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Kevin Kraut
JOHN H. KOYLE'S
RELIEF MINE
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts.
(Haggai 2:8)
by
Ogden Kraut
Pioneer Publishing
P.O. Box 201
Santaquin, UT 84655
(801) 754-5465
1st printing, 1978
2nd printing, 1980
3rd printing, 1985
4th printing, 1990
5th printing, 1993
A man or a woman who places the wealth of this world and the things of time in the scales against the things of God and the wisdom of eternity, has no eyes to see, no ears to hear, no heart to understand.What are riches for? For blessings, to do good.Then let us dispense that which the Lord gives us to the best possible use for the building up of his Kingdom, for the promotion of the truth on the earth that we may see and enjoy the blessings of the Zion of God here upon this earth.
Brigham Young
J. of D. 15:18
CONTENTS PREFACE 1INTRODUCTION
. .
. . 7
2THE GIFT OF DREAMS . ..10 3JOHN H. KOYLE: THE MAN AND HIS
GIFT.24 4CHURCH
* * *
*
PREFACE
Very little has been written or published concerning John Koyle's Dream Mine. He himself wrote nothing--not even a journal--so what has been written has come from those who knew Bishop John Koyle or were witnesses to some of his prophecies and their fulfillment. He was instructed by a heavenly messenger never to write or sign anything about this mine, certainly a different policy than for other similar endeavors.
Thus after so many years, much controversy and speculation, both pro and con, have accumulated about the man and his mine. The complete story could easily provide material for a great many books. However, the significance of that man's mission will not be properly recognized and written until that mammoth project is vindicated.
The author of this publication both knew and worked for John H. Koyle at his mine. Being closely associated with Koyle and his family and friends, I ate with him at his table, worked with him in the fields of his farm, labored under his direction at the mine, and knelt with him in prayer. I saw his greatness as an inspired instrument in the hands of God, and also saw a few of his human weaknesses. To those who really knew him, there is little doubt that he was one of those outstanding souls whom the world is rarely privileged to receive in a generation.
John Koyle's Mine, unlike most other mines, became a spiritual project from the day of its inception. In its final destiny it will also blossom into a most sacred work under the direction of Him who has placed a seal upon the treasures of the earth. That mine was never operated as other mines--the workmen were unlike other miners, and its purposes will not be the same as any other mine. Only time shall unfold the mysteries and purposes of this remarkably strange but inspired mining venture.
--The Author
[7] Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Gold has been a very useful metal to man from the earliest records of civilization. (Gen. 2:11) It was used primarily for ornamentation and as a standard of money. (Gen. 44:8) Gold became extremely abundant in ancient times (I Chron. 22:14, 2 Chron. 1:15, Dan. 3:1, Nah. 2:9), and was soon used for a multitude of purposes. Wirethreads of gold were woven into tapestry and into the garments of priests (Ex. 39). It also became the principle metal used in the royal crowns of kings. (Ex. 25:25)
Foremost among ancient goldsmiths
was King Solomon. Vast amounts of gold were brought to him from many different
mines (I Kings 10:2,14,21), and in great quantities.
Solomon's great fortunes did not come to him by luck, inheritance, nor thievery. They came to him when he appealed to God for
wisdom to rule the children of
Solomon was also given a special
mission to build the holy temple that his father David failed to accomplish. To
construct this grand edifice, Solomon received instructions from God as to how
to build it and where to find the treasures to adorn it. Thus gold contributed
greatly to the wealth and power of the
[8]During the Middle Ages many men were caught up in the fever of alchemy--or the ability to create gold from other metals or minerals. For hundreds of years men spent much time and money attempting to produce this precious metal from other common elements. This lust for gold has never subsided.
Whenever men have heard the word "gold", it has acted upon them like a strange fever. The discovery of gold has created human stampedes for the precious metal. By boat, horseback or on foot, men have traversed the globe in the hope of finding their fortunes in gold. Both men and women have endured great hardships, suffered untold sacrifices, and many have died from the severe exposures to heat and cold in their futile quest for wealth.
The
Later, in 1897, the Klondike of
the
For many centuries a legend has
been handed down telling of a great gold mine called the "
[9]Men have abandoned the comforts of home and family to search for this mysterious metal. They have plodded across barren deserts, scaled the snow capped mountains and lived the lonely life of hermits as they picked and scratched for a glimpse of that yellow ore. John Jaques wrote:
What will not men do for gold? They will toil for it, lie for it, swear for it, steal for it, murder for it, live for it, and die for it. They will do more, and suffer more, ten times over, for gold, than they will do or suffer for eternal life and happiness. The world is almost crazy after gold, for gold is the world's god. `For gold, men are found ready to sell themselves, soul and body--to swear black is white--to vote for anything or anybody--to cross seas and deserts--to rake mud, riddle dirt, and work with spade, pickaxe, and cradle, among ruffians and desperadoes, in California and Australia,' yet, `What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?' ("Gold", Mill. Star 14:369)
Gold is perhaps one of the most useful and the most beautiful of all metals. It is used in decorations, jewelry and ornaments. Men have filled their teeth and their bank vaults with it--and also adorned church altars and temples with it. Gold possesses properties which make it useful because it does not rust, corrode, or tarnish. It is soft to work with, yet resistant to most chemicals. Scientists call gold ductile because it can be drawn out into an extremely fine wire. Gold lace is made by twining extremely fine stripe of gold around silk. One troy ounce of gold can be drawn into a strand over 50 miles long. It is also called malleable because it can be hammered into extremely thin sheets. Modern technology has made gold alloy sheets or gold leaf so thin that it becomes transparent and light can shine through it. This sheeting can be pounded into a thickness of 1/200,000 of an inch thick. Most of these sheets are used in art work lettering and gilding. The [10] ancient Egyptians knew how to hammer gold into leaves so thin that it took 367,000 leaves to make a pile an inch thick.
All of the gold mined since
Once the
ancient children of
[11] Chapter 2
THE GIFT OF DREAMS
Dreams, and the interpretation of dreams, raised a Daniel from slavery or degrading captivity in Babylon, to wear a royal chain of gold, and to teach royalty how to rule, whilst himself presided over the governors and presidents of more than a hundred provinces. (Key to Theology, P.P. Pratt, p. 124)
Divine Instruction through Dreams
God in His wisdom, bestows many gifts and talents upon mortals so that His work on earth can be accomplished. The gift of dreams has been a common means of communication between God and mortals. He has conveyed instruction, warnings, prophecies and comfort through this wondrous manifestation. Many of God's servants who have been given these gifts were poor, unlearned and unpopular; yet they have been willing to endure scorn, ridicule and often persecution from the worldly. Man's opposition to the revelations of God has been a common occurrence throughout history.
It is the privilege of every child of God, in every age of the world, to receive divine revelation and spiritual gifts. He has promised to dispense His gifts to everyone. The Lord has revealed that we should—
[12]". . . seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; for verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, ... (D & C 46:8-9)
Men may receive dreams, visions, the visitation of angels, etc., according to their worthiness, for these signs would follow true believers. If men cease to have faith in God's revelations, then the gifts and powers from God are lost. When King Saul offended God, then God refused to speak to him and "when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by the prophets." (I Sam. 28:6) This sad story has been repeated in nearly every generation of mankind.
Today there is as much necessity for Divine revelation and spiritual gifts as there ever was; but the wickedness, the transgression and the common disbelief of men have caused God to withhold many of His spiritual blessings. It is upon this premise that the men of this generation stand to suffer the wrath of God. Famines, wars, plagues and many other forms of destruction await this generation, for they have rejected more of God's light and revelation than any other generation of the world. With disaster impending upon this nation and the world, wise men should seek out and hold fast to the word of God for both their temporal and spiritual salvation.
Just prior to the time of destruction, God has always prepared a way and a means of protection and safety for His people. Abraham, Moses, Noah, and a host of other prophets and saints were spared because they believed in the revelations that God had given.
[13]Dreams are great and glorious gifts of God to man, and they are given for his benefit, or his holiest and most deserving servants would not alone receive them, or be called upon to interpret them. They are promised, however, by the Apostle to all believers, and that they are, indeed, believers, and that they are in that road which will lead them on to salvation. (Mill. Star 26:293)
The Lord spoke to Jeremiah saying, "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully." (Jer. 23:28) But all too often men fail to acquaint themselves with this useful medium through which God often dispenses his wisdom and instruction. Thus, most of God's gifts are rejected, or misunderstood by men--and therein lies their condemnation.
. . . Now, reader, you need present revelation from God to your own dear self, in order to help you out of this nasty, confused labyrinth, and to set your feet firmly upon the solid rock of revelation. Mere flesh and blood cannot help you now. It requires an Almighty arm to effect your deliverance. Therefore, put no more trust in man, for a curse rests upon him that will be guided by the precepts of man. I do not ask you to be guided by what I say to you, unless the Lord from heaven shall reveal to you that I speak the truth, even as it is in Christ. Although I know that I am declaring heaven's truth to you, in all sobriety, yet my knowing it does not suffice for you. You also must know it for yourself, and not for another. This is your right and your privilege. For God has made this promise to you, and not to you, reader only, but to all others whom He calls to repentance. Now, go and get revelation for yourself. (Mill. Star 15:273)
[14]Often men are saved because
they believed in the revelations of God, and just as often many are destroyed
because they reject them. In times of peril or disaster, God may reveal strange
and peculiar ways of saving those who believe in His revelations. God commanded
Abraham and others to depart out of
King Solomon
Anciently God periodically gave
great power or wealth to his people when they were obedient to Him. One of the
most striking examples was the sovereign powers and tremendous wealth He
bestowed upon the
The era of David and Solomon was
called the Golden Age of Hebrew history. David established the kingdom, but
Solomon contributed most to its splendor and completion. At that time
Solomon began construction of the
temple in about 966 B.C., during the fourth year of his reign (Kings 6:1) and
finished it seven and a half years later. The Lord bestowed upon him wealth
that has not been equalled since. God was piled upon his kingdom in great
abundance. The temple was probably the most expensive edifice ever undertaken
by man, for Solomon used as much as $4 billion [15] in gold and silver in its
construction. Gold was used everywhere. It was used in shields, buckler's, the
vessels of the palace, and his throne was ivory overlaid with gold. Gold in
King Solomon's mines were undoubtedly given to him by the Lord, in fulfillment of God's promise to him. These vast fortunes may have been shown to him through the gift of dreams, which Solomon possessed, for the Lord had occasions appeared to Solomon through this divine medium. (See I Kings 3:5, 9:2.)
In the last days God has also
promised that the
Thus it is that often men are directed to the location and use of precious metals and minerals. Indeed the more righteous a people become, the more blessings of prosperity and peace the heavens will bestow upon them.
The gold and the silver belong to the Lord Almighty, and He will hand it over to us as fast as we know how to use it to His name's glory. (Brigham Young, J.D. 8:204)
Jesse Knight's Mine
A good example in our generation
of God's intervention into the affairs of men's financial needs is best
portrayed in the life of Jesse Knight. For many years the U.S. Government had
been the cause of persecution, oppression and even confiscation of Church
property and wealth. In the early 1890's the
It was about this time that Jesse Knight had a most unusual but vivid manifestation. In 1896 he filed a mining claim stating to a friend that he was shown in a dream that he would find a great store of ore. The friend replied, "Humbug!" So that's what Jesse named his mining venture.
