--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Lund, Anthon H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 21 number: 10 published: 1918-08 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Lund, Anthon H., "The Hyrum Smith Monument: Prayers, Description, and Speeches," *Improvement Era* 21, no. 10 (August 1918): 847–864.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera21010unse 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: improvementera21010unse start_page: 847 end_page: 864 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1918-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera21010unse publication_year: 1918 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 1918, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Hyrum Smith Monument: Prayers, Description, and Speeches THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 849 used in the monument, to which I shall later refer, and who took the contract for its manufacture. There are Messrs. Boutwell & Varnum, the owners of the quarries from which the Dark Barre stone came. They and their capable foreman, Mr. Palmer, did all possible to secure the stones we required in record time. It might have taken sixty days, as they were behind in orders from many manufacturers on account of the long severe winter and late spring. But we were fortunate enough to get the stone out and in the cutting sheds in just one week. Messrs. Marr & Gordon, the manufacturers, with their immense new shed, equipped with high class modern machinery undertook to cut, polish and inscribe the whole work in less than fifty days. They did it in forty-seven. Other firms had declined to consider it in less than four months. I shall always feel grateful to Messrs. Calder, Gordon and Adams of this firm for their cheerful and willing fulfilment of their contract. Our greatest apprehension was concerning the time it would take to get the monument transported in these war times over the rails and through the congested yards between Barre, Vermont, and Salt Lake City. I was told that cars, laden as ours should be that had left Barre in October, had not reached their destination four months afterward, and that two months would be quick time for a single car to get through. With this possibility confronting us I appealed to those superlative railroaders Mr. J. A. Reeves, General Freight Agent of the Oregon Short Line and Mr. J. A. Munroe, Vice-President of the Union Pacific at Omaha. Through their favor, their princely courtesy and never failing efficiency the way was cleared and our car was rushed — through in sixteen days, in less than five days over the Union Pacific and Short Line Railways. I cannot too deeply express my appreciation and gratitude to these gentlemen, and through them to the officials of the Grand Trunk Railway, for all they did to accomplish this record speed, which made it possible for us to complete the erection and dedicate the monument today — on this important anniversary which we so much desired. The Utah Consolidated Stone Company, Manager, Mr. Edward T. Ashton, had the contract to lay the concrete foundation with the ground base of Utah granite, to transport it from the railway and set the monument. It is not an easy thing to handle stones of from five to ten tons weight, cut and polished like plate glass and set them one above another as you see these in place, without damage of some sort. Let it be said to the everlasting credit of Mr. Ashton and Mr. Pickering, who did the hauling, and their able assistants, that they have accomplished it in the most skilful manner without a scratch or blemish of any kind. I should like to direct your attention to the able manner in 850 IMPROVEMENT ERA which Mr. Cole has mounded up and re-sodded the lawn about the base to give the monument its dignified and beautiful setting, and to thank Mr. Evans, City Sexton, for his kind assistance. A few words as to the inception of this project whose fruition we are now permitted to celebrate Some six or seven years ago while reading the Doctrine and Covenants, I came upon the following words, found in the 124th section "Blessed is my servant 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." That seemed to me to be the most perfect epitaph ever composed and the finest thing said of any man. Instantly my mind reverted to the block of granite I have referred to and I thought how glad I should be to see it sometime as part of a monument to be inscribed with those words, in honor of a man deserving and receiving an encomium from the lips of the Lord Himself. I was not, however, impressed at that time to take any steps — towards its accomplishment that came afterwards. But just before Elder Hyrum M. Smith departed for Europe to preside over the European Mission, I think in 1913, 1 told him about this stone and of my hope and feeling concerning the use to be made of it, and enjoined him, in case anything should happen to me, to remember it. The story of the stone is as follows: When in 1905 we were getting the stones for the Joseph Smith Monument, the one intended for the bottom base happened to be secured high up near one side of the Marr & Gordon quarry. When it was broken away it slid to the bottom nearly one hundred feet. It was very large and heavy, over fourteen feet square and nearly six feet thick. Altogether too heavy to be raised by the derrick that served over it. The contractors persuaded me to let them channel out a block from the center of this big boulder and thus lighten the weight and later facilitate its transportation over the rails. I consented, and when the big piece was being raised I said to the owners I should like to have the block that had been cut out from it, that sometime I should find a use for it though I had no thought at the