Squires, P. Nebeker and G. W.
Thatcher.
3rd. Of the Presidency of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, Elders D.
Spencer and G. B. Wallace.
4th. Of the Presidency of the Seventies, Elders Joseph Young, L. W.
Hancock, A. P. Rockwood, H. S. Eldredge and J. Van Cott.
5th. The Presidency of the High Priests, Elders John Young, S. W.
Richards and E. D. Woolley.
6th. Presiding Bishop E. Hunter and his Counselors, L. W. Hardy and J.
C. Little.
7th. Of the Twelve Apostles, Elders Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford
Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Lorenzo Snow, Geo. Q. Cannon
and Joseph F. Smith.
8th. President Brigham Young and Counselor Daniel H. Wells.
9th. The corpse, in a neat coffin wrapped in black broadcloth and
deeply fringed with white cashmere and black lace, borne by twelve
pall-bearers, namely, Elders R. T. Burton, T. McKean, G. W. Grant, L.
S. Hills, B. Y. Hampton, W. Calder, H. Heath, A. Dewey, H. S. Beatie,
H. P. Richards, H. Dinwoodey, and John T. Caine.
Immediately following the remains walked the three eldest sons of
President Kimball, namely, William H., Heber P., and David P.,
succeeded by his wives, the elder sons and daughters, the younger sons
and daughters, and many other relatives in the rear. The families of
Presidents Young and Wells in carriages, and a number of the most
prominent citizens on foot, terminated the procession.
To the solemn strains of the "Dead March in Saul," from Captain
Croxall's band, the cortege, passing down East, North and West Temple
Streets, successively, to the west gate of Temple Block, entered the
Tabernacle at door No. 32, north side, and occupied reserved seats in
front of the stand. The casket with the remains was deposited on a
draped bier raised from the middle aisle. Seven elegant vases of roses
and other beautiful flowers were placed upon the coffin. During the
services a bird flew into the building and, alighting on the coffin,
remained for several minutes.
In consonance with the solemnity of the scene, the interior of the
Tabernacle was draped in mourning.
The assemblage was called to order by President Brigham Young.
The choir then sang the following hymn, composed for the occasion by
Sister Eliza R. Snow:
Be cheer'd, O Zion--cease to weep:
Heber we deeply loved:
He is not dead--he does not sleep--
He lives with those above.
His flesh was weary; let it rest
Entombed in mother Earth,
Till Jesus comes--when all the bless'd,
To life will be brought forth.
His mighty spirit, pure and free
From every bond of Earth,
In realms of immortality,
Is crowned with spotless worth.
He lives for Zion:--he has gone
To plead her righteous cause,
Before the High and Holy One--
Let all the Saints rejoice.
Let wives and children humbly kiss
The deep-afflicting rod:
A father to the fatherless,
God is the widow's God.
Elder George Q. Cannon offered the opening prayer.
The choir sang "Farewell all earthly honors," with the chorus "There
is sweet rest in heaven," and remarks were then made as follows, by
the speakers named:
ELDER JOHN TAYLOR.
"Were I to give way to my feelings at the present time I should
not be able to address this congregation. I feel as, I suppose,
most of you feel--sympathy with the family of the deceased who now
lies before us. When I speak of this as being my feeling, I am
aware that I express the feeling of the generality of this people.
In this bereavement that has afflicted us, we all participate. A
wave of sorrow has rolled throughout the Territory, and feelings
of sympathy and sorrow gush up from the fountains of every heart.
We have met at this time to pay the last tribute of respect to no
ordinary personage, but to a good man who was called and chosen,
and faithful; who has spent a lifetime in the cause of God, in the
establishment of the principles of truth and in trying to upbuild
the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth; who has endeared
himself by his acts of kindness, affection, integrity,
truthfulness and probity to the hearts of thousands of Latter-day
Saints, who feel to mourn at this time with no ordinary sorrow.
"That he is esteemed and venerated by this people as a friend, a
counselor and a father, this immense congregation, who have met on
this inauspicious occasion, is abundant testimony and proof, if
any is wanting. But his life, his acts, his services, his
self-abnegation, his devotion to the cause of truth, his
perseverance in the ways of righteousness for so many years have
left a testimony in the minds, feelings and hearts of all who feel
to mourn his departure from our midst. But we meet not at the
present time particularly to eulogize the acts of Brother Kimball,
who is one of the First Presidency, and who stands, or who has
stood as one of the three prominent men that live on the face of
the earth at the present time.
"We do not mourn over him as over an individual in a private
capacity; neither, when we reflect on the circumstances with which
we are surrounded, and the gospel we believe in, do we mourn that
he lies there as he is. For although to us he is absent and
lifeless and inanimate, yet his spirit soars above clothed upon
with immortality and eternal life. And as he has been in
possession of the principles of eternal truth, by and bye, when
the time shall roll around, that gospel and the principles of
truth that he has so valiantly proclaimed for so many years, will
resurrect that inanimate clay, and He who, on the earth proclaimed
"I am the resurrection and the life," will cause him again to be
resuscitated, reanimated, revivified and glorified, and he will
rejoice among the Saints of God worlds without end.
"It is not then an ordinary occasion upon which we have met at the
present time. It is not to talk particularly about our individual
feelings and bereavement, although they are keen, poignant and
afflictive; but we meet at the present time to perform a ceremony
and to pay our last respects to the departed great one who lies
before us. We do not mourn as those who have no hope; we do not
sympathise with any foolish sympathy. We believe in those
principles, that he, for so many years, has so strenuously
advocated, and believing in them, we know that he has simply
passed from one state of existence to another. It is customary
for men to say "how have the great fallen!" But he has not fallen.
It is true that he has gone to sleep for a little while. He
sleeps in peace. He is resting from his labors and is no more
beset with those afflictions with which human nature always has to
contend: he has passed from this stage of action, he has got
through with the toils, perplexities, cares and anxieties in
regard to himself, his family, and in regard to the Church with
which he was associated; and in regard to all sublunary things,
and while mortals mourn "a man is dead," the angels proclaim "a
child is born."
"We believe in another state of existence besides this; and it is
not only a belief, but it is a fixed fact, and hence for a man of
God to bid adieu to the things of this world is a matter of
comparatively very small importance. When a man has fought the
good fight; when he has finished his course; when he has been
faithful, lived his religion and died as a man of God, what is
there to mourn for? Why should we indeed be sorrowful? There is a
church here on earth; there is a church also in the heavens. He
has migrated from one, and has passed into the other.