In a dream, or vision, there was revealed to him that Utah was for the Mormons; that the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were true; that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; also if he went to a certain place (indelibly imprinted on his mind), that he would find a great vein of rich mineral--a mine.
He followed the instructions given him in his dream, which took him to the now well-known Eureka Mining District. Then, way up on the mountain, he found the spot he had seen in his dream, and he uncovered the vein which led to a vast mineral body, which was opened up, only by much hard labor and many vicissitudes. (Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, Frank Esshom, p. 8)
For awhile things looked very
discouraging. But Jesse Knight was well acquainted with poverty and the
struggles of a life of hardships. He had crossed the plains to
When he grew to manhood and
married, he lived in a two-room adobe home and had five children. Jesse was
never very active in the Mormon Church, and was some-[17]times
even critical of some who were. Once his daughters became severely ill and one
of them died. It was then that Jesse vowed that he would do whatever God wanted
him to do. After this experience, he was impressed to go to
Jesse and his son Will set up a little one-room shack at
Anciently the Nephites were blessed with untold amounts of rich ores. The Lord blessed His Church more than other people with these riches.And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceeding rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need--an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
And thus they did prosper and
become far more wealthy than those who did not belong
to their church. (
The Lord has in our time hinted
that this people would become wealthy by similar means--and He also adds a
warning that it should not be the means of our destruction as it was to the
Nephites.[21]And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to
give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the
riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine
to give; but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old. (D. &
C. 38:39)Many mines have been and still are being
worked as the result of some form of spiritual direction. Peter Hurkos, the
world famous psychic, used his gift to locate the renowned "Lost Dutchman
Mine" near
[24] Chapter 3 JOHN H. KOYLE:
THE
MAN AND HIS GIFT
The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring
for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to
be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine go]d:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalms 19:7-10)Mormons are proud of
their pioneer heritage. Church history and genealogy records relate heroic
examples of the courage from men and women who have endured the dreadful
consequences of savage Indians and white-man mobs. They suffered from famine,
poverty, stormy winters, and the hot barren deserts. From every form of
hardship they lived and died in faith. It is from such honorable parentage that
John H. Koyle descended.The Koyle name was found among the early converts to
the Latter-day Saints Church. In 1839 Hyrum Koyle (grandfather to John H.
Koyle) joined the Church and witnessed the rise and fall of Nauvoo. In 1846 he
was in the midst of the mass exodus westward. However, under the direction of
Brigham Young, he remained in
He was shown that he was to go down the next morning, and just after the passenger train came by, he was to cross over the track and go into the field and there he would find the heifer as he had been shown in the dream. In the dream it was said to him: "Will this be a testimony unto you that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true?" He answered: "Yes." (The Dream Mine, by C. F. Weight, p. 2)[28]The next morning he told his wife Emily of the dream and replied, "Em, I'm going down there and get my heifer; I know she is there for I saw her." His wife replied, "John, you've hunted those fields over and over, and if your heifer had been there, you would have found her." But John was assured in his mind he would find the place shown to him in the dream and that his cow would be there.He saddled his horse and waited a little while so he would arrive at the railroad track about 10:00 o'clock when the train was due to pass by. The train came and then John proceeded to the field that he saw in his dream. There was the heifer exactly as he had seen her and He marvelled at such a wonderful experience. When he got the cow up and on the road, she seemed glad to be going home.While he was on his way home behind the heifer, he prayed to the Lord with joy and thanksgiving in his heart. He also made a covenant with the Lord that if He would give him dreams and visions from time to time to help him, he would serve the Lord all the days of his life.Thus from such a simple but marvelous beginning, John H. Koyle received a special spiritual gift. His story would reach the ears of thousands and perhaps millions of people. Other men, too, would seek to amend their lives, finding favor with the Lord so they too might be guided and blessed from on High.John H. Koyle was a man of simple faith and education. He had no university diplomas, no formal honors among men, nor did he seek them. But he had a gift from God. And he had made a commitment that he could use that gift in any way God desired.
[29]
Chapter 4
CHURCH
.
. . the field is white already to harvest; wherefore,
thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength. Open
your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of
old, who journeyed from
[35] Chapter 5 THE MINING
Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon
you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of
eternity are mine to give. (D & C 67:2)John Koyle arrived home from his
Under this caprock, we will find a very rich chimney of white quartz contain leaf gold, dipping down about 175 feet and coming out into the nine large caverns that contain these great Nephite treasure that are beyond your belief to imagine.
[38]This messenger talked to me
freely and answered my questions as one man would talk to another. He was exceedingly
anxious that all the details of the mine be fixed clearly in my mind, and as we
went along, he pointed out all of these ore bodies so plainly that I can never
forget them, nor where they are located. (The
Dream Mine Story, Pierce, pp. 9-10)The nine rooms were separated by pillars
supporting the roof. The wealth from this area was so fabulously rich that it
appeared that the ore was mostly gold. As they passed through the nine rooms,
Koyle was led out through the old Nephite tunnel which came out into
[42] Chapter 6 THE WORK BEGINS
. . . we will have to go to work and get the gold out of the mountains to lay down, if we ever walk in streets paved with gold. * * * When we have streets paved with go]d, we will have placed it there ourselves. (Brigham Young, JD 8:354)On September 3, 1894, John Koyle visited the mountain to discover the place where he was to commence mining operations. The messenger told John that a "doubting Thomas" would accompany him on his first trip to the mountain. The "doubting" friend turned out to be Joseph Brockbank, a cousin. He was not convinced there was anything to the dream but would go up to the mountain any way.When they had reached the mountain and had climbed for about an hour, John stopped and asked his friend if he could see anything unusual in the area just ahead of them. Joseph Brockbank replied that he could see a spot of ground with what seemed to be a halo of light over it which made it lighter than the sunshine would make it even though it was about high noon and directly in the sunlight.
Koyle then told his friend to see if he could walk over to it and locate the exact spot. Joseph Brockbank walked over and struck his pick into the ground in the center of the super-lighted spot and loosened some black rocks on the surface.
[43]"There," said John, "we'll dig on this spot, and if we do not find a cream-colored formation within three feet of the surface, then there is nothing to my dream."
They dug. At 18 inches a cream-colored, rocky formation was encountered. It was enough! They were convinced. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 12)A few days later, on September 7, 1894, John H. Koyle returned to the spot with five of his friends and they staked out seven mining claims in the area. But after this, John didn't do much mining work for awhile. He became so busy with many of his farm chores that the farm began to receive all of his attention.One day all of his chickens were dead, and then his children took sick. At this, his wife urged him to go back up on the hill before the calamities became any worse. So on September 17, 1894, John with five friends returned to the hill to resume work. With their grubstakes and tools they organized themselves into three shifts around the clock, with two men to each shift.Then came many years of constant and arduous labor by family and friends as they followed a "cream-colored leader". Occasionally they would encounter some peculiar marking, coloring or formation just as John had seen or had been described by the messenger or in a dream. The stories of the cream-colored leader and other prophetic incidents drew people to the mine to hear more about this strange work and see the diggings for themselves.During these first few years the mining project was not incorporated and no stock was sold. Then on March 4, 1909, the Koyle Mining Company was incorporated.Stockholders were John H. Koyle with 13,500 shares; John H. Koyle trustee with 49,500 shares; George Hales with 1500 shares; John F. Beck [44] with 1000 shares; B. F. Woodward with 1000; J. P. Creer with 1000 shares; and W. Jones Bowen with 1500 shares. There were 42,000 shares of treasury stock making a total of 114,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 per share or $114,000.
John H. Koyle was listed as president and director of the corporation, with J. P. Creer as vice president and director, and W. Jones Bowen as secretary and treasurer. These three, plus George Hales (bishop in Spanish Fork), B. F. Woodward, and John F. Beck, made up the board of directors. (Historical Study of the Koyle Relief Mine, Christiansen, p. 20)An annual stockholders meeting would be held on the second Monday of May at 2:00 p.m. (This custom has continued to the present.) The company now owned 18 mining lode claims on the mountain. Men came to the mine wanting stock and were willing to work for it rather than take money. Three shares a day were allowed for a man's labor.Stockholders were gained from every walk of life, most of whom believed that the Dream Mine had a divine message and purpose. For the most part, however, they represented the credulous but thrifty poor among the Mormons. Seldom was the stock ever sold to a non-Mormon, for this was primarily and essentially a Mormon project, saturated as it was with Mormon ideology and religious objectives, nonetheless, completely independent of the church leadership itself. This was strictly between man and God. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 14)On May 18, 1912, there were several amendments to the Articles of Incorporation. The most significant changes were to Articles Two and Six. The amount of treasury stock was increased to 114,000 shares and the total capital stock was increased to 200,000 shares. The par value of the stock was $1.00, but public sale was made at $1.50 per share.[45]The stockholders were encouraged to purchase 100 shares of stock; it was said that this amount would be sufficient to take care of any man's family when the mine came in. But, if a man had more stock than 100 shares, he would be in a much better position to assist his fellow men during the times of trouble and famine.Thus, through the many years that followed before any triumphant goals were reached, more than 7,000 families became associated with this strange project, following it almost like a religion. If we consider a conservative average of four or five to the Mormon family, it represents from 28,000 to 35,000 people directly or indirectly associated in this strange project. (Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 15)Men who worked at the mine were continually learning the powers of direction and guidance that accompanied Koyle in his operation. Mr. C. F. Weight relates an incident with which he was personally acquainted:[46]While sitting on this station (No. 10), Koyle was telling me about the beautiful north wall which would come in on the north side of this No. 10 Run. It would be black and slick and very shiny. This was so much different than any other place we had found that it looked almost impossible of fulfillment. I said to Koyle: "If we find that black wall just as you have described it, I will be well satisfied that we will find all the rest of them." Koyle reassured me that we would get the north wall exactly as he explained, which we did in 53 feet. This wall came in exactly on line. If we had missed the right direction one degree to the right, we would never have found a wall. (The Story of the Dream Mine, Weight, p. 13)Some of the men who worked at the mine occasionally thought they knew more about mining and ore than John Koyle. Sometimes they would want to follow their own inclinations rather than Koyle's directions. Claude Weight describes one such occurrence:Another interesting incident happened as they went down on the No. 8 Run. After going straight down for 12 feet looking for the foot wall which would turn them to the east on an incline, Frank Woodward <the Bishop's miner cousin from Eureka> was very much interested in a little spot on the west side. He dug in there a little way and told the men that this was the right way to go as that looked very promising from a mining standpoint. He persuaded the men to accept of his design to dig in there a ways, saying, "We must not let Johnny know anything about it," meaning Koyle. They had a general understanding to that effect. So they worked putting in a round or two of holes in the place and covering up the place with boards so that Koyle would not know anything about it.
