ELIZA R. SNOW'S EXPERIENCE--GLIMPSES OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
JOSEPH SMITH--GATHERING OF THE SAINTS.
"In the autumn of 1829," says Eliza R. Snow, the high priestess, "the
tidings reached my ears that God had spoken from the heavens; that he
had raised up a prophet, and was about to restore the fullness of the
gospel with all its gifts and powers.
"During my brief association with the Campbellite church, I was deeply
interested in the study of the ancient prophets, in which I was
assisted by the erudite Alexander Campbell himself, and Walter Scott,
whose acquaintance I made,--but more particularly by Sidney Rigdon, who
was a frequent visitor at my father's house.
"But when I heard of the mission of the prophet Joseph I was afraid
it was not genuine. It was just what my soul had hungered for, but I
thought it was a hoax.
"However, I improved the opportunity and attended the first meeting
within my reach. I listened to the testimonials of two of the witnesses
of the Book of Mormon. Such impressive testimonies I had never before
heard. To hear men testify that they had seen a holy angel--that they
had listened to his voice, bearing testimony of the work that was
ushering in a new dispensation; that the fullness of the gospel was to
be restored and that they were commanded to go forth and declare it,
thrilled my inmost soul.
"Yet it must be remembered that when Joseph Smith was called to his
great mission, more than human power was requisite to convince people
that communication with the invisible world was possible. He was
scoffed at, ridiculed and persecuted for asserting that he had received
a revelation; now the world is flooded with revelations.
"Early in the spring of 1835, my eldest sister, who, with my mother was
baptized in 1831, by the prophet, returned home from a visit to the
saints in Kirtland, and reported of the faith and humility of those
who had received the gospel as taught by Joseph,--the progress of the
work, the order of the organization of the priesthood and the frequent
manifestations of the power of God.
"The spirit bore witness to me of the truth. I felt that I had waited
already a little too long to see whether the work was going to 'flash
in the pan' and go out. But my heart was now fixed; and I was baptized
on the 5th of April, 1835. From that day to this I have not doubted the
truth of the work.
"In December following I went to Kirtland and realized much happiness
in the enlarged views and rich intelligence that flowed from the
fountain of eternal truth, through the inspiration of the Most High.
"I was present on the memorable event of the dedication of the temple,
when the mighty power of God was displayed, and after its dedication
enjoyed many refreshing seasons in that holy sanctuary. Many times
have I witnessed manifestations of the power of God, in the precious
gifts of the gospel,--such as speaking in tongues, the interpretation
of tongues, prophesying, healing the sick, causing the lame to walk,
the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Of such
manifestations in the church I might relate many circumstances.
"In the spring I taught a select school for young ladies, boarding in
the family of the prophet, and at the close of the term returned to my
father's house, where my friends and acquaintances flocked around me
to inquire about the 'strange people' with whom I was associated. I
was exceedingly happy in testifying of what I had both seen and heard,
until the 1st of January, 1837, when I bade a final adieu to the home
of my youth, to share the fortunes of the people of God.
"On my return to Kirtland, by solicitation, I took up my residence in
the family of the prophet, and taught his family school.
"Again I had ample opportunity of judging of his daily walk and
conversation, and the more I made his acquaintance, the more cause I
found to appreciate him in his divine calling. His lips ever flowed
with instruction and kindness; but, although very forgiving, indulgent
and affectionate in his nature, when his godlike intuition suggested
that the good of his brethren, or the interests of the kingdom of God
demanded it, no fear of censure, no love of approbation, could prevent
his severe and cutting rebukes.
"His expansive mind grasped the great plan of salvation, and solved
the mystic problem of man's destiny; he was in possession of keys that
unlocked the past and the future, with its successions of eternities;
yet in his devotions he was as humble as a little child. Three times
a day he had family worship; and these precious seasons of sacred
household service truly seemed a foretaste of celestial happiness."
Thus commenced that peculiar and interesting relationship between the
prophet and the inspired heroine who became his celestial bride, and
whose beautiful ideals have so much glorified celestial marriage.
There were also others of our Mormon heroines who had now gathered to
the West to build up Zion, that their "King might appear in his glory."
Among them was that exalted woman--so beloved and honored in the Mormon
church--the life-long wife of Heber C. Kimball. There were also Mary
Angel, and many apostolic women from New England, who have since stood,
for a generation, as pillars in the latter-day kingdom. We shall meet
them hereafter.
And the saints, as doves flocking to the window of the ark of the new
covenant, gathered to Zion. They came from the East and the West and
the North and the South.
Soon the glad tidings were conveyed to other lands. Great Britain
"heard the word of the Lord," borne there by apostles Heber C. Kimball,
Orson Hyde and Willard Richards, and others.
Soon also the saints began to gather from the four quarters of the
earth; and those gatherings have increased until more than a hundred
thousand disciples--the majority of them women--have come to America,
as their land of promise, to build up thereon the Zion of the last days.