Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-07-26


out moleslstiou. IL 1t had not besu
for the persuasions Of iriends, real or
pretended, Joseph would have pro-
ceeded himself, in compsny with bis
brother. Hyrum, to lead out aud ex-
plore these western wilds to find q
nome for his people. In the provl-
denco o. tine Almighty there were
different results. Joseph aud Hyrum
returned to Nsuvoo, auTTendereI them.
selves into the nanus OF their enemies,
and very soon met msrtyT's late as
the Prophet hal predicted.
After tho death OF Joseph and
Hymn prosecutions continued, as
history records, anu the exodus from
the state OF IliinUie c0mnisncsd, LED
by President Brigham Young ash his
worthy associates, aud made complete
Sy the evacuation OF Nauvoo, anu
the march OF the great BODY OF the
people toward the west. Camping on
the banks Of the Miss jurl river, Presi-
dent Young commenced preparation 8
to carry out the project devised by
Joseph smith. 1t was there that the
call came from the government Tor 900
men to aid in the war with Mex CO.
The Mormon Battalion was fitted out,
and over 500 picked men began their
unparalleled journey TO Santa Fe.
Wider Quarters was established on
the banks of the Missouri, ana
In early epring the Pioneer COM
many was organZ,i by President
Young to cross the plains and moun-
tsins ana fiud the spot desired
by the Prophet Joseph and beheld
in vision by the Prophet Brigham be-
lore he started on that evenuul jour
Dey. GA the 7th OF April, 1si7, the
Pioneers, numbering l4o men, 3
women aud 2 children, with ~
wagons, SO horses. so mules, So oxen
and 10 cows, moved out OF Winter
Quarters on their way to the West.
When sixty miles out ON the l7th day
OF April, the company was fully organ
lied, anu instructions were gwen by
President Young as TO the mode OF
travel, the order that was to be OBJ
served, and general rules and regula-
lions to govern their conduct. The
incidents OF that memorable journey
need not now be detailed, they are
written on the pages OF modern his.
tory. Suffice 1t to cay, that after the
weary march over sage and sand, over
river and mUu ntsin, inst little band OF
heroes led by Brigham Young and the
spirit OF inspiration, puruant OF the
course outlined by the Prophet Joseph
Smith. succeeded in reaching this
spot, and on the cath day Of July, lS47.
heard the welcome words from their
chief, "rhis is the place.
Although the scene they gszsd upon
was one OF deeolatloD, not human
haDitation in view, ssgebrush covering
the land ami The sun'a burning glare
rejecting from the salt inland sss,
rugged mountains appearing their
lofty heights In frown ming grandeur, the
pilgrims OF the latter times gave thanks
ana praise to God that they had found
the place beheld by the Prophets,
where the house OF the Lord should be
reared and "people from all nations
should flow unto it,"
1 need not dwell upon the laying
out OF the city OF the Saints, the turn.
ing out OF the mountain streams to
water the parched anu sun-baked
soil, the plans for protection against
tho Inuiaus, the instructions
and counsels ior Oh urch government,
the return OF President Young with a
company back TO Winter Quarters, the
removal OF the body OF the people from
the banks OF the Missouri westward to
the Great Salt Lake, and the ingather.
lug Of the Saints from the four quar-
tiers Of the earth. With these incidents
we are all more or less familiar. The
Lord protected his servants and hand
maidens In their journeying and in
eettiing the solitary places in the midst
OF the mou ntains. The members OF the
Mormon Battalion were preserved as
predicted. Tins Pioneers, and, those
who followed them, were also blessed
Of In h.lr I'd
taking; and now Utah, after passing
through persecution and suffering,
caused by misundefsta nding anu mis.
representation, has emerged from the
privations, tolls, travsils aud suffer.
ings OF early days, anu has com, up
Into the light aud liberty and glory OF
a sovereign State IN the great Ameri.
can Uniou. Sue 10 surrounded by
other commonwealth whose begin.
nings grew GU! OF the root planted
here by the hand OF the Pioneers.
During the past week a Jubilee has
been held in tOeir honor. A splendid
monument has been unveiled aud pre-
senteu to the public, bearing the statue
OF President Brigham Young, anu
standing at the head OF the chief street
in Salt Lake City, as tribute TO the
great work OF thosenoble Pionsers. The
surviving men anu women who were
among the hfst settlers in this valley
have been treated with that courtesy
and kindness which was their due,
and with that venetation for the Rgsu
which Ia one OF the characteristics OF
Utah's people.
But many OF those who pioneered
the way to this place where hundreds
OF thousands have found pleasant
home. have passed through the veil
which is drawn by the hand Of Pro.
whence between This mortal sphere
and the spirit world. We regret tn cir
departure, we miss them from our
society, we bade them farewell with
SORROW; but where are they now?
Their bodies sleep peacefully where
loving hands have laid them TO rest,
but they are not In those silent graves.
They have gone before us, perhaps to
pioneer the way where We shall follow
to mansions prepared for the just.
A rich reward awaits them when the
eternal Judge shali give unto every
man according to the deeds done in
body. d. you not believe that they
who were SO closely associated in the
tolls and travels uf this life, are living
and acting together in that better
world where Joseph and Hyrum, and
Brigham ana John, with the A posrles
and Elders and faithful Saints OF the
latter.days, are dwelling In the sun.
shins of their great Reueemer and IA a..