USA > Utah > Salt Lake County > Salt Lake > History of Salt Lake City > Part 134
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In the summer of that year he was at Laporte-sick nigh unto death, and yet determined to progress with his mission. He found consoling care under the parental roof of Isaac Snyder, the father of his friend Robert, and through several weeks he was nursed as a beloved son of the house. When the family of Father Snyder took up its march for Nauvoo, Franklin was carried back by them to the beautiful city; but soon after the succeeding October conference he was once more mov- ing in the missionary field-this time being the companion of Phinehas H. Young, in the vicinity of
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Cincinnati. He fortunately visited Father Snyder's family again in the summer of 1842, just as he was convalescing from an almost fatal attack of Typhoid fever ; and in December of that year he wedded the youngest daughter of the house-Jane Snyder, whose helpful love sustained him then and blesses him to-day. He dwelt with the Saints at Nauvoo until the latter part of May, 1844, in the meantime being ordained a High Priest ; and then was called to depart with Apostle Brigham and cthers upon a mission to England. He reached the Atlantic States, but before setting sail for Europe he heard the dreadful news of the Carthage tragedy, and was called back to the desolated Nauvoo.
The opening months of the next year, 1845, were spent by him in traveling more than a thou- sand miles among the branches of the Church in Michigan and elsewhere to gather tithes for the temple. He returned to Nauvoo with nearly five hundred dollars for this sacred purpose ; and then was chosen by his uncle Willard to be a scribe in the office of the Church Historian. In July, 1845, President Brigham Young said to the ardent young elder, " After you are favored with the blessings of the temple, you must depart for a mission to England." This was good news to the devout young man. The mechanical work upon the holy edifice needed cvery available skilled hand; and Franklin labored through the spring of 1846 as carpenter and joiner in the lower main court of the temple, until the structure was completed and dedicated-having previously partici- pated in the administration of the sacred ordinances there.
When these duties were concluded and the hour for the exodus had come he sacrificed the pleasant little home, built by his own toil ; and with the meagre proceeds he purchased a wagon and cattle and such few necessaries as he could compass for the use of his family-an invalid wife and baby girl. With the heroism of the martyrs, he saw his loved ones starting on that melancholy journey into the western wilderness. He committed them to the great Creator's care and then he turned his face resolutely towards the East-without money or sufficient clothing, to make his way by faith alone, across continent and ocean into a strange land. His younger brother Samuel was called to accompany him ; and the two missionaries crossed the river to Nauvoo and slept the first night of their arduous journey in a deserted building there. The God whom they so unselfishly served opened their way ; they pursued their journey via the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Pittsburg, and across the mountains to the coast ; and on the 22d diy of September, 1846, they sailed from New York in company with Apostle Parley P. Pratt and others. The last word which Franklin received from the Camp of Israel, before his ship put to sea, was that the noble Jane amidst all the priva- tions of the exodus was lying at the point of death-that a little son had been born to her, but the child had quietly expired upon its mother's devoted bosom. This was the comfort brought to the courageous missionary to speed and solace him upon his trying voyage !
On the 14th day of October he landed in Liverpool. A few days later he was appointed to pre- side over the Church in Scotland, with Samuel as his assistant. Apostle Orson Hyde was at this epoch the president of the British mission and editor of the Millennial Star ; though he was soon to depart for America and was to be succeeded by elder Orson Spencer. But at the hour when the change was expected to be made, a false report of Elder Spencer's death reached Liverpool. The rumor was believed and Apostle Hyde appointed Franklin, then only twenty-five years old, to both of the positions which he, himself, was vacating. The public announcement of this event was made by the retiring president and editor in the second number of the Star, for the year 1847, in the fol- lowing language :
"Brother Franklin Richards, a worthy young man, who has received the fulness of the priest- hood in the temple of God, will be our successor to the editorial department of this paper, and will also take the presidency of the whole Church in the British Isles, under the direction and instruc- tion of the council of the Twelve Apostles. With all confidence we resign our trust into his hands, being satisfied of his competency and ability to performn the work assigned him ; and what is still better, we know that God is with him. We leave our blessing upon him in the name of the Lord, and say to the Saints, listen to his counsel and instruction ; in doing so you shall be blessed with life and salvation."
