Memoirs of John R. Young, Utah Pioneer, 1847Young, John R.
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Memoirs of John R. Young, Utah Pioneer, 1847
Young, John R.
Latter Day Saint pioneers -- Utah -- Biography; Young, John R., 1837-
How much good I have done, I leave to the Lord. My life has been
humble, but active. Starting in for myself without a second coat to
my back, I have supported a large family and given much of my time to
preaching the Gospel and doing pioneer work.
To my wives and children, for their loyalty to me, I owe much,--more
indeed than I may ever repay. In this brief writing, I have endeavored
to show that they suffered much, and yet always did a noble,
sacrificing part. No man ever had a better family. My father, in his
declining years, helped me liberally, and I love his memory. Upon my
return from England, I received a hearty welcome from my parents, my
family, and my brothers, sisters, and friends.
My wife Albina, and son Silas, met me at Salt Lake City with a team.
On our arrival at Orderville, the band came out and gave us a serenade
and welcome. I associated with the Orderville organization seven years;
laboring to the best of my ability for the good of all, and there was
joy in that labor.
After the death of President Brigham Young, the Order was left to stand
upon its own merits. At least President Taylor seemed to take but
little interest in our affairs. The Orderville people were emerging
from the deep poverty they at first had to contend with, and prosperity
was coming to them. But with plenty came a spirit of speculation, and
speculation brought disunion. I therefore withdrew from them, careful
not to do them any wrong.
I moved next to Loa, where my home should be today, 1888; but because
I will not put away wives that I married twenty years ago, when there
was no law making it a crime, I am compelled to seek the "underground,"
or else be humiliated by imprisonment, which I will not submit to, if I
can possibly avoid it.
One day, while sitting under a tree, writing this journal and watching
my sheep, I found in an old newspaper that my dinner was wrapped in,
the following verse, with the heading:
"THE MASTER'S QUESTION."
"Have ye looked for sheep in the desert,
For those that have missed their way?
Have ye been in the wild, waste places
Where the lost and wandering stray?
Have ye trodden the lonely highway--
The foul and darksome street?
It may be ye'd see in the gloaming,
The prints of my wounded feet."
To this I made answer in the following verses, which may not unfitly
conclude the account of my missionary labors:
Yes, I have sought in the desert
For the sheep that have wandered afar.
I have followed the trail o'er the mountain
By the light of the polar star.
I have climbed the steep wild pali,
Thousands of miles away;
I have sought in rain and sunshine,
For the sheep that have gone astray.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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