President Young Requests Brother Brizzee and Myself to Prepare for a
Mission to Mexico--Mileton G. Trejo Joins the Church--His Remarkable
Conversion--I Report to President Young that I am Ready--One Hundred
Pages of the Book of Mormon Translated into Spanish and Printed.
According to the request made by President Young I bought a lot and had
a good, comfortable house built in Fairview, Sanpete Co., expecting
to make that my future home. The house was not yet complete when I
was called upon by Henry Brizzee, about June, 1874, who told me that
President Young wished to see him and me at his office to talk with us
about a mission to Mexico, saying that President Young understood that
we spoke the Spanish language. I had expected this call to come some
time. I had both desired and dreaded the mission. My desire was from a
sense of duty. My dread was owing to the power of Catholicism that I
had seen prevail in that land, while living there from 1847 to 1850.
At that time no man dared pass in front of a church without raising
his hat. Anyone doing so was most sure to be pelted with stones with
a possibility of having his head broken. A priest passing along the
street demanded the uncovering of the head by all who met him. A
person's life was in danger unless acting promptly in conformity with
all these customs. To offer a word against their religion would be
almost certain death.
That the country had been revolutionized and religious freedom
declared I had not learned. I only remembered what I had seen. I felt
a dread that tried me severely while on my way to the office; but
before arriving I had formed the resolution to "face the music." My
reflections were: This mission has to be commenced by someone and if it
is necessary for the extreme sacrifice to be made, just as well to be
me as anyone else.
On meeting President Young, he told us that the time had come to
prepare for the introduction of the gospel into Mexico; that there were
millions of the descendants of Nephi in the land, and that we were
under obligations to visit them. Asked us if we were willing to prepare
for a mission. We told him we were. Nothing very definite was arranged
at the time. Brother Young said he would like to have some extracts
from the Book of Mormon translated to send to the people of Mexico;
advised us to get our private affairs arranged, also to study up our
Spanish and prepare ourselves for translating and report to him, and
when the proper time came and all was ready he would let us know. Some
suggestion was made about visiting the City of Mexico as travelers and
feel our way among the people.
Brother Brizzee and I visited together often and talked about the
work before us. We began to study and prepare for translating. My
own feelings were that it would require considerable study, although
I understood Spanish quite well. Still to translate for publication
required a more thorough scholarship than either of us possessed. I
often thought how good it would be to have a native Spaniard to help us.
Some few months after the notice to get ready, Brother Brizzee called
at my house, accompanied by a stranger whom he introduced as Mileton
G. Trejo, a Spanish gentleman from the Philippine Islands and was
an author and a traveler. After conversing for some time with the
gentleman I became hopeful that he was the one needed to assist in the
translation, which afterwards proved to be the case. Senor Trejo told
me that he had been induced to come and visit the Mormon people partly
through a dream. His account, to the best of my recollection, was that
while discussing religion with a brother officer of the Spanish army
when stationed on the Philippine Islands, he remarked that he believed
the scriptures literally; that he did not think anyone had the right to
privately interpret or change them. His comrade told him he would have
to go and join the Mormons who lived in the interior of America; that
he had learned about them from his wife, who was an English lady, she
having heard about the Mormons and their doctrines in England.
This caused Senor Trejo to reflect and study about the people, so much
so that he made it a subject of prayer. Finally he dreamed that if he
would go and see the Mormons he would be satisfied. Accordingly he sold
out all his interests in the Islands, together with his commission,
etc., bade farewell to his people and friends and came to this country
a stranger, not knowing anyone or enough of the spoken English to ask
for a drink of water. Unfortunately, he was introduced to President
Young by a party that did not stand very high in the estimation of
Brother Young. I have forgotten the name of the one introducing him.
This had rather an unfavorable effect upon President Young, and it was
a long time before he gave him his confidence. Trejo never resented the
suspicion, only said: "He will know me some day."
