--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Gates, Susa Young collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 11 number: 8 published: 1908-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Susa Young Gates, "Reminiscences of Brigham Young," *Improvement Era* 11, no. 8 (June 1908): 617–624.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1108unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1108unse start_page: 617 end_page: 624 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1908-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1108unse publication_year: 1908 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1908, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Reminiscences of Brigham Young , REMINISCENCES OF BRIGHAM YOUNG, BY SUSA YOUNG GATES. When the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, the Patriarch, occurred on the 27th of June, 1844, Brigham Young with others of the Twelve were in Boston preach- ing the gospel, and advocating the candidacy of the Prophet for president of the United States. Brigham Young was lodging with Apostle Wilford Woodruff when he heard the awful news. Brother Woodruff has said that Brigham Young paced the floor of their lodging room all night, after receiving the news, arid was in such a state of agony of mind that he could not be comforted. In after years President Young himself said that ad- ded to his bitter grief over the death of his beloved Prophet, was his despairing wonder as to the condition of the Church, under the blow which had fallen; had the Priesthood, its presiding au- thority, and its organizing powers, fled with the martyred Prophet? That was the sting- ing question which whipped round mind at every lash his of despairing remembrance of Brigham Young. the martyrdom. Joseph had From an oil painting, painted in Philadel- phia, and finished the day he was forty been supreme in matters tem- years old, 1841. poral and spiritual . Those who had arisen to dispute his authority, or to cast his counsels to the wind had sunk into obscurity and ruin with terrifying speed. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff; these strong men 618 IMPROVEMENT ERA. had seen such calamities happen to those who scorned that little- understood power which was wielded by the Prophet, hence they trembled at the very thought of facing life without his guidance. Suddenly, in that tiny lodging room in Boston, Brigham Young was filled with the light of inspiration; he clapped his hand upon his knee as he exclaimed: "The keys of the kingdom are not taken from the earth. The Prophet left them with the Twelve Apostles." When the Apostles gathered in Nauvoo, Sidney Rigdon was making a two-fold claim: he averred that Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet, and that the Church must follow him, or they would be destroyed. The claim of Brigham Young was: "Joseph Smith was, is, and ever will be, the Prophet of the nineteenth century. He is in the heavens, side by side with the prophets of old, at the right hand of God. He will stand at the head of this generation, and no man can take his place here or here- after. The policy, the plan, the order,the works of Joseph, are to be the guide of the Saints . ' ' That was the power- Sidney Rigdon. ful claim set forth in the very voice and looks of the Prophet himself, in that wonderful meeting in the Nauvoo bowery. And the people answered the call of Brigham Young with high-uplifted hands, and a united Amen. To his dying day, Brigham Young proudly maintained such deep loyalty to his leader. Joseph's ideas, his designs, the revela- tions of God to him, all these were studied daily and hourly by his supremely fearless and passionately devoted follower. Never, in all the troubled after years, did Brigham Young feel a quiver of fear or a spasm of doubt or gloom regarding the mission of Joseph Smith. The Prophet once said that Brigham Young was his safest : — REMINISCENCES OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. 619 friend. It is a beautiful thought to those who love and honor them both, to reflect upon their united and glorious labors while in this world, and their union on the other side. The life, the labors, the whole purpose of Brigham Young was dedicated to the carrying out of the plans and general policy of the Prophet. Not because they were Joseph's, but because Joseph Smith was, is, and ever will be the Prophet and leader of the Church of Christ in this dispensation; because Joseph Smith lived, loved, suffered and freely gave his life to carry out the plans and purposes of the Lord; because Joseph Smith was the new revealer of Jesus Christ to this day and generation. As Joseph Smith was the friend and devoted follower of the Savior, so Brigham Young was the friend and devoted follower of Joseph Smith. The feeble lips of Brigham Young, as he lay dying on that August 29, 1877, uttered the all- abiding thought and pur- pose of his life; they murmured, "Joseph — Joseph —Joseph Joseph." Together in life, together in death, these two, with a supreme loyalty surpassing that of David and Jonathan, have passed to the great beyond, and are laboring there as a perfect unit. As Joseph loved Jesus, so Brigham loved Jesus and Joseph. The following extracts from the words and writings of Brig- ham Young, which have never before been printed, will add to the testimonies of his love and loyalty for his prophet leader On Tuesday, February 22, 1847, President Young met with the brethren of the Twelve in the Historian's office, Winter Quart- ers. Conversation ensued relative to emigrating westward. Presi- dent Young related the following dream: "While sick, and asleep, about noon-day of the 17th