William B. Preston
Born: 24 November 1830
Called as Presiding Bishop: 6 April 1884
Released as Presiding Bishop: 4 December 1907
Died: 2 August 1908
Called as Presiding Bishop: 6 April 1884
Released as Presiding Bishop: 4 December 1907
Died: 2 August 1908
Conference TalksImage source: Improvement Era, September 1908
Image source: Juvenile Instructor, September 1908
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Image source: The Contributor, September 1885
Image source: Juvenile Instructor, September 1901
Image source: Juvenile Instructor, January 1916
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Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 3
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, February 1900, Incidents in Tithe Paying
Juvenile Instructor, 15 September 1901, Lives of Our Leaders - The Presiding Bishopric: Bishop William B. Preston
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 3
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, February 1900, Incidents in Tithe Paying
Juvenile Instructor, 15 September 1901, Lives of Our Leaders - The Presiding Bishopric: Bishop William B. Preston
Jenson, Andrew. "Preston, William Bowker." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 232-235.
PRESTON, William Bowker, the fourth presiding Bishop of the Church, and the present incumbent of that office, is by birth an American, a native of Franklin county. Virginia. where he was born Nov. 24, 1830. The name of Preston as known in the annals of history, as early as Malcolm 1st, of Scotland, who reigned from A. D. 944 to 953. Leolphus De Preston was the first of that name, of whom there is any record. It is supposed that the town of Preston, famous in the Church annals as the place where the first gospel sermon was preached by Latter-day Saint Polders in Europe in this dispensation, took its name from that of the Bishop's family. During the Catholic persecutions which marked the reign of Queen Mary, called "bloody Mary" for her crimes, the Prestons. who were stout Protestants, fled to Ireland, and during subsequent persecutions by the Catholics in the "green isle," several members of the family emigrated to America and settled in the Old Dominion. The Bishop's father was Christopher Preston, a cousin of William Ballard Preston, of Virginia, and W. C. Preston, of North Carolina, both members of Congress from their respective States. His mother's maiden name was Martha Mitchell Claytor. He was the third son and child in a family of seven. Christopher Preston was a well-to-do farmer, and, naturally enough, his son William's earliest recollections are those of the harvest field, where he doubtless acquired something of that knowledge of subduing and cultivating the earth which in after years fitted him for his career as a pioneer, farmer and colonizer. At the age of nineteen he changed his avocation as a tiller of the soil for that of clerk in a store, first in the immediate vicinity of his home and afterwards at Lynchburg, forty-five miles from where he was born. He continued in that occupation until the year 1852, when, as a youth in his twenty-second year, he left home and his native State to see and battle with the world. He had often heard of the wonderful land of California—the golden magnet of the great west, and with the motive of the sight-seer rather than the placer hunter, he was drawn thither to behold that marvelous amalgamation of men of all characters and nations, which the gold thirsty stream of emigration was pouring down the Pacific slope into the lap of the new Eldorado. Caring little or nothing for the life of a gold hunter, and having gratified the original desire which impelled him westward, he settled down as a farmer and stock raiser in Yolo county, California. He had for his neighbors the Thatcher family, who were "Mormons," and it was through them that he became acquainted with the history and religion of the Latter-day Saints, of whom till then he had scarcely heard. William B. Preston was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of "Latter-day Saints by Elder Henry G. Boyle, in the month of February, 1857, Immediately afterwards, he was called into the ministry by Pres. George Q. Cannon, then in charge of the Pacific Coast Mission, and, being ordained an Elder by Geo. Q. Cannon, traveled in Upper California, and the regions round about. He labored in that capacity until Pres. Young, in the fall of 1857, called home all the Elders and Saints, in consequence of the invasion of Johnston's army. The company in which Elder Preston traveled to Utah, included Moses Thatcher, his future brother-in-law. Henry G.- Boyle was captain of the company, he being one of the "Mormon Battalion and familiar with the route. It being too late in the season to cross the plains, they traveled south from Sacramento along the coast, and by way of Los Angeles and San Bernardino into southern Utah, thence north to Salt Lake City, where they arrived on New Year's day, 1858. The acquaintance of Elder Preston with the Thatcher family, and their subsequent friendship, had ripened into a fonder feeling for one of its members, and on Feb. 24, 1858, the second month after their arrival in this city, he took to wife Miss Harriet A. Thatcher. The organization of "Minute Men," one thousand strong, by Pres. Young, to meet the exigencies of those stirring times, included William B. Preston, who was also in the Utah exodus or "move," and went south as far as Payson. Early in the spring of 1858, he went back to the Platte bridge, with twenty-two others, to bring to Utah a lot of goods and merchandise, cashed there by the "Y. X. Company," at the outbreak of the troubles between the people of Utah and the government. This expedition involved considerable risk, as the "Utah war" was hardly over, and the troops at Fort Bridger were still watching "Mormon" movements with suspicious eyes. After some narrow escapes, the mission of the bold and trusty twenty-three was successfully accomplished, and they returned in safety to their homes. Brother Preston prepared to settle at Payson. and with this object in view built himself a house, making the adobies and shingles with his own hands. The winter following, he went with a company of others to California, to purchase clothing and merchandise for Father Thatcher's store, returning, after an eventful experience both ways, in the spring of 1859, with two wagon-loads of merchant freight, of which the people in those early times stood much in need. He now- reconsidered his intention of locating permanently at Payson, and. recognizing in the settling of the virgin valley of Cache, opportunities