[47]About that time Koyle had a
dream wherein he was shown exactly what they were doing. He saddled his grey
mare and went up to the mine arriving there as usual about noon. He said to
Woodward: "Frank, what are you doing back behind the ladder on the west
side there?" Frank decided to play innocent and ignorant and said:
"Oh, nothing," trying to sidetrack Koyle. Koyle said, "Yes you
are." Woodward said, "Okay, ask these men." There was not one of
them that would admit it. Koyle said, "I saw that you are going in the
wrong direction behind the ladder on the west side and that there were six of
you implicated in it," so they went down the mine and Koyle went behind
the ladder, threw the boards off the hole, and exposed their doings. They did
not have much to say about it, but years later two of the men told Koyle the
whole story and there were six of them implicated in it. (The Story of the Dream Mine, Weight, p. 13)By the end of the year
1913, the shaft had been sunk to 1400 feet. The narrow tunnel prevented any
more than two men at a time to work the face of the shaft and a bucket had to
be filled and conveyed up a series of eleven windlasses to reach the entrance
where it was dumped. Water was seeping into the mine and became another problem
for the workmen; so a manual pump was installed to help alleviate that
difficulty. A horizontal tunnel was planned which would connect with the bottom
of the shaft and thus allow the water to exit from the upper workings. Since the construction of this
tunnel had become almost a necessity, much speculation arose as to where it
should be started. Dr. James E. Talmage, former professor of geology at the
Then, after carefully outlining
the future in a conversation that lasted fully two hours, they departed,
promising him that both men and money would always come to his assistance until
all the great objectives had been reached and he had been fully vindicated. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, pp.
20-21)Bishop Koyle claimed that these visitors were two of the Three Nephites
who had chosen to remain on earth at the time of Christ's visit to this
continent. Many such things were prophecied of them, for it is written:And they
<Three Nephites> are as the angels of God, and if they shall pray unto
the Father in the name of Jesus, they can show themselves unto whatsoever man
it seemeth them good. Therefore, great and marvelous works shall be wrought by
them, before the great and coming day when all people must surely stand before
the [51] judgment-seat of Christ; Yea even among the Gentiles shall there be a
great and marvelous work wrought by them, before that judgment day. (3 Nephi
28:30-32)The first portion of their visit was a half-hour conversation which
explained the nature of the work and of the opposition to the mine. Bishop
Koyle was told that James E. Talmage and Heber J. Grant would soon be the chief
opponents of the mine and would cause him much trouble.After this first
half-hour of visiting had ended, the Nephite explained to Bishop Koyle that he
was free to repeat any of the conversation to whomever he wished, but the
remaining period of their visit must not be devulged. For another hour and a
half the visit continued. No one ever learned what was in that conversation.
Nearly everyone speculated, and many of them begged the Bishop to tell a little
of it, but the only answer he gave was, "It's too big--you couldn't take
it." Ere his two heavenly visitors departed, they gave him a final warning
in addition to the charge that he must not reveal the hour and half portion of
their two-hour conversation. First: he must never at any time write anything
nor sign any written statements about the nature of this mining operation. And
second: he was not to allow brothers to be on the board of directors at the
same time. (The Dream Mine Story,
Pierce, p. 21)There was one exception to the Bishop's relating the hour and a
half portion of the conversation--he could relate it to the General Authorities
of the Church if they would consent to listen. If they would not have an
audience with him, then the third member of the Nephite Quorum would deal
directly with the Church in due time. However, the authorities of the Church
never allowed him to tell his story of these Nephite messengers and their visit.[52]Difficulties up to the present were the deep snows,
sacrifices in time, water in the shaft, hard rock drilling, and numerous other
seemingly constant difficulties or trials. These were only preludes to the
unseen powers that could dishearten and even stop the mining operations. It is
at this imposing juncture that we must assume that Bishop Koyle had been
informed of something that the Church Authorities were not aware of. Why would
such messengers appear to John Koyle rather than to the General Authorities of
the Church? If the Church had made compromises with the world--if through
concession of Gospel principles--would there then be a veil between the Church
and the heavens? What was this message that was "too big" to tell?
Were members of the Church and their leaders under a false premise of
conciliation that placed them spiritually beyond the grace of direct revelation
from God? Would God choose a humble farmer to bring such a message to such
powerful and acceptable leaders over millions of people?When the Prophet Balaam
(Num. 22) chose to walk contrary to God's instructions, a common jackass
rebuked him! God spoke through the mouth of an ass to rebuke a prophet! Could
it be that a common and simple farmer had been chosen to carry a message from
heaven to the learned and sophisticated leaders of so many people?The principles
of truth and the gospel as laid down through the Prophet Joseph Smith are
eternal in their nature. No man, no matter how exalted or how highly esteemed
among men nor even if he makes claim to the title of prophet, seer and
revelator, dare turn from nor neglect those holy principles. God cannot and
will not be mocked--for He does "not walk in crooked paths, neither doth
he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which
he hath said, therefore His paths are straight...." (D & C 3:2) It is
God in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of
turning--but man is ever changing, inconsistent and subject to error. God [53]
chooses many ways to correct, admonish, rebuke or chasten. We may be guilty of
rebellion as Ezekiel described when the word of the Lord came to him saying:Son
of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to
see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a
rebellious house. (Ezekiel 12:2)Even the wise and the learned leaders of the
Jews were blinded to the voice and person of their own Messiah! The history of
man is sad indeed. And, in this generation the Lord has vowed that . . . The weak things of the world shall come
forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel
his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh. (D & C 1:19)Stockholders
were told, just as Koyle had been told, that one share of stock would someday
be worth a thousand times its cost. Men would go to court for one share of
stock; and if a man had a hundred shares, he would be a wealthy man.The
[55] Chapter 7 OPPOSITION BEGINS
For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matt. 18:7)From the commencement of the restored Gospel, "Satan . . . has laid a cunning plan, thinking to destroy the work of God; . . . he stirreth up their hearts to anger against this work." (D & C 10:22-24) Thus, whenever God sets about to perform a special work, the devil promptly prepares a means to destroy it.The warning by the two Nephite messengers began to be realized. The powers of darkness were being combined in an effort to destroy or stop the work of that mine. It is reasonable that if the Lord was inspiring that work, and its mission was to help save millions of people from calamities, then surely the Prince of Darkness would oppose it.Opposition often came from many different sources, but always with the same objective--stop Bishop Koyle and stop the work at the mine! One day when Frank Woodward was in charge of the drilling, he said that "a little dark Lamanite" appeared to him and told him that "This is the beginning of the `Turndown'", and Frank was very powerfully convinced that he should make the drilling according to the Lamanite's instructions--to follow the wall that leaned to the east. The Bishop allowed Frank and those who wanted to pursue his lead to make a 4' x 4' "worm hole", while the majority of men followed Koyle's directions. After much digging by both groups, the worm hole intercepted the Bishop's diggings further down; the main [56] group had already passed Frank's group. To this day, when difficulty or opposition arises, it is usually attributed to the "Little Dark Lamanite".Bishop Koyle was told that three men would lose their lives at the mine. The first was Lee Gardner in 1912, who was killed when he fell in the old workings as he was going on his last shift, just prior to leaving on a mission for the Church.The second man killed was Reid Weight: . . . on September 17, 1934, just 40 years to the day and hour from the time they first started to work the mine September 17, 1894, Reid Weight, young, energetic, intelligent, of the highest moral fiber, and a life-long supporter of the Dream Mine, met his death from the shedding of his blood when a misfire--water soaked and nine hours old--unexpectedly exploded when he was preparing to remove it.
His working companion, Leroy Barney, was with him at the time in that narrow shaft of the winze which they had deepened to about 250 feet at the time--stood with him side by side as they watched a bucket of muck go up the hoist. Suddenly in an instant, there was an explosion of six sticks of deadly dynamite from the watersoaked nine-hour-old misfire. Miraculously, Barney was quite uninjured from the blast, but young Reid Weight was severely and mortally wounded, and his life's blood was shed in the mine--willingly and without regret, for he did not lose consciousness until the very end, and he was able to express himself.
His brother, Lewis Weight, who
operated the hoist at the time, still carried on with the other loyal workers
at the mine to help vindicate that death and confirm that testament of the
Relief Mine. (Dream Mine Story,
Pierce, p. 77)[57]The third man killed was 17-year-old David Kunz, who died on
December 27, 1939, while he was shoveling gravel near a six-foot embankment, a
large chunk of frozen dirt and ice toppled on him.The work of God has always
encountered opposition. The Relief Mine would, of course, be a prime object of
opposition from the devil. The two heavenly messengers warned Bishop Koyle that
it would come, but the manner of opposition by the adversary was most
unusual.During the 1880's the Church was unmercifully
persecuted by the United States Government for living the law of plural
marriage. The Church took sanctuary outside of the
[61]
1.That Koyle intended to redeem all of the dead.
2.That
Koyle was going to utilize the wealth of his mine to build up the City of
3.That he intended to increase the capital stock of the company, then sell out and make himself rich.
4.That
Koyle was receiving revelation for members of the Church.The Bishop responded
by saying the charges were false. He requested the permission to refer his case
before the president of the Church, since he had made the charges. But he was
never allowed to face his accusers.Further difficulties for Bishop Koyle were not long in coming. Page had one time given the whole
mining venture his approval and had declared that it was inspired. It is not
known what pressures had been placed upon him, but he informed Bishop Koyle
that work on the mine must cease or else he would lose his membership in the
Church! Bishop Koyle remembered the Nephite warning that the mine would be shut
down, but the same powers that closed it would see that it was opened again. So he humbly submitted to the mandate of the Church and the mine
was closed.This presents one of the strange paradoxes in Church history.
The mine was accepted and believed in by many members of the Church. They
claimed the same spirit that told them the Gospel was true, dictated to them
that the mine was true also. They could not deny one any more than they could
the other. Some members of the Church were hostile and bitter against the mine
declaring it to be of the devil. Again, others cared less and considered that
it was just an ordinary mine.Apostle James E. Talmage prepared a newspaper
article entitled, "The Warning Voice," in opposition to the mine,
which article was signed by the First Presidency of the Church on August 2,
1913:[62] The 1913 Announcement "A WARNING
VOICE"
"To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints:
"From the days of Hiram Page (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 28), at different periods there have been manifestations from delusive
spirits to members of the Church. Sometimes these have come to men and women
who because of transgression became easy prey to the Arch-Deceiver. At other
times people who pride themselves on their strict observance of the rules and
ordinances and ceremonies of the Church are led astray by false spirits, who
exercise an influence so imitative of that which proceeds from a Divine source
that even these persons, who think they are "the very elect," find it
difficult to discern the essential difference. Satan himself has transformed
himself to be apparently `an angel of light.'
"When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions or any
extraordinary gift or inspiration conveys something out of harmony with the
accepted revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of its
constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of God, no
matter how plausible it may appear. Also they should understand that directions
for the guidance of the Church will come, by revelation, through the head.