"We have had leave us before, Joseph, Hyrum, David Patten,
Willard, Jedediah, and a mighty host of good, virtuous, pure, holy
and honorable men. Some have died, as it were, naturally; others
have been violently put to death. But no matter, they are each of
them moving in his own sphere. Brother Kimball has left us for a
short time that he may unite with them. And whilst we are engaged
carrying on the work of God, and advancing and maintaining those
principles which he so diligently propagated and maintained while
he was on the earth, he is gone to officiate in the heavens with
Jesus, with Joseph and others for us. We are seeking to carry out
his will, the will of our President and the will of our Heavenly
Father, that we may be found fit to associate with the just who
are made perfect, and be prepared to join with the Church
triumphant in the heavens. It is this that our religion points us
to all the time.
"We embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he who now lies
before us was one of the first to proclaim it to thousands that
are here. And what did that teach us? To repent of our sins, and,
having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to be baptized for the
remission of our sins, to have hands laid upon us for the
reception of the Holy Ghost and to gather together to Zion that we
might be instructed in the ways of life; that we might know how to
save ourselves--how to save the living and how to redeem the dead;
that we might not only possess a hope that blooms with immortality
and eternal life; but that we might have a certainty, an evidence,
a confidence that was beyond doubt or peradventure, that we were
preparing ourselves for a celestial inheritance in the kingdom of
our God. And when a man goes to sleep as Brother Kimball has done,
no matter how, he lays aside the cares of this world; the weary
wheels of life stand still, the pulse ceases to beat, the body
becomes cold, lifeless and inanimate; yet at the same time the
spirit still exists, has gone to join those who have lived before;
who now live and will live for evermore. He has trod the path that
we have all to follow, for it is appointed to man once to die, and
after that, we are told, the judgment. We have all to pass through
the dark valley of the shadow of death, and as I said before, it
matters little which way this occurs; but it does matter a great
deal to us whether we are prepared to meet it or not; whether we
have lived the life of the righteous; whether we have honored our
profession; whether we have been faithful to our trust; whether we
are prepared to associate with the spirits of the just made
perfect, and whether when He who has said "I am the resurrection
and the life" shall sound the trump we shall be prepared to come
forth in the morning of the first resurrection.
"Joseph Smith stands at the head of this dispensation. His brother
Hyrum Smith was associated with him. They were both assassinated.
No matter; they are gone. Brother Heber is now gone, and whilst we
mourn the loss they rejoice at meeting one with whom they were
associated before; for he was the friend of Joseph and Hyrum
Smith, and he was the friend of God, and God is his friend, and
they are his friends. And as they associated together in time so
they will in eternity. It behooves us then not to think so much
about dying, but about our living, and to live in such a way that
when we shall fall asleep, no matter when, or how it may
transpire, that our hearts may be pure before God. When I look
upon a man like Brother Kimball, I feel like saying let my last
end be like his. Let my life be as spotless, as holy and as pure,
that I may stand accepted before God and the holy angels. Our
ambition ought to be to live our religion, to keep the
commandments of God, to obey the counsel that those lips now
silent and cold have so often given to us; to honor our calling
and profession, that we may be prepared to inherit eternal lives
in the celestial kingdom of our God. May God help us to do so, in
the name of Jesus, Amen."
ELDER GEORGE A. SMITH.
"The occasion which has called us together is truly one of
mourning; but our mourning is not as the mourning of those who
have no hope. Our father, our brother, our President, has fallen
asleep. He has fallen asleep according to the promise that those
who die unto the Lord should not die, but should fall asleep.
Still, the circumstances with which, we are surrounded cause us to
feel keenly, deeply this bereavement of his company, of his
counsel, of his support, of his society, and the benefit of that
wisdom which ever flowed from his lips. Short is the journey from
the cradle to the grave, and all of us are marching rapidly in
that direction; and the present occasion is certainly calculated
to inspire in our minds a desire that in all our lives and actions
we may be prepared for that coming event, that we may be prepared
to rest in peace, and in the morning of the first resurrection to
inherit eternal life and celestial exaltation. The association
which we have had with President Kimball has been of long
standing. He entered the church early after its organization. In
1832, with President Brigham Young, he visited Kirtland, and made
himself personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph, whose bosom
friend he was from the time of their first acquaintance until the
day of his death. President Kimball was a man that seemed
embarrassed when called upon to speak in public in the early part
of his ministry. My first acquaintance with him was in 1833, when
in company with President Young he moved his family to Kirtland.
The Saints were then building the Kirtland Temple. He had but
little means, but he subscribed two hundred dollars and paid over
the money. Efforts were being made to build another house, for
school and other purposes, and he subscribed one hundred dollars
for that also, to buy the nails and glass. That was the first
public meeting at which I ever saw Heber C. Kimball. When he was
chosen one of the Twelve Apostles, and they were called into the
stand to bear their first testimony as Apostles to the Saints,
there was an embarrassment and a timidity about his appearance
that was truly humble. And when he went abroad to preach, many
felt almost afraid to have Brother Kimball preach because he had
not as great a flow of language as some others. But it turned
out, I am sorry to say, that some of those who were the most
eloquent seemed to be those who fell off by the wayside. It was a
dark hour around the Prophet in Kirtland, many having apostatized,
and some of them prominent Elders, when Brother Kimball and some
others were called upon to take a mission to England. He went
abroad when some of the first Elders were covered with darkness,
and apostasy ran rampant through the Church. He started almost
penniless, made the trip across the ocean, introduced the gospel
to England, and laid the foundation for the great work that has
since been accomplished there, accompanied by Orson Hyde, Willard
Richards and Joseph Fielding. Brothers Kimball and Hyde remained
in England about one year, and in that time 1,500 were baptized
there. It was strange, the power and influence which he had over
persons whom he had never before seen. On one occasion he went out
five days to some town which he had never visited before, and
among people whom he had never seen and who had never seen him,
yet in those five days he baptized eighty-three persons. It seemed
that there were a power and influence with him beyond that which
almost any other Elder possessed. He returned home just in time
to find the Saints in their troubles in Missouri. He had hardly
got home until the clouds of mobocracy intensified by apostasy
again gathered around the Prophet. In a short time after, Joseph
was in prison and his counselors were in prison and all were
closely guarded.
