The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-07-20
A TALK WITH THE PROPHET.
Brigham lnstrslcCing Eli Perkins In
the Mysteries Of MOr1mOnism.

Brigham Instructing Eli Perkins IL,
the Mysteries of NIOFnlOnism.
-.s. SALT LAKE CRY, May %.
On Thursday again spent abont
three hours talking with Brigham Young
in his private office. John W. Young,
the prophets favorite son, and Daniel II.
Wells, first Mormon counsellor, were
also present. Brigham Young is now IS
years old. hale. hearty and strictly tenn
perste, though little tiabby from So.
dentsry habits. John w. Young is q
young man, say 05, handsome and &C.
compIished. He is very much beloved
by all the Mormons, and will undoubt-
edly succeed to the Presidency at the
death Of his father. which will probably
occur within the next ten years. His
only rivals are Joseph F. Smith, son Of
Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormon
ism, who was shot dead by the mob in
Carthage Jail. near Nauvoo Ill.,, in 1914,
and John Taylor, who was wounded by
the mob at the same time. Joseph
Smith and his brother. Byrum Smith.
were both instantly killed. John Taylor
Andrew jackson type. He is bold and
aggressive. having been stoned and shot
at for his faith. in both Missouri and
Illinois Daniel II. Wells ia shrewd,
quiet man. Perhaps his having six
wives and several houses full Of children
has had soothing effect on his nature.
Daniel is Brigham's chief counsellor, Q
sort of Attorney General to the Prophet.
Brigham Young is held in great defer
ence by his people. When he speaks,
every wife, child and disciple keeps
sacred veneration. Ordinary platitudes
coming from the mouth of the prophet
are listened to as if they came from the
mouth of Moses himself No one ever
differs with Brigham. No one replies;
but there he sits before his wives, chill
dren and Disciples, and with strange,
wandering gestures. such as Rip Van
Winkle used when trying to recollect
incidents which passed twenty years
before. feeling the air with bis fingers,
he half breaches and half talks at ram
dom: He is very metaphysical and very
mysterious. Corner him in an argu-
ment and he has a cunning way of be-
Jogging you in mystery. t..a-. ..
did you ever see the gold plates
which the angel showed to Joseph Smith
in Manchester, New York, and on which
. were written the frat Mormon revela-
tions?" asked.
mo, never saw the plates" said
the Prophet q,
What became OF them?" !
"oh; they put them back in tue
'tNow do you really believe all these
asked, smiling quizzically.
II tell you, Mr.. Perkins, there are a
great many true things 10 this world
that we do not understand. Do you
see that rose.bush?" he continued.
pointing to a rose-bush by the door,
way. "Where do it's color aud odor
and taste come from? Where do they
60 to? You don't know. Still. YOU
know. they exist. You know" and
the Prophet mysteriously waved his
hand. and. like Captain Cutie. sailed of
into metaphysical obacurity.
The Mormon Church ia governed bv
three heads: -
First-Brigham Young. President and
antocrat.
Second-The first quorum, consisting
of Brigham himself, John W., and D H.
Wells. : r,-t-'t ia: Z
Third--The second quorum, consist
ing of twelve disciples, like John Taylor,
Erastus Snow, Brigham Young, Jr.,
Joseph F. Smith. etc. .-....
Hyrum Clawsen, who married two Of
Brigham Young's daughters. making
his complement Of four wives. is Adju-
tAnL 1onec0l OF tue IerrltOry ana THE
father of 81 beautiful children. Brig
him himself tells me that he has As
children and Is wives living and more
grandchildren than he can remember
When asked him what was his chief
policy and ambition as head Of the Nor
mon Church, he replied:
MY policy liz the peace and prosper
ity of the Mormon people-to increase
in numbers and wealth -
How fast are you increasingly"
asked. .......-<
I'VE double once in six years now
To-day said the Prophet. 1--WE have
10000 Mormons, extending from Da-
kota down through Utah and ARIZONA
and New Mexico. Six years from to-
day, if no war ia made on as, wa will
have 100000 people, and in twelve
years, that is, in 1890, we win have
100000 people. We have now thirty
incorporated cities, $3,000,OO0 worth Of
irrigating canals, 35S school houses, IL
newspapers. missionaries in every nation
in the world. 10000 militia. six cotton
aud woolen factories, 500 miles of rail
roads, telegraphs all over the Territory,
and temples built and being built
enough for all our people to worship in