Lorenzo Snow(1814–1901)

Lorenzo Snow was born in Mantua, Ohio, to a family that prioritized education and faith. Although he initially aspired to a military career, a pivotal conversation with Apostle David W. Patten in 1835 turned his heart toward religion. He was baptized in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836 and soon dedicated his life to missionary service, preaching the gospel in the United States, Great Britain, Italy, and Hawaii. Ordained an Apostle in 1849, he later demonstrated exceptional leadership by establishing a successful cooperative community in Brigham City, Utah, blending his spiritual calling with practical industry.

In 1898, at the age of 84, Lorenzo Snow became the fifth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His administration is best remembered for his response to the Church’s dire financial situation; following a divine manifestation in St. George, Utah, he fervently taught the Saints the importance of paying a full tithe. The members’ faithful response to this plea helped free the Church from debt and established a firm temporal foundation for the future. He served as President until his death in 1901, leaving a legacy of refined character and firm testimony of the gospel.

Quotations by Lorenzo Snow

Seventy years ago this Church was organized with six members. We commenced, so to speak, as an infant. We had our prejudices to combat. Our ignorance troubled us in regard to what the Lord intended to do and what He wanted us to do We advanced to boyhood, and still we undoubtedly made some mistakes, which generally arise from a lack of experience.

Our errors have generally arisen from a lack of comprehending what the Lord required of us to do. But now we are pretty well along to manhood.

We should strive earnestly to establish the principles of heaven within us, rather than trouble ourselves in fostering anxieties like the foolish people of the Tower of Babel, to reach its location before we are properly and lawfully prepared to become its inhabitants. Its advantages and blessings, in a measure, can be obtained in this probationary state by learning to live in conformity with its laws and the practice of its principles. To do this, there must be a feeling and determination to do God’s will.

The time will come when some of these boys, through their faithfulness to the gospel, will progress and develop in knowledge, intelligence and power, in future eternities.

As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be.

Godliness cannot be conferred but must be acquired, a fact of which the religious world seem[s] strangely and lamentably unconscious.

These children are now at play, making mud worlds. The time will come when some of them, through their faithfulness to the gospel, will progress and develop in knowledge, intelligence and power, in future eternities, until they shall ... rule as gods.