Part 31 (1/2)

Tune.--9, v. l. or l. Great musical taste and talent; conception of melody.

Time.--4, s. or v. s. Forgetfulness of dates, ages, appointments, day of the month, etc.

Locality.--11, v. l. or l. Great memory of places and position.

Eventuality.--10, l. Retentive memory of events and particulars.

Individuality.--8, f. With very large causality, and comparison, great observation, with deep thought, etc.

Form.--8, f. Cognizance, and distinct recollection of shapes.

Size.--5, m. s. or v. s. Inaccurate measurement of magnitude, distance, etc.

Weight.--11, v. l., l. or f. Knowledge of gravitation, momentum, etc.

Color.--9, f. or m. Moderate skill in judging of colors, comparing and arranging them.

Language.--7, f. Freedom of expression, without fluency or verbosity; no great loquacity.

Order.--9, l. Love of arrangement, everything in its particular place.

Number.--8, f. Respectable aptness in arithmetical calculations, without extraordinary talent.

REFLECTIVES.

Mirthfulness.--10, l. Wit, fun, mirth, perception and love of the ludicrous.

Causality.--9, l. Ability to think and reason clearly, and perceive the relations of cause and effect.

Comparison.--10, l. A discrimination; power of ill.u.s.tration; ability to perceive and apply a.n.a.logies.

This chart is not only worth preserving as a curiosity, but it is, in many respects, an excellent index of Heber's character and idiosyncrasies.

CHAPTER XLVI.

REVELATION OF CELESTIAL MARRIAGE--SECRECY THE PRICE OF SAFETY--JOSEPH TESTS HEBER AND MAKES HIM HIS CONFIDANT--HOW VILATE KIMBALL WAS CONVERTED--HEBER AND VILATE GIVE THEIR DAUGHTER HELEN TO THE PROPHET IN CELESTIAL MARRIAGE.

A startling innovation, a test designed to try, as never before, the faith and integrity of G.o.d's people now came upon them. Not in the shape of fire and sword, nor toilsome pilgrimage, nor pestilence, nor wealth, nor poverty. Ah! no; something far different from these, and far more difficult to bear.

A grand and glorious principle had been revealed, and for years had slumbered in the breast of G.o.d's Prophet, awaiting the time when, with safety to himself and the Church, it might be confided to the sacred keeping of a chosen few. That time had now come. An angel with a flaming sword descended from the courts of glory and, confronting the Prophet, commanded him in the name of the Lord to establish the principle so long concealed from the knowledge of the Saints and of the world.

That principle was the law of celestial or plural marriage!

Well knew the youthful Prophet the danger of his task. Well knew he the peril and penalty of disobedience. Fearing G.o.d, not man, he bowed to the inevitable, and laid his life--aye, was it not so?--upon the altar of duty and devotion.

Among those to whom Joseph confided this great secret, even before it was committed to writing, was his bosom friend, Heber C. Kimball. Well knowing the integrity of his heart, so many times tested and found true, he felt that he ran no risk in opening to Heber's eyes the treasured mysteries of his mighty soul.

But why careful, among so many friends, to select only a few as the recipients of such a favor? Would not the Saints have died to a man in defense of their Prophet--G.o.d's seer and revelator? Alas, none knew so well as Joseph the frailty of man, the inherent weakness and wickedness of the human heart.

”Many men,” said he, ”will say, 'I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times.' But the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of G.o.d that are retained in the heavens, and are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared for them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death.