Just as Elder Richards was entering upon his high trust Elder Spencer arrived in England and Franklin at once give place to his ecclesiastical chief; but he was selected as counselor, and during the subsequent serious illness of the President, Franklin was obliged to sustain the responsibilities and perform the duties of that calling. He was a devoted soul. His entire being was immersed in the glorious work of the ministry. He labored there until the 25th day of February, 1848, when he was appointed to take charge of a considerable company of Saints who were emigrating to the land Zion, in the bosom of the Rocky Mountains.
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During the time of Franklin's stay in the British Isles, the Saints there had been relieved of the treacherous " Joint Stock Company." The dishonest projectors of the despicable scheme had fled to other regions ; and hope and confidence again held sway. But while all in the mission was pros- perous, and the young elder could justly feel proud and happy in the great work of proselyting, melancholy news came to him from the wilderness. Ilis brother Joseph William Richards, a mem- ber of the glorious Mormon Battallion. had succumbed to the rigors of the march and his wearied form had been laid in a lonely grave by the banks of the troubled Arkansas. Franklin's fair little daughter Wealthy had also died, and left Jane heart broken, childless and alone. Thus early in life did the elder and his patient wife learn all the " sweet uses of adversity," schooling them to unselfish endurance.
The home journey via New Orleans and St. Louis to Winter Quarters was completed by the middle of May, 1848, and there Franklin found Jane and such of their relatives as had survived the perils and privations of the times, In June he was sent through Western Iowa negotiating for cattle with which to move the comp iny of Willard Richards across the Plains to the Salt Lake Basin. His effort was completely successful, and on the 5th day of July the train started, with Franklin acting as captain over fifty wagons. The journey was a most distressful one to his wife. Much of the time it seemed as though each day would be her last. But they found kind and helpful friends who ministered to their wants; and on the 19th day of October they entered the Valley through Emigra- tion Canyon and camped in the fort, more grateful to God than words can express to find a resting place for wearied frames worn with toil and sickness.
Franklin sold his cloak and every other article of clothing which he could spare, and with the proceeds purchased building material. Before the violence of the winter was felt he was able to con- struct a small room of adobies without roof and without floor. Here they had a mo lest feast on the first day of 1849 ; and from this rude mansion on the succeeding 12th day of February, Franklin was called to receive his ordination to the holy apostleship. His time was now engrossed in the duties of his exalted calling.
On the 20th of June, 1849, gladness was again restored to the loving hearts of Franklin and Jane by the birth of a son whom they subsequently called Franklin Snyder Richards and who has lived to perpetuate his father's fame and his mother's devotion.
The young Apostle became immediately associated with the other leading minds of the commu- nity in the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret. in general legislative and ecclesiastical work, and in the labors of creating a Perpetual Emigration Fund.
In October, 1849, he was once more called to leave home with its tender ties and its responsibili- ties of love, and renew his great missionary labor in the British Isles. He traveled in company with President John Taylor and Apostles Lorenzo and Erastus Snow and had a most eventful journey. Hostile Indians, inclement weather and turbulent, icy streams, combined to delay and imperil their progress. But the hand of Providence protected them and the opening month of the year 1850, found them at St. Louis, visiting with dear old friends and brethren.
What delight and heavenly ambition must have animated this devoted band. After years of tribulations they had seen the altar of Christ's family established in a place of peace; and now they were journeying hopefully to foreign lands to proclaim the law of gathering and lead the honest in heart to the safe and chosen home of the Saints, for a time beyond the reach of persecution.
'This was among the grandest missionary movements in the history of the Church, President Taylor was on his way to France, Lorenzo and Erastus were destined for Italy and Scandinavia, and Franklin, with the zeal of his young manhood and his endowment as an Apostle, was to officiate once more in the British mission.