"During this time President Kimball visited the prison, the Judges
and the governor, and exerted himself to relieve the prisoners;
and he had a peculiar influence with him, so that he could pass
among our enemies unharmed, when others were in danger.
"When the Saints were driven from Missouri, as soon as their feet
were planted in Nauvoo, he built with his own hands a log cabin
for his family, and started again to renew his mission to Great
Britain, with President Young and others of his quorum. It is not
my intention to trace his history, but I have culled out these few
circumstances to show you his integrity, his faithfulness, and his
untiring labors to benefit mankind.
"We are called now to mourn; but we do not mourn as those who have
no hope. Brother Kimball was a man who was the son of nature. The
literature he loved was the word of God. He was not a man to read
novels. He studied the revelations of Jesus. His heart was filled
with benevolence. His soul was filled with love; and he was always
ready to give counsel to the weakest child that came in his way.
Thousands and thousands will remember him with pleasure.
"As we follow him to his last resting place, we must recollect
that those men who stood side by side with Joseph Smith the
Prophet, who bore with him his burdens, and shared his troubles;
who stood shoulder to shoulder with President Young while he faced
the storm of apostasy, mob power and organized priestcraft, are
rapidly passing away. Brother Kimball was foremost among them.
Joseph loved him, and truly it may be said that Brother Kimball
was a Herald of Grace. May we all so live that with our brother we
may inherit the blessings of celestial grace, is my prayer in the
name of Jesus, Amen."
ELDER GEORGE Q. CANNON.
"The scene in which we are participating this day reminds us more
strongly than any language can do, how frail is mortal existence,
and how slight a tenure we all have upon this life. Two weeks ago,
to-day, he, whose lifeless remains we now surround, was moving
among us in this Tabernacle; if not in the enjoyment of perfect
health, yet in the enjoyment of such a degree of health as not to
inspire us with any apprehensions as to his life. If we had been
asked, How long is Brother Heber likely to live? the probable
answer would have been, he is as likely to live ten or twenty
years as any other period. But since then, two weeks, two brief,
short weeks, have gone, and we have assembled ourselves together
to pay our last respects to his memory. It seemed to me when I
entered the building, and sat down and looked upon the
congregation, that the greatest eloquence I could indulge in would
be silence. Yet it is due to him that our voices should be heard
in instruction to those who remain, and in testimony of his great
worth; and if possible to spread before them, the great and
glorious example which he has set for us, and which if we will but
emulate and follow, will result in the attainment of the most
glorious blessings of which mortal heart can conceive.
"I have known Brother Heber from my childhood. To me he has been a
father. I never was with him but what he had good counsel to give
me. And when I speak this I speak what every one who was
acquainted with him might say. He was full of counsel, full of
instruction, and he was always pointed in conveying his counsel in
plainness to those to whom he imparted it.
"Have we any cause, in reality, to mourn to-day? Have we any cause
for grief and sorrow? When I stood by his bedside and saw his
spirit take its departure there was no death there; there was no
gloom. I had seen but two persons die before, and they died by
violence; but when I watched Brother Heber I asked myself, Is this
death? Is this that which men represent as a monster, and from
which they shrink with affright? It seemed to me that Brother
Heber was not dead, but that he had merely gone to sleep. He
passed away as quietly and as gently as an infant falling asleep
on its mother's lap; not a movement of a limb; not a contortion of
his countenance; and scarcely a sigh. The words of Jesus, through
Joseph, were forcibly brought to my mind,--"they that die in me,
their death shall be sweet unto them." It was sweet with him.
There was nothing repulsive, nothing dreadful or terrible in it,
but on the contrary it was calm, peaceful and sweet. There were
heavenly influences there, as though angels were there, and no
doubt they were, prepared to escort him hence to the society of
those whom he loved and who loved him dearly. I thought of the
joy there would be in the spirit land, when Joseph, and Hyrum, and
David, and Willard, and Jedediah, and Parley would welcome him to
their midst, and the thousands of others who have gone before, and
like them have been faithful. What a welcome to their midst will
Brother Heber receive! to labor and toil with them in the spirit
world in the great work in which we are engaged.
"It is now twenty-four years lacking three days, since Joseph and
Hyrum were taken away from us. Twenty-four years so fruitful in
labor, so abundant in toil, so rich in experience! During that
period Brother Heber has never wavered, never trembled. It may be
said of him with as much truthfulness to-day, as was said by
Brother Brigham on one occasion in Nauvoo, 'his knees never
trembled, his hands never shook.' He has been faithful to God; he
has been true to his brethren; he has kept his covenants; he has
died in the triumphs of the faith; and as the Savior has said,
'that which is governed by law is preserved by law and perfected
and sanctified by the same;' so will it be with him. He has gone
to the paradise of God, there to await the time when this
corruption shall put on incorruption, when this mortality shall
put on immortality.
"My brethren and sisters, here is an incentive to us to be
faithful. Contrast the death of this man with the death of the
apostate--the traitor. Contrast the future--as it is revealed to
us in the revelations of Jesus Christ--of this man, with the
future of the renegade from the truth, and the wicked and those
who love not God and who keep not His commandments. Are there any
incentives presented to us this day to be faithful? They are too
numerous for me to dwell upon or mention. There is every reason
why we should be faithful. It is easier to keep the commandments
of God than it is to break them. It is easier to walk in the path
of righteousness than it is to deviate from it. It is easier and
more pleasant to love God than it is to break His commandments.
"Then let us be true to God. Let us walk each day so that we may
be worthy, when our life is ended, to associate with him whose
spirit inhabited this tabernacle that lies here, and with others
who have gone before, and with those who remain, that we may dwell
together with them eternally in the heavens; which may God grant,
for Christ's sake, Amen."
PRESIDENT D. H. WELLS.
"It is a great calamity to humanity when a great and good man
falls. Earth needs their services. Good men are too scarce. The
loss is not so much to them as it is to us who remain--as it is to
humanity who are still left to wield an influence against the
wickedness which is on the earth, and to sustain holy and
righteous principles which the Lord has revealed from the heavens
for the guidance of man. Herein is the loss which we feel when
such men as Bro. Kimball are taken away, He has made his mark. He
has earned imperishable fame, and he will live in the hearts of
the good, the true and the faithful--in the hearts of the just;
and he will be remembered by the wicked, for he has often invaded
the realms of darkness and sustained holy and righteous principles
with all his might, power and influence, all the days of his life.
