Joel Hills Johnson – Journal
(covering the period from March 1861 to June 1882)
In March I went down to Virgin City with my wife Susan and planted out my city lot to fruit trees and grape vines, and returned home on the last day of the month. And in April I went to Salt Lake City with my wife Janet and had her sealed to me in the endowment room across the alter by President Brigham Young, and returned home on the 16th of May. In June I went down to Virgin City accompanied by my wife Margaret and in company with my son Nephi and cleared fenced made the water ditches for and planted four acres of land to Sugar Cane, near the mouth of North Creek, and returned home in the fore part of July and soon commenced harvesting my wheat, and continued at various kinds of farm labors until some time in October when I moved my wife Margaret down to Virgin City and having obtained a good Cane mill from the States through the aid of my son Sixtus I went to work and made up my sugar cane into molasses.
In November, several of the missionary families that were called to Dixie arrived in Virgin City with the Exploring Committee, Elders Branch, Whitmore, and Golden, who were appointed to look out locations for settlement, mill seats, etc, and by their urgent request I went with them to explore up North Creek and on the mountains 15 or 20 miles above Virgin City whence we found a plenty of good fine timber too good herds grounds and on North Creek six miles above the City a good mill seat. I had secured myself about nine acres of land across the river from town, besides the few acres before mentioned near the mouth of North Creek and preparing to build me a house over the river and while going to cut timber for that purpose I was met by Brother Snow and told to go and build a sawmill up North Creek, so I gave up my land and prepared to fill the mission he gave me.
About the first of December. I went up to my old place Fort Johnson to move down my wife Janet and bring my sheep and other stock and I arrived back on the 22 of the same month. My first child by my wife Margaret was born in Virgin city, Kane County, Utah, on the 23 of December 1862. at 11 o’clock, in the evening. We gave her the name of Esther Ellis after the name of my mothers mother.
On the 24th I moved my stock up North Creek to the place where the mill seat was located. On the 25th the great rain commenced and continued about 40 days and raised North Creek and Virgin River so high that hundreds of acres of good farming lands along the course was carried away. I soon built a place to live in and in January 1862 moved up my wife Janet. I then went to work clearing and fencing land and in the spring went and brought down from my old place Fort Johnson my stock of my orchard and nursery trees and planted them out on North Creek and at the same time I rented out my old farm to my son Seth and moved down my wife Susan to my place on North Creek.
January 5th, 1863. I moved my wife Margaret up to my place on North Creek, while my wife Susan went down and stopped in my house in Virgin City. I then hired hands and went to work at the mill in good earnest and had it completed and running in the spring and in September I went with my wives Susan and Margaret to Salt Lake City and attended the October Conference, and had Margaret sealed to me in the endowment house. Across the Alter Brother Wilford Woodruff officiated, and after visiting my friends and selling my house and lot in Virgin City to my brother William B. Johnson of Salt Lake City, I returned home in the latter part of November. In the fall and winter of 1863 and 64 there was a small town laid out on North Creek about one and a half miles below the mill and named Mountain Dell which contained about 10-15 families.
August 17, 1865. My second child, Mary Elizabeth, by my wife Margaret was born between 11 and 12 o’clock in the morning at my mill place near Mountain Dell, Kane County, Utah. In the winter of 1865 my son Nephi (being President at Virgin River City) came up and organized a branch of the church of about 40 members called the Mountain Dell branch, and I was appointed President with Rufus Allen and William Isom my counselors.
November 4, 1865. This day my son James F. of 13 years of age received a very severe accidental gunshot of cut slugs in his right heel which cut the cord and bones of his heel mostly to pieces. Some of the slugs came out at the instep, this accident was very painful and heart rending not only to himself but the whole family. He was confined to his bed and to the house about six months before he could walk.
The Navajo and other Indians having become very troublesome, the settlements between the Colorado and Virgin River were all called to come in and the small settlement in other places were counseled to come in strengthen up the larger ones therefore the little town of Mountain Dell on North Creek had to be broken up and moved to Virgin City.
Sometime about the first of June Brother Snow came up from St. George to visit the settlements on the river and I invited him to come up and see my place at the mill for I had built a good saw mill and had water sufficient to saw all the logs that would ever be brought to it and water all the land that was worth farming on the Creek. I also had planted about thirteen acres to various kinds of fruit trees and grape vines, and had the best Apple orchard in all the southern country and been to great labors in fencing, ditching, and making a good farm and thought he would certainly appreciate my labors and acknowledge my mission honorably fulfilled. But instead of that he censured me very highly and said things that I don’t feel to mention. And for what cause has never told me, neither have I found out to this day. And when I saw that he did not sustain me in the mission he gave me, when I knew that I had filled it according to the best of my ability and knowledge I was sick at heart and discouraged, and resolved to leave the place as soon as I could get it off from my hands, for this cause I sold out to Joseph with William Black and made writing on the 9th of July, 1866, I then moved my family down to Virgin City into a cabin that I had built on my son Nephi’s lot.
October 9, 1866. My sixth child Carlos by wife Janet was stillborn a fair full grown child. And on the same day my oldest daughter my Janet, Janet Maure, was married to Jesse N. Smith in the endowment house in Salt Lake City.
December 1, 1866. My third child by wife Margaret, Joseph Hills, was born about 1 o’clock in the morning at Virgin City. We stopped there through the winter in the spring of 1867 I built a cabin across the river on the same ground I was about to build the mill up North Creek. I also cleared off fenced and planted to orchard trees vines and nursery stock about 5 or 6 acres of land on the river bottom near by, which cost much labor for the ground was very uneven and had to be leveled with the shovel.
The trees were large and many of them commencing to bear. In the fall I built two adobe houses and built up the inside of my board cabin with adobes (which was over twenty feet square) and made it into two rooms this with the two houses that I had built made us good quarters for the winter. Sometime in the latter part of December there was a heavy rain storm which raised the streams tremendously and North Creek came up so high that it washed out one half or three fourths of an acre of my orchard land opposite its mouth. This event discouraged me in my prospects for an orchard and vineyard for I thought perhaps the next flood of the same kind might sweep off my land and destroy all my labors. I therefore concluded to seek a place somewhere else. Where I could build and plant with more safety, and so I went down to St. George and look about that place, Middleton, Washington, and Harrisburg, but could find no place that suited me that I could purchase upon any reasonable terms.
Towards Spring Bishop Willis of Toquerville requested me to take a look at South Ash Creek. So I done as he requested me and found the possibilities for orchard and vine growing better than I expected, so I bought out Brother Ralph, (the only settler at the place) and some other claims which amounted to about thirty acres of land and cost me one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.
March 1st 1868. I moved my wife Janet onto the place and commenced fencing and planting out trees and vines ( I let my son Nephi have all that he could make from my place on the river which had cost me over two thousand dollars in labor and means, for getting water out again, for the flood had swept away the water ditch.) I soon built a board cabin and got into it, which made us quite comfortable for the summer.
July 6, 1868. This day myself and three wives attended the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the departure of the remnant of the Saints that were left at Kirtland in the Kirtland camp which occurred on the sixth of July 1838. The Celebration took place in the Hall at St. George, the hall was densely crowded with saints from the different settlements, many of the old members of the camp were present. Some of which made short but appropriate and energetic speeches upon the subjects of the persecution of the Saints, their expulsion from Ohio, their journey through the states and arrival at Farr West in the fall of 1838, when the saints were finally being expelled from Missouri, etc.
A little after twelve o’clock the whole assembly partook of an excellent dinner prepared mostly by the old members of the camp, after dinner they all prepared to another apartment where dancing and singing and speech making were kept up until about 12 or one o’clock at night when all dispersed to their home. In the fall I built two more cabins and moved my other wives Susan and Margaret over from Virgin City and on the 16th of April 1869 Ezekiel, my fourth child by Margaret was born about three o’clock in the evening at Bellevue, Kane County, Utah. In the fall, I had very good crops although the locusts were very troublesome, through the summer.
June 22nd, 1870. Myself with three wives, Susan, Janet, and Margaret and my son James with two teams started for Salt Lake City and arrived at the City on the second day of July and stopped at my brother William D. Johnson’s and on the sixth day Susan and myself with my sister Esther M. LaBaron went to the endowment house and were baptized and sealed for the following persons: I was baptized and sealed for Joseph Hills, Jabez Hills, Joseph Hills, Joel Hills, and Enoch Forbush. Esther M. LaBaron was baptized and sealed for Esther Hills, wife of Joseph Hills, Margaret Hills, wife of Jabez Hills, Milly Hills, wife of Joseph Hills, Rhoda Hills, wife of Joel Hills, and Polly Forbush, wife of Enoch Forbush.
Esther was also baptized for Julia and Annie Taft, both my cousins and were both sealed to me. My wife Susan was baptized and sealed for Charlotte Fuller, Pavney Lymon, Harriet Webster, and Lucy Holmes, all sealed to me
July 7th. Myself and three wives all went to the endowment house and received our second anointing under the hand of President Daniel H. Wells.
July 9th. Susan, Janet and James started to go and visit our friends at Logan, Cache County.
July 11th. Myself and Margaret started for home and arrived July 23 and found those of my family there all well, but the water was mostly dried up so that our crops was very poor this season. In the fall my brother William Johnson from Salt Lake City with his family moved down to Washington in Washington County, and my brother in law David T. LaBaron and family came down from the city on a visit for the winter, and also my brother Benjamin F. Johnson and family from Mona, Juab county, all came down on a visit through the winter, and at Christmas we had a general family meeting the St. George Hall at St. George. President Brigham Young, George A. Smith and Erastus Snow were present, the house was crowded. We had supper in the evening after which we had speeches, dancing, singing, etc. Had a good time and broke up about 12 o’clock.
