CHAPTER XXXVII.
Mission to the Sandwich Islands concluded. Journey to Lanai. Mr. Gib-
son. Pagan superstitions. Adopted by Miss Gibson. Mr. Gibson rev-
erenced by the nalives. His impudence. Elder J. F. Smith's reply. Elder Snow's prophecy. Gibson cut off from Church. Prophecy ful- filled. Sermon on the ship. An earthquake. Return home. Inter- view with President Young.
N the second of April Brother Snow had so far recov-
ered his strength that it was thought best to pursue
our journey. We hired some natives to take us in an
open boat across the channel, sixteen miles, to Lanai. We
arrived at the landing place, three miles from the village, just
282 BIOGRAPHY AND
at dark. We sent a messenger to Mr. Gibson, with the
request that he would send down some saddle horses for us to
ride up in the morning.
Early the following morning, April 3d, the horses were
ready for us. An hour's ride over a rough, rocky road, brought us to a settlement; our reception by Mr. Gibson and most of the native Saints was cool and very formal. Many improvements had been made since our last visit that were praiseworthy and reflected great credit on Mr. Gibson.
After breakfast, Apostles Benson and Snow engaged in
conversation with Mr. Gibson on the affairs of the mission. That day and the following were principally spent in laboring with Mr. Gibson and the native Elders, to get them, if possi- ble, to see the condition they were in. During this time, Brothers Joseph F. Smith, Alma L. Smith and myself took a ride around the valley, accompanied by Mr. Gibson's daughter as our guide.
About one half mile from Mr. Gibson's residence w r as a
large rock, the top several feet above the ground. Mr. Gibson
had a chamber cut into this rock, in which he had deposited
a Book of Mormon and other things, and called it the corner
stone of a great temple, which would be erected there. A
frame work of poles had been constructed, in a circular form, around this rock, and this was covered with brush.
Mr. Gibson, by appealing to the pagan superstitions of
the natives, made them believe that this spot was sacred, and
if any person touched it he would be struck dead. So much
faith had the daughter of Mr. Gibson in the teachings of her
father, that she related, apparently in good faith, the circum-
stance of a hen flying upon the booth and immediately fall-
ing down dead.
Notwithstanding the protest of Miss Gibson, that it was
very dangerous to do so, we went inside of the brush struc-
ture and examined the rock and came out unharmed.
We were further informed that Mr. Gibson had sue-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 283
ceeded in surrounding his own person and residence with
such a halo of sacredness in the minds of the natives, that
they always entered his house on their hands and knees.
This was repeated on other occasions. It was the old
customary way in which the natives had been in the habit
of paying their respects to their kings, and the custom had
been revived by Mr. Gibson in order to increase his personal
prestige.
We had previously learned that the Saints would assem-
ble in conference on the sixth of April. At ten o'clock a. m., they had assembled in the meeting house. We all started to go in, when Mr. Gibson made some excuse for returning to his house. We went in and took our seats on the stand. The house was well filled. ^In a few minutes Mr. Gibson made his appearance. As soon as he entered the door, the entire con- gregation instantly arose to their feet and remained standing until he was seated on the stand. The execution of this act of reverence evinced long and careful training.
Mr. Gibson had doubtless delayed his entrance to make
a fitting opportunity for this exhibition. He entirely ignored
the presence of the Apostles, and, after the people were seated, arose and gave out the opening hymn. This act ga\e evi- dence at once that he had no proper idea of the organization and authority of the Priesthood. Seeing this, President Ben- son called on me to pray.