for growth and enterprise which the more thickly settled locality he was then in did not present, he, in connection with Father Thatcher and his family resolved to move north and assist in colonizing Cache valley. Their intention was carried into effect in August, 1859, when William B. Preston, with his wife and two of his brothers-in-law, John B. and Aaron Thatcher, left Pay son and journeyed to Cache valley, then a region of grass and sage-brush. They camped and prepared to locate on the present site of the city of Logan, of which they were among the principal founders. "This is good enough for me,"—the laconic speech of William B. Preston, as he halted and staked out his horses on the grassy banks of Logan river, has almost become a proverb with the inhabitants of the flourishing vale now known as "Utah's Granary." They were busy at work erecting their house, when. In November of that year. Apostles Orson Hyde and Ezra T. Benson were sent by Pres. Young to organize the settlements of Cache valley, which had been located under the direction of the veteran pioneer, Peter Maughan. "Who are you going to have for Bishop of Logan?" inquired Apostle Hyde of Bishop Maughan. The latter, pointing out Preston's house, said: "There is a young man living in that house, who seems to be a very enterprising, go-ahead man, who, I think, will make a good Bishop. He and the Thatcher boys have done the most in the shape of building and improving during the time they have been here. They have worked day and night." The Apostles seemed satisfied with this honest, plain-spoken recommend, and accordingly, on Nov. 14, 1859, "William B. Preston was chosen, ordained and set apart as Bishop of Logan, under the hands of Orson Hyde, Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan. At that time the population of Logan was made up of seventeen families. The next enterprise in which the young Bishop took a leading and active part was the construction of the Logan and Hyde Park canal, and its successful accomplishment with the beneficent results that have followed are due in no small degree to the native energy and character force of William B. Preston. Early, in the year 1860, while two feet of snow yet "lingered in the lap of spring," he assisted Surveyor Jesse W. Fox to lay off the city of Logan, and during that year spent much of his time in receiving new-comers, who now began to immigrate thither in great numbers, and apportioning off and selecting for them homes. In 1860-61, a new apportionment of representation having been made, by which Cache county was given two representatives and one counselor in the Territorial assembly. at the ensuing election Bishop Preston was chosen a representative and spent the winter of 1862-63 in the legislature. Having made two trips to the Missouri river with ox teams to immigrate the poor, in the years 1863 and 1864, he spent the winters of those years as a member of the legislative assembly. At the April conference of the Church in 1865, he was called with forty-six others on a mission to Europe, and was given charge of the company as far as New York. In those days of ox teams and stage coaches, such a trust meant much more than it possibly could mean nowadays. They left Salt Lake City May 10,1865. On arriving at New York the Bishop decided, before sailing, to visit his parents in Virginia, whom he had not seen for thirteen years, and of whom he had heard nothing during the civil war. He found them broken up and ruined in property by the war, but enjoyed a very pleasant visit with them, and after a brief stay among his relatives, returned to New York and sailed for Liverpool. Arriving at that port, the headquarters of the European Mission, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 1865, he was assigned to the Newcastle and Durham conference as its president, where he labored until January, 1866, when, at a conference held in Birmingham, he was called by the presidency of the mission to the Liverpool office, to take charge of the business department. Here he labored three years, during which time he visited the Paris Exposition in August, 1867. Released from his mission at the expiration of three and a half years, he sailed from Liverpool for home July 14, 1868, on the steamship "Colorado," in charge of a company of six hundred Saints, and reached Salt Lake City early in the following September. The advent of the great railroad, which was then being pushed ahead, gave him a new field in which to operate, and in the winter of 1868-69, we find him in Echo canyon, a sub-contractor under Pres. Brigham Young, engaged in constructing the Union Pacific railroad. Returning to Logan, he resumed his duties as Bishop, and at the next election was again sent to represent Cache county in the legislature of 1872. He also served as a member of that body in 1876, 1878, 1880 and 1882. After the death of Bishop Peter Maughan, April 24, 1871, Bishop Preston was called to act as presiding Bishop in Cache Valley. The Utah and Northern railroad was projected in the month of August, 1871. Bishop Preston was one of the leading spirits in the enterprise, and under the advice and direction of Pres. Young, perhaps did more than any one else in uniting the people of Cache valley upon the execution of the project. A company was organized for this purpose in 1871, with John W. Young as president, and William B. Preston as vice-president and assistant superintendent. The road was completed to Franklin in May, 1874. Bishop Preston was its vice-president until the property passed into the possession of the Union Pacific Company. In the month of May, 1877, the Cache Stake of Zion was re-organized by Pres. Young, and Moses Thatcher appointed president, with William B. Preston as his -first counselor. This position he held until Pres. Thatcher was called into the quorum of the Twelve, April, 1879, "When he succeeded the latter as president of the Cache Stake. The death of Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter Oct. 16, 1883, left that office vacant until the following spring, when, in general conference, April 6, 1884, William B. Preston was called to the high and responsible position which he now occupies. Thoroughly practical in his views and methods, he combines the intelligence of the progressive business man with the energy and ability to put his ideas into execution—a man more of deeds than of words, though not lacking in either when occasion for their use arises. Bishop Preston has made his presence and influence felt in the sacred and important calling, for which he was evidently by nature and Deity designed.—Orson F. Whitney.
