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Show 363 Appendix MARY JANE MOUNT TANNER, to H. H. Bancroft in defense of Mormonism. * * * * Provo, Utah October 24, 1880. Mrs. Bancroft Dear Madam: I was informed lishing people what of some she wished Sister Richards a short time ago, and she that Mr. Bancroft was collecting items with a view to pub conversing with me me history, pertaining to write you a few lines to as a Utah and the Mormons; and testimony with regard to the of Utah. say that I have been raised with the Church; my parents having it when I was about four years old. My mother was a Methodist, and of French descent. She was very proud and considered it an indig nity to listen to the poor, despised Mormons. But sorrow is a common leveler, and when two of her children sickened and died of scarlet fever, I can joined and no one but the Mormons came to assist her, she naturally felt kindly toward them. attending the funeral of her children one of their own little caught fire and burned to death. This double calamity drew them together, and in her humility and sorrow she prayed for a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, and received it, as all have a right to do who call on God with humility and faith. My father belonged to no particular denomination. He investi gated the principles, and joined the Church before my mother did. They left their comfortable home, in Dayton, Ohio, where my father had a good business and came to Nauvoo. He there made himself another home, and spent much of his time working in the temple. We shared in the expulsion of the "Saints", at which time I was nine years old. We came to the valley in the fall of /47, and passed through all the hardships attendant on settling a new country. My father grew discouraged, and getting excited about the gold mines, went to California in the spring of /49. Owing to misunderstandings, and a growing feeling of dissatisfaction, he remained there; and my mother refusing to join him, which she did from consciencious scruples, they had a legal separation, and both married again. surrounded My mother died in the fall of 1875, firm in the faith, and of 1876, winter in the died father friends: of a concourse My by large in San Francisco at the age of seventy. His name was Joseph Mount. While ones I have remained in Utah and been raised and educated in the Church. Have married and raised a family. Have a son married who is teacher and student in the Brigham Young Academy, where theology is made a husband is a bishop and holds many branch of education. leading My |
