22 I Attended the funeral of Brother Albert Smoot Presidents
Young & Wells were present. G. A. Smith F. D. Richards & W. Woodruff
of the Twelve, & a large congregation of the Saints. President Young
Preached. The following is a synopsis of his remarks

I can say to Brother Smoot & family that they have not a
thousandth part the reason to regret or grieve in this bereave-
ment that other parties have who have froward sons. I would
rather follow all my children to the grave than to have them
froward in their wasys & witnessing them turning from the

paths which are right. When our children are called to go
hence, when our children are taken from us who have
not Jeperdized their chances of salvation, we have reason to
rejoice instead of mourning. I knew this young lad, he was
a fine boy and as far as he had grown up he manifested
the finest traits of character. he is now locked up whare
he is safe and sure of salvation. Is not this a comfort?
It is to me. What would have been the lads future course? We
do not know. I do not know what will be the future course of
my children. Do you know? I have witnessed such scenes.
Ownly once in my life has my head acked. This was when
Joseph was killed, was martered. in parting with Fathers
Mothers, wives & children is no comparison to it. When I feel
as though the top of my head was coming off then I think
sumthing is the matter I felt this was for Many days
I can call to mind, those who have Endured more than
I in some things. Here sit b sits before me to day a good Father
& mother who lost a son under more painful circumstances
than this. He was murdered & his remains scattered over
the plains. We have before us a beautiful boy cut down in
the flower of youth yet we have No cause for morning, this
I do know that when our youths have lived according to our
council we have No cause to mourn. It is no trial of my
faith to see my children laid in the grave But to see them
Join with the wicked, forget their duty, & become froward
this is a trial which in part I have experienced all I ask
is for grace to bear up under such trials that I may settle down
in calm serenity and feel that the Lord giveth & the Lord taketh
away & blessed be the name of the Lord. I have heard that Brother
Smoot regretted that his son had not received his Endowment
we are the ownly people that that can give our children their
blessings. We can do it. Others cannot this should be a source
of consolation to us. What is there for us to grieve about. Crying
because God has taken our child to Heaven. Well we might cry if
the devil had taken our child to Hell. If this family sit up &
shout Hallalujah it will be more pleasing to the Lord than to sit up to cry

Death is in the Land & we may expect it. I have freequently said when
I die give me a decent burial that is all I ask. The grave has seemed
to me the sweetest place I ever looked into in my life. Brother Smoot is
perhaps a better man than most of us. his trials remind him that he
is still in a land of sorrow & trouble. If all who bear the name of Saints
get into the celestial world it will be because they purify themselves and
are faithful & overcome & feel a little more the responsibility that belongs
to the kingdom of God than many now do. Many other remarks were made