Home of the Three Orsons

IMPROVEMENT ERA Vol. XXII FEBRUARY. 1919 No. 4

Homes of the Three Orsons By Junius F. Wells

The most severe criticism of my paper in the November Era was that it contained too much fairy story, and not enough of the Orsons. My apology must be that the fairy story was complete, fulfilling its purpose in accounting for the name, and ending there. While the only intention was to excite an interest, or the beginning of interest, in the lives and ministry of those eminent disciples, which should lead to further demand for their sayings and writings. Would that this demand might increase, and sometime compel a compilation of their inspired utterances, convenient and accessible to the present generation of our people! I have no doubt that time will come. Several years ago while visiting Nauvoo, I procured photographs of the homes of many of our leaders, and have since published some of them in the local magazines. It is a pleasure to find among them the views accompanying this article, to which have been added pictures of the houses in which Elders Hyde and Pratt died. The Nauvoo home of Elder Hyde was destroyed, and the picture shown is a later modern frame house erected on the site of the old one. His home in Salt Lake City, was located on North Temple street, opposite the — north gate of Temple block a large two story adobe house that has given way to the Miller apartments. The other picture that we show is of his house at Spring City, Sanpete county, in which he died. Elder Pratt's homes in Salt Lake City were small stone and adobe cottages. One that I well remember, with its portico and stone steps and outside green window shutters, stood on West Temple street, facing west, in the middle of the block between South Temple and First South streets. The picture we have procured is of the house in which he died. It is located on Third North street, facing south, the second house from the corner at Third West street.

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Elder Orson Spencer's homes in Salt Lake City occupied the southwest lot at the corner of Third South and Main streets. There are no existing pictures of the houses. I am told by his daughter, Aunt Katie Young, that the original home was a oneroom adobe shelter facing on Main street, for his family of motherless children. This they occupied until his arrival from England in 1849, when he built as an addition a two-story adobe house facing south on the site at the corner of Main and Third South. He died in St. Louis, while editing the

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Orson Hyde's Homestead, Nauvoo, Illinois

St. Louis Luminary, under direction of Elder Erastus Snow, president of the mission there. I have selected to go with these pictures from the writings and discourses of the Three Orsons some remarkable testimonies and utterances, which appear to have a timely interest, in view of the present state of the world, convulsed in war, famine and pestilence; the coming of which these servants of the Lord spoke and wrote with exceeding boldness and prophetic foresight. As this number of the Era will be issued soon after the hundred and thirteenth anniversary of the Prophet's birth, it is perhaps fitting to quote first from the writings of Elder Orson Spencer, his estimate of the personal character and quality of the Prophet. It is not frequent that such descriptions are brought before

