Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow. Eliza R. Snow
fair climes of Immortality. She was beloved by all the Saints, and much respected throughout the extensive circle of her worldly acquaintance.
By her faith and knowledge, the curtains of Zion have been extended, and through her benevolence the Saints have been made to rejoice. With herself and husband, our Elders first found a home when they were strangers in London, endeavoring to rear the standard of Zion. Their house has been my home ever since my arrival.
The Church has cause to mourn her loss, especially those who participated in her friendship when laying the foundation of this branch, when dark clouds gathered thickly over their prospects, and all their efforts seemed baffled. But let them not mourn as for one who dies without hope. She died, not only in hope, but in the perfect assurance of future glory; and in her dying moments, wished me to express to Elder Kimball that she blessed the hour in which he baptized her.
One remarkable circumstance connected with this melancholy event, I wish to relate. About two o'clock this morning, we had given up all hopes of her recovery. We saw it was the will of God to take her to Himself. We had continued to offer our prayers in her behalf, and done everything consistent with scripture and the mind of God. She continually expressed a wish that no medicine should be administered to her by a doctor, and particularly requested that "no blame should be attached to, and no reflections cast upon, her dear husband and children, because no doctor had been employed; for she wanted no physician but the Lord."
About two o'clock, she requested me to kneel by her bedside, and, for the last time, offer my supplications, and she said she would depart in peace. I complied with her request, and while calling upon the Lord in presence of her weeping husband, children and friends, the Holy Spirit rested on me in power, and I was moved upon to ask the God of Israel that her disconsolate husband might be comforted, even if it were by the ministering of Sister Morgan's departed spirit, that he might have thereby consolation and fulness of hope.
At the same hour, Sister Bates, of this city—a worthy member of the Church, had an open vision, in which she saw Sister Morgan standing in full view before her, clothed in robes beautiful and white, and around her head were clouds of glory, surpassing in splendor and brilliancy, the sun at noonday. Sister Bates rejoiced in the vision. It was not a dream, but an open vision, continuing some length of time. When the vision closed, she immediately related it to her husband.
When the vision was made known to Deacon Morgan, the bereaved husband, he lifted up his head and rejoiced in sorrow, receiving consolation even in the valley of grief. He has not a shadow of doubt that the companion of his bosom now rests in mansions of peace and glory.
Yours in the Everlasting Covenant,
L. Snow.
In the minutes of a general Conference held in Manchester, commencing on the 5th of May, 1842, published in the Millennial Star, we find the following:
"Elder Snow then addressed the meeting, and stated the method they had adopted in London Conference of raising funds for the Temple, which was by holding tea meetings; at which time any person wishing to appropriate for this purpose, had the opportunity. Elder Snow concluded his address by singing beautifully in tongues."
Just before leaving England, Elder P. P. Pratt, through the Star, in a general address to the Saints in Europe, writes the following—"I therefore recommend and appoint Elder Thomas Ward as my successor in the office of the General Presidency of the Church in Europe, in connection with Elders Lorenzo Snow and Hiram Clark. To these persons I commit the care and government of the Church in this country for the present, trusting that they will conduct and counsel in all things according to the mind of the Spirit, and according to the counsel that shall be given them from Nauvoo from time to time by the Quorum of the Twelve or the First Presidency.
"I sincerely hope that the officers and members in the several conferences will uphold and support these men in their high and holy calling by the prayer of faith, and by a willing, submissive and teachable spirit; and in so doing they will prosper."
STANZA ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK OF MORMON TO QUEEN VICTORIA.
BY ELIZA R. SNOW.
Before leaving London, Elder Lorenzo Snow presented to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, and His Royal Highness, Prince Albert, through the politeness of Sir Henry Wheatley, two neatly bound copies of the Book of Mormon, which had been donated by President Brigham Young, and left in the care of Elder Snow for that purpose; which circumstance suggested the following lines:
QUEEN VICTORIA.
Of all the monarchs of the earth,
That wear the robes of royalty,
She has inherited, by birth,
The broadest wreath of majesty.
From her wide territorial wing,
The sun does not withdraw its light;
While earth's diurnal motions bring
To other nations, day and night.
All earthly thrones are tottering things,
Where lights and shadows intervene;
And regal honor often brings
The scaffold or the guillotine.
But still her sceptre is approved;
All nations deck the wreath she wears;
Yet, like the youth whom Jesus loved,
One thing is lacking, even there.
But, lo! a prize possessing more
Of worth than gems with honor rife—
A herald of salvation bore
To her the words of endless life.
That gift, however fools deride,
Is worthy of her royal care;
She'd better lay her crown aside
Than spurn the light reflected there.
O would she now her influence bend—
The influence of royalty,
Messiah's Kingdom to extend,
And Zion's "nursing mother" be:
Thus, with the glory of her name
Inscribed on Zion's lofty spire,
She'd win a wreath of endless fame,
To last when other wreaths expire.
Though over millions called to reign—
Herself a powerful nation's boast,
'Twould be her everlasting gain
To serve the King, the Lord of Hosts.
For there are crowns and thrones on high,
And kingdoms there to be conferred—
There honors wait that never die—
There fame's immortal trump is heard.
Truth echoes—'tis Jehovah's word;
Let kings and queens and princes hear:
In distant isles the sound is heard:
Ye heavens, rejoice! O earth, give ear!
The time—the time is near at hand
To give a glorious period birth:
The Son of God will take command,
And rule the nations of the earth.
CHAPTER XII.
Brother Snow's Mission terminates.—Reports four hundred Members in the London Conference.—Is appointed to take charge of two hundred and fifty Saints en route to Nauvoo.—Embarks on the "Swanton."—The Steward's sickness.—Grows