Orson Pratt had been presiding and editing at Liverpool ; but when Franklin arrived there on March 29th, 1850, he found that the elder Apostle had been called on a hurried trip to Council Bluffs, and the Star contained a notification that during his absence Apostle Franklin D. Richards would preside over the Church affairs in Great Britain. The young president immediately began the establishment of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, and founded it upon a basis which has en- abled its beneficent power to endure until the present hour. Later in the season Orson returned to England and Franklin relinquished his place as chief, and became Apostle Pratt's associate for a few months ; but with the opening of the next year, 1851, Orson was called to the Valley, and Apostle Richards was instated as the president. Within the twelve months following; his energy and zeal, with that of his brethren, had spread the truth with irresistible sway throughout the Isles of Britain, while Franklin, with tireless hand and brain, doubled the business at the Liverpool Office; revised and enlarged the Hymn Book and printed an edition of 25,000 copies ; prepared his pamphlet, the
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FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS.
Pearl of Great Price; stereotyped the Book of Mormon and arranged for stereotyping the Doc- trine and Covenants; issued a new edition of Parley's Voice of Warning ; and devised a plan which made the .Star a weekly instead of a semi-monthly periodical and increased the number of its issue. He had also paid an interesting visit to President Taylor at Paris; had sent to Zion the first com- pany of Saints whose passage came through the Emigration Fund; and with Apostle Erastus Snow had made arrangements for the organization of a company to engage in the manufacture of iron in Utah. In January, 1852, pursuant to advice from the First Presidency of the Church, who contem- plated a visit from him to the Great Salt Lake Valley, he installed in the Liverpool Office, his brother Samuel, who had been formerly his associate during his ardent and successful Scottish ministry, in order to fit the younger Richards to maintain the increasing work in Franklin's temporary absence.
The baptisms in the British mission during these two years of Franklin's stupendous labor, ex- tending from the summer of 1850 to the close of spring in 1852, aggregated about sixteen thou- sand; while the perfected organization of conferences, branches, pastorates, etc., was commensu- rate with this marvelous increase. Such accessions required increased emigrational facilities, especially as the long water voyage to St. Louis, by way of the tropical gulf, closely followed by a tedious overland journey, gave premonitions of fatal results to some among the pilgrims. After exhaustive investigation Franklin rejected the theory of emigrating the Saints by way of Panama to the California coast ; and instead adopted the project of sending one ship to each of the three ports, Boston, Philadelphia and New York. "The latter received the decided preference, after the experi- ment ; and the plan of voyage between Liverpool and Castle Garden, instituted by the young but thoughtful Apostle Richards for the European Saints, a third of a century since, is still the univer- sally favored route.
On the 8th day of May, 1852, he sailed from Liverpool for New York. Scanned under the bright light of his self-sacrificing life, the hour of his departure from English shores must have been a time of trial mingled with exultation. After a dreary absence he was returning to the beloved home and hearts, where suffering had been a constant and unforbidden guest for his dear sake; with the glory of the Apostleship still radient upon him, he was modestly about to render up the testi- mony of his worthiness; and a thousand works of industrious goodness, with thousands of true con- verted souls left in Europe, or already journeying upon the deep, were all proclaiming for him re- ward and prayer. Yet on the other hand the mission of the man was strongly manifest upon him; he was leaving the work at the very inception of the growing destiny foretold by his prophetic in - tuition and made possible by his holy constancy ; zeal and sanctified ambition both must have prompted regret for his departure ; but though this mantle of providential weaving ran some threads of comfort; he was to see his loving family in Utah ; his brother Samuel, the latter possessing a full share of the family honor and ability, would remain in Britain to add numbers, wealth and glory to the mission, and the absence of Franklin would be but temporary. There was with him no thought that his loving duty was a painful task or an ill-paid sacrifice.
On the 28th day of the succeeding August he was attending the special conference in Salt Lake City at which was promulgated to the world the famous revelation, which Franklin had long before heard and received, upon the subject of the eternity and plurality of the marriage covenant.
