Twelve Mormon Homes : Twelve Mormon homes visited in succession on a journey through Utah to Arizona.

Twelve Mormon Homes, page 018

from the Bible, but kneel at once, while the head of the house- hold or an honored guest prays aloud, beginning, as I noticed on this occasion, instead of ending, "In the name of Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Father, we ask," etc. I do not think they as often say, "If it be Thy Will," as we do, but simply pray for the blessings they want, expecting they will be given or withheld, as God knows best. Though I do remember Brigham Young's once praying for the restoration and healing of the sick "if not ap- pointed unto death." They spend very little time in ascriptions, but ask for what they need and thank Him for what He has given-with surprising fluency and detail. It interested me and my children, too, though they could scarcely repress a start and titter, when they and their absent brother and sister were alluded to by name. At home, when, for no greater audience than my children, I venture to extemporize the prayer at family worship, I am sometimes puzzled whether to introduce the names of individuals, or to adhere prudently to generalities. But the Mormons take it for granted that God knows our familiar names and titles, and will ask a blessing on (6 Thy servant, Colonel Jonathan I?. Hitchcock, jr.," where I would spend a minute or two in devising a periphrasis. I liked this when I became used to it, and could join in with some knowledge of the circumstances of those we prayed for; particu- larly as the year drew on, and the whole people were in suspense awaiting the action of Congress affecting them? 14The action wanted from Congress was probably a decision on the contested election for territorial delegate between the Mormon, George Q. Cannon, and George R. Maxwell, a Gentile. Cannon won an overwhelming victory at the polls, 20,969 to 1,942 for Maxwell, but Maxwell sought to have Congress deny Cannon I8