Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-04-12

faced the city and the Temple grounds.
and our own Temples and land OF Zion
on the west.
our friends observed our prepara-
tons with interest, at a distance. UNI
tll began to pray at $3.50 p. m. They
then withdrew, Il we had the most
profound quiet 1t did seem as IL IL
were commanded Peace be still'
Heaven and earth seemed to be IN pro-
found silence for one half an hour
Not movement to break the stiffness
of the occasion. We were enyelopcd
In the power Of the Holy Ghost
The prayers and blessings by our
brethren before us came In remem-
brance, and I'm all solemnty and ear
nestness we did plead with the Lord
for the redemption OF Judah and Jeru-
salem and the fulnlment OF the words
of Isaiah and other ancient prophets
as well as the words OF the Savior In
former days, as well as to the Prophet
Joseph In this dlspensauou We be-
sought the BLESSINGS df the Lord upon
the whole land ana upon the posterty
of Abraham. We blessed the Garth
that ID may become fruitful as OF DID
We blessed the people that they mag be
redeemed from their superstition and
idolatry. We sought also the welfare Of
modern Israel gathered and scattered,
and prayed for the opening up of the
way for the preaching OF the Gospel
In all nations, We remembered our
brethren who bear the responsibilities
OF the kingdom at this time. We re-
membered the missions in all the earth.
When we finished at 4 p. M. our souls
were fun of gratitude and great JOY.
We felt that one prime object Of our
coming NJ this time was accomplished.
We have been particularly light and
joyous in our spirits ever since
What a wonderful revolution must
come to this land city and people! The
Turkish government keeps a guard Of
soldiers IN many Of the churches to
prevent the Roman and Greek Cath
olics from staying each other. 1t Is
so here I'm the Church Of the Sepul-
chre and In the Church Of the Nativity
at Bethlehem. Then the barrenness
Of this rocky country is something
miraculous 10 be corrected, but the
Lord can no doubt bring fertility to
the stones as readily as he can correct
the idolatry Of the people
[ am getting information from Pres
ident Herman In regard 10 the Turkish
mission. and shall meet the Elders and
Saints at Iiaifa and Alntab. ! could
get but little idea Of the affairs of
the Turkish mission without visiting Il.
So far as ! have listened 20 President
Herman in relation 10 the work, Il Is
not very encouraging The poverty
and helplessness OF those who have
Joined the Church makes a very serious
question as TO how they shall rstaln
themselves. The ablest Of the people
have gathered home and those that
can gather out this spring win 80 so,
and in that way the mission is all the
time getting weaker instead Of strong
err. When ! get through here ! shall
have a good understandings the status
OF affairs. Tomorrow viii be our last
day here. on Saturday the Sth we shall
go 10 jana. We are located In the
center Of the city. as near as we can
tell at the hospice Of st. Johns. We
moved here from our former ce yes
terday. The main central thor ugh
fare from Damascus gate crosses at
right angles another main street just
under our hotel From the roof OF
our hotel we have a good view OF the
temple grounds and the east part Of the
city. and the Mount OF Olives This
Is visit TO very interesting
land. but II Is not a plea
sure trip. Yet one can get
around much more comfortably than
in the days when Priests Smith and
Snow were here Prest Lund UNDER
stands all about t. and II ! remember
correctly, he is the only one Of tho
Apostles remaining alive who has visit
ed this section before me.
We have not experienced much hot
weather. IL is quite cool here. Tour
lists are coming into the country Just
now in goodly numbers. Mr. Clark OF
New York is bringing IN company
Of 500, and | think he will find difficulty
IN taking care of them and moving
them about in this neighborhood We
shall return by way Of COnstantinope,
Greece and Italy. We leave Beyrout
al ril IL, and get 10 Liverpool about
May l5 / nave developed a better
sailor than Brother Cannon. | have
rot been sick as ] used TO be In former
years. Sull / am always happier on
and than on sea. My general health ~
good / can do considerable walking,
I get tired. but a night Of sleep puts
me all right again. / have had no
news from Liverpool since | left Let
.ers | wrote Prest, Herman before |
EFT there have not reached him yet.
Mall facilities are very poor and prob
cmatical Prest. I.und will remember
now tedious It is 10 get about in this
COUNTRY The prospect OF having to
ravel much on horseback Is terriiy-
ng 10 me and we shall avoid that mode
rs much as possible Since the Emper-
,r OF Germany visltd Palestine the
Dads are improved. and travelling by
wagons or carriages Is much more gem
rial. The assaults upon pilgrims ana
ourists for Dakshish are eXasperating
% nervous people. and make all people
lervous. / shall write again from Ain
alb after ! visit the Saints and Elders
n northern Syria. Elder Booth, think,
cunts on returning 10 his home In
Provo this spring. He viii very soon
ave been four years In this mission.
iail facilities being 80 precarious IN
turkey. ] have not ventured to have
much Of my mail matter follow me;
ence ] may not hear from you until
return 10 Liverpool. My health and
trength hold out we'll Priests. Cannon
nd Herman. my companions, join me
h sending love 10 you and all our
rethren. Our hearts are with yours
d the work OF the Lord. My compan-
,ng are thorough and Jealous men OF
God ability and wisdom. | pray the
lesslngs OF the Lord and the inspira-
ION Of the Holy Spirit to be upon you
,rever. Yours affectionately
FRANCIS NJ. LYMAN.