"All faithful members are entitled to the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit for themselves, their families, and for those over whom they are
appointed and ordained to preside. But anything at discord with that which
comes from God through the head of the Church is not to be received as
authoritative or reliable. In secular as well as spiritual affairs, Saints may
receive Divine guidance and revelation affecting themselves, but this does not
convey authority to direct others, and is not to be accepted when contrary to
Church covenants, doctrine or discipline, or to known facts, demonstrated
truths, or good common sense.
"No person has the right to induce his fellow members of the
Church to engage in speculations or take stock in ventures of any kind on the
specious claim of Divine revelation or vision or dream, especially when it is
in opposition to the voice of recognized authority, local or general. The
Lord's Church `is a house of order.' It is not governed by individual gifts or
manifestations, but by the order and power of the Holy Priesthood as sustained
by the voice and vote of the Church in its appointed conferences.
"The history of the Church records many pretended revelations
claimed by impostors or zealots who believed in the manifestations they sought
to lead other persons to accept, and in every instance, disappointment, sorrow
and disaster have resulted therefrom. Financial loss and sometimes utter ruin
have followed.
"We feel it our duty to warn the Latter-day Saints against fake
mining schemes which have no warrant for success beyond the professed spiritual
manifestations of their projectors and the influence gained over the excited
minds of their victims. We caution the Saints against investing money or
property in shares of stock which bring no profit to anyone but those who issue
and trade in them.
"Fanciful schemes to make money for the alleged purpose of
`redeeming Zion' or providing means for `the salvation of the dead' or other
seemingly worthy objects, should not deceive anyone acquainted with the order
of the Church, and will result only in waste of time and labor, which might be
devoted now to doing something tangible and worthy and of record on earth and in
heaven.
"Be not led by any spirit or influence that discredits established
authority, contradicts true scientific principles and discoveries, or leads
away from the direct revelations of God for the government of the Church. The
Holy Ghost does not contradict its own revealings. Truth is always harmonious
with itself. Piety is often the cloak of error. The counsels of the Lord
through the channel he has appointed will be followed with safety. Therefore,
O! ye Latter-day Saints, profit by these words of warning.
"JOSEPH F. SMITH,
ANTHON H. LUND, CHARLES W. PENROSE,
First Presidency. [63]On August 16, 1913, the Church leaders once again emphasized their stand against the mine by reproducing the article of August 2 with the following comments:Owing to the importance of the subject treated in the letter of the First Presidency to the officers and members of the Church which appeared in the Deseret News of August 2nd of this year, it is reproduced at the head of this column. We trust the Saints generally will profit by the advice given, and in order to bring it to the attention of all members it might be well to cause the letter to be read in ward meetings or stake conferences or other similar gatherings of the people.
The First Presidency warns the Saints against investing in worthless stock, even if promoters allege that they are guided by dreams and revelations. It is a timely warning. Almost everyone has heard stories of how such and such found a rich mine by following directions given in a dream, and many fondly hope for similar luck, but in most instances, it will be found on investigation, that such stories have little or no foundation in fact. They belong to a class where rumors which like the wind, "bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof. But canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth." No one should be guided by such rumors but by reason enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
It is a safe rule not to accept
the counsel of anyone who is in any way antagonistic to those who have been
duly appointed to lead and guide
[65]Hanks was not at all favorable to the dream, and it bothered him no end to know of a certainty if the dream were true and given to him from the Lord, or if it were more in the class of a nightmare. He remembered a test he had read about in the Old Testament of how righteous Gideon had determined his mission from the Lord by suing a fleece on which dew was to form, with none on the ground. And how it was repeated the next night with the fleece dry but the ground wet with dew. (See Judges 6:36-40.)
So Frank Hanks put a fleece on the lawn and prayed as did Gideon, that if his dream was true let there be dew on the fleece the next morning, but let it be dry on the grass. And the next morning it was so, and Hanks saw that he had a very damp fleece, but the grass was dry.
The next night Hanks reversed himself and asked then for the fleece to be dry and the grass to be wet. And the next morning it was so, and Frank Hanks knew that his dream was of the Lord. Therefore, he offered his prize team for sale and gave the money to Bishop Koyle.
Bishop Koyle was equally inspired to make Frank Hanks a director in the company, thereby gaining a loyal and devoted supporter. Hanks was further rewarded by the Lord Himself, when shortly before his death he was permitted to make a spiritual visit into the nine rooms, and was able to describe in intimate detail what he had been shown. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, pp. 27-28)So much controversy among Church members created much interest and investigation. Even the authorities of the Church were not in agreement with the actions of the First Presidency, as indicated by the following examples:[66]Apostle George Teasdale once listened to the whole story. He later said he knew it was of God and gave it his official blessing, and commended Bishop Koyle for his work on the mine.Apostle Matthais F. Cowley, although very pressed for money, was another who bought stock in the mine and gave it his favor and approval, declaring that it was inspired of God.President Anthony W. Ivins invited Bishop Koyle into his office and asked to hear the story. He listened carefully and asked many questions. After Bishop Koyle related the details of his call to the mine, President Ivins said that the Bishop had a great obligation from the Lord and he must follow through on that mining mission. This was in fulfillment of a dream that Bishop Koyle had previously received about an interview with President Ivins.President J. Golden Kimball was one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventies and knew Bishop Koyle from the missionfield. This man was close enough to the Lord that his name was mentioned by the Nephite messengers. They instructed Bishop Koyle that he should give Pres. Kimball 500 shares of stock--whether he could pay for it or not. Later, Golden Kimball was invited by Bishop Koyle to come down for a visit, which he did. After the Bishop related the whole story, Golden paced the floor back and forth without saying a word. Then, Bishop Koyle said, "Well, do you believe it or not?" The reply was, "How much is the stock?" When he asked for 500 shares, Golden was astounded when Bishop Koyle handed him a certificate already filled out for that amount.[67]J. Golden Kimball was a friend to
Bishop Koyle and a strong supporter
of the mine throughout his life.One of the last testimonies given of Golden's association with Koyle and the mine was by Vern Bullock, who said:The last I was at the mine and saw Bishop Koyle was about 1937. I visited the mine with a gentleman that was quite closely connected with the mine, by the name of June M. Pierce, who at that time lived in Springville. Mr. Pierce passed away a couple of years ago. But the last time I [68] was there . . . I might state here, though, that the visit I made up there, J. Golden Kimball, his wife, and a grandson happened to be at the cabin at the mine, and as I passed by he was about to leave and he said, "The Lord bless you, Bishop Koyle, and may you have success," or something to that effect. (Dream Mine: A Study in Mormon Folklore, Joe Stanley Graham, p. 252; quote by Vern Bullock, Provo, Utah, Dec. 7, 1969)These were all good men who prayed and sought counsel from the Lord. They were humble enough to ask and ponder the whole issue before they made any judgments. They were not the kind who would rather trust in the arm of flesh for all their answers. They got their own answers from the heavens.The question so often arises: "How could so many members of the Church, even many leaders, be wrong in their judgment against the mine?" First, every man, even the President of the Church, is often persuaded by his own opinions. Second, everyone who trusts the opinion of others rather than receive revelation on the matter, is also subject to error. The error in personal judgment by some official of the Church has snow-balled by gathering opponents and momentum down through the years. In that day when the mine is vindicated, then shall many eyes be opened to the truth that trusting in the arm of flesh is a serious sin.The restrictions placed upon John Koyle by some of the leaders of the Church prevented him and his associates from doing any further work on the mine. But annual assessment work is required by law. Soon the Koyle mining property became delinquent and the claims were placed back upon the open market. Anyone could refile on the property, take up the claim, and become the new and rightful owner. The first two claims that became delinquent were snapped up by two Peterson brothers. The [69] January deadline on the remaining claims was approaching. Other people were waiting and watching for a chance to jump the remaining claims. But Bishop Koyle had been warned that if he went on that hill again, he would be excommunicated--there was nothing he could do.Then he had another dream. He was given the comforting assurance that it would all turn out well in the end. He saw in his dream that the mine was likened to a huge log, from which two men came and removed a slab (or claim) from each side of the log. Then someone else came along and took the entire log. But in a short time the log was returned to him--then the two slabs were also returned.
One day a man by the name of Ben
H. Bullock was sitting in a chair of the lobby in the Kenyon Hotel in
Then it was that Ben H. Bullock
knelt down in the snow and most earnestly prayed that if the Lord desired him
to complete this job, then to please make the snow hard enough to hold him up.
He tried it again, and now the snow held, and without further trouble he was
able to stake out and place notices on the main series of eight claims. After
that it was only a matter of [70] recording them and then signing a quit-claim
deed back to the Koyle Mining Co.; all of which was accomplished within a
three-day period. And thus the "Relief Mine" was once again secure
for the stockholders without the necessity for anyone having to do any
assessment work and thereby placing in jeopardy their Church membership--a very
real threat at the time. A few more years and the Peterson "slabs"
were also restored to the company, and thus was fulfilled the dream of the
"log" and the "slabs". (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 32)After the Church protest
against the mine, the State soon took up the banter. Probably the State
Securities Commission was encouraged or induced to make an attempt to close the
mine. The S.S.C. called Dr. Fredrick J. Pack of the
Action Follows Special Report on Properties of Company"If the state presents evidence that company stock has been sold without a permit from the securities commission a complaint will be issued in ten minutes," said Harold Wallace, county attorney.
At the same time, Mr. Wallace said that his files are now flooded with requests from individuals for complaints as a result of the sale of stock in the "Dream Mine." All of these requests, he said, come from individuals who have purchased personal stock from other individuals, and in such cases complaints have no foundation in law.
A report late Friday from the
On receipt of reports from Dr. Frederick J. Pack that the Koyle Mining company property, otherwise known as the Dream Mine, situated near Salem, Utah, offers no encouragement whatsoever for the future," the state securities commission Friday morning at the state capitol directed Scott P. Stewart, executive secretary, to file action with the county attorney, charging the Koyle Mining company management with . . .
Ordered by State
Meantime, Dr. Pack was employed in a consulting capacity, to make a fair and thorough investigation of the physical condition existing at the mine, and as a result of which a report condemning the enterprise on the basis of its geologic and commercial features, was received Friday.
At the conclusion of this report, Dr. Pack summarizes conditions at the mine in the following words:
"In conclusion I desire to state that in my judgment the Koyle Mining property offers no encouragement whatsoever for the future. While its formations--adjacent to the great Wasatch fault--are intimately displaced fractured, yet evidences of commercial mineralization are wholly lacking.
"The `ore' bodies recently discovered are shown by assays to be worthless. This is also true of the ore in the mill bins awaiting treatment. The building of a mill under such conditions is not only immature but involves the useless expenditure of both labor and money.
In the main body of his report, Dr. Pack states that the workings consist primarily of a tunnel three-fifths of a mile in length, together with one principal drift which in turn gives rise to several minor drifts.
Mineral Lacking
The main drift leaves the tunnel at a distance of approximately 2,000 feet from its portal. Other workings have been put in higher up on the mountain. On the occasion of Dr. Pack's inspection he said his party was led through the mine by John H. Koyle, discoverer of the mine, Byron Grant, and several others.
After a technical description of geological conditions, Dr. Pack reports that he has seldom "If ever seen a mining prospect that . . ."
