Prophets of Our Day: Lorenzo Snow

"I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of the living God.  I testify that he saw and spoke with God and with His Son Jesus Christ.  the Lord gave me this living testimony and it has been burning within my soul ever since I received it.  I now give it unto the whole world.  I not only testify to all mankind that Joseph Smith was sent of God and that the work that was established through him is the work of God, but warn all nations of the earth concerning predictions made by the Prophet, and testify in the most solemn manner that I know them to be true."

Family history was deeply rooted in the Snow family.  Both parents lineage can be traced back to some of the first settlers who came to America to escape religious persecutions.  Lorenzo Snow’s parents encouraged their children to learn all they could concerning religion.  Many times their home housed many different denominations.  Lorenzo at the time paid little attention of the religious world.  He wanted to join the army and enjoy other pursuits.  He decided to attend Oberlin College (in Oberlin, OH) and left in 1835.  On his journey he met a missionary and an apostle for the church, Elder David W. Patten.  Both on horseback the two conversed with one another about religion and philosophy.  Lorenzo was not first impressed of the grammatical language of Elder Patten but saw how humble this man was as he spoke of the Plan of Salvation. 

Oberlin College was more a theology-based school and there Lorenzo spoke much of what he had learned to those becoming ministers.  He thought it was interesting that most ministers had to study seven years or more in order to prepared to teach religion and those of the “Mormon” faith taught more on divine assistance.  In a letter to Eliza, his sister-baptized with other members of Lorenzo’s family, he told her of his experiences teaching the gospel and while he hesitated to join believed in the word.  Eliza later invited him to come to Kirtland and attend the Hebrew school taught by the prophet Joseph smith.  There his mind “drank in” the gospel and he found answers to the questions that he had in Oberlin.  In June 1836 he was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. 

Lorenzo Snow served many missions for the church including:  many city and towns of Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, England, Italy, and northern Utah. 

Lorenzo Snow and his family were among the first group of pioneers to leave Nauvoo for Salt Lake however they didn’t arrive for another year after the first group arrived to the Valley.  The Snow family often stayed behind to help build temporary settlements along the path.  They arrived in September 1848.

Lorenzo received a message that he was to attend a meeting of the Quorum of the 12 apostles which was already in session.  Lorenzo immediately left his activity and went.  Not knowing why he was called to the meeting he went with haste and soon with 3 others was ordained apostles of the Lord.  That was February 12, 1849. 

When Wilford Woodruff died in September 1898, Lorenzo immediately left his position in Brigham City and boarded a train for Salt Lake.  He felt inadequate with the responsibility that lied ahead and went to the Salt Lake temple to find peace.  While in the temple he was visited by the Lord and saw him as plain as day.  He says, “I actually saw the Savior…in the temple, and talked with face to face”.  He did not hesitate and was sustained by the Quorum of the Twelve on September 13, 1898. 

As president of the Church he learned many things and revealed many things but his best revelation he would be known for happened in St. George, UT in May 1899.  As he traveled he did not know why or what he was to teach the saints in St. George but he knew the Lord called him and he left.  On May 18^th he revealed the revelation that he had the day prior. 

“The word of the Lord to you is not anything new; it is simply this:  THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR EVERY LATTER-DAY SAINT, WHO CALCULATES TO BE PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE AND TO HOLD HIS FEET STRONG UPON A PROPER FOUNDATION, TO DO THE WILL OF THE LORD AND TO PAY HIS TITHING IN FULL.  That is the word of the Lord to you and it will be the word of the Lord to every settlement throughout the land of Zion.”

Members responded to President’s Snow and renewed their dedication of paying their tithing.  The church who was suffering from financial burden was able to see light from the blessing of tithing and for the next three years President Snow took charge of the finances of the Church. 

January 6, 1901:  President Snow prepared a special message to those who attended a meeting to greet the 20^th century.  He prepared a message titled, “Greeting to the World by President Snow”.  His message was read by someone else since he had a severe cold.

October 6, 1901:  In the closing session of conference, President Snow shared a message about his leadership in the church and closed with “God bless you, Amen”.  President Snow died of pneumonia four days later and was buried in what many say was his beloved Brigham City.