time of ; the use that should be made of it. They replied, "All right. We will make you a present of it." I had the stone removed and Mr. Bowers stored it away, as I have already said, and kept it for thirteen years. It is the — stone in the center of the monument the inscription die cov- — ered on its four sides by the inscriptions you shall presently see when the monument is unveiled. The sublime epitaph I have already quoted is not upon it, but is engraved upon the capstone above it, under the moulding, THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 851 and running around the four sides. There is also an inscription upon the second base which supports the die, especially desired by President Smith. It reads as follows: "Blessed of the Lord is my brother Hyrum, for the integrity of his heart; he shall be girt about with strength, and faithfulness shall be the strength of his loins; from generation to generation he shall be a shaft in the hands of his God to execute judgment upon His enemies. * * * His children shall be many and his posterity numerous, and they shall rise up and call him — blessed." Joseph Smith. The inscriptions upon the die itself are as follows: Upon the front —the East side: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HYRUM SMITH BORN TUNBRIDGE VERMONT 9TH FEBRUARY 1800 MARTYRED CARTHAGE ILLINOIS 27TH JUNE 1844 Upon the North side: BIOGRAPHICAL Hyrum Smith from 1820 was among the first converts of his brother Joseph the Prophet. He was one of the eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon; one of the six members to organize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April sixth, 1830; one of the first to proclaim and practice all its principles. He was an ordained Elder and High Priest; a Counselor in the First Presidency and Presiding Patriarch of the Church. He was a member of the City Council and an officer of the Nauvoo Legion. He was the constant companion and confidant of his brother Joseph, in }ty ciiii iorrcw, throughout their livesi They suffered martyrdom together, sealing their testimony with their blood, and their bodies were buried side by side at Nauvoo. In life they were united, in death they were not parted. Upon the West side: FAMILY RECORD Hyrum Smith was the second son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. He Married First Jerusha Bar den 1805-1837 Children: Lovina (Walker) 1827-1876 Mary 1829 - 1832 John 1832-1911 Hyrum 1834-1841 Jerusha (Pierce) 1836 1912 Sarah (Griffin) 1837-1876 He Married Second Mary Fielding 1801 1852 Children Joseph Fielding 1838 - Martha Ann (Harris) 1841 - 852 IMPROVEMENT ERA Upon the South side: DEDICATION. 27TH JUNE, 1918. Hyrum Smith's descendants, numbering about six hundred souls, were nearly all residents of Utah and faithful members of the Church he helped to organize* They with the general membership of the Church have caused this monument in his honor to be built here and dedicate it to stand as a sacred memorial among them and their children after them. They love and revere him as a patriarch and prophet of God and call his name blessed forever and ever. Amen. In conclusion permit me to say that I have had an infinite — delight in procuring this monument for I revere and love the memory of the man it stands for, and the memory of his brother the Prophet Joseph Smith. Whatever of symbolism this monument possesses is for the inseparable union and unbounded love of these affectionate and devoted brothers. It is found in the uniformity of the design of the two monuments, in this and the one in honor of the Prophet at his birthplace, Sharon, Vermont. They are precisely alike, — except that the Prophet's is larger the stones for both were taken from the same quarry, manufactured and finished in the same style and, as already explained, the inscription die of this was actually part of the ground-base of the other. In the Prophet's monument there is over three times the weight and bulk of this. The shaft is exactly twice the length of this, thirty- — eight and a half feet, and four times its weight being over forty tons. These beautiful polished shafts — the accepted symbols of — perfect men stand proudly aloft for perfect men. We Latterday Saints believe they were as near perfect as men ever become in this life and feel honored in doing them honor, for they were chosen of God, to whom He appeared. They were called and chosen as certainly as were Moses and Aaron and in like manner. He called them by name and blessed them and consecrated their lives to the establishment of His work — the restoration of the Gospel of Salvation to mankind and of the Kingdom of God on earth. They were true to the mission given them; they proclaimed it to the world; they lived true; they died true; they sealed their sacred testimony with their blood. Their testimony is upon the World and the World will be judged by it. Amen. Description of the Monument The monument stands upon a concrete base eight and a half feet square and six feet deep in the earth, which is covered by a Utah Cottonwood Granite ground-base the same size and fifteen inches thick. Of this base but three inches, axed, shows above the sod. THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 853 The superstructure comprising five pieces is of Dark Barre Vermont Granite, all polished. The first base is eight feet square anil one foot, two inches thick. The second base is six feet square and one foot, four inches thick. The inscription die is three feet eleven inches square at the base and three feet seven inches at the top, and is four feet eight inches high. The moulded capstone is five and a half feet square and one foot seven inches thick. The shaft is two and a half feet square at the base, two feet at the top. It is nineteen feet three inches long