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PRESIDENCY OF LORENZO SNOW.

September 13, 1898, the quorum of Twelve Apostles met at Salt Lake City and
chose Lorenzo Snow President of the Church. President Snow chose George Q.
Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as his counselors.

President Snow was born in Ohio, April 3, 1814. While yet a young man, he
went to Kirtland, where he became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph.
Joining the Church, he was soon in the field as a missionary, traveling
through the States preaching the gospel. From Nauvoo, he went on a mission
to England, returning in 1843 with a large company of Saints. He was
ordained a member of the Twelve Apostles, February 12, 1849, at Salt Lake
City. Shortly afterwards he was called on a mission to Italy. His labors,
however, were not confined to that country, as he organized many branches
of the Church in other European lands.

[Illustration: PRESIDENT LORENZO SNOW.]

In 1853, President Snow removed to Brigham City, where for many years he
united the people in a system of co-operation, which rapidly built up the
country. At the completion of the Salt Lake temple he was called to preside
in that sacred building.

Though so far advanced in years when called to stand at the head of the
Church, President Snow was quite strong in body and in mind. During the
summer of 1899, with a party of Apostles and, other leading men, he visited
many of the stakes of Zion in their conference gatherings. President Snow
said he had a special message to deliver to the Saints which was that they
should in the future more fully observe the law of tithing. This law had
been neglected in the past, but now, the Prophet said, the Lord expected
the Saints to observe this commandment. It is pleasing to state that most
of the Saints heeded the timely instruction and warning, and there was
great improvement in keeping this law of the Lord.

When President Snow took charge of the affairs of the Church, it was
largely in debt, owing to the troubles incident to the confiscation of its
property by the government some time before. Now, because of the
improvement in the payment of tithes and offerings, the First Presidency
were able to pay some of the debts of the Church, and make arrangements for
the payment of others as they became due.

President Snow put new life into many departments of the Church. The School
system which the Church had established received much attention. The
Latter-day Saints' University at Salt Lake City was e