Brother Brizzee took Trejo home with him to live. He commenced studying
hard, reading and translating the Voice of Warning the best he could.
He acquired very rapidly an understanding of the English language, and
being a graduate of the highest schools in Madrid, as soon as he got a
clear understanding of the text he could write the same in Spanish, his
native tongue.
Here I wish to correct an error that exists in the minds of a great
many who suppose that Spanish is not the language of Mexico. Pure
Spanish is the language of Mexico just the same as pure English is
the language of the United States. Just as the uneducated speak bad
English, just so the uneducated Mexican speaks bad Spanish. Anyone
learning Spanish correctly will scarce perceive the difference when
talking to a native Spaniard, a Mexican or a Californian.
Senor Trejo soon became convinced of the truth of the gospel and
was baptized by Brother Brizzee. After qualifying himself somewhat,
he commenced on the Book of Mormon at our earnest solicitation. My
house being completed, I moved my family to Fairview, Sanpete county.
Brother Trejo expressed a desire to be with me. He said I understood
the written language somewhat better than Brother Brizzee. Brother
Brizzee had associated more with the people than I had and talked
quite fluently and understood Spanish very well, but had not studied
the written word so much as I had. It was arranged with good feelings
all around seemingly, that as soon as I was settled at home that Trejo
would live with me and we would work together translating. When Brother
Trejo came, I rented an office for him where he would be undisturbed
through the day. In the evenings we would read and correct together.
In the spring Brother T. returned to the city. I began to feel like
reporting to President Young, for we had everything ready, as it seemed
to me, to do something. With this before me I came down to Salt Lake
City, met Brother Brizzee and told him how I felt. His answer was that
he was sick of the whole business; that he had been up to the office to
see Prest. Young and could not get a hearing.
At this time Prest. Young was much harassed by lawsuits of various
kinds. I felt disappointed at the answer and asked Brother Brizzee if
we had not better keep on and do all we could, and probably Brother
Brigham would know when we were ready, but I got no promise from him.
I told him I intended to keep to work as long as I saw anything to
do; and when I felt fully ready I would report. I concluded to remain
in the city for a while so as to be near Trejo to encourage and help
him. He had commenced to carefully rewrite the whole manuscript of the
Book of Mormon, having translated it entirely. He had improved so that
by this time his understanding of English was pretty good. He seemed
thoroughly interested in the work. He had now expended what money he
had brought to the country with him. I shared what money I earned with
him and kept him going the best I could until some time in June, 1875,
when he came to me and said he would have to quit as he could not live
longer without an income of some kind, and he did not want to accept
of me as he knew I was not able to spare him means to live on. This
confirmed me in the thought that the time had come to report to Brother
Brigham, so I told Brother Platt, the man I was working for, that I was
now going to see Prest. Young or _camp_ with him till I did see him and
report.
I went up town and saw Brother Brigham going into the "Old
Constitution" building, followed and spoke to him. He asked, "What are
you doing?"
"I am hunting you" I replied.
"Well, what do you want?"
"I want to report to you. You told me to come when I was ready, I am
now ready."
"All right, go up to the office, I will be there right away."
When Brother Brigham came in he asked what I had done. I told him just
about what had been done, and explained Trejo's situation. Brother
Young had never heard a word about his labors; asked if I could vouch
for him. I told him I could vouch for the work he was doing, that
it was good and getting to be correct. Brother Young was somewhat
surprised and very much pleased. He asked me what Henry Brizzee was
doing. I replied that I had made my own report and preferred that
Brother Brizzee would do the same. Brother Young said he intended to
release Brother Brizzee from the call for reasons that were sufficient,
and said that he would have him notified accordingly.
Brother Brigham advised me to have printed about 100 pages of
selections from the Book of Mormon, and get them ready to take to
Mexico, and be ready to start about the 1st of September, remarking
that the Church funds were low at the time.