On the 13th day of December, 1852, in the Territorial Legislative Assembly he renewed his labors as a law maker. The truth of theology and the power of discriminating legislation has seemed instinctive in the family of Richards.
In the opening of the year 1853 he participated in the dedication of the Temple grounds at Salt Lake, and in laying the corner stones of the superb structure which now shines in chaste mag- nificence.
In the succeeding month of July, he journeyed with Jane and their two little ones to Iron County to proceed with the establishing of the iron works ; and on the trip encountered, but with- out any immediate disaster, several parties of hostile Indians. At Cedar City military orders were received from Governor Young and Lieut .- General Wells, in view of Indian disturbances: and Franklin engaged immediately in the work of bringing in the outposts, changing the site of Cedar City, and fitting the people for the resistance of savage aggressions.
He returned to his home in Salt Lake in time to soothe the closing hours of his mother's life; but was again on the march for the iron region on the 22d day of October. His mission there ac- complished, he came to Salt Lake to take part through the winter in the legislative councils; and while thus engaged he was requested by President Young to prepare for another mission to Europe.
On the 11th day of March, 1854, Willard Richards, one of the leaders of the Mormon people,
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HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.
as he was the eminent leader of his family, departed this life. Franklin, notwithstanding the fact that he was a young man, was at once looked to by his kindred as being their chief.
Just before departing for England, he held a family gatheirng, at which he set the example of dedi- cating his home and all he possessed to the Lord. He reached Liverpool in safety on the 4th day of June, 1854. Hisletter of appointment from the First Presidency, published in the Millennial Star, authorized him to preside over all the conferences and all affairs of the Church in the British Islands and adjacent countries."
This was the signal for the closer amalgamation of all the European missions under one head- the presidency of the zealous Apostle Franklin D. Richards. He traveled on the Continent promoting peace and harmony as well as increase to the branches there. Emigration facilities were perfected and enlarged.
In 1855 he engaged for the better accommodation of the growing business in Liverpool, the con- venient premises known now as 42 Islington, which have been occupied as the chief offices of the Church in Europe from that day until the present time. In October of this year, the Saxon mission was originally established in Dresden under his personal direction-a mission which has yielded intel- ligence and numerical strength to the cause.
His travels were constant and extended to nearly every part of Western Europe-until he was probably better informed than any other man regarding the work in foreign lands. He gathered around him a most devoted band of American and foreign elders; and the cause progressed amaz- ingly. It was also within his province to direct the branches of the Church in the East Indies, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other parts-making altogether a sphere which no man could fill unless every ambition were centered in the cause.
On the 26th day of July, 1856, President Richards, accompanied by Elder C. H. Wheelock, sailed from Liverpool, homeward bound, on the steamer Asia. The Millennial Star, now placed under the editorial charge of Apostle Orson Pratt, in announcing this fact, used the following language :
" In noticing the departure of these our brethren from the field of their labors, it is difficult to express those warm feelings of approval and blessing towards them which fill our bosom and which, we are confident, will meet with a cordial response in the hearts of thousands of faithful Saints to whom, through the rich blessings of the Lord, they have so abundantly administered the principles of present and eternal salvation.
" For nearly ten years Presidents Richards and Wheelock have spent most of their time in labor- ing in the ministry in Britain ; and, from the beginning, a constant and abundant increase of strength and power in the priesthood has been manifested, in the growth and efficiency of their labors.
"During the past two years, in which Elder Richards has presided over the churches in Europe, some 8,000 Saints have left its shores for the land of Ephraim. When the circumstances under which this great work of gathering has been accomplished are taken into consideration, in addition to the many other complicated duties that have devolved upon him, it is evident that he has sought diligently after, and has had the revelations of heaven to guide him in the plans and devices of his heart ; and that the Lord has had great regard for him in making him an instrument in accomplish- ing His mighty purposes in the earth.
"Brother Franklin has not only had the revelations of the Spirit to guide him, but he has sought after the counsels of the Prophet Brigham, and when he has received them he has also had the light of the same Spirit in which they were given, to direct him in carrying them out; hence, constant success has attended his labors, and they have been crowned with blessings to himself as an Apostle of Jesus, to the Saints under his immediate charge, and to the general interests of the Kingdom of God on the earth.
