Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-29

SSsSSSSSSSSSsSSSsSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs
and labor in the ministry and the oppo-
sition OF the world. And. by the way.
there is something a little interest
ing in this incident of Sidney Rigdon
coming into the work. 1t is generally
held forth. in the anti-Mormon pub
licatlons, that Joseph Smith neither
in his general information. nor In
trained faculties. was equal to the task
OF bringing forth the Book of Mormon
They assumed that some more skilful
man, some man better versed in the
Scriptures and in history. and having
more literary ability withal. was some
where behind the scenes manipulating
affairs to bring forth the Book of Nor
mon and the Mormon Church. But
Sidney Rigdon did not come to the
prophet until December. 1890. When
he came-in addition to what I have
reported OF what was promised to him
he was appointed to be scribe to the
prophet; and forever afterwards he
held a subordinate position to the
prophet. At this time Sidney Rlgdon
was a man 81 years of age: the prophet
but about %. We might ask our anti
Mormon friends how ii came about
that II Sidney Rigdon was the master
spirit in bringing forth the Book of
MDT1nDI anu Tic tiul Cll-lnt
real Mephistopheles OF the blasphemous
drama that was being enacted-how
comes 1t that after playing this part
for a number OF years. in secret when
he comes out into the public light
with all his advantage of age, of edu
cation and experience and power
as public speaker, he con-
sents to take second place in the great
drama to be enacted--no.- not even
10, ttNot lxn
ferred upon Oliver Cowdery who had
been ordained and sustained by the
Church as the second elder of the
Church, while Sidney Rigdon must be
content with being the prophets scribe!
Is there any consistency in claims of
this antiMormon sort?
I come now to another matter. You
have seen how our prophet began his
work-In prayerfully seeking unto the
Lord for his own guidance. and ever.
as his friends, one after another. come
dropping into the work. from his ia
ther and brother and Oliver Cowdery
to Sidney Rlgdon. Edward Partridge.
and afterwards the same as to Brig
ham Young Heber c. Kimball and
all the rest-eVer as they came into
the work, it was always the same
thing he inquired of the Lord for
these men, and received an answer:
he was prayerful throughout. In
1893 the prophet himself went on
mission to Canada to visit some
branches of the Church that had been
raised up by the labors of Farley p.
Pratt: and among the treasures of our
Historians office is the daily journal
of the prophet while on that mission
a little book-not so large. in thickness.
at least, but a little larger In length
and breadth than this hymn book that
I now hold in my hand; journal kept
In his own hand writing, that recorded
the events of each day. the thoughts
that were in his heart. and his method
of procedure l want to read few
entries from that journal to you: be-
cause our Church history that is. as
originally published In the Times and
Seasons and as published In The Mil
lennlal Star, does not contain all the
entries of the prophet In that journal:
but in the recently published history OF
the Church. in the first volume of the
five now published. these entries are
to be found in the foot-notes. 1 want
to have you follow the prophet for
few days in his ministry, that you
may know the spirit OF this man.
A FEW DAYS WITH THE PROPHET
oct 81 started on a journey to
the east. and to Canada, In company
with Elders Rigdon and Freeman Nick
erson. We arrived In Springfield
whilst the brethren were in meeting,
and Elder Rigdon spoke to the con-
gregation. A large and attentive con-
gregation assembled at Brother Rudd's
in the evening. to whom we bore our
testimony. Had a great congregation
paid good attention. God. seal our
testimony to their hearts" That is
from page of the manuscript book l
speak Of
''Oct. live left Westheld. and con-
tInulng our journey. stayed that night
with a man named Nash, an infidcl,
with whom we reasoned. but to no pur-
pose. feel very we'll in my mind The
Lord is with us. but have much anxiety
about my family" CPage -
Thursday. 24th-At the house of Mr.
Beman. In Colburn. whence we left for
Waterford, where we spoke to a small
congregation; thence TO Mount Pleas
ant, and preached 10 a large congrega-
tlon tho same evening, when Freeman
A. Nickcrson and his wife declared
their belief in the work, and offered
themselves for baptism. Great excite
ment prevailed in every place We WIS.,
tied The result is in the hands OF
Cod
Friday 25th-This afternoon, at a
Mr. Pattricks: expect to hold a meet
ing this evening. People very supersti-
tlous. o God. establish thy word
among this people. Held Il meeting this
evening; had an attentive congrega-
tlon; the Spirit gave utterance"
''2Sth-In the evening we broke bread
and lad on hands for the gift of the
Holy Ghost. and for confirmation. hav-
Ing baptized two more. The Spirit was
given in great power TO some. and peace
to others May God carry on his work
In this place till all shall know him
Amen" page l6)
Tuesday. 29th-Aftcr preaching at
10 o'clock a m. ! baptized two, and
confirmed them at the waters side
Last evening we ordained F. A. Nick
erson an elder. and one of the sisters
received the gift OF tongues. which
made tho saints rejoice exceedingly