PRESTON, William Bowker, the fourth presiding Bishop of the Church, and the present incumbent of that office, is by birth an American, a native of Franklin county. Virginia. where he was born Nov. 24, 1830. The name of Preston as known in the annals of history, as early as Malcolm 1st, of Scotland, who reigned from A. D. 944 to 953. Leolphus De Preston was the first of that name, of whom there is any record. It is supposed that the town of Preston, famous in the Church annals as the place where the first gospel sermon was preached by Latter-day Saint Polders in Europe in this dispensation, took its name from that of the Bishop's family. During the Catholic persecutions which marked the reign of Queen Mary, called "bloody Mary" for her crimes, the Prestons. who were stout Protestants, fled to Ireland, and during subsequent persecutions by the Catholics in the "green isle," several members of the family emigrated to America and settled in the Old Dominion. The Bishop's father was Christopher Preston, a cousin of William Ballard Preston, of Virginia, and W. C. Preston, of North Carolina, both members of Congress from their respective States. His mother's maiden name was Martha Mitchell Claytor. He was the third son and child in a family of seven. Christopher Preston was a well-to-do farmer, and, naturally enough, his son William's earliest recollections are those of the harvest field, where he doubtless acquired something of that knowledge of subduing and cultivating the earth which in after years fitted him for his career as a pioneer, farmer and colonizer. At the age of nineteen he changed his avocation as a tiller of the soil for that of clerk in a store, first in the immediate vicinity of his home and afterwards at Lynchburg, forty-five miles from where he was born. He continued in that occupation until the year 1852, when, as a youth in his twenty-second year, he left home and his native State to see and battle with the world. He had often heard of the wonderful land of California—the golden magnet of the great west, and with the motive of the sight-seer rather than the placer hunter, he was drawn thither to behold that marvelous amalgamation of men of all characters and nations, which the gold thirsty stream of emigration was pouring down the Pacific slope into the lap of the new Eldorado. Caring little or nothing for the life of a gold hunter, and having gratified the original desire which impelled him westward, he settled down as a farmer and stock raiser in Yolo county, California. He had for his neighbors the Thatcher family, who were "Mormons," and it was through them that he became acquainted with the history and religion of the Latter-day Saints, of whom till then he had scarcely heard. William B. Preston was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of "Latter-day Saints by Elder Henry G. Boyle, in the month of February, 1857, Immediately afterwards, he was called into the ministry by Pres. George Q. Cannon, then in charge of the Pacific Coast Mission, and, being ordained an Elder by Geo. Q. Cannon, traveled in Upper California, and the regions round about. He labored in that capacity until Pres. Young, in the fall of 1857, called home all the Elders and Saints, in consequence of the invasion of Johnston's army. The company in which Elder Preston traveled to Utah, included Moses Thatcher, his future brother-in-law. Henry G.- Boyle was captain of the company, he being one of the "Mormon Battalion and familiar with the route. It being too late in the season to cross the plains, they traveled south from Sacramento along the coast, and by way of Los Angeles and San Bernardino into southern Utah, thence north to Salt Lake City, where they arrived on New Year's day, 1858. The acquaintance of Elder Preston with the Thatcher family, and their subsequent friendship, had ripened into a fonder feeling for one of its members, and on Feb. 24, 1858, the second month after their arrival in this city, he took to wife Miss Harriet A. Thatcher. The organization of "Minute Men," one thousand strong, by Pres. Young, to meet the exigencies of those stirring times, included William B. Preston, who was also in the Utah exodus or "move," and went south as far as Payson. Early in the spring of 1858, he went back to the Platte bridge, with twenty-two others, to bring to Utah a lot of goods and merchandise, cashed there by the "Y. X. Company," at the outbreak of the troubles between the people of Utah and the government. This expedition involved considerable risk, as the "Utah war" was hardly over, and the troops at Fort Bridger were still watching "Mormon" movements with suspicious eyes. After some narrow escapes, the mission of the bold and trusty twenty-three was successfully accomplished, and they returned in safety to their homes. Brother Preston prepared to settle at Payson. and with this object in view built himself a house, making the adobies and shingles with his own hands. The winter following, he went with a company of others to California, to purchase clothing and merchandise for Father Thatcher's store, returning, after an eventful experience both ways, in the spring of 1859, with two wagon-loads of merchant freight, of which the people in those early times stood much in need. He now- reconsidered his intention of locating permanently at Payson, and. recognizing in the settling of the virgin valley of Cache, opportunities for growth and enterprise which the more thickly settled locality he was then in did not present, he, in connection with Father Thatcher and his family resolved to move north and assist in colonizing Cache valley. Their intention was carried into effect in August, 1859, when William B. Preston, with his wife and two of his brothers-in-law, John B. and Aaron Thatcher, left Pay son and journeyed to Cache valley, then a region of grass and sage-brush. They camped and prepared to locate on the present site of the city of Logan, of which they were among the principal founders. "This is good enough for me,"—the laconic speech of William B. Preston, as he halted and staked out his horses on the grassy banks of Logan river, has almost become a proverb with the inhabitants of the flourishing vale now known as "Utah's Granary." They were busy at work erecting their house, when. In November of that year. Apostles Orson Hyde and Ezra T. Benson were sent by Pres. Young to organize the settlements of Cache valley, which had been located under the direction of the veteran pioneer, Peter Maughan. "Who are you going to have for Bishop of Logan?" inquired Apostle Hyde of Bishop Maughan. The latter, pointing out Preston's house, said: "There is a young man living in that house, who seems to be a very enterprising, go-ahead man, who, I think, will make a good Bishop. He and the Thatcher boys have done the most in the shape of building and improving during the time they have been here. They have worked day and night." The Apostles seemed satisfied with this honest, plain-spoken recommend, and accordingly, on Nov. 14, 1859, "William B. Preston was chosen, ordained and set apart as Bishop of Logan, under the hands of Orson Hyde, Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan. At that time the population of Logan was made up of seventeen families. The next enterprise in which the young Bishop took a leading and active part was the construction of the Logan and Hyde Park canal, and its successful accomplishment with the beneficent results that have followed are due in no small degree to the native energy and character force of William B. Preston. Early, in the year 1860, while two feet of snow yet "lingered in the lap of spring," he assisted Surveyor Jesse W. Fox to lay off the city of Logan, and during that year spent much of his time in receiving new-comers, who now began to immigrate thither in great numbers, and apportioning off and selecting for them homes. In 1860-61, a new apportionment of representation having been made, by which Cache county was given two representatives and one counselor in the Territorial assembly. at the ensuing election Bishop Preston was chosen a representative and spent the winter of 1862-63 in the legislature. Having made two trips to the Missouri river with ox teams to immigrate the poor, in the years 1863 and 1864, he spent the winters of those years as a member of the legislative assembly. At the April conference of the Church in 1865, he was called with forty-six others on a mission to Europe, and was given charge of the company as far as New York. In those days of ox teams and stage coaches, such a trust meant much more than it possibly could mean nowadays. They left Salt Lake City May 