It is true, for him we need not mourn, because he has passed to
that home where Satan has no power. He has secured to himself a
crown of eternal glory and righteousness in the celestial kingdom
of our God. Not that he will come immediately unto this
exaltation. The Savior of the world, himself, did not enter into
His glory on the dissolution of His spirit and body; He went first
to minister to the spirits in prison, being clothed with the holy
Priesthood. So with our brother and beloved friend, for he is
still our friend, and, as has been remarked, he was the friend of
God and of all good men. He is not lost. He has only gone to
perform another portion of the mission which he has been engaged
in all his life, to labor in another sphere for the good of
mankind, for the welfare of the souls of men. But he has laid for
himself a foundation that is imperishable, on which a
superstructure of glory and exaltation will grow and increase
throughout all eternity.
"I do not stand here to eulogize our friend and brother to-day,
but to satisfy my own feelings and pay a tribute of respect to his
memory, for I loved him and he loved me, and he loved this people.
He has friends also where he is gone. Who can answer the question
whether they are more numerous than those who have assembled
together to-day and those throughout this Territory? Who can say
that they are not more numerous on yonder shore? Yet it matters
not. Those who are faithful will yet be gathered with him and
others, and come with him to a celestial glory, and with him dwell
where there is no sorrow nor affliction. He rests from his labor,
from the toil which surrounded him on the earth. This is, to-day,
a source of consolation to his family and friends, to those who
were intimately connected with him. They may be assured that he
rests in peace. Let his example be followed; let his teachings be
remembered; let us all live so that we may have a reasonable hope
of meeting with him and being associated with him in a never
ending future.
"May God help us to be faithful unto the end, as he has been; to
fight the good fight and keep the faith, that at last, with him
and those who have gone before, we may be found worthy to walk the
golden streets of that eternal city, whose builder and maker is
God: Amen."
PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.
"I wish the people to be as still as possible and not to whisper.
I do not know that I can speak so that you can hear me; but if I
can I have a few reflections to lay before you. We are called here
on this very important occasion, and we can say truly that the day
of this man's death was far better to him than the day of his
birth. I will relate to you my feelings concerning the departure
of Brother Kimball.
"HE WAS A MAN OF AS MUCH INTEGRITY, I PRESUME, AS ANY MAN WHO EVER
LIVED ON THE EARTH.
"I have been personally acquainted with him forty-three years and
I can testify that he has been a man of truth, a man of
benevolence, a man that was to be trusted. Now he has gone and
left us. I will say to his wives and his children, that I have not
felt one particle of death in his house nor about it, and through
this scene we are now passing I have not felt one particle of the
spirit of death. He has fallen asleep for a certain purpose,--to
be prepared for a glorious resurrection; and the same Heber C.
Kimball, every component particle of his body, from the crown of
his head to the soles of his feet, will be resurrected, and he, in
the flesh, will see God and converse with Him; and see his
brethren and associate with them and they will enjoy a happy
eternity together.
"Brother Kimball has had the privilege of living and dying in his
own house in peace; and has not been followed up by mobs and
massacred. I consider this a great consolation to his family and
friends; and it is a great comfort to me to think that Brother
Heber C. Kimball had the privilege of dying in peace. It is not a
matter of regret; it is nothing that we should mourn for. It is a
great cause of joy and rejoicing and comfort to his friends to
know that a person has passed away in peace from this life, and
has secured to himself a glorious resurrection. The earth and the
fullness of the earth and all that pertains to this earth in an
earthly capacity, is no comparison with the glory, joy and peace
and happiness of the soul that departs in peace. You may think I
have reason to mourn. Brother Heber C. Kimball has been my first
counselor for almost twenty-four years. I am happy to state, it is
a matter of great joy to me; this is the third counselor that has
fallen asleep since I have stood to counsel this people--and they
have died in the faith, full of hope; their lives were filled up
with good works, full of faith, comfort, peace and joy to their
brethren. I have looked over this matter. In the fourteen years
that Brother Joseph presided over the Church, three of the
prominent counselors he had apostatized. This was a matter of
regret. Sidney Rigdon, F. G. Williams and William Law, whom many
of this congregation knew in Nauvoo, apostatized and left Brother
Joseph. I have not been under the necessity of mourning and
lamenting over the apostasy of any one of my counselors, and I
hope I shall never have this to regret. I had rather bury them by
the score than see one of them apostatize.
"A great deal could be said concerning Brother Kimball, whose
remains are here. He is not dead. His earthly tabernacle has
fallen asleep to be prepared for this glorious resurrection that
you and I live for. What can we say to one another? Live as he
has lived; be as faithful as he has been; be as full of good works
as his life has manifested to us. If we do so, our end will be
peace and joy, and we will fall asleep as peacefully. I held my
watch with one hand and fanned him with the other, while he
breathed his last.
"For this family to mourn is perhaps natural; but they have not
really the first cause to do so. How would you feel if you had a
husband or a father that would lead you from the truth? I would to
God that we would all follow him in his example in our
faithfulness, and be as faithful as he was in his life. To his
wives, his children, his friends, his brethren and sisters, to
this family whom God has selected from the human family to be his
sons and daughters, I say let us follow his example. He has gone
to rest. We can say of him all that can be said of any good man.
The Lord selected him and he has been faithful and this has made
him a great man; just as you and I can become if we will live
faithful to our God and our religion. There is no man but what can
do good if he chooses; and if he be disposed to choose the good
and refuse the evil. If any man choose the evil he will dwindle,
especially if he has been called to the holy Priesthood of the Son
of God. Such a man will dwindle and falter, stumble and fall; and
instead of becoming great and good, he will be lost in
forgetfulness.
"We pay our last respects unto Brother Kimball. I can say to the
congregation, we thank you for your attention. We are happy to see
you here. It would be a pleasure to us if it would be prudent, and
we had time, for you to see the corpse; but it would not be
prudent and we have not the time. This, perhaps, will be a matter
of regret to many of you; but you must put up with it. I want to
say to every one who wishes to see Brother Heber again, live so
that you will secure to yourselves a part in the first
resurrection, and I promise you that you will meet him and shake
hands with him. But if you do not live so, I can give you no such
promise.