January 2, 1871. I was ordained a Patriarch in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints under the hands of President Brigham Young, George A. Smith being the mouth. About this time President Young suggested to us that the Johnson family have what was called the Spring Canyon Ranch twelve miles north of Kanab for a stock race and for all the family who wished to settle there, and requested us to go and look at it which we agreed to do as soon as we conveniently could.
January 23rd, 1871. Myself being as St. George at the house of my brother Joseph and most of the family being present, the requested me to give them Patriarchal or Father’s Blessings, which I did in the following order: Joseph E. Johnson, Benjamin F. Johnson, George W. Johnson, William D. Johnson, David T. Labaron, my sister, Esther M. LeBaron, Harriet Johnson, Eliza Johnson, Benjamin F. Johnson, Jr., Horatio Picket, Esther Ellis LeBaron, and Nancy H. Babbitt, being 14 in number. The above blessings are recorded in Book No. 1 of the records of Patriarchal Blessings under the hand of Joel H. Johnson. The next morning I started for home and arrived late in the evening, having previously made arrangements to meet my brothers and some others at Virgin City on our way out to look at Spring Canyon Ranch near Kanab, agreeable to the request of President Young. We according went our and found a beautiful canyon from half a mile wide several miles long covered with grass, with small springs coming out at the bluffs on each side, and a small beautiful stream running from the mouth of the Canyon, plenty of excelled grass for meadow and stock range extending for many miles around. We were highly pleased with the place and concluded to accept of the President’s offer. Therefore we made arrangements for some of us to move there in the Spring and start a cooperative Stock Association for herding stock raising and dairy purposes, after which we all returned home. In the latter part of March I moved my wife Susan and her two boys Joel and Lamon out to Johnson and my brother William, who was stopping at Washington moved out his family also and my brother Joseph sent out three young men.
We took tolls, grain and seeds of many kinds for farming and gardening, and also trees and vines for orchards and vineyards. My two oldest sons Sixtus and Nephi also moved part of their families out and all went to work. Some to planting out fruit trees and vines, some to building cabins, other to plowing, planting, garden making, etc. I then started for home and met my brother Benjamin at Virgin City on his way out to Johnson with farming tools or implements, grains, seeds, etc.
Sometime in the month of March my brother-in-law George Wilson came up from the muddy to my house and was taken sick with the mountain fever, and did not recover until the last of April. And about the first of May we took a trip to Johnson and found that the water had mostly died up and the prospect very small to raise crops there, although the boys kept on planting and sowing and looking for rain, we stopped a few days and came home and found that the grasshoppers had destroyed all that I had planted.
Seeing the I was going to fail in both places to make a crop, I suggested to Brother Wilson that we go and look out a place on which to build a saw mill (he being a good millwright), he though it would be a good plan, so we started with a team and went up by Parowan and over the mountain to Panguitch, we told Bishop Sevy our business, and he though we had better build a mill eight miles above that place on the Sevier River, but we concluded to go and look in Long Valley for Brother Wilson had acquaintances there. So the next day we went on our journey and stopped and looked at the place Brother Sevy mentioned on the Sevier River. We found a good place for farming, a good mill sight and plenty of good sawing timber nearby, but we went on over to Long Valley and found that Joseph W. Young had agreed to build a saw mill there, so we crossed over the mountain into Kanab Canyon and down to Kanab and out round to Johnson, and found the boys nearly discouraged about making crops on account of the drought. We stopped a few days and organized a Cooperative Stock Association, and then we started for home down the Sevier River and my son David went with us and when we came to the mill place we had looked out, we stopped and took another look and concluded to make a permanent location there for farming and mill building. We then came home and Brother Wilson moved his family to Panguitch. They all took shares in the mill and went to work, and I agreed to furnish provision and mill irons. In September I took out a load of Provisions and brought out David’s share of the mill and he went to Spring Lake Villa.
Almera W., my fifth child by my wife Margaret was born October 25, 1871, at 11 o’clock in the evening at Bellevue.
November 17, 1871. I went to St. George to see President Young and George A. Smith and gave them a description of out place on the Sevier and an account of what we are doing there. They were much pleased with what I told them and instructed me to take out a surveyor and survey the land and a town plot and get all the settles that I could.
December 31. Went to St. George and spent New Year’s Day with my brother Joseph, and returned home January 3rd. Weather very warm and beautiful for this season of the year.
January 4th. Went to Virgin City to attend to home business and returned home on Sunday the 7th of January.
Saturday 13th. Went to Toquerville and returned home next day.
February 20th. Went north to sell trees, vines, etc, at Harmony, gave a lecture on fruit growing and vines and went out to Fort Hamilton and stopped all night at Peter Fifes. Sold a few trees in the morning and went on to Parowan. Made a few sales and returned home on the 25th.
March 13th. Started to move Janet to my mill place on the Sevier River which I call Hillsdale, it being a valley between the hills. Hills also being a part of my own name came to Parowan on the evening of the 14th. Attended the School of the Prophets. On the 16th, gave them a lecture on the Word of Wisdom, etc. Started for Panguitch on the 17th, arrived on the 18th and found Brother Wilson and family all well. Stopped over night. Next day moved all up to Hillsdale. Brother Wilson and family went into the house and Janet and family went into the Blacksmith Shop, the next day we commenced anew our labors on the mill. Joel went to Johnson and brought over the most of my stock, and then went to Red Creek to Mill. I labored hauling timber for the mill, making garden, etc. until the 22nd of April, when I started for home at Bellevue and arrived on the 26th and found all well.
May 10th. I went over to Virgin City to see the boys and do some business, and returned home the next day.
May 13th. Started to go to Hillsdale in company with Brother James C. Snow, surveyor for Kane County to survey up the land and lay out a town. Camped for the night between Hamilton and Cedar City.
May 14th. Commenced raining early in the morning, rained till noon and then commenced snowing, with cold wind in the north. Got to summit about the middle of the afternoon. Stopped all night while it continued snowing and all the next day, snow fell 19 or 20 inches deep, on the 16th went from Summit to Parowan.
May 17th. Brother Snow concluded to return home and I started for Hillsdale to which place I arrived on Sunday 19th over dreadful roads. Stopped at Hillsdale three weeks lacking one day, and started on the 8th of June and arrived home on the 10th.
I will insert here a hymn written for March 23rd, 1872, that being my birthday and seventy years of age.
Patient waiting by the river
For my Heavenly guide,
To escort me safely over
To my Father's side.
Where a mansion my dear Savior
Has prepared for me
To inherit safe forever
And from sorrow free.
Oft my dear ones long departed
Cross the fearful tide
While my cheeks oft feel sweet kisses
From my youthful bride.
These to me are Heavenly Heralds
Bringing glories dawn
Golden Streams along the orient,
Ushering in the moon
Like the star that came to token
Christ the Savior near,
Filling me with Joy unbroken
While I tarry here.
Waiting still beside the river
For my faithful guide,
To escort me to my mansion
On the Heavenly side.
July 20th. I started again to go to Hillsdale and arrived there on the 23rd, and on the 24th went down to Panguich to attend the Celebration of the 24th of July. Got there late. Services of the day mostly through. A part of the oration and most of the toasts following were mine.
The God of the Gentile,
Gold, office, wine, and courtesans
The God of the Saints
Eloheim, truth, virtue and celestial lives.
The people had a first rate time, at the close all appeared satisfied and happy, and I returned back to Hillsdale.
Monday August 25th. Edward Dalton, County Surveyor for Iron County, came over to Survey land for the Hillsdale settlement. He laid out a small town plot and surveyed a strip of land about 5 miles long, about equal distance each way from the mill up and down the river and one hundred and ninety rods wide. I expected to have started the mill before I left, but when we left the water into the race or ditch we found that it would not carry a sufficient quantity to run it therefore had to enlarge the race.
Wednesday August 7th. Started for home and arrived on Friday the 9th.
September 24th. I left home to go again to Hillsdale with a load of fruit and arrived there on the 28th and found all well. Let out my share of the mill, being three fourths to Nephi and Seth one year for half the profits. Settled up my mill account with Brother Wilson and others. Found something due me besides three fourths of the mill. I hauled a few logs. Sold lumber, raised a little money, helped fix up a house for Janet and made arrangement to build one for Susan. And started for Bellevue on the 13th or October. Stopped at Panguich all night and arrived home on the 17th and found all well.
October 26th. The signs of the times and whisperings of the Spirit is to me, that the keys of the resurrection will soon be given through Joseph, and the spirit of my prayer has been almost hourly for the last few months in language similar to the following lines.
When my weakness Lord I see
My poor heart is sickened
Help me then to walk with thee
That I may be quickened.
Haste, Oh! Haste the glorious time
Long by Saints expected
When the pure in every clime
Shall be resurrected
May I see the looked for day
And be with the number
Who have walked the narrow way.
Free from Death's cold slumber.
November 12th. Went to Virgin City to do business with Sixtus and Nephi. Sold Nephi a yoke of oxen and bought four hives of bees and having bargained for two hives sometime before I bought home six hives on the 14th.
January 19th, 1873. From the above date to the present I have labored on the farm at Bellevue, building stables, fences, etc., preparatory for the summers operations.