10,1865. On arriving at New York the Bishop decided, before sailing, to visit his parents in Virginia, whom he had not seen for thirteen years, and of whom he had heard nothing during the civil war. He found them broken up and ruined in property by the war, but enjoyed a very pleasant visit with them, and after a brief stay among his relatives, returned to New York and sailed for Liverpool. Arriving at that port, the headquarters of the European Mission, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 1865, he was assigned to the Newcastle and Durham conference as its president, where he labored until January, 1866, when, at a conference held in Birmingham, he was called by the presidency of the mission to the Liverpool office, to take charge of the business department. Here he labored three years, during which time he visited the Paris Exposition in August, 1867. Released from his mission at the expiration of three and a half years, he sailed from Liverpool for home July 14, 1868, on the steamship "Colorado," in charge of a company of six hundred Saints, and reached Salt Lake City early in the following September. The advent of the great railroad, which was then being pushed ahead, gave him a new field in which to operate, and in the winter of 1868-69, we find him in Echo canyon, a sub-contractor under Pres. Brigham Young, engaged in constructing the Union Pacific railroad. Returning to Logan, he resumed his duties as Bishop, and at the next election was again sent to represent Cache county in the legislature of 1872. He also served as a member of that body in 1876, 1878, 1880 and 1882. After the death of Bishop Peter Maughan, April 24, 1871, Bishop Preston was called to act as presiding Bishop in Cache Valley. The Utah and Northern railroad was projected in the month of August, 1871. Bishop Preston was one of the leading spirits in the enterprise, and under the advice and direction of Pres. Young, perhaps did more than any one else in uniting the people of Cache valley upon the execution of the project. A company was organized for this purpose in 1871, with John W. Young as president, and William B. Preston as vice-president and assistant superintendent. The road was completed to Franklin in May, 1874. Bishop Preston was its vice-president until the property passed into the possession of the Union Pacific Company. In the month of May, 1877, the Cache Stake of Zion was re-organized by Pres. Young, and Moses Thatcher appointed president, with William B. Preston as his -first counselor. This position he held until Pres. Thatcher was called into the quorum of the Twelve, April, 1879, "When he succeeded the latter as president of the Cache Stake. The death of Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter Oct. 16, 1883, left that office vacant until the following spring, when, in general conference, April 6, 1884, William B. Preston was called to the high and responsible position which he now occupies. Thoroughly practical in his views and methods, he combines the intelligence of the progressive business man with the energy and ability to put his ideas into execution—a man more of deeds than of words, though not lacking in either when occasion for their use arises. Bishop Preston has made his presence and influence felt in the sacred and important calling, for which he was evidently by nature and Deity designed.—Orson F. Whitney.
Jenson, Andrew. "Preston, William B." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 3. pg. 771.
PRESTON, William B., presiding Bishop of the Church. (Continued from Vol. 1, page 232.) Bishop Preston resigned his position as presiding Bishop of the Church, owing to ill health, and was succeeded in that office by Charles W. Nibley, Dec. 11, 1907. He died at his home in Salt Lake City Aug. 2, 1908. The following was published in the "Deseret Evening News" at the time of his demise: "Bishop William B. Preston, now called to another sphere of action, was one of the noble band of men who were selected by Providence to lay the foundations and begin the superstructure of this great and glorious State [Utah]. He is one of a band of God-fearing devoted pioneers, whom generations after generations, to the end of time, will call blessed. He accomplished a great work and has gone to receive his reward. Bishop Preston was a man possessed of unusual gifts and talents. Wherever duty called him, he naturally became a leader. As an empire-builder, a law-maker, a missionary, and ecclesiastical or municipal official, at home or abroad, he distinguished himself by wise counsel and solid, enduring work. And, above all, he was faithful to the cause of God, and as loyal to his brethren as to his country. No matter what were the circumstances in which he was placed, his faith was firm, and his love for the brethren (that divine quality without which all others are as naught) burned steadily, without flickering. He was faithful to the end."
PRESTON, William B., presiding Bishop of the Church. (Continued from Vol. 1, page 232.) Bishop Preston resigned his position as presiding Bishop of the Church, owing to ill health, and was succeeded in that office by Charles W. Nibley, Dec. 11, 1907. He died at his home in Salt Lake City Aug. 2, 1908. The following was published in the "Deseret Evening News" at the time of his demise: "Bishop William B. Preston, now called to another sphere of action, was one of the noble band of men who were selected by Providence to lay the foundations and begin the superstructure of this great and glorious State [Utah]. He is one of a band of God-fearing devoted pioneers, whom generations after generations, to the end of time, will call blessed. He accomplished a great work and has gone to receive his reward. Bishop Preston was a man possessed of unusual gifts and talents. Wherever duty called him, he naturally became a leader. As an empire-builder, a law-maker, a missionary, and ecclesiastical or municipal official, at home or abroad, he distinguished himself by wise counsel and solid, enduring work. And, above all, he was faithful to the cause of God, and as loyal to his brethren as to his country. No matter what were the circumstances in which he was placed, his faith was firm, and his love for the brethren (that divine quality without which all others are as naught) burned steadily, without flickering. He was faithful to the end."
Jenson, Andrew. "Preston, William B." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 727.
PRESTON, William B., a member and chairman of the Old Folks Central Committee, from 1884 to 1907, was born Nov. 24, 1830, in Franklin County, Virginia, a son of Christopher Preston and Martha Mitchell Clayton. He died Aug. 12, 1908, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (See Bio. Ency., Vol. 1, p. 232.)
PRESTON, William B., a member and chairman of the Old Folks Central Committee, from 1884 to 1907, was born Nov. 24, 1830, in Franklin County, Virginia, a son of Christopher Preston and Martha Mitchell Clayton. He died Aug. 12, 1908, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (See Bio. Ency., Vol. 1, p. 232.)
Snow, Minnie J. "Incidents in Tithe Paying." Young Woman's Journal. March 1900. pg. 117-119.
INCIDENTS IN TITHE PAYING.
Minnie J. Snow.
The following incidents have been related during the revival of the principle of tithing by President Snow and company in their recent visits among the Saints:
This experience was told by Elder Le Roi C. Snow:
“While laboring in Germany as a missionary, I spent fourteen months in the beautiful city Munich. This is not only the chief city in the Bavarian kingdom, but it is also one of the strongest Catholic centers in the world. Denominations, other than Catholic, enjoy but a mere trace of liberty in this large city, in fact, a large percentage of them is entirely prohibited. The Church of England is permitted to hold services for the benefit of any of its members who may be in the city, with a special warning not to proselyte among nonmembers.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not only subject to a general law prohibiting missionary work, but a special act was passed by the government at Munich against the ‘Mormons.’ This act forbids any missionary or member of our Church to meet with the people either in public or in private for any religious purpose whatever. It specifies that we shall not perform any religious rite or ceremony, or baptize, or attend to the sacrament, or even to pray with the people in public or in their homes. It further provides a penalty of twenty marks for the first offense and banishment from the kingdom for the second offense. I suffered both of these and imprisonment also.