"Now, my friends, I feel to bless you; and the family, the wives
and the children of Brother Heber C. Kimball. I bless you in the
name of Jesus Christ. Will you receive the blessings which a
father and husband has placed upon your heads? If you live for
them you will enjoy them. I think he has never cursed one of his
family; but his heart was full of blessings for them. He has
blessed his brethren and sisters and neighbors and friends. His
heart was full of blessings; but he was a scourge to the wicked
and they feared him. Now, my friends, I cannot talk to you, my
sore throat will not let me. But I feel to thank you for your
kind attention here to-day, in paying our respects to the remains
of Brother Kimball, and may God bless you. Amen."
At the close of the President's remarks, the choir sang: "O my Father,
Thou that dwellest," and Bishop Edwin D. Woolley pronounced the
benediction.
The procession then returned, proceeding to the spot selected by
President Kimball as the final resting place of his mortal remains.
Here, beside the grave of his beloved Vilate, his body was entombed.
And now occurred a remarkable, though purely natural phenomenon. As
the first clods of earth fell upon the coffin, the setting sun burst
forth from his cloudy covering, shedding a golden halo of glory upon
the scene, while instantaneously in the eastern horizon appeared a
rainbow, the bright and beauteous token of promise, directly spanning
the grave. It was no illusion; and as the last particles of mother
earth were gathered above the still bosom that slept below, the
rainbow dissolved.
----
So passed from earth the immortal part of him whom men named Heber C.
Kimball; one of God's "noble and great ones," recalled with honor from
the toils of time to share with Him the triumphs of eternity. Freed
from his mortal prison-house of sorrow and of pain, his mission in
this life completed, he sought once more the scenes and society of
Home, in the realms of eternal rest.
Past angels, Gods and sentinels, who guard
The gates celestial, challengeless and free,
That sovereign spirit soared unto its own;
By shouting millions welcomed back again,
With all his new-won laurels on his brow--
The meed of valor and of victory--
To exaltations endless as THE LIVES.
APPENDIX.
A GLIMPSE OF THE GREAT BEYOND--THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF DAVID PATTEN
KIMBALL--LOST IN THE DESERT--COMMUNING WITH THE SPIRITS OF THE
DEPARTED--DAVID PREDICTS HIS OWN DEATH AND THE DEATH OF FOUR
OTHERS--THE FULFILLMENT.
The following narrative, under the caption of "A Terrible Ordeal," was
originally published in a little volume called "Helpful Visions," the
fourteenth book of the Faith-Promoting Series, issued from the office
of the _Juvenile Instructor_, in 1887. It was edited then, as now, by
the author of this work. Its relevancy to the present volume will be
apparent as we proceed.
On the 22nd of November, 1883, David Patten Kimball, fourth son of
Heber Chase and Vilate Murray Kimball, departed this life. Nearly two
years before his death, he wrote to his sister Helen, in Salt Lake
City, the letter from which the appended extract is taken. This letter
was dated January 8th, 1882. David was then a resident of Jonesville,
or Lehi, Arizona, three miles from Mesa, where the letter was written.
The experience related was of so remarkable a character as to meet
with dubiety on the part of some, especially those inclined to be
skeptical regarding spiritual manifestations. Some went so far as to
ascribe the sights and scenes through which the narrator claimed to
have passed, to the fevered fancy of a mind disordered by strong
drink. Nor is this surprising, when it is remembered that even the
Apostles of Jesus, on the day of Pentecost, were accused of being
"drunken with new wine," when the power of the Spirit fell upon them
and they "spake with tongues and prophesied." Skepticism is the same
in all ages. What is here presented is the plain and simple testimony
of an honest man, who firmly adhered to it till the day of his death,
which occurred in literal fulfillment of things told him "while in the
spirit."
Here is the excerpt from David's letter. The events described took
place while he was returning home from a trip to Prescott, the capital
of Arizona, in the early part of November, 1881:
"On the 4th of November, I took a very severe cold in a snow storm
at Prescott, being clad in light clothing, which brought on
pneumonia or lung fever. I resorted to Jamaica ginger and pepper
tea to obtain relief and keep up my strength till I could reach
home and receive proper care. On the 13th I camped in a canyon ten
miles west of Prescott, my son Patten being with me. We had a team
of eight horses and two wagons. That night I suffered more than
death. The next night we camped at Mr. McIntyre's, about twenty
miles farther on. I stopped there two nights and one day, during
which time I took nothing to drink but pepper tea. On the 16th we
drove to Black's ranch, twenty-eight miles nearer home, and were
very comfortably located in Mr. Black's house.
"About 11 p. m. I awoke and to my surprise saw some six or eight
men standing around my bed. I had no dread of them but felt that
they were my friends. At the same time I heard a voice which
seemed to come from an eight square (octagon) clock on the
opposite side of the house. It commenced talking and
blackguarding, which drew my attention, when I was told to pay no
attention to it. At this point I heard the most beautiful singing
I ever listened to in all my life. These were the words, repeated
three times by a choir: 'God bless Brother David Kimball.' I at
once distinguished among them the voice of my second wife, Julia
Merrill, who in life was a good singer. This, of course,
astonished me. Just then my father commenced talking to me, the
voice seeming to come from a long distance. He commenced by
telling me of his associations with President Young, the Prophet
Joseph and others in the spirit world, then inquired about his
children, and seemed to regret that his family were so scattered,
and said there would be a great reformation in his family inside
of two years. He also told me where I should live, also yourself
and others, and a great many other things. I conversed freely with
father, and my words were repeated three times by as many
different persons, exactly as I spoke them, until they reached
him, and then his words to me were handed down in a like manner.
"After all this I gave way to doubt, thinking it might be only a
dream, and to convince myself that I was awake, I got up and
walked out-doors into the open air.
"I returned and still the spirit of doubt was upon me. To test it
further I asked my wife Julia to sing me a verse of one of her old
songs. At that, the choir, which had continued singing, stopped
and she sang the song through, every word being distinct and
beautiful. The name of the song was, 'Does He Ever Think of Me.'
"My eyes were now turned toward the south, and there, as in a
large parquette, I beheld hundreds, even thousands, of friends and
relatives. I was then given the privilege of asking questions and
did so. This lasted for some time, after which the singing
commenced again, directly above me. I now wrapped myself in a pair
of blankets and went out-doors, determined to see the singers, but
could see nothing, though I could hear the voices just the same. I
returned to my couch and the singing, which was all communicative
and instructive, continued until the day dawned. All this time the
clock I have mentioned continued its cursing and blackguarding.
