Death of President Brigham Young. Brief sketch of his life and labors. Funeral ceremonies, with full report of the addresses

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HIS LIFE AND LABORS.

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RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT, Etc.

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OF THE

DEATH OF PREST. BBIMAM YOUNG

ANB ACCOUNT OF

THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

[From the Deseret Evening News, August 29, 1877.]
DEATH OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNa.

At four o'clock this afternoon, President Brigham Young departed
this life, surrounded by his family and intimate friends. This announce-
ment will thrill the whole Territory with grief. We feel the weight of
this great loss to the world, and cannot at this moment express in the
faintest degree, our deep sense of the void occasioned by his departure.
He was a great man in every sense of the term. And he has left a
mark upon the age which the future will never efface, but which will
grow brighter and broader as the man, his deeds and his sentiments be-
come better known and appreciated.

To the Latter-day Saints he has been for more than thirty-three
years a counselor, a father, a friend, a guide, and a tower of strength. To
all mankind he has been a prophet and a benefactor so far as they would
accepl, his advice and receive of his teachings.

He has, under God, rescued thousands from poverty and raised them
to independence, opened the deserts of these mountains to colonization
preached the gospel of salvation to many nations, declared the counsel of
heaven to the inhabitants of the earth, prepared the way in the Temples of
God for the redemption of hosts of the dead, organized and consolidated
the order of the everlasting Priesthood, and, having finished his work on
earth, gone into the spirit world to join with Joseph, Hyrum, Willard,
Jedediah, Heber, George A. and other great and glorious servants of the
Lord, to continue the divine work they all labored for on earth.

We mourn his departure. But they rejoice in great gain. If a
mighty man has left us in grief, a mightier spirit is received among them
■with welcomings and gladness. For, his freed soul, no longer clogged

I OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

with the cares and pains of fading mortality, will wield a potent influ--
ence behind the veil.

President Brigham Young was born June 1st, 1801, at Whitingham,
Windham County, Vermont. He was consequently aged 76 years, 2
months and 28 days. We have neither time nor space at this late hour
to give any lengthy account of his life and career, but reserve further re-
marks for another occasion. '

We join with the Latter-day Saints throughout the world in deep
sorrow for the loss of our President, one of earth's greatest and noblest
minds, but, bearing in mind that the Father of all knoweth what is best,
we submit to the divine decree and say, " the will of the Lord be done.""

[From the Deseret Evening News, Aug. 30, 1877.]
OBITUARY.

The tidings of the death of President Brigham Young, announced in
last evening's Deseret News, were telegraphed to all parts, of the
Union. The leading papers of the United States have each published an
obituary notice, the cable has flashed the word to Europe, and all parts
of the civilized world have been stirred to their depths by the sad news.
The name of Brigham Young is familiar all over the globe. His great-
ness is universally acknowledged, but his goodness is known only to a
few.

The marks of his genius are stamped on the history and travels of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on the city he loved so
well, and on the towns, farms, orchards, canals, highways, railroads, tele-
graphs, private and public buildings, and the thousand and one witnesses
to his guiding hand and counseling voice over five hundred miles of
country redeemed .from a desert. They have uttered his fame with a
voice that has penetrated to the uttermost parts of the earth.

But his goodness, appreciation of the truth, love for that which is
pure and right ; detestation of vice and iniquity ; desires for the welfare of
the Latter-day Saints, spiritual and temporal ; regard for the benefit of
,.the whole human race, living and dead ; his spirituality, refined taste,
earnest faith and devotion to God ; and his inspirational, prophetic, and
soul-winning qualities are known but to the people who have been gath-
ered from all parts of the earth under his administration, and fully un-
derstood and appreciated only by those who were intimately acquainted
with him.

The subject of this brief sketch was born in Whitingham, Windham
County, Vermont, June 1, 1801.

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YQUNG. 3

His father, John Young, was born March 7, 1763, in Hopkinton,
Middlesex County, Massachusetts. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in
the American Revolutionary Army, and served under General Washing-
ton. He was in three campaigns in his native State and in New Jersey.
In 1785 he married Nabby Howe, daughter of Phinehas and Susannah
Howe, who bore him five sons and six daughters. He moved to Vermont
in January, 1801, and remained there three years, opening new farms.

His grandfather, Joseph Young, was a physician and surgeon in the
French and Indian war, and was killed by the falling of a pole from a
fence, in 1769.

His parents movecj from Vermont to Sherburne, Chenango County,
New York, in 1804, where, as he grew in years, he assisted in the arduous
labors incident to opening farms in a heavily timbered region, enduring the
privations and hardships common to forming new settlements at that
period, and was restricted by circumstances to only eleven days' schooling.

At the age of sixteen, by his fathers' permission, he began engaging
in business for himself Though trained by his parents, who were Metho-
dists, to lead a strictly moral life, he made no profession of religion until
he was in his twenty-second year, when he joined that body.

October 8, 1824, he married Miriam Works, and resided in Cayuga
County, New York, until the spring of 1829, following the occupation of
carpenter, joiner, painter and glazier, when he moved to Mendon, M^onroe
County, New York. In the spring of 1830 he first saw the Book of
Mormon, which was brought there by Samuel H. Smith. In the fall of
1831 Elders Alpheus Giffbrd, Elial Strong and others came to that place
to preach the gospel as taught by Joseph Smith. He heard and believed,
and after careful and prayerful reflection upon the principles revealed in
the Book of- Mormon, he was baptized April 14, 1832, a member of the
religious organization now known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat-
ter-day Saints, and ordained an Elder, immediately after confirmation,
Eleazer Miller officiating in each instance. Three weeks after, his wife
was also baptized. During the following summer he preached the gospel
in the regions adjacent to Mendon, baptizing many and organizing
branches. His wife died September 8, 1832, leaving him two little girls,
one two years and the other seven years of age. In the fall of 1832 he
visited Kirtland, Ohio, in company with Heber C. Kimball and his
brother Joseph Young and made the acquaintance of the Prophet Joseph
Smith. During the evening of the day they first met, Joseph called up-
on Brother Brigham to pray. While doing so he spoke in tongues. The
Prophet declared that he spoke in the pure Adamic language, and after
be had left the room Joseph said, " The time will come when Brother Brig-
bam Young wiU preside over this Church."

In company with his brother Joseph he spent a portion of the win-

4 OBSEQUIES OP PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

ter of 1832-3 in and around West Laboro, Canada, preaching, baptiz-
ing and organizing branches. He spent most of the spring and summer
of 1833 in missionary labors in Canada and northern New York. In
July he conducted a small company of Saints to Kirtland, moved his
family there in the fall, and labored at his trade, preaching as opportuni-
ty offered.

In February 1833 he married Mary Ann Angel, who took charge
of his children and kept house for him faithfully.

On the 5th of May, 1834, he started for Missouri, in Zion's Camp, in
which he was captain of ten ; arrived in Clay County on the 23d of June,
returned to Kirtland in August, having performed a journey of 2000
miles on foot, and spent the remainder of the year in finishing the print-
ing office and school room and laboring on the Temple.

He was selected one of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the
14th of February, 1835. From this time till 1837, he mostly passed the
winter in Kirtland, in laboring at his trade and upon the Temple, and
spent the remainder of his time in traveling, holding Conferences, preach-
ing, and regulating and organizing Branches in the East. He attended
the Hebrew School at Kirtland in the winter of 1835-6, and from Febru-
ary 22nd to March 27th, 1836, he superintended the painting and finisb-
ing'of the Temple. He attended the Solemn Assembly at the dedication
and received his blessings, after which he traveled through New York,
Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, attended Conference at Port-
land, Maine, returned to JK!irtland, defended (he Prophet Joseph against
accusers and apostates, took a special business mission to the Eastern
States, in company with Dr. Willard Richards, which he accomplished,
and returned.

On the 22nd of December, 1837 ,he left Kirtland, on his way to Mis-
souri, and arrived in Far West, Caldwell County, on the 14th of March,
1838. While in Missouri he purchased land and improved a handsome
farm, labored diligently in the duties of his Apostleship, especially in
planning for and assisting the 'Saints in leaving the State under the exter-
minating order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, and on the 14th of Febru-
ary, 1839, moved from that State with his family, leaving all his landed
and nearly all his personal property. During this journey President
Young left his family no less than eleven times to return with his teams
to assist in bringing up the poor and the helpless. He tarried a few weeks
in Atlas, Pike County, Illinois ; then moved to Quincy, where he effi-
ciently continued his labors in furthering the removal from Missouri.

On the 18th of April he left Quincy for Far West to assist with a
majority of the Twelve in fulfilling a prophecy given by the Prophet
Joseph Smith, July 8, 1838, which was accomplished, notwithstanding the
mob had said that that revelation should not be fulfilled, and returned to

OBSEQUIES OF PKESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 5

Quincy on the 2nd of May, and on the 3rd visited Bros. Joseph and
Hyrum Smith, his first interview with them after their escape from their
enemies.

May 16th, he started for Commerce, since called Nauvoo, Hancock
County, Illinois, and on the 23d, moved across the Mississippi river to
Montrose, Iowa, opposite Nauvoo, and resided in a room in an old mili-
tary barracks, where he labored assiduously, so far as his health would
permit, to aid the Saints in making their new settlement at Nauvoo, until
September 14th, when he started " without purse or scrip," on a mission
to England, his health so poor that he was unable, without assistance, to
go thirty rods to the river, leaviiag his wife ill and feeble, with a babe
only ten days old, and all his children sick, unable to wait upon each
other. After considerable hindrance by sickness on the way, and much
teaching and preaching, he sailed from New York on the 9th of March,
1840, and arrived in Liverpool, England, April 6th. In Preston, on the
14th of April, at the first council held in a foreign land by a majority of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he was unanimously chosen Presi'
dent of that Quorum. In May he took steps for selecting the hymns and
publishing 3,000 Hymn Books, 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, and
a periodical entitled " The Latter-day Saints Millennial Star." He or-
ganized the first company of emigrating Saints, numbering 41, who sailed
from Liverpool, June 6th. His faithful and diligent labors in England
in behalf of the Gospel were signally blest. In the short space of a year,
between 7,000 and 8,000 persons were baptized into the Church, branches
were organized in all the principal cities of the land, a permanent ship-
ping agency was established and over a thousand souls emigrated. On
the 21st of April, 1841, he sailed from the river Mersey, and on the 1st
of July, arrived in Nauvoo, and was cordially welcomed by the Prophet
Joseph Smith, by his family and the Saints.

