Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-06-27
A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY

A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY
sixty years ago today a tragedy was
enacted az Carthage, Illinois, whlch
stained with blood the soil Of that state
and the honor Of it, then Executive
Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the Prophet
and Patriarch Of the Church Of Jesus
Christ Of Latter-duy Saints, were cruel
BY slain by disguised mob and John
Taylor one OF the Twelve Apostles, was
wounded In four places by the murder
Gus and fanatica assallants Willard
Richards, another Of the Apostles, es-
capped without injury, although exposed
20 the fire Of the assassins, while con-
cealli5 his wounded companion They
We're under the pledged protection OF
the Governor OF Illinois,
The story Of the charges preferred
against the Prophet his surrender to
the demands of the law, the acknowl-
edgement Of his enemies that there
was no case against the Smiths the
organization effected for their assassin
alton, the pretended guard over them
by the Carthage Groys who deserted
their post TO make way for the mob,
and the details OF the martyrdom and
the fear that fell upon the people that
the "Mormons" would wreak summary
vengeance, In retaliation for the awful
and causeless crime, have been told re-
peatedly and form a startling chapter
IN the annals of the Church and Of the
nation,
We do not wish now TO revive the
feelings OF horror and resentment that
animated the souls Of the Saints when
the full sense OF the situation fell upon
them In Nauvoo, nor to dwell upon the
infamy Of the unayenged slaughter Of
those anointed servants of the Lord
our purpose is simply TO keep in memo.
ny the day OF their sacrifice, when they
sealed their testimony with their
blood II is one Of the anniversaries
that should be kept In mind, The great
mission those noble brothers performed
should never be forgotten. When the
archives kept on high are opened and
the chief events on this earth are dis
closed and the seven angels shall sound
their trumpa "and reveal the secret
acts OF men, and the thoughts and in
tents of their hearts, and the mighty
works OF God" in each OF the worlds
seven thousand years, the grand mis-
sion OF the Prophet and Patriarch viii
be proclaimed among the greatest of
all, and the responsibility for cutting
them OF in the strength OF their man
hood and the hight of their usefulness.
VIII be placed where II belongs and the
word Of the Most High VIII be verified.
Vengeance is mine. | win repay"
Today we remember the grief that
rent the hearts of the Saints when the
sad tldlngs Of the tragedy reached
them, and we reflect on the career of
the greatest prophet on earth except
the Redeemer We marvel at the
wealth OF principle and the gems Of
intelligence he brought forth with the
history Of continent, reyealments Of
the eternal past and Of the everlasting
future, Of the nature Of God, Of the des-
tiny OF man, OF the exaltation and glory
awaiting the good and obedIent, and OF
the final redemption OF the race. and we
praise the Great. Centre of light and
truth, the Father Of us all. for the
manifestations he has made through
the seer Of the nineteenth century.
We his followers are building upon
the foundations which he laid. We pro-
claim the doctrines that he taught. We
are guided by the patterns that he
gave, We administer the ordinances he
explained We act by authority Of the
Priesthood he received under the hands
of holy messengers from on high. Ever
blest be his memory and that Of his
faithful brother, who stood by him
through life and was with him in
death. lnseparahle they were In NOR
tally they share the honors and the
rewards Of immortality and endless do
minion
Today the First Presidency with 9TH
ers of the committee appointed for the
purpose of erecting monument TO the
memory of the martyrs, selected a spot
within the Temple grounds on which 1t
is to be erected, 1t Is a fitting time for
this choice and a most suitable place
Thousands OF the Saints will wish to
contribute to the memorial 1t will be
fashioned and set up In due season and
VIII be worthy OF the heroes departed.
The great and last dlspensation ush-
cred IN under the atter-day Prophet
continues TO 90 forward II win pro-
coed and prevail Il Is onward I'm
power not only upon earth but IN the
regions OF the departed. The mighty
ones slain at Carthage are far greater
In their ministry where they have gone,
and where they are Joined by hosts OF