Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-05-30

cfs.
Il rs wei known 20 the Saints who
are familiar with the history OF The
Church, that the Prophet Joseph Smith
contemplated the colonization ot spot
In the Rocky Mountains where De and
bis people would be secure from their
prosecutors, that he predicted the
Saints would become a great noopa ln
this region. that be selected a come
pany 70 go ON an exploring expedition
from Nauvoo 20 inspect the country
aud that whoa DC started from that city
TO come West to escape from his ena-
mics. he intended 20 proceed 10 the
place whore he had forctold that his
people would build settlements aud
flourish He returned on the persua-
sion OF his iFlonds CD and met his mar
lyrdom
When President Brigham YOUNG with
the Twelve, decided to move the eXiled
church TO this then unknown region, It
was primarily 20 consequence Of the
intention OF the Prophe, Joseph, who
FIRST pointed the way. lie was also In
splr,d Of God TO lead the Saints across
the plains and mountains. deserts and
streams, 90 carry out that which the
Prophet had designed Indeed mat
great pioneer and leader lived and
aimed. an the time 20 make practical
and real the purposes that burned in
the bosom and brain ot the Seer Of the
nlnoteeulb century.
The Lamont Herald quotes the follow
ing from Roberts Succession IN the
Presidency page 1927
"Under date VI August 9Th, 1872 Io-
seph writes In his history. I prophe-
sled that the Saluts would continue 20
suffer much affection, and would be
driven 10 the Rocky Mountains, many
would apostatize. others would be put
10 death by our prosecutors. or lose
their lives IN consequence Of exposure or
disease. and some Of you VIII live TO 90
and assist In making settlements and
build cities. and see them become q
mighty people in the midst OF the Rocky
Mountains"
Doubt IL then cast on the citation on
these pleas: First, that no reference n
there made ITO any publication or
manuscript where this statement can
be found" Second, that Elder Arson
Call claims to have heard this prophe-
cy and gives the time and place as
Montrose, Iowa. July IA. lsi3. Third,
that "Church Chronology states that
a company was selected on Feb. q,
1874. to explore oregon and California,
and select site for new city for the
Saints. Fourth, that President George
Q. Cannon, on Feb rs, 1900 delivered a
discourse in which he spoke Of the con-
dition Of affairs when President Young
declared what was the Lords win, con-
corning the movement OF the Saints to
the West and their starting out with
out clear conception In their minds
where the Journey would terminate
From all this the Herald draws these
very sage ovid sage) conclusions:
"Then Joseph Smith dld not prophesy
that the Saints would be driven to the
Rocky Mountains; he did not describe
those valleys as Elder Arson Call af-
firms: there was no company selected
In his time TO explore Oregon and
California and select a site for the new
city for the Saints"
II the writer Of the remarkably logic.
al attempt IN the Herald to east dis
credit on well known history, will take
the trouble to verify the statements
which he tries 10 make disagree, he
viii find them Except the remarks OF
President George Q. Cannon in the
History OF Joseph Smith In the Millen-
NAL Star originally published in the
Deseret News The manuscript from
which the printing was done Is pre-
served in the Office OF the Church His
torlan. SO far as to the reference.
Now as to the testimony Of Arson
Call Because that gentleman whose
yeracity no one who knew him viii at
tempt to impeach, heard Joseph Smith
speak OF the future Of the Saints In the
Rocky Mountains, in 1919. therefore the
Prophet did not utter the same, or
similar prediction. in 1922 Wonderful
reasoning Is II not? on the
same rule. because the Savior uttered
TO the Nephites. after His resurrection,
similar prophecies and teachings that
he spoke 70 the Jews In Palestine, before
His death then neither OF the state
ments Of history is truel How would
that sort Of logic answer az to any kind
Of confederation in testimony
Next. because Joseph Smith proph-
esed on August g, 1912, and again on
July A. 1913 that the Saints would
build settlements ana cities IN the
Rocky Mountains, then "there was no
company selected In his time TO explore
Oregon and California to select a site
FOR new city FOR the salnts" Such
ratiocinatlon is delicious. But there Is
more OF the same sort.
President Cannons description Of the
condition Of the people when President
Young, after vain appeals had been
made to the Governors OF the different
States for an asylum for the driven
Saints declared to them the viii Of the
Lord that they should so 70 this vest
ern country, where they could dwell In
peace, therefore Il is argued.
III Mr. Cannon Is right all the claims
made regarding Joseph Smith plan
ming this Western Exodus and predict
Ing the work 10 be done In the Rocky
Mountains. Is false. Joseph Smith knew
nothing about H."
We need quote no more. Il Is shame
COL to thus seek TO mslead the readers
90 the Saints Herald" We are sorry
tu see such wretched attempts TO throw
dlst and doubt over truths Of history.
The Prophet Joseph repeatedly touched
900 ibis topic, as We win take further OPP
paftun,ty 10 show when we have space
b., r.l.s.,vv rnfar.nf4a hut Nc viii