In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, January 19th, 1841, occurs
the following : " I give unto you my servant, Brigham Young, to be a
president over the Twelve traveling council, which Twelve hold the keys
to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the
earth, and after that to send my word to every creature."
, July 10th; the Prophet Joseph requested the Twelve to take the
burthen of the church in Nauvoo, and attend to selling its lands, to locat-
ing and advising the immigrating Saints, and to transact other business,
which request President Young energetically complied with, also with his
duties as a member of the city council, to which he was elected Septem-
ber 2nd, occupying the intervals of time in laboring for the support of
himself and family, until July 7, 1843, when he started on a mission to
the Eastern States preaching, gathering funds for aiding the building of
the Temple and the Nauvoo House, and returned on the 22nd of October.

6 OBSEQUIES OP PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

He continued his labors as before, was often in council with Joseph and
the Twelve, preached frequently in Nauvoo and the neighboring settle-
ments, and on the 21st of May again went on a mission to the East>
received information of the assassination of the Prophets Joseph and
Hyrum Smith, in Carthage Jail, while under the pledged protection of
Thomas Ford, then Governor of Illinois, and returned to Nauvoo on the
6th of August. On the 8th, at a meeting of all the authorities of the
Church in Nauvoo, the Twelve Apostles were sustained as the Presiding
Quorum of the Church. It was on this occasion that the spirit of the
departed Joseph rested down upon Brigham Young in so powerful a
manner as to convince all the Saints assembled that he was the man chosen
to lead Israel. It was a critical time. Efforts were being made to divide
the people, and one of the late Praphet's counselors claimed authority to
preside as " guardian of the Church." But when President Young step-
ped forth in his place and calling at the head of the Twelve, the whole
assembly heard, as they thought, the voice, saw the form and felt thte
spirit and influence of the Prophet Joseph. And even non-members
of the Church were startled, and expected to see the presence as well as
hear the voice of the departed Seer. All uncertainty fled from that
moment, and faith and union banished discord and defeated vain ambition.
Amid threats, houseburnings, plunderings, whippings, murders, and
the fury of mob violence, he stood firm in the steady performance of the
many and arduous duties devolved upon him, in caring for and defend-
ing the rights of the Saints, planning and directing the organizations and
operations preparatory to vacating Nauvoo and forwarding the Temple
to completion, and laboring therein until February, 1846, when he cross-
ed the Mississippi River to the camp of the emigrating Saints, a few miles
west of Montrose, Iowa, and in March began with them a toilsome jour-
ney in quest of a location beyond the pale of bigoted intolerance, where
he would be free to worship God according to His commandments.

Having established two settlements. Garden Grove and Mount
Pisgah, resting and recruiting points for such as could not well keep pace
and for others who would follow;* he reached, with the main camp, the
Missouri River, near Council Bluffs, in July. From this point, at the
request of the Government of the United States he sent 500 volunteers
(the " Mormon Battalion ") to aid in the war with Mexico, who raised and
sustained the flag of the Union in Mexico and California until the treaity
of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. He crossed the Missouri and camped a few miles
above where Omaha has since been built, at a point named Winter Quar-
ters, since called Florence, Nebraska, and laid out streets and blocks up-
on which numerous comfortable log houses were soon erected ; planned
to the utmost for the comfort and well-being of the people during their
sojourn there ; built a much-needed grist mill, and in April, 1847, with

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 7

A company of 142 men, who elected him their leader, started to pioneer
a location where the Saints could build and inhabit in peace, and on the
24th of July arrived where now stands Salt Lake City, and unfurled the
^* Stars and Stripes " on Mexican soil.

He at once took steps for surveying the beautiful city site,. designa-
ted the blocks around which houses were to be built, joining each other,
with portholes and gates until the people should be strong enough to
build on the lots in safety ;. was busily engaged in directing and assisting
in the daily labors and visiting neighboring localities ; and, on the 26th
of August, started on his return to Winter Quarters, where he arrived on
the 31st of October, having met nearly 2,000 of the Saints on their way
to Salt Lake City, where they arrived in good season. ^

December 5th," 1847, he was elected President of the Church by t^^
unanimous vote of the Quorum of the Twelve, and also, on the 27th, by
the unanimous vote of all the authorities and members assembled in a
.Conference held at Council Bluffs, Iowa, with Heber C. Kimball and
Willard Richards as his Counselors. On the 26th of May, 1848, he
started from Winter Quarters, with his family, for Salt Lake City, leav-
ing his houses, mills and other property (this being the fifth time he had
left home and property for the Gospel's sake) superintended that 'season's
emigration of over 2,000, arrived in Salt Lake City, September 20th, and
at once began to give counsel conducive to the general ^welfare. At a
Conference held on the 8th of October, 1848, he was sustained President
of the Church by unanimous vote.

A provisional government being requisite until Congress should
otherwise provide, on the 12th of March, 1849, he was elected Governor
of the then named State of Deseret, which continued until February 3,
1851, when he took the oath of ofiice as Governor of the Territory of
Utah, Commander-in-chief of the militia, and Superintendent^of Indian
Affairs, to which positions he had been appointed by President Millard
Fillmore, and performed the duties of those offices with signal ability
and integrity, until the arrival of his successor. Governor Alfred Cuni-
ming, in the spring of 1858.

During the thirty years past in which he has resided in Utah, he has
labored indefatigably for the welfare of all who love truth, liberty and
equal rights ; has engaged in and encouraged agriculture, the erection of
mills, and factories, the manufacture and importation of machinery an^
labor-saving implements, the opening of roads and the consti uction of
bridges and public edifices ; has pursued a conciliatory policy with thp
Indians, wisely deeming it not only cheaper but much more humane to
feed than to fight them ;, has instituted the Perpetual Emigration Fund
for gathering the poor, by which thousands upon thousands have been
brought from poverty to the acquisition of pleasant homes and the cona-

8 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

forts of life ; has successfully completed a contract to grade over 100
miles of the Union Pacific Railroad, much of it the most difficult portion ;
was the prime mover in the construction of the Utah Central Railroad,
also of the Utah Southern Railroad ; has aided in building the Utah
Northern and Utah Western narrow guage roads ; has introduced and
fostered co-operation in all branches of business, as the plan best adapted
to equalize the benefits of trade ; has extended telegraph wires to most of
our principal towns and cities ; has promoted the spread of the everlasting
Gospel among the nations, and the gathering of the honest therefrom ;
has traveled and preached year after year in the settlements of the Saints;
liild in his teachings, acts and administrations has uniformly pursued a
course characteristic of an able and upright man laboring with all his might
for the happiness of mankind and the prevalence of righteousness upon
the earth.

Like all great men, he has had bitter enemies. No man has been
more villified, misrepresented and falsely accused than Brigham Young..
His life has been frequently sought. The bullet and the knife of the as-
sassin have been prepared to shed his heart's blood, and plots have been
illegalljr laid by the emissaries of the law to rob, imprison, and destroy
him. But the hand of the Lord has delivered him on every occasion, and
the calmness and serenity with which he has invariably looked upon cal-
iimny and persecution, has stamped him as one of the largest minded men
of the century. «

He had a strong desire to live to dedicate a Temple to the Most
High God in these mountains, set in order the Priesthood and organize
the various Slakes of Zion according to the pattern revealed from heaven.
These privileges were granted to him. He saw the Temple at St. George
fully dedicated and prepared for the administration of the ordinances for
the living and the dead. He arranged and explained the duties of the
various quorums of the priesthood. And last Sunday the organization
of the different Stakes of Zion was completed. His desire has been ful-
filled, and now he has departed.

For some time past President Young had acutely suffered occasion-
ally from ailments which assisted in weakening his system, but his strong
vitality, powerful will and unswerving faith overcame the effects to a
^eat extent. Last Thursday he was seized with an inclination to vomit.
However, he attended to business as usual, and in the evening spoke at a
priesthood meeting in the Council House with great force and energy.
During the night and following day his malady increased and cholera
morbus set in, supplemented by inflammation of the bowels on Saturday,
to which disease he succumbed. He was attended through his sickness
by Drs. Seymour B. Young, W. F. Anderson and the Benedict Brothers.
The ordinance of the Church for the benefit of, the sick was repeatedly

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 3

administered to him. His family were summoned, as danger increased,
and his last moments were cheered by their presence.

When asked concerning his own desires he replied he was in the
hands of the Lord and was willing to live or die as He decreed.

Among President Young's last expressions were his thankfulness at
being so well cared for and having his family near him to wait upon and
administer to him. He said " You are all so good." The last words he
uttered that were distinctly understood were, " Joseph, Joseph, Joseph
Jbseph." Other remarks relating to Joseph were expressed, but in a
manner that was not comprehended.

At four o'clock yesterday, he departed in peace to join the Prophet
Joseph, to the continuation of whose work he devoted hie life, and other
noble servants of God who have lived and died for the truth.

President Young is the head of a numerous family, and has laid the
foundation of a kingdom and a glory which will increase throughout
eternity. He Was the father of fifty-six children. He has left seventeen
wives, sixteen sons, and twenty-eight daughters to follow in his footsteps
and perpetuate his name and greatness in the earth. His family were
devoted to him and he to them, and the deep affection of all for the hus-
band and father, speaks louder than any words of praise in evidence of
his kindness, goodness and paternal care.

We bid him farewell with sorrow too deep for words. But in the
light of his teachings we look forward to a joyful meeting in the resurrec-
tion of the just, when the ties severed by the Destroyer shall be joined
eternally by Him who has conquered Death, and holds the keys of life
and immortality.

