The Blackfoot optimist., 1916-12-28
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH

/ President Joseph F. Smith of the Nor
mon church celebrated his 18th birth
day in Salt Lake City November1s.
He received Fluctuations from all Soc
tions Of the United States and from
all foreign countries, where his work
!! is well known and where his influence
as builder has been recognized.
At the family ga*hering held in ths
afternoon President Smith enjoyed
luncheon with 1913 members Of his fam
!: lily, including 63 of his IS grandchildren.
In the evening he received officials Of
the church and prominent citizens at
his residence, the Beehive house.
! The following appreciation Of Presi-
dent Smith WIS written by a personal
friend:
''Born November Ii, 1898, at Far
West, Caldwell county, Mo-, President
Joseph F. Smith 8 cradle was adver-
sity and his tutor was poverty and re-
ligious persecution. His mother was
one of the great pioneer heroines Of the
Mormon church. His inherited loyalty
and courage taguht him the value of
patience and endurance. He drove one
Of his mothers OK teams across the
plains and entered with her into this
VALLEY September 23, lS4S. Flowing
harvesting and woo1chopping hardened
his muscles and taught him resourcefur
ness and initiative.
He started out on mission when
but 10 years of age, assisting to repail
the ship in which it was intended that
he and fellow missionaries would be
transported to the Sandwich Islands
He labored there for four years, fill
ing several other missions there in latel
periods Of life. He has filled missions
in Europe also, presiding there for :
long term in his early manhood. No
only did he serve his church assiduous
ly, but he was an active member O.
the Salt Lake municipal council 70
several terms and urged the dedication
of Liberty park to the city, and late
Pioneer square was also purchased
, through his efforts.
"He served in the legislative assem-
bly,, and during one session he actet
as the president Of thesenate-or 'coun
ell He also was president of tn
constitutional convention held in 1882
''He served in every capacity il
his own church from deacon to tn,
president Of the church and was coun
selor to the first presidency in thu
administration of Presidents Taylor
Woodruff and Snow. The Is years o:
his own administration have been mos
fruitful in constructive measures. SchoO
buildings and churches, both at hom
and abroad, have been built under hi
policy. Land has been purchased, meet
houses bought or built, not only in GU
intermountain states and Utah, but ais
in Chicago, the eastern states, southern
states, California, Sandwich Islands
Europe and Mexico.
He is a patron of the arts and sci
ences and is devoted to the cause o
education for the young. Home indus
try claims his deep allegiance. He
a good Republican and rigidly encoul
ages all forms of home industry an
| All ST aims home manufacture in ever
sense of the word
Among other public utilities whic
he has fostered is our great heatin
and lighting systems, the street ca
service and the splendid gymnasium
built for both the church and school
in this city and for those in other part
of the church. His wise, conservative
financial policy is demonstrated in tn
successful banks, stores and instit'
tions of which he is the head. He is
foe to debt and obligations of all kind
Among the activities of his admin
tration the Hotel Utah will be mol
uments to his liberal views; the beaut
full church office building now nearin
completion, unsurpassed for design al
construction in the west; the l.. d.
hospital and other public structures a
testify to his constructive powers.
President Smith is by nature ha
: py mixture of progressivism and co