to the square and twenty-one feet three inches to the top of the peak. The total height of the monument is thirty feet three inches above the — ground, thirty-seven feet above the bottom of the concrete foundation. Its weight is just under thirty tons. Hyrum Smith and his Distinguished Posterity By President Heber J. Grant I desire most earnestly that I may be blessed of the Lord in whatever I may say. I have no set speech in my mind, but have felt to rely entirely upon the inspiration of the moment. I do feel honored, more than I can tell, in being chosen to make remarks on this occasion, following the description of this monument and the circumstances leading to its erection. I can conceive of no life in all the Church of Christ, in our day, that has been more nearly perfect than the life of Hyrum Smith. From my earliest recollection, I remember the words of praise for the Prophet and the Patriarch, and the perfect and absolute love and confidence that my mother possessed for those men. As near as one could idolize people on the earth, my mother idolized these men, and I believe that the love that she had in her heart for them has descended to me. Although I was not personally acquainted with them, there has been from my earliest recollection, in my heart, love, reverence, and respect for them beyond my ability to tell. I think one of the noblest of all the excellent revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants is that in section four -a — few short words to the father of Hyrum Smith. There is no revelation, in all the Doctrine and Covenants, that I have quoted so often, from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, and in all the stakes of Zion, as the revelation given to Hyrum Smith in whose honor we are here assembled today. I don't know that T could do better than to read just a few words from that revelation : Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and, behold, the mysteries 01 Jod shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich: behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. No man in all Israel more perfectly observed the commandment of God, to seek not for riches but for wisdom, than did the 854 IMPROVEMENT ERA Patriarch Hyrum Smith; and there is no question in my mind nor in the mind of any Latter-day Saint living, that he has received eternal life and is in very deed rich. Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me, so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation. That was his desire, and he did do much good in this generation. Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed. Can a man be more blessed than in so short a time, to have a posterity of six hundred souls, nearly every one of whom is faithful, true, honest, upright, and serving God with full purpose of heart? And can a man be much more greatly blessed in this world than to be the father of a prophet of the living God? Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee; For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee. And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good; yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit; which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy. And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good; yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my Spirit. Hyrum Smith followed that injunction from the Lord Almighty; and that very spirit to deal justly and righteously, to labor for the salvation of the souls of men, and to seek for the inspiration of Almighty God seems to be the ruling passion of this man's posterity. There is no better example of an older brother's love than that exhibited in the life of Hyrum Smith for the Prophet Joseph Smith, as has been stated here in the remarks made by Brother Wells. They were as united and as affectionate and as loving as mortal men could be, so far as any person can tell from reading their history, or from conversing with those who knew them. There never was one particle of the jealousy that ofttimes fills the hearts of older brothers toward younger brothers who seem to be preferred ahead of them. There was no place for jealousy in THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 855 the heart of Hyrum Smith. No mortal man could have been more loyal, more true, more faithful in life or in death than was Hyrum Smith to the Prophet of the living God. There is in my heart, in my very being, a love for the Prophet Joseph, the Patriarch Hyrum, and for the early founders of the Church of Christ, and the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to this country after the martyrdom. I rejoice in the splendid labors of the pioneers, and in the wonderful blessings of the Almighty to this people. The adversary of men's souls, the destroyer, he who would have destroyed the work of God, he and his emissaries thought that by killing the Prophet and the Patriarch they could retard the work of the living God that has again been established upon the earth; but the erection of this monument, the wonderful growth of the Church, the great temple of God in this city, our wonderful tabernacle, the great office building now occupied by President Smith and other officials, the monuments and the temples, from Canada to Hawaii, and to Saint George, and the great progress of the work of God, all — these things are a standing rebuke to those who thought they could stop the work of the Lord. The testimony of Jesus Christ that burned in the hearts of the Prophet and the Patriarch, and for which they gave their lives, burns in the hearts of each and all of us who have been blessed with the light, the knowledge, and the testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged. No words of mine can ever tell the gratitude and the thanksgiving