The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-12-11
Capture Of Warsaw by Germans Seems Certain
Russians Practically Admit City Will Fall
Smith
Was NOT
A MORMON

Independence, Mo-. Dec. 11.-A
revelation announced by Joseph Smith
president of the reorganized church of
the Latter Day Saints, eight years ago,
designating as his successor his eldest
son. lifted from the church the burden
or choosing a new leader upon the
Death here yesterday afternoon of the
patriarch, who for ffty-four years had
presided over the organization. The
son, Frederick NJ. Smith, who since
his father announced the Divine
revelation in 1906. has fulfilled many
of the duties of leadership auto
matlcally becomes head of the church.
Tine new president is 81 years old.
His designation to succeed his father
was ratified by the general conference
shortly after the father announced that
ne had received the revelation.
Although he was blind and during
the last days suffered frequent rushes
or pain, President Smith in his final
hours showed a cheerful humor. Just
before he became unconscious he smil-
ed and said: s..<
Il wish those of my friends who may
intend placing flowers on my coffin
would refrain. Let them give the
money to charity
The wife. six sons and two daugh.
ters OF the president were at his bed
side when he died and had been about
him all through his illness. From his.
lips they heard frequent words OF
counsel as to the future conduct OF
the church. = rs.
The funeral will be held from the
Old Stone church here next Sunday
afternoon. The body is to lie in state
In thee hurch from in the morning
until noon. Burial will be in the
Mound Grove cemetery just outside
Independence, the official burying
ground or the reorganized church.
Biography.
A history of Joseph Smith, who was
son of Joseph Smith, prophet, and
founder of Mormonism, is a history of
the reorganized church Of the Latter
Day Saints. 1t was he who brought
together the little bands of Mormons
in Illinois. Iowa and Missouri, left be-
hind when the main body Smigrated to
Utah He became the first president
OF the re-organized church. and held
tiGaL once more than half a centIIrv.
Until his death. He was a cousin Of
Joseph Fielding Smith, in recent wears
president of the Latter Day Saints in
Utah. 80 80 =
The greater part of Pres. Joseph
Smiths life was a struggle, as had
been the. life of his father. to pi:,cs
Mormonism upon a round footing
During the last years of his life he was
blind.
He was born Nov, 6, 1892, at Kirt-
land. o.. where his father had gone
two years earlier with few followers,
from Manchester. N. Y. Soon after
wards the colony moved to Missouri
There at Independence, the prophet as
he was known. established the New
Jerusalem" CT the church, obeying. he
said, revelation. Enmity OF other
settlers, however, resulted in the Nor
mons being driven out. Pronhet
Joseph Smith was arrested and placed
IT, Jail at Liberty. Mo. s"E'
In the Jail, where the younger
Joseph, then five years old, spent the
first night with his father, the prophet
bent over the child as he sobbed him
self to sleep, and to him commended
the hopes and aspirations OF the
church. ra 0..... ! =
My mother accompanied my father
to Liberty" Joseph Smith told, in later
years, ''but fearing for her life. my
father induced her to go with members
of the church to Illinois.
Il tramped across the almost unin-
habited prairies of Missouri to Nauvoo.
Ill, where my father, when he was re-
leased, joined us. Then. in 1914. when
l was IL years old, one day his dead
body was brought to us. He had been
shot by mob In Carthgate, ILL.,"
After the death of the prophet most
OF the members of the church emigrat-
ed to Utah under the leadership of
Brigham Young. Young Joseph Smith.
remaining behind, worked as farmer
and as a clerk and studied law. This
he gave UP to effect the re-organiza-
ton OF the church. which was formal
ly accomplished at Amboy, ILL.,, in 1860.
Twenty years later headquarters OF the
church was established in Lamont, Ia,
and In 1905 a removal was made to
independence, Mo-, where President
Smith made his home and where he
resided until his death.
President Smith lived simply, oc-
cupying modest cottage, one room OF
which constituted his office. He arose
early and until his health began to fail
a few years ago and blindness over
took him, he devoted his days to edl-
torial work for The Saints Herald, the
official publication of the chdlcn and
governmental affairs of the organiza-
ton, as well as responding to many
pleas for advice from communicate.
1.-THE aged church head was a familiar
figure in independence, with heavy
whitened beard and dressed plainly. he
had much the appearance OF well-to-
do farmer He was in close touch with
the members of his church and was
Familiarity addressed by them as
Brother Joseph Much of the active
conduct of his Office he turned over in
1912 to his son, Frederick M. Smith.
who, he declared. revelation and said
should succeed him.
President Smith was married three
times. losing his first and second
wives by death. He denounced poly
gamous teachings and practices and
most emphatically denied that his
father was polygamist or sanctioned
polygamy.
THREE CARS OF HORSES