I wish here to say a few words about the education of my children as I have not done it before, after I embraced the fullness of the Gospel in 1831, until I came to Utah in 1848. I was driven about by persecuting mobs from place to place not being allowed to stop but a few months or a year or so in a place and often where there was no school. So that it was impossible for me to send them to school but a little, and since I have been in Utah I have made eleven new places of settlements, some of them I have made voluntarily, others I have been called to make by the authorities of the Church, all of which I conscientiously done for the advancing of the work of the Lord including the benefit of my family. There being no schools for a year or two in those new places my children were deprived of advancing their education, but always went to school where there was any chance. But some of them would not take any interest in gaining an education but had rather do almost anything else than to go to school which gave me much sorrow for when I would try to encourage them they would slight my counsel, if any of them ever complain of their father’s neglect in schooling them it will be those who never improved the opportunity that they had.
TO MY WIFE MARGARET
Oh, Maggie my dear one thou wife of old age
More precious thy kindness to me
That friendship of kingdoms, of princes, or sages
Or thousands in treasures could be.
We met among strangers where friends were but few
I asked you to stand by my side
You promised forever, with love firm and true
And soon you became my dear bride.
When sickness and sorrow attended my way
And enemies sought for my life
They kindest attention and love was my stay
As that of true faithful wife.
The blessing of Heaven thy path shall attend
And cause all thy sorrows to flee
And never be lacking a true faithful friend
Because of thy kindness to me.
January 21st, 1873. Went down to St. George to see the President so some other business. Arrived there on the 22nd. Found the President just ready to start for Virgin City, therefore could not see him until he returned. I then concluded to stop and attend a two day meeting to be held on the following Saturday and Sunday in the St. George Tabernacle. The house was crowded with brethren and sisters from other settlements as well as St. George. The next that the speakers mostly dwelt upon was “except ye are one, ye are not mine”, the most of the teaching was for the Saints to be one and cease working for, and feeding the Gentiles. But let them alone and go to with their mights and build up Zion. To cease hauling everything they had to spare to Peoche to build up the Gentiles, but bring it to St. George and build up the Temple and Kingdom of God. The President then called for all those who were willing to let Peoche alone and not go there to work or haul anything to them, but would help build up Zion, and had been in the Church forty years to rise up and hold up their right hand, there was ten that arose. He then called for those that had been members of the church 25 years and there was a good show, and so on down to those that had been in the church 15 years, reducing five years each time, I was truly thankful to see a beginning made to introduce the Saints today to the first Commandment given to the Church, that was to “Come out of Babylon, Oh my people, be ye Separate, TOUCH NOT, TASTE NOT, handle not of her unclean things” this commandment of the Church as a people have never kept, for this cause we have been mobbed and driven from place to place and still the spirit of mobocracy is after us. We have constantly sought after unclean things of the Gentiles of Babylon, such as their strong drinks, tobacco, tea, coffee, bacon, and all the round of their canned and bottled fruits. and provisions, candies, etc. With their clothing, fashions, manners, customs, and many of their practices, while the Lord said that those things were unclean and not for the good of man. And that the beauty of our apparel should be of the workmanship of our own fingers. While we continue to follow after Babylon, the Spirit of Babylon will follow us and our children and we can’t help ourselves. I have refused to use their unclean things and to follow their fashions for the last forty years and have always preached against it and feel thankful that the first step is taken to bring the Saints out of Babylon.
I returned home from St. George on Tuesday the 28th and on Friday the 31st went down to Toquerviulle to do business with my son Seth and towards evening partook of an excellent supper in the hall prepared for the President and party, but the President was not there. I returned home on Saturday the 1st of February.
April 11th, 1873. A few days back has been very cold and stormy with heavy freezing. Apricots and peaches mostly killed. I started today to go to Parowan to get some potatoes for planting and do some other business. Arrived there about noon the next day being Saturday, done up my business satisfactorily, and tarried over the Sabbath and preached to the people, and had a very interesting time in showing the people their unwillingness to come out of Babylon according to the commandments of God, and the Consequences that did and would follow. They paid good attention and most of them seemed to receive the word with gladness.
I started for home on Monday at noon and arrived home on Tuesday a little after sundown. My wife Janet had come over from Hillsdale to Parowan where I found her in tolerable good health and was very glad to see her, not having had the privilege for nearly or quite six months.
TO MY WIVES
Oh, Susie dear, with love and cheer
May all with thee be well
My love for thee, while true to me,
This tongue can never tell.
And Jennie, love, Can I reprove
Or say thou are untrue
With love like mine, and virtue thine,
I always shall say no.
And Maggie, too, my love for you
I cannot now express
While thou to me shall faithful be,
I shall thee love and bless.
Should each prove true their work to do
Like true and faithful wives
Then all shall share, my love and care
With crown of endless l lives.
June 5th, 1873. Started to go to Hillsdale with my little girl Mary, arrived at Parowan on the 6th about noon. Got Brother Daniel Allen to repair my harness and went on and camped for the night near the top of the mountain. Next day arrived at Hillsdale and found all well.
I settled with George Wilson and bought out his share of the mill for which I paid him five hundred dollars, mostly in stock. Rented the mill to Nephi and Seth, some other necessary business and started for Bellevue on the Seventeenth and arrived on the 20th. Found all well.
July 8th, 1873. A few days ago I received a letter from my sister Esther M. LaBaron of Salt Lake City and with it her portrait. In my answer I wrote the following lines.
THE PORTRAIT
When your dear portrait I beheld
So smiling good and true
My heart with joy and love was filled
It seemed so much like you.
But when I kissed it oft so sweet
I felt within a pain
Because there was no love too great
And kiss me back again.
August 12th, 1873. My health has become uncommonly good this summer so far, my mind has been a little exercised this morning with the following.
THOUGHTS ON SMALL THINGS
A Whispered word the heart may cheer
And in despair give hope
A look of love may banish fear
and lift the sinking up.
Scorn not the simplest word or deed
Lest some good thought you spoil
There's life to spring in every seed
When hid beneath the soil.
Your words and acts; no one can guess
How great their force may be
Nor what results may crown and bless
Those who are blessed by thee.
Work on despair not; let your mite
Of wisdom, love and care
Be given to all who would do right
God then will hear your prayers.
August 17th. Today, I baptized and confirmed my second daughter by my wife Margaret (Mary Elizabeth), being nine years old today. I also wrote the following short poem entitled:
THE GEM
There is a precious treasure,
Its value never told.
That all may own at pleasure,
Yet never bought or sold.
This jewel too, will make you,
A true and faithful friend.
And never will forsake you,
In time, or at its end.
Will never brook denial,
Of what is just and tie.
And every story and trial,
Will bring you safely through.
While all in every station,
In childhood, age, and youth.
Through it may gain salvation,
This precious gem, is truth.
October 28th, 1873. Today my daughter Susan Martineau with her oldest son Henry and four small children arrived at house from Logan, Cache County, Utah. I was very glad of her visit having not seen her for twelve years. She stopped a week and went over to Virgin City to visit her sister Sariah Workman and stopped with her a weekend and returned.
November 15th. Today my daughter Susan with my wife Susan and her son Joel and Henry Martineau started for Hillsdale. I sent with them the following lines to my wife Janet who had refused to come and stay with me through the winter while my wife Margaret should go to Hillsdale for her children to attend school.
TO JANET
My heart with pain is filled today
For one, long years so good and kind
Now from my council turn away
And to my wishes not resigned
Tears only now my grief can tell
Yet wish my long loved darling well.
The Lord forgive thee is my prayer
And help thee to obey my will
And seek my love and tender care
That I may love and bless thee still.
Wile of the Lord thou shalt be blessed
With light and love shall f ill thy breast.
Then cleave to me with all thy heart
And let no evil spirit dare
To cause our friendship to depart
And crowns of glory thou shalt wear
With me when mortal life is past
And while eternity shall last.
December 30, 1873. My health has been very poor the last two weeks, not able to do any work. On the third day of this month there commenced a dreadful snow storm, such as has never been known in this country. It last six days snowing night and day but melting a good deal at the same time. Which left it hard on the ground from twenty inches to two feet deep, which made the roads impassable for several days and took much labor to break them so that teams could pass. Many loads of potatoes on the road between Bellevue and Kanarrah were left and froze solid. The snow still covers the ground from eight to ten inches deep.
March 23rd. It has been a very cold stormy winter. Therefore, much stock has died on the range this winter in many places. My health has been tolerably good this far. This being my seventy second birthday, I jot down the following.
MUSINGS
In the evening pure and holy
Oh my lifes declining day
I am sitting sweetly musing
Over Scenes long passed away
Thinking of the one that pledged me
Her sweet love while life should last
Since the day that we were wedded
Nearly fifty years have passed.
Memory brings her oft before me
As she was when gay and young
And still hear the pleasing accounts
Falling from her joyful tounge.
Death soon took her from my bosom
Over my life a gloom to cast
Since my cottage was made lonely
Nearly forty years have passed.
While the holy recollections
Of the time she passed away
Never can be driven from me
By the shadows of the day.
Yes my love for her how sweetly
It doth with me live and last
Since I felt its Heavenly wooing
Nearly fifty years have passed.
Now I feel the Heavenly portals
Opening to me here below
And the glory streaming through them
Earthly beings seldom know.
For I hear her sweetly singing
Feel the kiss she first imprinted
Nearly fifty years have passed.