that fill my heart for the restitution again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. I thank God for these men — the Prophet and the Patriarch. I thank the Lord for John Taylor, who was wounded in Carthage jail with these men. I thank the Lord for Willard Richards who was true to them. Although he was not wounded, he was loyal to the work of God. I thank God for the posterity of these men, who honor God and who desired the welfare of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. I reiterate the prayer offered here today by Brother Lund, that the Lord with his healing power will touch our beloved Prophet, Joseph F. Smith, that his life may be spared to us for many years yet to come. I am grateful that he can be here today, when we have assembled to do honor to one of the noblest men who ever lived upon the — earth his father. May God bless all the posterity of Hyrum Smith; and may you and I read the revelation given him and find that what is said there applies to all who desire to bring to pass righteousness, is my prayer; and I pray that the inspiration of God may be with Brother Penrose when he shall dedicate this monument. I ask this, and pronounce the blessings of God upon all here assembled, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 856 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Unveiling At the conclusion of President Grant's remarks the monument was unveiled. The lower parts of it were wrapped in the folds of the Stars and Stripes— an immense flag loaned by Sister Edith A. Smith. It was the flag used for the same purpose at the unveiling of the Prophet Joseph Smith's monument, Sharon, Vt., December 23, 1905. The impressive act of the unveiling was performed by Sister Mary Smith Peterson, the eldest daughter of President Smith. She was assisted by Elder George Albert Smith. The flag dropped in silence disclosing the inscriptions to the view of all present, and occurred at fifteen minutes after five o'clock which is supposed to have been almost the hour and minute of the Patriarch Hyrum's martyrdom. Hyrum Smith's Copy of the Book of Mormon By President Charles W Penrose . I hold in my hand a copy of the first English edition of the Book of Mormon, published in Liverpool, and I am requested by President Smith to read a paragraph in this book that was pointed out by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith on the occasion of the Prophet and Patriarch and their little company going to Carthage, where they were martyred for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. This is the very book that was used by the Patriarch at that time, when he turned down the leaf from which I will read (Ether 12:36-41) And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came.to pass that the Lord said unto me, If they have not charity, it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood; And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing. And now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be, and abide in you for ever. Amen. Dedicatory Prayer By President Charles W Penrose . O God, our Eternal Father — the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of thy servant the Prophet Joseph Smith, and of his dear brother the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, whom thou didst call and raise up in this generation to stand at THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 857 the head of thy people and usher in, under thy direction, the — Dispensation of the Fulness of Times we come unto thee on this occasion feeling grateful in our hearts to thee for all thy mercies, and thank thee for this opportunity which we have of coming to this sacred spot, already dedicated by thy servants holding the Holy Priesthood, as a place of repose for some of the departed dead, the posterity of thy servant Hyrum Smith. We pray thee that while we are together we may still rejoice in thee and be able to look forward to the future, to those things that are to come to the descendants of thy servant for whom this monument has been erected. We thank thee for the labors of thy servant Brother Junius F. Wells and those who have been associated with him in the preparing of this monument erected in honor and memory of our dear departed Patriarch whom the Prophet Joseph loved and who loved the Prophet Joseph, the record of whose affection has come down to us in the archives of the Church, and which will always stand as a monument to both of them, to all thy people in all the generations that are to come and in the eternal worlds. Father, we thank thee this day for the privilege of gathering here. We thank thee for the presence of thy servant Joseph F. Smith, the President of thy Church, the lineal descendant of thy servant Hyrum, whom prophets declared should stand forth a« the leader of thy people in these last times. We thank thee for the measure of health and strength which he now enjoys, for the recovery that is coming to him from the severe affliction that he has suffered. We pray thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, that thou wilt strengthen him, that he may be a monument of thy mercy and of thy love and of thy regard for our petitions. For all Israel come unto thee, and their hearts reach unto thee, God, and ask for his life and his restoration, that he may stand at the head of thy Church as long as he desires and as long as it will be for the benefit of thy Church and Kingdom among men. We pray that the power of the Holy Priesthood, which was given to the Prophet Joseph and to his beloved brother Hyrum, may be upon thy servant Joseph F. and remain and abide with him, that he may be our leader and that we may be able to look to him for thy word yet for many years to come. Now, our Heavenly Father, we dedicate this monument