I told him I could soon raise the money on subscription if so
authorized. Accordingly I received the following letter:
"Salt Lake City, June 1st, 1875,
"_To whom it may Concern:_
"Elder Daniel W. Jones, the bearer of these lines, is hereby authorized
to solicit and receive subscriptions to be applied toward the support
of Brother Gonzales while he is translating the Book of Mormon into the
Spanish language, and such other Church publications as it may be found
advisable from time to time to translate into that language. As Brother
Gonzales's labors, as above mentioned, promise to be productive of much
good, it is hoped that the Saints, so far as able and willing, will aid
toward his comfortable sustenance while translating, and also to defray
the cost of publishing his translations that are desired to be done by
November next.
"Brigham Young."
President Young handed me a blank book, saying, "Take this, get what
subscriptions you can, and what is lacking I will furnish." He dictated
the following heading:
"We the undersigned agree to pay the amount subscribed opposite
our names to be used for the purpose of defraying the expenses of
translating and publishing the Book of Mormon and other Church works
into the Spanish language.
"Salt Lake City, June 1st 1875.
(Signed.)
Edward Hunter, Laron Pratt, Jeter Clinton,
John Sharp, Jos. Bull Jr., W. Grimsdell,
Z. Snow, John Priestley, P. A. Schettler,
Feramorz Little, James Anderson, J. H. Picknell,
J. T. Little, A. McMaster, Jacob Weiler,
G. W. Crocheron, R. Mathews, Thos. Maycock,
Geo. C. Riser, W. J. Lewis, T. F. H. Morton,
Wilba Hayes, H. W. Attley, Jas. Eardley,
D. Day, Benjamin Judson, J. P. Ball,
W. C. Rydalch, Geo. Margetts, E. M. Weiler,
T. Taylor, O. S. Thomson, A. C. Smith,
J. C. Cutler, John B. Kelly, Angus M. Cannon,
George Goddard, W. H. Perkes, Martin Lenzi,
Erastus Snow, Jno. Kirkman, Geo. Crimson,
George Dunford, Charles Livingston, D. Miner,
A. C. Pyper, John Y. Smith, Hyrum Barton,
Andrew Burt, Jas. Livingston, N. J. Gronlund,
R. Campbell, Lorenzo Pettit, Robt. Dixon,
J. M. Pyper, Lucy Pettit, J. M. Bernhisel,
J. R. Winder, Rosana Pettit, Ann Peart,
J. B. Maiben, J. C. Kingsbury, E. F. Sheets,
Millen Atwood, A. M. Musser, J. C. Rumell,
Francis Platt, A. H. Raleigh, Jas. McKnight,
F. B. Platt, James Leach, John Needham,
P. A. Shreeve, Robt. C. Fryer, C. Crow,
B. Y. Hampton, Wm. F. Cahoon, C. J. Lambert,
William Goforth, Jos. E. Taylor, J. McGhie,
William Hyde, E. M. Cahoon, Mathias Cowley,
Alex. Burt, S. A. Woolley, Mary Bingham,
W. Woodruff, J. M. Benedict, Emma S. Kelley,
A. Woodruff, John L. Blythe, Ludwig Suhrke,
Wm. G. Phillips, R. J. Golding, Chas Shumway,
T. O. Angell, Geo. W. Price, Christian Hendrickson,
United Order Tailors, N. V. Jones, Johan Vink,
D. W. Evans, J. Morgan, Jas. Whitehead,
John Nicholson, T. McKean, Paul A. Elkins,
Joseph Bull, T. G. Webber, Geo. Curtis,
J. Jaques, Jas. Sanders, J. D. Cummings,
T. C. Taylor, Orson Hyde, 17th Ward per Bishop
T. McIntyre, H. S. Eldredge, Davis,
C. Denney, W. H. Hooper, 16th Wd. per G. Riser,
J. Tingey, W. C. Neal, 15th Ward per T. C.
S. Roberts, John S. Davis, Griggs,
W. H. Ogelsby, Geo. Q. Cannon, 1st Ward per Bishop
Emma S. Kelly, C. R. Savage, Warburton,
George Buckle, Geo. Lambert, 10th Ward per Bishop
N. H. Rockwood, Morris & Evans, Proctor,
Wm. Nevee, Geo. Teasdale, 11th Ward per Bishop
J. B. Hawkins, Thos. Jenkins, McRae,
Mrs. M. A. Leaver, G. F. Brooks, Hyde Park per S. M.