Dr. Pack says that while at the mine he heard Mr. Koyle and others make frequent reference to certain veins within the mine, but "the truth is, I did not find a single vein within the entire property. These so-called veins are usually either brecciated sones or masses of gouge on fault surfaces.
The operators apparently did not make this distinction, in consequence of which they have repeatedly followed brecciated sones apparently in the hope of finding ore."
Further in his statement Dr. Pack says that he requested Mr. Koyle to direct him to places where the highest values had been discovered. One sample was taken on a left side drift, called Sample No. 1, and another Sample No. 2 was taken from a right hand drift. Low Grade Gold Found
According to the information given Dr. Pack, low grade values in gold existed in both places from which sample were taken.
On returning to Salt Lake Dr.
Pack submitted these samples to several assayers after being ground and divided
at the metallurgical laboratory at the
None of these samples returned values greater than six cents a ton in gold according to one assaying firm, while another reported nothing to exceed 10 cents per ton in gold.
In addition to the two samples numbered one and two, six additional sample were taken, making eight in all. The eighth sample, known as sample No. 8, was taken from the ore bin where Mr. Koyle said he knew the ore contained value.
Sample No. 8, taken from the ore bin, showed 10 cents in gold to the ton in one report, and only a trace in another assay. Silver values are correspondingly low, running from a slight trace, to one-tenth of one ounce per ton.
In no case, reports Dr. Pack, were the assayers informed as to the source of the ore, "or to my identity, or that the ore had been assayed by another firm." Mr. Grant wished to be present while the assays were being run, and was allowed this privilege in both cases.
Mr. Stewart announced Friday afternoon that he will take the matter up with the county attorney for action.
------------------------[73]So many of the charges against John Koyle and the mine were so far out of line that the Bishop and the stock holders had to make a rebuttal to them. The Deseret News refused to print their announcement, so they had to buy advertising space in the Salt Lake Telegram. It appeared as follows: Dream Mine President Replies to Dr. Pack
John H. Koyle Answers Statement of Frederick J. PackFor a number of years, myself and friends have been laboring persistently to secure values at the Koyle Mine, or "Dream Mine," situated southeast of Spanish Fork.
Since statements recently have been published by Dr. Frederick J. Pack that we have no present values nor any future prospects and have proceeded without having had any values, I am submitting the following reports.
Assays made by Thomas E. Chatwin
of Mammoth,
A chemical quantitative and
qualitative analysis by H. Romeryn, Ph.D., on December 24, 1932, gives a return
of $2.00 per ton in gold and declares the following metals to be present:
Platinum, Rhodium, Osmium, Nickel, Arsenic, Antimony, Lead and Iron.
Incidently, on the same date stated above, December 24, 1932, Junius J. Hayes
of the
The following assays from various assayers in the city are still more of a definite informative nature. All samples were collected with the view of getting a fair return of the ore then being mined in the various drifts of the Koyle Mine.
Crismon & Nichols, Sept. 6, 1932, returned $1.40 per ton in gold. Alonso P. Bardwell, Sept. 26, 1932, returned $6.89 per ton in gold. Black & Deason, April 22, 1932, returned $40.80 per ton in gold.
The officials of the Koyle Mining Company, always wishing to get at definite facts, have spared no efforts in getting at true results. respecting this fact, they had a series of samples submitted to the Assay Office of the United States at Salt Lake City, Utah, which rendered the following dates and returns: Sept. 19, 1932, $22.40 and $64.00 per ton in gold; Oct. 1, 1932, $17.60 per ton in gold; Oct. 7, 1932, $0.80, $1.20, $2.00 per ton in gold.
Byron E. Grant working at the Koyle Mining Company's assay office during the months of October, November and December, made upward of a thousand assays, showing returns of from a trace to $444 per ton in gold. A more careful analysis of these many assay slips shows several returns over $100 per ton, while the great majority of the assay slips show returns of from $2 and $3 up to $30. Such figures as $20.00, $16.80, $4.80, $2.60, $12.00, $13.80 and $5.60 present themselves bluntly while thumbing this large collection of assay slips bearing the signature of Byron E. Grant.[74]Report of John M. Bestelmeyer of June 6, 1933:
"On May 30th, 1933, at the request of interested parties and for certain definite reasons, and with the assistance of Mr. D. W. Jeffs, manager of the Utah Gold Co., we visited the Koyle Mining Company, situated at the base of the Wasatch range, easterly of Salem, Utah, to sample certain faces within the workings of the mine, for the purpose of definitely proving any gold values that might be obtained by direct amalgamation--and to determine as nearly as possible the value, if any, in ounces of gold per ton.
All samples taken were properly numbered, dated and designated as to position, width of vein, with all faces properly cleaned of loose material, grooved and channeled, at regular predetermined distances, with due regard to the width of sample taken, to gain as near as humanly possible a result of ACTUAL VALUE, without fear or favor to anyone concerned.
"Sample No. 139 returns values of $15.90 per ton in gold; Sample No. 140 $17.00; Sample No. 141, $44.00; Sample No. 142, $21.60; Sample No. 143, $22.00; Sample No. 144, $5.50; Sample No. 145, $15.00; Sample No. 146, $14.80 and Sample No. 147, $9.10.
"As you know, these samples
were taken to
"It might be well to state that no attempt is made here to go into locations, history, development, ore exposures, topographical or geological features, other than to state that all work, past, present and future plans, is carried on in a businesslike, minerlike manner, and is impressive, of good judgment, vision, personality and determination of Mr. Koyle."While the report of Dr. Frederick J. Pack states the complete absence of "ore," the above report of Mr. Bestelmeyer proves ore of a commercial value to be present. Both men are competent in their respective fields. Mr. Bestelmeyer is a mining man of tried integrity and long experience, while Dr. Pack is a teacher of geology. It seems Koyle Mining Company accepts the report of Mr. Bestelmeyer, since his report was made from a nonpartisan, unbiased standpoint and free from any exterior intimidating influence.
Dr. Pack, representing the State
of
Due to the fluctuating nature of the ore, varying from a few dollars one day to several hundred dollars on another day, as proved by careful daily assays made by the company, any one sample taken on any specific day could neither condemn nor justify the mine.
Supposing Dr. Pack and his party should have visited the Koyle Mine on a day when the company assayer surrendered returns of $444.00 as was done on Nov. 9, 1933, what would have been the nature of his report?[75] The following letter received by Mr. John M. Koyle:
Mr. John M. Koyle,
Spanish Fork,
Dear Friend Koyle: I was very much impressed today on my brief visit to your gold mill and especially so in the clean appearance and workmanlike manner in which your instructions are carried out.
I take this means of expressing to you my desire to help you in any manner possible, for I fully realize the pressure and strain that you labor under from day to day.
In retrospection I can see Uncle Jesse Knight, a man of vision, struggling with poverty to find the Humbug mine and later the famous Iron Blossom Channel.
I see John Bestelmeyer, the
Pioneer of East Tintic, ridiculed as a visionary Dutchman, and I see F. J.
Raddats and his now famous goat ranch striving to convince the people of
And now for a few opinions formed
during 25 years of active mining, the first of which is that geology does not
make a mine (in the State of
If the metal production of the world depended upon the ability of the geologist and mining engineer, the major part of civilization would still be wearing breech clouts, living in log huts and getting their daily existence with bow and arrow. As a matter of fact, time, natural disintegration, erosion, and Old Man Dig More are the principal factors surrounding every mining camp discovered up to date.
The geologist is persistently put upon the defensive for the simple reason that Mother Nature writes upon the vaults of her hidden riches a message in a language unknown to those scholarly, book-reading, so-called engineers.
I maintain that a prospector with
a jackass for a partner will find more ore in place in a given length of time
than all the geologists in
For many years prior to the coming of E. J. Raddats into the East Tintic district I had personally guided engineers, geologists, mining experts and doodle-bug artists over the large outcrops in the vicinity of the Tintic Standard Mine, only to have again and again their theoretical arguments on weak mineralization, cold solutions, detrimental faulting and other poppy-cock stock in trade. Years later it was my luck to stand beside a reputable engineer connected with a large mining and smelting company and hear this man condemn the mine; and yet he stood with feet firmly placed on ore that later paid millions in dividends.
I distinctly heard him ridicule the ore in sight as worthless sulphide, filled with a few white specks.
Knowing this and much more, I want to pass on this thought to you; Keep up the good work and the day will surely come when your faith and hopes will be fully realized.
With the best of wishes in all, I remain, sincerely,
John M. Bestelmeyer.
284 East 4th North,
(Signed)John H. Koyle
THE SALT
TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24, 1933.[76]Executive secretary of the State Securities Commission,
Scott P. Stewart, on two occasions brought executives of the Dream Mine before
the court on charges of fraud. Both times they were released without sufficient
evidence. Scott had been a highly paid patient surveyor for the Dream Mine, but
now he became their opponent. The prime witness against the mine was a woman
who declared that she didn't want money back for the stock; she only wanted the
mine to turn out. This was not sufficient evidence of a fraud.Then the State
denied Koyle a license to sell stock. Normally this would shut down a mining
operation, because without the sale of stock there would be no source of income
for the workers or maintenance of the mine. But the Lord didn't intend for the
work to stop then, so Koyle told the Board of Directors to issue him 50,000
shares of special stock as payment for contract labor. This was to be in his own name as personal stock. The Bishop would then
personally hire workers for the mine. Since there was no law against a man
selling his own stock, the Dream Mine continued to operate.The Federal
Securities and Exchange Commission soon entered the arena in opposition to the
mine. They somehow obtained a list of stockholders and sent them a long list of
questions, trying to obtain some complaining witnesses who would help them
press charges of fraud against the mine. The Commission tried every avenue to
uncover evidence that might be used in court to have the mine legally shut
down. After a close examination of income and labor used in the mining
operation, it was found that sufficient work had been performed to account for
the money taken in through the sale of stock. So the charges of fraud had to be
dropped. It has been said that at one time 17 deputy
[78] Chapter 8 MEN AND MINES IN CRUCIBLES
Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a
low estate. For gold is tried in the fire; and acceptable men
in the furnace of adversity. (Ecclesiastics 2:4-5)Men must learn to
understand the opposites of nature--and those principles which prove him worthy
of an eternal inheritance with God. Experiencing good and evil, pain and
pleasure, sorrow and joy, is the purpose of mortality. Indeed it is in this
life that men must face the conflicts, the trials, and the oppositions which
test him, rendering him fit for the kingdom of heaven.But, above and beyond the
value of all mortal experience is the love of truth and the love of God. The
body with all of its senses is important to man, but how much more prized
should be the principles of life which mold and shape the destiny of the soul.