inst., I dreamed that I went to see Joseph. He looked perfectly natural, sitting with his feet on the lower round of his chair. I took hold of his right hand and kissed it many times, and said to him, 'Why is it that we cannot be together as we used to be? You have been away from us a long time, and we want your society, and I do not like to be separated from you.' "Joseph, rising from his chair and looking at me with his usual earnest, expressive and pleasing countenance, said, 'It is all right.' , 620 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ''I replied, 1 do not like to be away from you.' "Joseph said, 'It is all right; we cannot be together yet; we shall be, by-and-by; but you will have to do without me awhile, and then we shall be together again.' *'I then discovered there was a hand right between us. Joseph stood by a window, and to the southwest of him it was very light. I was in the twilight, and to the north of me it was very dark. I said,'Brother Joseph, the brethren, you know them well, better than I do, you raised them up, and brought the Priesthood to us, the brethren have a great anxiety to understand the law of adop- tion, or the sealing principles; and if you have a word of counsel for me, I should be glad to receive it.' "Joseph stepped toward me, and, looking very earnestly, yet pleasantly, said, 'Tell the people to be bumble and faithful, and be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small, still voice; it will teach what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the king- dom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to convictions, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, strife and hatred, and all evil, from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord, they will go right. Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and. if they will, they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in heaven, before they came into the world. Our Father in heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion.' "Joseph then showed me the pattern, how they were in the beginning. This I cannot describe, but I saw it, and saw where the Priesthood had been taken from the earth, and how it must be joined together, so that there would be a perfect chain from Father Adam to his latest posterity. Joseph again said, 'Tell the people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and follow it, and it will lead them just right.'" Brigham Young arrived in Nauvoo after the martyrdom in REMINISCENCES OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. 621 the latter part of July; and as he left his motherless daughter, Vilate, in Boston, in care of the president of the branch at that place. Elder N. H. Felt, he was very anxious for her, when he wrote her the following letters, dated August, 1844: I do not know when I shall go East again. The Church are not willing to have Brother Kimball or myself go from this place at all. Then, in another letter dated August 11, 1844, to Vilate, who was with the family of N. H. Felt, he gives a sketch of his jour- ney from the East by way of Buffalo, Detroit, Galena, St. Croix, and Nauvoo, he says: A brother came to us in Galena and told us Brother Samuel Smith had died with billions fever. We found many of our friends coming down the river. They were very glad to see us. We came with perfect safety; arrived home on Tuesday evening just at dusk. Our families and the brethren were overjoyed to see us come home, for they were like children without a father, and they felt so, you Brigham Young's Home in Nauvoo. may be sure. All things are now reviving again. The brethren prayed with all I cannot say much about the families of Brothers Joseph faith for us to return. I have been in council and Hyrum, for I have not had time to call on them yet. almost the whole time since I arrived here. But this much I can say: The spirit though we cannot enjoy', their presence. Because of Joseph and Hyrum is here, a conference held last Thursday. of the great anxiety of the Church, there was order thereof; on which the The power of the Priesthood was explained, and the the Twelve to move forward and whole Church lifted up their voices and hands for — 622 IMPROVEMENT ERA. organize the Church, and lead it as Joseph led it, which is our indispensable duty to do. The brethren feel well to think the Lord is still merciful to us as a peo- ple. The temple is going forward with greater rapidity than ever before; the brethren are very anxious to have it finished, so they can receive their blessings. I want you to be steady, go to school, and practice on the piano. Get all you can while you have the opportunity. You must be a good girl and pray for me and all the rest of us, that we may live long upon the earth to do good. Take the counsel of Brother and Sister Felt, and see Sister Cobb as often as you can, and hearken to her instruction. A word to Brother Felt: I am happy to say to you that all things are going pretty well here at present. I think the mob are satisfied, now they have killed Joseph and Hyrum. It has been a time of mourning; the day that Joseph and Hyrum were brought from Carthage, to Nauvoo, it was judged by many, both in and out of the Church, that there were more than five barrels of tears shed. I cannot bear to think anything about it. The Twelve will govern all Church aff'airs. We have appointed the two oldest bishops of the Church for trustees, who will take charge of all temporal affairs, while we attend to the spiritual affairs. We shall organize all the Church throughout the world, as soon as possible — with presidents, bishops, patriarchs, yearly and quarterly conferences. 