JOURNAL OF 
JOSEPH WHITE MUSSER

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Patriarchal
Chapter 3 - Social
Chapter 4 - Business
Chapter 5 - Political
Chapter 6 - Family Reminicences
Chapter 7 - Miscellaneous Incidents
Chapter 8 - Prejudice and Persecution
Chapter 9 - Ecclesiastical Ordinances
Chapter 10 - Writings and Publications


Chapter I 
INTRODUCTION 
I was born on the south-east corner of Motor Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, on 2nd East between South Temple and First South Streets, where my mother then lived, March 8, 1872. My father, Amos Hilton Musser, of Swiss Dutch extraction, was born at Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1830; and my mother, Mary Elizabeth White, was born at Garden Grove, Iowa, November 7, 1846, while her folks were fleeing from the mobs that drove the Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois. 
My father was one of the youthful defenders of Nauvoo in 1846. At the age of 21, he brought his widowed mother, with her children, across the plains to Utah, settling at Salt Lake City. 
My mother's folks had settled at Beaver, where Father met her on his trips throughout the Territory as Traveling Bishop for the Church. They were married October 1, 1864. She became the mother of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, I being the fifth. She died from an accident in the home at the age of 85. 
She was the acme of refinement, possessing the graces of a real queen; beautiful of features, strong in purpose, staunch in the faith - a Latter-day Saint with a personality that at once commanded respect, confidence, and love. She was the first plural wife of Father, and she lived her (life) nobly, not only raising her own family but also the children of two other mothers who "passed on." Her foster children loved her dearly; they were as her own flesh and blood. My father, a polished gentleman, self-educated, courageous, stable, self-reliant but humble, was a pillar in the Church and withall a fighter. He was severely kind and severely stern. With him the Gospel of Jesus Christ headed the list of MUSTS: "love thy neighbor as thyself" was uppermost in his life and actions. Once, I recall, when a position was offered his son who was soliciting work, he said, "widow Smith's son is capable and needs the position more than you do; let him have it." The job went to Widow Smith's son. 
He had a large city lot - two of them in fact, where we lived (in the southeast part of the city, corner of 7th South and 8th East.) Much of the ground was used as pasture for our cows and horses. The neighboring boys asked the privilege of playing ball on the plot. Father said to a delegation of boys, "I will buy you balls, bats, gloves, etc., and let you use this ground as much as you wish if you will make me a promise and faithfully keep it," "Good; and what's the promise?" "That [2] you will refrain from swearing and from the use of tobacco and liquor " The pledge was made and the boys made good. 
Father provided his children with boxing gloves, quoits, swings, trapeze bars, croquet sets, target guns, etc., making a special gift to his sons of some very sharp axes and saws with which we were required to provide fuel - winter and summer - for several years for the family homes. We utilized the pine and quaking-aspen logs, brought in from the near-by mountains. We raised our hogs, cured and smoked our hams and bacon, made our sausage and head-cheese, and a better quality was not to be found. The large molasses barrel was replenished every season from the South, and "Sorgum pulling" was among our early pleasures. 
Father could not tolerate idleness. He believed in work and he believed in play. On a large city plot, with cows, pigs and chickens to care for, barn manure to pile for winter spreading, hay to boost into the barn for the winter, cows to drive to the pasture a mile away in the summer, ditches to make and keep clean, a garden and an orchard to cultivate and harvest, there was not too much time left for play - as I now view it, just enough. But during the winter days - "When the snow was falling, and 'twas murkey overhead," we had a very comfortable work-shop which shut out the weather, and where we spent much time sorting over nails, screws and bolts, discarding the broken ones, straightening the bent ones, and classifying their sizes in pans. In those days these articles of hardware were expensive and every semblance of a nail and screw was saved for final inspection. And this nail and screw job never seemed to wear out - was never quite finished; neither did we then suspect the obvious fact of their getting mixed up ready for a re-sorting. 
With a bunch of boys such as we were, Father evidently was driven to a "make work" policy, and while we were snow-balling, playing geese and gander, or at baseball, he mixed up the nails, placing later accumulations with them - and there was more work. Of course, the sorting of potatoes and apples, smoking meat, sawing and chopping wood, helping our mothers house clean, filling the mattresses with fresh, clean straw, shoveling snow from the paths, hauling gravel for the sidewalks, etc., all contributed to the "make work" project. But it took a lot of schemeing to keep his dozen sons busy and out of mischief. 
Father lived a patriarchal life. His family numbered forty souls - 35 children, four wives and himself. Of the children 26 were his own, with nine step-children - 20 sons and 15 daughters. However, so far as we youngsters knew, they were all his own flesh and blood - he treated them so. For a wage earner his expenses were enormous. Just one item: for footwear we patronized the firm of Solomon Brothers and Gold. This company manufactured a variety of shoes. I recently learned, through a trusted employee of this shoe firm, that Father's monthly bill for shoes, repairing, etc., amounted to between $50 and $60. That was the time when a good pair of shoes cost only $3. 
Father was a defender of the faith. As Assistant Historian of the Church, his work, under a special commission from the First Presidency [3] was to keep a record of all persecutive acts, and the names of the persecutors of those acts, against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (See Doctrine and Covenants, Section 123). 
For years he acted as Traveling Bishop for the Church. He was Superintendent of and built the Deseret Telegraph lines in Utah, which provided the means of communication from practically all the settlements with headquarters. He was Fish and Game Commissioner for the Territory under Federal appointment, for a number of years; was Superintendent of the Silk Industry, and was a brick manufacture. 
In 1852 Father was sent to India on a mission. He spent five years abroad working entirely without purse and script. He circumnavigated the earth - going from Salt Lake City west, via San Pedro and San Francisco, California and returning via New York. 
He spent six months in the penitentiary and paid a fine of $300 for acknowledging his wives and caring for the mothers of his children. He did much writing and propaganda work for the Church, among his writings being "The Palantic", a monthly magazine, "Fruits of Mormonism" and "Mormonism Exposed", "Race Suicide vs Children:" He launched the initial number of the "Utah Farmer." He died at the age of 79, from a surgical operation. 
Coming from such an ancestry and being raised in a polygamous atmosphere, by parents devoted to their religious conception, I naturally inherited and imbibed a strong spiritual nature. From early youth I devoted my time to the Church. I believed intensely in the mission of Joseph Smith, and were it possible to become fanatical in accepting the decrees of the Almighty, I have been fanatically religious, but not obdurate toward the religion and actions of others nor offensively dogmatic. 
Since the year 1880 I have been active in the Church and its auxiliaries, and in the kingdom of God, beginning with the Primary Association where, at the age of eight, I was secretary, my mother being in the Presidency of the Association in the First Ward. From that I became a deacon - the President of the Quorum; a Teacher and a Priest; the President of the Y.M.M.I.A., Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School; Ward Missionary; Stake Secretary of the Y.M.M.I.A., a member of the Stake Superintendency of Y.M.M.I.A., and then Stake Superintendent of the organization; Stake Tithing Clerk, High Councilor, President of a Branch of the Church in the Uinta Basin; a missionary to the Southern States and Assistant in the mission office. I spent seven months in the Utah State Penitentiary and at this writing am a parolee of that institution, for acknowledging as my wives and supporting more than one woman and their children. 
I have 21 children by the following mothers: 
CHILDREN OF ROSE:Rose Jr., Joseph B., Mae Loraine, Neil B., Ruth B., Bertha B., Anna B., and Gertrude B. 
CHILDREN OF MARY:Mary H., Naomi H., Blanche H., Guy H., Priscilla H., and Helen H. [4] 
CHILDREN OF ELLIS:Josephine S., Ellis S., Jr., Milton S., Lucile S., and Samuel S. 
CHILDREN OF LUCY:JoAnn K., and Amos K. 
Five of my children have performed missions in the world for the Church, and one, Helen, is now on her way to Hawaii on a mission. 
In military matters, Neil graduated at Annapolis and served in the Navy as 1st Lieutenant for several years. In World War II Joseph was a Captain in the Navy, with headquarters at Pearl Harbor; Milton, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Intelligence Dept. of the Army; Samuel, a Captain in the Army Air Force and a Squadron Leader; gave his life in the cause in Arabia; and Helen a Cpl. in the Marine Corp. 
It would seem the Adversary did not want me to live. I was, as an infant rescued from a rainwater cistern at the place of my birth. Next, unbeknown to anybody I fell down a well at our First Ward home, about three years of age, catching my toes on the well curb I dangled there, my head just above the water line until my mother, impressed by some unknown danger, came and rescued me. I was too frightened to yell. Later, while putting a tin valley on the roof of a house for my employer, I slid down the shingles on the roof to the pavement below. Then I came to, I returned to my work; however, with a wrenched back. Working in a two story home, I stepped on the wrong end of a board and plunged down across the basement rafters. One time while swimming with my two sons at Lava Hot Springs Idaho, notwithstanding I was a fairly good swimmer, I was sucked under the water and but for the quick help of my sons, Milton and Samuel, I would doubtless have drowned. These are but a few of my experiences with the Adversary. 
My schooling consisted of a few years in the lower grades, never having attended a high school or university, excepting the "University of Hard Knocks". For a few months, at the age of 14, I attended the L.D.S. University, being a first day student. However, we began with only one teacher (Professor Willard Done). It was not then considered a high school course. 
My first employment was herding cows, at about ten years of age, and during the summer months. I collected cows in my neighborhood; took them on the East Bench and in Emigration Canyon. I took them out after milking in the morning, bringing them back at night. My charge was 25› per head per week. One cow I rode part of the distance (without the owner's consent) thus reducing the walking distance. 
At about 14 years of age I worked at carpentering on my father's 2« story house, on the corner of 7th South and 8th East; we having first torn the old adobe home down. Here I learned the use of the hammer, saw, plane, square and level fairly well. 
Next, I procured work from the Walsh Tinning Company, learning to make utensils for the home; put on tin roofs, guttering, etc. From here I went to David James Plumbing Company, and was a plumber's helper [5] for about a year, at $3 per week. The plumbers struck for higher wages. I went out with then. They won out, I lost. 
I next worked in a butcher shop with one Mr. Eakle, financed by my father. Here I learned some of the technique in slaughtering and meat cutting. From there I went into the Real Estate business with Mr. C. S. Desky, also financed by my father. After Desky eloped with the assets, I joined my brother, Don Carlos, in Riter Brothers Drug Store at Franklin, Idaho - $10 per month and lodging - in the back of the shop. Here I picked up some of the techniques of the dispensary, learning to compound simple prescriptions. Besides drugs, we ran a soda fountain and sold liquors, which were purchased in barrel lots. Of course no drinking on the premises. In that day there were high profits in drugs. I recall a sheepman coming in and asking the price of sulphur. Having the Prescription quality in mind I said 10› per ounce. "My G__" he said, "what do you mean?" A flash of intelligence came over me. I asked what he wanted it for; "for sheep dipping" he said. "Oh, that's it; that kind of sulphur is 4› per pound." But I didn't tell him that the 10› sulphur came out of the same bag. 
My brother Don, was called on a mission for the Mormon Church, so I quit the drug store and accepted employment with Will G. Farrel, in the County Recorder's Office at Logan, Cache County, Utah. Here besides recording instruments, I made abstracts, helped to straighten out land titles, spending about one year at this work I returned to Salt Lake at the age of 19, accepting employment in the office of Cannon and Ferguson, Attorneys, as a stenographer. 
Incidentally, while at Franklin and in Logan, I studied shorthand from a book published by Ben Pitman and Jerome B. Howard, "The Manual of Phonography." I also had the use of an old time "Hammond" typewriter which I pecked at as best I could. 
It was highly presumptuous in me to accept a position as stenographer. Well do I remember my first dictation taken from Mr. Ferguson. He was precise in language, rather rapid in dictation and in manners a perfect guffaw - anything but pleasant to a sensitive person like myself. He dictated an answer to a complaint. I had had no experience either in taking dictation or in legal terms, but between my faulty shorthand and slow longhand I received the document at quitting time. I took my notes home and spent the entire night in trying to interpret them. Added to my difficulty was my poor spelling. The next morning I presented my work to Mr. Ferguson. He started to read it, when he burst out in an air-splitting "Ha, Ha." 
I was mortified, mad, disgusted. Though I know I was at fault, yet for a moment, I hoped he would choke to death with his laughter. Apologizing as best I could, I then and there resolved to myself, "I will yet take court dictation" which is about the most difficult test a stenographer undertakes. 
I procured a vest pocket memorandum book - indexed; and each word I had difficulty with I jotted down, and at my leisure moments in [6] the office, at home and in going back and forth on the street car (living then in Forest Dale) I would study the spelling and meaning of the words. Thus I became fairly good in orthography. I worked my shorthand assiduously, each day becoming more proficient until finally I was appointed by the District Court to act as referee in taking testimony in several cases, to be submitted to the court for its decision. Difficult as these appointments were, I succeeded to my satisfaction and delight. 
I took up Blackstone and other works and in time my employers had me prepare some of their complaints, answers, and other legal documents; also try some of their cases in the lower courts - Justice of the Peace and U.S. Commissioners. (Not having been admitted to the bar I could not practice in the higher courts) However, my legal experiences have enabled me to prepare my own incorporation papers, deeds and contracts in the various enterprises with which I have since been connected. 