"Mr. and Mrs. Black were up in due time and got breakfast. I arose
and made my toilet, plain as it was, and took breakfast with my
host and hostess. When my boy got ready to start, I went to pay my
bill, and to my surprise heard a voice say or communicate: 'David
Kimball has paid his bill.' When I got into the wagon, my guards,
or those who were around my bed during the night, were still with
me. My father had told me that he and President Young and others
would visit me the next night.
"We drove on until about 11 a. m., when a host of evil spirits
made their appearance. They were determined to destroy me, but I
had power of mind to pay no attention to them, and let them curse
all day without heeding them any more than possible. Five times
they made a rush _en masse_ to come into the wagon, the last one,
where I was, but were kept off by my friends (spiritual). About 2
p. m. I told my boy to stop and we would water our horses. We
used for this purpose barrels that we had along with us. After
this I walked to the west side of my wagons, and looking to the
east, I saw and heard the evil spirits floating in the air and
chanting curses upon Brigham Young. I saw two other groups of the
same kind, but did not hear them. Then I looked to the south, and
the whole atmosphere was crowded with fallen spirits, or those who
had not obtained bodies. Others who tried to torment me were
spirits who had lived upon the earth. Having seen so many and
being complimented by my guard for seeing so well, I became a
little timid and asked my spiritual friends if they had any help.
The answer was, 'Yes, plenty.' I now told my boy to drive on--he
was entirely oblivious of all that was taking place with me--and
soon after I was so exhausted that I fell into a troubled sleep
and must have slept quite a little while.
"After I awoke I seemed to be left alone, and was lying on my
back, when, all at once, I saw an old man and two young girls.
This vision coming on me so suddenly, I was startled, and finding
my guard gone, I jumped out of the wagon and got up on the spring
seat beside my boy. But I could not get away from them. I was
told in a coarse, gruff voice that the devil was going to kill me,
and that he would follow me night and day until he destroyed me. I
remembered the promise father had made me the night before--that
he intended to visit me the next evening--and I nerved up and
tried to pay no attention to my persecutors, but I must confess I
was frightened.
"We arrived at Wickenburg just at sundown. The old man and the
girls were tormenting and tantalizing me all the way, but never
coming very near to me. We got supper and I took a room at
Peeple's hotel and retired about 10 p. m. When everything was
quiet my spirit friends, eight in number, returned and my
tormentors were required to leave. Soon after, a glorious vision
burst upon me. There were thousands of the Saints presented to
me, many who had died at Nauvoo, in Winter Quarters, on the plains
and in Utah.
"I saw Brother Pugmire and many others whom I did not know were
dead. When my mother came to me it was so real and I was so
overjoyed that I exclaimed aloud. So powerful was this vision that
I asked President Young, who seemed to be directing matters, three
times to relieve me, or I would faint. A great many others passed
in regular order; and I recognized nearly all of them, and was
told the names of all I did not know. My father sat in a chair
with his legs crossed and his hands clasped together, as we have
often seen him. Those who passed along had hidden him from my
view till then.
"This scene vanished, and I was then taken in the vision into a
vast building, which was built on the plan of the Order of Zion. I
entered through a south door and found myself in a part of the
building which was unfinished, though a great many workmen were
busy upon it. My guide showed me all through this half of the
house, and then took me through the other half, which was
finished. The richness, grandeur and beauty of it defied
description. There were many apartments in the house, which was
very spacious, and they differed in size and the fineness of the
workmanship, according to the merits on earth of those who were to
occupy them. I felt most at home in the unfinished part, among the
workmen. The upper part of the house was filled with Saints, but I
could not see them, though some of them conversed with me, my
father and mother, Uncle Joseph Young and others.
"My father told me many things, and I received many reproofs for
my wrong-doings. Yet he was loth to have me leave, and seemed to
feel very badly when the time came for me to go. He told me I
could remain there if I chose to do so, but I plead with him that
I might stay with my family long enough to make them comfortable,
to repent of my sins, and more fully prepare myself for the
change. Had it not been for this, I never should have returned
home, except as a corpse. Father finally told me I could remain
two years, and to do all the good I could during that time, after
which he would come for me; he mentioned four others that he would
come for also, though he did not say it would be at the same time.
"On the 18th of November, about noon, we left Wickenburg (which is
twenty-two miles from Black's Ranch where we stopped the previous
night) on our journey home. I was exhausted from what I had
experienced, and could feel my mind fast giving away, but I had
confidence that I would reach home alive. There were no Elders to
administer to me and no kind friends to look after my wants except
my son, who had all he could do in looking after eight horses and
two wagons. As my mind wandered and grew weaker, I was troubled
and led by influences over which I had no power, and my friends,
the good spirits, had all left me.
"We drove about twenty miles that afternoon, camping about eight
miles from water, on the Salt River desert, which is about fifty
miles across. During the fore part of the night I heard the horses
running as though they were frightened. My son was asleep, but I
got up and put my overcoat across my shoulders and went out where
they were and got them quieted down. I was about to return to the
wagon, when the same old man with gray whiskers, who had tormented
me before, stepped between me and the wagons. He had a long knife
in his hand. I was frightened and fled, he pursuing me and telling
me he was going to kill me. What I passed through I cannot
describe, and no mortal tongue could tell. I wandered two days and
three nights in the Salt River desert, undergoing the torments of
the damned, most of the time, which was beyond anything that
mortal could imagine.
"When my mind was restored, and the fever which had raged within
me had abated, I found myself lying on a bleak hill-top, lost in
the desert, chilled, hungered, thirsty and feeble. I had scarcely
any clothing on, was barefooted, and my body full of cactus from
head to foot. My hands were a perfect mat of thorns and briars.
This, with the knowledge that no one was near me, made me realize
the awful condition I was in. I could not walk. I thought I would
take my life, but had no knife or any thing to do it with. I tried
to cut an artery in my arm with a sharp rock I had picked up,
hoping I might bleed to death, but even this was denied me. The
wolves and ravens were hovering around me, anxiously awaiting my
death. I had a long stick and I thought I would dig a deep hole
and cover myself up the best I could, so the wolves would not
devour my body until I could be found by my friends.