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the present generation, from the pens and lips of men qualified by personal association and great literary ability to describe him; and that were written of him during his lifetime. This is among the most eloquent, dignified and loyal utterances of its kind in existence. It was written in 1842, and is worthy of the consideration of all men in forming opinions concerning the style and ability of Joseph Smith as a man, and inspired servant of God: "You wish to know, 'What is the personal character and influence, doctrines and claims of him who is called the leader, Joseph Smith?' Joseph Smith, when the great designs of heaven were first made known to him, was not far from the age of seventeen; from that time to this he has had much said about him, both of a favorable and unfavorable nature. I shall only speak of his character as I believe it to be from an intimate acquaintance of more than one year and from an intimate acquaintance with those who have been with him many years. No man is more nanowly watched by friends and enemies than Mr. Joseph Smith; consequently, if he were as good a man as any prophet that has preceded him. he would have as violent enemies as others have had. But I hasten to give my own opinion. "I firmly avow, in the presence of God, that I believe Mr. Joseph Smith to be an upright man, that seeks the glory of God in such a manner as is well pleasing to the Most High God. Naturally, he is kind and obliging; pitiful and courteous; as far from dissimulation as any man; frank and loquacious to all men, friends or foes. He seems to employ no studied effort to guard himself against misrepresentation, but often leaves himself exposed to misconstructions by those who watch for faults. He is remarkably cheerful for one who has seen well-tried friends martyred — around him, and felt the inflictions of calumny the vexations of lawsuits— — the treachery of intimates and multiplied violent attempts upon his person and life, together with the cares of much business. His influence, after which you inquire, is very great. His friends are as ardently attached to him as his enemies are violently opposed. Free toleration is given to all opposing religions, but wherever he is accredited as a Prophet of the living God, there you will perceive his influence must be great. That lurking fear and suspicion that he may become a dictator or despot, gradually gives place to confidence and fondness, as believers become acquainted with him. "In doctrine, Mr. Smith is eminently scriptural. I have never known him to deny or deprecate a single truth of the Old and New Testaments, but I have always known him to explain and defend them in a masterly manner. Being anointed of God, for the purpose of teaching and perfecting the church, it is needful that he should know how to set in order the things that are wanting, and to bring forth things new and old, as a scribe well instructed. This office and apostleship he appears to magnify; at his touch the ancient prophets spring into life, and the beauty and power of their revelations are made to commend themselves with thrilling interest to all that hear. "You inquire, 'Does he claim to be inspired?' Certainly he does claim to be inspired. He often speaks in the name of the Lord, which would be rank hypocrisy and mockery, if he were not inspired to do it. It seems very difficult for those who stand at the distance of many generations from the true prophets, to realize what prophets are, and what ought to be expected from them. I do not chide them for their ignorance and folly, however, because I had nothing to boast of, previous to embracing the faith of the Latter-day Saints. I understand that prophets may

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speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost at one time, while they may be very far from being moved by the Holy Ghost as they speak at another. They may be endowed with power to perform miracles and mighty deeds at one time, while they have no authority, and there is no suitableness in doing the same at another time. "You ask, 'Is he a man of prayer, of a pure life, of peace? Does he appear at the head of his troops as a military commander?' These questions I answer, according to the best knowledge I have, in the affirmative. As a people we perform military duty, as the laws of the State of Illinois enjoin and require. The legion answers the purpose to keep the lawless and mobocratic at a respectful distance; and the more 'earthquake and storm' our enemies raise about the Nauvoo Legion, and a military chieftain like the ancient Mahomet, the greater fear and dread of us will be conveyed to the minds of the lawless, who watch for prey, and spoil, and booty. I can assure you, that neither Mr. Smith, nor any other intelligent

House in which Orson Hyde died, Spring City, Sanpete Co., Utah Latter-day Saint, ever intends to make one convert by the sword; neither are we such tee-total peace makers, that any savage banditti of lawless depredators could waste our property, violate virtue, and shed innocent blood, without experiencing from us a firm defense of law, of right, and innocence. We are to this day very sensitive to a repetition of past wrongs that we still smart under. The Lord our God, who was once called (by a man after his own heart) 'a man of war,' we trust will be our defense and strong tower in the day of battle, if our country should ever call us to scenes of carnage and blood."

When Orson Hyde was sent upon his mission, in 1840, to dedicate the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews, he received a letter of appointment from the General Conference of the Church, dated Nauvoo, April 6, 1840, signed by Joseph Smith, Jr., that contained the following, which must certainly have been written by the spirit of prophecy "Considering an important event at hand, an event involving the in-

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terest — and fate of the gentile nations throughout the world from the signs of the times and from declarations contained in the oracles of God, we are forced to come to this conclusion: The Jewish nations have been scattered abroad among the gentiles for a long period; and in our estimation the time of the commencement of their return to the Holy Land has already arrived. As this scattered and persecuted people are set among the gentiles, as a sign unto them of the second coming of the Messiah and also of the overthrow of the present kingdoms and governments of the earth, by the potency of his almighty arm, in scattering famine and pestilence like the frosts and snows of winter and sending the sword with nation against nation to bathe it in each other's blood; it is highly important in our opinion that the present views and movements of the Jewish people be sought after and laid before the American people for their consideration, their profit and their learning."