Being called on a mission to the Southern States in 1895, I severed my connection with the law firm. (More on this mission in another chapter). Upon my return from my mission in July 1897, I accepted employment with the Union Light and Power Company, under the management of R. S. Campbell. This was a new corporation, taking over the existing electric companies in Salt Lake City and Ogden, five in number. Bonds and stock were issued in payment for the properties. The new company was really a Church institution. I was made Assistant Secretary and had charge of the bonds and stock. George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency of the Church was President of the Company. Later the company absorbed the street railway systems. Here I had my first experience with union labor and witnessed my first major strike. Our electric cars were of the open end type. The motormen were obliged to stand in both good and bad weather. The hours were long. They wanted some modification in the company's demands. The company had then passed from the Church to the E. H. Harriman interests. The company was obdurate. It told the men to work or get off the job; it would not discuss grievances with the men. The strike lasted four or five days only. After the strikers had dumped over two or three cars, that were trying to run, and had stopped all traffic they were called into conference with the railroad officials and the strike was soon settled, with several reforms to the credit of the employees, including higher salaries. 
Before this experience I had always been opposed to unions and especially strikes, but my eyes were opened and I saw that in order to have living conditions men are at times driven to this extreme. Of course now I feel that in many cases the unions are taking extreme measures to gouge capital. They are exacting unfair conditions. Men are human, and be they capitalists or employees, when it is in their power to do so they will unreasonably crush the other. 
In April 1908, I severed my connections with the Utah Light and Railroad Company (the name later assumed by the original Union Light and Power Company) to devote myself to private business. (See more under business.) [7]
In the fall of 1906, by special request of the Utah Light and Railroad company I returned to Salt Lake for a couple of months to straighten out their bonds and stock matters, and in December of that year I was released from my Wasatch Stake Mission by President Joseph F. Smith, to accept the position of Chief Clerk to Joseph S. Wells, Manager of the Utah Light and Railroad Company and as Assistant Secretary of the company. This position I held until 1908, when I entered private business. 
My natural disposition has been to help the "under dog." I make no pretense to excell further than to accomplish my plain duty each day. In games and quiz exercises with friends I have taken greater pleasure in seeing the other fellow win than to win myself and exalt over my victory. In my fighting youth I was never whipped but once, and that time I started the fight and deserved to be beaten. It has afforded me greater pleasure to see the worthy Saints have well stocked tables with the good things of earth than to have them myself. Well do I remember in my youth, receiving a Thanksgiving turkey from my employer, and on my way home leaving it with a larger family than mine, whose breadwinner had not been so fortunate. We satisfied ourselves with a beef roast and enjoyed it more than we could have done had we retained the turkey, but I do love turkey. [8]

Chapter I I 
PATRIARCHAL 
I had been nurtured in the Patriarchal Law. I believe it earnestly. It seemed to me I had met Father Abraham and been taught at his knees. He had many wives and concubines. Isaac, the son of Sarah, was Abraham's heir apparent, though not his first born, Ishmael coming before him. Early in life I became familiar with the Lord's revelation to His Prophet, Joseph Smith on the subject of marriage. My father had four wives to my knowledge; though one - the first - I never knew in mortality. She died before my birth. My mother was his first plural wife, and her faith and loyalty were, to my mind, perfect. At the tender age of seven or eight I found myself defending my father in his plural life. Two of my older brothers, one his step-son, were making light of his life when I, a mere stripling, took his part and shamed the older boys. Of course, I could at that time know nothing concerning the principle, its social status, or its biological importance, but the fact that my father and mother, noble and grand creatures, were living it was sufficient justification for my endorsement. 
Those were troubleous days. The Federal Government was placing our people in the penitentiary for living the principle. Many were killed by the officers and hundreds of them driven into hiding away from their loved ones. At the age of 12 I was frequently called upon to take plural wives with their babies from one place to another, to hide them from the law. A very sad incident occurred when I was called upon to take a mother with her dead baby to the city cemetery at midnight, where the child was buried away from the sneaking and sensual eyes of the officers. 
The right to motherhood by a husband of her choice is as sacred and positive to me as is the right to fatherhood by the wife of his choice. And if two women choose the same man, and the arrangement is agreeable with him, it is positively nobody's business but their own. This is true whether the parties involved are in or out of the Priesthood authority or the sealing power of Elijah. So that when men attempt to interfere with nature's laws and prescribe marriage under the law or otherwise, they are distinctly out of order and should be penalized, be they Mormon, Jew, Gentile, Athiest, or Heathen. "Whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. 
When Father Adam came to earth, he came as a resurrected and immortal being. He brought with him some of his wives. They became the father and mothers of the human race. Thus the first family was a patriarchal family. That was the order. It is the order of heaven today. All who attain to the Celestial glory must accept the celestial law, one feature of which is plural marriage. To go where Abraham is means that one must live the law of Abraham pertaining to [9] marriage, and not to go where he is means not to go where God is. These principles were burned into my soul in youth - indeed, as I now view it, long before I came to earth in mortality. 
Personally I was brought up in the most puritanical fashion with reference to morality. To lose one's virtue was an offence in the eyes of God next to murder - the shedding of innocent blood. To take advantage of a girl, not one's wife, was a terrible act. I believed this doctrine and I lived it completely - and I still believe it. And now, when I simply state that I am now and always have been a natural polygamist I want my children to know that it was not the call of a sexual urge that made me so; rather the urge of higher impulses calling me to admit the rights of women, and do my part in seeing that every woman who wished to, enjoyed the rights of motherhood. The urge was offspring, not sexual gratification. 
When the Wilford Woodruff "Manifesto" was adopted (October 1890), I was not married. I had been promised in the name of the Lord, by my Stake President, some days after the Manifesto was published, that I would yet enter the law. I believed it. And later, while courting my young lady, I told her I expected to enter that law of marriage; that when the time came I would take it up with her and we would make the selection of other wives together. Although I was taking her out of a plural family, she took the matter quite coolly, but she was true to her promise on that occasion. 
On December ___, 1899, after receiving my "Second Blessings," a messenger came to me from President Snow, stating I had been selected to enter plural marriage and to help keep the principle alive. Apprising my wife of the situation we both entered into prayer for guidance. At this time I hadn't the slightest idea whom to approach. The "Manifesto" had been issued, and word had gone out from Bishops and Stake Presidencies that a definite stop had been put to the practice. Those assuming to enter the principle would be "handled". I was placed in a peculiar situation. God's Prophet told me to accept the law and keep it alive. His subordinates said if I did so, they would cut me off the Church. I could not argue with them and divulge the source of my authority. It was a time when every man was in honor bound to carry his own burdens and yet live every law of the Gospel. 
In answer to prayer, Mary Caroline Hill, a daughter of William Hood Hill, a member of the Mill Creek Ward Bishopric, came within our horizon. She was a beautiful young lady, about 25 years of age; had refused many proposals - had been waiting for the right man. Her father had done time, presumably with my father, in the penitentiary for polygamous living. I was astounded, when asking Brother Hill for the hand of his daughter, to be flatly refused. He said it could not be done; they were handling people for proposing it. I was greatly taken back. I had been at his home, with other Stake and General Officers of the Church on numerous occasions and eaten at his table. I rather took it for granted that he knew my hidden motive in being there so often and thought he was in harmony with it. [10]
I said, "Well, Brother Hill, it can be done, and now the responsibility is upon you. Your daughter is agreeable to the situation." 
The conversation took place in the office where I was employed, in town. He left and in about one half or three quarters of an hour he returned and assured me it was all right and that I might go ahead. Astonished and yet grateful, I asked what had happened to change his mind so quickly. He said after leaving me he "bumped into Apostles John Henry Smith and M. F. Cowley;" he put the question to them. They assured him it was all right and advised him to return to me and give his consent to the marriage. Thus Mary entered into my family in the year 1901. She was "true blue." She gave me 6 children, five daughters and my son, Guy, himself "true blue," and now carrying on my work in a most manly manner. 
Later, I was courting my wife Ellis (R. Shipp). She had been called into Wasatch Stake to introduce kindergarten work; having received her diploma from the University of Utah I had been called to Heber to assist in the clerical work of the stake. It was at this time that President Joseph F. Smith issued his famous statement of 1904, as follows: 
Inasmuch as there are numerous reports in circulation that plural marriages have been entered into contrary to the official declaration of President Wilford Woodruff, of September 24, 1890, commonly called the Manifesto, which was issued by President Woodruff and adopted by the Church at its general conference of October 6, 1890, which forbade any marriage violative of the law of the land, I Joseph F. Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do hereby affirm and declare that no such marriages have been solemnized with the sanction, consent, or knowledge of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I hereby announce that all such marriages are prohibited, and if any officer or member of the Church shall assume to solemnize or enter into any such marriage, he will be deemed in transgression against the Church, and will be liable to be dealt with according to the rules and regulations thereof, and excommunicated therefrom. 
It will be noted that the statement says, "No such marriages have been solemnized with the sanction, consent, or knowledge of the Church" and that those engaging in the same "will be deemed in transgression against the Church." 
The Church having surrendered the principle through accepting the Manifesto, could take no other position; certainly no such marriage could be performed with the consent of the Church without a vote of the Church, "all things being done by common consent in the Church" (D & C Sect 26). But Celestial or plural marriage is not primarily a Church institution. It properly belongs to the Priesthood The Church can do nothing but accept or reject the principles. They first accepted it and later rejected it, which meant the Priesthood must carry on independent of the Church. The law of Celestial marriage is purely a law of the Priesthood as indicated in D & C 132:28, 58, and 61. It was 20 odd years after the [11] revelation was received before it was officially reported to the Church, in 1852; and in the meantime Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, and others, entered the principle obviously without Church authority. They being the Priesthood and the Church being auxiliary to the Priesthood, they needed no Church sanction. Hence, when President Woodruff signed the Manifesto as President of the Church; as President of the Priesthood, a position he held before he became President of the Church, he authorized Anthony W. Ivins to go into Mexico and there continue such marriages in behalf of those whom the Priesthood would send to him. 
This statement of President Smith's, I was afterwards informed, was given to protect Reed Smoot in his seat in the U S. Senate. On two separate occasions I put my situation with Ellis, whom I dearly loved, up to Apostles A. H. Woodruff and Mariner W. Merrill, each of whom told me to release the girl if she wanted to be released; otherwise to stay with her, and all eventually would be well. Later the ceremony was performed and the Lord was with the compact. 
Others came into my family later. I cite the two occasions to show how things were done in those days in the efforts of the Priesthood, to keep the law alive. Incidentally, men other than Brother Ivins were set apart to work in other parts of the country. Since the Church is subservient to the Priesthood, any action taken by it against those entering the law is null and void. A man or woman cannot properly be cut off the Church for keeping a law of God, for the Church belongs to God and God cannot act a lie and remain God. 
It was this situation, then, that confronted me; I was resisting the Church, though I love its institutions. I had always taught my children to follow the Church, and yet I now was resisting it. My blessed children could not understand my position, nor can I blame them, neither could I explain to them the full picture any faster than they were prepared to receive it. For the most part my children have stayed with the Church, and are doing good work therein; while some of them have felt to criticize me, I cannot help it, for I am being directed by the Priesthood of God. 
In the year 1915 an Apostle conferred upon me the sealing power of Elijah, with instructions to see that plural marriage shall not die out. President Snow had said I must not only enter the law, but must help keep it alive. This then, was the next step in enabling me to help keep it alive. I have tried to be faithful to my trust. 
May 14, 1929, I was ordained a High Priest Apostle and a Patriarch to all the world, by a High Priest Apostle, and I was instructed to see that never a year passed that children were not born in the covenant of plural marriage. I was instructed to give patriarchal blessings to those applying for same and who were denied access to real patriarchs in the Church. 
Since a real Patriarch must be abiding in the Patriarchal order, and since the Church has, for some years, been getting rid of all living in that order, it must be difficult to find a real qualified [12] Patriarch in the Church today. The Church having repudiated the very law which made it possible for a member to qualify as a Patriarch, it cannot consistently maintain Patriarchs in its jurisdictions. But we do have these officers who are administering to the Saints according to their "just wants and needs." 
The Sanhedrin, which Joseph organized before his death, comprises 70 members. This is God's voice and authority on the earth. It was this body of men whom Moses brought before the face of the Lord. This body, when properly organized, is presided over by seven Presidents of the Great High Priest Order, the worthy Senior member being the presiding officer and the mouthpiece for the seven. 
The presiding seven of this Presidency is now on earth, I myself, being a member of it. When the voice of the Lord penetrates to the Church, it will be relayed through this Presidency, the Church being a subordinate organization. This order is difficult for the Church to see now, but it will have to come to it. This organization is a Theocracy, receiving its direction and authority direct from God, while the Church is a quasi-Democracy, "all things in it being done by common consents." 
The President of the Church may or may not be the President of the Priesthood. By reason of their seniority In the higher Priesthood calling, Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, each in his turn, became President of the Church, but always their Church calling was subordinate to their Priesthood positions. The greater organizes the lesser - the lesser cannot organize the greater. By authority of his Priesthood Joseph Smith organized the Church and ever after the Church was subject to his direction, because he was President of the Priesthood; a calling above that of the Church. 
