Events Proclaim Joseph a Prophet

446 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Every child should recognize his parents' authority, and prove himself worthy of a father's and mother's blessing. In the lan- guage of our late President Wilford Woodruff: "There is no au- thority greater than that of a God-fearing man in his own family, nor anything greater than a faithful father's blessing." Who can feel a greater interest in the welfare of a child than a loving parent? Who so well prepared to give suitable and wise counsel? Where either parental care or ability is wanting, this lack can be readily supplied through the priesthood, whose kindly ministrations are easily obtained. No young man or woman need go astray for the want of wise counsel and direction, if it is only sought. We, therefore, repeat the question: Is not the mind and will of faithful parents upon the choice of a companion for life all-important and worthy of our respectful consideration and ready compliance? In short, is it not paramount? For, be it re- membered, that the Lord manifests his will through those chan- nels that he has himself ordained to receive the same. EVENTS PROCLAIM JOSEPH A PROPHET. The constant accumulation of evidence, proving the divinity of the mission of the prophet Joseph Smith, and establishing the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, is little less than startling. Science and current history are slowly but surely demonstrating the seership of the one, and the truth of the other. Joseph de- clared that the Saints would be persecuted and driven. Desolate homes, and fleeing fugitives, in a land of liberty, proclaim him a prophet. Again, that same prophet proclaimed war and destruction when all was peace, and designated the place of its outbreak. The cannons' roar at Sumter; the din of a thousand battles; the moan of a million mothers; the wail of a multitude of widows and orphans; the cry of the confederacy for British aid; these each and all declare him divinely inspired. When Utah was no part of the United States, and the great west was a wild wilderness, he declared a time when his people would go to the Rocky Mountains, and there become a mighty peo- ple. Populous cities; the whir and buzz of industry; temple spires pointing heavenward, all witness the truth of this last prediction. —Dr. George H. Brimhall.