Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-01-28
ELpER srEyENsoN,s DEA1H.

son on Tuesday night, January 27th,
removes from this stage of existence
one Of the pioneer settlers OF Utah, one
who, previous TO his entry into this
valley In lS17, already had Displayed
his firm adherence to the right, and
who, as q young man, had progressed
well along on the way to career that
brought to him the confidence and
esteem, OF his fellowmen and the bless
ings OF the Lord. Tor whose cause In
the earth he was most devoted and
jealous advocate. BY his death there
Ia created a vacancy in one OF the
puorums Of the general authorities OF
The Church, no having been a member
Of the First Council OF Seventies for
more than t. years past.
Elder Stevenson has spent much Of
bis life in missionary lahore, both at
home and abroad. He has Travelled
extensively in this nation and In
foreign lands, besidss the home mis-
sionary duties he has performed amo Nc
the people in these valleye; and he
never shrank from his duty as ser
want OF the Lord In declaring the sacred
message OF the restoration Of the
Gospel in this dispensaiion, nor has
there bsen any wavering In his
testimony of that glorious fact. 1t
was hie delight TO act as a special
messenger OF the Lord to declare His
Gospel for the salvation OF mankind.
In the course OF his experience,
Elder Stevenson made himself Ia
miliar with many OF the scenes Of
early Church history, and has given
much Information to the public In
relation thereto. He was also asso-
ciated with many OF the carly mem
bers OF the Church, and took u deep
intcreet In the notable events with
which they were connected.
Among those with whom he
discussed events OF vital Inn.
portance In Church history in this
dispensation were the Witnesses OF the
Book OF Mormon, and his record OF
what those Witnesses testified to MIN
was given wide publicity, 30 that all
might know thereof and verify the &C.
curacy OF his declarations. Regard
ing the three witnesses of the Book OF
Mormon, illustration may be made in
their case az to Elder Stevenson'a
record OF them, by brief quotations
from his extended mention thereof.
He says OF Oliver Cowdery:
1 have often heard him bear n
faithful testimony to the restoration of
the Gospel by the visitation of an angel,
in whose presence he stood in company
with the Prophet Joseph Smith and
David Whitmor. He testified that no
beheld the plates, the leaves being turned
over by the angel. whose voice he heard,
and that they we're commanded as wit
nesses to bear faithful testimony to the
world of the vision that they were
favored to behold, and that the transla-
ton from the plates OF the Book Of Nor
mon was accepted of the Lord, and that
it would go forth 10 the world, and no
power ON earth should stop It's progress.
He said of David Whitmer in 1886,
after recounting previous testimonies
he had listened to from him:
David whitmor is now just past 81
years of age. In this his last testimony
ho said to me: "As sure rs the sun
shines and | live, just SO sure did the
angel appear to me and Joseph Smith.
and I heard his voice, and did see the
angel standing before us, and on a table
were the plates, the sword of Laban, and
the ball or compass"
Concerning Martin Harris, Elder
Stevenson wrote:
In tho year 1869 l was appointed
on mission to the United States.
Having visited several Of the
Eastern states, | called at Kirkland,
Ohio, to see tho first Temple
that was built by our people In tins
generation, while there 1 met Martin
Harris, soon after coming out OF the
Temple. He ttok from under his arm
a.copy OF tho Book OF Mormon, lho first
edition, ] believe, and bore y fai.hgul
testimony, lust the same as that beard
him bear ihirly-siX years previous.
August 10, 1870, in company
with Martin Harris, lett Kirkland for
Utah, and on the 2lst no was with me in
Chicago and at the American hotel
bore testimony to a large number Of poo
pie OF Ihe visitation OF the angel, etc.
Elder Stevenson has gone to meet
his reward, that ui an earnest, humble,
dillgept worker in the cause oil
humsniiy--lhe Gospel Of tho Lord.
We regret to miss his presence, 70
realize that in mortality there shalt be
heard 10 more his voice in firm lesli.
mony; and we sympathize deeply
with the family who have loved,
honored aud reveFod him as their
head. for the virtues he possessed
and exempiified in his life. But
we rejoice that in passing through
The gate to the spirit world
be is attended by the record OF
noble, righteous life which will give
20 him the MAster's welcome, "well
lone, go0d and faithful servant. I"