My calling is essentially a Priesthood calling. Hence when the Church assumed to cut me off for living one of the laws of God, all that the officers who participated could do, and did do, as I see it, was to cut themselves off, unless they repent and correct their wrongs. President Heber J. Grant so tied himself up with the world in a financial matter, and in matters pertaining to world harmony, that he became rabidly angry at the brethren whose appointment was to keep the Patriarchal order of marriage alive. Over his signature (see TRUTH Vol. 11:32), he said, "I shall rejoice when the Government Officials put a few of these (Polygamists) in the county jail, or the state penitentiary." 
He, with the help of his henchmen arranged with county, state and federal officials to start a crusade in the civil courts against my brethren and me. Their efforts were at first abortive. They first arrested Charles F. Zitting, Abraham Terlink and I believe, Heber Chase Kimball, neither of whom could they convict. The Arizona courts convicted and sent to the state penitentiary, Price W. Johnson and Carling Spencer of Short Creek, but those brethren virtually pled guilty; however, it was known that their arrest came about through the efforts of the local and General Church Authorities. [13]
Later, Rich and Fred Jessop and Grover Cleveland La Baron were arrested on the charge of unlawful cohabitation and tried at St. George. Rich was convicted but his trial was declared void by the State Supreme Court. The other two brethren were found "not guilty." Later, Fred Jessop and Edson Jessop were arrested on the same charge and taken to St. George for trial. The cases of these brethren were finally dismissed without trial, for lack of evidences. 
It was at this time that arch-conspirators against those living and encouraging the living of the law of Abraham, became exceedingly angry. President Grant, who wished to see us in prison was aging; he was sick, nigh unto death. Something must be done, and that quick, to appease the man. The great crusade was arranged for. Men were sent out from the Church to snoop around and get evidence to present in court. The local F.B.I. was drawn upon to gather testimony - an wholly unlawful act, insofar as their efforts were calculated to aid the State to make arrests, and purloin the private papers of the brethren. They were to be assisted by officers from the Sheriff's office and the local police. The most careful plans were lain, that none of the suspects avoid the fathering net. Heavily armed, the officers swooped down upon their victims - men and women - March 7, 1944. Two F.B.I officers and two policemen came to my home near 6 a.m , all heavily armed. They placed me under arrest. I was denied the privilege of calling my attorney. They at once began a search of my office for records. I forebad them touch anything without a search warrant. They had none, but forced me to sit down and watch them as they proceeded in their thievery. I stood upon my constitutional rights, Article IV of the Bill of Rights provides: "The rights of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall be issued upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." 
This search continued until about 11 a.m. when the officers took me to the county jail. Arriving there, I found a large congregation of my brethren, who had also been arrested. Of the Priesthood Council, were John Y. Barlow, myself, Charles F. Zitting, LeGrand Woolley, Louis A. Kelsch, also Guy H. Musser and Rulon T. Jeffs, who afterwards became members of the Councils (Other brethren in Short Creek were arrested but had not arrived at the jail). During the day other charges were preferred against us, until finally we were charged as follows: 
1st, a Federal charge of conspiracy, by placing TRUTH in the mail; that it was obscene, lewd or lascivious. 
2nd, six were charged with violation of the Mann Act, for transporting their wives over the State line on business trips. 
3rd, three were charged with the "Lindberg" kidnapping crime, for conducting a man and his sweetheart over the State line to be married. 
4th, fifteen were charged with unlawful cohabitation under the State statutes. [14]
5th, some thirty-two men and women were charged, under the State statutes, of conspiracy - inducing men and women to break the laws of the State. 
I came within the 1st, 4th, and 5th charges. 
At near 2 p.m the Federal Officers came to the jail, hand-cuffed us in pairs, marched us through the business section to the Federal Court where we plead "not guilty" to the charges against us, after which we were again handcuffed and marched back to the County Jail. The officers must have known that we would have gone without handcuffs, of our own free will; but no, they had to make a public show. The crusade was on, and it was being advertized with avidity. The bracelets hurt Brother Barlow's fat wrists and he finally said, "take it off and I will hold on to it;" they did so and all was well. 
I, with some two or three others, was bailed out that afternoon. It was quite a task to raise bail for over thirty people. We accomplished it in a few days however; my son Guy being in prison the longest. 
We first engaged Attorney Joseph H. McKnight, who assisted us wonderfully in getting our bail bonds fixed up. Then we engaged Attorney Claude T. Barnes; as our Attorney in Chief E. D. Hatch and Knox Patterson. 
Our first move was to disqualify the Federal District Judge, Tillman D. Johnson, on the grounds of prejudice; after which Judge J. Foster Symes, of Denver was appointed to hear the Federal conspiracy case. He promptly dismissed the charges. 
The Mann Act and kidnapping cases were referred to Judge T. Blake Kennedy, of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The defendants submitted a statement of facts indicating that, in the Mann Act case, they transported their wives across the line - they were plural wives, taken under authority of a revelation of the Lord to His Prophet Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church; that whether or not plural marriage was legal, was a State question and that the Federal Court lacked jurisdiction in the matter. 
The Court brought in a verdict of guilty and sentenced the defendants, each to three years in the Federal prison; Heber K. Cleveland, having three charges against him, was sentenced to four years and one day. In this case we lost our appeal to the Federal Circuit of Appeals, and also before the Supreme Court of the United States. In the latter court the Judges were 5 to 4 for conviction. The kidnapping cases were argued a year before in the U.S. Supreme Court and a prompt decision rendered, dismissing the same and freeing the defendants. 
In the two State cases, fifteen defendants plead guilty of unlawful cohabitation, claiming the right to practice plural marriage under the Constitutional guarantee of religious liberty. They were [15] sentenced to five years in the State penitentiary. An appeal taken to the Utah Supreme Court was lost, when we appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which court refused to hear the case. We were in hopes of having this latter court review the case and reverse the early decision (1879) in the George Reynolds case, granting religious liberty, not only in theory but in fact, to those embracing the Mormon faith. However, the crusade had us, which meant the penitentiary. After spending about six months in the "Bug House" eleven of us applied for parole, and received it. We signed the following paper: 
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: 
The undersigned officers and members of the so-called fundamentalist religious group do hereby declare as follows: 
That we individually and severally pledge ourselves to refrain hereafter from advocating, teaching or countenancing the practice of plural marriage or polygamy, in violation of the laws of the State of Utah and of the United States. 
The undersigned officers of the religious group above referred to further pledge ourselves to refrain from solemnizing plural marriages from and after this date contrary to the laws of the land; Dates September 24, 1945. We served seven months in all. 
In being questioned by the Parole Board in a private session, we each confirmed our belief in plural marriage, but promised while on parole we would observe the laws of the State while on the outside, as we were being compelled to do so on the inside. 
The four remaining brethren refused to accept a parole, saying they wanted an unqualified pardon or none at all. Personally, I became quite unwell while incarcerated. The food did not agree with me, neither did the treatment nor the iron cell in which I was encased; though I would have died there rather than renounce my faith. 
* * * * * 
My first editorial in TRUTH after coming out of prison is as follows: 
EDITORIAL THOUGHT 
Profanity clusters with other sins. It is a co-partner with vices of all sorts. It is most prolific in the presence of evil. When I hear a person profane the name of God, I have a strong suspicion that he indulges in other vices. Of all the sins on earth, profanity is the least profitable. No pleasure or reward comes from it and no advantage results. Its major effect is to belittle the user of it without giving him any reward. In all fields of opportunity it is like a stone tied to the body of a drowning man - Governor Herbert B. Maw. [16]
A STATEMENT BY THE EDITOR - J. W. MUSSER 
Declaration of Policy 
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: 
The undersigned officers and members of the so-called Fundamentalist religious group do hereby declare as follows: 
That we individually and severally pledge ourselves to refrain hereafter from advocating, teaching, or countenancing the practice of plural marriage or polygamy, in violation of the laws of the State of Utah and of the United States. 
The undersigned officers of the religious group above referred to further pledge ourselves to refrain from solemnizing plural marriages from and after this date contrary to the laws of the land. 
JOHN Y. BARLOW
I. W. BARLOW 
J. W. MUSSER
ALBERT E. BARLOW 
A. A. TIMPSON
R. C. ALLRED 
EDMUND F. BARLOW
JOSEPH LYMAN JESSOP 
OSWALD BRAINICH
DAVID B. DARGER 
Dated at Salt Lake City, Utah, this 24th day of September, 1945; subscribed and sworn by me the day and year above written. 
GEORGE H. CARMAN, NOTARY 
We publish the above "Declaration of Policy" as it was signed and presented to the Utah State Board of Pardons, that our readers may be fully informed in the promises. 
The statement binds the signers to hereafter refrain from teaching the practice of plural marriage or polygamy, entering into the principle themselves, or solemnizing such marriages, contrary to the laws of the land. It is the sincere intention of the parties involved to adjust and conform their lives and marital conduct to both the letter and spirit of this pledge. 
The Board of Pardons, after careful consideration, granted parole privileges to the ten signers; also to defendant Heber K. Cleveland, who afterwards subscribed orally to the conditions. The parole was effective December 15th, after seven months of prison confinement. Four remaining defendants, for reasons of their own, did not petition the Board for parole. (1945) 
The signers wish it clearly understood that they bear no animosity towards the State law enforcing officials. These men are properly under oath to faithfully enforce the laws on the statute books. They did not place the laws there and are not responsible for their existence. We can only wish that all other laws pertaining to public morals were enforced with equal zeal. 
By way of justification for the action of the parolees the following explanation will not be amiss: [17]
The principle of Celestial or plural marriage, as revealed by God to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as a Priesthood ordinance, was adopted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a tenet in 1852. It was lived and strongly advocated by the leaders of the Church from that time forth, until at the October Conference of the Church, 1890, the Manifesto of Wilford Woodruff was officially adopted, discontinuing the practice as a Church ritual. This action automatically passed the responsibility of keeping the principle alive (if it were to be kept alive) back into the lap of the Priesthood, acting independently of the Church, and to whom the law was originally revealed, it being specifically a law of the Priesthood. (See D & C 132:28, 58, 61 and 64). 
Since the Woodruff Manifesto, and without the sanction of the Church, many of the leading brethren of the Priesthood continued living the law either by continuing in "unlawful cohabitation" with their former wives or by taking additional wives and cohabiting with them. Notwithstanding this situation was generally known, the law enforcing officers apparently winked at it, only bringing two - Heber J. Grant of the quorum of Twelve, and President Joseph F Smith to trial, and that upon the complaint of a bitter anti-Mormon. These men, after pleading guilty, were assessed nominal fines, with no prison terms. 
At the April Conference of the Church in 1931, a more definite stand was taken by the Church under the leadership of President Heber J. Grant, against the further living of this principle of marriage; the Church receiving a pledge by vote from its members, to assist law enforcement officers to root out the practice. 
Since it was quite generally known that leading Church officials continued in the practice without either civil or ecclesiastical interference, this last gesture was not seriously considered by many in the Priesthood who continued abiding in the law. 
From the beginning of the anti-polygamy legislation in territorial days, when hundreds of the brethren were incarcerated in the penitentiary for living polygamously, the offense of "Unlawful Cohabitation" was punishable by a maximum prison term of six months, many receiving lighter sentences. It was then a simple misdemeanor. This penalty passed by re-enactment from the Federal statutes to State Statutes when the people of Utah were granted Statehood. 
In 1935 the State Legislature amended the law, making the act a felony, carrying a maximum prison penalty of five years. This amendment, it was understood, was drafted at the request of President Heber J. Grant of the Mormon Church. Its author was reported as being Hugh B. Brown, President of the Granite Stake of Zion; and was fathered in the House by Lyle B. Nicholes, an officer in the Mormon Church, enacted by a legislative assembly, the majority of whom were Mormons, and signed by Governor Henry H. Blood, a Mormon Stake President, and later President of the California Mission. It was guided through the legislative hopper by a steering committee comprising leading Church officials. It is a matter of record in the court files that men were appointed by the Church leaders to gather evidence to be used by the [18] prosecution in cases against these signers. President Grant had previously stated, over his signature, "I shall rejoice when the Government officials put a few of these polygamists in the County Jail or in the State Penitentiary." Incidentally the defendants were placed in the County Jail (May 12, 1945) one day before the death of the aged President, giving him but a few hours rejoicing over their unfortunate delemma. 
The legislative Act, considering all the circumstances, was looked upon as a Church measure, pure and simple, and is seriously regarded by many lawyers as well as laymen as "Class Legislation" and unconstitutional. 
Anti-polygamy legislation passed by Congress in 1862 and in subsequent years was enacted by an unfriendly Congress in response to the demands of an intolerant citizenry seeking to subjugate a handful of Latter-day Saints residing on the western fringe of the American civilization. These despised people felt the movement a direct and unlawful thrust at their religion. Even the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, upholding the legislation, was regarded by many leading minds of the nation, as unjust and vicious - a surrender to the spirit of mobocracy then mounting high against the Mormons, who were relying upon the constitutional provision that "Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 
The issue, pure and simple, involves the right of Motherhood. Shall every normal woman enjoy the privilege of seeking the blessed rights of motherhood under a sacred marriage covenant to a husband of her choice? It was hoped that with the turn of the century there had been born a broader spirit of toleration; that the archaic laws prescribing freedom of conscience would either be disregarded, repealed or declared unconstitutional. 