which has been erected here to the memory of thy servant Hyrum Smith, that it may be a memento which will call the attention of people who look upon it to the rectitude of his character, to the greatness of his life, to the wonderful work which he was able to accomplish as a strength and a support to thy servant Joseph; that they may look upon this as exemplifying 858 IMPROVEMENT ERA the greatness of his character, the strength and power of his advice, his fidelity, his truth, his justice, his sense of honor; and that from the concrete base unto the pointed top of this monument it may stand clear and free from wrack of the elements, from the lightning shafts, from the thunders that shake the earth; that it may stand and remain for the blessing of thy people; that they may look upon it, and when they think of the virtues of thy servant Hyrum Smith they may be inspired to emulate those virtues, to walk in thy ways, to seek not for riches but for wisdom, for the light of God, for the love of God, for the power of God, for the conversion of humanity to the truth, and for the sending forth of thy word to the darkest parts of the earth; that thy great cause may grow in the earth and increase; that every word that has been predicted through the mouths of thy servants Joseph, and Hyrum, and the prophets of ancient and modern times shall all be fulfilled. We pray thee, our Heavenly Father, if it be in accordance with thy divine will and thy divine purposes, that in the Paradise of God the knowledge of our gathering and that which has been done here today, and the erection of this shaft may be known to thy servant Hyrum, that he may rejoice with us in the blessings that have come to him and unto his posterity, whose number shall still increase and go forth to victory against the powers of darkness and be instruments in the hands of God in bringing about the great government which shall yet overspread all the earth, establishing light and truth and liberty for all the races and tongues of men and for the overthrow of injustice, tyranny and oppression, and for the preparation for the coming of Him whose right it is to reign, even Jesus Christ our Lord, our elder Brother, Thy Son in the spirit world and Thy Son on the earth in the flesh. God, we thank thee for those men who have been mentioned here today, and particularly for this good man whose monument stands here, in his honor. May it remain to his memory, and may all people who look upon it feel in their souls to admire his character and desire to be like him, that by and by they may be with him. We pray, our Father, that thou wilt bless the posterity of those who have come from the loins of thy servant Hyrum, and their children, and their children's children, that their generations may multiply and increase and spread forth, that the fulness of the blessings pronounced upon Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may be upon them forever. Lord, wilt thovi bless every one who is gathered here today and all who pertain unto us. Accept our thanksgiving and our praise, for thy goodness, and of this dedication which we offer unto thee in behalf of our beloved brother whom thou didst THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 859 cause to depart into Paradise and to go forth to the millions who exist in the world behind the veil, to carry unto them light and truth, justice and mercy, and to proclaim thy word; and grant that the time may soon come when the word of the Lord shall come to us, concerning our departed, in greater plainness than we have had in the past; that we may do the work that is needful for our dead; that we may do the work that is needful for the living who are not in the light of truth that we and our children ; after us may be true and faithful, as Hyrum was, and that we and they may be instrumental in sending forth thy word to all nations, that all people may have an opportunity of coming to the knowledge of the truth. Bless thy servants and thine handmaidens who are laboring for Zion, wherever they are on the face of the earth, in all the organizations of the Priesthood, in the auxiliary societies and in every capacity. May the sweet singers still bring forth strains of music to gladden our hearts. Inspire all thy people that they may unite together, that union and concord and brotherly love and charity may prevail, and the influence and power thereof go forth from this place unto all nations; that Zion may be redeemed; that all things spoken of by the prophets and patriarchs of the past and of modern times shall be accomplished, and may we be prepared for all things that are coming upon the face of the earth, through thy divine providence, and be able to consecrate ourselves and all we have and are unto this great work. We dedicate this ground and this monument and ourselves anew unto thee, the Lord our God. Forgive our faults; accept our labors; guide us in the path walked in by thy servants in whose honor we have gathered here today, and grant that we may have the glorious privilege of their immediate society when we pass behind the veil, and with them enter through the gate into thy divine presence and receive the crown of eternal lives. And the honor and the glory and the praise be unto thee and thy Son and the Holy Ghost, forever. Amen. Appreciation and Gratitude By President Joseph F. Smith I scarcely know whether I shall have the strength that I feel I need, under the present conditions and circumstances, to express a few thoughts and a degree of the vast feeling of gratitude which we owe to Brother Junius F. Wells, to my counselors, to the Council of the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Bishopric, who have moved in the matter of building this monument to the name and honor of my father. Personally, I feel grateful