"On the night of the 21st, I could see a fire about twenty-five
miles to the south, and felt satisfied that it was my friends
coming after me. I knew the country where I was; I was about eight
miles from houses where I could have got plenty of water and
something to eat, but my strength was gone and my feet were so
sore I could not stand up. Another long and dreary day passed, but
I could see nothing but wolves and ravens and a barren desert
covered with cactus, and had about made up my mind that the
promise of two years' life, made by my father, was not to be
realized. While in this terrible plight, and when I had just
about given up all hope, my father and mother appeared to me and
gave me a drink of water and comforted me, telling me I would be
found by my friends who were out searching for me and that I
should live two years longer as I had been promised. When night
came I saw another fire a few hundred yards from me and could see
my friends around it, but I was so hoarse I could not make them
hear. By this time my body was almost lifeless and I could hardly
move, but my mind was in a perfect condition and I could realize
everything that happened around me.
"On the morning of the 23rd, at daylight, here they came, about
twenty in all, two of my own sons, my nephew William, Bishop E.
Pomeroy, John Lewis, John Blackburn, Wiley Jones and others, all
friends and relatives from the Mesa, who had tracked me between
seventy-five and one hundred miles. I shook hands with them, and
they were all overjoyed to see me alive, although in such a
pitiable plight. My own feelings I shall not undertake to
describe. I told them to be very careful how they let me have
water, at first. They rolled me up in some blankets and put me on
a buck-board and appointed John Lewis to look after me as doctor
and nurse. After I had taken a few swallows of water, I was almost
frantic for more, but they wisely refused to let me have it except
in small doses every half hour.
"I had about seventy-five miles to ride home. We arrived at my
place in Jonesville on the afternoon of the 24th of November, when
my wife and family took charge of me and I was tenderly and
carefully nourished. In a few days I was around again. I told my
experience to President McDonald, Bishop Pomeroy, C. I. Robson and
others, and most of them believed me, but my word was doubted by
some. The report had gone out that I had been drinking and was
under the influence of liquor. This was an utterly false report. I
told them I had just two years to live, so they could tell whether
it was a true manifestation or not.
"Now, Sister Helen, during the last twelve years I have had doubts
about the truth of 'Mormonism,' because I did not take a course to
keep my testimony alive within me. And the letter I wrote you last
August, I suppose caused you to feel sorrowful, and you prayed for
me and God heard your prayers. And our father and mother plead
with the Lord in my behalf, to whom I will give the credit of this
terrible but useful ordeal through which I have passed and only in
part described, an ordeal which but few men have ever been able to
endure and relate what I have seen and heard.
"Now, my dear sister, you have a little of your brother David's
experience, and let who will think that I have been drinking. I
know these things were shown to me for my own good, and it was no
dream but a glorious and awful reality. My story is believed by my
brethren who have respect for me. I will console myself with the
knowledge I have obtained. Let the world wag on, and let hell and
the devil keep up their warfare against the Saints of God--I know
for myself that 'Mormonism' is true. With God's help, while I live
I shall strive to do good, and I will see you before long and tell
you all, as it never will be blotted out of my memory.
"With kind regards, in which my wife and children join, I remain,
as ever,
"Your affectionate brother,
"DAVID P. KIMBALL."
----
ACCOUNT OF PATTEN KIMBALL AND OTHERS, REGARDING THE SEARCH FOR AND
FINDING OF HIS FATHER.
The following is an account furnished by Solomon F. Kimball, brother
of David, who was in Mesa at the time of the occurrences described,
and thoroughly conversant with the facts:
"On the morning of November 19th when Patten arose and missed his
father, he thought probably he had gone out to hunt for the
horses, and felt no uneasiness concerning him. He made a fire,
prepared breakfast and waited some time, but could not see or hear
him anywhere. The horses came strolling into camp and were tied
up, fed and watered. Patten then ate his meal, saddled a horse and
rode back towards Wickenburg, until he came to a small place
called Seymour on the Hassayampa, but could find out nothing of
his father's whereabouts. He went back to the wagon and hunted the
country close around camp but found nothing but his father's
overcoat, which was a few hundred yards from the wagon. It being
an old camp-ground, it was impossible to find his tracks. He
finally came to the conclusion that he had gone towards home, so
he hitched up his team and drove homeward until he came to Mr.
Calderwood's at Agua Fria (Cold Water). At this place there was a
well dug on the desert about twenty miles from Salt River. Patten
had traveled about twenty-two miles before reaching this point,
but was disappointed in not hearing anything of his father. He had
traveled all night and Mr. Calderwood was up and around when he
arrived. He related his story to him and was advised by him to
leave his team there and take the best pair of horses, and hitch
them to his buckboard and go on to the Mesa. Here he could get
help to come and hunt for the missing man. The distance was forty
miles, which would take all the rest of the day (the 20th). He
acted on the advice, however, and arrived at his destination at 9
p. m. The news was circulated, and in less than two hours, twenty
of the best and most experienced men at Mesa and Jonesville were
on the road, taking Patten back with them. They also took a wagon
to carry water and provisions, but most of them were on the best
of horses. They had sixty miles to ride before beginning the
search, which was accomplished by daylight next morning. After
feeding their horses and eating a lunch they held a consultation
and agreed to abide by the following rule. If any one of the party
found his tracks he was to make a smoke and this would call the
others in that direction. They then started out in different
directions. They scoured the country until about noon, when Sern
Sorenson and Charles Rogers found his tracks. They supposed they
were about twelve miles from where he was lost, and about ten
miles from Agua Fria, close to the main road on the south side.
They soon gathered some brush and started a fire, putting on
plenty of green weeds, etc., to cause a smoke, and soon attracted
the attention of their comrades. His tracks were followed. They
wound round and round, going in no particular direction. Some
places he would cross his tracks eight or ten times in going one
hundred yards, which made it quite difficult to follow.
"After spending a part of the afternoon in trailing him up, the
tracks finally took a direct course leading to the north. By this
time all the searching party were together.
"Another meeting was held and the plan adopted was for eight
horsemen, four on each side of his tracks, to ride at a
considerable distance apart, so as to cut off the track if it
turned to the right or left, and two or three of the best trailers
to keep on the tracks, while the buckboard and wagon followed up.