“Notwithstanding these seemingly insurmountable difficulties I enjoyed my labors more in Munich than in any other field where I was called to work. We have a strong branch there and it is growing. Because of the unfavorable conditions under which we must labor, we come in contact with only the very poorest classes of people. Though poor in the things of this world they are rich in faith and are the most sincere people I have ever met. Their faith, however, is based upon the false foundation of misrepresentation and superstition. But when they become converted and place their faith upon the true Gospel foundation, they are worthy of being numbered among the strongest and most honest members of the Church. For this reason, they are humble and united and it is no wonder that every Elder enjoys his labors among the Saints in Munich.
“It was while laboring in this branch that I was taught a lesson on the subject of tithing that I shall never forget, and it was taught me by one of these humble Saints, too. I had never met this condition at home and therefore did not fully understand the law of tithing. The Saints were very poor and I did not think they should be required to give one-tenth of their meagre income unto the Lord, therefore we did not teach this principle to them. But Brother Kraus, one of our poorest members, had been reading in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, or had learned in some other way of this sacred requirement. You may imagine my surprise, when one evening as I went to visit him at his home, he handed me a sum of money worth about a dollar, saying that this was a tenth of his earnings during the past month. Here was this poor man, he had a wife and children all in the deepest poverty, and from the little money he had been able to gather together he took out one-tenth to give to the Lord, according to His commandment. The greatest trial I had on my mission was to accept anything from such poor people, but when we visited them, they insisted on buying us a glass of milk, a piece of cake, or a small piece of meat, food that they were not able to buy for themselves. The little room serving for all the purposes of the family, was full of smoke and offensive odors, a little space was taken up by a broken chair, a three-legged table, and fragments used as cooking utensils. While partaking of these humble gifts, the dirty, half-clad children would gather in a corner or under the table and watch us with pitiful faces; they looked nearly starved. Oh, it was almost more than I could endure. But the Saints had faith in God and testified that through giving drink or food unto the servants of God, they themselves were blessed and made more happy. Seeing this poverty glaring me in the face, how could I accept a farthing from this poor man? His children were before me, dressed in rags, cold, and crying for bread. ‘No,’ I said, ‘Brother Kraus, I shall not take your money; you need it for your family.’ The poor fellow looked at me with surprise, and his eyes filled with tears as he said: ‘What, Brother Snow, will you not accept my tithing? God has commanded me to pay my tithing, and has promised a blessing through obedience to this law. Now you will not allow me to obey the Lord, and you thereby withhold from me the promised blessings of heaven.’ How these words humiliated me; I was brought to a full realization of my position. I accepted his tithing and asked God to bless him.
“Soon after this Brother Kraus was given a position where his wages were nearly doubled, and it was not long until he moved his family to better quarters. Just before leaving Munich I heard Brother Kraus bear one of the strongest testimonies that I ever heard, on the subject of tithing. He Said he knew it was a sacred law of God and through obedience to it he had been mightily blessed, both spiritually and temporally.”
This incident was related by William B. Preston, Presiding Bishop of the Church: “One day while standing in a tithing office, I noticed a little boy of about twelve years enter; walking directly up to the clerk, he put one dollar on the table, saying, ‘Take eighty cents out of that, please, for my tithing.’ Astonished and curious, I inquired, ‘For your own tithing, did you say, little man? and how came you to owe so much tithing?’ ‘Why, sir, I work in a store, and am paid eight dollars a month, and my mother tells me never to bring it home until I have been to this office and paid my tithing.’ Taking the child, the Bishop embraced him, saying, ‘God bless you, boy; if your mother were here I should like to hug her too. I have been taught a lesson by your example; never to delay one hour in settling my indebtedness to the Lord.’ ”
Bishop Preston also relates the following:
‘‘There are two young men in northern Utah who, some years ago, were engaged to be married to two lovable young girls, in Logan. Being Latter-day Saints, they would consent to be married only in the Temple. The young men, however, were not so particular, and besides were doubtful about obtaining a recommend; but as the young ladies were firm in their resolve and could not be turned from their purpose, the young men finally made application to their Bishop for the desired recommend. They had been careless and indifferent in their religious duties, and the testimony of the records was against them, and therefore the Bishop did not feel justified in granting their request. I saw them turn away rejected and repentant, and my sympathies were aroused by their distressing situation; and upon securing from them a promise to do better in the future, I proffered to pay their back tithing, taking their notes for the amount. I interceded with their Bishop in their behalf, and he consented to give them a recommend, and the happy event took place. Upwards of two years after that, I had occasion to call at the home of one of these young men, and, presenting the note which he had given to me, but which he had apparently forgotten, I asked him if he recognized it, and ventured to remark that possibly I had a good claim upon his wife and his two pretty children, also, since he had utterly failed in keeping the promise which he had made to secure them.”
Another experience in tithe paying is as follows:
There had lived for many years, in a certain country town in northern Utah, a man of family, who was prosperous in earthly possessions and well thought of as a townsman and neighbor, but very indifferent in Church matters. One day last November, he chanced to attend a meeting and was deeply impressed during the services by the sermon on tithing. His past indebtedness was of years’ standing. He pondered over and over the situation with a sore conscience. Even after retiring he could not forget the sermon. At last his heart was touched unto repentance. He arose and wrote out a check for five hundred dollars, payable to the Bishop of his ward. His conscience thus appeased, he again retired, but not to rest, for now began a struggle with the opposite influence, which sought to dissuade him from so good a purpose, and to convince him that the amount was too much, and that a portion at least of this sum would serve in providing added comforts for his family, etc., until his resolve was so shaken that he again arose, and taking the check was about to tear it to pieces. He hesitated, his better determination again asserted itself, he replaced the check, and having conquered, retired to rest in peace. The Bishop received an early call next morning from his neighbor, and was so overwhelmed with astonishment, upon learning his errand, confirmed by the presentation of the five hundred dollar check, that the two men embraced each other and wept for joy.
