| 162 passed successively Farmington, Kaysville, Centerville and Wood's Cross, all scattered hamlets lying against the foothills to the left of the road. Above them the everlasting hills, some of them whitening with the snows of early winter.
The ride of forty miles seemed short, and soon we wound into the strange city of a strange people. Once domiciled at the home of Bro. Reinsimar, we had leisure to think, and thinking to take time to determine what course to pursue. For a number of days we visited in the city, places and people, endeavoring to discover whatever might aid in the solution of the puzzle, What shall we do? Many received us cheerfully and pleasantly; among these were our relatives, uncle Hyrum's sons, John and Joseph F. Smith; uncle Samuel's son, Samuel H. B. Smith; and a son of cousin George A. Smith, John Henry, by name. We met many who have a hope in the ultimate triumph of the work of the last days, but who are now at a loss which way to turn to look for progress, and advancement. Some of those whom we met were cordial and friendly, but sincerely impressed that it was a bad thing for us to be fighting against that work begun by our father and uncle. To these we grant the meed of honesty and sincerity; for they frankly met us and we agreed to differ in peace. We did not ask any of our relatives to compromise themselves in our behalf, nor did they do so, though we acknowledge our indebtedness to them for kindnesses shown in accompanying us about the city, and introducing us to many of their brethren; a like courtesy was shown us by Bro. P. H. Reinsimar.
We visited the Temple grounds, where work was just closing up for the winter season. The Temple walls are now some twenty or more feet above the water table, and seem to be in a fair way of going up. We also were permitted to visit the Tabernacle, through which we were escorted by Professor Thomas, who very kindly showed us over it, including the organ, one of the finest in the world. The ceiling had been festooned in the summer for festival purposes, and the evergreen boughs yet remained, making the roof look like an inverted forest of miniature trees. We heard a few notes of the organ, likewise, but could only guess its power. We inscribed our names in the visitors' book, in which we saw the names of U. S. Grant, General W. T. Sherman, Dom Pedro, and others of similar and less note.
In company with Bro. Robert Warnock we visited Camp Douglass and likewise went over Jordan, and returned. By invitation of Superintendent H. C. Kimball, of the Utah Western R. R., Elder John Smith, wife and daughter, Bro. P. H. Reinsimar and self, took an early morning ride over the road to Lake Point, where we took breakfast, spent a few pleasant hours in examining the lake and the surroundings that could be seen, returning to the city by two o'clock in the afternoon with an excellent opinion of the kind courtesy of Mr. Kimball, and a better conception of the saltness of the salt, salt sea. . . .
This trip to the lake was the only courtesy of a public nature offered us
(page 162) |