"A rapid extension of the work of the gathering has been a prominent feature of his administra- tion, the last great act of which-the introduction of practicing the law of tithing among the Saints in Europe -- is a fitting close to his extensive and important labors.
" We receive the work from the hands of President Richards with great satisfaction and pleas- ure, on account of the healthy and flourishing condition in which we find it. During much of his mission he has labored under great bodily debility and weakness, and we trust that the thousands of Saints in Europe will unite their faith and prayers with ours, that he may experience a great re- newal of the spirit and power of life, health and strength, upon him during his journey home, and ever after ; and that he may not lack in any good thing to cheer his heart, and enable him to fulfill the duties of his holy calling.'
At a meeting of the presidents of conferences, held in London previous to the departure of
.
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FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
President Richards, an affectionate and glowing tribute of esteem was unanimously dedicated to him.
On the 4th day of October, 1856, he arrived once more in his mountain home; and in Decem- ber became again a member of the Utah Legislature. January 5th, 1857, he was again elected a Regent of the University of Deseret. He soon became immersed in the settlement of the estate of his deceased and revered uncle Willard. He was, on Monday, April 20th. 1857, elected and com - missioned Brigadier-General of the second brigade of Infantry of the Nauvoo Legion. Soon after- ward, he paid a visit of observation, with other dignitaries, to Fort Limhi on Snake River.
When the coming of Johnston's army was announced, Brigadier-General Richards was ealled into council upon measures for public safety and defense ; and later, was engaged with four hun- dred men of his brigade in giving support to Lieu .- General Wells in Echo Canyon. He, with other de- voted eitizens, left his valuable property under the charge of a trusty friend, who was to apply the torch and offer it all as a burning sacrifice before it should be seized or desecrated by the boastful inva- ders. And, after the tragic folly of the invasion was brought to its proper clo e, he, with others, re . ceived a somewhat unnecessary pardon from James Buchanan, President of the United States.
July 21st, 1859, he began a political tour through Southern Utah, to advise and arrange for the election of delegate to Congress ; and immediately upon his return to Salt Lake he departed with President John Taylor, to meet two companies of emigrants-many of whom were endeared by old and affectionate association with Apostles Taylor and Richards.
During the years from 1859 to 1866, his labors were multifarious ; he was engaged in ecclesias- tical, political legislative, military and educational works-besides having a large family responsi- bility and such growing private interests of agriculture and mill building as his public duties would permit him to inaugurate. He was upon three occasions very ill, but each time he recuperated and renewed his labor with increased energy.
On the 29th day of July, 1866, he was once more appointed to England, and in a fortnight was on his journey. Arriving in Liverpool on the IIth day of the September following, he began the welcome and grateful labor of visiting the principal conferences of the European mission ; including the Scandinavian and other continental branches. If he rejoiced to be back among his children of religious love, how joyous must the patient, toiling Saints have felt to greet once more their tender father in the gospel.
In July, 1867, this " tried warrior in the cause of truth" was again instated as president over the European missions. His predecessor, Apostle Brigham Young, Jr., prophesied that under Franklin, fresh impetus would be given to the work in those lands. These words met with a won- drous fulfillment. He gathered once more a staff of enthusiastic elders to his support; and in the year following, in Great Britain alone, there were baptized into the glory of this new gospel, three thousand four hundred and fifty-seven souls ; and in the same length of time, from the same country there were emigrated to the land of Zion more than three thousand two hundred Saints
Always projecting his thoughts into the future to find means for advancing the work of God, he at this time decided that emigration by sailing vessels was inadequate for the needs of the renewed proselyting work in Europe. He, therefore, made all the necessary changes-at that early day not inconsiderable-and two large companies of Saints were sent out from Liverpool by the steamships Minnes ta and Colorado bound for New York. This change from sailing vessels to steamships has continued till the present time.
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