INCIDENTS IN TITHE PAYING.
Minnie J. Snow.
The following incidents have been related during the revival of the principle of tithing by President Snow and company in their recent visits among the Saints:
This experience was told by Elder Le Roi C. Snow:
“While laboring in Germany as a missionary, I spent fourteen months in the beautiful city Munich. This is not only the chief city in the Bavarian kingdom, but it is also one of the strongest Catholic centers in the world. Denominations, other than Catholic, enjoy but a mere trace of liberty in this large city, in fact, a large percentage of them is entirely prohibited. The Church of England is permitted to hold services for the benefit of any of its members who may be in the city, with a special warning not to proselyte among nonmembers.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not only subject to a general law prohibiting missionary work, but a special act was passed by the government at Munich against the ‘Mormons.’ This act forbids any missionary or member of our Church to meet with the people either in public or in private for any religious purpose whatever. It specifies that we shall not perform any religious rite or ceremony, or baptize, or attend to the sacrament, or even to pray with the people in public or in their homes. It further provides a penalty of twenty marks for the first offense and banishment from the kingdom for the second offense. I suffered both of these and imprisonment also.
“Notwithstanding these seemingly insurmountable difficulties I enjoyed my labors more in Munich than in any other field where I was called to work. We have a strong branch there and it is growing. Because of the unfavorable conditions under which we must labor, we come in contact with only the very poorest classes of people. Though poor in the things of this world they are rich in faith and are the most sincere people I have ever met. Their faith, however, is based upon the false foundation of misrepresentation and superstition. But when they become converted and place their faith upon the true Gospel foundation, they are worthy of being numbered among the strongest and most honest members of the Church. For this reason, they are humble and united and it is no wonder that every Elder enjoys his labors among the Saints in Munich.
“It was while laboring in this branch that I was taught a lesson on the subject of tithing that I shall never forget, and it was taught me by one of these humble Saints, too. I had never met this condition at home and therefore did not fully understand the law of tithing. The Saints were very poor and I did not think they should be required to give one-tenth of their meagre income unto the Lord, therefore we did not teach this principle to them. But Brother Kraus, one of our poorest members, had been reading in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, or had learned in some other way of this sacred requirement. You may imagine my surprise, when one evening as I went to visit him at his home, he handed me a sum of money worth about a dollar, saying that this was a tenth of his earnings during the past month. Here was this poor man, he had a wife and children all in the deepest poverty, and from the little money he had been able to gather together he took out one-tenth to give to the Lord, according to His commandment. The greatest trial I had on my mission was to accept anything from such poor people, but when we visited them, they insisted on buying us a glass of milk, a piece of cake, or a small piece of meat, food that they were not able to buy for themselves. The little room serving for all the purposes of the family, was full of smoke and offensive odors, a little space was taken up by a broken chair, a three-legged table, and fragments used as cooking utensils. While partaking of these humble gifts, the dirty, half-clad children would gather in a corner or under the table and watch us with pitiful faces; they looked nearly starved. Oh, it was almost more than I could endure. But the Saints had faith in God and testified that through giving drink or food unto the servants of God, they themselves were blessed and made more happy. Seeing this poverty glaring me in the face, how could I accept a farthing from this poor man? His children were before me, dressed in rags, cold, and crying for bread. ‘No,’ I said, ‘Brother Kraus, I shall not take your money; you need it for your family.’ The poor fellow looked at me with surprise, and his eyes filled with tears as he said: ‘What, Brother Snow, will you not accept my tithing? God has commanded me to pay my tithing, and has promised a blessing through obedience to this law. Now you will not allow me to obey the Lord, and you thereby withhold from me the promised blessings of heaven.’ How these words humiliated me; I was brought to a full realization of my position. I accepted his tithing and asked God to bless him.
“Soon after this Brother Kraus was given a position where his wages were nearly doubled, and it was not long until he moved his family to better quarters. Just before leaving Munich I heard Brother Kraus bear one of the strongest testimonies that I ever heard, on the subject of tithing. He Said he knew it was a sacred law of God and through obedience to it he had been mightily blessed, both spiritually and temporally.”
This incident was related by William B. Preston, Presiding Bishop of the Church: “One day while standing in a tithing office, I noticed a little boy of about twelve years enter; walking directly up to the clerk, he put one dollar on the table, saying, ‘Take eighty cents out of that, please, for my tithing.’ Astonished and curious, I inquired, ‘For your own tithing, did you say, little man? and how came you to owe so much tithing?’ ‘Why, sir, I work in a store, and am paid eight dollars a month, and my mother tells me never to bring it home until I have been to this office and paid my tithing.’ Taking the child, the Bishop embraced him, saying, ‘God bless you, boy; if your mother were here I should like to hug her too. I have been taught a lesson by your example; never to delay one hour in settling my indebtedness to the Lord.’ ”
Bishop Preston also relates the following:
‘‘There are two young men in northern Utah who, some years ago, were engaged to be married to two lovable young girls, in Logan. Being Latter-day Saints, they would consent to be married only in the Temple. The young men, however, were not so particular, and besides were doubtful about obtaining a recommend; but as the young ladies were firm in their resolve and could not be turned from their purpose, the young men finally made application to their Bishop for the desired recommend. They had been careless and indifferent in their religious duties, and the testimony of the records was against them, and therefore the Bishop did not feel justified in granting their request. I saw them turn away rejected and repentant, and my sympathies were aroused by their distressing situation; and upon securing from them a promise to do better in the future, I proffered to pay their back tithing, taking their notes for the amount. I interceded with their Bishop in their behalf, and he consented to give them a recommend, and the happy event took place. Upwards of two years after that, I had occasion to call at the home of one of these young men, and, presenting the note which he had given to me, but which he had apparently forgotten, I asked him if he recognized it, and ventured to remark that possibly I had a good claim upon his wife and his two pretty children, also, since he had utterly failed in keeping the promise which he had made to secure them.”