Sweet the voices of my loved ones
Stealing through the mists of time
Wafted by the Holy Zephyrs
From the pure Celestial clime.
Patient waiting for my exit
Life cannot much longer last
Since my friends announced my birthday
Two and seventy years have passed.
April 9, 1874. This day my sixth child of my wife Margaret was born at a quarter past ten o’clock in the evening, being her third son. 17th. Today I blessed my little son, it being the eighth day since he was born and called his name Jeremiah, it being given by inspiration several months before he was born.
June 30th. Today I started to go to Hillsdale with my wife Susan. Went to Hamiltons Fort and stopped at Sister Fifes all night. Went to Parowan next day and stopped all night. Next morning started on, and camped for the night. Next morning started on, and camped for the night in the canyon below Bear Valley. Next day arrive at Hillsdale about noon on Friday. On Sunday preached to the people and blessed two infant grandchildren, one the son of my Nephi, and the other the son of my son David, and on Tuesday the 7th of July, started home and arrived on Friday the 10th.
Saturday the 11th there came over Bellevue the worst hail storm I ever saw making almost entire destruction of all kinds off fruit and vegetation.
August 12th. Today feeling as though my daughter Sariah was in grief. I wrote her an encouraging letter with the following lines.
TO MY DAUGHTER SARIAH
God bless you my daughter forever
With comfort in sorrow and care
And power with trials to severe
That fills your kind heart with despair.
The Lord will soon come in His glory
To end the Saints bondage and strife
And John will come too! and restore thee
To mansions prepared for his wife.
Be patient and faithful in duty
No honors are found in this world
Like diadems forming with beauty
To crown you with glory, dear girl.
August 3, 1879. The following lines are written and sent to my sister Ester M. LeBaron of Salt Lake City and should have been recorded before the last date.
TO MY SISTER
Do you remember dearest sis
That quaint old house where you were bred
And where I gave you many a kiss
Of love, and blessing on your head
Before your childhood days were fled.
The little brook that rippled by
Amid the grass and flowers so sweet
A mothers hand too! always nigh
To safely guide your wandering feet
And make your presence all complete.
The heavens above so clear and blue
With souls sweet ways to cheer and light
The play grounds that your footsteps knew
While seeking flowers so pure and bright
Which filled your heart with sweet delight.
Still that dear spot with grass so green
And sweetest flowers s till bloom as fair
As when we left the place I wean
Where friends had spent much toil and care
Oh! Shall we ever more be there.
Our joys pass by, and so does Spring
Gives place to bring the summer near
And Lo! the birds loose heart to sing
When autumn leaves are brown and sear
Which shows that winter ports are near.
August 25, 1874. Today there came over Bellevue another heavy hail and rain storm, which done much damage to what fruit and vegetables there were left from the other storm of the 11th of July.
August 27th. Today I wrote the following little poem entitled.
ALMERA
Through the orchard lies Almera
Little maiden with light hair
Gathering apples with ripe peaches
That are falling here and there.
Searching grapes and flowers in garden
Laughing in her childish glee
Teasing all her little playmates
Who so full of joy as she.
Thee times has the vintage fruited
Since she came into our cot
When our hearts all made joyful
That her care should be our lot.
May the Holy Spirit guide here
That it may with her be well
Until she returns to glory
When she came with us to dwell.
August 28th.
TO OUR LITTLE JEREMIAH
Another little darling
Is sent to us from heaven
His name is Jeremiah
By inspiration given.
The holy spirit whispered
Ere we his face did see
To name and bless a stranger
A prophet he shall be.
To share the holy mantle
Of him whose name he takes
Like him to give the message
To whom Jehovah speaks.
Oh then, our little darling
With wisdom, love and grace
Our father will sustain you
And help you fill your place.
October 1, 1874. My feelings today are represented in the following.
PRAYER
Oh God to thee ascends my prayer
At morning, noon, and eve
This through thy hand of love and care
Each blessing I receive.
Then let thy spirit Lord abide
Forever in my breast
And be my ever faithful guide
To my eternal rest.
Fill oh, fill my thirsty soul
With wisdom, love and peace
And every act of life control
And all my joys increase.
Oh let no evil ones combine
My faith to overthrow
But fill my heart with light devine,
Their councils all to know.
And may true righteousness abound
In me, thy law to fill
And every deed and work be found
Responsive to thy will.
May I be with the quickened ones
Who have the truth maintained
Rise in the cloud and owned thy Sons
With crowns and kingdoms gained.
There was another dreadful hail storm at about four o’clock this afternoon, and destroyed much of the fruit left from the other storms. My prospects for bread and clothing for a large family mostly cut off but it is the Lords business to provide and he knows what is for our best good.
October 3rd. I thought today I would jot down the following prayer which has been running in my mind for the last two days.
A PRAYER
Father oh! remember me
Bless me with thy keeping
Grant that I may never be
In the cold grave sleeping.
May I see the glorious day
Longby Saints expected
When old things are passed away
And the new prespected.
With old Satan in his chain
And in prison staying
While over earth the Lord shall reign
And all Him obeying.
SMILES AND KIND WORDS
More welcome than sunshine
Dispersing each cloud
Is the smiles of a friend
When our cares on us crowd.
Yes brighter than sunshine
With light to impart
Is a kind uttered word
To a woe stricken heart.
ALL'S WELL WITH ME
Oh! Father as I fall asleep
Thy spirit's light to me impart
Forgive my sins and safely keep
From sin my heart.
Let some kind spirit guard my bed
And make my peace and rest complete
Thy love and kindness over me spread
Sleep then is sweet.
At peace with all the world and thee
No fears, dear Lord, my faith can shake
All's well which side the grove for me
Daylight may break.
December 1, 1874. Today I baptized and confirmed my little son Joseph Hills he being eight years old today. He is to become a printer and publisher not only of my book but many others brought forth by the Saints of the last day, and is to become a great man in Israel by publishing the Gospel to many people. The Lord bless him forever.
December 27, 1874. Today my feelings are composed in the following.
PRAYER
Upward Oh! Lord I stretch my hand
In solemn prayer to thee
To send some messenger of love
And show thy will to me.
And fill my soul with living faith
Combined with love that's pure
To cleanse and purify my heart
Thy friendship to secure.
Thy faith thine ancient Saints possessed
That lives and never ends
And make them living friends to thee
For thou wilt bless thy friends.
March 23, 1875. Being my birthday and 73 years of age I wrote the following.
PEACE OF MIND AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD
I would not loose my peace of mind
For all the proud calls good and great
Or change the lot to be assigned
For kingdoms with their pomp of state.
Or loose my Heavenly Father's love
For all the earth can give or fame
Or loose His smiles and kind approve
To gain of man the noblest name.
Or loose my home and friends so dear
On Zions mount all power to gain
Or loose the Saints sweet love and cheer
For all the treasure Kings obtain.
Or loose my thankfulness to God
For blessing I from Him receive
Of wives and children loved and good
For all the glory earth can give.
In the afternoon my sons Nephi and Seth came over from Hillsdale. Also Sixtus and Joel from Johnson with my wife Susan and her son David from Toquerville, all came to visit father on his birthday. I was very glad to see so many of my family together once more.
March 24th. We all took dinner together and had a good time in the afternoon. We all came together with those that are there and I organized them into the order of the sons of Joel. I was chosen president, Sixtus and Nephi being counselors, and Seth, secretary. The object of this organization is to enter into an organized system of keeping a record of and educating the sons and daughters of Joel and to keep them from running astray after habits, fashions, customs, and the unclean things of the Gentiles and to observe strictly the laws, rules, and customs of the Saints of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
December 6th, 1875. Since the last date I have labored mostly on my farm, made tolerable good crops. My health has been tolerably good for an old man. Yesterday attended meeting at Brother Sylvesters, confirmed three children that had been baptized and blessed a small child of Brother Joseph A. Birch. Gave him the name of George A. Sylvester Birch. Our prayer to God has been day and night for a long time to give me wisdom, knowledge, and power to know and do his will on the earth and to escape the power of the destroyer and live to see the time when there shall not be a dog to move his tounge against the pure in heart in all his holy mountain.
December 15th. I have not written much since I returned from my mission to the states in 1860. Since that time my health has been better that it had been for many years. Since then I have been moved about by council and my own judgement so often that I have had but little time or opportunity to write, neither have I had a convenient place for that purpose and have had to labor almost unceasingly to support my family having but little or no means to go on or to assist me. Nevertheless, I have written a few poems now and then.
January 5, 1876. I went to St. George to do some business and had a very rainy time. Stopped with my brother Joseph E. Johnson until Saturday. I went down and saw the temple, did my business, and returned to Hannah Johnson’s at Washington. Gave her a Patriarchal or Fathers blessing, also her son in law William Gott. I also blessed the two little children of James Carlton son in law to my brother Joseph.
March 15th, 1876. Received a telegram from Salt Lake City informing me that my sister Esther M. LeBaron had died in the morning at 7 o’clock.
Adieu dear sister thou art gone
Depart friends of ours to meet
Our work for them to forward on
And their redemption made complete.
March 23rd, 1876. Today being my 74th birthday, I expected all my sons and many others of my family to meet at my house to celebrate the occasions by coming to a better understanding of and assisting to perfect the order of the sons of Joel, but was very disappointed for only David, Joel, and Almon of my sons were there with Henry Martineau, my grandson. David’s and Henry’s wives with Anna Hilton my granddaughter and Nancy Riggs my niece were present. There were all except my two wives Janet and Margaret with their children. We had no records of the last meeting, therefore done no business. After dinner we all met together and I gave them a lecture on various subjects, appertaining to a common course off conduct and family matters. We had a good time although but few were present. In the evening I gave a fathers blessing to my oldest daughter, Sariah and also to Anna Hilton, my granddaughter, and to Almon B., my youngest son by my wife Susan.
