Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-12-24
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
HHsileIh Anniversary Of Tho Prophet
Joseph Smith.
IT WAS FIrrISGLY CELEBRATED.
Interesting "reminiscences Of a Great
and Good Mana Large aud
Happy Gathering.


Prophet Joseph Smiths birthday, was
that which took place 10 the Sixteenth
ward Westinghouse last evening, com.
monoing at tho hour OF $3.50. II was
the ninetieth anniversary Of his birth
ana there we're present In the c)ngrt-
cation twUniy.siK persons who had
been acquainted with the Prophet In
Missouri aud Illinois, twelve OF whom
were related to him. The names o,
the twenty.siK are as follow,i Joseph
+. Smith, John Smith, Lucy W.
Smith. Ellen NJ. Smith, n. +. Rich
ards, George Romney, Bishop Kessler,
John Mcdonald, Elizabeth Jsiis, Jane
Darlington Young, Theodore Curtis,
II. w. Aldfloh, Elizabeth +. Nebekef,
Rachel Tanner, Mary Ann BurBham,
Mary Emma Terry, w. Il. Wilcox, NJ.
w. Wilcox, II. b. Clawson, o. O.
| Workman, Joseph &. Klugsbuty,
Ethen BaTrus, Jamei Leach, Jsmes
W. phippen. Atchie NJ. Hin anu Soy
mour u. Young.
Tue srfvicsS were presided over by
| Bishop kealer OF the Sixteenth warn,
anu during tue rendition OF the fol-
lowing exercises, refreshments. cou.
tisting OF sandwiches, cAkos, Uiang'f,
ETC., were distributed by number VI
the young ladies present, u those
assembled. During tho meeting
good spirit pres allied aud all seemed 10
enjoy themselves Immensely.
The choir, under the leadership OF
George II. Thomas, and congregation,
sang as an opcuin hymu;
Praise to the man. etc.
Prayer was offered by Elder Joseph
q. kiugsOury.
| Singing;
This earth was once a garden placs.sto.
Bishop Ecsler was tho nrst speaker.
He was pleased, he said, 10 ace such
an assembly ptescut-Csprcially 40 to
see 10 many who were Intimately ac-
quainted with thu Prophet Joseph
smith. He became acquainted with
tue Prophet Ia the year 1889. lie
looked upon Joseph Smith ~ this great.
,st Prophet that had ever lived upon
tho oarlh-bOoause he was tho only
perAouags inst the Father and tho
Son had beth appeared 10 at tne
same tine upon tho earth. This
speaker related numerous instances
with which the Prophet Joseph was
connected In tho early history OF tho
Church, which tended 10 show that
God was with him In all his UNDER
tAkings to do good and 10 help The
rolling on Of His great work.
II. Il. Claw10D, Bishop OF the
Twelfth ward, said no became ac-
quaintsi with tho Prophet In 1874
whom hs with his parents removed to
Nauyoo. The speaker sltendod q
school In what was called "Joseph's
store" and narrated q little Incident
that occurred when he had made APP
plicaton 10 become a member ola cef-
tain debating society. Hu was 80
small that several VI TIE members OPP
posed his becoming enrolled, when the
Prophet arose aud Ia . gentle rebuke,
scored the members for the action
taken by them against him. The
Prophet said, "'fis such boys Aa these
that We want 10 Join our associations
boys that are willing and anxious to
that will make success OF
H." Tnoso remarks had a
great bearing on tho speaker
asd helped MIN to strive onward
through life. Spoke OF the many good
qualities OF Joseph, and stated that he
was noted for his kindness OF heart
10 all with whom he came In contact.
George ROmney, Bishop Of tho
Twentisth ward, said he nfsi saw the
Prophet whom his parents came 10
Nauyoo In tho month OF April. 1874.
Brothers Leach, ClHwson and others
arrived there At ths same time. In "a
ieTTlng TO the mgrtytdom OF Joseph,
the spoaksr stated that ON that Gay
hardly dry Eye could be seen In KiIi-
land, NauVoo and vicinity. Sorrow
nlisd the hearts Of the Isopls-bsoauIe
lhoy hAJ Learned 10 love him, and ap-
pteelated ths spirit that proIAptsd all
tho remarks that hs oysT made.
Elder Romney paid visit last
fall 10 the towns which were
Inhabited Ivy the Saints In the
sHrly days Of the Church. "whAt a
oAAnge has come over tue lAndI" Tao
once thriving settlement OF tho SAints,
arc no longer thriving. A blight
seems TO hEVe come over them and the
places which were once 30 lovsly 10
io1k upon, pFo now almost deserted.
Lucy Walker smith, one OF the
living wives OF The Prophet, was intro
duced 20 the hudlsnco finy-Ihfoe
years ago she ehtsred into the
covenant Of marriage witU the Prophet
She was led 10 this step through pray
lag earnestly 10 God in obadionos
to the teachings VI the Prophet
who had told her that 9od
had deorsed that abs shOuiu be his
wife. Bns had always loved Joseph,
bscause she believed no was uuely a
prophet OF God, but when asked 10 be-
come his wife, that was another thing
-shU didn'I feel willing to do Il.
However, in iGntwer 10 her prayarl
God had given her testimony that II
was His Will that she should be sealed
to Joseph ia marriage, and having re-
osivsd this testamOny she yielded.
Knew that toe Gospel was true aud
hoped the Saints would try 10 emulate
the examples set them by the Prophet.
President Joseph II. Smith felt thai
ho was one OF the youngest person.
living who had been acquainted with
the Prophet. He was about six years OIL
age when Joseph was killed, ana heDc,
had 4 very msagot recollection OF him
lie, however, remembered having
heUn taken on to the knee OF shl
Prophet, ut which time Joseph hat
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