for what they have done, to such an extent that it would be impossi- 860 IMPROVEMENT ERA ble tor me to express my gratitude. It is a thing that I would have been pleased to do myself, if I had been as rich in worldly goods as some people have deemed me to be. If I had had, as rome have supposed, the absolute control of all the funds of the Church, to dispose of as I pleased, I do not think I could have expended the cost of this monument in a better way than it ha? been expended; but I did not feel that it would be prudent for me to attempt to do anything of the kind myself. It would seem to be a degree of egotism, perhaps, in me to think of such a thing; but inasmuch as my brethren have thought of it for themselves, and without my solicitation, I am grateful to them, and I am glad this monument is here upon my burial lot, wherein already lie two or more of his grpndchildren and a daughter-in-law, whose lives every whit have been equal, so far as they had opportunity, with the life of their grandfather. My children, buried here, could not be improved upon. My wife, buried here, the mother of eleven beautiful children, will be dear to my father and to my mother, I am sure, as she was dear to me, and to all my family. I am glad that this monument has been placed upon the ground chosen for my own burial, when my time shall come, and for the burial of the mothers of my children. I obtained possession of this plot of ground expressly for that purpose; that I and my wives, and as many of my children as might be, should have the privilege of lying as nearly together as they could upon this spot of ground; and I am glad to see now the crowning glory of the spot of ground, which has been effected bv the assiduity, faithfulness, determination and wisdom of my brother, Junius F. Wells, i don't think there is another man in the Church who could have done it. I don't know of another man within the range of my acquaintance who could have accomplished the work that Junius F. Wells accomplished in building the monument in Vermont, in memory of the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Events, quite as miraculous I think, if not more so, as the speed with which Brother Junius has accomplished this undertaking, took place in the performance of the other great labor that he assumed and accomplished, of building_a monument to the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith in time for it to be dedicated on the one hundredth anniversary of his birth. I happened to think, before leaving home, that it might not be amiss, if I had courage and strength enough to express a few thoughts, to say that I am blessed today with thirty-five children living, all of whom, so far as I know, have a standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I believe their hearts are in the work of the Lord. I am proud of my children. I have today over eighty-six grandchildren, some of whom have THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 861 reached nearly the stage of manhood and womanhood, and those who have reached the years of accountability are members of the Church in good standing. I trust the time will never be when a descendant of Hyrum Smith will be other than a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for which Joseph the Prophet and his elder brother Hyrum were willing to shed their blood. I have a sister sitting here, my only surviving sister. She is the mother of eight living children and has buried a number. She is also the grandmother of seventy-two children, and the great-grandmother of fortytwo children. She is ahead of me considerably in the greatgrandchildren, as she began the buisness much earlier than I did; but I believe if I may be allowed the time that I will eventually equal even the effort of my sister, in a posterity descendant from my father. Brethren and sisters, I thank you for your presence here, and for the kind feeling you have manifested on this occasion. I want to thank you, Junius, with all my heart, for the work you have done, and for the splendid report you have given here on this occasion. I want to thank President Lund, President Penrose, my brethren of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric, who control the funds of the Church, for the money they have thought proper to expend for the accomplishment of this beautiful ornament upon this ground. I thank them for their kindness. I never could have asked them for it; never would have asked them for it. I would have gladly done it myself, if I had had the power or means to do it, but I did not have it. I am rich; the Lord has given me great riches in children and in children's children; and in the fact that my children have, so far, honored me and their grandfather and their mothers and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 0! there is nothing in all the world, between now and death and the resurrection, or throughout all the countless ages of eternity, equal to the Cause of Truth that Joseph Smith, the boy-prophet, was instrumental in the hands of God of revealing and reestablishing upon the face of the earth. It is greater than all other things, for it is eternal life, the greatest thing that can come io man; and there is no other way to obtain it, except in the way that God has appointed. I trust and pray that all my children and my children's children, to the latest generation, will abide in the truth. I want you to just take a look here at a little flock of my grand- — children right here, every one of them. I love them. I know them all. I never meet them but what I kiss them, just as I do my own children. I don't care how dirty their faces are, if I 862 IMPROVEMENT ERA can only have the privilege of meeting with my grandchildren and kissing them and letting them know that I love them