The pathway through life, though strewn with the burden of tests and the weight
of trials, is garnished with those resplendent principles which lead to eternal
life and immortal glory. (Christ and the
Crucifixion, O. Kraut, p. 11)The greater a man's calling by his God, the
greater in proportion will be his trials. It is only reasonable that John
Koyle's mine, and all those affiliated with it, would receive their share of
trials and tests. God brings about His peculiar ways which confound the wicked
but save the righteous. There must be trials and tests in mortality for they
separate the righteous from the wicked.[79]
(picture)The main shaft of the Relief Mine is 3400 feet long and was
carved out of the mountain without the aid of man's survey instruments. Even
from the back of the tunnel, you can see daylight at the front entrance. Men,
too, [80] must be guided through life by the inspiration of God, rather than
the priestcrafts of men. And, as iron rails of the track lead from the dark
abyss of the tunnel to the light of day, so also the Iron Rod, or the Word of
God, leads men to the eternal glory of God.When the Nephites visited Bishop
Koyle, they warned him that the mine would be forced to shut down. Six months
after their visit the mine was shut down, and Church leaders brought the threat
of excommunication to the Bishop and all of his co-workers if they continued to
labor on that mountain.Bishop Koyle had great respect for the Church and valued
his membership in it. When they ordered the mine shut down, he humbly submitted
to the mandate and stopped all mining operations on the hill. He had been told
by the Nephites that the powers that would close it would be the same powers to
open it again. So he decided to leave it all in the hands of the Lord.The
Bishop had a little farm in
Picture [83]God
also carves and shapes the souls of men for His work by using the oppositions
of life. The Prophet Joseph Smith once said:I am like a huge, rough stone
rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some
corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with
accelerated force against religious bigotry, priestcraft, lawyercraft,
doctorcraft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of
perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and
women--all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. (TPJS, p.
304)Phil Tadje was a stockholder who gained a powerful testimony of the work at
the mine, but eventually he, too, lost his faith in it. Shortly after his
conversion to the Gospel in his native country of
Henry's neighbor related how his uncle and a small party were exploring in the region of what is now Spanish Fork and Salem, when they were jumped by some Indians and fled to what is now called Water Canyon. There they found refuge in a tunnel large enough to ride in on horseback, for it was some ten feet in diameter. Here they withstood the Indians, but one of their number was killed, and his remains were left in the tunnel. Before they left this, uncle picked up a rock in the tunnel and noticed that it was extremely rich in gold--that it was more like rock [85] in the gold, rather than gold in the rock.
This uncle would have come back
later and claimed this ancient mine for himself had he not accepted a call from
Brigham Young to pioneer in the Lemhi country. His nephew in the presence of Henry
Armstrong, had no trouble finding the mine from the
landmarks his uncle had given. But, of course, it was a little too late to
claim it. The ten-foot wide tunnel was there still, although it was almost
closed by a rock slide. (The Dream Mine
Story, Pierce, p. 29)Henry remained faithful to the mine all of his life.
In his latter years he inquired almost daily about the condition and status of
the mine.Among those who once stood valiantly for Bishop Koyle and the mine was
Carter Grant. Carter was a nephew of President Heber J. Grant, and they were
closely associated with each other. When the subject of the Dream Mine came up
. . .Carter asked President Grant if he had asked the
Lord and received any direction from Him by way of revelation; to which he replied,
"No, I do not trouble the Lord with such foolish things." Carter
said, "If you can produce a revelation from the Lord against the Dream
Mine. I will go gladly along with you. As it stands now, I believe it is true
and of the Lord." (A Relief Mine Story,
J. Young, p. 8)Carter was a stockholder and firm believer in the Dream Mine and
later tried to convince other leading authorities of the Church.Carter Grant
freely admitted to his close associates that Apostle James E. Talmage could
produce no such revelation, neither from himself nor from any of the other
general authorities, [86] and when he inquired of his uncle, Heber J. Grant, if
he would allow an audition for Bishop Koyle so that he could really get his
story first-hand, the answer was: "If that man is brought to my office,
I'll have him thrown out!" Carter Grant still held on to his stock and
followed events at the mine with some interest until the death of Bishop John
H. Koyle some eighteen years later. Then he lost interest and faith in the project
and sold all of his stock--an event he admitted to this writer that Bishop
Koyle had predicted would happen to him. (The
Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 40)From a financial point of view, Bishop
Koyle obtained the greatest success of his lifetime while in
I told him I did not believe the Lord would reveal to him or anyone else anything against the leaders of the Church. But would reveal it to them direct like he did to Joseph Smith.
Then he said, "I saw in the
original dream concerning the mine that it was to come out as a rebuke to the
Authorities of the Church because they were not doing right." This I knew
to be a lie. ("Letter of Peter C.
Carlston", July 13, 1933)[88]A brief discussion on the garment change
is necessary here as an evidence of the Bishop's insight of a significant and
very serious event. The changes in the temple garment gradually became an
extremely controversial subject. What started out as a permissible
"option" that came "not as an order, nor as a rule to be rigidly
enforced," soon became changed until the exact opposite was the result. The original garment was soon abandoned and
forbidden to be used, while many dozens of types and styles soon became
"authorized".The first announcement by the Church of a new style change
appeared in 1923. The proclamation was "permissive" with the
"option" belonging to the wearer. The change was not a mandatory one,
nor did it come as the result of a revelation making the change a requisite for
the garment. It was intended for special occasions, such as those who desired
to play sports and for certain social status women who wished to wear the more
modern dress styles. The old style pattern was completed under the
administration of President Brigham Young. The pattern was established by revelation.
For nearly a century that style was sacred and symbolic. Any change, if such
could be possible, would certainly require a revelation to revoke that former
revelation.Probably the early Christians in the first and second centuries had
to contend with the same conflicts and controversies. They undoubtedly
experienced disputes over what was unchangeable and what was acceptable. We
certainly know that liberalism soon overcame the orthodox conservative stand,
and the result was the loss of spiritual gifts and favor with God.However, most
Latter-day Saints are shocked at the very thought that all is not well in
Then is the time to look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall.
For I say unto you, there is a test, a Test, a TEST coming. (Life of J. Golden Kimball, J. Claude Richards, p. 364)In our time and generation, we feel to share the same sentiments as the Prophet Joseph Smith who once said:And now, beloved brethren, we say unto you, that inasmuch as God hath said that He would have a tried people, that He would purge them as gold, now we think this time He has chosen His own crucible, wherein we have been tried; and we think if we get through with any degree of safety, and shall have kept the faith, that it will be a sign to this generation, altogether sufficient to leave them without excuse. . . . (TPJS, pp. 135-136)Life is meant to be a proving ground. Indeed, it is a battlefield where men may prove themselves triumphant. For without a battle, there is no victory--and without that attainment, there is no reward. Very few shall pass the final tests and trials of the last days, for God shall "punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity," but He shall make those few valiant men "more precious than fine gold." (Isa. 13:11-12)[91] Photo of Overview of the valley from the Relief Mine.
(Buildings in foreground are (l. to r.)--
Bishop Koyle's house, old office building, new
office building; (lower rt. corner) assay office.
[93] Chapter 9 A PROPHET, SEER, AND REVELATOR
Perhaps it may make some of you stumble, were I to ask you a question--does a man being a Prophet in this Church prove that he shall be the President of it? I answer, no! A man may be a Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and it may have nothing to do with his being the President of the Church. (Brigham Young, JD 1:333)No one ever knew Bishop Koyle for very long until they had to acknowledge that he was guided by some form of mystical or spiritual power. God or the devil had a hand in that man's venture, for it was never conducted in the manner of any other business project. He dug into that mountain as a poor man and died a poor man; but his spirituality is equalled by few men in the history of the Church.Work progressed according to the inspired direction of Bishop Koyle who would reveal formations in the mine before they were reached. He would also predict the future in other areas separate from the mine.The miners were always excited and somewhat surprised to witness the fulfillment of John's predictions. They enjoyed telling stories of how his remarkable gift was employed. Visitors by the thousands came to the mine to see these numerous sign posts that had been predicted and also to visit with this unusual "prophet of the mine." The workmen lived and labored in a seemingly sacred project. To witness Divine intervention into their daily labors was almost as though they labored on a sacred temple of the Lord. There was no swearing, no smoking or drinking on that hill, neither were there any ill feelings, stealing or other wicked practices.[94]Contrary to most mining camps, the spirit and influence that prevailed from the beginning was such that it admittedly improved the workers in their way of life both physically and spiritually, and instead of diminishing enthusiasm, as is so often the case with a mining project, the number of workers increased as did also those who believed this most unusual story to be true. Here at this mountain camp these men learned to pray together and to cast off whatever bad habits they had, and led much better lives than before. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 13)Usually the men of the mountain were filled with the spirit of the Lord, so much that their favorite topic was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From my own experience there, I have never witnessed anything before or since that equalled the spirituality that prevailed among the men connected with that mine. The Deseret News, Zions Bank, KSL, nor any other Church-owned business does not call their workers together to kneel down for prayer before engaging in the day's labors, which was a daily practice at the mine.What else can one say when such an influence prevails with such a project? Are we not commanded to judge a tree by its fruits? When an atmosphere is so wholesome and desirable, it is easy to conclude that the mine is of God and that John Koyle was a prophet.* * *It seemed ridiculous for the miners to drill and cut out a ditch for water when there was no trace of water in the mountain--however, this is what the Bishop ordered them to do. By giving them the size and dimension of the ditch, he predicted the water would just fill it. It was a nuisance to make, but they dug it anyway.[95] One morning as they neared the 2,200 foot mark, Bishop Koyle addressed the miners at the breakfast table, and directed his remarks to his nephew, who also bore the same name: "John, watch the breast hole that you put in the face this morning. When you get your hole in 14 inches, you'll strike the water we've been waiting for."
His nephew watched the hole ever so carefully, and kept a running measurement of it. At thirteen inches he was still spooning dry dirt out of it. But at fourteen inches a stream of water burst forth from it like the flow that would come out of a garden hose under pressure, and with a shout the nephew invited the other miners to come and get a good drink of it!
When
that round of holes was shot off, the workmen had to put on firemen helmets and
rain coats and put up a tin sheet overhead for protection from the rapid flow of
water as it came in and began to fill the dry ditch they had waiting for it.
And after the ditch was soaked good, the water began to flow out of the tunnel
and down over the dump, even as it does today, filling a three-inch pipe to
full pressure capacity. (The Dream Mine
Story, Pierce, p. 34)Claude F. Weight related an experience he witnessed of
the Bishop's gift of predicting:After Christmas when
we came back to the mine, Bishop had a dream wherein he saw that he would see
the face of the drift or the bottom of the hole by getting all the water out of
it by Saturday 12 o'clock noon. During this interval we broke the head out of
the pump. The head was six inches in diameter and 5/8 of an inch thick. This
completely stopped our work. This occurred in the middle of the night. Lars
Olson asked me to go out and report to the Bishop who was [96] sleeping in the
cabin. The Bishop told me to take a five-gallon can and cut a piece of candle
I went back down the mine and told Lars Olson. Lars came back up out of the mine and got the material and a little piece of strap iron to put across, and we made a new head out of that and put it on. Bishop came down the mine just as I was screwing on the last nut. Suffice it to say this improvised head did hold the pressure and we pumped with that tin head for several weeks until we obtained a new one. This is a mystery that has never been explained. The head never did give out.