In the November Era a mention is made of Elder Hyde's going upon this mission and a quotation is given from his prayer offered up on the Mount of Olives, October 24, 1841. After beginning his homeward journey and arriving at Triest, at the head of the Adriatic sea, he commenced to write a report of his mission. It was dated January 1, and completed January 18, 1842. This was addressed to Joseph Smith, Jr., Nauvoo, Illinois. The following extract from it will be read with amazing interest, in view of recent historical incidents that surely are destined to be connected with the literal fulfilment of Elder Hyde's prediction. He says: "It was by political power and influence that the Jewish nation was broken down, and her subjects dispersed abroad. And I will here hazard the opinion that by political power and influence they will be gathered and built up; and further, that England is destined, in the wisdom and economy of heaven, to stretch forth the arm of political power, and advance in the front ranks of this glorious enterprise.

"In the front ranks of this glorious enterprise!" England declared war against Turkey, Nov. 5, 1914. General Alienby, in command of an army of English soldiers began his triumphant march to recover the Holy Land, driving the Turks before him and destroying their power of conquest and possession forever. He captured Gaza on November 7, 1917; Jerusalem, December 9, 1917; Nazareth, September 22, 1918, Damascus, October 1, 1918; and proceeded to Aleppo, October 26, thus sweeping all Palestine from Beersheba to Dan. This successful campaign was remarkable in many ways. It was led by an Englishman, who is reported to be a man of faith and prayer. The favor of" the Lord was made manifest, in the comparative ease with which it was accomplished, and for the few casualties of the English. The Turks were completely defeated, and the surrender of the Turkish Empire followed almost immediately October 30, 1918. As commemorative of this glorious achievement and the fulfilment of the ancient predictions concerning it, as well as

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of the remarkable prophecy of Elder Hyde, the following lines by I. S. Richter in Leslies are timely:

TO GENERAL EDMUND H. H. ALLENBY Intrepid son of Albion the brave, Thine was the mission, though of alien creed, God's hallowed earth from heathen foes to save, An exiled people back into its home 'to lead, An outraged race from bondage to redeem And render real its age-long sweetest dream. Oppressed and trampled through their dreadful night, Two thousand years they wandered o'er the earth, Sustained by one fond hope, one radiant light, Of the glorious day to which thou gavest birth. Noble and gallant warrior, hail to thee! Thou art immortal in Israel's history. Polluted by a foul unholy hand, For centuries the scene of bloody strife Freed from that yoke, now will the chosen land Live as of yore a noble, godly life: A guiding star as in the days of old, A fount of wisdom and of bliss untold. Elder Hyde's prophetic impulse appears to have searched out the Germans, as certainly as it foretold the "advance in the front ranks" of these English. In a letter written by him to the Missouri Republican, from Great Salt Lake City, January 1, 1862, when the Civil War was at its height, the following striking prophecy occurs:

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Home of Orson Pratt, Nauvoo, Illinois

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"Some four years since (1858), in a discourse delivered in the tabernacle, in this city, I made the following statement, 'So sure as the storms of the mountains burst and hurl their fury upon the Twin Peaks of the Wasatch range, just so sure is the storm of Jehovah's wrath about to burst upon the nation and people of the United States.' This statement found its way into many of the Eastern journals and drew forth some ludicrous editorials as to what the Prophet Orson had said. Call me by whatever name they will, I intend to tell the truth, and Time, that faithful revealer of all things, will test the merits or demerits of my sayings. Itou have scarcely yet read the preface of your national troubles. Many nations will be drawn into the American maelstrom that now whirls through our land; and after many days, when the Demon of War shall have exhausted his strength and madness upon American soil, by the destruction of all that can court or provoke opposition, excite cupidity, inspire revenge or feed ambition, he will remove his headquarters to the banks of the Rhine."

