CHAPTER XXXVIII.

PRESIDENCY OF LORENZO SNOW.

September 13, 1898, the quorum of Twelve Apostles met at Salt Lake City and chose Lorenzo Snow President of the Church.  President Snow chose George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as his counselors.

President Snow was born in Ohio, April 3, 1814.  While yet a young man, he went to Kirtland, where he became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph.  Joining the Church, he was soon in the field as a missionary, traveling through the States preaching the gospel.  From Nauvoo, he went on a mission to England, returning in 1843 with a large company of Saints.  He was ordained a member of the Twelve Apostles, February 12, 1849, at Salt Lake City.  Shortly afterwards he was called on a mission to Italy.  His labors, however, were not confined to that country, as he organized many branches of the Church in other European lands.

[Illustration:  PRESIDENT LORENZO SNOW.]

In 1853, President Snow removed to Brigham City, where for many years he united the people in a system of co-operation, which rapidly built up the country.  At the completion of the Salt Lake temple he was called to preside in that sacred building.

Though so far advanced in years when called to stand at the head of the Church, President Snow was quite strong in body and in mind.  During the summer of 1899, with a party of Apostles and, other leading men, he visited many of the stakes of Zion in their conference gatherings.  President Snow said he had a special message to deliver to the Saints which was that they should in the future more fully observe the law of tithing.  This law had been neglected in the past, but now, the Prophet said, the Lord expected the Saints to observe this commandment.  It is pleasing to state that most of the Saints heeded the timely instruction and warning, and there was great improvement in keeping this law of the Lord.

When President Snow took charge of the affairs of the Church, it was largely in debt, owing to the troubles incident to the confiscation of its property by the government some time before.  Now, because of the improvement in the payment of tithes and offerings, the First Presidency were able to pay some of the debts of the Church, and make arrangements for the payment of others as they became due.

President Snow put new life into many departments of the Church.  The School system which the Church had established received much attention.  The Latter-day Saints’ University at Salt Lake City was established, and one of its buildings was erected.  Many other Church buildings were planned and begun.

At an election held in the fall of 1898, Brigham H. Roberts was elected to represent Utah in Congress.  At this election the people, as they had done many times before, voted as either Democrats or Republicans, and both “Mormons” and non-"Mormons” were elected to office.  Now, however, some anti-"Mormon” newspapers, assisted by many of the Utah sectarian preachers, made a great stir.  The enemies of the Saints continued to send a flood of falsehood all over the country.  Much excitement was worked up and a determined effort was made to keep Utah’s representative out of Congress.