In Honor of Hyrum M. Smith

In Honor of Hyrum M. Smith

The following resolution was introduced by Elder Junius

F. Wells, and unanimously adopted by the General Board

Y. M. M. I. A.:

It is in humility and sorrow that we spread upon the rec-

ords of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. the announcement of

the death of one of its most valued and zealous members, Elder

Hyrum M. Smith, who died on the 23rd of January, in his

forty-sixth year.

As a member and officer of our association only words of

highest approval and praise can be spoken of him — for with us

he was interested, faithful, devoted, exemplary, in every word

and act; and he performed his whole duty, with respect to our

organization, valiantly and well.

It has been said by those who remember his grandfather,

after whom he was named, that Hyrum was like him, to which

we testify from his resemblance to the accepted portrait of the

martyred patriarch had among us. Moreover, he was strikingly

like his grandfather in the strength of his character, in moral

uprightness, in singleness of heart to serve the Lord, in phys-

ical courage and endurance.

Among the many notable encomiums of the life and char-

acter of the Patriarch the following we conceive to be among

the most perfect epitaphs ever composed, and one of the finest

things ever said of any man: "Hyrum Smith, for I, the Lord,

love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he

loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord."

Words multiplied could add nothing more to our apprecia-

tion, admiration and love of our dear brother Hyrum than to

say he was like his grandfather.

We desire, nevertheless, to record our confident belief that,

as God sends forth from his presence his faithful servants as

angels to minister to men on earth; so also he calls men from

among men to minister elsewhere, as appeareth with him need-

ful and well. In this conviction and that we shall meet again,

we bow to the Divine will in this seemingly too early parting,

for a season, from our dear and highly valued friend and fellow-

452 IMPROVEMENT ERA

servant. We sympathize deeply with Iiih greatly beloved father,

President Joseph F. Smith, our revered General Superintendent,

and with his sorrowing mother, who grievously mourn the sep-

aration from their son; and with Hyrum's affectionate and

devoted wife and children, who miss him most.

We fervently pray our Father in heaven for the consola-

tion and comfort of his Spirit to be upon them all.

Salt Lake City, January 30, 1918.