Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-02
MEANING OF THE MONUMENT

There was a much deeper significance
Smith and party to the birthplace OF the
Seer Of the Nineteenth century than the
dedication OF the beautiful, polished
granite monument erected there TO his
memory. The day Of the dedication
marked the passing OF a century from
the time OF his birth. What marvels
have been wrought since, on that OBJ
ecure spot I'm an humble family, the boy
was born whose name IL now known
throughout the civilized world for good
or evil. as the angel Moroni declared to
him It should be- long before a step
was taken towards the establishment Of
the grand ecclesiastical organization
under his personal direction which has
evoked the wonder and admiration OF
the greatest minds of the age!
The rapid and pleasant trip of the
party took In several points Of inter-
est associated with the history OF the
latter-day Prophet. But the services
performed commenced on the very spot
marked by The hearthstone OF the house
since destroyed, where he was hrst
clasped TO bis mothers breast. The
spirit and influence felt at the
dedicatory ceremonies made deep i'm
preston upon the throngs who gathered
from the hillside farms OF Vermont,
and will radiate from that point until
they reach over the round globe,
turn will be taken In the tide OF the
affairs of this dispensation. and the
results will be Of far-reachng and tre-
mendous importance.
The place to which Joseph's father
and family removed. the grove where
the inquiring youth.in answer to prayer,
was visited by the Father and the
Son. the room where he translated
much OF the Book OF Mormon; the hill
Cumorah where the plates were secret
ed and guarded for centuries, and
around which the hosts of the Jaredites
and later the NephItes and Lamanites,
waged their decisive battles, were visit
ed In succession. marking prominent
scenes IN the progress OF the latter-day
work, and giving Joy and Increased
faith 10 the party, who were favored
10 view them IN company with de-
pcendant OF the Seer and Patriarch who
"sealed their testimony with their
blood"
The power of the spirit that was felt
on each OF these occasions was so palp-
able, peaceful and inspiring that all
present could foresee the final triumph
Of the truth, over error, ignorance, sin
and Satan and the accomplishment
Of the mission Of the latter
day Prophet That influence
was with the company all the way on
their return as well as In the meetings
that we're held at Royalton. Boston and
chicago, and the fiual gathering on the
train on New Years eve. when every
one of the party expressed as forcibly
as human language could convey. the
gratitude felt, unitedly and individual
~, for the privilege OF the journey and
The great blessings enjoyed. The inn
pressions thus received Will remain,
while life and thought and being lasts
or Immortality endures." And the pre-
dictions made on those occasions will
be assuredly fulfilled, and the monu-
ment to the genius and prophetlc char
acter of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in
the Church which he founded and the
glorious principles he made known, viii
be far more potent In perpetuatlng his
memory. than will even the splendid
monument that stands. shining lovely
and prominent on the hill close to his
birthplace at sharon Windsor county,
IN the state cf Vermont.