President Young has left instructions concerning the disposition of
his remains which will be read at the funeral services next Sunday in the
New Tabernacle at 12, noon, to which the Saints are generally invited.

Peace be to Brother Brigham, the large-souled leader, the wise coun-
selor, the faithful friend of the good, the foe to evil, the inspired prophet,
the great pioneer and colonizer, the loving husband and father, the inde-
fatigable laborer for the salvation of the race ! We sympathize with his
bereaved family and condole with the whole Church. And may we who
still remain emulate his virtues, profit by his teachings and live so that
when we depart we may be worthy to mingle with the society in which he
now moves, and to participate with him in the glories of that resurrec-
tion in which he will shine among the brightest and the best !

10 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

[From the Deseret Evening News, August 31, 1877.]
LAST MOMENTS OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

In order to satisfy the feelings of many of our readers and answer numer-
ous inquiries concerning the particulars of the last sickness of our late
beloved President, Brigham Young, we publish the following, arranged
from reports made by Drs. Seymour B. Young and F. D. Benedict, and
others who were present during the last hours of the President's earthly
existence :

President Young's sickness commenced on Thursday, Aug. 23, con-
tinuing the whole of the afternoon. He had an inclination to vomit, but
he continued to attend to his business as usual. In the evening he was
present at a Bishops' meeting in the Council House, and instructed the
brethren in their duties, speaking with marked point and power.

At 11 o'clock at night, on retiring, he \(^as seized with an attack oi
cholera morbus, the usual symptoms of vomiting and purging being al-
most continuous until five o'clock on Friday morning, when, at his own
request, a mild opiate was administered hypodermically into each foot, to
relieve the intense pain, caused by the constant cramping of the muscles.

During the whole of that day his sufierings were great, continuing
through most of the night, but becoming less severe towards Saturday
morning, when he slept for a few hours. This was the first rest he enjoy-
ed from the commencement of his attack. During the whole of this
period he endured his pain cheerfully, and occasionally made humorous
remarks as was his wont when he saw those around him inclined to be
troubled.

Inflammation of the bowels set in on Saturday at 3 p. m. and the
abdomen commenced to swell. One small dose, half a grain of opium,
was administered, and at midnight the same quantity. These doses,
though small, and given at long intervals, had a tendency to somewhat
relieve the pain and retching, so susceptible was his system to any kind
of narcotic or stimulant.

Throughout Sunday he continued, both while awake and asleep, to
moan. When asked if he suffered pain his invariable reply was, " No, I
don't know that I do." During the same night his sufferings were less
severe, but continuous, although at eight o'clock he had a grain of opium
and at midnight half a grain.

On Monday morning, at eight o'clock, he showed increasing symp-
toms of nervous prostration, by constant moving of the hands and twitch-
ing of the muscles of the arms. One grain of opium was administered,
and from then till 12, noon, he suffered severely. Another grain of
opium was given him and at 8:20 in the evening half a grain more.

OBSEQUIES OP PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 11

About 9 o'clock he sank into a quiet sleep, resting without moaning.
During Sunday and Monday he had received, at intervals of half an hour,
a table spoonful of milk and brandy, an ounce of the latter to eight of
the former. Hands were laid upon him by the various brethren very fre-
quently from the time he.was attacked until his demise. About 10 o'clock on
Monday evening he sank into a semi-comatose condition, from which it
was difficult to arouse him, although, by persuasion, he swallowed the
milk mixture every half hour and a teaspoonful of ice water at intervals.

At one o'clock on Tuesday morning, warm stimulating injections
were given, after which he thoroughly aroused, and, by the aid of his
attendants got out of bed twice. At four o'clock the same morning he
sank down in bed apparentlfrlifeless. Artificial respiration was resorted*
to, by which the lungs were kept inflated, and hot poultices were placed
over the heart, to stimulate its action. President John W. Young and
others administered to him the ordinance for the sick, calling on the
Almighty to restore him, and he subsequently revived, and responded
" Amen" to the administration. For nine consecutive hours artificial
respiration was continued. At that time he seemed greatly revived and
spoke to those around him, saying he felt better and wished to rest.

This condition remained until about 8 in the evening, when partial
prostration again ensued, and his case was considered exceedingly critical
by the attendant physicians, Drs. S. B. Yonng, W. F. Anderson, J. M,
Benedict and F. D. Benedict. After consultation an entire filling up of
the lower part of the bowels by injection was determined upon, for the
purpose of creating an action through the alimentary canal, but was not
persevered in, on account of fainting symptoms, and the patient objecting
to the treatment, which caused him to cry out with pain. He passed the
night in a semi-comatose state.

On Wednesday morning symptoms of approaching dissolution were
plainly evident. The early coma was entirely attributable, so the doctors
say, to a poisoning of the blood, from a pressure of the swelled bowels,
causing a prevention of return currents of the circulation to the heart and
lungs. At the time of his demise he was entirely free from the influence
of any opiates or narcotics, not having taken any for forty-eight hours
previous.

From the time that President Young was taken ill until the hour of
his death, Dr. Seymour B. Young attended upon him with the greatest
assiduity, attention and care, scarcely ever having left his bedside during
the whole of the time, night or day. In fact the same can be said of all
his attendants, who remained by him constantly, and Watched every pul-
sation and every change with the most intense anxiety and solicitude.

Dr. F. D. Benedict remained with the patient the whole of Tuesday
night and Wednesday until his decease, Drs. W. F. Anderson and J. M.

12 OBSEQUIES OP PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

Benedict also attended at intervals during that time. The temperature and
pulsations were taken frequently, the temperature remaining at 99 until 4
a.m. on Wednesday when it rose to lOlf , and to 105 just previous to his de-
cease. His pulse ranged from 120 to 128, the latter being reached after
the administration of the stimulating medicines.

Not only the physicians named above, but the members of the pro-
fession of Salt Lake generally, expressed an anxiety to give all the aid in
their power with a view to the relief and restoration of the President.

On Tuesday night about ten o'clock, while lying in a kind of stupor,
his son John W. asked him, " Do you know me father ?" He responded,
" I rather guess I do." About two hours previous to his decease, when
several brethren administered to him, heT^sponded in a clear and dis-
tinct voice, " Amen."

Since the news of the great man's departure have gone abroad, mes-
sages of condolence have been received from all parts of the Territory,
as well as from different points in the Union and from Europe. Na
earthly potentate ever reigned more fully in the hearts of his people than
did President Brigham Young. And throughout the Territory, while
flags hang at half mast, and civic and religious organizations vie with
each other in rendering tributes of respect to the departed, grief swells
the souls of the Saints, and all Israel feels the magnitude of the los&
sustained.

[From the Deseret Evening News, September Ist, 1877.]

LYING IN STATE— PREPARATIONS FOR THE

FUNERAL.

This morning, about a quarter past 8 o'clock, the mortal remains of
President Brigham Young were conveyed by bearers and followed by
many of the male members of his family, several of the Twelve and
others of the Priesthood, from the Lion House to the New Tabernacle,
which is decorated and draped for the funeral services. The coffin con-
taining the body was enclosed in a metallic covering, made for the pur-
pose, with plate glass inserted of sufficient size to admit of a view of
the departed. This was done for the purpose of preserving the sacred
relics from the action of the atmosphere during the time of their lying
in state. The whole was tastefully draped with white merino and wreath-
ed with flowers, and after those present had taken a farewell look upon
the countenance of our loved and venerated President, Prophet, and
Brother, the gates were opened to admit the public. It was about half-
past 10 o'clock before the anxious crowds awaiting admittance obtained

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 13

ingress, the delay being unavoidable in consequence of the necessary ar-
rangements above described.

It is the intention to keep the Tabernacle open all night and until
11 o'clock to-morrow morning, in order to allow those who wish, to take
a last look at the face of him who has led and counseled them so faith-
fully for many years. A proper and efficient guard will be maintained
in and around the building.

In consonance with the feelings of the hosts of Israel who lament the
loss of one of the greatest men of the earth, the clouds, this morning,
bowed thickly down from the skies, and throughout the day^shed gentle,
but copious tears, as if in sympathy with the multitude who thronged the
entrance to the Tabernacle. Up to 3.45 o'clock, 6,000 persons had passed
through the building to take a farewell view of the President.

A great number of people have come in to-day by team as well as
by railroad. To-morrow, if the weather permits, the trains will bring
in thousands, each road running specials at reduced rates to afford as great
an opportunity as possible for distant friends to be present at the obsequies.
And whatever the weather may be, the throng, no doubt, will be very
great. It is hoped that all present will be as accommodating to each
other as possible, that no one may be needlessly excluded from the Taber-
nacle or deprived of a seat.

President Brigham Young is endeared to the Saints, not only by his
public administrations, instructions and counsels, his travels and visits in
all seasons and weathers, continually, for their temporal and spiritual
welfare, his liberal expenditure for every enterprise calculated to develop
the Territory and its resources, and his general large-liearted, public-
spirited course ; but by private advice, correction and encouragement,
showing deep wisdom and fatherly solicitude, on all kinds of subjects,
simple and profound, touching the common affairs of life or involving the
dearest interests of humanity. This he has done for many years, exhib-
iting a patience and a kindness as remarkable as his quickness of percep-
tion, tenacity of memory and ability to grasp and decide upon anything
and everything presented.

To-morrow we will pay our last respects to his mortal remains, but
the memory of his labors, and the influence of his teachings will never
be obliterated from the minds of the thousands who venerate his name.

[From the Deseret Evening News, September 3rd, 1877.]
FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAIVI YOUNG.

Yesterday morning the glorious sun, shining bright and clear from a
cloudless and lovely sky, ushered in one of the finest and calmest Sabbath

14 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

days ever seen in Utah. Special trains from tlie north, the south, and the
west, brought in vast crowds of people from points far and near to witness
the obsequies of President Brigham Young. The pleasant rain of Satur-
day had settled the dust effectually, so that the great throngs which moved
through the streets suffered no inconvenience thereby.