April 6th. Today my seventh child by my wife Margaret was born at half past five o’clock in the morning, a daughter.
April 17, 1876. Today I bless my little daughter and gave her the name of Margaret Hannah.
God bless her forever
And shield her from strife
His spirit too! give her
To guide her through life.
May 12th, 1876. I went to st. George and stopped with my brother J.E. Johnson and attended conference on Saturday and Sunday and heard Presidents Young and Wells preach with several others of the Elders who gave a first rate instruction while the spirit of the Lord was truly manifest among speakers and hearers. I had a very good time and returned home on Tuesday 16th. While there I gave blessings to several of my kindred and on my return, found my son in law James H. Martineau at my house very sick with cough and pain in his breast. Laid hands on him and he seemed much better. I also gave him a patriarchal or fathers blessing.
May 31st. Last night a terrible wind blew like a hurricane all night, and strewed the ground with apples, pears, peaches, plums, and cherries, and all kinds of tree fruit. Grape vines terribly whipped to pieces and many apple trees nearly stripped of their foliage.
June 21st, 1876. Wednesday evening, my son James F. Johnson and Mary J Wilson were married at his mothers house by myself.
June 24th. I went to Kanarrah on business. Preached to the people on Sunday. Had a very good time with good attention from the people and returned home on Monday.
September 15th, 1876. My health is very good for an old man for which I am very thankful.
What honors can there ever be
That I can render unto thee
What homage bring
For health and blessings long and gree
That Thou hast granted unto me
Oh God, my King.
November 3rd, 1876. Feel very much the effects of old age but still feel strong hopes that I shall live to see the quickening time when Satans reign shall end and hear my
Father say to me enough
Take your station higher
Break the bands of Satan off
And to me come higher.
March 23, 1877. Had lines written for my 75th birthday not recorded through mistake.
March 27th, 1877. Today at 12 o’clock, Mary Elizabeth, my second daughter by my wife Margaret died aged twelve years, seven months and ten days, being born on the 16th of August, 1864. She was a faithful, dutiful, loving, and affectionate child and faithful saint and was far the best scholar I ever had in my family of her age.
The morn was bright but all was dark
For grief and tears filled every eye
The shaft of death had pierced its mark
And sundered many a kindred tie.
For there she lay our dearest friend
Our daughter in the bloom of life
Her toils and cares all at an end
And she beyond this world of strife.
Our child whose sun did rise so clear
Hath set in darkness ere the noon
Her care and love so kind and ear
Has passed away! that heavenly boon.
At Mary’s death, Esther was sick nigh unto death with the same disease and had been all through her sickness. Several of the other children also were sick, and my health was very poor indeed. We had no family gathering on my birthday, therefore, done no business in regard to the order of the sons of Joel.
April 15th, 1877. My health continues very poor. Not able to do any business of consequence and we all feel very lonesome and sad on account of Mary’s death.
July 1st, 1877. This morning a little domestic gloom fell up my household. Ah, ha, such is life.
THE CAUSE
Good Adams greatest wishes
To do his Fathers will,
By Eve was disregarded
While gloom upon them fell.
The greatest imposition
On man as time records
Is wives while disregarding
The wishes of their Lord.
December 26, 1877. Today my oldest daughter by my wife Margaret was married to Samuel Orton in the Temple at St. George.
God bless them forever with long life and peace
Like Abraham's seed may their offspring increase.
January 7, 1878. Oh! how my heart pangs for, and longs, the time to come, when I shall cast off the effects of mortality, sin, sorrow, sickness, pain and death, or as Paul has it “The body of this sin and death.” When I can amount upon wings as an Eagle (as the Prophets have said) “And run and not be weary and walk and not faint. And go from Nation to Nation, from City to City and from town to town, and from house to house and to the ends of the earth, to preach the news of Salvation to the honest, and to become one of the Angles (Within life or death) That Christ will send forth at His Second Coming to gather up His elect or pure in heart, from the four corners of the earth. Those messengers I think are yet to be called and qualified for that purpose.
How long, dear Father shall it be,
I ask thee! (now again)
Before I shall have power from thee
To cast off Satans chain.
That it may on his neck be placed
A thousand years to stay
For which may time more swiftly haste
And bring the welcome day.
When all the Saints shall thus be freed
And the millennial morn
Shall usher in, and Christ indeed
Again to earth return.
Old Satan bound, cannot go forth
To tempt men to rebel
While all the nations of the earth
In peace and safety dwell.
January 27th. Attended meeting at Brother Sylvesters and had a good time in speaking to the Saints. After meeting blessed two children, one belonging to Joseph Birch and the other to Erastus McIntire.
A PRAYER
Dear Father hear my constant cry
That thou wouldst unto me draw nigh
And fill my soul with light
And the full power of endless life
To guide me through this world of strife
That none my peach may blight
And grant me power, and on me seal
The gift of faith the sick to heal
Foul spirits too! displace
That deaf and lame may hear and walk
The blind and dumb too see and talk
And give to God the praise.
February 1st, 1878.
SONGS OF PRAISE
Praise God the Father, King of Kings
Praise God the Son who freely brings
Salvation to all
Praise to the Comforter be given
Sent to direct all those to Heaven
Who hear the Gospel call
I'll praise the Father and the Son
And Holy Comforter as one
While on the earth I stay
And should I stop behind the veil
My songs of praise shall never fail
In worlds endless day.
March 22nd, 1878. My mind for the past two days has been occupied in writing my seventy sixth birthday review, which is recorded in another book.
March 23rd. This being my birthday my sons Sixtus and Nephi with their wives (or parts of families) and Joel and Almon came over from Johnson with Sariah my oldest daughter from Virgin City to Celebrate their father’s birthday, it being my 76th. We had dinner at 2 o’clock and the next morning I gave Patriarchal or Father’s blessings to several of my family. In the afternoon we met together to talk over and counsel about family matters. I gave them counsel and instruction and we were all edified and blessed. The next day all returned home.
Tuesday 25th. Today my eight child by my wife Margaret was born at four o’clock in the morning, a son.
April 2nd. Today I blessed my little son and named him Amos Partridge. Amos after the old Prophet Amos.
And still another pet lamb
Is added to our fold
Who shall be priest and prophet
As Amos was of old
Whose name we freely give him
And unto his restore
The priesthood power and mantle
That ancient prophets were.
April 25th. Today I married my daughter Margaret by my wife Janet to David Frederick.
God bless and preserve them
From folly and strife
With bountiful increase
And pleasure through life.
July 3rd, 1878. I write the following lines to represent my present thoughts and feelings.
My heart doth rejoice in
My blessings today
I'm rich as the richest
For this I can say
My Father in Heaven
All needful doth send
The virtuous love me
And He is my friend.
My conscious closer as
The rays of the sun
I never have fear of
A foe have I one
For He and His Servants
Are greater than all
And everything evil
Before them shall fall.
October 27th, 1878. Blessed the infant daughter of James H. Carlton and gave the name of Diadama Wheeler.
God bless the little innocent
And ever be her friend
Long life and pleasure give her
And offspring without end.
November 21st, 1878. When I look around and see the sinfulness and folly of the young men of Israel who profess to be, and should be Saints, how my heart is pained for the cause of Zion. Oh! Zion when I love with all my heart and soul. How are thy sons and daughters becoming defiled with the customs and fashions of their gentile neighbors. With repentance and forsaking of their follies, thy beautiful land will soon be laid waste by those enemies.
A PRAYER
Father let me be endowed
With the grace expected
When all knees to thee are bowed
And with love perfected
May I live on earth to see
Heavenly love and union
Shared by all and all with thee
Having sweet communion
Hasten on the glorious day
With its love and blessing
When old things are passed away
And the new progressing.
January 1st, 1879. This completes my 76th New Years Day. How many more shall I see in this probation I know not. The Lord’s will be done and not mine. Few or many, my feelings today is set forth in the following prayer.
Through works with faith and love combined
May I Oh! Lord not come behind
The chiefest of thy faithful one
Who are or may be owned thy sons.
Inspire me in thy holy cause
To know and understand the law.
That will unite thy Saints in one
In the true order of thy son.
That all may work with one accord
Not for themselves, but for the Lord
Then Zion will arise and shine
And fill the earth with light divine.
January 11th, 1879. Today I started on the mission given my by President John Taylor together up my family and colonize them at some place in Arizona, and organize them in the unified order. I went to Virgin City and stopped for the night, held meetings at the usual place, gave a lecture to the people, had a large gathering, good attention, and a good time. Next day drove to Cedar Ridge and camped for the night. The next day drove to Kanab and stopped for the night. Had no meeting, their house had just been painted inside and not fit for use. Next day drove to Johnson and stopped with my son Nephi, my sons came together. I instructed them in relation to the mission given my by President Taylor, they all seem willing to hearken.
