today the "Mormon" question has been accorded extended
consideration at the hands of the national government, and indeed
most civilized nations have taken cognizance of the same.

Let us observe the contrast between the beginning and the present
proportions of the Church. Instead of but six regularly
affiliated members, and at most two score of adherents, the
organization numbers today many hundred thousand souls. In place
of a single hamlet, in the smallest corner of which the members
could have congregated, there now are about seventy stakes of
Zion and about seven hundred organized wards, each ward and stake
with its full complement of officers and priesthood
organizations. The practise of gathering its proselytes into one
place prevents the building up and strengthening of foreign
branches; and inasmuch as extensive and strong organizations are
seldom met with abroad, very erroneous ideas exist concerning the
strength of the Church. Nevertheless, the mustard seed, among
the smallest of all seeds, has attained the proportions of a
tree, and the birds of the air are nesting in its branches; the
acorn is now an oak offering protection and the sweets of
satisfaction to every earnest pilgrim journeying its way for
truth.

From the organization of the Church, the spirit of emigration
rested upon the people. Their eyes were from the first turned in
anticipation toward the evening sun--not merely that the work of
proselyting should be carried on in the west, but that the
headquarters of the Church should be there established. The Book
of Mormon had taught the people the true origin and destiny of
the American Indians; and toward this dark-skinned remnant of a