There was a continuous stream of living humanity passing through
the Tabernacle until half-past eleven o'clock, to view the mortal remains
of our departed President. By actual count, over 18,000 persons of all
classes, ages, opinions and degrees visited the Tabernacle while the body
was lying in state, manifesting the greatest deconim and respect. Several
thousands were not counted, as they took their seats after viewing the re-
mains without passing out by the recording officer. It is estimated that
nearly 25,000 persons took their last farewell of the honored dead.

Before the services commenced, the metallic covering in which the
coffin had been placed to preserve the body from the air, with its drapery,
was removed, the lid was fastened down and the face of our beloved
brother and revered leader was finally excluded from human view.

During the morning the following music was finely rendered at inter-
vals, on the organ, played by Brother Joseph J. Daynes, and by the or-
chestra led by Brother George Careless :

" The Dead March in Saul." — Organ and Orchestra.

" Brigham Young's Funeral March," composed by Jos. J. Daynes
— Organ.

" Wilson's Funeral March " — Organ.

" Mendelsohn's Funeral March " — Organ and Orchestra.

The seats in the unreserved parts of the Tabernacle were filled long
before the time fixed for the services. The building was handsomely de-
corated. From the immense ceiling which arches over the whole interior
without a pillar, strands of flowers were looped in rich profusion, a mas-
sive and elegant floral centre piece depending from the midst, while
wreaths were festooned from column to column under the entire gallery>
with basket bouquets pendant, and each column, with the organ, the stands
and the whole front of the platform tastefully draped in black. The
coffin, constructed according to the President's instructions, and decked
with garlands of flowers, was mounted upon a plain catafalque, in view of
the whole congregation, in front of the stands on which were placed ele-
gant bouquets.

The President's stand was occupied by his Counselors — Presidents
John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells. The Apostles, ten of whom
were present, the Patriarch John Smith, several of the First Presidents
of the Seventies, the Presidency of the Stake, the Presiding Bishop and
his Counselors occupied their respective seats, as usual.

The south front of the platform was occupied by the Salt Lake City

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 15

Council, the Glee Club and the Band ; west of them were the visiting.
Presidents, their Counselors and the High Councils of different Stakes.

The north side of the platform was occupied by the Bishops and
their Co.unselors of this and other Stakes. Between them and the stands
were the phonographic reporters, representatives of the Deseret News,
Salt Lake Herald, Ogden Junction, New York Times, New] York Sun
and other papers east and west.

The numerous family of the deceased were in the seats immediately
facing the stands, the President's four brothers in the front seat. The
south centre seats east of the "family, back to the centre aisle running
north and south, were filled by the Seventies ; and the north centre seats
corresponding, by the High Priests. The side seats on the south, back to
the aisle above-named, were appropriated to the Elders ; and the side
seats corresponding on the north, to the Lesser Priesthood.

The rest of the building was entirely filled, as were the aisles and
doorways and every available standing place, by the general public. The
congregation within the building numbered at least 15,000, while thou-
sands of persons unable to obtain admission were in the grounds of the
Tabernacle or -in the streets outside. About 30,000, altogether, gath-
ered to witness the proceedings.

Precisely at 12, noon, the immense congregation was called to order
by Elder George Q. Cannon, who, at the request of the family, conducted
the ceremonies. j

The choir of 220 voices, led ^by Brother George Careless, Brother
Joseph J. Daynes presiding at the organ, sang,

"Hark! from afar a funeral knell,"

to the tune of " Kest," composed by Brother Careless for President Geo.
A. Smith's funeral, and only used on the two occasions.

PRAYER BY ELDER F. D. RICHARDS.

Our Father, who art in heaven, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ we implore a measure of thy Holy Spirit to rest down upon this
vast congregation, that we may worship before thee in the spirit of meek-
ness, and the beauty of boliness, and in that right and proper frame of
mind which belongs to Saints of the living God.

We thank thee, holy Father, that in thy kind providence and heaven-
ly love, when the whole earth lay in sin and wickedness, thou didst
break the darkness and send light and blessing to the human family by
t^^y servant Joseph; that thou didst cause the angels of heaven to minis-
ter to him, by which thy will has been revealed again to man upon
the earth, and thine authority has been restored that the righteous may
minister, in the name of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins and the power of the

16 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

Ev^erlastiDg Covenant by which mankind may be brought again unto thee.
And we thank thee, Father, that after him, when he had sealed his testi-
mony with his blood, shed by the hands of wicked assassins, when the
church was young and feeble on the earth, thou didst give us thy servant
Brigham to continue those labors, and to spread abroad the knowledge
,of thy will and to establish thy government in the earth.

O Lord, this morning, we are called to part with this, one of the
noblest sons of thy numerous family; and we cannot but recollect the
variety, the multitudinous character and magnitude of the labors he
has performed here upon the earth. But we realize that we do not yet
feel and know the extent of that loss which we have sustained by his
departure. Thou, Father, hast made him to be a great captain in Israel,
to lead thy people from scenes of deep distress to these retired vales of
the earth, where homes, peace and plenty have been abundantly given
unto us. Where he has been permitted by his labors and loving counsels
to establish thy people in thy strength and blessing, by which thine
enemies and the enemies of thy people, and they too in our very midst,
have been vanquished by the power of faith that is planted in the
bosoms of thy Saints. We thank thee for the great good he has been
permitted to do on the earth and especially to thy people Israel. And
we pray that thou will grant unto us that we may mourn for him in a
proper and acceptable manner ; that while we realize our loss is great, we
may rejoice, our Father, in the anticipation of that joy which he experi-
ences, with thy servants Joseph and Hyrum and those who have gone
before of the sons of the father of the Faithful, even Abraham our ancestor.
O Lord, wilt thou let that promised blessed influence of thy Holy Spirit,
and the presence ol their spirits attend upon us to-day, and be felt by this
whole multitude ; give unto us those sincere and intelligent joys of the gos-
pel that shall lift our souls above every earthly care and sorrow, that we
may be established in the principles of truth revealed and rejoice in the
restoration of the keys, powers and authority of the gospel.

And we pray that thou wilt comfort the hearts of the bereaved
family and household with such an exalted view of the character of thy
dealings to thy people and to them, as shall enable each to say, " Father,
thy will be done ! " Bless the absent members of his family, his sons in
other lands; may they in their ministry and studies feel the consolations
of that Spirit which Heaven alone can give. Bless, we pray thee, the
wives of thy servant who has departed. May they entertain that truth-
ful, faithful and virtuous integrity to him which is most becoming for
them, to share and rejoice with him in the fulness of the blessings of im-
mortality and eternal lives. Bless thou and comfort and honor his sons
and daughters, the commencement of a mighty race in the earth. O
Lord, establish in them the powers of the everlasting priesthood a^d

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 17

covenant, that they may be able to live to honor their illustrious father.
Wilt thou remember his two sons whe have stepped forward and who
are partakers of the apostleship. May they become great lights in their
father's house, those upon whom the others may lean for assistance, for
comfort and for support in all the walks of life. We pray that thou
wilt comfort thine Elders in all the earth this day ; when they hear of these
sad tidings may the Holy Spirit minister to them, may angels visit them
and make them to feel that all is well.

We pray thee to hasten the day when the great work in which thy
servant Brigham has taken so active and prominent a part, shall be ex-
tended and magnified more abundantly in the earth. We thank thee, O
Lord, that thou did'st inspire him in his later days to build and dedicate
Temples unto thy name and to set in order the priesthood therein, together
with all the ordinances thereof both for the living and for the dead, that
thou did'st move upon him to more fiilly organize the people, set in order
thy church, and clothe thy Zion more abundantly with the powers of
the holy priesthood.

O Lord, now that thou hafet taken hiin, let thy blessings come down
in greater abundance and power upon thy servants who remain ; and pre-
serve thy people from any manner of schism or discord. And let those
upon whom shall devolve the duty and responsibility of giving guidance
to thy work upon the earth, abide in the bonds of the everlasting cove-
nant, and may the revelations of thy will be given unto them, thy Spirit be
in them, and thy counsels be made manifest through them unto all of
thy people. And we forget not to seek thy blessings upon thy aged
servants, now venerable in years, the brothers of thy servant Brigham.
May they, our Father, be able to emulate most abundantly the worthy
and glorious career of the honored dead whose remains are now before us.
And we pray that thou wilt lengthen out their days until their souls shall
be satisfied with this life, and then that they may be gathered to the glo-
rious host that shall attend to wait upon them.

We beseech of thee, our Father, to remember thy scattered Israel in
every part ; the House of Judah, the Ten Tribes, wherever they may be,
and the scattered remnants of this land in which we are permitted to
dwelli May thy word go forth, thy spirit be diffused, and the power of
the priesthood that thou hast restored rest not until Israel, be gathered,
Zion redeemed, Jerusalem built up and thy glory restored to earth.

We ask thee, holy Father, to receive our thanks this morning, for
we acknowledge with gratitude the peace that thou hast blessed us with.
Although thou did'st suffer thy servant to be imprisoned for the truth's
sake, thou did'st preserve his life until he could lay it down in peace in
his own house and habitation, in the midst of his loving family and
devoted friends. Be pleased to continue peace upon our borders and in
B •

18 OBSEQUIES OP PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

our midst, preserve us from the horrors of war, for thou hast promised to
fight the battles of thy people. While hundreds of thousands are falling
by pestilence in other lands, here in our valleys, once a wild desert, but
now the home of thy saints, abounds plenty both for man and for
T^east. For all this we thank thee and praise thee, O thou God of Hosts.
Bless, O Lord, thy servants who may speak on this occasion. May
their words be full of consolation and comfort to all those who mourn,
for we all are Mourners before thee this day. And may we who have
been co-workers with thy servant, so live and so labor that we may
come to a peaceful and happy end, and our last days be like his, that we
may rejoice in our labors knowing that they are acceptably done. We
dedicate ourselves, our families, this people and work unto thee, the Lord
our God ; it is thine, and we are thine. Direct all things to the glory of
thy name, and unto Thee shall be SU praise, glory and honor, through
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen.