1 would say to such as want to come up, to come. The temple is going ahead faster than ever. We shall push it with all our might. Crops are fine, wheat forty centd a bushel. The river keeps up high. I must say farewell. You may read this where you please. Brigham Young. The following letter was written to Vilate Young by her aunt, Fannie Murray, a childless widow who was own sister to Brigham Young. The touching spirit of the letter is only exceeded by its fine literary quality: Emma has a young son, three months old perhaps; she calls him David Hy- rum; says Joseph named it before he died — they call him the young prophet. To my own dear Vilate:— (In November). Alone in the old log house I sit me down this morning to write a few lines to the dear child who lives forever in my warmest affections, and whose welfare and happiness lies near my heart, and causes many an anxious sigh to escape my breast— little can you realize, my dear Vilate, the heart-aching hours and hard-wrung tears I have wept for you —yet these have passed away. And I now view you pleasantly situated, surrounded with friends and the comforts of life—friends, too, who possess sentiments of the most refined sensibility, and who are trustworthy; this comforts my heart and reconciles me to your absence. We talk about you, and dream about you, and our hearts leap forward to the day when we can embrace and kiss you and weep with joy at your return. I must now beg to tell you the news, but where shall I begin? You have doubtless heard of your Uncle Greene's death; this was a great grief to me, I have few more such friends to lose; however, all is right; I have no cause to complain. Your aunt, Angeline, with her husband, has gone with the Rigdonites, and off many others are gone with them. Mr. Rigdon says Joseph was a fallen prophet. REMINISCENCES OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. 623 and the people must follow him, Rigdon, or they will all be lost. Vilate, you must read the Book of Mormon a great deal, it will show you what is coming to pass in these last days. It has been a season of trouble and distress here, since last June, yet my heart rejoices to see the work of the Lord roll on. ' Court has been sit- ting in Carthage for two or three months; broke up yesterday — thirteen men were Carthage Jail as it was in 1844. indicted for the murder of Joseph and Hyrum. I know not how it terminated; but the probability is,they put them in jail, they would soon find the way out again. if A man by the name of Daniels, who has turned State's evidence says: that he drove the wagon from Warsaw that contained the cofEn made for Joseph. He was sent by the man he was working for, and knew not why he was going, until he got fairly in the job; he then thought he would go along, ard see what they would do. He did so; and when they were within a few miles of Carthage some men met them and told them to make haste for everything was ready. The gov- ernor was gone to Nauvoo, and the guard had got their guns prepared in a way that would not hurt them if they should fire upon them, which they would be ob- liged to do to save their credit. Then they hastened on, and consummated their horrid work. He saw Joseph when he was in the window and heard him say, "Lord God, what shall I do?" He then fell from the window apparently dead, al- though a ball had not struck him. But as soon as he fell, four men discharged the contents of their rifles upon him. At that instant, a light like lightning flashed by them and spread around the body of Joseph. This so astonished and frightened the four that shot him, they could neither speak nor stir, but sallied — The Mansion House, Nauvoo, 111. back against a fence, as motionless, as unable to flee, as the body they had mur- dered. There was one appointed to take his head off, which they were going to send to Missouri, and his body was going to be cut in pieces, and sent around among his enemies. But behold, they could not fulfil the purpose which their hearts had decreed! The captain ordered the four motionless, stiffened men that shot him, put into a baggage wagon and thus carried them home; and one of them has been confined to his bed from that hour to this. I heard last week he was dead, but know not whether it be true. Vilate, you must pray much for your father, that he may have great wisdom; and likewise that he may be delivered from those wicked murderers, for they seek his life as they did Joseph's. He en- joys good health, but the cares that are upon him are all that he can bear. He prays for his own little Vilate and those she is associated with, every day. I heard the Missourians were gathering on the other side of the river, and we were likely to have trouble here. I thought I would wait and see how it termi- nated. The result was, there came a snowstorm and drove them all home. How long will they let us rest? I knosv not; but they seem bent on mischief, and I fear they will never again rest till there is more blood shed. At court, in Carthage, there were a number of Indians came peeping about to find Joseph's blood; it frightened the people very much. I ma3t rectify a mistake I made about Mr. Daniels. He did indeed go to Carthage with. the company that killed Joseph, and he saw everything as I have related, but had nothing to do with it; and tried to get to the governor to let him know, but found he could do nothing. He then thought he would see all he could, and bear testimony of it. But it was young Bracken who drove the wagon with the coffia — and who turned State's evidence. I had the two blended together in my mind. I have scarcely had a moment with your father since I returned from Quincy. A visit with him would be a great treat. Fannik Murray. Salt Lake City, Utah.