At this time Lars said to the Bishop that this is one dream that would not come true. "You will not see the face of the drift Saturday noon." Koyle could not see how it would be possible either, as we had three days and nights of filling up with water while we were off for Christmas and all that ran in during the time that we were pumping; but suffice it to say we did see the face by Saturday noon exactly at 12 o'clock. (Story of the Dream Mine, C. F. Weight, p. 14)The longer the mine was worked, the more interest and fame came to it. The curious as well as believers came to hear the stories and see the "sign posts" in the mine.[97] (picture)
The Meeting House where people gathered on Thursday nights for stockholders' meetings.
For instance, he predicted there
would be a "hogsback" at a certain distance in the tunnel, and it was
found. Again, he predicted there would be a strange dark-shaped formation that
resembled
The elbow at the end of the new pipe had a peculiar angle of about 30 degrees. But by a strange coincidence, it just fit into their ore bin. The pipe was just the right size in diameter, too, as well as just the right length--not a half inch too long or short.One of the most impressive predictions and perhaps the most overlooked, was that money and men would always come to the mine when they were needed. And so they did--from 1914 to the day the Bishop died. This was a most remarkable prediction--considering wars, depressions, inflation and the constant barrage of ridicule and persecution brought against that work.[99]From our investigation we find that it takes about one hundred fifty dollars a week in cash for the men and almost fifty for powder, caps, fuse, food and other supplies. Brother Koyle has been asked time and time again where all this comes from, and his only reply is, "I was told that it would come. If one person does not send, then another does. It always arrives as we need it. This is another testimony that I am right, for two messengers, coming into my room on the morning of January 10, 1914, told me, `When you open this mine up again, we will come to your aid with men and money.' They have never failed us yet!"
* * * This he has observed,
depending wholly upon the weekly arrival of funds, for I am told that at no
time does he have any surplus, barely sufficient to skim through. This fact
alone cannot be explained by our group. If you can see where his money comes
from during these difficult and distressing days, you can do better than I can.
We might account for some of it, but certainly not for the sums used week upon
week, month upon month, and year after year. It is peculiar, all right. ("Statement made by Carter E. Grant, Sept. 9,
1931, to James E. Talmage," p. 5)The Bishop could foretell formations
within the mine before the workmen arrived there, and he could also, foresee
events in the world, the nation, and the Church, or even in his own
backyard.Koyle is a man given to predictions, and the number of things he has
predicted that came to pass is astounding. One of his more outlandish
predictions came years ago when, pointing across the sagebrush desert to a
desolate spot, he said, "There'll be a big manufacturing plant right there
someday." The place is isolated, on rocky [100] ground, above the
irrigation level, far from human habitation. Too, the valley had hundreds of
better sites. Came the war, and today a powder mill
stands on the spot. Isolation is a prime requisite for a powder mill, and the
location is ideal. ("Time and the Dream Mine," Samuel W. Taylor, Esquire Magazine, Nov. 1943.One
Thursday night, just a few days before Christmas in 1943, eight men came down
to the mine earlier than usual so they could visit with the Bishop before the
meeting began. When time for the meeting arrived, the Bishop said, "We
might as well get started--this is all that will be here." The others
looked out the window and saw a string of car lights heading up towards the
mine. They called this to the Bishop's attention, but he still maintained that
there would be no more arrive for the meeting. The meeting commenced, and no
one else came. Afterward, they bid goodbye to the Bishop and started down the
hill. They saw the reason that no one came to the meeting--the wind had blown
big snow drifts over the road. A snow plow was just clearing the road, but the
cars had previously turned back, since it would have been too late to get to
the meeting.Once the Bishop pointed to the top of the mountains and said that
the day would come when a light would be seen up there. A few years after the
Bishop's death, the telephone company came to the officials of the mine for
permission to share the use of their dugway so that a tower could be placed atop
the mountain for a coast to coast dial system. When the tower was completed, a
large beacon light was placed on top which could be seen from anywhere in the
valley.The Bishop once prophesied that there would be a drought come to the
intermountain region. Then one day in May of 1938, after many continuous days
of raining, the miners were kidding the Bishop not to worry about a famine or
drought, but rather consider building an ark if [101] the rains continued any
longer. The Bishop listened to their joking and then replied that the rains
would stop the next day and the drought would begin. Sure enough, the rains
stopped on May the 18th and no moisture came until October. And, for the next
few years the drought continued.The Bishop was shown some of the future home
building programs that would develop throughout the country. He said houses
would be patterned much the same as their chicken coops. They would have a flat
roof with a large window in the front; yet they would cost so much that the
people would wonder if they could ever be able to pay for them. Shortly after
World War II, new housing developments began to boom around the country with
many of the houses being built just like chicken coops. The style is still
current and so are the heavy mortgages.The Bishop
often described the gold ore that would be found in the mine. He also described
in prophecy how this ore would be reached. Carter Grant wrote:Brother
Koyle stated that as they would proceed down on this wall at the turn-down
leading westerly, they would encounter a formation so soft that it would be
spaded in places and that it would be necessary, unless care was used, to
square-set the shaft down to the capstone, about ninety or one hundred feet
below tunnel level. This capstone would be flat and about three feet in
thickness and exceedingly hard. Upon going through this stone, they will run
immediately into a white quartz or at least a white
formation resembling quartz and that this white formation will be so rich in
gold that the gold will be visible in leaf-like formations. Then this light
colored or white formation carrying gold will dip to the northeast and run for
about a hundred and fifty feet dipping about eighty degrees to the northeast
and then will swing [102] under to a southeasterly direction still carrying the
same rich ore as had been encountered on the way down. Brother Koyle stated
that he plainly saw his mine car tracks and the cars running on them taking out
this rich gold ore and saw it being hoisted to tunnel level and taken out
through the straight tunnel where he saw a town grown on the outside.
(Grant/Talmage Statement, 1931. p. 1) The Bishop explained that a beautiful
city would grow at the base of the mountain after the mine came in. Nearly all
of the people of the city would be stockholders, or at least believe in the
mission of the mine. So many of the buildings would be painted white, that it
would be called "
1. I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this
journey, notwithstanding your follies.
2. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion,
and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the
benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.
3. Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with
men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you.
4. And it shall come to pass in due time that I will give this city
into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall
not discover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver
shall be yours.
5. Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power
to pay them.
6. Concern not yourselves about
7. Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about;
8. And the place where it is my will that you
should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power
of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you.
9. This place you may obtain by hire. And inquire diligently concerning
the more ancient inhabitants and founders of this city;
10. For there are more treasures than one for
you in this city.
11. Therefore ye as wise as serpents and
yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are
able to receive them. Amen.When
the laborers arrived at the 3,000-foot mark, they saw the formation strata
reversing to the west in huge breaks, just as the Bishop had said it would. It
is interesting to note here that Dr. James Talmage said there was no reversing
of the strata in that mountain. From this point the workmen went back to the
winze to continue that shaft.But when they had sunk the shaft at the winze some
285 feet and discovered the iron red formation which was to mark the level of
their lower tunnel, they were obliged to stop again although they were just 40
feet from their 18-foot deposit of rich sacking ore that could be shoveled up
like sand--ore that he had compared to the "fish ready for the frying pan,
with no waste rock in it." Here the water came in faster than their
electric pump could take it out, so they had to temporarily abandon the winze.
But the Bishop reassured them that when it was time to return there, an
earthquake would cause a fissure to open and the water would all drain off and
no longer be a hindrance to them. (Dream
Mine Story, Pierce, p. 35)[107] Then a new turn of events proved the
Bishop to be more inspired than many wished him to be. In January of 1929 Emily
Koyle, John's wife, said that her husband declared something would happen on
the hill that would bring in plenty of money. It was right after this that he
went to Salt Lake City to get some funds from the secretary of the company for
some needed expenses when he was told there was no more money left in the
company. He then told the secretary of the mine that he would soon have more
money than he could handle.On February 28, 1929, the Spanish Fork Press
announced that the operators of the local "Dream Mine" had struck
platinum. J. W. Warf, assayer for the company, had determined from samples
3/10% or more of platinum. This was confirmed by another assayer from
Although Bishop Koyle had around twenty thousand shares of his own personal stock, and could have sold every share of it then and there for $10 a share, he wouldn't sell any of it. He tried to tell them that it would blow over, that it was not the big strike that would not blow over. But no one wanted to listen to him; they [108] wanted to buy the stock; therefore, many of them searched elsewhere until they found a stockholder who was willing to sell for $10 a share, and there was much of it that changed hands at that price.
When the excitement blew over and things calmed down again, the buyers who had purchased employee stock from Bishop Koyle at $5.00 a share were given as much again stock as they had purchased without cost, because Koyle did not want this to be such an expensive lesson to them.
"But when the next excitement comes," he told them, "the people will rush to our house much more excited than ever, and they would fill the house, and the lawn and even the road in front of the house, and on down the road causing a traffic jam for quite some distance away. This excitement will not blow over, but it will be permanent, a]though the people could no longer buy stock from the company at that time." (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 48)The mine was then experiencing a boom--much the same as the rest of the country. It was the year 1929. Early in July of that year some visitors came to John's home, which was a small adobe house in Spanish Fork. John was renting this house from his stake president, Henry Gardner, who was also his banker.Bishop Koyle was absent on this occasion so they interviewed Mrs. Koyle, asking her how she felt about her husband's dreams, if she thought they were true or not.
"Yes, John has had quite a few dreams a]ready prove to be true, so I don't see why this one about the mine shouldn't prove to be true, also," she said.
"Has he had anything unusual given to him lately ?"
[109]
"Yes, he saw that a financial crash would come over the nation just four months from now. That was June 29th."
"Does Mr. Gardner, your banker, know about this?"
"Yes, the other day John went down to see Mr. Gardner and told him about it, and advised him to get as many of his loans back in as he could before October, because that was when the trouble would come."
"Would you mind telling us," suggested one of the visitors, "if your husband has ever had one of these unusual dreams that has ever failed to prove true."
"I have never seen one of them fail yet," she affirmed.An interesting sequence to Bishop Koyle's informing Mr. Gardner, the banker, of the forthcoming market crash, was as follows: As the four months rolled by, and nothing, of the sort had as yet happened, Henry Gardner hailed Bishop Koyle into his bank as he was passing by, saying that he had a bone to pick with him. He then rather in a facetious mood upbraided Koyle for being a false prophet. He pointed out how he had taken his advice and had not extended some of the loans which now appeared to have been good risks. And now no sign of a market crash. What did Koyle have to say for himself now?
Bishop Koyle faced up to him squarely and insisted that his prediction still stood without any changes, and that Mr. Gardner was jumping the gun on him for he still had one more day before the four months were up, as it was only October 28th. He could call him back after tomorrow if he had any bone to pick with him. But this dream was true, make no mistake about that!
Needless to say, the following day, October 29th, the newspapers carried big headlines about [111] the history-making stock market crash, while Henry Gardner had good cause to marvel at his most unusual tenant. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, pp. 48-49)
Picture hereThe Bishop had received many important dreams concerning the mine and also of national events. But he also received instructions from the Lord concerning his own family. One time he received instructions for a brother who learned a hard lesson, but gained new respect for the Bishop.Bishop was carried in the spirit into the spirit world where he saw beauty beyond anything he had ever seen on earth. The homes were neat, well arranged and surrounded with gardens of flowers that defied description; rare and brilliant colors not seen on earth.