Choir sang

" Thou dost not weep to weep alone."

nvA)i Tune "Bereavement," composed by Brother George Careless.

The following t^emarks were then made, reported, as well as the above
and following prayers, phonographically, by Brother George F. Gibbs :

PRESIDENT D. H. WELLS

I arise with an aching heart, but cannot let pass this opportunity
of paying at least a tribute of respect to^our departed friend and brother,
who has just stepped behind the vail. I can only say. Let the silent
tear fall that it may give relief to the troubled heart ; for we have lost
our counselor, our friend, our President; a friend to God, a friend to His
saints, a friend to the Church and a friend to humanity.

I have no desire or wish to multiply wOrds, feeling that it is rather
a time to mourn. Good bye. Brother Brigham, until the morning of the
resurrection day, when thy spirit and body shall be re-united, and thou
shalt inherit immortality, eternal lives and everlasting glory, and thy
life-long companions who will soon follow after, will meet thee in peace
and joy.

' May God bless the Latter-day Saints, and may the consolations of
the holy gospel, the hope of the glorious resurrection and redemption
wrought out by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, pervade every heart
''to the consoling thereof, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF.

We have lying before us the earthly tabernacle of President Brigham
'Young. His voice is hushed in death, and all Israel has to bow and

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 19

submit to the mind and will of God. Israel will never again hear his
voice until after the resurrection. I have no desire to occupy the time of
this assembly, in eulogizing the life of President Young. His works and
words are recorded in heaven, and they are recorded here on the earth ;
and that is sufficient. Let those of us who remain a few days study
the counsels, the sermons and principles which have been revealed unto
us through the mouth of this prophet of God. It will be but a few days
until a great many of us who are in this assembly will follow him.

It seems as though Joseph was anxious to have with him, on the other
side' of the v^iil, almost all the men that labored with him and stood
shoulder to shoulder with him in the flesh. I do not suppose there was
ever a man breathed the breath of life who, in the short space of forty-five
years, has done so much towards the establishment of the government
and kingdom of God, as our beloved President. His life has been before
many of you for several years, and to some from thie commencement of
his labors in this church. He felt the weight of this dispensation resting
upon him ; he certainly has been true and faithful unto death, and he is
prepared to receive a crown of life.

'^ About all I wish to do in my remarks is to exhort this great body
of^people who hold the holy priesthood, that during the few remaining
days of our earthly life we continue, faithfully, the work that is now
left us to do. •* The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, and
blessed be the name of the Lord." The great desire of President Young
in the last year of his life, as well as previously, was that before he
passed away he might erect Temples to the name of the Lord, in that
way and manner that men bearing the holy priesthood in the flesh could
enter into those temples and perform their missions, for the redemption
of the dead. This has been plainly manifested to all who have been
much in his company. I rejoice that he lived long enough to enter
into one Temple and attend to its dedication, and to commence the work
of others. And I would say to this people, let us go to and finish these
Temples, that we may continue the work required of us. I trust we will
realize the importance of the great and serious responsibilities resting
upon us who are engaged in the work which comprehends all others, it
being the great and last dispensation of the fulness of times; that we, like
our leader, may be diligent, day and night, in striving to carry out the
counsels given to us.

I feel to thank God in my spirit that our beloved President has had
the privilege, when his work was finished, of laying down his body in
peace,' at home, surrounded by his family and friends; instead of suffering
martyrdom as did our former President, and as did nearly all the ancient
Apostles. This to me is certainly very consoling, and I would repeat,
^t us accomplish .the work laid upon us by our beloved leader, so that
imo&iii* £i4»t#(i s^yurf ISvB to sgam9m 9d3 d^uotai .aba , jj > dIO . ■-;

20 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

when our time is ended, we can go hence and be welcomed into the society
of Brigham, of Joseph, George A., Brother Eamball and the host of
Elders who have dwelt in the flesh and proven faithful and true, feeling
satisfied with our labors.

It is said that " blessings brighten as they take their flight." I have often
felt in listening to the glorious principles of President Young, that the
people here heard him so much tljat they hardly prized the beauty and
the extent of the results and virtues of his teachings. Brethren let us
give these things our serious attention and remember them and carry them
out in our lives. Let us keep the commandments, striving in all earnest-
ness to be true and faithful to the end of our work, so that we may share
the joys of those men whose names brighten the pages of our history.

I would say to the bereaved family, may God comfort you and bless
you and give you increasedly of his spirit. Your husband and father
has gone to prepare the way for his family who must sooner or
later follow after him. If you as his wives, hie sons and daughters keep his
sayings, you will be prepared to meet him in the morning of the resurrec-
tion, numbered among the faithful and worthy ones. And to my brethren
and sisters who have heard his voice for these many years : Let us not
forget the precious words of truth aij^d wisdom he has taught us. We are
living in a time of important changes. If ever a man could have been
saved from dying through prayer. President Brigham Young could. But
it was not in the power of man to keep him here. I believe Brother Geo.
A. Smith was kept from dying through the prayers of his brethren and
the saints, several months after he was called away. But when the Lord
calls we must go. When we received word in St. George of the sickness
of President Young, we stopped all business, and went into the TempIe,^
remaining mostly for two days and nights engaged in supplicating
Almighty God for his recovery, until the time of his death. Having
finished his work he had to go ; and he is now beyond the power of pain
and sorrow, sickness and death. He has been true and faithful to the end,
and therefore all is well with him.

That God may bless us all, and help us all to realize the responsi-
bility we are under to him, to our fellow-man and to each other, to the
living and to the dead, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

REMARKS BY ELDER ERASTUS SNOW.

I parted with President Brigham Young and a few brethren who were
with him in Manti, Sanpete County, in July last; since which time I
have been engaged attending meetings visiting and organizing the southern
settlements; and was, at the time of his death, on a visit to our settlements in
south-eastern Nevada. Through the blessings of God I have been enabled

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUWG. 21

to return, in company with Elder "Woodruff, who has just addressed us,
in time to be present on this memorable occasion.

Shall I say it is a pleasure to have the privilege of meeting with the
Saints of God on this occasion ? It might seem paradoxical to use such
an expression, but nevertheless it is true. The pleasure is not in parting
with our honored, tried and beloved President ; but it is in meeting with
this vast body of Latter-day Saints and the thousands of Elders of Israel
that are assembled on this occasion, who have come together to testify to
one another, to the world of mankind, and to the heavens, the love, the
esteem, the confidence and the enduring ties which bind him to us. We
meet not merely to condole with the beloved family and relatives of the
deceased; but we meet to condole with each other, and to publicly, testify
of the faith we have in Christ Jesus and in the work that we and our
President are engaged in, in which he led the van, directing our energies
and as the mouthpiece of God imparting words of wisdom, counsel and
guidance unto this people.

I first became acquainted with Brother Brigham in the month of
July, 1835. It has been my high privilege to be associated with him in
the labors of the gospel from that time up to the present, to share the
benefits of his counsels and labors, and to co-operate with him in this
great work in which he has been engaged. It would be but a small thing
to add my testimony, but which I know would be the testimony of thou-
sands before me, as well as thousands who are not with us to-day, more
especially of those who have been longest and most intimately acquainted
with him ; a testimony we are all able to bear, namely, the never-failing
devotion of his heart to the building up of the kingdom of God, to the
honoring of the holy priesthood he received, and to the carrying out of
the counsels of the Lord and all things revealed through the Prophet
Joseph, as well as all things which manifested themselves to him from
day to day. pointing to the welfare of Israel; all the day long he has
borne the burdens and responsibilities placed upon him, which he has
honored and magnified to the end. I believe that all Israel will agree
with Elder Woodruff in the expression, that if the anxiety and prayers of
the Saints could have preserved him longer in our midst, he would hot
have passed away. But from the time I heard of his sickness, which was
less than twenty-four hours before his death, I was not able to gather any
testimony in my earnest prayers and supplications that he would tarry
with us ; but on the other hand, a deep seated feeling rested upon me
that the Lord was about to call him behind the vail. And when the news
of his death reached me, the first and most prominent feeling of my hear^t
was, "Thank God that he has had the privilege of spending his last mo-
ments in quiet and peace in the midst of his friends and has gone beyond
the reach of his enemies, who npw.hayaiio power to annoy and persecute

,io-{jiiq aiii^ ;.^Uia £iUi

22 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

hira/' We are permitted too to mourn his loss in peace and quiet. Peace be
upon Israel ! Peace be upon his beloved family ! Peace be upon all his
beloved brethren and laborers in Zion and throughout the world ! Peace
l^e upon the multitudes of Israel who this day assemble throughout, the
land to testify their faith, their respect and their love for him, the congre-
gations of the Saints who are at this hour in every part of the land in the
act of worshipping, and mingling their feelings, their voices and testimony
with ours for the same common purpose!