just as I love my own children. Then I shall be satisfied, and I expect to continue it as long as I can. Thanking you, my brethren and sisters, for the kind expression in your presence here on this occasion, and my brethren for their generosity, I ask God to bless you all, and to continue unto us life, health and power to accomplish all that God requires at our hands, in the name of Jesus. Amen. May I add just a word or two? I intended to have mentioned the fact that my brother John Smith, the Patriarch, has left a posterity. I don't know how numerous they are or will be; but one of his grandchildren is now the Presiding Patriarch of the Church, and we are proud of his efforts, of his humility, and of his willingness to labor wherever he is required to labor and in whatever he is required to do. In addition to my brother, we have the posterity of three of my sisters that I have not mentioned, all of whom were mothers of large families; and their children and children's children, I suppose, go to make up the six hundred or more of the posterity of Hyrum Smith that was mentioned by my friend, Brother Junius F. Wells. Remarks Bishop David A. Smith In addition to these mentioned by Brother Wells and Presdent Smith, we would like to mention and thank Brother Benjamin Goddard for his interest in providing comfort for us here today; also Brother John H. Taylor and his Boy Scouts who have aided in taking care of those present; Sister Edith A. Smith for the flag which was around the monument the same — flag that was around the Joseph Smith Monument, and has been preserved by Sister Edith A. Smith and loaned to us to- — day Brother George Albert Smith, who has assisted in the arrangements; also Brothers Lund and McClellan and the members of the Tabernacle Choir for their presence. Benediction Elder Seymour B. Young — Our Father who art in heaven in the humility of our souls, and thankfulness beyond our expressions, we come before thee at the close ol this very interesting service. We thank thee, our Father, for what has been done and said here today and for the labor of thy servant and servants who have brought to pass the fulfilment of this grand thought to erect a monument that should stand, we hope, for ages to come, to the memory of thy chosen servant, Patriarch Hyrum Smith. To those who have seen this great and good man and have known him in life, this is a double pleasure, and it brings great thoughts of gratitude and thanks- THE HYRUM SMITH MONUMENT 863 giving and praise unto thee, our Father, for this opportunity of showing to each other, and to thy people, and to the world, how we honor him; for we know that he was honored of God, our Heavenly Father. When the two brothers stood side by side, ere they took up their march to their martydrom, the Prophet Joseph said: "Brother Hyrum, stay; don't go with me to Carthage; stay and take care of the people of the Church." The Patriarch Hyrum replied: "Brother Joseph, I never wil! forsake you; and if you die, I will die with you." Such was the integrity of the man whose name is on our lips this afternoon and wells up from our hearts in loving memory of his grand life. Our Father, wilt thou sanctify and bless all that has been said and done here today. May peace, especially, and blessings, come to his children, Joseph F. Smith and Sister Harris, who are still lelt with us, the very offspring of thy servant, the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, and upon all of his descendants and their descendants. Let thy blessings and favor rest, at this time, we pray thee, our Father, upon all who are gathered here today. May the spirit of peace and comfort be in their hearts, ever producing within them that feeling and spirit of loyalty so exemplified by this mighty man whose memory we commemorate today. OurFather, wilt thou bless and sanctify all of this service to the good of every one present, and may we go hence with a new resolution in our hearts, with new vows made to thee and to thy cause, that we will emulate the virtues of this great and good man whose commemoration we have evidenced in this shaft of granite erected to his name. Now Father, we pray for President Smith, especially. Endow him with jew life. May he live long upon the earth, to lead aim to guide and to counsel in the destinies of thy people. Bless all who belong to him and all who associate wtih him, and his brethren who counsel with him. May they stand firmly as towers of strength to uphold and sustain him by their physical, mental and spiritual power; that his days may be lengthened to years upon the earth, to lead and to guide thy people and to be a comfort unto thy Saints. O, our Father, may thy Kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven; that the day of the redeemed may come; that the resurrection of the dead may come to pass, when we shall have the pleasure and the privilege of associating, we hope, with the loved ones who have gone before, even our fathers and mothers and loved ones who have cherished our lives and who have set us the glorious example which we are trying to follow. Now Father, wilt thou dismiss us with thy blessings and favor; go with every one to their homes. May no accident happen to any one who has come from far or near to this celebration. May the spirit of this work and the spirit of this day, and the events of this day, with their impression, be found in the hearts of every Latter-day Saint, far and near; that all may rejoice together for this great privilege of bringing to pass this establishment of the monument that shall hold the memory in the hearts of thy people as long as life, or time, or eternity, shall last. We ask thy favor and blessing upon us, and we pray that we may always be ready and willing to respond to the calls made upon us, to stand by our