Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-20

Travelled. From the first the country
and people and their great needs APP
pealed to him strongly. So much So
that after the company OF young mis-
Sionarles returned home discouraged
with the seeming impossibillties of the
country, he with others felt that an
opening could be gained so they were
called to return.
The true Lamanite missionary spirit
entered his soul and remained there
until his end. EIe could see their tenn
poral needs. their great deprayity and
the remedy for II. Being released from
this mission. he remained at home five
years. laboring on the Salt Lake po-
lice force as a most efficient officer.
He then returned to preside over the
mission The native fare was so un-
wholesome. and the hardships endured
so great. that his health was ruined
and for 10 years he was n physical
wreck. While laboring in Mexico
City. exile colonIsts from Utah. en-
tered northern Chihuahua, seeking a
home. He greatly assisted in ex-
planning away the prejudice felt against
immigrants entering from the United
States.
He gained the lasting friendship and
Mexico. Pornrio Diaz' When the
lie asked the delegates from the colo
nIes about. and sent his love to. "Senor
Pratt
Lands had to be purchased. some
times with great trouble In finding
the proper titles. and In this work he
never rested from first to last His
family came to the colonies In 1887. and
he came up to locate them, there. al
ways expecting to continue his mis-
eI1 III. -.
never released. Under the direction
of Erastus Snow. he brought the ma
tive saints from around Mexico City
to the colonies
He assisted them to get located and
make themselves as comfortable as
possible, but they could not stand pio-
nosr life, and one morning when
Elder Pratt called at their little set
t!emcnt on the rivers bank. he found
them all gone. They had shoudered
their belongings and IN the darkness
of night stolen away, intending 70
work their way back 10 Mexico.
When the Juarez stake was organ
lied with a. w. WINS as president,
Helaman Pratt was chosen as a coun-
selor, and from then until the recent
reorganization, they labored untiringly
for the growth and development of the
colonies and surrounding people and
country
His home was always open and peo-
pie from all over the stake or stran-
gers passing through. visitors from
the north or the native traveller. were
sure of a welcome there.
His desire was for years to sec the
great canal at Dublnn finished He
worked for it with mis- undauntIns
energy. until he saw the water flow
from the river. across the valley, into
the natural reservoirs and on To the
prairie below. Fifteen years ago his
health was restored In a miraculous
way. From then until he received d
severe fall, a year ago, he was strong
and well.
The month prior TO his death was one
OF the most pleasant he had ever known.
His son. Rey L.. who has been for
three years presiding over the mis-
sionary work in the interior. came
home to regain strength after typhoid
fever, and they greatly enjoyed being
together
The Thanksgiving week was full of
joy. wedding feast was given for
his daughter, at which he was the
genial host
Thanksgiving day was greatly en-
joyed. meeting with all his family
during the day, except the little branch
in Mexico. dancing with his grandchil-
dren. and laughing heartily at passing
jokes In the evening plans were
made for a busy morrow: but the
morning sun found his spirit passing to
its Maker.
Four sons and four daughters were
on the other side to welcome him; and
six sons and six daughters. with IA
grandsons and three granddaughtcrs
are left to cherish his memory on earth.