January 15th. Had meeting. Had a good congregation and good attention. Preached to the people several times many of them seemed to take an interest in my Arizona mission. I gave Patriarchal blessings to about 30 of my kindred and friends and started for home on Monday 20th, and came to Kanab and preached in the evening to a large and attentive congregation. The next morning my son Seth came over from Hillsdale to see me and I stopped with him through the day and blessed several most of my kindred and friends. Started the following morning and camped in t he evening at Cedar Ridge and the next day came to Virgin City and preached in the evening to a good congregation and had a good time and arrived home on Friday the 24th of January 1879.
Heavenly Father fill thy servant
With he gift of inspiration
To advance to cause of Zion
In the work of her salvation.
Lo! her foes are strong and many
Who have long her cause mistreated
Help me wage eternal warfare
Till they all shall be defeated.
February 11th, 1879. On the 30th of January six days after my return from Johnson, my little son Jeremiah was taken sick with Diphtheria and died on the eighth of February. Aged four years and ten months lacking one day. While sick he often called for his father to bless him, which I did. I often went by myself in secret prayer in his behalf, but could get no testimony that he would recover, and when I saw that he was to be taken from me, I asked the Lord what I should do with the promise he made me before he was born. When he told me to go bless him and give him the name of Jeremiah and ordain him a Prophet, and thus came the answer “Go and ordain him a High Priest and anoint him a King and Priest to God, He is still able to give his word to the nations and assist to gather his elect from the four winds of the earth.” So I saw at once that the Lord was taking all the purest spirits back again behind the veil to place them in a school directed by the Prophets and the spirits of just men made perfect, to prepare them for the great work still before them. They come to take tabernacles and are taken away again because they cannot be trained up unto the Lord, where hypocrisy, profanity and other wickedness is practiced among those who profess to be saints.
Father save the pure in heart from all evil
While the wicked have their part, with the Devil.
February 23rd. Started to go to Parowan, went as far as Kanarrah and preached to the people in the evening. Had a fine congregation who paid good attention to what was said and had a good time. Next day went to Parowan and preached to the people there on the evening of the 25th and had a large congregation who paid good attention to what was said and seemed well edified. The next day started for home and arrived on the 27th.
OUR LOVED ONES DEAD
How quietly they sleep
Where nothing can molest
Their eyes with tears no more can weep
So perfect is their rest.
They never more can know
The grief they used to share
Their ears are deaf to every woe
That mortals have to bear.
Their tongues and lips a re still
And cannot move again
Where once their kisses gave a thrill
There's naught but grief and pain.
But soon from out yon cloud
That then will wrap the skies
Will Michael call both long and loud
And bid our dead arise.
Their forms divinely fair
Will leap forth from the tomb
To meet their friends where e'er they are
All in immortal bloom.
March 16, 1879. Started in company with my wives Susan and Janet and daughter Esther with my son David and family to go to St. George to do some Temple Work for ourselves and dead. Drove to Harrisburg and camped for the night. Next day arrived at St. George.
March 18th. Commenced work in the Temple. I received endowments in behalf of my father. We labored in the Temple for ourselves and dead until Friday afternoon and returned home.
March 24th. Started with my wife Margaret and child and little son Ezekiel to go to Hillsdale. Stopped with Brother Allen at Kanarrah overnight. Next day went to Parowan and stopped with my sister. Next day went to Panguitch and stopped with Alma Barney and on the 27th arrived in Hillsdale about noon. Preached in the evening to the people who gave good attention. Next day looked about some to see some to see what I had better do. For I had understood that Brother Taylor had finally left the matter of my Arizona mission to Brother Snow who decided that I had pioneered enough and was too old to make a new settlement in the new country. He counseled me if I wished to leave Bellevue to Hillsdale and build a flouring mill.
March 29th. Preached to the people again in the evening and next morning started for home and came to Panguitch on Sunday the 30th and preached to the people at 2 o’clock and had a good congregation and a good time. Next day started for home and came to Parowan and preached in the evening to a good congregation and had a good time in speaking and attention from the people. Arrived home on Wednesday, April 2nd, 1879.
April 7th, 1879. Bargained or sold my farm orchards, vineyards, etc. to Andrew F. Grogerson for the sum of $3,000.
April 9th. Today my daughter Julia Ann Orton died in childbirth at Parowan. Her child, a daughter, was stillborn. She left eight children and had lost four. I attended her funeral on the eleventh. Her corpse was carried directly to the graveyard. All Parowan seemed to be there. An immense congregation. I stepped up into a wagon and spoke to them, about twenty minutes, and I seldom saw such a gust of grief in my life as was manifest from old and young, male and female with the general expression. She was such a good woman. She was a kind, virtuous, and faithful companion, a tender loving and affectionate mother. Her loss can never again be made good to her husband, children and friends, until she takes up her tabernacle again in the resurrection.
Dear lovely daughter sweetly rest,
Till Michael calls thee forth,
With those that are, and shall be blessed
To reign with Christ again.
April 18th. Started for Hillsdale and arrived there on Monday, the 21 expecting to meet my son Nephi there, but was disappointed. Done some business in regard to the mill, building and moving. Preached to the people on Sunday the 27th and started for home on Monday, and arrived on the first day of May.
May 21, 1879. It has never been so dry at this season of the year since my acquaintance with Bellevue. At the present time, every green thing seems to be drying up. Only a small stream of water once a day from the mountains. If no rain comes we shall soon be without water. My testimony for the last forty eight years has been and still is: that I know that God lives, for I have felt his hand and heard his voice. I also know that in the dispensation of fullness of the Gospel brought forth through Joseph Smith is God’s handy work! For his voice has declared it unto me! This is my living and dying testimony to every human being upon the face of the whole earth, even so, Amen. Joel H. Johnson, High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the only living church of God on the earth.
Since Lord thou hast the truth restored
Through Joseph in my youth
I've sought to live by every word
Proceeding from thy mouth.
While sitting by him day or night
The words of life to hear
My heart was filled with love and light
Devoid of doubt and fear.
I know that every word was true
Through thy sweet voice to me
And now to all the fact renew
That dwell on land or sea.
June 5th, 1879. Started for Hillsdale in company with my little son Ezekiel, who drove my carriage and also with my son in law David Frederick who drove a team for me loaded with dried fruit and dry goods which I took over to pay for work on the mill. But when I came there I was told by my son Seth that on account of the extreme drought at Johnson and vicinity, President Snow had released my son Sixtus from the office of Bishop at Johnson and advised him to move his flocks of sheep, goats, and cattle into Arizona and told him that I had better go with him if I still wanted to go. I then drove over to Johnson to see my son Sixtus on the subject, and consulting with him on the subject, I concluded to give up mill building and moving to Hillsdale and go to Arizona with my son Seth to sell for me and preached to the people on Sunday June 15th and found that there was no water within three or four miles of the place only what was hauled from Toquerville. With front trees and vegetables of every kind all drying up and dying.
July 12th, 1879. Such a terrible drought I have never known before in my life all kinds of vegetation is drying up and dying with fruit and leaves drying and falling from the trees, there has been no rain to do good or water in the streams since May. I have had to haul all my water from Toquerville since the first of June, never saw the sky so blue as it has been for the last two months. In the summer before in my life I have planted nothing this season on account of the drought and shall raise nothing. The following lines speaks my feelings today.
Dear Lord while I upon thee call
Make known thy will to me
That I may justify do I with all
And humbly walk with thee.
Be merciful, true, just, and kind
More loving, meek, and mild
More to thy heavenly will resigned
And like a faithful child.
Give me more wisdom, faith, and grace
To know and love thee still
And faithful labor in each place
That I am called to fill.
July 24th. Yesterday there fell a little rain up north with a small sprinkle here which did but very little good, there was a small stream came down North Ash Creek a little of which I run on to some of my fruit trees and vines. The prospect looks very poor for any more rain. I feel to render to my Heavenly Father this morning the following lines, song of Praise.
Praise God from whom all good proceeds
Praise him all ye, of righteous deed,
Praise him all things that live on earth
Praise him ye hosts of heavenly birth
Praise to the Son our Lord from Heaven
Praise to the Holy Ghost be given
Praise to the three, the great I am
Praise Heaven and Earth, His Holy name.
There was no celebration here. The most of the people having moved away on account of the drought.
July 28th. Still have to haul water from Toquerville, seven miles over a terrible road, to answer all the requirements of household economy, which brings upon me a very heavy tax. The Lords hand seems to be upon us for our wickedness. He is taking away many of our little ones by Diphtheria and other diseases, and sending drought upon many parts of the territory. Some of the people who profess to be Saints think that it is no matter what they do if they are not cut off from the church. Therefore, they will lie, steal, cheat, rob, and do anything by which they can get money, and if they can keep in the church they are all right. And there is so many of them that abode or assist each other that it is very difficult to catch them. These things cause a great loss of confidence and much disunion among the Saints. By this means as a people come very far short of constituting Zion which the Lord says is the pure in heart.
LOVE FOR ZION
Oh Zion, how I love
Thy great and holy cause
Could I thy wicked foes remove
And safe enforce thy laws.
How would I leap for joy
And labor day and night
Their evil works all to destroy
And put their hosts in flight.
That Zion may arise
And cause her light to spread
Till every people in surprise
Shall find her at the head.
Then let her cause roll forth
Oh, Father, and prevail
Till all the nations of the earth
Shall find themselves the tail.
August 17th. This terrible drought continues. South wind almost scorching hot. The large yellow hornets are terrible thick. We have set out water for them or we cannot keep them out of the house. No signs of rain. The following lines have been on my mind for some time.
Holy Spirit power divine
Ever dwell with me and mine
Every evil thought remove
Fill our souls with light and love.
