THEIR 'DARK DAYS' GONE

MORMONS HAD TO SNEAK INTO MISSOURI 110 YEARS AGO.

On April 26, 1839, beave Band filed Into Mirabile and Stood at Temple Sit to Make a Prophecy Come True.

(By The Star's Own Services.)

MIRABILE, MO., March 6.—It will be soon the 110th anniversary of a secret pilgrimage to this community by a group of exiled Mormon leaders who made the visit in substantiation of a divine revelation supposedly received by the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, on July 8, 1838. This revelation said that on April 26, 1839, the twelve Apostles of the Latter Day Saints church would take leave of their brethren at the Mormon capital of Far West, which at that time would correspond to the Temple site in present Mirabile township, "and from thence depart over the great waters to preach the gospel in foreign lands." But many things had happened after the promulgation of this revelation. The so-called "Mormon War" had flared in Caldwell and Daviess counties, strongholds of Mormonism at that time in Missouri. This "war" had resulted in the defeat of the Mormons and their expulsion not only from Caldwell but from the entire state.

ANTAGONISM IS AROUSED

Non-Mormons who had heard of the prophecy calling the meeting at the Far West temple site in April 26, had reason to jeer and assert that this was one prophecy of "Joe Smith" which would not be fulfilled. They didn't believe that any Mormon would be brave enough to return to Caldwell county, after the defeat the sect had received in the fall of 1838.

Yet the prophecy was brought to pass on the day and on the spot designated in the revelation.

Five of the church apostles, accompanied by other high church officials, arrived in small groups to avoid arousing suspicion of their enemies in the state, many of whom were still hunting down, Mormons.

They gathered in the dim dawn at the corner-stone spot. The apostles appointed two more apostles to make a quorum of seven and went to work on church business.

THEY WASTE NO TIME

One of the two appointees was George Albert Smith, grandfather of a later president of the church. The group ordained several new officials, excommunicated a long list of backsliders, sang some church songs and placed in position a second corner stone for the temple, which they had hoped would be completed on the site.

However, they decided that in view of the difficult times, it would be wiser to stop further work on the Temple "until the Lord should show the way for its completion." Then the seven apostles told their church brethren good-by, and in accordance with the prophecy, departed by devious ways eastward to carry out their appointed missions overseas.

Among the church leaders present at that dawn meeting were Brigham Young, Heber Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff and George Albert Smith, all destined to become well known in Mormon annals. The brethren departed as they came, in small groups to avoid hostile contacts.

Remembering that they had been offered out of Missouri, they went away rejoicing that Joseph Smith's revelation had been fulfilled. This explains why April 26 is an important date in Mormon history. The revelation has been fulfilled and the second corner stone of the Temple laid.

However, the Temple was not built—unless it is considered that the dream of the early church leaders found expression in the magnificent Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City.

Today the excavation for the Temple is nearly filled with drifted soil of 110 years. The corner stones have been chipped away by the throngs of sightseers. Each year, dozens of faithful Mormon pilgrims come to the site to pray. Many take some soil back to their homes in small containers. The rancor is gone, but it took many decades to die out. The site of the Temple excavation belongs to the Mormon church.