| 164 I had been absent about three years and six months, during which all the improvements had been made, and that by a people almost without means. Judge my feeling then, in riding through a regular town, for some three or four miles, with streets opened, lots fenced out and buildings almost innumerable; many of which were neatly built of frame or brick. I gazed, I wondered, I admired; I could hardly refrain from tears.
Lost in astonishment, I rode onward amid hundreds of people, passing in every direction, and made my way to the heart of the town, and yet unknowing and unknown. I had not as yet recognized a single face, nor had any one recognized me. I had searched out the cottage which my hands had once reared in the wilderness, the spring, the valley, the murmuring stream, where I had often toiled, or reposed in the cooling shade of the grove and quenched my thirst at nature's fountain, in by-gone years, when all was silent loneliness, no streets were opened, no gardens enclosed, no human habitation near, to disturb the quiet, or break upon the solitude of the wilderness, But O! how changed the scene! Even my cottage had been removed, to open one of the principle streets. Hills had been leveled, blocks, streets, houses, shops, gardens and enclosures were now extending in every direction; scarce a vestage [vestige] remained by which I could realize that I had ever been there before. I could only recognize the place by observing the unchanging fountain, which flowed as free amid the works of art, as it had done in former times, amid the solitude of the wilderness.
After reviewing the city for some time as "one unknown and yet well known," I at length rode near the temple, caught a glimpse of its polished walls, of strength and beauty, in the distance, and then alighted at the door of my brother, William Pratt. I was soon happily encircled with fond friends, among which was my two brothers and their families, and my aged mother, as well as many of my old acquaintances of Europe and America. The joy of this scene I shall not attempt to describe, for none can understand it but those who have been long absent from friends and home, on some errand of mercy, and then retured [returned] to greet the former circle, endeared to them by many a tie;. These understand it not by words, by being made partakers thereof.
To make short my story, suffice it to say that in company with my brothers, I visited from day to day reviewing the city and its improvements, and seeing my old acquaintances, enjoying myself in a manner which would well reward me for years of toil and suffering.
Among other gratifications I had the pleasure of several interviews with our beloved prophet, who had lately been delivered from the rage of the heathen, the vain imagination of the people, and the council of rulers who had taken council together against the Lord, and against his anointed. During my long acquaintance with him, and in all circumstances, he has ever been cheerful, but I think he never has appeared more so than of late. He seemed as animated, as happy, as boyant [buoyant], and cheerful as a child; or as a youth just setting out into the morning of life, without a cloud to obscure the prospect of his brightest hopes. In his person one can hardly recognize a veteran soldier of the cross, who has stood for twenty years as a champion of the truth, like an oak amid the tempest, while storm after storm has beat around him; yet such is the fact. Joseph Smith, that seeming youth, that joyous happy young man, whose countenance seems lit up with the sparkling brilliance of early manhood, and smooth and unruffled as the child who has never known the bitterness of human strife. That same Joseph Smith has for twenty years, labored, toiled and suffered, as the unflinching champion of eternal truth, at the head of the brave few who have dared to follow, amid contending millions he has stood for the testimony of Jesus, as became a saint and prophet; amid the clash of arms and the din of war, he has stood as a champion of human rights; as patriot in the cause of his country; and when storm after storm of persecution has beat upon him, he has stood as a martyr, often almost overwhelmed with the wrath of man but struggling still, he has at length come off triumphant over all his foes, and now stands erect, in calm and peaceful majesty; and smiles o'er all the past, his mind reaching onward and contemplating the future with increasing courage, and redoubled hope. Such is Joseph Smith the chosen of the Lord, and such the soul and hear revealed in his every feature.
As to myself I feel well satisfied, both with him and with the leaders of our society in general, in regard to the management of our affairs, both temporal and spiritual. I hope I may always be counted worthy of a place among them, and that my heart may be disposed to hearken to their council.
Nothing gives me more pain than to see some disposed to turn away from the faith, and others hardening their hearts in all manner of iniquity and wicked works; thus bringing a wound upon the cause which they once held dearer than life. O! my brethren, how can you escape the damnation of hell, if you still persist in sining [sinning] against so great a light? Verily I say unto you, it will be more tolerable in
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