The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-09-21
A Mormon Elder Writes from
the Land of Revolutions.
THE GOSPEL IN MEXICO
A Methodist Minister ConVerted-A
Mexican Episcopal Bishop
Travel Through the
Country.
Cry OF MkzIco. august 2s. 1854

was on the 5th of the present month,
since which time l have been rather
busy travelling, visiting and holding
meetings in different parts OF the coun-
try. On the 9th inst. / went to San
Marcos, about sixty miles north of here,
where there are some ten or twelve
members of the church. visited them
for the first time on the 10th of July, at
which time met Methodist minister,
and after q friendly discussion of q
couple of hours duration, he was COM
pletely f1oored gave him the "Voice
of Warning" and THE Only Way to be
Saved" which he promised to read.
After arranging to meet again ON the
18th inst, we parted. At the time ap-
pointed he was there, and said he had
read the books. After some further
conversation and explanations, he said
he was converted to Mormonism, and
promised, as soon as he could arrange
his business with the Methodist Church,
that he and his wife would be ready for
baptism. On Monday, the 18th, / started
for Nopala, about fifty miles further
north, to visit some families who were
baptized by Elders Trejo and Stuart
when they were here, and who had not
been visited since August Wilcken left.
l knew nothing of them, only that the
record showed that there were two fam
lilies baptized in Nopala, and expected,
of course, to find them in the town. but
on arriving and making inquiry, / was
told that they lived some eight or nine
miles out, on their ranches, and that if
l would call on the bishop of the Episco-
pal Church he could direct me to where
they lived. This rather strengthened
the reports which / had heard previ-
ously, that these families had turned
back to the Episcopals, and were work
ing with and for them. However, / was
there alone among strangers, and must
remain over night, and l prayed in my
heart to God to open my way before me,
which He did, as the following will
show: On reaching the Episcopal
Church inquired for the house of the
bishop, which was pointed out to me,
but was told that he was visiting at the
house Of the minister, to which place
went, and in answer to my knock, a fine
looking young Mexican came to the
door. l inquired for the bishop. Said
he, 81 am the bishop. I then stated
that l was in search of some
parties by the name of Jose Meria
Yenes, and Jose G. Bravo. why" said
he, Jose G. Bravo is here" and he
called him to the door Finding him
| in the company of the bishop, ministers
and others, still strengthened the re-
port to which [ have referred. How
ever, | musteredu up courage, introduced
myself. and stated that / had come for
the purpose OF visiting them, and re-
| q or fvu(l wifi h,
upon | was invited into the house, and
ushered into the parlor, in which there
was quite an assembly. gathered in
honor of the marriage of the Young
priest, or minister, which had Just been
oonsummated. felt almost as though l
had dropped into the wrong box, to be
there on such an occasion, in nv ira
yelling suit, and above all with nv
stammering tongue, but the Lord helped
me, and the young minister being able
to talk little English, and being little
DESTROYS, l think, of showing off, he
commenced conversation with me.
which soon made me feel quite at home.
Dinner was soon after announced, and
l, with the rest, was shortly seated at
the table, doing ample justice to good
meal, and before We had concluded my
courage had quite returned. At the
close of our dinner, which was served in
first-class style, and with all the luxur-
les OF the country, the bishop, who sat
opposite me, commenced to talk upon
religion, and it soon resulted in q
friendly discussion between him and the
minister against me, for over two hours,
all retaining their seats and listening
attentively. At the close, two of the
aged gentlemen who had sat at the head
OF the table, took their departure. After
they were gone / was informed that one
was the municipal president, the other
the City Recorder, and that our Brother
Jose G. Bravo was one of the CITY
Council. After the departure of the
! first two, our discussion was resumed,
without interruption, for another hour
and q half. When Brother Bravo an
nounced that he and wife would be
obliged to go, as it was getting late. In
the afternoon, he said; II have not
horses enough for you to accompany
US, but you can remain here with my
friends until morning, when | viii send
you horse by one of my sons, to bring
you to my house" After their depar-
ture our discussion was continued until
$50 pm, having begun at pm,
and although there were two against
me, and l only able to talk the Language
but very imperfectly; yet by the help
OF the Lord / did not loose single
point, but was enabled to show them
wherein they had departed from the
principles of Christ, and had changed
the gospel ordinances. They seemed
very much interested in my account of
the Book of Mormon, and desired to
buy copy as soon as it arrived. / was
well entertained until the arrival of the
horses the next morning, when upon
taking leave of my new friends, and
! thanking them for their kindness, was
invited to call again. Alter ride of
one hour and half we arrived at the
house OF Brother Bravo, whom found
to be very fine old gentleman, with a
nice family. a large farm, good house,
plenty of stock, and better than all a
good understanding of the principles OF
the gospel. As far as | could Judge he
he and the members OF his family who
had received baptism were faithful and
true. His association with the bishop
and minister was explaind by q near
relationship between them. From the
bishop learned that they had many
warm discussions on the principles OF
the gospel, or Mormonism. After re-
naming over night, we rode over about
six miles to the house of Brother Jose
M. Yenres, whom I also found 10 be q
live man, advocating Mormonism, and
also well off. After partakingl of an
excellent dinner, served in fine style by
his delicate wife (of about 800 pounds