E. D. Mousley, G. H. Taylor, Molen,
R. B. Sampson, T. Latimer, Moroni, Sanpete Co.,
Thos. Roberts, S. P. Teasdel, per Bishop Bradley,
Robert Aveson,
NAMES OF BOUNTIFUL WARD, DAVIS CO.
Anson Call, Geo. O. Noble, Thomas Waddoups,
Joseph Noble, Alfred Burmingham, Samanthe Willey,
David Lewis, Stephen Ellis, Elizabeth Barlow,
John Telford, Daniel Carter, John Easthope,
John K. Crosby, James Wright, Richard Duerden,
Peter Moore, Wm. Henrie, Samuel Smedley,
Wm. Lewis, F. T. Whitey, Wm. Atchinson,
P. G. Sessions, Benjamin Ashby, Joseph Wilkins,
Henry Rampton, Mary Ann McNeil, Arthur Burmingham,
James Wall, Patty Sessions, Israel Barlow,
J. Kynaston, Cordelia M. Barlow, Sarah Nicholas,
John Moss, Jas. Kipper, Sarah Easthope,
Daniel Wood, Benjamin Peel, Lucy H. Barlow,
J. N. Perkins, William Knighton, Heber Wood,
Enoch Lewis, Eric Hogen, Thomas Briggs,
J. T. Botrell, Joseph Moss, Daniel Davis.
J. H. Barlow, Wm. Salter,
Kamas Ward per Bishop S. F. Atwood, 8th Ward per J. M. McAlister,
Payson Ward per J. M. Coombs, Provo City per P. M. Wentz, Nephi City
per Bishop Grover,
SMITHFIELD, CACHE CO, (PER J. S. CANTWELL,) WITH FOLLOWING LIST OF
NAMES.
George Barker, Mary Swenson, Preston T. Morehead,
Edward Wildman, Samuel Roskelly, Euphemia Bain,
Silvester Lowe, John F. Mack, Adeline Barber,
Catharine M. Sorenson, Thomas F. Mather, Louisa Barber,
Harriet Meikle, Lars Tooleson, James Mack,
Alice Doane, James Mather, Wm. G. Noble,
Niles C. Christianson, Frank Lutz, David Weeks,
Christiana Ainscough, Lars Sorenson, Robert Meikle,
Joseph Hartan, Elizabeth Knox, Saml. Hendrickson,
John Plouman, Lars Swenson, Betsey Collett,
Wm. A Noble, Hanna Toolson, Neils Gylenskogy,
Stephen Christianson, Peter Neilson, Wm. Thornton,
Jens C. Peterson, Carl Johnson, Mary Roberts,
Jane Coleman, Diana Hendrickson, Mary Moritzon,
Sarah Langton, Frdk. B. Thybergh, Hannah Olsen,
Robt. Thornly, Thomas Smith, Ann Mary Weeks,
Jane Harton, Lars Mouritzan, Mary Ann Noble,
Niels Tooleson, Ola Hanson, Laura W. Merrill,
Jane Miles, Benj. Lloyd, Penella Gylenskogy,
Jane M. Miles, Caroline Christianson, Elizabeth Heap,
Lena Nielson, Matilda Kelsey, Charles Jones,
Hans Peterson, Andrew Tooleson, Elizabeth Roberts,
Mary Hopkins, Niels Nielson,
Mary Ann Mather, Jens Christianson,
Besides obtaining donations in Smithfield Brother Cantwell solicited
help from several other settlements.
Richmond Ward, Cache Valley, per Bishop Merrill.
