Smith as a boy. When his mother was ready to move West, Joseph drove two
yoke of oxen hitched to a heavily loaded wagon across the plains, a
distance of one thousand miles. He drove into Salt Lake City September 23,
1848.

In those early days, even the boys had to work hard to help make a living
in the new country. Joseph again herded cattle, besides doing work on the
farm and in the canyon. How, then, did the boy get his education? Crossing
the plains, when they were resting in the tent or by the camp fire,
Joseph's mother taught him to read the Bible, and from that day to this, he
has been reading good books. You see, he started early in the reading of
the best books, and that means a lot. Joseph's mother was a very good and
wise woman, and he says that much of his success in life is due to her
teachings, and the fact that he heeded her counsels.

[Illustration: ANTHON H. LUND, JOSEPH F. SMITH, CHARLES W. PENROSE

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY, 1916]

When Joseph was fourteen years old his mother died. When he was fifteen he
went on a mission to the Hawaiian Islands. He worked a number of months in
California to earn money to pay his passage to the Islands. He was greatly
blessed on this mission.

This small history cannot tell you of the many missions President Smith has
filled since that first one. Many times he has been back to the Hawaiian
Islands, and many times to the States and to Europe. Every boy and girl
ought to read the detailed story of President Smith's life. President Smith
is still with us. Most of the Sunday School boys and girls have seen him
and heard him speak. He is a great and good man. He is the prophet of the