Life and peace let us impart
Let thy grace fill every heart
That our feet may never stray
From the straight and narrow way.
Clothe us with Eternal lives
All our daughters, sons, and wives
We ask all to the resign
Seal us Lord forever thine.
August 29th. Terribly hot and dry. Sky wonderfully blue. No prospect of rain. In looking over the newspapers I find the U.S. Government is doing their best to stop the Saints from emigrating to Utah. They accuse all foreign Mormon emigration of being criminals, whose object in coming to the U.S. is to break her laws. The corruption of the U.S. Government will soon come to an end. The sword of justice will soon drop. The government cannot bear to have one Saint left in the United States.
The government is trying hard
To stop the Saints from emigrating
But when they fight against the Lord
They find his hand their works abating.
A few good men with God their friend
Is sure to prove majority
And when the powers of earth contend
Will find themselves the minority.
Then let them work and falsehood speak
It soon will turn to their vexation
Without repentance God hath said
He would come out and vex the nation.
August 29th, 1879. Started to go to Parowan after the flour arrived there. In the afternoon of the 30th found the family of my son in law Samuel Orton sick and in affliction. They had buried one son the day before and that evening another died and was buried on Sunday the first of September. This is the fourth child they have lost since the 9th of April when their mother died. All from the affects of Scarlet fever. I preached to the people on the occasion and had a good time for the spirit of the Lord was manifest to all. On Monday I started home with my flour and arrived on Tuesday the 3rd of September. Found all well.
September 17th. Very hot and dry with no signs of rain. This drought will be at least one thousand and five hundred dollars damage to me before the year comes around. The Lord knows what is for the best of his people. I covet not silver or gold, or the riches and honors of this world, but do verily desire and covet faith, wisdom, and understanding to know and understand the things of God, and his will concerning me.
My God to thee my soul looks up
Thy grace my thoughts employ
Thou are my glory, life, and hope,
And found of every joy.
When foes combine! And thou are friend
My victory is won
Their works of darkness quickly end
Like night before the sun.
Thy praise shall ever be thy theme
Thy cause my heart inspires
To glorify Thy Holy Name
Fulfills my chief desires.
October 6, 1879. The first snow on the mountains this fall fell last night with a little rain in the valley but not enough to bring any water.
October 13th. A little more snow on the mountain last night, but no rain to do any good in the valleys.
December 5th, 1879. I was taken sick on the 27th or October with a dreadful cough and a death like weakness pervading my whole system. I have been confined to my bed and house most of the time since. Not able to do any business whatever. I have felt a little better for the last few days, but very weak yet. There has been some rain with a good deal of snow on the mountains, but not water damming down the stream to haul from Toquerville still.
January 1st, 1880 has come in with much snow and cold weather.
Yes Seventy and nine has passed away
And eighty comes rushing in
Old time sweeps on and cannot stay
To reprimand the man of sin
Revealed in Christians who combine
With fraud, deception, lies and cheat
To rob the Saints, imprison and fine,
And their expulsion to complete.
Another Christian Crusade against the Saints is on hand, petitions pouring into Congress from all sides to enact laws to proscribe the Saints in their rights of Citizenship by disenfranchising all who believe in Celestial marriage. While Congress seems determined to put down plural marriage, even to extermination if it cannot be done without, the motto of Congress and all Christendom at the present seems to be
Fines and prisons to wives to keep
All right with courtesans to sleep.
I think this nation will beat the Antideluvians or Sodomites for seduction, prostitution, and whoredom. My health is still very poor, not able to do anything. No water in the streams yet, have to melt snow for water. Fair warm days with cool night. Snow about six inches, very hard.
Father hear my constant cry
For thy love and favor
Through this year to me draw nigh
Seal me with thine forever.
May I through this year have peace
From all sin Salvation
And by blessing all increase
Free from tribulation.
January 7th. Today I received the news of the death of my daughter Margaret (by my wife Janet). She was the wife of David Frederick Junior. She died in childbirth on December 19, 1879, aged 29 years and nine months. Born on the 19th of March, 1850. She was a kind, faithful, and affectionate young women. Her child, a daughter, was still born, at Hillsdale, Iron County, Utah.
TO MAGGIE
Go Maggie to thy rest in peace
And join thy kindred there
For thou hast found a sweet release
From every toil and care.
Thy friends will greet thee there with joy
Who long have gone before
Where peace and love without alloy
Shall reign forever more.
Or till the resurrection morn
When Christ again appears
And all the dead to earth return
To dwell a thousand years.
With honor then we all shall meet
Our daughter, sons, and wives
Our glory then will be complete
Crowned with eternal lives.
January 20th. Went down to Silver-Reef to do some business with my brother, and got the patent for my homestead. Done my business and returned in the evening. Quite warm weather. Snow all gone from the valley. Some water down North Ash Creek. My health a little on the mend but feel very weak and lame, feel quite lonesome, yet feel to offer the following prayer to my Heavenly Father.
Oh! Father keep me safe from strife
O'er all my ways preside
In every though and act of life
Be thou my daily guide.
That I may spend my remnant days
From all confusions free
And know with joy, in all my ways
I have been led by thee.
And when I pass behind the veil
Let joy thy bosom fill
That while on earth, I did not fail
To know and do thy will.
January 28th. Last night there came of heavy snow storm from the north with high wind which is drifting the snow badly.
February 2nd. For the last four days there has been a terrible wind drifting all the snow in the roads into heaps and covering them with sand. Terrible cold. Candlemas Day but not a cloud to be seen.
February 19th. Today is quite warm, but the most of this month (so far) has been very cold and windy. I think this is the worst winter so far that we have had since I have lived here. My general health seems to be good, but I am very weak and not able to do anything, but write a little.
THE LORD MY GUIDE
Oh! Lord thou art my hope and guide
My light by night and day,
Help me thy council to abide
And walk the narrow way.
Clothe me with wisdom, faith and love
That I may never stray
Or do what thou dost not approve
But walk the narrow way.
Thou art my glory, life and pride,
My fortress, shield and stay
My true and everlasting guide
To walk the narrow way.
March 1st, 1880. Weather unsettled. My health poor, very weak, not able to work. Today Sister Hanks came over with two small children for me to bless, which I willingly did.
God bless the little one with peace
And keep them safe from sin
That they in wisdom may increase
And crowns of glory win.
March 12th. Yesterday was a very fine, warm day, and I sent Joseph and Ezekiel to Parowan for flour, and last night there came up a storm from the North, and it has been very stormy with snow and high wind all day. hope the boys will return safe.
March 15th. The boys returned today about noon having suffered much with cold.
March 19th. Went to Silver Reef to see my brother, but he was gone to St. George. Done no business and came home.
March 23rd. This is my seventy eighth birthday. In reviewing my past life, I do not see how I could have bettered it much under the circumstances. My principle object through life has been to deal justly, love, mercy, and walk humbly with God, and to build up Zion for which I have labored unceasingly for the last forty eight years, by preaching the principles of life and salvation to the people and donation to gather up the poor saints from the Nations.
A PRAYER FOR ZION
Show mercy unto Zion Lord
That faith and truth with love divine
And righteousness may be restored
That all her children may be thine.
Give life and health to all thine own
Let peace and friendship with them blend
That every virtue may be known
And wickedness may have an end.
That all thy saints with one accord
May unto thee their homage bring
And thou forever be adored
As Zions Savior, Lord, and King.
April 6th, 1880. This day completed the fiftieth year since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was baptized into said Church on the first day of June, 1831, which makes me a member of the church forty nine years, lacking one month and twenty five days. My age at this date is seventy eight years and fourteen days. I have raised up three families of children to manhood and am now raising my fourth consisting of a wife and six children, two having died. I have no help except two small boys, and it is very difficult to hire help therefore, I have to labor almost incessantly. The boys of my other families have all gone for themselves long ago. Some of them ought to have stopped and worked with their father, which would have been a great blessing to themselves and their aged father, who could have spent his time in writing upon the scores of different subjects that are continually crowding in his mind, but not have to be neglected.
April 25th. Went to Silver Reef to see my brother and heard letters read from A. F. McDonald of Arizona, and returned the same day.
May 21, 1880. Went down to Silver Reef to see Joseph again in regard to our mission to the Gila in Arizona, and heard very encouraging letters read from an R.R. agent there giving a fine description of the country and returned the same day.
May 24th. Appointed a family meeting at my house today to instruct my family a little and to baptize my little daughter Almera Woodard Johnson. Who should have been baptized last summer, but the water all dried up so that there was no place for baptizing. I gave an invitation for all to come who wished. Quite a number came to meeting with several other children to be baptized. Brother Samuel Gould went into the water and baptized them, being five in number, after which we had meeting and confirmed them. Brother Gould gave the children very good and timely council. I then spoke to all and gave them good instruction. We had a good time.
May 30th. Had another meeting at my house and I baptized Ebenezer W. McDougie and his wife, also Joseph Sylvester. After baptizing we had a meeting and confirmed them, there was quite a congregation present. I spoke to them upon many subjects of Christian duty after which Brother Guild gave them a short lecture.
July 18, 1880. Today we had a small shower of rain which is the first which could be called rain this summer. The water in the streams is nearly dried up. A very small stream comes down from the mountains, but once in a day with which we keep our Cisterns filled, there is none for irrigating purposes. All vegetation is being dried up. My health is very good for a man of my age for which I am very greatful to my Heavenly Father for this and every other blessing bestowed upon me.