These were out of sight most of the time, as very good time was
made by the trailers after this plan was adopted. The ground was
quite soft, and those on the trail would gallop their horses for
miles, but darkness soon put an end to their work for this day, a
good thing for both men and animals.
"They had traveled upwards of one hundred miles in about twenty
hours. They were working men and had plenty of strength to carry
them through under all circumstances. They camped on the highest
ground that could be found close by, and made a large fire which
was kept up all night by those on guard.
"As soon as it was light enough to see the tracks, every man was
at his place moving as fast as he could under the circumstances.
"This was the morning of the 22nd. One great drawback they met
with that day was that when they would come to a deep ravine where
water had run during rainy weather, the tracks would follow up
sometimes for miles and then continue in the former direction.
Places would frequently be found in the sand where the lost one
had dug down for water with his hands. Now and then they would
find a piece of his clothing and see places where he had run into
the fox-tail cactus, cat's-claw and other thorny bushes. One place
was found where he had broken off the limb of a tree for a walking
stick. The party followed his tracks all day without stopping,
only as they were obliged to, on account of losing the trail or
from some other cause.
"Darkness overtook them again, but nothing could be seen or heard
of the missing man. They slept on his tracks, keeping up a fire
all night as before. His sons and others could not rest, and
followed his tracks after dark by striking matches and putting
them close to the ground to see if they might possibly find him.
Some thought they could hear a sound, but it was so indistinct
they could not discern the direction from which it came. It was
indeed he who called, for they were then only a few hundred yards
from him, but he was too hoarse to make them hear. On the morning
of the 23rd at daylight his anxious friends were on his tracks,
and had gone but a short distance when Charles Peterson saw him.
He had a long staff in his hand, and had raised up as high as he
could get, being on one knee and the other foot on the ground, and
was stretching himself as far as he could and looking eagerly for
their arrival. The crowd made a rush, and in a few seconds were
with him, Bishop E. Pomeroy being the first. He was in his right
mind and knew all present, and was glad to shake them by the hand,
calling each by name. He was in good spirits and joked the boys
frequently and gave them instructions to be careful in giving him
water, etc. There was no water except in a canteen that had been
reserved for his especial use. The company suffered themselves
for want of water. They had traveled upwards of one hundred and
fifty miles in less than forty-eight hours.
"David had dug a deep hole with his stick and had used his hands
to move the dirt. He said he was digging his own grave. He was
rolled in blankets and put on the buckboard. All drove to the
nearest houses, seven or eight miles distant, on the Hassayampa,
where they refreshed themselves with water and something to eat.
Soon they were on the road homeward. They drove to Mr.
Calderwood's, which was about thirty miles, and stayed all night.
He was very kind to them and told them to help themselves to
anything he had, such as hay, grain and food. He acted the man in
every respect. A large number of men had also left Phoenix in
search of David, among them being the U.S. Marshal, and others.
White men and Indians were riding over the desert in every
direction. Next morning the company drove to Jonesville, forty
miles distant, where they arrived about 3 p.m.
"David was carried into his house where he was surrounded by his
loving wife and children.
"When he recounted his experience, he said that one thing that
kept him from choking to death for want of water, was the damp
pebbles which he dug from low ravines and held in his mouth. The
Indians said that no human being could walk as far as he did and
go without water four days and five nights and live. The party
that found him said he must have walked at least seventy-five
miles, some said one hundred.
"He testified that on the afternoon of the 22nd, his father and
mother came and gave him water and told him that his friends would
find him. His clothing was all gone except his under garments,
which were badly torn.
"Before leaving home on his trip to Prescott, David had worked
several days fixing up his books and accounts and burning up all
useless papers, after which he told his wife that he felt
different in starting on this trip from anything that he had ever
felt before. He said it seemed to him that he should never
return. He told her that if this proved to be the case, he had
fixed his business up in such a shape that she would have no
trouble, and would know as much about it as himself. She
frequently spoke of these curious remarks, and felt considerably
worried. When the news came that he was lost, all was plain to
her, and she never expected to see him come home alive. Nothing
could comfort her, and she watched night and day until he was
brought home."
----
In the fall of 1883, David came to Salt Lake City on a visit to his
sister Helen and others, to whom he confirmed with his own lips all
that his letter contained, and told other things in relation to his
marvelous experience. He declared solemnly that he was perfectly sober
when he passed through the trying ordeal related, and bore a powerful
testimony to the truth of "Mormonism." He seemed a little reticent to
most of his relatives, and talked but little of his strange
experience, feeling pained that so many doubted his word, and being
unwilling to make himself obstrusive. When he bade his friends
farewell before returning south, there was something in his manner
which seemed to say that he was taking leave of them for all time.
This visit was no doubt made with that prospect in view, for it was
almost two years from the time he was lost on the desert. He returned
home to St. David, Cochise County, Arizona, and almost the next news
that came from there was the tidings of his death.
A letter from his nephew, Charles S. Whitney, who was then living with
him, written home on the 22nd of November, 1883, contained this:
"Uncle David died this morning at half-past six, easily, and
apparently without a bit of pain. Shortly before he died, he
looked up and called, 'Father, father!' All night long he had
called for Uncle Heber. You remember hearing him tell how Grand-pa
came to him when he was lost on the desert, and how he plead for
two years more and was given that much longer to stay. Last
Saturday, the day he was so bad, was just two years from the day
he was lost, and to-day is just two years from the day his father
and mother came to him and gave him a drink of water, and told him
that his friends would find him and he should live two years
longer. He knew that he was going to die, and bade Aunt Caroline
good-bye day before yesterday."
During the last two years of his life David revealed to three of his
personal friends the names of the four persons whom his father had
told him in vision that he should come for, at or near the time when
he would return for him. He exacted the promise from these friends
(who, it seems, had some doubt regarding the divine nature of his
vision, which doubt he was anxious to dispel) that they would not
divulge the names of these individuals until after their death. The
names, with respective dates of decease, are as follows:
William H. Hooper; died December 30th, 1882.
Horace K. Whitney; died November 22nd, 1884.
Heber P. Kimball; died February 8th, 1885.
William Jennings; died January 15th, 1886.
As will be seen, the longest interval given from the death of David P.
Kimball is two years, one month and twenty-three days. William H.
Hooper, who was the first of the four to go, preceded David by about
eleven months, while Horace K. Whitney, the second to depart, followed
him one year later to a day.