Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-20
ONE WHO KNEW JOSEPH.

The death of the aged patriarch
Elder Howard Coray, whose funeral \
held today In Provo. removes anothe
OF the competent witnesses TO the W.
ana character OF the Prophet JOSEPH
81
The testimony Of this witness, one
OF the few who at this distance OF
time, knew the Prophet as familiarly "
they knew members of their owl
household is therefore very significant
What was his belief and conviction os
20 Joseph Smith?
In 1888, when Howard was % years
of age his father came to Illinois
then for the most part lonely prairie.
He located at Perry, Pike county
Here his father heard of Mormon
ISM" from the refugees driven from
their homes in Missouri the next
spring.
Howard Coray Joined the Church in
March. lS4O He became well ac-
qualnted with the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and was frequently In his
company in Nauvoo. He first went
there to see the Prophet in April
of that year, and makes the following
record of the event: II obtained an
interview with him. After cycling and
questioning me a little, he asked me
IF could come and live with him and
clerk for him While thus engaged
] had many very precious opportuni-
ties. Great and small lpersonsJ al
most every day were calling on him.
some for one thing, some for another
politicians and preachers OF diftereht
persuasions,-some with the view OF
testing his knowledge, and If possible
confounding him and putting (him)
to sham. Wen. what did | discover?
That he was equal TO every occasion
that he had a ready answer for all
questions. 1 heard him say that God
had given him a key of knowledge by
which he could trace a subject through
all it's ramihcations. Stephen A
Douglass called to see him and ask
him some questions. One thing he
desired to know was how he govern
ed people 40 diverse, and coming
from so many different countries with
their peculiar manners and customs.
Well he said. I simply teach them
the truth and they govern them
selves" In tho capacity OF secretary
or Church writer n!s assistant to Rob-
crit w. Thompson, who held an official
position as clerk or secretary under the
Prophet Joseph. Mr.. Coray was pres
ent when the Prophet dictated to
Elder Thompson translation or eN-
,Nla - oh IN IN
bible. He writes: II never either be-
fore or since felt as I did on that oc-
casion. !. The spirit of God descended
upon him and measure of 1t upon
me" Elder Corays unbounded trust
In and admiration for the Prophet
never diminished.
His simple and unaffected account
OF the Prophets greatness and integ-
rity as he behold them at close quar-
tiers, has In II every element of candor
and OF truth.
II requires a man with the elements
OF true greatness in his soul to make
great nd long continued sacrifices for
principle. While Elder Coray was
with the Prophet Joseph and even
while the recollection and commanding
personality of the latter were fresh In
his memory, we can explain devotion
10 the teachings of the Prophet on
the ground of personal influence and |
Individual contact. But when the de- |
votion continues, as in this case. |
throughout the varied scenes of long. |
busy. and trying experience of more
than two-thirds of century after
wards. and remains at the sunset of
life, the same fresh undlmmed belief
and conviction OF the divine calling of
the man Joseph Smith and Of the
high destiny and final success of the
work which he found-such constancy
proves both the quality of the man
who and OF the system which he cher
ished.
And this case is not unusual sub
stantially the same thing can be said
of thousands of strong. unfaltering
ana heroic characters who knew, trust
ed, and believed In the message ana
calling of Joseph smith.
Very few make sacrifices for moth
ing strong and clear minded men
do It only from conviction ana from
downright assurance. Weak and
worthless characters never do II at an
Where a mans llfo Is his testimony. II
IS scarcely necessary that his words
be added.