President Brigham Young needs no monument to perpetuate his name
and character more than that which he himself by his own works and
virtues has reared in the hearts of his people. And his testimony is such
as will be in force to all the world, and his fame in connection with that
of the Prophet Joseph Smith is known among all nations, kindreds,
tongues and people. This latter-day work is not the work of a few years
in mortality; our priesthood is everlasting, ''without beginning of days
or end of years'," the labors of which reach forward through time into
eternity and continue for ever. Truly did the Lord speak to John the
the Revelator when banished for the Gospel's sake to the Isle of Patmos,
" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth : Yea, saith
the Spirit, thaf they may rest from their labors ; and their works do fpl"
low them." From the labors of the flesh they rest, but their works con-
tinue. Kest is a change, but not a cessation from labor. And the works
of every faithful Elder of Israel after finishing his labors in the flesh,
will go forward in the future ages of eternity. Brother Brigham, having
done a great,' a glorious work in the flesh, now joins his labors with those
of the spirit world and. is welcomed back again from this mission of
mortality ; receives the joyous welcome of the Father and the Son and
the greetings of apostles and prophets, of Joseph and his brethren who
have gone before him, all welcoming him back again from earth); he joins
with them in the more extensive labors of the Priesthood, and the redemp-
tion of the hosts of the dead and their preparations for the resurrection day.
It is a great joy and comfort to know that he had the privilege of
living to complete one Temple and to see it dedicated, and that he super-
intended the setting in order of the priesthood and the ordinances for the
redemption of the dead, as well as for the exaltation of the living. It
was one of the greatest objects of his life, something that he greatly
desired to see done before he should pass away. I have often reflected
upon the prayer that I used to hear offered up by Brother George A.
Smith during his last winter which he spent with President Young in St.
George. As Trustee-in-Trust he directed the labors of building the
Temple. His frequent prayer was, in substance, that the Lord would
spare President Young to see the completion of that Temple and to set in
order the Priesthood therein. While I often heard him make this prayer^

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 23

I do not remember having heard him make the same request in his own
behalf. Prest. Geo. A. Smith passed away without this privilege, but
his prayer was answered on the head of his brother Brigham, and all the
elders of Israel greatly rejoice because he obtained this privilege, for now
all things pertaining to the ordinances and keys of the priesthood in all
their minutiae were set in order according to the revelations of God. And
it will be remembered that after his return from St. George, last spring, on
his first greeting his brethren from this stand, one of the most prominent
sentiments expressed by him, when referring to his work during the win-
ter, was that he felt satisfied with his labors ; to which I believe all Israel
so far as they were acquainted with the nature of and could appreciate
those labors, could say Amen, tie was moved upon to direct his brethren,
the Apostles to go to and organize the Stakes of Zion throughout the
Territory, in which he himself took a prominent part, according to the
strength of body he possessed. And the kind, fatherly spirit that charac-
terized his every act during this period of his life seemed to shine brighter
and exert even a more peaceful influence than at any time of his life before.
His public addresses, his private utterances, his counsels and labors during
the past Summer, have all seenied to bespeak that the hour was drawing
near, the time was close at hand when he should depart. I have watched
him during the entire season while I was with him, and also during his
late labors in the South in the Temple, and from that time to this I care-
fully observed every word that flowed from his lips both in public and
private, everything tending to make this profound impression upon my
feelings that he was soon to pass behind the vail ; and on receiving word
of his last sickness, thef impression forced itself upon me,'he is to depart.
I can therefore say, we mourn not as the world mourn. Was he our
leader? Yes, in one sense, and that only as we are in the habit of using
that term. For thirty-three years, since the death of the Prophet Joseph,
he has been our earthly head ; and yet he was not our leader, except in
the earthly sense ; for the Lord wrought in him and through him and by
him as our earthly leader.

And may God grant in his merciful kindness that he will never hide
his face from us ; but ever continue to lead us, as a people, to glory and
victory, triumphing over evil, subduing our passions and repenting fully
of all our sins, our selfishness and pride, our vanity and folly ; and unit-
ing our hearts as a band of brethren and sisters for the carrying out of
the counsels of the Lord which we have so often received through him ;
and imitate his noble example, and practise those noble virtues in our
lives. And teach them to our children and our children's children and
spread them abroad throughout the world, devoting our lives and energies
for the salvation and redemption of the living and the dead, until we too
shall go hence and meet with Brother Brigham in the spirit world, to be

24 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

welcomed back from this our earthly mission, receiving that welcome
plaudit, " Well done good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of thy
Lord ;" and then when it shall please God our Father to cause the trump
to sound for the resurrection, that we may greet each other again with
the Lord Jesus Christ, and the apostles and saints who have gone before ;
which we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

ELDER GEORGE ,Q. CANNON.

Nearly four years ago President Young, in company with a num-
ber of other Elders, wrote his instructions which he and they desired to
have left on record concerning their funerals. It was his written request
that his instructions upon this subject be read at his funeral. They are
as follows :

I, Brigham Young, wish my funeral services to be conducted after the fol-
lowing manner:

When I breathe my last I wish my friends to put my body in as clean and
wholesome state as can conveniently be done and preserve the same for one, two,
three or four days, or^as long as my body can be preserved in a good condition^
I want my coffin made of plump 1J4 inch redwood boards not scrimped i»
length, but two inches longer than I would measure, and from two to three
inches wider than is commonly made for a person of my breadth and size, and
deep enough to place me on a little comfortable cotton bed with a good suitable
piQow for size and quality; my body dressed in my Temple clothing and laid
nicely into my coffin, and the coffin to have the appearance that if I wanted tp
turn a little to the right or to the left I should have plenty of room to do so; the
lid can be made crowning.

At my interment I wish all of my famUy present that can be conveniently,
and the male members wear no crape on their hats or their coats; the females to
buy no black bonnets, nor black dresses, nor black veils; but if they have them,
they are at liberty to wear them. The services may be permitted, as singing an^
a prayer offered, and if any of my friends wish to say a few words, and really
desire, do so; and when they have closed their services, take my remains on a
bier and repair to the little burying ground which I have reserved on my lot
east of the White House on the htU, and in the southeast corner of this lot have
a vault built of mason work large enough to receive my coffin, and that may bp
placed in a box if they choose, made of the same materials as the coffin — red-
wood. Then place flat rocks over the vault sufficiently large to cover it, that
the earth may be placed over it — nice, fine, dry earth — to cover it untU the walls
of the little cemetery are reared, which will leave me in the southeast corner.
This vault ought to be roofed over with some kind of a temporary roof. There
let my earthly house or tabernacle rest in peace and have a good s leep until the
morning of the first resurrection; no crying, nor mourning with any one that X
have done my work faithfully and in good faith.

I wish this to be read at the funeral, providing, that if I should die anywhere
in the Mountains, I desire the above directions respecting my place of burial to
be observed; but if I should live to go back with the Church, to Jackson County,
I wish to be buried there.

BRIGHAM YOUNG,
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sunday, November 9th, 1873. Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 25

If there ever is an occasion, brethren and sisters, when words are too
feeble to express the emotions of the human heart, it is one like the pres-
ent. This is a time of mourning, not a time of speaking. Still we would
not be doing justice to our feelings, nor to the memory of our great leader^
if we did not give some utterance to the feelings that oppress our hearts.

I have never in my life contemplated the death of President Young
with the calmness that I have since it occurred;^ and I have wondered at
myself It is true it has been exceedingly difficult for me to control my
feelings, to keep from breaking down ; but there has been a calmness, a
serenity, a peace connected with his death, his departure from our midst,
that I think all have felt who have come in contact with him. His de-
parture was like the falling asleep of a little infant. No tremor, no con-
tortions; but as peaceful and as quiet, as still as if it were indeed the
most gentle slumber. I have often heard President Young speak about
death ; and when I saw him depart I felt that the great wish of his heart
had at last been granted unto him. Naturally he was a man of indomi-
table courage, of an unyielding will ; and he could not submit even to
the conqueror Death without struggling against him. This was charac-
teristic of his nature. But his natural feelings, as I have often heard him
remark, and I think he has expressed the same in public several times,
were that he should hail the day of his release from his mortal existence
as the happiest day of his life. Whenever it should be the good pleasure
of our Father in heaven to call him hence, he would go, he said, with
great pleasure and satisfaction. But as I have said, as long as life re-
mained, as long as he felt it his duty to stay here, he would struggle, he
would contend for life, he would not yield ; but would endeavor to fulfill
the mission which our Father in heaven assigned unto him.

It is only a few weeks ago, when conversing with one of the Twelve,
I remarked that I would be afraid, if it were not for one thing, that Pres-
ident Young was not going to remain long with us. He was so hurried,
was so urged in his feelings concerning the organization of the people ;
pressing matters forward, anxious to get the Priesthood organized and
the Stakes everywhere set in order. He released all of the Twelve from
presiding over local places: Brother C. C.Rich, Brother Brigham, junior*
Brother Lorenzo Snow and Brother Franklin D. Richards, in the North;
Brother Orson. Hyde and Brother Erastus Snow in the South; ^U were
released from presiding over the Stakes of Zion, and were told by the
President that their mission had a larger field than a Stake of Zion. He
set the Priesthood in order as it has never before been since the first orga-
nization of the Church upon the earth. He defined the duties of the*
Apostles, he defined the duties of the Seventies, he defined the duties of
the High Priests, the duties of the Elders and those of the lesser Priest-
hood, with plainness and distinctness and power — the power ol God — in a

-:iO
26 OBSEQUIES OP PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

way that it is left on record in such unmistakable language that no one
need err who has the spirit of God resting down upon him. And when
contemplating the organization of the Church as it is, we can testify to
the goodness of our God, and we can feel to accord to him all praise for giv-
ing unto us so great and so good and exalted a character as our beloved
Brother Brigham whose remains now lie before us. His value has not
been properly estimated By the Latter-day Saints. There are none of us
who will not feel this more and more in the future. To-day, now that we
have lost him, we can examine our conduct, and the wish will arise that
we had been more obedient, more willing to observe his counsels and pay
him that respect and reverence which his great qualities as a prophet and
leader deserved. This we can do, even though we have been faithful and
obedient. The time will come when the Latter-day Sa,^nts will appreci-
ate him as one of the greatest prophets that ever lived. I have been
much with him. I look upon this association as the greatest privilege of
my life, to have heard his counsels and to witness his life as I have. And
in contemplating that life, it seems to me perfect : In my eyes and to my
feelings he was as perfect a man as could be in mortality. He certainly
never uttered any counsel or gave any instruction or taught any doctrine
which I did not endorse with all my heart. This I believe to be the case
with thousands upon thousands of the Latter-day Saints, notwithstanding
our laxity in doing the will of God in all things as we should have done.
On Tuesday night, as I sat at the head of his bed and thought of his
death, if it should occur, I recoiled from the contemplation of the view.
It seemed to me that he was indispensable. What could we do without
him ? He has been the brain, the eye, the ear, the mouth and hand for
the entire people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
From the g;reatest details connected with the organization of this Church
down to the smallest minutiae connected with the work, he has left upon
it the impress of his great mind. From the organization of the Church,
and the construction of Temples ; the building of Tabernacles ; from the
creation of a Provisional State government and a Territorial gevernment,
down to the small matter of directing the shape of these seats upon which
we sit this day ; upon all these things, as well as upon all the settlements
of the Territory, the impress of his genius is apparent. Nothing was too
small ^r his mind ; nothing was too large. His mind was of that charac-
ter that it could grasp the greatest subjects, and yet it had the capacity
to descend to the minutest details. This was evident in all his counsels
and associations with the Saints ; he had the power, that wonderful facul-
,ty which God gave him and with which he was inspired. And while I
was thus thinking of all this, it seemed as though we could not spare him,
he was indispensable to this great work. And while I felt it, it seemed as
though a voice said, " I am God ; this is my work ; it is I who build it up

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. ^7

and carry it forward ; it is my business to guide my Saint^." He is our
Father and God ; he is the Leader, he cannot die ; he is beyond the sha^s
of the adversary. And he will guide and direct his people, if they will
listen to his counsels, from thi^ time forward, until they are led into, His
celestial kingdom.