Another experience in tithe paying is as follows:
There had lived for many years, in a certain country town in northern Utah, a man of family, who was prosperous in earthly possessions and well thought of as a townsman and neighbor, but very indifferent in Church matters. One day last November, he chanced to attend a meeting and was deeply impressed during the services by the sermon on tithing. His past indebtedness was of years’ standing. He pondered over and over the situation with a sore conscience. Even after retiring he could not forget the sermon. At last his heart was touched unto repentance. He arose and wrote out a check for five hundred dollars, payable to the Bishop of his ward. His conscience thus appeased, he again retired, but not to rest, for now began a struggle with the opposite influence, which sought to dissuade him from so good a purpose, and to convince him that the amount was too much, and that a portion at least of this sum would serve in providing added comforts for his family, etc., until his resolve was so shaken that he again arose, and taking the check was about to tear it to pieces. He hesitated, his better determination again asserted itself, he replaced the check, and having conquered, retired to rest in peace. The Bishop received an early call next morning from his neighbor, and was so overwhelmed with astonishment, upon learning his errand, confirmed by the presentation of the five hundred dollar check, that the two men embraced each other and wept for joy.
"Lives of Our Leaders - The Presiding Bishopric: Bishop William B. Preston." Juvenile Instructor. 15 September 1901. pg. 544-547.
LIVES OF OUR LEADERS.—THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC.
BISHOP WILLIAM B. PRESTON.
PRESIDING BISHOP WILLIAM BOWKER PRESTON, son of Christopher Preston and Martha Mitchell Claytor, was born in Franklin County, Virginia, November 24, 1830.
The first nineteen years of his life were spent on the farm where he became familiar with all the details of farm work and stock growing. From the age of six until eighteen he attended school, but his attendance was chiefly confined to the winter months. His father being a devout Methodist took his children regularly to meeting and Sunday School, and this action no doubt helped greatly to develop his religious character. The next three years were spent at a store in Stewartsville, Bedford County, where he acted as salesman and bookkeeper, and later he occupied the same position in a mercantile establishment at Lynchburg, Virginia.
In the year 1852, hearing of the marvelous discoveries in California, he obtained the consent of his parents to leave home and visit that country. He took steamer at New York for Aspinwall and, crossing the Isthmus of Darian, landed at San Francisco. Instead of starting at gold mining, as was the general rule with all new comers, he turned his attention to the more healthy and legitimate occupation of farming and stock raising, settling in Yolo County, thirty miles west of Sacramento! Here he became acquainted with Hezekiah Thatcher and family who had moved from Utah, and in February, 1857, he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Henry G. Boyle. Soon after this Brother Preston was ordained an Elder by Elder George Q. Cannon, (who was then President of the California Mission,) and he was called on a mission to labor in the northern part of the State, preaching the Gospel until the fall of the same year at which time the Elders were called home to Utah. Elder Preston, in company with other members of the Church, started overland from California by the Southern route, via Los Angeles and San Bernardino, arriving in Salt Lake City January 1, 1858.
On the 24th of February of the same year Brother Preston was married to Miss Harriet Ann Thatcher, daughter of Elder Hezekiah Thatcher and Allie Kitchen. After a short stay in Salt Lake City he and his wife went South in the «move,» settling for a short time at Payson, but finding that he was not able to obtain sufficient land in that neighborhood for his purpose, he resolved to seek a new and wider field. In the fall of 1859 the Thatcher and Preston families decided to move into Cache Valley where they found Elder Peter Maughan and a few other settlers located where Wellsville now stands. Selecting a sits on the north side of Logan River and looking over the valley, Brother Preston said to his relatives, John and Aaron Thatcher, «This is good enough for me!» They at once set to work vigorously, taking up government land and building necessary houses. In November, 1859, Apostles Orson Hyde and Ezra T. Benson came into Cache Valley for the purpose of organizing wards, and much to the surprise of Elder Preston he was chosen Bishop of Logan and ordained under the hands of Brothers Orson Hyde, Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan. The next five years of his life were spent in building up the city of Logan, laying out farms for the settlers, building the Logan and Hyde Park Canal and defending the settlements from the depredations of the Indians. In 1863 and 1864 the Bishop made two trips to the Missouri River to bring in the immigrants, being captain of both companies, each of which consisted of fifty ox-teams. In the winters of 1863-4-5 he served as a member of the Territorial Legislature of Utah.
At the April conference of 1865 Bishop Preston was called on a mission to Europe and appointed to take charge of a company of missionaries as far as New York. Arriving at the latter place, he paid a visit to his father and mother, whom he had not seen for thirteen years, then proceeded on his way to Europe where most of his missionary labors was confined to the business management of the British Mission under the Presidencies of Elders Brigham Young and Franklin D. Richards. After an absence of three years and eight months he returned home and again served in the legislature for five terms, (1872, 1876, 1878, 1880 and 1882). In the year 1870 Bishop Preston was elected mayor of Logan City, which position he held for twelve years. He was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1895.
Taking a contract, together with John W. Young, from President Brigham Young, Bishop Preston assisted in building that part of the Union Pacific Railway running through Echo Canyon. Early in the year 1872 he took an active part in constructing the Utah Northern Railroad, which was completed as far as Franklin in the year 1874, and was vice-President and general superintendent of that railroad until it passed into the hands of the Union Pacific.
In 1877 Bishop Preston was appointed first counselor to President Moses Thatcher of the Cache Stake of Zion, which position he occupied until the former was called into the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Bishop was then called to be President of Cache Stake, and was set apart under the hands of President John Taylor and several of the Apostles. In this latter duty he served until April 6, 1884, when, at the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at Salt Lake City, he was chosen Presiding Bishop of the Church. He has labored continuously in this calling from the date of his ordination until the present time.
It will readily be seen that the life and training of Bishop Preston have peculiarly adapted him to the important calling he now holds. The testimony of his close friend and associate, the late President Wilford Woodruff is in point. At a reunion which was held in the latter's house on the anniversary of his ninetieth birthday he presented the Bishop with a card bearing the following inscription:
«The fullness of the bishopric was awaiting thee in Zion while thou wert on the way to California, though thou knew it not. Thou wilt be remembered in that quorum in the morning of the resurrection. Great will be thy reward.
Wilford Woodruff.”