While many years have come and gone
And I have learned by day and night
His will of me, to do, when know
For He has done, and will do right.
(COPYISTS NOTE: From this book, pages are gone from page 100 to 107, and the next entry in this copy is picked up as shown in the middle of a paragraph)
That the Johnson family celebrate this day with prayers and Thanksgiving one year from this time at Johnson. Sang We thank Thee O God for a Prophet. Benediction by William Johnson Jr.
August 10, 1881. For the last month the weather has been very hot and dry, but little rain. Hot weather and old age makes me weak that I am unable to labor or move about but little.
Old age can nothing find to cure it
And those who share it, must endure it.
The following lines poetry my present feelings.
I am an Ephiramite indeed
In whom no guile is found
And Zions cause too: love and plead
When foes are prowling round.
Do I with firmness bear the cross
And wave its banner high
And have no fear of shame or loss
When death looks sure and nigh.
Yes Father: thou has known me well
Through all the days of yore
And knowest that my labors tell
Thy Kingdom to restore.
That I in truth have kept thy laws
And labored with my might
To forwards Zions hold cause
With pleasure and delight.
September 5th. Attended the quarterly conference at Kanab. Brothers McAllister and Blake occupied the first day upon very interesting subjects, on the second day I spoke on my first acquaintance with Joseph Smith, this first calling and organization of the different quorums of the church, the building and dedication of the Temple at Kirtland, the persecution that followed, etc. We had a very interesting time.
October 17th. Today myself and wife Janet and son Ezekiel started to go to Bellevue. Went to Kanab and stopped for the night.
October 18th. Today my son Nephi joined me and we went to Cedar Ridge and camped for the night.
October 19th. Went to Virgin City, and stopped all night with my daughter Sariah.
October 20th. Went to Silver Reef, took dinner with my brother Joseph E. and stopped all night. Went to Bellevue next day, accompanied by Andrew Gregerson and stopped with Brother James Sylvester. Settled with Gregerson who paid me three hundred dollars towards what was still due on the farm. I took his note for the balance and gave him a deed.
April 22nd. Started for home. Stopped all night to Toquerville and made a preemption claim on 160 acres of land. Next morning went to Virgin City and preached to the people being Sunday. Then went to the Gould or Workman place and stopped for the night and arrived home on the 25th.
December 25th, 1881. So few people at Johnson this Christmas. There was no gathering of any kind and nothing done to celebrate the day.
January 1, 1882. Our new year came on Sunday. Saturday evening we had a little gathering of young folks at D. Johnsons who got up a few plays with speeches, recitations, singing. We then had pies and cakes passed around, and all seemed to have quite an enjoyable time.
January 13th. My health is very good for a man of my age, for which I feel thankful to my Heavenly Father, and also for the blessing of His Holy Spirit continually abiding with me day and night, speaking peace to my heart.
I want my offspring all to know
That while this earth my feet hath trod
I've tried by works, my faith to show
And sought to live with God.
Oh! may they never come behind
Their father's love for Zion's cause
But in their labors be combine
To live by, and sustain her laws.
January 26th. When I look abroad upon this Christian Nation of the United States, and see the abominations that will soon make them desolate practiced amongst them, seductions, prostitutions, and whoredoms, and see their determined warfare against the Saints of Most High to push them to the wall, or rob them of every constitutional right, at Citizens of the United States, my soul cries out:
Father, let the heavens rend
And thy Son to earth descend
Let Him quickly come again
With thy Saints to live and reign.
May old Satan soon be bound
And on earth no more be found
Let his hosts in prison wail
While o'er them thy Saints prevail.
May earth be by fire baptize
For the Saints be organized
While the wicked all are slain
And no curse on it remain.
February 1st. Ever since I have embraced the fullness of the Gospel, I have been faithful to fill every mission to which I have been called, and have always preached the Gospel to all people when I have had the opportunity, and never was asked to speak on the subject and refused, and have always responded when asked for donations to gather the poor. And have strove to live by the words of life that have come from the mouth of God. My feeling today are represented in the following lines.
Like deers upon the mountains high
Where living waters never flow
Who oft must drink or faint and die
With thirst, while o'er the wilds they go
Or on the burning plain.
So, thirsty my soul to know my God
To make his glory all my theme
And walk the path that Enoch trod
And drink from lifes eternal stream
And never thirst again
February 9th. Oh! thou God of Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with Moses and Joshua and all the Saints of the old, thou art this day my God and my friend, as thou was their God and friend when they made this earth their dwelling place. And I love thee with all my heart and soul with Thy Son Jesus Christ. While I am filled with the light of thy holy Spirit I behold the trees of the field soon to clap their hands in praise to God. And I feel to cry aloud and shout Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna, to God and the lamb, forever and ever, and ever, Amen, Amen, and Amen. Isaiah 55 Chapter and 12th verse.
Soon every thing that lives on earth
Though simple in their ways
In peace and love and sacred mirth
Shall sound Jehovah's praise.
February 14, 1882. My heart is often pained with sorrow, while tears run down my cheek by day and wet my couch by night, from which I cannot refrain. Could I have filled the mission given me by my Heavenly Father and President Taylor, to colonize my family and those that wished to join me somewhere in Arizona or New Mexico, and organize them in the holy order of the sons of Joel, that they may be safe when the overflowing scourge of God shall pass through the earth. Then my heart would have been filled with joy, and my spirit buoyant with hope for their safety and salvations. But my sons have scattered to the four winds, which causes my present grief. I also find that the spirit of disobedience implanted by Satan in the breast of Mother Eve has been transmitted to her daughters more or less to the present day. The words of God to Eve (Gen 3:16) “Thy husband shall rule over thee”. And the words of Paul “Wives submit yourselves to you own husbands as unto the Lord”. Are we not very well relished by some of her daughters in this age. I find within my own doors there is a lack of that obedience union and love that should be manifest among the sons and daughters of Zion which adds greatly to my grief and sorrow. So confident are most of the women of this age that God made a mistake in giving that rule to Adam, but meant to give it to Eve, that they contend not only for the rule of their husband, but to become Judges, Governors, Presidents, and rulers of Nations. But God will set all things right in its time.
ADVERSE WIND
Blow high and let thy storm increase
O wind though cold thou art
Thou canst not change the inward peace
The summer of my heart.
Send thy cold sleet with hail and snow
And make the forests nod,
My breast still feels the sunshine glow
That ripens fruit of God.
I'll lift my head though sorrows come,
Like clouds to fill the sky
I know for me the harvest home
The vintage hour is nigh.
When fruit is ripe upon the vine,
Thus owned of God and blessed
Eternal life shall be the wine
That shall from it be pressed.
March 10th, 1882. I showed 130 of my pamphlets containing my testimony of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed by the Lord to Joseph Smith, Jr. To the senate and Legislative assembly of Congress to obtain special legislation to disenfranchise the Saints in Utah, and rob them of all their rights as American Citizens. But their greatest object is to drive them from Utah and rob them all of their possessions and property as they have before been robbed in Missouri and Illinois.
March 23, 1882. This day completes the eightieth yea of my age and a few of my friends came together at my house to celebrate the day. There were present my son Nephi Johnson and family, my brother William D. Johnson and family, his son Bishop W. D. Johnson,. Jr., and family with William Law and family, and many others. I consider this one of the happiest days of my life, a day I never expected to see when afflicted with long protracted sickness and hunter at other times by scores of wicked mobbers, some with drawn revolvers and nutcher knoves, but God hath preserved my life from disease and the power of wicked men until have the glorious opportunity of celebration of my eightieth birthday.
I received the gospel and was baptized June 1st, 1831, and have preached the same to all people where ever my lot has been cast, on mission, in public congregations, by the way side, by camp fires, and in all gatherings where opportunity has offered. Had all people that I have warned been as faithful to warn others as I had and they kept up the warnings the whole world would have been warned before now. I gave the people a lecture on various subjects which was interesting to all. Took lunch at 12 o’clock, and in the evening came together for recreations. All had a good time.
Yes, eighty years have past and gone
Since I was giv'n on earth a place
Yet ever since life's early dawn
I've sought my Saviors love and grace.
And though through life I've made no show
Yet when my days on earth shall end
I wish all man to feel and know
That God has always been my friend.
For I have lived my holy word
From him, and sought to love and please
All those on whom he has conferred
The gospel power and priesthood keys.
June 1st, 1882. This day completes the fifty first year since I was baptized unto the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a few of my friends and relatives came together to celebrate the day. I read the minutes of our last meeting and related a few things that occurred in my childhood. Could remember the first application of the steam as a motive power when Fulton ran his first stream boat from New York to Albany. Could remember many of the incidents of the War of 1812 with Great Britain, heard the cannon of some battles, the battle of New Orleans took place two months after the treaty of peace. I saw the first steam boat that ran down the Ohio River, being the second one ever built. Saw the first one that ran on Lake Erie. Was acquainted with many of the soldiers of the Revolutionary war and shook hands with some of the Generals, Lafayette among the rest, had voted for most of the Presidents since Washington, etc. After which William D. Johnson, James Glover, and James F. Johnson made some remarks appropriate for the occasion.
Joel Hills Johnson died September 24,1882, in Johnson, Kane County, Utah at the age of 80 years, six months and 1 day.
This Journal transcribed by Bertha McGee (Joel’s great grandaughter), her daughter Linda, and Linda’s husband Chuck Harrington. The resulting text was marked up using HTML for web presentation by Bertha’s son Scott.