And that we may remember our great earthly leader, and treasure
up his teachings, his counsels, and instructions and that we may follow
the glorious example he has set us in his devotion to the work, in his self;
abnegation in putting away everything that would interfere with the fiil-
filment and perfect performance of his duties, as Latter-day Saints, is my
prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

'' • ELDER JOHN TAYLOR." " "^'' -^"^ MiBqsh

. ,. ; To-day is a solemn day for Israel. We have before. us the bpdy ,Qf
the man who has led us for the last thirty-three years. Thirty-three
years ago I was with and witnessed the departure of our first President,
Joseph Smith. He passed away under very difierent circumstances to
those which have surrounded President Brigham Young in his last hours.
Immured in prison, surrounded by enemies who sought his life, and attacked
by a ruthless mob, savage and relentless, they took away his life, and he died
by the hand and in the midst of vindictive and blood thirsty foes, who
in the absence of legal ofiense, surcharged j^ith, jde^ijly Y^nofliji,o^us , hat<^,

clamored for his blood. , ^ -^..^t if<^Sf{w - -!i.?d) o-rfj -o;rr

President Young, after leading the Church, and bufieting the trials
and persecutions to which the Church has ever been subjected, has at
length, in these valleys of the mountains, after having accomplished the
object of his life and done the work that has been represented here so
truthfully by our brethren who have spoken, lain down to sleep in
the midst of a loving and affectionate family and surrounded by faithful
and tried friends ; with hosts of associations that were loving, sympa-
thetic and interesting, who breathed nothing but condolence, kindness
and blessings, and throughout the Territory the people as with one voice
offered up their prayers to the Most High in b^h^. q^ th^ir suffering,
dying President. ,,J ,_,,.> \. ,,.,,|,

Both of these presidents had the faith and confidence of the Saints
of the Most High, and the guidance and direction of the Lord. And
the feelings of the people as exhibited here, the gathering together of this
Priesthood and the Saints which I gee before me to-day, is evidence of the
respect and kindness that beat in every heart and throb through every
pulse; and it is gratifying to know that the same feelings prevail
throughout the length and breadth of this Territory. As has been said,
his name and his fame are known among all people, and a knowledge of
these events has spread to the uttermost bounds of the everlasting hills.

28 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

All nations have heard of it, and all peoples are interested in these events
that are now surrounding us. Not only us and them but the Gods in the
eternal worlds. The former President, Joseph Smith, and this our late
President, Brigham Young, meet again face to face in the eternal worlds.
Both have triumphed, both have overcome.

As has been remarked, the work we are engaged in is not the work
of man. Joseph Smith did not originate it, neither did Brigham Young,
nor the Twelve nor any mortal man. It emanated from God, he is its
author, his eye is over us, he is watching every movement and every
transaction that transpires now, and that has transpired ever since the
commencement, and will continue so to do ; he will guide the ship to the
latter end. It is he that has been our Grand Leader, these others now
departed have been our brethren, appointed to lead and guide us,, under
His direction, in the paths of life. And although we mourn the loss of
our departed friend, a brother and a president, and although the feelings
of our hearts sympathize with his family and friends, yet at the same
time there are principles greater and grander than any personal interest,
or any individuality associated with these matters. It is a heavenly in-
terest, the building up of Zion, the establishment of the Kingdom of
God and the rolling forth of his purposes upon the earth. And while
Brother Joseph and Brother Brigham sleep, yet both of them live, and
both of them, as they operated in time, will operate in eternity in behalf
of the whole of Israel and the consummation of our Father's purposes.
These are things in which the Gods are interested ; and all the priest-
hood, and apostles and prophets and men of God that have ever breathed,
are also interested with us.

And it is for us, as Latter-day Saints, now to magnify our calling
and our priesthood, honoring our God by performing faithftilly and well
the duties devolving upon us, that as the changing scenes we are antici-
pating shall come upon all nations — revolutions succeeding revolutions,
we may have a steady onward movement, guided by the Lord ; that we
may progress and steady affairs among his people and provide a refuge for
the distressed among the contending nations ; that the light, intelligence
and power of God may be in our midst, that Zion may arise and shine,
and the glory of God rest upon her.

I do not wish to prolong the time ; but felt like making a few remarks.
To the family of President Young I say, " God bless you ! The God of
heaven comfort your hearts ! May peace flow unto you, and may you be
led in the paths of life, and imitate the example of your departed hus-
band, father and friend ! And you Latter-day Saints, follow in his foot-
steps, in the paths of righteousness. Let us obey all of God's laws, and
all will be well with us. We are not alone ! God is with us, and he will
continue with us from this time henceforth and for ever. And while we

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

i

mourn a good and great man dead, I see thousands of staunch and faith-
ful ones around me and before me who are for Israel, for God and his
kingdom ; men who are desirous to see his will done on earth, as angels
do it in heaven.

That God may bless us all, and lead us in the paths of life, is my
prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.

i:.^;/-V^ ■■ - ..

The following funeral hymn, composed for the occasion, words by

Brother Charles W. Penrose, music by Brother George Careless, was

sung by the choir :

' Death gathers up thick clouds of gloom

And wounds the soul with anguish deep.
Gaunt sorrow sits upon the tomb,
And round the grave dense shadows creep.

But Faith beams down from God's fair skies
And bids the clouds and shades begone.
We gaiae with brightened, tear-dryed eyes
And lo! there stands The Holy One!

"The Resurection and the Ldfe." r yg^^r . .,
What hope and joy that title bringsl ' '^ ^ ".
Death's but a myth with horrors rife, ' ' " '
And flees before the King of Kings.

r

Then shall we mourn and weep to day
Because our Chief has gone to rest?
He slumbers not in that cold clay,
He lives ahd moves among the blest.

We lose a leading Master Mind,
But spirit hosts behind the vail
New strength and added wisdom find,
To make our mutual work prevail:

Hosannas greet his entrance there,
And Joseph waits with words of praise,
While here sad thousands bow in prayer.
And funeral notes in grief we raise.

Farewell, dear brother Brigham Young. . .^i r

God called thee through th' eternal gate.
Thy fame shall dwell on every tongue,
And Saints thy worth will emtdate.

Thy work on earth was nobly done.
And peace smUes sweetly on thee now.
The crown celestial thou has won,
In splendor waits to deck thy brow.

Elder Cannon gave instructions in regard to the procession.

30 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

, , The benediction was pronounced, as follows, by

■Mini- ELDER ORSON HYDE.

"' Our Father who art in heaven, in the name of thy Son Jeeus Christ,
we tender unto thee the gratitude of our hearts for the peaceful influence
that has pervaded our hearts on the present occasion. We thank thee
for this lovely day and the sun that shines so brightly over our heads,
while the earth is illuminated with a grand display of thy glory.

We, our Father, in solemn assembly, have met to pay our last re-
spects unto our departed friend and brother, President Brigham Young.
We ask thee, O Lord our God, to seal the instructions upon our hearts
and may the words which have fallen from the lips of thy servants on
this occasion find place in the hearts of the honest and the upright, those
who desire eternal life in thy kingdom, .-.rv^ jiii i,,,

Grant, Heavenly Father, to comfort the family of thy servant that
has left us; may they find favor with thee; may the Spirit of the Lord
breathe upon them, and bring them the balm of joy and comfort, opening
wide the door for immortality and a glorious re-union with him in a time
yet to come.

Bless, we pray, all the Saints here assembled ; let thy good spirit rest
upon all — that we may feel to renew our energies and that we may form
renewed determinations to serve and honor the Lord our God, and to
carry out the instructions we have heard this day, and not only on this
occasion, but on former occasions, that we may become moulded and
fashioned unto thine image and likeness ; that when the time comes when
we shall be called hence, we may be prepared and qualified to mingle our
voices and join with those who have gone before us ; where we can behold
our leaders and join with them in songs of praise to God and the Lamb.
We beseech thee, our Father, to let thy blessing rest down upon this at-
tentive assembly, and upon the Priesthood here assembled. And while
we contemplate that probably only one tenth of the people of this region
are here assembled, we pray that our friends may be inspired with the
spirit of intelligence to extend the same to all that are not present on this
occasion. i .

O Lord, our God, bless thy people; confound everything opposed to
them ; and let the truth prevail, let Zion arise and let her light shine like
the rising sun, that she may fill the whole earth.

We ask thee, our Father, to remember those also that have not yet
joined the Saints of the Most High ; remember them in kindness that
they may be induced to abandon their hostility, and finally be brought
into alliance with thy Church, that they too may ascribe honor and praise
to God and the Lamb. And let thy blessing rest upon all. Forgive our
sins ; gui<Jej]|is bj^ th^ good spirit in the ways of life.