As a concrete example, one of the brethren, well advanced over the "three score and ten age," had been cohabiting with more than one woman as his wife upwards of forty-five years. A large family of beautiful children blessed the unions. These children have become useful and respected citizens of both the State and Church; serving the latter in many high and responsible positions. Four of these children enlisted to serve their Government in the late war (World War II); one a corporal in the Marines; one a captain in the Army Air Corps; another, a lieutenant colonel in the Army, and the other a commander in the Navy. One of these children made the supreme sacrifices. Their father was sentenced to serve up to five years in the State Penitentiary for siring them. 
This situation, we had hoped, belonged to the past, and that a more enlightened public would enjoy a broader vision of human endeavors, and exercise a more complete spirit of toleration and justice. Since, however, this shall we say, Utopian Dream, is not to be immediately realized, the parolees involved must bide their time in patience, until a public sentiment can be aroused to place legislation on the statute books allowing all men the privilege of worshipping Almighty [19] God as their consciences shall dictate; provided, of course, such worship interferes with the natural rights of no other person. 
The law of Celestial or plural marriage is eternal. It cannot be nullified as a principle of salvation. All true Latter-day Saints are grounded in this faith. The responsibility of preventing the living of this sacred law in accordance with the commands of God must, from now on, rest upon the shoulders of the persons, organizations, or agencies involved (End of Editorial). 
We were told by the Parole Board we would have to live with our legal wives. We might visit the others and support our children, but we must not live with them. As Rose was my legal wife, but had not lived with me for nearly 20 years, and as my office, records, library, etc., were with Lucy, the mother of my two youngest children, Rose divorced me, thus permitting me to marry Lucy legally and maintain my residence with her. This arrangement was also endorsed by my wife Ellis. Rose made it clear she did not want a temple or priesthood divorce; she wants our relationship to continue in eternity; and, of course, I am supporting her the best I can, as I have always done. 
In our State conspiracy case, after many days of selecting a jury and our trial, we were all convicted and each of us was sentenced to one year in the County Jail. All the crusaders could say was that we held meetings at which plural marriage was sometimes mentioned. One sister played the piano, another took minutes, another testified with reference to the Gospel, etc. We appealed our case to the Supreme Court of the State, and, after a year's delay, the decision was against 18 of us, the others being released. The case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision, as we view it, was wholly unconstitutional. 
We were in the County Jail May 13, 1945, awaiting transfer to the penitentiary. On the 14th President Grant passed from mortal life, one day after his life's dream of seeing us placed behind the bars was realized. It took 17 years for him to realize his unholy hopes. What are his feelings now? It would be interesting to know - many are guessing. We have no enmity in our hearts toward him, but feel well in the conscientiousness of living our religion and obeying God's holy commandment; and we count our prison life a blessing for which we are grateful. 
To complete the record: In 1935, at President Grant's request, Hugh B. Brown drafted a law changing "Unlawful Cohabitation" from a simple misdemeanor with a maximum jail sentence of six months, to a felony, the latter bearing a five year jail sentence. This law was fathered in the legislature by Lyle B. Nicholes, an officer in the Mormon Church, and enacted by a Mormon vote. It was guided through the legislative hopper by a committee comprising General Authorities of the Church. Under the law Abraham, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and even President Grant himself, had lived feloniously, for they were all guilty of living in plural marriage. God, himself, was guilty, for His son Jesus Christ was born by a plural wife. [20]
We apprehend that every person having a hand in placing that law upon the statute books and in prosecuting and imprisoning men and women under it, will some time be told that "inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these my servants, you did it unto me. Ye persecuted and prosecuted me; placed me in prison; scattered my families, broke the hearts of my children, deprived me of making a livelihood for my loved ones, for that is what you did to them." 
Our legal expenses, to date, amount to over $30,000.00, which the Lord, in His great mercy, enabled us to raise; and we consider it a small price to pay for the good which is coming to the work in the experience. The doctrine of Celestial marriage is taking hold of the hearts of the people. A conversion is taking place among the righteous. We are proud to have been instruments in bringing this condition about. 
Being out of prison on parole, enables me to continue with the TRUTH magazine, and other publications, I have in view; already having published the 3rd edition of "Michael, Our Father and Our God" - 2000 copies. The same is now being distributed. 
I am a consistent believer in Patriarchal blessings, and received several of them, the transcripts from which are attached hereto. 
My father preceeded me to the penitentiary by some sixty years. I was then 13 years of age, he 55. In my youthful years I regarded him an old man, and yet I was placed behind the bars at 73 and would have resented being called an old man, although the old timers there soon began to call me "Dad." President Lorenzo Snow was 72 years of age when he was incarcerated. So far as I know I am the oldest man placed behind the bars among the Latter-day Saints for polygamous living. When I was ordained a High Priest Apostle in May 1929, it was done in response to a revelation of the Lord to the President of the Priesthood. Previous to this, however, I was given the Priesthood of Elijah with instructions, as I was informed from President Joseph F. Smith, to seal couples in celestial marriage. (1915) [21]

Chapter I I I 
SOCIAL 
March 1, 1894, I purchased a small home at Forest Dale ($950) on time, and moved in from the First Ward, on the 24th. This was a two room rustic house with a small kitchen attached. It was my first venture in owning a home, and it gave us solid comfort and joy - to think of owning our own home. There, four of my children were raised, until we moved to Heber City in 1902; two sons were born there. 
We fiddled along with oil lamps until June 1901, when Forest Dale was connected with electricity. 
Enjoyed occupying President John R. Winder's box in the Salt Lake Theater on several occasions from 1900 to 1902, through courtesy of his son, William C. Winder. 
After living at Heber City for nearly four years, and being jostled about from house to house, I purchased a brick home from Hannah Giles on April 17, 1906 for $1200. On the 24th the Presidency of the Stake decided that I move onto the Reservation and let the home go. The home was located on the corner of 1st North and 1st West. 
February 15, 1907, I returned to Salt Lake and rented a home in Forest Dale from Stephen H. Love, and moved my furniture there. I afterwards purchased the home. It was located on 7th East between Simpson and Ashton Avenues. We lived there for several years. 
November 1929. A usual day's demand: Tana, my stenographer had a fainting spell at the Dentist's. I rushed down and took her home for a few hours' rest. Went to Yale for wife Ellis; took her to an occulist and back home. At 3 o'clock p.m. took daughter, Ruth, to her dentist, returning her home. At 8 p.m. took Gertrude on an errand. Then I am sometimes chided for not accomplishing more in a financial way. Perhaps some day the eyes of my family will be opened to an appreciation of my struggles. Meantime, I am grateful to the Lord for the strength and opportunity to "carry on" and make the kiddies happy. I hope the Lord will let me go on and meet every reasonable demand. Let other men have their gold and silver, home, yachts, automobiles, Europe, British Columbia, etc. I will take my family and rejoice in the grand and glorious blessings they bring me. 
December 5, 1931, I assisted wife Ellis in her annual sewing bee, which she held for the benefit of the poor children of our circle. As was her usual plan, she procured free cloth from the merchants, sewing machines from the dealers, buttons, ribbons, etc., from the company. Some 14 of her friends were present, cutting and sewing. She provided a splendid luncheon and a great deal of work was accomplished and many families blessed and made happy. [22]
July 15, 1941, we moved Lucy and the two children from 744 East South Temple Street, to 1153 East 3rd Avenue into a home purchased by the Priesthood for $3800. ($350 cash and $38.50 per month at 7% interest). 
President Heber J. Grant, in his excessive zeal to put plural marriages down, after he became president of the Church, made this statement in Conference: "Any person who has entered into plural marriage since the "Manifesto" Is not a credit to any community, and the same may be said of their children." 
I challenge this remark. Three of my children, Ruth, Anna, and Gertrude, each in separate years were rewarded the Heber J. Grant 1st Scholarship prize at the L.D.S. University; Gertrude later receiving the Grant award for high marks and speed in stenography and typewriting. Bertha, drew down the 2nd prize. Brother Grant handed the prizes to the winners personally. Four of the children, Milton, Guy, Samuel, and Bertha, performed missions for the Church at the request of President Grant, and later Helen was assigned to the Hawaiian Mission; one presiding over a Conference, one assisting at the office in London, and one acting as assistant editor of the Millennial Star. Four of these polygamous children served in World War II; one a Captain in the Navy; one Lieutenant Colonel in the Army; one Captain and Squadron Leader in the Army Air Corp; one in the Marines (Corporal). Captain Samuel Musser in the Air Force gave his life in the cause in Arabia. 
In scholastic attainments Anna scored in Art in the University of Utah. I copy from the Salt Lake Tribune (3/23/26): "Anna Musser, senior art student at the University of Utah, has been asked to report before the art examining board of the Carnegie Institute at New York, to determine her eligibility for an art scholarship Miss Musser will appear with other regional winners of the examination held last month in San Francisco by the regional board of the Institute. The scholarship makes provision for study in Europe and has for its purpose the raising of the standard of art at the University of Utah, under Professor J. T. Harwood." 
All the children, 19 adults, have common school education; several having their diplomas from the University of Utah; two from Berkeley, California, and two, Milton and Ellis, from Washington, D.C. 
Were these children, all of polygamous parentage consummated after the "Manifesto," a credit to their communities? [23]

Chapter IV 
BUSINESS 
March 9, 1893, received commission as Notary Public from Governor Arthur L. Thomas. Continued my commission as such for many years. 
August 1, 1897, began working under R. S. Campbell, manager of Union Light and Power Company; a company that absorbed the five power companies then existing In Salt Lake City and Ogden. I became Assistant Secretary George Q. Cannon was President. One of these companies, the Ogden Light and Power Company was promoted by Frank J. Cannon. He induced the Church to go security for $1,500,000 borrowed from one Mr. John J. Banigan of Rhode Island. After spending the entire capital, Mr. Cannon's scheme was only partly finished, and no money left to go on, hence the amalgamation of the several companies The guarantee to Mr. Banigan plagued the Church. It drew $9,000 interest annually. The Church was without credit, and its funds were very low. Mr. Banigan died and his estate was handling the matter. 
President Cannon made an effort to exchange bonds and stock in the new company for the Banigan debt, but little progress was made during the life of Mr. Banigan. Finally, after the death of Mr. Banigan, Attorney LeGrand Young went East and succeeded in making the turn and received the Church guarantee for cancellation. This was a great worry lifted from the shoulders of President Wilford Woodruff and associates. 
In 1901, I was made Secretary and Treasurer of the Diamond Salt Company, and deposited $8,000 in McCormick's Bank for the company at instance of John M. Cannon. We are harvesting salt this year. 
December 28, 1900, elected Secretary and Treasurer of the defunct Utah and California Railroad Company, of which the late Abraham H. Cannon was Treasurer. My business was to wind up the affairs of the company for the Church, which I proceeded to do. 
September 6, 1892, was elected Secretary and Treasurer of Palantic Mining and Milling Company, a corporation that, due to the demonetization of silver, gave up the struggle. 
May 1905, assisted Joseph R. Murdock, by appointment, in examining reservoir sites and water facilities on the upper Weber and Provo River courses. We spent several days in the canyons, also examining Utah Lake, taking measurements of water, etc. We examined several reservoir sites, being assisted by Moses Taylor of Summit Stake, Able John Evans, et al., of Utah Stake, and we made our report to President William H. Smart of Wasatch Stake. 
We received little encouragement due to the great expense in diverting the waters and of reservoiring them. The Government is, at the [24] present time, fostering the "Deer Creek Reservoir and Dams," and the Echo dam was completed some year ago, with Government funds. These were two projects we examined and approved as feasible. 
July 1905, was appointed by the Wasatch Stake Presidency, with Joseph R. Murdock, to locate applicants for the land on the Uintah Indian Reservation, which was being thrown open to the public, our purpose being to get our people favorably located. We opened up offices at Vernal and on August 28, assisted by R. S. Colbett, began locating People on desirable acreages. 
One of my early ventures in private business, May 1908, was the organization of the Lubra-Oils Manufacturing Company, taking over processes in lubrication and leather oils of Father C. J. Gustaveson. Our goods were manufactured in a small building we purchased in North Salt Lake City. 
After several months operations, turning out "Duck-back" shoe and harness oils, "Ne-melto" axle greases and other goods. We found it difficult to build or obtain a standard base of oils to suit our purposes, and we decided to build a small refining plant in order to supply our factory with suitable stocks. This led to the organization of the present Utah Oil Refining Company, which eventually absorbed the Lubra-Oil Manufacturing Company. We started with a capacity of about 25 barrels per day. The plant is now turning out ____ barrels per day. It has proved a gigantic success. 
In the fall of 1920, I was employed In locating oil lands in connection with D. H. Gustaveson. We took O. M. Simon and son Charles, of Paris, France, over Uintah County. Examined the large shale beds near Watson, also the sand outcroppings near Vernal. We next went up Diamond Fork Canyon examining the structures and oil outcroppings up Thistle and Diamond Fork. Also accompanied Mr. J. L. Bock and A. Mathot, from Brusselles, Belgium, over oil and coal lands of Eastern Utah. Some considerable money was invested in our interests by those gentlemen. However, in the absence of drilling operations, little or no progress was made toward the discovery of commercial oil. These interests in the oil and shale lands, I presume, are still intact. 