Bishop Preston has also been closely associated with the educational and material developments of the Latter-day Saints. For many years he has been chairman of the executive committee and one of the trustees of the Brigham Young College of Logan, in which institution he takes a fatherly interest and pride. He has been vice-president of the State Bank of Utah since its incorporation, president of the Provo Woolen Mills Company, president of the Nevada Land & Live Stock Company, vice-president of the Rexburg Milling Company, president of the Central Mill & Elevator Company of Logan; in fact, Bishop Preston has always taken an active interest in all movements of a religious, social, financial and political character pertaining to the development of the Latter-day Saints and the State in which he lives.
LIVES OF OUR LEADERS.—THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC.
BISHOP WILLIAM B. PRESTON.
PRESIDING BISHOP WILLIAM BOWKER PRESTON, son of Christopher Preston and Martha Mitchell Claytor, was born in Franklin County, Virginia, November 24, 1830.
The first nineteen years of his life were spent on the farm where he became familiar with all the details of farm work and stock growing. From the age of six until eighteen he attended school, but his attendance was chiefly confined to the winter months. His father being a devout Methodist took his children regularly to meeting and Sunday School, and this action no doubt helped greatly to develop his religious character. The next three years were spent at a store in Stewartsville, Bedford County, where he acted as salesman and bookkeeper, and later he occupied the same position in a mercantile establishment at Lynchburg, Virginia.
In the year 1852, hearing of the marvelous discoveries in California, he obtained the consent of his parents to leave home and visit that country. He took steamer at New York for Aspinwall and, crossing the Isthmus of Darian, landed at San Francisco. Instead of starting at gold mining, as was the general rule with all new comers, he turned his attention to the more healthy and legitimate occupation of farming and stock raising, settling in Yolo County, thirty miles west of Sacramento! Here he became acquainted with Hezekiah Thatcher and family who had moved from Utah, and in February, 1857, he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Henry G. Boyle. Soon after this Brother Preston was ordained an Elder by Elder George Q. Cannon, (who was then President of the California Mission,) and he was called on a mission to labor in the northern part of the State, preaching the Gospel until the fall of the same year at which time the Elders were called home to Utah. Elder Preston, in company with other members of the Church, started overland from California by the Southern route, via Los Angeles and San Bernardino, arriving in Salt Lake City January 1, 1858.
On the 24th of February of the same year Brother Preston was married to Miss Harriet Ann Thatcher, daughter of Elder Hezekiah Thatcher and Allie Kitchen. After a short stay in Salt Lake City he and his wife went South in the «move,» settling for a short time at Payson, but finding that he was not able to obtain sufficient land in that neighborhood for his purpose, he resolved to seek a new and wider field. In the fall of 1859 the Thatcher and Preston families decided to move into Cache Valley where they found Elder Peter Maughan and a few other settlers located where Wellsville now stands. Selecting a sits on the north side of Logan River and looking over the valley, Brother Preston said to his relatives, John and Aaron Thatcher, «This is good enough for me!» They at once set to work vigorously, taking up government land and building necessary houses. In November, 1859, Apostles Orson Hyde and Ezra T. Benson came into Cache Valley for the purpose of organizing wards, and much to the surprise of Elder Preston he was chosen Bishop of Logan and ordained under the hands of Brothers Orson Hyde, Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan. The next five years of his life were spent in building up the city of Logan, laying out farms for the settlers, building the Logan and Hyde Park Canal and defending the settlements from the depredations of the Indians. In 1863 and 1864 the Bishop made two trips to the Missouri River to bring in the immigrants, being captain of both companies, each of which consisted of fifty ox-teams. In the winters of 1863-4-5 he served as a member of the Territorial Legislature of Utah.
At the April conference of 1865 Bishop Preston was called on a mission to Europe and appointed to take charge of a company of missionaries as far as New York. Arriving at the latter place, he paid a visit to his father and mother, whom he had not seen for thirteen years, then proceeded on his way to Europe where most of his missionary labors was confined to the business management of the British Mission under the Presidencies of Elders Brigham Young and Franklin D. Richards. After an absence of three years and eight months he returned home and again served in the legislature for five terms, (1872, 1876, 1878, 1880 and 1882). In the year 1870 Bishop Preston was elected mayor of Logan City, which position he held for twelve years. He was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1895.
Taking a contract, together with John W. Young, from President Brigham Young, Bishop Preston assisted in building that part of the Union Pacific Railway running through Echo Canyon. Early in the year 1872 he took an active part in constructing the Utah Northern Railroad, which was completed as far as Franklin in the year 1874, and was vice-President and general superintendent of that railroad until it passed into the hands of the Union Pacific.
In 1877 Bishop Preston was appointed first counselor to President Moses Thatcher of the Cache Stake of Zion, which position he occupied until the former was called into the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Bishop was then called to be President of Cache Stake, and was set apart under the hands of President John Taylor and several of the Apostles. In this latter duty he served until April 6, 1884, when, at the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at Salt Lake City, he was chosen Presiding Bishop of the Church. He has labored continuously in this calling from the date of his ordination until the present time.
It will readily be seen that the life and training of Bishop Preston have peculiarly adapted him to the important calling he now holds. The testimony of his close friend and associate, the late President Wilford Woodruff is in point. At a reunion which was held in the latter's house on the anniversary of his ninetieth birthday he presented the Bishop with a card bearing the following inscription:
«The fullness of the bishopric was awaiting thee in Zion while thou wert on the way to California, though thou knew it not. Thou wilt be remembered in that quorum in the morning of the resurrection. Great will be thy reward.
Wilford Woodruff.”
Bishop Preston has also been closely associated with the educational and material developments of the Latter-day Saints. For many years he has been chairman of the executive committee and one of the trustees of the Brigham Young College of Logan, in which institution he takes a fatherly interest and pride. He has been vice-president of the State Bank of Utah since its incorporation, president of the Provo Woolen Mills Company, president of the Nevada Land & Live Stock Company, vice-president of the Rexburg Milling Company, president of the Central Mill & Elevator Company of Logan; in fact, Bishop Preston has always taken an active interest in all movements of a religious, social, financial and political character pertaining to the development of the Latter-day Saints and the State in which he lives.