Ephraim Hanks - True to the Prophet

EPHRAIM HANKS - TRUE TO THE PROPHET

Ephraim Hanks had known Brigham Young since the Nauvoo days. Ephraim's loyalty to the Brethren and his willingness to obey strictly the counsel of the prophet on any matter caused him to be much beloved and trusted by President Young...

On a fall morning in 1848, President Young drove to where Ephraim was building an adobe house inside the Old Fort. Looking over the completed foundation, he inquired as to the thickness of the rock wall. "Eight inches," replied Ephraim. "Tear it down and build it twice that thick," suggested Brigham, who then promptly drove away before Ephraim could answer. To rebuild meant hauling more rock and doing twice the work they thought was necessary.... Nevertheless, they widened the foundation to sixteen inches according to the leader's instruction. Ephraim was fitting the rafters on the house a month later when a heavy rain began falling, ultimately causing widespread flooding and considerable damage in parts of the valley. Ephraim's reinforced walls stood firm against the resulting deluge, however, thus preventing a possible collapse of the entire structure. Others were not so fortunate. From then on when Brigham talked, Ephraim listened.

Not long following this incident with Brigham Young, Ephraim met this Mormon leader at a dance in Salt Lake City. Again he counseled Ephraim. This time Ephraim was to go home and shave his face. Like many men of his day, Ephraim wore a beard almost to his waist. Somewhat puzzled, he left the social and rode home, pondering the unusual request. In an hour, however, he returned to the dance without a beard, but still wearing a mustache which he hadn't shaved. Still not satisfied with his appearance, Brigham Young indicated with a sweep of the hand across Ephraim's face that he wanted a clean shave. Excusing himself a second time, Ephraim complied by shaving his entire face. It was perhaps this type of obedience to counsel that prompted the Mormon Church President to later say of Ephraim that "Here was a man always ready to lay down his life for the authorities of the Church as well as for the cause of Zion and her people."

Because of his obedience to counsel and his loyalty to the Brethren, Ephraim Hanks became a spiritual giant in his own right and was able to render significant service to the Church and to his fellowmen...


- Richard K. Hanks, "Eph Hanks, Pioneer Scout," unpublished master's thesis, BYU, 1973, pp. 26-27. Quoted in "Follow the Living Prophets", Topp, Dahl & Bowen, p. 156-7

Brigham Young's Vision of the Salt Lake Temple

On April 6, 1853, the cornerstone for the Salt Lake Temple was laid. As part of the general conference on that day, Brigham Young shared these remarks:

"Some will inquire, "Do you suppose we shall finish this Temple, brother Brigham?" I have had such questions put to me already. My answer is, I do not know, and I do not care any more about it than I should if my body was dead and in the grave, and my spirit in Paradise. I never have cared but for one thing, and that is, simply to know that I am now right before my Father in Heaven. If I am this moment, this day, doing the things God requires of my hands, and precisely where my Father in Heaven wants me to be, I care no more about tomorrow than though it never would come. I do not know where I shall be tomorrow, nor when this Temple will be done -- I know no more about it than you do. If God reveals anything for you, I will tell you of it as freely as to say, go to City Creek, and drink until you are satisfied.

"This I do know -- there should be a Temple built here. I do know it is the duty of this people to commence to build a Temple. Now, some will want to know what kind of a building it will be. Wait patiently, brethren, until it is done, and put forth your hands willingly to finish it. I know what it will be. I am not a visionary man, neither am I given much to prophesying. When I want any of that done I call on brother Heber C. Kimball -- he is my Prophet, he loves to prophesy, and I love to hear him. I scarcely ever say much about revelations, or visions, but suffice it to say, five years ago last July I was here, and saw in the Spirit the Temple not ten feet from where we have laid the Chief Corner Stone. I have not inquired what kind of a Temple we should build. Why? Because it was represented before me. I have never looked upon that ground, but the vision of it was there. I see it as plainly as if it was in reality before me. Wait until it is done. I will say, however, that it will have six towers, to begin with, instead of one. Now do not any of you apostatize because it will have six towers, and Joseph only built one. It is easier for us to build sixteen, than it was for him to build one. The time will come when there will be one in the centre of Temples we shall build, and, on the top, groves and fish ponds. But we shall not see them here, at present.