Also investigating and going over iron claims of Messrs. Potter and Halliday, including coal and oil lands. The iron in Iron and Beaver Counties looked good, but we were ahead of the times. We made some locations, but nothing came of them. 
March 1929, I accepted a place on the Board of Directors of the Smoke-Less Fuel Company, Joseph R. Murcock being President. We were developing the Hayes process of turning coal into coke for smokeless fuel. We were again ahead of the times. 
I have repeatedly been asked my opinion on the Koyle Dream Mine in Spanish Fork Canyon and have invariably answered, "My mission, at the present time, is not in the mining business. If the Lord has given Brother Koyle, whom I consider an honest man, a mission in finance, all well and good I know nothing of it, and have never been impressed to acquire stock in the enterprise." [25]
While in Wasatch Stake, 1901-1906, acting as Stake Clerk and Tithing Clerk, I assisted in organizing the Bank of Heber City, and became the cashier of the Bank. Organized the Smart and Webster Livestock Company for President Smart, as a large farming and sheep industry. Assisted in organizing the Wasatch Real Estate Development Company, capital $500,000, and became manager of it. Purchased, on behalf of the Stake, the Wasatch Wave Publishing Company, and edited the Wasatch Wave, a weekly publication. Took over the unfinished canal of the Timpanogas Irrigation System, and was secretary of it. Purchased the R. W. Glenn's Mercantile Store at Wallsburg, and organized the Wallsburg Mercantile Company. Helped to organize the Heber Mercantile Company, taking over the Mark Jeffs business with other properties. Organized the Duchesne Irrigation Company, the Rocky Point Ditch Company, and the Pioneer Irrigation Company, on the Uintah Reservation. 
Sometime after returning to Salt Lake in 1906, I engaged in the real estate business, being manager of the Inter-Mountain Realty Company. During the slump following World War I, this business went to the wall. From a bank inventory of assets of $50,000, all at once we found ourselves about $50,000 in arrears. 
Helped to build and become half owner of the "Oil Villa," corner 13th South and State Street, and in 1922 I became General Manager of the Gustaveson Oil Company. We afterwards changed the name to the Diamond Oil Company, drilling for oil in Diamond Fork Canyon; later we purchased the shallow wells of the Dixie Oil Company, at Virgin Utah, where we built a refinery, and drilled several wells, selling our product to the Continental Oil Company. 
While working for this company and after several years of faithful service, my directors decided to let me out for a new management. This action stung for awhile, for I had given all there was in me for the company's advancement. While not engaged in raising money to meet expenses I was manager, and the entire burden of financing fell upon me. I had very efficient help in John Shewell, an aged brother who gave me every assistance of which he was capable, until he, too, turned against me and voted my retirement, my position being taken by his son, Harold. A complaint of the stockholders was that I had been un-churched for polygamous living and had been spending my evenings at camp, writing a religious books The book turned out to be "The New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage." 
Nor did either my friend Shewell or myself know at the time how blessed I was in being dismissed. The action immediately freed me to devote my entire time to my Priesthood calling, editing books and finally starting the TRUTH magazine, which work has kept me very busy ever since. (Incidently the TRUTH is now (1948) in its 14th year. I have never missed an issue, nor has it ever been behind in the payment of its bills. It began as a twelve page pamphlet; and is now 28 pages). And I have now learned the impotency of money; how weak and inadequate it is in bringing peace and contentment to a restless soul. [26]
September 20, 1901, President Frank Taylor prophesied that I would be a leader in Israel. 
Apostle Rudger Clawson, in setting Joseph W. Musser apart as a High Councilor in Uintah Stake, 1903 stated: "The eye of the Lord is upon you. Your labors have been accepted and the Lord has approved your course, and because of your integrity, the blessings for which you now seek shall be yours, and you will accomplish the things your heart is upon. This was fully and literally accomplished. 
January 3, 1897, Ellas S. Kimball, President of the Southern States prophesied that Joseph W. Musser will sometime become a great man in the eyes of the Lord, unless he rebels and fights the Lord. 
May 5, 1913, Rudger Clawson said: "Brother Musser, the Lord bless you. He will bless and prosper you in your undertakings. You will be blessed and the day will never come when you will want for bread. You will be exalted in the Celestial Glory of God, if you remain faithful." 
Patriarch John M. Murdock: "Your family will raise up and bless you because of your kindly and fatherly teachings, and you will be able to lead them into the Celestial Kingdom of God." 
Patriarch John Duke: "Thou will stand upon Mt. Zion with that 144,000 that shall stand as Saviors of men. Thou art a discerner of Spirits. Your brethren will come often to you for council." 
August 14, 1934, my brother Barr related to me, how mother was worried over a Patriarchal blessing given her years previously, in which she was promised that one of her sons would attain to the Apostleship. Since Joseph had been handled by the Church and Don and Burton had rejected the Gospel entirely, and himself (Barr) was not very active, she could not see the accomplishment of the promise, and she was despondent and disappointed. She was not aware of the fact that her son Joseph had received the Apostleship notwithstanding the action taken by the Church attempting to excommunicate him. 
A tribute from my mother-in-law, Dr. Ellis R. Shipp, M.D., which is found in a copy of her LIFE LINES, in the hands of Ellis Jr., and which I prize most highly. She, like myself, has had a thorny path to tread: 
"Dear Joseph,
I wish you a most happy Xmas 
The nearest a part of myself 
Life's little things can be 
Is this book I have written, 
And my love unspoken - 
And I send them not to thee 
And with these, my appreciation of 
knowing a man above most men. 
God bless you for all you do to make 
brighter for your loving Mother, 
Joseph W. Musser, with the love of the author." [27]

Chapter V 
POLITICAL 
Early in life I took part In the bitter eruptions then in vogue between the People's and the Liberal parties. The former expressed the politics of the Church, while the latter was comprised of bitter enemies of the Church. The Mormons being largely In the majority, both in Salt Lake City, and throughout the Territory, they for many years held the political positions in Utah. 
We young fellows, scarcely in our "Teens," formed the marching clubs. In quasi military uniforms and with oil torch-lights, preceding the elections. We marched to the strains of marshal music, up and down Main Street (before the justice of our cause.) The Liberals, of course, did the same, except they were generally older and added whiskey to their human radiators, and became very boisterous. Approaching these elections, street meetings were held and various demonstrations made, not infrequently ending in all-round fist fights. 
The Liberals finally took Tooele (A mining camp) and Ogden (A railroad town) and, in 1890, by stuffing the ballot boxes, they took over the principle offices in Salt Lake and other Utah cities. Then began an orgie of spending, principally at the expense of the Mormons, who largely owned the best properties and were more heavily taxed. Some of the spending, however was good, laying the foundation for our present paved streets. The Liberals built the City and County building as it now stands, but at an enormous expense and malfeasance in office. 
Following this defeat, the People's party disbanded advising its members to henceforth divide on national party lines - Democratic or Republican. In the company of my father, I attended the meeting where this action was taken. It was held in the Social Hall on State, between South Temple and 1st South Streets. We were admitted to the meeting by special officers appointed to keep uninvited guests away. I afterwards learned it was a meeting of the Legislative body of the Kingdom of God. Why I was admitted I did not know, but afterwards learned that my father was a member of that Council, and through his influence I attended the meeting. 
As many of the Liberals, too, joined the national parties, the move left them no choice other than to disband their party. They did so, the bulk of them joining the Republican party, while the Mormons generally joined with the Democrats. This arrangement practically resurrected the two old contending parties; until on the advice of our leaders many "flopped" over into the Republican Party, and thus the difficulty was met and largely overcome. 
By nature I was a Democrat - a "Free Trader." My political philosophy was to do away with high tariffs, and let the nations deal with [28] each other as they choose to do. With the American intellect I figured we could invent machinery and ways and means, and greatly outmatch our low wage competitors across the sea, and to the south. We would manufacture more goods per man, raise more livestock and get better results from our farming, thereby equalizing the cost and wage situation. 
I delivered my first political speech for Democracy November 14, 1893, at Centerville, Utah, with John M. Cannon and Judge Alexander McMaster. We walked home (Cannon and myself) that night 14 miles, and on November 7, 1893, I cast my first vote. It was a city election. 
March 10, 1892, I was appointed Fish and Game Commissioner for the Territory of Utah, by Governor Arthur L. Thomas, succeeding my father, who had held the office several years, but who had become disqualified by reason of his polygamous life. He could not subscribe to the "test oath". However, I appointed Father my deputy and he continued in the administration of the offices. 
October 6, 1897, President Wilford Woodruff prophesied In the name of God that the time had come when the mouths of himself, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, his counselors, and members of the Quorum of Twelve, must not be closed on political and temporal matters; that if the members of the Church desired to be blessed and prosper they must come together in their business affairs, and also must appoint (choose) good men to take charge of municipal affairs and political affairs, generally of a local nature throughout the State; Utah having become a State January 4, 1896. (See Journal No. 4, p. 49) 
November 6, 1900, I voted my first presidential ticket - choosing a mixed ticket, whom I felt were the best men. I supported William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt for President and Vice-President, George Sutherland and James H. Moyle for Congressmen. It was generally a Republican victory throughout the country. I was elected Justice of the Peace on a Democratic ticket, for Districts 86 and 87 (Sugar House and Forest Dale), having been placed on the ticket against my wishes. 
September 5, 1901, President McKinley was assassinated and Theodore Roosevelt became President. I then began to realize the wisdom of my vote for a Republican President. Roosevelt was a living dynamo, honest, brave, and progressive. He became the most outstanding President, to my mind, since Lincoln, and in many respects, topped Lincoln. I learned later he was a member of the Kingdom of God, but in secret, as he would not have been allowed to function had the people known his religious standing. 
November 8, 1901, I assisted in incorporating Forest Dale into a town. Was secretary of the meeting. Our purpose was to keep taxes down. Joseph W. Summerhays was elected President, with B. W. Ashton, Patrick Ryan, Royal B. Young and John M. Cannon as additional Trustees. 
February 19, 1902, I resigned as Justice of the Peace, having accepted a call to Wasatch Stake to work ecclesiastically. [29]
August 2, 1902, being convinced that the Republican party would do more for the prosperity of the nation, I formally joined that party and began working for it. 
August 1904, I attended the State Republican convention and was made Vice-Chairman, and a member of the State Central Committee. 
November 8, 1904, voted for Theodore Roosevelt for President and John C. Cutler for Governor of Utah. Both were elected. 
June 2, 1905, was elected Secretary of Good Roads Convention, a national organization. The Convention was being held at Salt Lake City. 
October 1905, having been appointed from Washington "Chief Ranger of South Addition of the Uintah Forest Reserve," by request of Senator Reed Smoot, I declined the appointment, as he feared my family affairs would reflect upon him and cause trouble in political circles. 
September 1906, I was selected by the Republicans to run for County Commissioner for Wasatch County. John E. Austin ran as State Representative. I allowed my name on the ticket to help elect Austin, and I campaigned for him. I was elected while he lost by one vote. 
November 23, 1906, I was appointed Public Roads Correspondent by James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 
October 2, 1911, attended Public Lands convention at Denver, Colorado, and was appointed Secretary of the Committee on permanent organization. Was one of four appointed to escort President William H. Taft into the Convention Halls. In addressing the convention the President espoused our cause but stated he was powerless to help as the Congress was not with him, with reference to the good roads movement. 
November 11, 1929? Armistice Day. Reflections on Peace: I copy from my Journal No. 12, p 121: "Armistice Day." The world dreams of peace. Peace will come, but wickedness must first go. The wicked will slay the wicked. The world must repent and accept Jesus Christ before the dream of peace can be realized. But present movements are tending to that end. The more men dream of peace the more desirable the boon becomes in their hearts, and the more they will work for it. When peace finally comes there will not be many left in the world to enjoy its fruits, for the wicked - those who love and make a lie, the blasphemers, murderers, adulterers, thieves, etc., will have been destroyed. Then peace shall shine forth from the mountain tops and shall gladden the vallies, and men's hearts shall rejoice and righteousness will reign supreme. 
Under date of January 21, 1930, I recorded from Journal No. 12, p. 121: "King George of England talked over radio at 3 p.m. our time, introducing various delegates to the Peace Conference, now in session in London. Secretary Stinson is the U S. delegate. All are talking [30] peace; but the Lord said that unless the people repented and accepted the Gospel, they should have no peace. And I prophesy that there will not be peace until the nations have been broken up and the wicked destroyed. 
It was wonderful to hear the voice of the King of England throughout America over the radio. What wonders God hath wrought! 
March 5, 1933. Bank holiday declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt until the 10th. The Governor of Utah had already closed the banks of Utah until the 7th to save a general financial crash. 
At the last November election Mr. Roosevelt was elected President on the Democratic ticket. I voted for him. There was a Democratic landslide. 