leading brethren in the erection of every monument, not only physical monuments but monuments that shall be in our hearts, towers of strength to us and to our posterity after us; that all may be well with thy people and that they may work out their destinies, with loyalty and love of God, love of country, love of the faith instituted by the Prophet Joseph Smith and his Brother Hyrum. Forever more may the spirit of these great men be our inspiration, as well as) the beloved leaders that we have with us today, we ask, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 864 IMPROVEMENT ERA People Who Had Seen the Prophet and Patriarch People present who knew or had seen the Patriarch in life were requested to rise. The following arose: George Romney, born Lancashire, England, Aug. 14,1831; Seymour B. Young, born Kirtland, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1837; Emmeline B. Wells, born Petersham, Mass., Feb. 29, 1828; Lydia Phelps Thorp, born Clay Co., Missouri, Mar. 15, 1835; Mary J. Yearsley-Cummings, born Chester Co. Penn., Feb. 18 1838; Evan F. Greene, born at Kirtland, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1838; John Bushman, born at Nauvoo, 111., June 7, 1843; Israel Barlow Jr., born at Nauvoo, 111., Sept. 5, 1842. Deposit of Records A small box is deposited in a receptacle cut for it in the capstone under the shaft. Its contents, supplied by Elder Benjamin Goddard, are as follows: Statement descriptive of the monument. The Doctrine and Covenants. Photographs: Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the martyrs; Nauvoo Temple; Patriarch Hyrum Smith; Presidents Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith; Patriarch John Smith, brother of Joseph Smith, Sr. Patriarch John Smith, son of ; Hyrum Smith; President Joseph F. Smith; President Brigham Young, who died August 29, 1877; Church Directory, 1918; Album Views of Salt Lake City. Pamphlets: "The Prophet Joseph Smith's Own Story," "What Mormons Believe," "Rays of Living Light"Charles W. Penrose; "History of — the Great Temple" Salt Lake City ; "Articles of Faith," "Utah's Loyalty and War Record." President Joseph F. Smith in the Midst of His Grandchildren IN MESOPOTAMIA Lo, in the Caliph's City of the East, The sun-scorched Bagdad on old Tigris stream, Where in far days were learning and the feast, And ancient romance lingered as a dream, Lo, there the bugle shrills in call to arms, As Britain's legions dare the burning zone, The roll of drums is heard beneath the palms, Where sat Al Raschid on his golden throne. The victors pass by Ctes-i-phon's lone arch, By reed-girt Kut and Akeruf's vast towers, And wide Euphrates sees their onward march, From where in Eden bloomed the primal flowers: The slave, the free, grim war sets face to face, Yea, in the cradle of the human race Alfred Lambourne. ITl } HI t 1 1 » t * K !i*r rrnfrjfff'fff* jrrjrfifffrrrr IT a i» Problems of the Age Dealing with Religious, Social and Economic Questions and their Solution. A Study for the Quorums and Classes of the Melchizedek Priesthood By Dr. Joseph M. Tanner XXV— Race Suicide (Continued) Factory System. — In time the barbarous practice of the uncivilized nationswhich fell under the rule of the white man were forbidden by their modern rulers; but a new industrial age grew up in which economic conditions changed. The civilization of the last century made provision for the employment of child labor. They no longer sold children, but at the same time parents were permitted to put out their children to apprenticeship which amounted to a partial sale, as they were subject to the control and punishment of their masters. There was no longer a deliberate infanticide but there was the creation of conditions that were extremely destructive to infant life. The destruction still went on in a more refined way, indirectly, it is true; but it was destruction nevertheless of human life. The factory and apprenticeship systems prevailed through a number of decades until their cruel methods were abolished by law. I quote from Payne: "The children who were apprenticed out to the mill-owners were fed on the coarsest kind of food and in the most disgusting way. They slept by turns, in relays, in beds that were never aired, for one set of children were turned into the beds as soon as another set had been driven out to their long and filthy toil. Some tried to run away and after that they were worked with chains around their ankles; many died and the little graves were unmarked in a desolate spot lest the number of the dead attract too much attention. "Sixteen hours a day, six days a week, was no uncommon time for children, and on Sunday they worked to clean the machine. "In stench, in heated rooms, amid the constant whirling of a thou- sand wheels, little fingers and little feet were kept in ceaseless action, forced into unnatural activity by blows from the heavy hands and feet of the merciless overlooker, and the infliction of bodily pain by in- struments of punishment, invented by the sharpened ingenuity of in- satiable selfishness. "The agitation against these conditions led, in 1802, to an Act being passed by the influence of Sir Robert Peel for the preservation of the health and morals of apprentices and others employed in cot- ton or other mills. "The immediate cause of this was the fearful spread through the factories in the Manchester district of epidemic diseases due to over- work, scanty food, wretched clothing, long hours, bad ventilation, among the working people and especially among the children. "As far as reforming the conditions in which the children lived, the Act, however, was a dead letter, and in a debate introduced by Sir Robert Peel on June 6, 1815, one speaker, Horner, told of the sale of a gang of children with the effects of a bankrupt.