Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith
Prophet, Seer and Revelator

Friday, February 22, 2013

John Taylor, Missionary



I rejoice in proclaiming this glorious gospel, because it takes root in the hearts of the children of men, and they rejoice . . . in the blessings of the Kingdom of God.1

            At the October conference of 1849 Brigham Young called John on a mission to France along with Elders Bolton and Pack. Leaving the Salt Lake Valley with them were Lorenzo Snow, going to Italy; Erastus Snow, traveling to Denmark; Franklin D. Richards on his way to England and others who would preach in the Eastern States.
            As they crossed the plains, the brethren scanned the horizon, looking for Indians. They met a group of men carrying mail who told them they’d been attacked by Indians and robbed (or ‘tithed’ as John called it) of supplies, including blankets and clothing. The missionary party grew anxious and searched the landscape for signs of war paint and horses. 

Saturday, February 9, 2013


John also built the first boat to sail on Utah Lake. He used a net that his wives made to catch fish – a tasty change from tough beef through the long winter.13
The next summer crickets came in hoards thick as black clouds, devouring the sparse crops of the Saints. John prayed, along with everyone else, for a miracle. The seagulls came and stuffed themselves with crickets and spewed them out in the Great Salt Lake – over and over again. A miracle!
The life of the pioneers was hard. John worked alongside the Saints to turn discouragement into hope. His trust in God blessed others because they leaned on his faith until their own became strong. Because of John’s unwavering testimony and faith, the Saints loved him. 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Burned Cricket Paste. Yuck!


Brother George Bean came to visit John with an old Goshute Indian who called himself a medicine man. The Indian told John that many of his tribe were dying of the white man’s disease of measles. He asked for a blessing for Yellow Bird, the twelve-year-old son of Chief Little Face. John and Brother Bean went with the medicine man and blessed Yellow Bird. The boy recovered.
The grateful Indians brought gifts of moccasins and gloves along with sego lily and camus bulbs, thistle roots, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and wild honey. The Indians told John where to gather more. John’s prayers were answered. There was also a bag of meal that his family liked. John wanted to know how to make it, and the Indians showed him. They encircled a field with fire and burned the brush along with lots and lots of crickets. As the crickets roasted in the fire, the Indians gathered them and then ground them up, mixing them with honey for a delectable meal that could be made into cakes.
This is not delectable meal in my book!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865568837/Book-review-Texting-through-Time-John-Taylor-and-the-Mystery-Puzzle-will-delight-young-readers.html