September 1926, I prepared an "Open Letter" addressed to the President of the U.S., the Cabinet and the Congress, on the Constitutional rights of the Mormons, a copy of which follows: (This letter was published in the TRUTH magazine, copy of which is being mailed to each of the members of Congress in Washington) See TRUTH, October 1, 1936. [31]

Chapter VI 
FAMILY REMINISCENCES 
June 29, 1892, Rose Selms Borquist was married to me in the Logan Temple. We rented two rooms in the residence of my parents, in the First Ward. Bought a few articles of furniture, borrowed a cookstove that was not in use, and set up housekeeping. She was a beautiful bride, highly talented and of an artistic nature. She became a worthy mother of eight beautiful children - all talented, sound, and capable. Her children in the order of their birth are: 
Rose Jr.
Ruth 
Joseph B.
Bertha 
Mae Loraine
Anna 
Neil B.
Gertrude 
April 22, 1893, Rose Jr. was born, and how we rejoiced at her advent! A spark from heaven. 
August 1, 1894, my brother, Don C. W. Musser returned from his mission to Germany; the latter part being spent in presiding over the Turkish Mission. He was gone 3 and 1/3 years. 
August 4, 1894, attended baptism of my brothers, Burton and Orson, performed by Don in the River Jordan, at the George Q. Cannon farm. I confirmed Burton and Father confirmed Orson. 
July 24, 1895, while I was on my mission to the Southern States, I received word of the birth of my first son, Joseph. How I rejoiced! I received word of it on the 29th; however, he had a struggle for life from the beginning. His life was despaired of. My mail was tardy in reaching me and I had all kinds of misgivings; weaknesses of the flesh, to doubt the wisdom of the Lord and worry. Was I not in His service, and did not Joseph belong to him? Nevertheless I worried. Dear Rose, his mother, was struggling at home, and I, helpless and alone, some 3000 miles away - well. It was difficult for me to go on. Finally I took my troubles to Father. I asked Him how the child fared. He gave me a dream. I was at home on a visit from my mission. Entering the bedroom of my precious wife, I saw the child lying calmly on its mother's breast, feeding. The mother looked up and in a sweet calm smile said, "He is better now; he is going to live." With a prayer of thanksgiving in my heart I awoke, relieved. In a few days a letter came, written the next day, after the night of my home visit, saying that during the night he took a positive change for the better, and there was no need for further worry. My rejoicing was beyond expression. My prayer was answered and my offering accepted. Again I had learned that Father answers the prayers of those who trust in Him. Joseph served in the recent war as a Lieutenant, a Commander, and then as a Captain in the Navy, with headquarters at Pearl Harbor. [32]
May 1, 1898, Mae Loraine was born; a beautiful and lovely child. Her brother, Neil, came to town July 19, 1899. They were both "bottle" children, and how they punished their parents-up at all hours fixing their milk, etc., but we rejoiced to have them, and they grew to be wonderful children. Neil graduated at Annapolis and was sent to the Boston School of Technology by the Government, to study Ship Architecture. While he missed service in World War I, he performed Naval duties throughout the world as 1st Lieutenant. 
Receiving a written invitation from President Lorenzo Snow, to receive my "Higher Annointings" in the Temple, my wife and I, with four other couples repaired to the Temple on Thanksgiving morning, November 1899, where the most glorious blessings known to man were sealed upon us. We literally spent a few hours as in heaven 'mid the glorious calm and quiet of our holy surroundings. We were near the Lord and Oh! how happy! I was only 27 years of age and wondered why so young a person should be so favored, for we were being sealed with the "Holy Spirit of Promise." 
In the course of a few weeks, as related previously, word came from President Snow that I had been chosen to take more wives, and help keep the law of Celestial marriage alive among the Saints. This was a distinct shock to me, as we had been given to understand that to attempt such a move would mean excommunication from the Church. The Manifesto of 1890 forbade it. But word came from headquarters. I must obey. I did so by marrying Mary Caroline Hill, a most beautiful daughter of Bishop William Hood Hill, of Mill Creek Ward. 
I was now living in the fullness of Celestial Marriage, as I understood it, and I could see myself growing in the work of the Lord. Mary's son, Guy, is following in his father's foot-steps. He is clothed with the Higher Order of the Priesthood. He is loyal, true, and sound in my absence he is the Patriarchal head of my family. 
At the time I was stepping up the ladder of progress, my brother Don left the faith and announced his apostacy. This was a fearful blow to both Father and me. All our efforts to disuade him were in vain. He now lives in California. He is a brilliant writer; has many redeeming qualities, but has been unsuccessful in all his undertakings. 
April 6, 1903, Father's children, with his sanction and help, organized the Musser Genealogical and Biographical Association of Utah, with the following officers: 
Dr. Parley P. Musser
President 
Annie Musser Sheets
Vice President 
St. Joseph W. Musser
Secretary 
Frederick S. Musser
Treasurer 
William S. Musser
Asst. Secretary 
I greatly regret that due to my family associations, members of the family have pulled away from me, and the association has not carried on. I yet hope it will go on to a final success; but I cannot give up my religion to satisfy the family. [33]
March 8, 1922, I copy from my journal (No. 10, pp. 85, et seq.): This happens to be my 50th birthday. Much has transpired during 50 years. The world is moving faster. As a "kid" I watched the tortoise movements of the oxteams with great wonderment, and now we flit back and forth from town to town, and State to State by automobile; almost as a butterfly going from flower to flower; 40, 50, and 60 miles per hour, and we are even adopting flying. The daily air mail passes over our home every morning about 8 o'clock, headed East. Our messages to New York used to be dispatched by "pony express" taking weeks for a return answer. Now the telegraph brings a reply even from across the water, in a few minutes or hours, and we get almost instantaneous service by phone with all parts of the world. 
As a lad it was a treat to attend the theater two or three times a year; now for a few cents one can go at almost any hour during each day of the year and witness a star performance. 
I remember the "flint-lock" musket and the powder and shot horn; now guns shoot 75 miles to kill, and war is being conducted from the air and from the floor of the ocean more than on land, with fire, smoke, gas, and terrible explosives, where 50 years ago men stood face to face with sword and musket. 
I have read by the light of pine knots, tallow dip, and the lonely tallow candle, then the more up-to-date kerosene lamp; now we touch a button and turn night into day - do our washing, cooking, and heating by the electric current generated by the mountain streams, streams that used to work havoc in the settlements during the spring thaws; even this agency is not sufficient as men are coaxing the current from the air and have begun solving the secrets of radium. 
Our food and clothing comes from all parts of the world. My hat was made in Austria, the silk in my socks came from Japan, while the dye stuff in my clothes is a product of Germany, and the wool came from the United States and Australia. Paper from the tree to the published magazine is made in 24 hours. It took my father weeks and weeks to travel 1000 miles, from the Missouri to Utah, and it took me less than three days to go 2500 miles, from Utah to New York. 
And thus it goes. The list is endless. Just now men are striving to overcome gravity by making an airplane stand still in the air, while Edison is endeavoring to communicate with the spirit world by the use of a contrivance he has invented. 
And yet the more men learn it would seem the greater the crime wage - the greater the pride and vanity. Humility is fast vanishing; and in all the boasted culture and advancement they talked of Christianity and brotherly love. When the First World War broke out, in an hour - so to speak - mankind became raving maniacs in crime and brutality. They sank below the beasts of the jungle. I doubt such crimes as were committed in the name of war have ever before been known. And since the terrible war - what? The crime wave has increased until today, murder, rapine, and human carnagies; almost as common among human beasts as among the animals of the wilds that kill to eats. Murder, adultery, robbery and all kinds of sin are on the increase. [34]
Because of the wickedness of man "peace" has been taken from the earth and the Devil is given power over his own dominions. Sons and daughters of Zion, steeped in sin, are continually sinking lower and the Lord is bringing his work to a close, in order to save the few to are trying to serve Him. We are not done with pestilences, famines, earthquakes, and all the devastating forces of nature. But few will be spared, when the Lord winds up His work - only those who stand in "Holy Places." 
The scoffer may scorn and the fair daughter seek her lustful pleasure, but the end is near at hand that Isaiah spoke of, pertaining to the purification of the daughters of Zion. People are now crying, "Peace, Peace," but there shall be no peace. Even the hearts of the children are turned against their parents, and parents against their children, and the whole world is a terrible confusion - the blind trying to lead the blind. Religion is commercialized. God is mocked, virtue outraged, sin exalted, and the great winding up scene is nearing. 
My own life has been filled with adventure and events. Religiously I have held responsible positions in six different stakes in Zion, and have preached the Gospel in many of the States of the Union, and have had charge of the East India Mission from home. I have championed Mormonism from every angle; have accepted the revelations of Joseph Smith on the subject of Celestial and plural marriage - must I say it - even against the body of the Church, and in opposition to the laws of my country; and now I find myself expelled from the Church, and a virtual out-cast from its functions and benefits. Strange, but true, and yet my heart is filled with gratitude for my wives and my 19 beautiful children (now, as I write, 21) Oh!! How I praise God for His most wonderful blessings, and how grateful I an that the invitation came to me, as a young man, twenty years ago, to embrace the principle of plural marriage. I was assured it was of God and that His blessings would follow the law's acceptances. 
God has blessed me wonderfully. My wives are all splendid, intellectual and charming women; one of them being a graduate of the Columbia University, New York. One of my sons filled a 4« year mission in the Hawaiian Islands; another is completing a course under Government supervision in the "Boston Tech" in naval architecture and construction; two daughters are at the University of Utah; three in high school and seven in grade schools. I have three grandchildren, and what's more, all my children seem to love me and stand by me, at the same time, most of them are active in the Church. 
God be praised for such wonderful blessings, and may I live to more thoroughly merit His goodness day by day. The storm and strife will one day be over and we will all be judged by a just God. 
Financially I have had my ups and downs. Married first on $40.00 per month. Second marriage $100.00; third marriage $125.00; and fourth marriage $500.00 Left a salaried job in Salt Lake to assist in Church work in Wasatch Stake in 1901. President Smart, whom I went to assist, had promised a substantial opportunity in connection with his business. The business did not materialize, and I found myself [35] back in Salt Lake five years later, and at a salary of $200.00 per month; Chief Clerk and assistant Secretary in the Utah Light and Railway Company. 
About 1906 I bid farewell to a salaried position and started on my own by promoting the Lubra-Oils Manufacturing Company, which shortly evolved into the Utah Oil Refining Company; also a company for the handling of sugar device, both of which proved successful and are now paying dividends, but neither of which I was able to stay with, because of the necessity of selling my holdings to obtain funds to support my large family. I then entered the real estate business and in 1914 my business assets amounted to some $50,000, according to the bank estimate. The war came and in SIX months I was $50,000 in the hole. I was bankrupt, lost my Forest Dale home and was on the rocks. People seemed to kick me down further at every opportunity. I squirmed and struggled, going from one thing to another. At this time my wife Ellis rolled up her sleeves and began to assist me to get out from under. Mary and her children were working on the farm, practically self-sustaining, and Loraine and Ruth helped at the "Dale." Joseph was on a mission and Neil in the Navy. The Church assisted to the tune of $25.00 per month for six months, and with all this help I finally swung clear, so that now I have paid practically all my old debts and am better off than ever before in assets accumulated. We reclaimed our Forest Dale home. But oh, what a struggle! It has been terrific and more than my natural strength could have stood but for the help of my loved ones, whom a kind God gave me. 
And now at 50, about half my life! With all the hard knocks and experiences, I ought to accomplish something worthwhile in the next 50 years. I am going to try. I am not wedded to a commercial life. Don't like it. I dislike scheming and sweating for the almighty dollar. My ambitions are: 
1.
To serve my maker in whose charge I am, and to whom I owe all I am or ever expect to be. 
2.
To spend the balance of my life, so far as possible, in journalistic work, fighting for the social reclamation of God's sons and daughters. 
3.
To look after Temple work for my relatives and friends who may need my services. 
And to accomplish these things, along with such other labors as the Lord may direct, I am pledging the best that is in me. My business matters I want to get in shape as quickly as possible, so as to do the larger things. 
May God help me to make the remainder of my life useful in His service, and with such a measure of success that at the end it may be said of me, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into my rest," and may I enter into that rest in the only logical way - with every member of my family at my side. 
When Father was in prison in 1885, for unlawful cohabitation, he permitted a group of criminal prisoners to attach themselves to him. He taught them many good habits and to some he taught the Gospel. They [36] were designated by the guards and other prisoners as "Musser's Horse Thieves." Rather a doubtful compliment, and yet quite a fitting ones Father did much good for the discipline of the Institution, and the lives of many were improved through his association. 
May 1929, my daughter Bertha, looking for flowers and wild life in City Creek Canyon, was attacked by a human beast who tried to assault her. She fought him off. He finally hit her in the head with a rock and threw her into the stream to drown. She revived long enough to grasp some willows and drag herself out of the water, where she was later discovered and taken to the Emergency Quarters for treatment. Thanks to God she revived and recovered. She had offered her life for her virtue and she won. The beast has not been apprehended. Bertha has since married a widower with two children. She herself is the mother of one son. 
June, 1929, my wife Ellis, though a tithe payer and in good standing in her ward, was barred from the Temple to see her daughter Ellis married. The Church accepts her tithing, offerings, and other help but refuses her the right to worship. What hypocrisy! 
