Tribute to Mother

TRIBUTE TO MOTHER, WRITTEN BY A BOY MISSIONARY, NINETEEN YEARS OLD, NOW ON A FOREIGN MISSION. Dear Mother: — Come and sit down for a few moments, and rest yourself a little, for you must be tired from having worked so hard. Besides, as I have not seen you for a long time past nor had a chance to visit with you, I would now like to have a little chat. I will not detain you long, for my time is limited, and 1 will have to return to my work again. During my absence from home, the one thing that gives me the greatest joy of all is that I have a testimony of the truth of the gospel, and a realization that I am engaged in the work of the Lord. But, as I rejoice in this thought, there comes to me an- other, which is one that makes my heart swell with gratitude for the noble parents God has given me. This new thought is born of the teachings which I received from a kind and loving mother, and the worthy example set me by an honorable and God- fearing father. It is not every son who can point with pride to the virtue, honesty and untarnished character of his parents. On the other hand, how many young men are there, who, had they profited by the wise lessons, perhaps simply, but lovingly given by God-fearing parents;, and had they followed the examples set by their fathers and mothers, would not now be slaves to those vices which lead down to death. God grant that the blessings of a thankful son may fall upon, the head of her, who, with tender words and earnest prayers in- stilled into my heart a love for God and truth; and who moulded.

TRIBUTE TO MOTHER. 223 for me the foundation of a life, which, if I build well upon, will be a glorious success not only in this life but in the life to come. Let there fall from heaven those blessings which a loving son invokes also upon the head of an affectionate father whose hair is now white, like the pure snow upon the mountain peaks; whose life is itself a tower of strength, imperishable as an example of com- plete devotion to the will of our Father in Heaven, and whose advice and counsel, as well as the promises he made to me, have thrilled my entire being until my ideal now is to be the worthy son of such a father; clinging to the truth like the ivy to the oak; that he, in a measure at least may be paid in the joy he will have in knowing that his boy is walking in the fear of the Lord continually. May I be endowed with such fortitude, courage, and integrity as will enable me to be worthy the name of my father and my mother. When I think of the sacrifices which you, my dear mother, have made for the gospel's sake — the severing of your family ties, the losing the love of an only brother, and the trials incident to celestial marriage — I cannot help thinking, as I look upon your face, (picture) before me: there is one of the noble women of the earth, a faithful mother in Israel, destined to become a queen in the kingdom of our God. Oh! mother! They talk about the degradation of the "Mor- mons," and the corruption of the plural marriage system. But, as I look into your face, I see gentleness, love, joy and purity, depicted in every line that marks your features. My heart swells with emotion as I tell the enquirer to look upon that picture — my mother — th^ plural wife of my father, than whom no sweeter, purer woman ever lived. Such are not the features of immoral practices, sorrow or slavery; but the fruits of keeping the commandments of God. The results of plural marriages as manifest in the intelligence, physical strength as well as in the features of the offspring of these rela- tions are, and ever will be, man's ever-able testimonies against those who assume to criticise, oppose and condemn this divine law. As ever, dear mother, your loving Missionary Boy.