Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-04-08

To the Editor:
During the FIRST few years after the
Gospel was restored to the earth In
these last days, and true messengers
were sent into Allegheny county. con-
victlon settled on the minds OF many
who. accordingly. were initiated Into
the true fold. Some Of these fell after
wards from position Of honor ana
respect In the Church Notable among
these may be mentioned Sidney lugion.
George Robson ana Edward Wingate.
The legacy bcqueathcd by our sa-
vior Hatred and envy from those who
love not the truth" eventually mani
tested Itself. No doubt however. the
honest In heart. who were then here.
were gathered out. for the voice OF IN
nplratlon ceased 10 be heard In this
section. and for upwards OF forty years
the people have been left TO walk In
their own ways. but now. again, they
ARE reused from their spiritual slumbcr
on Mary ~. 1895. I commenced my la
bors here In company with Elder J. H.
Boss OF Granger. Utah. We directed
our attention mostly TO the rural dis
tricta. and were successful In obtaining
a few school houses TO preach In. We
also found some who received the truth.
ON the birthday Of our nations indu-
pcndcncc. July 9Th. out OF the usual
order OF worldly celebrations. we ac-
companiod three converts 10 the wat.
ers edge and Elder Bcss administered
the holy ordlf ance. Since that day the
splrl, Of God has manifested Itself In
their lives, and they rejoice In a teati-
mony OF the truth.
Elder Bees received an honorable ~
lease and returned home on Octobcr ~
Elder Jerry Hancock Of Payaon. Utah.
then Joined me. aud we continued the
work 20 we'll commenced. ON october
18th We had the privilege OF bdptizing
another faithful soul.
Occasionally upon our appearance tho
sparks OF hatred which have been
Hmouldcrlng In the memory Of old fct-
tiers since Mormon" Elders were here
before. kindlcd afrcsh and We become
the objects of their rldicule. ON one
occasion. after holding a we'll attended
meeting. an elderly man Of command-
Ing structure demanded that We take
back our words of defense for tho
Prophet Joseph. or he would test our
physical ability. The pr0tcctlns hand
Of the Lord was over Us. however. and
We succeeded In praclfying him with
out any trouble.
At our neml.annual conference. held
IN the city OF wcllsvilie. this county
brother Hancock was appointed TO la
Dor In another locality. and Elder J. H.
Foulgcr OF ogden Joined me. We re-
maincd In that city for "a short time
after conference, but the school houses
were closed to ua, aud our literature
was refused
We NEXT took quarters In the town Of
Friendship. which II the plaso where
sidney Itigdon spent his last days. Tho
feeling towards w In that town was
very bitter. for In most caHca We were
Judged by the actions Of Mr.. Rigdon.
aud the evil reports he made of our
people Two ~ his daughters yet re-
side there. ana I had the privilege Of
visiting both Of them. but they were
not at all friendly. and emphallcaliy
denied ever having the distinction %
being Identified with the "Mormons."
who made the journey across the plains
to Utah. They believed that Joseph
Smith was fallen Prophet. The young
cr one. however. who was but eight
years OF age when her father removed
To pittrburg. Pa. against counsel. has
Joined the Methodist organization. but
IL II not at all singular To know that
the other one. who was old enough To
receive some 81 the liKht NJ pure rcli-
gion. before her father departed from
the faith. can not be content with the
assurance that sectarianiHm offers. She
II not connected with any creed.
MIR, itigdon died under anything but
prosperous circumstances. His re-
mains were FIRST laid In the common
buryinK ground. but aftsrward removed
To Maple Grove cemetery. a tomb
stone marks the spot.
There Il a general idea among the
people Of Friendship that the present
Citiren's Bank n that place was first
founded with Church money Illegally
used. our church History says that
''rho Kirkland Safety Bank. estab-
llrhrd by Joseph for the benefit ana adj
vantage Of the Saints, failed. through
the speculation. nwindlinE and treach-
cry OF subordinate officers" This II the
only authentic clue obtained by me 20
nuhrtnntinte the prevalent Idea.
Generally speaking prejudice N hlgh
here at present. The pulpit and press
frequently cry out against Us. but We
know that truth will weather every
storm, and that sunshine follows rain.
Occasionally we receive pamphlets pub
iished agnina tua. one OF which contains
this amusing explanations; THE rca-
son Mormon missionaries are 80 sue
ceaHful with their abomlnablc doctrlue
Ii because they are skilled dccelvorr."
Envy and hatred towards the cause
are quite general In the thickly settled
towns. while In some of tho rural dis
tricta. we have some friends ana Saints.
Among these wish 10 mention lirother
l,uarcl cutler, who n now Hoyenty-slx
years of age, and has been n member
NJ the Church nifty -elght year,. lie
surroundings. I'd Htill bears a faithful
testimony u the truth. His doors are
always open to the missionaries. and
we Ind IL good place Tor recreation
after taking "A tour over the county,
The News" II very welcome WIS.,
itor, and We recognize the kindnea OF
the manager In sending II to ".
Your brethren,
J. A. ROCKY 90.
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