September, 1929, my daughter Ruth, underwent her ninth operation at the LDS Hospital. The poor, precious child has been terribly maltreated by the medical professions. I am opposed to hospitals and operations. I have promised the Saints of my group that if they will live the Gospel, keeping the commandments of the Lord from now on, they will never again have to see the inside of a hospital or have the services of a doctor, except in child bearing. When the doctor advised an operation for Ruth I opposed it. The Bishop, who had assisted in excommunicating me for plural marriage, advised her to go ahead and have the operation. He said, "God has given man scientific knowledge of how to heal the sick and we should patronize them, etc." 
The doctors finally killed my daughter. I rejoice she is out of her misery. She was a beautiful spirit, always spreading sunshine and hope. Never complaining. She is my eternal child. 
September 6, 1929, I recorded the following in my Journal, (No. 12:79) Trying to get a home for wife Rose and "kiddies". Helping to get wife Ellis and Joe off for Mills tomorrow. Going to Murray after a lawnmower for wife Mary. Working in office for bread and butter for all my "kiddies" and yet my wife * * * * * says I am not doing my full duty and complains. Steel, no matter how finely tempered will break. I feel that I am strained to the limit. But all will come out in the wash. 
And do I love my wives. They are more precious to me than all the riches of earth. And I do know that I provoke them to anger at times. But I love them. 
A poem written by daughter, Anna, after a meeting of the stockholders of the Diamond Oil Company, of which I was manager, and at which time I took some of them to task. [37]
Tall as Mormon, and as fine, 
Stands my father, mighty man. 
He hauls stars that burn and shine, 
Blocks roads with his caravan. 
Drags the loads of other men, 
Over rides their fears and bars. 
Some revere and honor him, 
Some would nail him to his stars. 
Such a high white brow he has, 
Eyes deep under dark divine, 
Haggard often, yet he is 
Tall like Mormon, straight and fine. 
In February 1930, my daughter Bertha writes from her mission field, Spokane, Washington: "You are certainly a brick. Although you are always so cheerful and making others so hopeful, you certainly must be terribly discouraged at times. You are probably the living example of Paul's words when he said, "We endure all things." There aren't many things you haven't had to endure. There aren't many who could go through all you have. It would have killed them off. Anyway I want you to know I love and admire you." 
Such words coming from Bertha are most encouraging. They make it desirable to continue on the up-hill climb. 
In the Deseret News of February 5, 1930, I learned that my son-in-law, Francis R. Kirkham, studying law at the George Washington University, Washington D.C. has been recommended for the Ordroneaux prize, which is awarded each year to the third year student who has achieved the highest scholarship average in law and school. Last year he received the Phi Delta Prize, the highest award for scholarship, and this year he had been certified to receive the gold scholarship key of Delta Theta Phi law fraternity, of which he is a member. 
March 8, 1930. On my 58th birthday I wrote: I feel young in spirit, but not as supple in body as I have been. My life has been filled pretty much with experiences; active since a boy in Church and other works. Have 19 children given me of the Lord, all living and most of them making good. The Church withdrew fellowship from me because of my active adherence to the principle of plural marriage, but I have a definite testimony of the truth and am seeking to live in accordance with the Gospel as the former Apostles and as the Spirit of God interprets it to me. I teach my children to pray for and sustain the Authorities. I attend my meetings and am honestly trying to "Love my neighbor as myself." My crime (?) appears to be in having too many children and upholding the principle responsible for such a predicament, and yet my children are active in the Church, and are being broadly acclaimed as useful members of the Church and useful citizens in the community. How can this be? Will a corrupt fountain bring forth pure water, or a wicked tree bring forth good fruit? I love the Gospel. I do not endorse all that President Grant does, and many things about him I cannot admire; and yet I love and [38] respect him as the leader of the Church, and I have it in my heart to help him in his arduous labors. He has many admirable qualities and I believe the Lord loves him. 
I pray for the day when we will understand alike, and when righteousness shall cover the earth. I want my posterity to do right and always be ready to serve the Lord. In my oil ventures, it seems to me I have undergone enough to kill a strong man, but the Lord seems to sustain me and I am determined to "carry on" to the end. 
March 14, 1930: In the evening I played cards - "Hearts" with daughters Ruth, Gertrude, and their friend Alice Pendleton. As I lost I was forced to treat to ice cream. I am a poor card player. Never did play for money, and hence never lost any playing. But I enjoy an innocent game with my "kiddies" occasionally. Can't play "Bridge." Haven't time to learn. Cards, like straight meat as a diet, may be overdone. I have always felt it better to play with my children at home than have them go elsewhere to play. 
Ruth is gaining some. When I got home she was thumping at the typewriter. It sounded like her own dear self again. O God, my Father please bless her and give her health and joy. She is a wonderful girl - has always been. I do hope for thy blessings upon her; and I will praise thy name forever. Got lovely letters from Bertha and Ellis expressing birthday greetings. 
April 1930, I dropped in the office of the Utah Fuel Company to order a car of coal for the Diamond Oil Company, of which I was the Manager. We had no money. I asked for time. The manager said, "We will not sell the coal to the Diamond Oil Company, but we will sell it to you. We believe you to be honest; you can have what coal you wish." We got the coal and proceeded with operations. I have tried to live up to that characterization. 
May 20, 1930, I entered in my Journal: "One hundredth anniversary of the birth of my father on earth. He left as a legacy to his children an unsullied character, a faith in God sublime and a life record that might be envied by a king. His large family, four wives and 26 children (35 counting step-children) speak volumes. He was a citizen of the kingdom of God, and is now, without a doubt, in the sacred work of the Master, assisting fallen humanity in the world of spirits to the light of Christ. Long may his memory live to guide his posterity heavenward. 
May 22, 1930, I copied the following from the Salt Lake Tribune: "Miss Anna B. Musser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, J. W. Musser, 186 "I" Street, recently completed art studies at the University of California, and was awarded an M.A. degree, according to word received in Salt Lake of Wednesday. 
"Miss Musser was graduated from the University of Utah in 1926 with an A.B. degree and subsequently served as art instructor at Dixie College in St. George, and as art director at the Wasatch County High School, Heber City." [39]
Copying from Anna's letter to us in response to our congratulations: "But you know as well as I that to graduate from a college course means nothing in itself. I think a college education is about the lowest manifestation of the human imagination, and that as a general rule, to have a family of graduate daughters, would be clear proof of mental deficiency in the family tree. You see the important thing about your daughter is not her M.A., but the fact that she has been admitted to both of (Professor Hans Hofmann's) classes in both Intercession and Summer Schools. That is a very rare treat, since only such Americans as could go to Munich have ever been able to study with Hofmann before this summer, and there is a great deal of competition for admission to his classes." July 1931 I took the following from the Deseret News: "Mr. and Mrs. Francis R. Kirkham of this city are numbered among the students graduating with honors from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., Wednesday." 
"Mrs. Kirkham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Musser of this city, received the A.B. degree from Columbian College; Mr. Kirkham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis W. Kirkham, formerly of this city, graduated from the law school." 
"Mr. Kirkham will receive the John Bell Larner medal awarded annually to the member of the graduating class in the law school who attains the highest average grade in the entire course for the degree of bachelor of laws. He will be initiated in the Order of the Coif., honorary legal scholastic fraternity." 
February 14, 1932 at midnight, mother lost her footing on the stairs in the John C. Howard residence, and fell down the steps bruising herself terribly, and on the 24th she passed peacefully away. She was 86 years of age. Her life has been beautiful. Doubtless Father, her children, and a host of friends were awaiting her on the other side. 
January 2, 1933, Ruth the beautiful has left us! In His goodness and mercy God has taken her home. Her frail body will be consigned to the earthly element from whence it was taken, while her spirit has taken its flight to the spirit abode, to renew its activity until the glorious resurrection, when purified, perfected, strong, and beautiful, her spirit and body will be reunited and Ruth's soul will have been redeemed! Of my nineteen children, not one of them has been endowed with a greater measure of sunshine and hope. She was a literal ray of light and truth; it was her every breathe. She was obedient and beautiful. To know her was to love her in the highest sense. And even while her frail body was languishing with undernourishment and pain, her spirit shone forth in hope, faith, gentleness and the sunshine of heaven to the good of all who contacted her. She stood by her father in his effort to live the Patriarchal Order of Marriage against the feelings of much of the family. She clung to life with a tenaciousness known only to the elect of God. She wanted to live and do a work, but never was she afraid to die. Her faith in God was sublime. She had undergone some seven major operations. Beginning with March 1, 1923, besides several minor operations. Much of her later life was spent in the [40] hospital. She tried all medical cults. Her efforts to get well left nothing in human experience to be tried. She was done to death by the doctors. Let us believe it was God's will that she should be called home and that the doctors were honest in their efforts. I rejoice that she is free from pain, and that I now have a representative daughter on the other side. 
January 20, 1933, Grandma Shipp's birthday (Dr. Ellis R. Shipp, my mother-in-law). Eighty six years. We had a reception for her. She holds up grandly. 
Four score and six is a long time to fight; 
Only giants thus struggle to win. 
Life's battle demands courage, endurance and hope, 
'Tis a fight waged by good against sin. 
You Grandma, we hail on this glad natal day, 
The ages will echo the story - 
You've fought and have won and endured to the end; 
We now crown you with love's golden glory. 
For many years Sister Shipp has sent a Christmas and New Year's greeting to a large host of friends; These greetings are in verse and of her own composition. I here give the 1933 greeting: 
What's this? Another Christmas card from me? 
Why yes! And I'll not promise this the last to be! 
'tis true I've been quite close to death's dark door, 
But praise to Him, the sun shines brighter than before. 
I guess you'll have to bear with me a little longer. 
I've staged a "come-back" not strong but stronger. 
Oh joy of living! Joy, just to live! 
I thank the Lord this festive day, my thanks I give 
That He has brought me through the darksome night 
And in the race with death I won the fight! 
There is so much I yet would love to do; 
The fleeting hours for work are quite too few 
To realize the Fatherhood of God, to plan 
The upward, onward march - the Brotherhood of man. 
May then, true fellowship and love be soon the leaven 
That makes the earth abode as that of Heaven! 
A Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all, 
My friends and loved ones - May no ill befall 
Ellis R. Shipp I copy the following eulogy of myself from Dr. Shipp's "Life Lines." 
JOSEPH 
Could son to me more faithful be. 
More thoughtful for my weal! 
He lifts the load along the road 
And brightest spots reveal [41] 
A man of worth, of royal birth, 
His heritage is Truth. 
He hears each call, he blesses all 
From feeble age to youth. 
Now may he, too, have flowers strewn 
His path through all life's way; 
His generous heart find ample part 
To bless each coming day. 
May all that's fair beyond compare 
Bring joy and happiness; 
With living fire his soul inspire, 
His noble efforts bless 
November 9, 1930, my dear wife Mary passed away at 8:45 p.m. She passed peacefully after a long season of suffering with cancer. She had lived a good life and had fought a good fight, and by reason of the life she adopted she is a candidate for the highest glory. Her fight has not all come from without, but largely from within. Those who made life hardest for her were her kinfolks, who should have helped here. But she faced life bravely and did that which she conceived to be right. Her children, beautiful, strong, and cultured, are lasting monuments to the integrity and deep religious sense of the mother. She is the only member of a large and prominent family to receive Celestial Marriage in its fullness. I feel to thank God for her deliverance from pain. The Lord doeth all things well and I shall continue to trust Him. (See Journal No. 12, p. 285) 
The main speaker at the funeral was President J. Golden Kimball. I here attach some of his remarks as they were taken down and handed me after the funeral: 
I am here at the request of Brother Musser, his wife and children; and before going on with my regular remarks on this occasion I want to say this much - that I have known Brother Musser in Church and business activities for a good many years and I know him to be an honest man, with great faith and trust in the Lord, and courage in the cause of truth. Oh, I know we are supposed to say nothing about this thing - we are afraid to tell the truth; it isn't always wise to tell the whole truth, but I want to say that Brother Musser has been unjustly dealt with; he has been persecuted. The principle of polygamy is true. Of the course the door is now closed. The Church does not sanction the practice now. I was of that origin and I am proud of it. Brother Joseph is a better man than I am because I cannot help resenting injustice. Justice is all right but I believe in the Gospel of Mercy, love, charity and patience. If this is not the truth there is no truth. Thank God the final judgment does not rest with man. Sister Musser has lived a worthy life and the Lord will reward her accordingly. She has suffered a great deal. You know it always seemed a strange thing to me, and I have tried to understand it; why the very best people have to suffer the most. I couldn't think it was so until I saw my mother suffer for years before the Lord took her, She was a good woman. On the other hand as [42] we go through life, we find people on every side who don't care a rap about their actions and they seem to prosper in all they attempt, while good folks, such as Sister Musser, have to suffer untold pain and hardships. Sister Musser worked for a great reward, and now I think it was a great blessing for her to be called home and relieved of her suffering. (See TRUTH, 4:93) 
Father's Day Sentiments from two of the "Kiddies:" 
FROM SAM, 10« Years Old. 
Gosh, Dad, but you're a peach, 
To do the things that you've done, 
No one else in this whole world could - 
Not even God's great Son. 