LOGAN CITY, (PER J. H. MARTINEAU.)
Jens Hansen, M. H. Martineau, Wm. Trapp,
Klaus Klausen, P. Crone, C. D. Fjelsted,
Olof Hansen, Geo. Hymers, H. D. Hansen,
Geo. Baugh, John Ormond, Ann Davis,
H. R. Cranney, J. Sandberg, C. C. Jensen,
J. H. Martineau, W. Partington, Bodil Hansen,
C. J. Larsen, H. R. Hansen, Ann Hobbs,
H. Thatcher, John C. Larsen, Frank Larsen,
Chas. Laudberg, Jas. Merrill, Davis Rees,
E. Curtis, Thos. Fredricksen, Gustave Tommason,
W. B. Preston, Lars Hansen, Pleasant Grove per Bp.
John Anderson, L. R. Martineau, J. Brown,
T. Lockyer, H. Flamm, Hyrum Winters,
Rasmus Nelson, Alex Allen, Wm. H. Green,
Thos. Morrell, J. Hayball, J. B. Clark,
R. Gates, Geo. Merrisson, C. C. Petersen,
F. Hurst, H. Ballard, A. Warnick,
R. D. Roberts, R. Maria Nelson, D. Thorn,
T. B. Cardon, Anna Larsen, B. Harper,
Josiah Hendricks, W. J. Davis, D. Adamson,
Hans Anderson, John Thomas, M. P. Peterson,
H. Nelson, Robt. Davidson, Wm. Marrott,
Chas. Martensen, J. P. Tuevesen, Thos. Winder,
John Jacobs, J. Knowles, Olive Thornton,
Osro Crockett, Joel Ricks, Jr., John P. Hayes.
B. Ravsten, J. Quinney,
SPANISH FORK.
Magnus Bjearnson, Niels P. Madsen, C. Jacobson,
Jeff Demick, Mrs. Isaacson, Paul Jensen,
Elizabeth Boyack, Marijah Mayor, Hans Regtrul,
Christena Ghrame, August Swenson, Mrs. George Sinnett,
A. P. Nielson, Anna P. Jensen, Isabella Rockhill,
C. Christiansen, Jens Nielsen, John Moone.
Sarah Brockbank, Hans Olsen,
Jas. G. Higgenson, Peter Nielson,
LEHI CITY.
William Thomas, J. W. Taylor, J. Goodwin,
J. Houldsworth, Mrs. Knudson, Andrew A. Peterson,
Wm. Goats, John Austin, James L. Robinson,
S. Empey, Sarah A. Davis, Ephriam City per Bp.
E. H. Davis, Ellen Rolf, Peterson,
George Kirkham, Chas. Barnes, Springville Relief
Isaac Chilton, G. Gudmundsen, Society
-- Ball, John Andreason, Parowan per Jesse N.
P. Christophisen Elisha Peck, Smith,
J. W. Morton, Oley Ellingson, Brigham City per A.
Wm. Clark, John Bushman, Nichols,
Mons Anderson, Jens Holm, C. J. Lambert,
Abel Mathews, Jane Garner, Centerville Ward per
D. Thurmond, N. P. Thomas, Wm. Reeves,
John Johnson, F. Ericesen, H. S. Ensign,
Wm. H. Winn, A. F. Petersen, Manti City per J. C.
John Zimmerman, Peter Petersen, Brown and Charles
Elizabeth Bushman, ---Hawkins, Smith.
Wm. L. Hutching, John Beck,
Edwin Standing, T. R. Cutler,
The names given are all that I can furnish from the list as taken at
the time and preserved in the same book given me by President Young. A
few names are not plain, so I have to omit them. The donations ranged
from ten cents to ten dollars. When the wards are credited, no list of
names were sent.
The people were so ready and prompt that it took but a short time to
collect the amount needed. In all my travels I have kept this list, as
the people helping, seemed to me like particular friends.