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 31

We are thankful, our Father, that thy servant who has gone before
us is one that has fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the
fiiith^ Help us all to do likewise, and thy name shall have the honor
ah<i glory, both now and forever. Amen.

'' The congregation then passed out, with the exception of those to
take part in the procession. While the latter was forming the organ and
orchestra performed " The Dead March, " the choir singing, in harmony,
" Unveil thy Bosom, Faithful Tomb."

THE PROCESSION.

Tenth Ward Band.

Glee Club.

Tabernacle Choir.

Press Reporters.

Salt Lake City Council.

President Young's Employes.

President Joseph Young, Bishop Phineas H. Young, Bishop Lorenzo D.

Young and Elder Edward Young. (President Brigham

Young's Brothers.)

THE BODY,

Blorne by Clerks and Workmen of Deceased, with nine 'of the Twelve

;; i . Apostles and the Presiding Bishop as Pall Bearers.
■'"'' Immediately following the body, the Counselors of President

Brigham Young.

The Family and Relatives.

Patriarch of the Church. ^

First Seven Presidents of the Seventies.

■ Presidency and High Council of Salt Lake Stake of Zion.

Visiting Presidents, their Counselors and the High Councils of Various

Stakes of Zion.

Bishops and their Counselors.

HQgh Priests.

Elders.

Lesser Priesthood.

^>jo,<-ji Seventies.

>^ '■= The General Public.

Ropes, outside of which dense crowds formed, were stretched along
the line of the procession to a point a little east of the Eagle Gate, and
all the eminences in view of the route were filled with spectators, inariy
of whom could not refrain from tears.

President Brigham Young's private cemetary is situated east of the
White House and immediately north of Brother Le Grand Young's resi-

32 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

denee. It is in an unfinislied condition, at present, but is surrounded
mth a rock wall and so arranged that it may be terraced. It commands
a splendid view of the city and the valley south and west. In the south-
east corner of this burial ground a stone vault had been made under the
personal superintendence of President John W. Young, and in strict ac-
cordance with his departed father's instructions, of cut stone, dowelled
and bolted with steel. Its dimensions are 7 feet 11 inches long, 4 feet
wide and 3 feet 3 inches high. It is laid in cement and the inside is ce-
mented and whitened.

Here the remains of our revered President were deposited, the vault
being surrounded by his wives, children, grandchildren, great-grandchil-
dren, his venerable brothers, his Counselors, all of the Twelve but two,
and a grand congregation of those holding the priesthood.

The Glee Club, led by Brother C. J. Thomas sang, very sweetly, " O
My Father, Thou that dwellest," to the tune of " Haydn's."

The following Dedicatory Prayer was offei ed by

ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF.

O God, our Eternal Father, we present ourselves before thee, in the
name of Jesus Christ, to say that we have committed to this tomb the
tabernacle of thy servant President Brigham Young, and before closing
our labors and services and duties towards him, we wish to dedicate unto
thee this vault, with all its contents and surroundings. In the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, and by authority of the holy [priesthood and
apostleship, we dedicate this ground and this vault with all the materials
of which it is composed, that it may be holy unto the Lord our God.
We dedicate this coffin, and the box which contains it, that it may be
holy unto the Lord our God. We also dedicate the body itself, the tab-
bernacle of thy servant, unto the Lord our God, that it may be holy unto
thee. And we pray in the name of Jesus Christ that this body may sleep
here in peace a few days, until the time shall come when by the power of
God and the keys of the resurrection, it shall come forth clothed with
glory, immortality and eternal lives, with crowns, kingdoms, principalities
and powers, as they have been and will be appointed unto him. Yes, our
Father, this same tabernacle, which has borne the burden and heat of the
day, which has borne testimony through its life of the establishment of
the kingdom of God, preached the gospel of Christ and performed its
work faithfully, this mortal body which has suffered pain and sickness,
persecution and death^ may it then arise' in glory and power to attain to
its throne, clothed in glory and immortality, in connection with Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob and the prophets, and all the holy men who shall then
Judge the inhabitants of the earth, even those who have lived in his day

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 33

and generation, to whom he has been faithful in bearing testimony of thy
word and work.

All these things, our Father, we dedicate to thee and thy safe keep-
ing in the name of Jesus Christ, and pray that we, with him, may be pre-
pared in the morning of the first resurrection, and that we may be with
him in the family organization that shall be organized in the celestial
world, and that we may be prepared to receive those keys and blessings
which have been promised through the priesthood and gospel of the Son
of God. We dedicate all pertaining unto this place, this burial ground
and all its surroundings, unto the Lord our God.

We thank thee, our Father, that thou hast revealed unto us that
power and principle of the resurrection by which the pain, the sting and
power of death are all taken away. For all these things, our Father, we
praise thee ; and pray that this dedication, in all its parts, may be ac-
ceptable in thy sight ; and that these blessings may rest down upon the
family, the wives, sons and daughters of thy servant Brigham, which
mercies and favors we ask, dedicating all unto thee, in the name of Jesus
Christ, our Kedeemer. Amen.

The followers and thousands of spectators then passed by and viewed
the coffin in its last resting place after the family had taken their final
farewell and, " in a new tomb, hewn out of the rock, in which no man
had lain," the body of one of the greatest men, and mightiest servants of
the Lord who ever figured in the flesh was securely covered, to
rest until the Christ whom he lived to serve shall call him from the dead.

Thus was concluded the grandest and most impressive funeral it was
ever our lot to witness. There was a calmness, a serenity and a peaceful
influence throughout the whole ceremonies which forbade confusion, and
dispelled intense grief. Li that vast congregation in the Tabernacle,
scarcely a sound was heard but the speakers' voices or the notes of the
singers and the instruments. Order was preserved until the close, and
the two hundred special officers who acted in conjunction with the regu-
lar force, and who were courteous and gentlemanly, had no difficulty ij>
maintaining that decorum which was a marked feature of the whole pro-
ceedings.

The President's wishes being fulfilled in regard to his remains,
we have now to turn our attention to the carrying out qf his inspired
teachings in relation to the great latter-day work to which he devoted his
life. Farewell, beloved President Brigham Young until the time when
we shall meet thee behind the vail, or on the great and glad day when the
Sun of Righteousness shall shed His glory on the resurrection morn, and
thou shalt come forth in thy royal robes to reign eternally as a King and
Priest unto God and the Lamb !
c

84 OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

[From the Deseret Evening News, August 31, 1877.]
RESPECT AND CONDOLENCE

-.'/»;
.\-.:

In. pursuance with a call by Mayor Little, a special meeting of the
City Council was held last evening, to make fitting expression in relation
to the decease of President Brigham Young, late member of that body.
The Mayor, who presided, in his official capacity, feelingly announced the
demise of the President, and explained the object of the meeting.

On motion, a committee, composed of Aldermen John Sharp and A.
H. Raleigh and Councilors George Reynolds, T>. O. Calder and John R.
Winder, was appointed to draft and present appropriate resolutions.

Their report, which was received and adopted, was ordered spread
upon the minutes of the Council. It was also ordered, on motion, that
the preamble and resolution be published in the Deseret News and Salt
Lake Herald^ and that a copy be engrossed and presented to the family
of the deceased. 39ti j r ; a . • •

It was resolved, as a further manifestation of love and esteem for the
departed, that the members of the Council attend the funeral, next Sun-
day, in a body.

Herewith we give the official copy of the

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION

Adopted by the Gty Council of Salt Lake City, at a special meeting
held Thursday evening, Augiist 30th, 1877—

Whereas, President Brigham Young, our most distinguished and
illustrious fellow-citizen, and a member of this Council, in the providence
of Almighty God has departed this life ; and.

Whereas, The death of so eminent and so good a citizen, leader and
member of our community, is a calamity so great that the mind seems in-
adequate to grasp, or language express, the extent of the loss that this
lamentable event has brought so suddenly upon us ; therefore.

Resolved, That while we mingle our tears and condole with each
other in this sad bereavement, we tender this token of respect and love to
the one we mourn, and express our deep sympathy with his family and
friends in the overwhelming affliction which has befallen us all.

Feramorz Little, Mayor.
John T. Caine, City Recorder.

Territory op Utah, |

Salt Lake City. J®*®*
This certifies that the foregoing is a true copy of " Preamble and
Resolution" adopted by the City Council of Salt Lake City, at a special

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT BEIGHAM YOUNG. 35

meeting held on the 30th day of August, A. D. 1877, as appears of record
in my office.

As witness my hand and the corporate seal of Salt
Lake City, this 31st day of August, A. D. 1877.

John T. Caine, City Recorder.

{.,.}

[From the Deseret Evening News, September 4th, 1877.]

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT TO THE LATE PRESI-
DENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.

At a meeting of the .Directors of the Deseret National Bank, Salt
Lake City, September 4th, 1 877, President Wm. H Hooper in the chair,
the following was unanimously adopted :

We, the officers of the Deseret National Bank, realizing the loss sus-
tained by this corporation and the community at large, in the death of
our beloved associate and friend. President Brigham Young, who departed
this life on the 29th day of August, 1877, in the seventy-seventh year of
his age, hereby desire to express our deep sense of the great worth and
superlative qualities of the revered deceased. Therefore,

Resolved, That in President Brigham Young we recognize a wise
counselor, a financial genius, and a master mind.

That during the many years he has been a Director of this Institu-
tion, part of which time he was its President, having been associated with
us from its inception, he has invariably exhibited such qualities of head
and heart as have secured the respect, esteem and affection of all its officers.

That in his death we are deprived of a most valuable Director and
adviser whose absence will be sadly missed from our official deliberations.

That we deeply sympathize with his bereaved family, and condole
with the whole community, who mourn the departure of a mighty leader
and one of the great spirits of our age and race.

That we bow in submission to the decrees of Providence, while we
lament the sad event which has deprived us of so valuable a co-laborer.

That these Resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Board,
and that copies be furnished to the family of the deceased, and to the
Deseret News and Salt Lake Herald for publication. \

By order of the Board of Directors.

W. H. Hooper, President.