(Journal of Discourses, 1:132-133)

Compiled and written by David Kenison

Brigham Young Defends the Prophet, Joseph Smith

In the fall of 1836, a spirit of opposition existed in Kirtland against the leaders of the Church - specifically against Joseph Smith. Brigham Young recorded that on one occasion, he met with several of the apostles, the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and other leaders in the upper room of the Kirtland temple. The question was raised by someone as to how they could "depose" the Prophet and appoint David Whitmer as President of the Church.

Brigham reported that there was some opposition from Father John Smith and Heber C. Kimball, but then Brigham's turn came to speak:
"I rose up, and in a plain and forcible manner told them that Joseph was a Prophet, and I knew it, and that they might rail and slander him as much as they pleased, they could not destroy the appointment of the Prophet of God, they could only destroy their own authority, cut the thread that bound them to the Prophet and to God and sink themselves to hell. Many were highly enraged at my decided opposition to their measures, and Jacob Bump (an old pugilist [fighter or boxer]) was so exasperated that he could not be still. Some of the brethren near him put their hands on him, and requested him to be quiet; but he writhed and twisted his arms and body saying, 'How can I keep my hands off that man?' I told him if he thought it would give him any relief he might lay them on.

"This meeting was broken up without the apostates being able to unite on any decided measures of opposition. This was a crisis when earth and hell seemed leagued to overthrow the Prophet and Church of God. The knees of many of the strongest men in the Church faltered.

"During this siege of darkness I stood close by Joseph, and, with all the wisdom and power God bestowed upon me, put forth my utmost energies to sustain the servant of God and unite the quorums of the Church." (Watson, _Brigham Young History, 1801-44_, pp. 16-17)

Brigham soon found out that there was a plot to "waylay" Joseph as he was expected to return to Kirtland from a trip; the intent was to take the Prophet's life. Brigham immediately obtained a horse and buggy and rode out with William Smith to meet Joseph, helping to bring him safely home.


George A. Smith commented on this incident: "The voice seemingly of an individual, was absolutely necessary to say that Joseph had a single friend. You look at times of danger, moral and physical, and you will find that the spirit of determination and strong will in the breast of a single man may save a most terrible panic and disaster." (_JD_ 11:12)

Brigham Young Rebuked by Joseph Smith

This account of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young was researched by BYU professor Truman Madsen:
The Prophet [Joseph Smith], loving, playful, and cheerful though he was, did not balk when he was inspired to rebuke or to admonish with sharpness. After the rebuke, he would show forth an increase of love to the one rebuked, in accordance with Doctrine and Covenants 121:43. But he could be towering when he rebuked and it could penetrate to the very vitals.

Illustrative of this is a story still carried in the family lore of Brigham Young's descendants but, so far as I know, never recorded. It says that in a meeting the Prophet rebuked Brigham Young from his head to his feet for something he had done, or something he was supposed to have done but hadn't -- the detail is unclear. And it may well have been that the Prophet was deliberately putting Brigham Young to a test. When he had finished the rebuke, everyone in the room waited for the response. Brigham Young rose to his feet. He was a strong man. He could have responded: "Now, look, haven't you read that you're not supposed to rebuke in public, but only in private!" Or, "Brother Joseph, doesn't it say something in the revelations about persuasion, and long-suffering, and gentleness and meekness?" Or, "You're dead wrong. It's not so." But he said none of the above. In a voice everyone could tell was sincere, he said simply, "Joseph, what do you want me to do?" And the story says that the Prophet burst into tears, came down from the stand, threw his arms around Brigham, and said, in effect, "Brother Brigham, you passed." 

What we learn from this story is about having humility.