I am indebted to Elder A. A. Ramseyer for the following comment "How remarkably the above prophecy was fulfilled. In 1865, the American War was ended; the next year, 1866, Prussia and Austria, after having attacked Denmark in 1864 and wrested off Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia turned on Austria to secure to herself the whole of the spoils. Then, in 1870, Bismarck lured the French into a declaration of war against Prussia, a challenge which all of the German states accepted with leading to the Franco-Prussian war. alacrity, Now, for more than forty years defeat of France, Germany was preparing for the mad since the world conquest with the disastrous results that we all now know."

I submit the following from a patriotic speech delivered by Orson Hyde, in Great Salt Lake City, July 4, 1853. Is it not prophetically pertinent to the present day, with the President of the United States in Europe upon a mission of liberty?

"The voice of God, through American policy, with loud and thrilling notes cries; Come unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved — from the yokes of tyrants from the chains and fetters of bigotry, superstition and priestcraft, and regale yourselves under the Tree of Liberty, whose branches are rapidly extending, and whose fruit is rich and desirable, and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations."

Elder Orson Pratt's discourses upon the fulfilment of ancient prophecy were so many and so profound that brief extracts from them do but meagre justice. I shall present but two, in conclusion of this paper. The first is from a sermon delivered in the tabernacle, March 26, 1871:

"When the Almighty, in the present century, sent forth an angel from heaven, and restored the gospel, and the authority and power to preach it, and administer its ordinances, and to organize this Church on the earth, and sent forth his servants to all nations, they were fulfilling the commands of the Most High given by the angel. We have been forty years, since the angel came, fulfilling that prediction. * * * many How more years will pass over our heads that we will have the privilege of declaring the fulness of the everlasting gospel among the nations of the Gentiles is not revealed. All that we know on the subject is what the

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Lord told us some forty years ago, that the times of the Gentiles would be fulfilled in the generation in which He established His Church." * * * "The Jews will then come in remembrance before the Lord. That is, the set time for their deliverance and restoration will have come; the period predicted by the mouth of the ancient prophet in which the Gospel shall be proclaimed to them." * * * "Individuals are now sitting in this Tabernacle who will carry this message. The young men among us will go forth to the ends of the earth and declare to the scattered remnants of Israel, wherever found, the comforting words; 'The times of the Gentiles are fulfilled; that the day is come for the covenant which God made with the ancient fathers of Israel to be fulfilled.' And you will have the pleasure of gathering them up by thousands, tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands from the islands of

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House in which Orson Pratt died

the sea and from all quarters of the earth; for that will be a day of power far more than it is while the gospel continues among the Gentiles.

• • • Hear what the Lord says by the mouth of the psalmist David; 'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.' "

Upon a previous occasion, he spoke concerning the time when this message should be sent to the scattered remnants of Israel. I perfectly remember hearing this discourse, and of

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listening many times to his expositions of the prophets of the Bible and Book of Mormon, when the power and boldness of his prophecies, that the time was near for their fulfilment, thrilled me to the heart, and made impressions that I can never forget. The following is extracted from a sermon delivered in the old tabernacle, August 11, 1867:

"This is what the Lord has in store for his servants. You young men who sit here on these seats will live to see the times of the Gentiles fulfilled. You will live to see the time when the Lord will give you a direct command from on high to no more go into the cities of the Gentiles to preach to them; the law having been bound, the testimony sealed. And the mission which you will receive, young men, will be to go to the scattered remnants of the house of Israel, among all the nations and king-

Home of Orson Spencer, Nauvoo, Illinois

doms of the Gentiles. To search them out and proclaim to them the message restored by the angel, that it may be preached to Israel as well as to the Gentiles. That is your destiny; that, young men, is what the Lord will require at your hands."

The most interesting query by present-day readers of these ancient and modern prophecies is: How long shall the generation in which they are to begin and be fulfilled last? Elder Pratt, after forty years from its beginning, declared he did not know; but that young men then living should live to witness the end. The "signs of the times" multiply as the days and years pass, and that the notable, portentous event "is nigh, even at your doors" becomes increasingly evident.