Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-24
Saints Gather in the Sixteenth
Ward Hall and Celebrate
His Natal Day,
MANY ACQUAINTANCES PRESENT
Tributes From Presidents Smith, Lund,
Father Tanner, Elder Richards
And Others.

niYersary OF the Dlrth OF Joseph Snhth'
the Prophet. Among those present were
Presidents Joseph f. Smith and Anthem
II. Lund Elder John Henry Smith of
the Council of the Apostles, Patriarch
John Smith, Elder Seymour b. Young
Of the First Council Of Seventies,Father
Nathan Tanner, Presidents Angus NJ.
Cannon and Joseph IL. Taylor Presi-
dent Lewis w. shurtliff and Elder An
drew Jensen. Bishop George r. En-
cry presided.
TRIBUTES FROM FRIENDS.
The exercises were commenced by the
choir and congregation singing, Praise
to the man who communed with Jeho-
YAH" Prayer was offered by Elder
John w. Woolley. and after singing,
Adam -ondl- Amman Patriarch Samuel
w. Richards, who was personally ac-
quainted with the Prophet, delivered
q neat little speech. in which he eN-
planned how Joseph had been instru-
mental In the hands of the Lord In
ushering In the greatest Of all dispense
lions, and one which included not only
the salvation OF the living, but also the
salvation of the dead. The speaker re-
lated how he, as young man III MAUI
VOC, early In 1874 had been selected
as one of % to explore the Rocky
Mountain regions with a view to that
country becoming a land of gathering
for the Saints. Though the expedition,
of which he would have been a mem
Der, never started, he had always treas
ured the grand instructions which.
during the memorable winter of 1884
he had received from Joseph the Proph-
ct and his brother Hyrum.
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH.
Elder John Henry Smith spoke upon
the wonderful impressions which the
Prophet Joseph had made upon those
who knew him personally and listened
TO his voice. The speaker said he never
grew tired In listening to the testimony
OF veterans who lived In the days or
Joseph when they referred to his divine
mission. When a man of such pro-
nounced characteristics and will power
ms Brigham Young could become an
obedient disciple of Joseph Smith and
forever remain devoted to him, some
idea may be formed OF the power OF
mind and strength of influence pos
sessed by the man whose birthday the
Saints were honoring today.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gillespie sang THE
Seer" after which President Lewis w.
Shurtliff, who, in his childhood, had
seen the Prophet Joseph, reJoiced In the
knowledge he possessed of Joseph's
mission being divine.
PRIEST, ANTHoN II. LUND,
President Anthem II. Lund referred to
the great influence the Prophet Joseph
had had upon the lives and destiny of
all who had become Latter-day Saints.
Had Joseph not been raised up as he
was, and had the Gospel not been re-
stored TO earth again In our dhy how
different would have been the career
in life OF those who are now members
of the Church of Christ. The speaker
referred feelingly to the light and
knowledge which Joseph had brought
into the world and how at the same
time the spiritual darkness that had
reigned in the world for ages had been
dlspelled,
FATHER NATHAN TANNER.
Father Nathan Tanner, nearly 90
years old. who had been a member Of
lions Camp that marched from Ohio
to Missouri IN 1884, related some Of his
experiences. He said he was associated
with the Prophet for IL years and had
seen him when under the influence Of
the Spirit and power Of God to such an
extent that his countenance shcne like
that of an angel; and he had labored
with the Prophet In the woods and in
the fields and could testify that he was
indeed man Of God under all circum-
stances. In prison and In the midst Of
prosecutions, IN meeting and on Jour
mes and while engaged In manual labor
Joseph always exhibited those grand
characteristics which elevated him far
above all those with whom he was as
ISOLATED In life. The speaker also re-
lated some of his own experiences dur
ing the Missouri prosecutions. he haV-
ing been one OF the defenders OF Far
West, and passed through many hard
and trying scenes.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH e. SMITH.
President Joseph II. Smith. after re-
ferring to Father Tanners narrative
of the early prosecutions Of the Church,
thanked God for the present peaceful
homes OF the Saints In the Rocky noun
tans. In answer 10 the question what
has Joseph Smith done for the world?"
the speaker delivered an instructive
discourse on the restoration of the
Gospel, the coming forth OF the Book
of Mormon, the redemption OF the
world from spiritual darkness, the es-
tabllshment OF the Church of Christ
on the earth with all its original Priest
hood, power, blessings and eternal COW
cnants; the turning OF the hearts OF
the children to their fathers and the
building and uses of Temples The
speaker read from the Doctrine and
Covenants the section on the martyr
dom OF Joseph and Hyrum Smith. and
closed with a powerful testimony in
regard to the divine mission OF the
Prophet Joseph Smith.
Mrs. Elizabeth d. Roundy read a pa
per- containing sentiments from the