Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-03-03
ANOTHER VETERAN cAInED.

Elder Peter Forsgrcn. whose death
nj Brigham city WINS announced In the
eNewsa on Monday, was the FIRST con-
vert to the Gospel, baptized in the Sean
dlnavian mission His baptism took
place ut Geae. Sweden, In July, 1850,
or nearly ffty-eight years ago. That
is a long time. Elder Forsgren has
been a faithful member OF the Church
all these years Though he has passed
through many trials and difficulties, he
has never wavered in his faith. His
testimony has ever been firm and con
sistent.
Elder Forsgren had, from the first,
almost miraculous proofs OF the truth
of the Gospel His sister, who also
embraced the Gospel. has often told
how one Sunday, when attending
church, she saw before her a person.
age who told her that soon man
would come to her native town with
three books and, he added. "all who
believe in the things written in the
books. shall be saved shortly after
this vision Elder John +. Forsgren ar
rived in Gene. as q missionary from
Utah He had the Bible, the Book of
Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.
She believed, and so did her brother
But this WAS not the only evidence
OF the divine nature of the message.
Peter Forsgren was. according to his
own testimony suffering from con-
sumption at the time of his CONVEX
sion. The physicians had given him
up. But he was restored through
faith and prayers, and this wonderful
experience he never tired of relating
He also very often told OF another
incident. One day his brother, John
Forsgren, was summoned 10 appear be-
fore the public prosecutor and during
the examination that official asked him
il he had n picture of the Prophet Jo-
scph. lie had one, and gave it to the
official, who promptly set fire to It,
While II was burning. John Forsgren
was moved upon by the Holy Spirit.
and he saw the city DESTROYED by fire.
lie made the prediction that the vista
ton would come, Nineteen years from
that date, Gene was almost totally
destroyed by Il conaagration, and tn,
fire started Elder Forsgren testifcs
In the very house In which the plctur'
of the Prophet was consigned TO thu
flames.
such are some of the testimonies OF
a great many OF the early converts u
the Gospel of Jesus. As they have be-
come more conversant with the won
derful truths revealed, the pure and
high moral ideals of the servants OF
the Lord, and their unselfish sacrifice
upon the altar Of service their testi-
mony has become stronger and strong
eT.
The death of Elder Torsgren and
others whose departure has been an
nounced lately reminds us that tn,
old veterans are dropping off, one b,
one. But though they are dead, they
speak. In the record they have lef
us, they give encouragement to faith
fulness, They tell us Of the life be
You'd.
III all our hopes and all our fears
Were prisoned In LIES marrow
bounds;
II. travellers through this vale of tears
We saw no better world beyond;
Oh, what could check the rising sigh
What earthly thing could pleasure
give?
Oh, who would venture then TO die?
Oh, who could then endure to live?
And such were life without the ray
From our divine religion given;
TITS this that makes our darkness day
IT'S this that makes our earth
heaven.
Bright Is the golden sun above,
And beautiful the flowers Inat bloom
And all Is Joy and all Is love-
Reelected from the world to come"