The Lions of the Lord: A Tale of the Old WestWilson, Harry Leon
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The Lions of the Lord: A Tale of the Old West
Wilson, Harry Leon
Historical fiction; Latter Day Saint pioneers -- Fiction; Western stories
After this impressive spectacle, Joel and the rapturous Christina were
taught many signs, grips, and passwords, without which one may not pass
by the gatekeepers of heaven. They were sworn also to avenge the murder
of Joseph Smith upon the Gentiles who had done it, and to teach their
children to do the same; to obey without questioning or murmur the
commands of the priesthood; and never to reveal these secret rites
under penalty of having their throats cut from ear to ear and their
hearts and tongues cut out.
When this oath had been taken, they passed into a room containing a
long, low altar covered with red velvet. At one end, in an armchair,
sat Brigham, no longer in the rôle of God, but in his proper person of
Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. They knelt on either side of this altar,
and, with hands clasped above it in the secret grip last given to them,
they were sealed for time and eternity.
From the altar they went to the wagons and began their journey south.
Christina came out of the endowment-house, glowing, as to one side of
her face. She was, also, in a state of daze that left her able to say
but little. Proud and happy and silent, her sole remark, the first day
of the trip, was: “Brigham—now—he make such a lovely, _bee-yoo-tiful_
God in heaven!”
Nor, it soon appeared, was she ever talkative. The second day, too, she
spoke but once, which was when a sudden heavy shower swept down from
the hills and caught her some distance from the wagons, helping to
drive the cattle. Then, although she was drenched, she only said: “It
make down somet’ing, I t’ink!”
For this taciturnity her husband was devoutly thankful. He had married
her to secure her place in the Kingdom and a temporal home, and not
otherwise did he wish to be concerned about her. He was glad to note,
however, that she seemed to be of a happy disposition; which he did at
certain times when her eyes beamed upon him from a face radiant with
gratitude.
But his work of service had only begun. As they went farther south he
began to make inquiries for the wandering wife of Elder Tench. He came
upon her at length as she was starting north from Beaver at dusk. He
prevailed upon her to stop with his party.
“I don’t mind to-night, sir, but I must be off betimes in the morning.”
But in the morning he persuaded her to stay with them.
“Your husband is out of the country now, but he’s coming back soon, and
he will stop first at my house when he does come. So stay with me there
and wait for him.”
She was troubled by this at first, but at last agreed.
“If you’re sure he will come there first—”
She refused to ride in the wagon, however, preferring to walk, and
strode briskly all day in the wake of the cattle.
At Parowan he made inquiries for Tom Potwin, that other derelict, and
was told that he had gone south. Him, too, they overtook on the road
next day, and persuaded to go with them to a home.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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