Father's day struck me too late, 
To buy anything for you, 
But I guess that you're dear mate 
Has something bought for you 
I'm just writing a couple of lines, 
To show I remember you, 
I can't do much for my lolly-Pop 
But there's a very few that do 
I wish you a happy Father's Day, 
The best you've ever had; 
I guess I'll have to say good-by 
To a wonderful man - my Dad 
FROM LUCILE: 
My but you're a wonderful Dad, 
I feel so thankful that you're mine; 
People around you just can't be sad - 
You'd go hungry and give 'way your last dime. 
This little bouquet of dandelions 
I'll admit isn't very much, 
I just put them by your plate 
To give that Father's Day touch. 
Today is your day to do as you wish, 
If you won't get blue - I'll guarantee 
You won't even have to dry a dish; 
And Daddy don't forget We LOVE You! 
April 29, 1933, received wire from Milton, Washington D.C. He had been sworn in as Clerk to Senator William H. King. Milton is studying law and is making good. July 17, 1933, Peter, Loraine's son, was run over by an automobiles. No fault of the driver. We thought at first he had been killed, but he rallied with a broken leg above the knee. Responding to the blessing of the Lord and to medical care, he recovered entirely, for which we are very grateful. [43] September 13, 1933, another grandson, Cleeo Ivan Wright, 1 1/4 years old, Mary's son was run over by an automobile, his father driving. His head was terribly scarred and it was at first feared brain concussion, but the child recovered nicely and is now a young man of promise. 
December, 1934, Son Samuel became an Eagle Scout at 15 years of ages. Whatever he attempts he does seriously and wins out. He is a grand boy. 
January 1, 1935, I copy from my Journal (No. 13, p. 218 et seq): Much has transpired that should cause men to reflect and repent. Judgments are being rained upon the earth. Peace is taken from the earth. Men's hearts and thoughts are evil continually. Greed reigns supreme. Crime enters into every phase of life. Even the Temple of God is polluted. Whoredom, drunkenness and thievery are being committed. The Gospel, as changed, has lost much of its power and the Saints are being rapidly drawn away from the truths as revealed to Joseph Smith. Wickedness is established in the Church, and those who are sincerely trying to live the Gospel are being excommunicated and cast out. 
The leaders of Ephraim are boasting of their power; they invite the friendship of Babylon and wink at the excesses of the Saints - to a large measure gagging at a gnat while swallowing a camel. I am out of employment and many of my erst-while friends and loved ones now shun men. To them I seem something unclean. 
During the year I was instrumental in the preparation of the Supplement to the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage, which attacks many of the errors of the day. It is being quite generally read. From a very few supporters our friends now number over 100 male adults and the work is spreading. 
Never before have I prayed so earnestly and constantly for light and guidance. Upon me has been placed a special commission to keep "Celestial and Plural Marriage alive on the earth." I have done my best according to my wisdom and knowledge. Most of my family, whom I love dearly, have turned from me, and while many true and valiant friends have fought at my side, my heart is pained; my soul is disturbed, and in sorrow and anguish I cry unto the Lord, that His work may be cut short in righteousness-that all faith shall not be driven from the earth. 
In 1935 I am looking for distress and judgments such as have not before been seen. The Lord will not be mocked, and since Zion will not be redeemed otherwise, redemption must needs come by judgments. The wicked who will not repent will shortly be taken from the earth; and I pray that God's sword of vengeance may shortly fall upon the heads of those who are blaspheming His name in the midst of His house. The drunkards of Ephraim will shortly be divested of power and wickedness must cease. Dear Lord, purge and purify me that I may be worthy to stand in your presence, and use me - my all, my life - in the building of thy work, and glory be in thy name forever. Amen. [44] July 11, 1937, I instructed a small group of Saints, of which the following are excerpts: 
1. Don't worry about not being able to do temple work. Get your genealogies ready and the day will soon come when the temples, which are literally the houses of the Lord, will be "set in order," and then the work will count. Much of the work now being done will have to be done over. 
2. The Saints much maintain the integrity of their garments. The flimsy make-shifts sold by the Jews and at Z.C.M.I., as recently advertized, are an insult to God and offer no protection as promised by the Lord. Better wear nothing by that name, than to prostitute that which is sacred. No person having lain off their garments are permitted to take them up again and wear them without proper authority. 
In February 1938, being at Los Angeles instructing the Saints, there, I ran up to San Francisco on my way home. My first visit there. Daughter Ellis took me to her home. Saw whale estimated at 100 tons dead on the beach. Picked up daughter Anna and her husband Rulen in afternoon going to "Happy Valley" out of Oakland, where we visited and dined with my brother Dr. Leo. He is an Arabian horse fancier and owner. Our car got stuck in the mud and we stayed with Leo that night, returning to Oakland Sunday morning for breakfast as Leo's guests; after which we attended opening meeting of quarterly conference of the San Francisco Stake. Took dinner with Ellis, Anna and Rulen, being present also. Going and coming from Leo's we crossed the famous Oakland Bridge; toll 50› each way. On Monday 14th, took Anna and crossed the "Golden Gate" bridge, spending happy moments in the hills and timbers. At night took ferry across the bay to Oakland and took train via Lucin Cutoff for home. A most wonderful and joyful trip with my loved ones. 
Received word of daughter Anna's daughter being still-born on March 28. What a shock this was. Of all my daughters of such varied talents, dispositions, degrees of faith, it had to be my sweet, faithful, sunny, God-loving Anna to experience such a disappointment! And how bravely she took it. She is a marvel. The purpose of the Lord I do not know, but that there was a purpose and a perfectly wise and proper one, I cannot doubt. Father makes no mistakes. Dear Anna: Your mission is not ended, it has just begun Motherhood is yours. There are spirits awaiting the call of your body and you will be permitted to bring them forth. Rejoice in the goodness of God. Look to Him for solace and comfort. Be not swerved from the path of your duty. Your crown awaits you. I love you so much - I believe in you, in the sweetness and purity of your life, In your high ideals and in your precious love. Father. (Journal No. 14:77) 
"Midnight meditations in memory of Dr. Ellis R. Shipp" (See Journal No. 14:105), penned while sitting alone with the sufferer during the entire night; other members of the family getting some much needed rest: 
"The curtains are drawn on an eventful life - a Pioneer daughter is closing her eyes in sleep. She has lived one of God's full days (92 years). Born with the rising of the sun 'mid humblest surroundings she [45] began her tasks while life was young, hopeful and daring. As time ticked off its seconds she wrought with ever increasing strength, climbing up life's mountain side. She moved in gleeful buoyancy and with a rugged will, stopping only to regain her breath, to pick a wild larkspur or a rare peddle, and to gaze back upon the landscape she was leaving never to retrace her steps - her course IS ONWARD AND UPWARD!" 
"As the seconds merged into minutes and minutes into hours, the cooling morning breezes changed to a softening warmth, followed by the noon-day heat. True soldiers of Christ stop not in their onward march to VICTORY, but press on while the day lasts; So she, this pioneer daughter, presses on through the scorching rays of the mid-day sun; on she struggles up a stoney path, planting a rose here, a violet there, and strewing for-get-me-nots where others, coming later, might be gladdened by, not counting her own bruises earned 'midst the stones and bramble. At times her limbs faltered and sued for rest, but life's tasks are exacting, life's seconds tick on; 'tis day and day time is meant for work, for soon the night cometh when no man can work." 
"The day wears on. Shadows grow longer. Heat gives way to a softening warmth precluding the chill of even-tide. This body, once nimble, strong and alert, begins to weaken; steps slow down, the voice reveals a tremor; but there is yet much to do and she must redouble the effort while time ticks on. Scarred, bleeding and weary of step she nears the summit. The mountain side is about to be conquered. The shades of night are drawing close while nature prepared a downy bed and turns her lights dim. Still trudging on the wary soul moves with tottering steps - yet with purpose firm and unyielding." 
"At the stroke of midnight she reaches the top. Her steps cease. Angels attend her. Folded in the silken shrouds of eternity her weary body succumbs to sleep, while her spirit smilingly travels on. She has lived a whole day through - one of God's days - every hour, minute and second of it. No task is left unfinished!" 
"At birth she flung a challenge at fate. With subtle mind and unswerving purpose she backed up that challenge! Her triumph is glorious and complete! May her children and her children's children to the last generation - yes, may all the world learn life and blaze a path to heaven as this soul has done!" 
She was embalmed at home and remained there until taken to the meeting house. She closed her eyes in death January 31, at 4:15 p.m. Death came as a welcome blessing. She had been a wonderful mother to me - A Saint of the highest magnitude. My wife Ellis, her daughter, displayed wonderful self-control and a marvelous devotion. 
Anniversary reflections, March 8, 1939 (Journal 41:110): Another mile-stone. I am still in the ring. The TRUTH magazine is coming out monthly. Two more numbers will complete Volume 4. I rejoice in the part I have been permitted to play in the matter. I have regretted more than I can tell the necessity of opposing my brethren of the Authorities, but the doctrines they are putting out are so rank with error I cannot refrain from publishing the truth. My desire is to establish the truth - to strike straight and fair; let the blow rest [46] where it will. I rejoice in the progress truth is making among the people of God. Many letters are coming in praising our work. But we are said to be apostate, and yet our apostacy rests wholly on our adherence to the fulness of the Gospel as Joseph Smith established it. It seems so strange to me - and not strange in the light of scripture - that I should be singled out and lied about, shunned and in many ways forsaken, because I believe In the Gospel in its fulness and insist on my right to live it. 
My son Guy writes from Los Angeles: "Well, my dear father, this month marks another mile-stone in your life; another year that is marked with great and important service to the Lord. I wonder if you ever stop to think how strongly and to what proportions your life has influenced the world for good? You are one of the few men, dead or alive, whose influence is felt in many climes as motivating power for good. In many stations and in many classes of people you have been able to leave an indelibly written account of a righteous and fearless crusader for truth." 
"We cannot attribute this to your great learning (though you have delved deep into the mysterie, of life); nor can we say that you have bought this confidence and faith with money, Church or civil power, because you have little of all three at present. Rather let us say of you as it was said of the Master, `he went about doing good; lifting the thoughts of men from degradation and shame; turning their eyes heavenward with a genius that marked him as a man of unfaltering courage, of vision, faith, charity, longsuffering; with a heart that felt keenly the needs of his followers, with a mind so trained that he could unfold the deepest mystery to the understanding of a child.'" 
"Father dear, accept these thoughts as your gift on this birthday. Know that we desire to follow your course, and that we love you eternally. God bless you forever." 
Such expressions of confidence and love repays one for all his efforts in the past. If only my children can understand that which I am contending for - for which I am giving the best that is in me, I am amply paid for the effort. I suppose no other mortal father could love his children more than I love mine. Every one of them is as precious gold, refined in the Lord's crucible. I love them far more than I love life. They are my kingdom. Oh, that they could understand me and give me credit for honesty, and seek the Lord for an interpretation of my actions! That they will do so in my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen. 
I record the following words of praise from my friend Ernest P. Williams, Chief Clerk in Commissary Dept. of Union Pacific Railroad Company, at Los Angeles; written March 21, 1939: 
"Dear Brother Joseph, I love you with a love that is beyond understanding. I consider it the greatest honor of my life to be associated with you, to have your confidence and love. To know that I can trust you implicitly, even with my life. There are so few in the world today whom we can trust wholeheartedly. Even those closest to us, your own [47] brethren whom we have befriended, sometimes turn against us. But I feel in my heart you will always be firm and true. A staunch friend; a man without guile God bless you forever, Joseph." 
March 30, 1940, we received a letter from our son Samuel, on his homeward journey from England, written from Jerusalem, He said in part: 
"Say Nebuchanessar's Babylon. When the Lord said He would lay it desolate he didn't miss and hit the wall. We have now seen the remnants of the great empires of the world, with the exception of the Chinese Dynasties, that fell for the same reason that everything, principle or man fall - because truths are not used in the construction. Rome, Greece, Bysantine (Turkey), Assyria, (Asshur and Nineveh) and now Babylonian - each has gone; and the empires of today will go in the same way unless tendencies change. This is essentially why I have faith in the ultimate success of the Mormon Church. It alone, of all institutions in the world, is built on principles of truth, justice and mercy. If it, counter to all prophecy, changes its tenents to comply with the conveniences of men, it too must eventually fall." 
It should be observed here, that while the Church Authorities have changed many of the ordinances, the Priesthood, as a separate organization, has not thus gone astray; and one day it will rise up and save the Church from final rejection. 
May 21, 1940 (Journal No. 14:153), I learned that my son Joseph, from Honolulu was in the city and was calling for me. He was at the University club, a guest of Dr. Tyndale, my son-in-law. Met him on the 22nd, at 9 a.m. and spent the day with him, visiting Lucile, Mary, Blanche, Naomi, Priscilla and Lucy. Had a glorious visit. He is so wholesome, clean and handsome. Our first meeting in 16 years. He is a Lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, and "On active duty" came here on a destroyer, being mustered out at Mare's Island. Will return on a battleship. Left for Pocatello Thursday morning. His visit with me was like getting a message from heaven. I love him dearly. He has always been true blue." Entering World War II as a Lieutenant he ended as a Captain in the Navy. 
May 16, 1941, I copy from the Salt Lake Tribune: "Lieutenant Milton S.