I was not long in raising the amount needed, some $500.00, and
contracted with the _Deseret News_ office to publish one hundred pages.
A committee was appointed to make the selection. I called for them when
I was about ready for work but nothing had been done. On mentioning
this to Brother Brigham, he picked up a Book of Mormon, saying: "Take
this, go home and get a few days' rest. Read the book and when you
feel impressed to do so, mark the places and they will be the proper
selections, for you have the spirit of this mission and you will be
directed aright."
On arriving at home in Sanpete County, I commenced reading and
studying, expecting to have but a few days at home, then to soon leave
on a very hard mission. My wife and family were kind and loving and
I enjoyed home as much as any one could. A few days after my arrival
Bishop Tucker, of Fairview, and others wished me to go with them
to explore Castle valley. On this trip I read and made most of the
selections, afterward approved of and printed.
The first indications of the Pleasant valley coal mines were discovered
on this trip by Lycurgus Wilson. Also the country known as Emery County
was prospected for settling.
I once noticed a rail road guide book, where General Johnston was
given credit of opening the road down Price Creek canyon. This is not
correct. No road was there until the rail road was worked through.
Captain Seldon took a party up Spanish Fork through a short canyon
to the east of Price Creek. According to the best information in my
possession, the credit is due to Sam Gilson for first penetrating and
passing through Price canyon.
After spending about three weeks I returned to Salt Lake City. The
selections being approved, work on the printing was soon commenced.
There being no one competent to judge of the translation, Brother
Brigham asked me how we proposed to prove to the satisfaction of
the authorities of the Church that the translation was correct. My
proposition was to take a book in English we, Trejo and I, were not
acquainted with, let Trejo translate it into Spanish, then I without
ever seeing the book would take his translation and write it into
English and compare it with the original. Brother Brigham said that
was fair. He asked me if I was familiar with "Spencer's Letters." I
said I was not as I had never read them. He sent me to the Historian's
office to tell Brother G. A. Smith to let Trejo have a copy and do as I
proposed. On furnishing our translation as agreed upon, Brother Smith
laughingly remarked, "I like Brother Jones' style better than Brother
Spencer's. It is the same in substance, but the language is more easily
understood."
Brother Trejo was instructed to carefully re-write the selections
and get them ready for the printers. We were advised to call upon
Apostle Taylor and ask him to advise us as he had been in charge of
the publishing of the Book of Mormon into the French language. Brother
Taylor said he did not think we could do the work; and he would rather
have nothing to do with it. I told him we had been appointed by the
highest authority that there was in the Church to do the work and we
believed we could do it and make as good a translation as any that
had been made. Two others of the apostles were present. Whether they
remember this or not is a question but I am satisfied that Brother
Taylor never forgot my answer.
When the printing was commenced, Brother Brigham told me that he would
hold me responsible for its correctness. This weighed heavily upon my
mind. So much so that I asked the Lord to in some way manifest to me
when there were mistakes.
Brother Joseph Bull allowed us an extra reading of the proof. The
printers did not understand a word of Spanish and could only follow
literally the copy. They soon, however, acquired an idea of the
spelling that made it easier than at first.
The manuscript as written by Brother Trejo, was at times rather after
the modern notion of good style. When I called his attention to errors
he invariably agreed with me. He often remarked that I was a close
critic and understood Spanish better than he did. I did not like to
tell him how I discerned the mistakes.
I felt a sensation in the center of my forehead as though there was
a fine fiber being drawn smoothly out. When a mistake occurred, the
smoothness would be interrupted as though a small knot was passing out
through the forehead. Whether I saw the mistake or not I was so sure it
existed that I would direct my companion's attention to it and call on
him to correct it. When this was done we continued on until the same
occurred again.
President Young gave us all the encouragement and advice necessary.
Brothers George A. Smith, G. Q. Cannon and Orson Pratt also manifested
much interest in the mission, as well as a great many others, who
contributed means to pay for the publishing of the book.