As he walked up the path toward a T-shaped house, his father, who had been dead a number of years, came out on the walk and greeted him with a hearty welcome. He said, "John, I want you to go back to earth and teach the Gospel to your brothers and sisters and see that they repent and go to the temple and be sealed for time and eternity. Tell Harry if he doesn't quit his profanity and getting drunk, he will get an awful shaking up."
John came back and went to work
teaching and working with them, and they all were obedient but Harry who was
stubborn and unwilling. John said to him, "I have warned you these three
times and if you don't straighten up, you will be punished with an awful
shaking up." The warning was like pouring water on a duck; he paid no heed
until one day he was going up the trail in
[116] Bishop Koyle's prophecies were
becoming a thorn in the side of many of the General Authorities of the
Of a tunnel peculiarly grand.
The patience required in its digging
Was famed throughout the land.
And one of an ancient nation
Stood guard at the entry there--
Hallowed, though stern, was his visage,
Snow white were his beard and hair.With this guide I entered the chamber
Its cavernous depths to explore;
And I felt as I hastened forward,
As I never had felt before;
For I knew here was perfect safety,
And that I had nothing to fear;
For those with motives untainted,
Were protected in working here.Near a wintze at the end of the tunnel,
Stood another of a solemn mien,
Stern visaged and armed with a saber
As he at the portal had been.
As we passed onward and downward,
Each landing was guarded the same,
'Til by curious motives prompted,
I asked, "Friend, what is thy name?"[117] "And why dost thou and thy fellows
Stand guard in these workings old?
Perchance, in the depths below us
There are uncounted treasures of gold?"
To my query he thus made answer:
"Son of earth, thou hast rightly said,
For I and my brothers are remnants
Of a nation long since dead.""Ages gone, when I dwelt among mortals,
These mountains were teeming with wealth,
And our Father was granting my people
Wisdom, great riches and health.
But in the pride of their hearts
They forsook Him and worshipped mammon alone,
'Til their sins reached upward to heaven,
And earth 'neath corruption did groan."'Twas then that the spirit ceased striving
And left them in darkness once more.
For every man's hand smote his neighbor,
And destruction was rapid and sure.
And then when iniquity ripened,
The earth in convulsions did lie.
And the wealth of these mountains was hidden
From their evil and covetous eye."The wealth of the mountains of Ephraim,
Thus saith the Lord, is mine.
And to all who partake of their fatness,
I give by right most divine.
Here, then, was preserved for a people
Prepared to accomplish His will,
The wealth which the Father hath hidden
Beneath this most notable hill.
[118] "We are guarding this wealth & the workers
That corruption shall not allure.
--The toiler who enters these caverns
With motives unselfish and pure.
For the Father's purpose will ripen,
Though derision and scoffers abound.
And coming from sources unthought of,
Dark clouds will cover them around."I awoke from my sleep and my dreaming,
And sought my companion again.
But naught did I see but the mountain,
And the place where my visit had been.
But I knew that this wealth that was hidden
From a nation now under the sod,
Must be used as my guide had bidden,
FOR THE GLORIFICATION OF GOD! Brother Waters thought he was to open and work this mine, but he got no direction as to where and how to find it till one day while in Spanish Fork someone asked him to go to the annual Dream Mine meeting that was being held on the hill that day. He went gladly. When he saw the mine tunnel, he was greatly surprised and thrilled, for it was the very thing the messenger showed him in the dream. He took the poem out of his pocket, handed it to Bishop Koyle and said, "Here Bishop, this belongs to you. It's your work and mission to bring relief to the people in time of great need and trouble."
Bishop Koyle gladly received the wonderful new testimony to the divinity of his great mission and work. (A Relief Mine Story, J. Young, p. 6)Men were receiving testimonies from God that the work of the mine was divinely inspired, yet men like Talmage declared it to be from the "Evil One". Men in the Church declared themselves to be "prophets, seers and [119] revelators," yet they failed to produce any revelations. Bishop Koyle never made any pretense to being a prophet, yet he was able to say "the Lord showed me" and then make a prophecy which was soon fulfilled in every respect. Who really was a prophet--and who was being directed by the spiritual gifts of prophecy and revelation? Every man had to ask these questions--and then seek the answer for himself. Heber C. Kimball prophecied:To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand.
Remember these sayings, for many
of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed
light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself.
(Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 460-461)It requires the spirit of prophecy to
recognize the voice of a prophet. The "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy," said Joseph Smith, and men were now learning by the Holy Ghost
that John H. Koyle was inspired of the Lord.One day J. Golden Kimball received
word that Bishop Koyle wanted to see him as soon as possible, so he drove right
down to the mine. Koyle immediately got into the subject that was causing him
considerable distress by saying, "Golden, the Lord showed me in a dream
that Joseph Fielding Smith is preparing a conference sermon that is against the
Dream Mine--and the Lord doesn't want him to deliver it. I want you to go up
there and tell him not to give that sermon."[120] "Not me!" replied Golden.
"I'm not going to put my head in the lion's mouth." Koyle grabbed
Kimball by the coat collar and said, "Golden, God hates a coward." He
looked a little sheepish and replied, "All right, Bishop, I'll tell him,
but I don't have any faith that it will do any good." The Bishop smiled
and retorted, "Don't worry; I'll take care of the faith."Kimball
returned to
[125] Chapter 10 THE WHITE SENTINEL
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1-2) (Photo of The mill building)[126] Travelers driving down Highway 89 or Interstate 15 near Salem, Utah, are often curious, if not impressed, with the large white mill resting against the Loafer Mountain. It stands silent and lonely, but majestic in a modern form of architecture, as it cascades down the contour of the mountain. Spectators often wonder or inquire as to what it is. It has an interesting history that goes all the way back to the stock market crash of 1929.During that great depression, the country suffered because money was so difficult to find. The years of 1930 and 1931 were hard ones for everyone everywhere. In May of 1931 the Dream Mine stockholders celebrated the 37th year since work commenced on the mine by attending their annual outing at the grove. William A. Jones, the mine secretary, spoke to the little group gathered there, and related some of the numerous prophecies of Bishop Koyle that were being fulfilled. A few that were mentioned were:1.Cars and trucks were now the size of boxcars traveling on the highways.
2.Property was now mortgaged to the limit.
3.The mining industry was paralyzed.
4.The
5.And
four years of draught were already partially fulfilled.The stockholders
expressed gratitude for being a part of such an inspired work. They were happy
to know that God was mindful enough of them that He informed them of many major
events before they came to pass. But the Bishop warned them that these were
times that would be only a trifle compared to the famines, shortages and the financial
collapse that was yet to come. The chaos of the early 30's was merely a taste
of what should take place in
"We've got to build our own plant," Koyle told his directors. They threw up their hands in horror. Koyle saw it was no use talking with them. "I was afraid to tell'em," he admits. ("Time and the Dream Mine," Samuel W. Taylor, Esquire, Nov. 1943)But the Bishop had to make a special announcement to the stockholders. They were told that a huge processing mill would be built on the mountain. But since they were in the depths of a depression, such a project seemed impossible. Undertaking such a massive piece of construction seemed almost incredible even to the Bishop.In a dream John was shown the mill that was to be built and where it was to be located. But more interesting, he was shown how it was to be constructed. The total concept of the project was not explained to the stockholders all at once. So, section by section, the mill was drafted and then work was commenced on it.Money was difficult to obtain, yet it seemed to come with a miraculous but continuous flow. As a new section or part of the construction was started, money came in to meet the needs for its completion.[128] The mill, declared the Bishop, would someday contain a new process that would revolutionize the milling and refining industry. He described how a man would someday come to the mine, just at the right time, with a discovery of a new process for milling ore that would be more efficient, yet much more simple, than any other previously known processing system. The Dream Mine would be the first to put this new discovery to use. The Bishop said that with this new process even the dump pile would prove valuable enough to run through the mill. Stockholders rallied together with money and labor to build this new edifice at the mine.Alexander Pope, architect for the Hawaiian Temple, was given the contract to make blueprints for the mill, but he soon learned, to his astonishment, that every major portion of the mill he designed was a]ready under construction by the time he arrived with the blueprints. Samuel Taylor said:He built the mill in typical Koyle fashion. When construction was underway and things were too far along to recall, the directors demanded an architect. The builder refused to do another tap without blueprints. "I didn't need no blueprints," Koyle says. "I knowed what I wanted."
But he did compromise. He hired
an architect. The builder, meanwhile, agreed to go on while awaiting
finished specifications. "By the time the first section was done, the
architect came around with the blueprints for it," Koyle says, grinning.
He, meanwhile, had started on the next section, and the architect hastened to
catch up. How much influence the architect actually had might be impossible to say,
but the finished mill is truly magnificent. It looks like no other flotation
mill in the world. Gleaming white, with modernistic horizontal window lines, it
appears to be an apartment house, a rich man's castle or a skyscraper built
against the mountain. Koyle is [129] justly proud of it. ("Time and the
Dream Mine,"
Although the process demonstrated unusual merit, it is alleged that in order to make a greater impression on company officials and the stockholders, a certain amount of selenium was planted in these chemicals while processing a half ton of ore that was brought from the upper workings on the mountain.
The chemicals used seemed to have the remarkable quality of dissolving just about everything except wood, rubber and silica; and then, after the load was precipitated, the solution actually could be reactivated and used over again simply by adding certain chemicals. Having thoroughly demonstrated this amazing process to the complete satisfaction and knowledge of the mine's chemist, the inventory convinced Bishop Koyle and the directors of the need to set up a large scale process in the mill, which seemed to be designed perfectly for this process, and there the values in the present ore could be processed on a commercial scale.
Using only makeshift equipment with the first half-ton of ore, they produced some 12 pounds of selenium and 32 pounds of iron hydroxide, while other values were left still unrecovered. The selenium and iron hydroxide were shipped to the Harrison Co. of Chicago, and a check for $103.03 was promptly returned in payment for the two metals. It was the first actual money ever received for a shipment from the Dream Mine, and strangely enough, the check was dated Sept. 7, 1937, on the 43rd anniversary of the day when the first claims were staked out on this mountain. In a small way it was a fulfillment of the prediction that the first small shipment would come from the upper workings on the mountain.
[132]
The selenium may have been
planted by designing men, but the iron hydroxide was genuine, since it may be
seen in visible abundance in several diggings in
But while the new process was
being established, a wave of new hope and encouragement swept over the
stockholders. A great mass meeting was called, which filled the
Upon hearing the startling claims made by the inventor, and the high praise given him and his process by various ones of importance in the Koyle Mining Company, the stockholders then scraped the bottom of their depression-worn pockets to raise the money needed to buy the equipment necessary for a large scale installation of this revolutionary process that would fit so nicely into their beautiful mill--a mill that so far had been nothing more than an idle monument to their faith. Now here was the key that would supposedly unlock the values.
A series of graduated crushers, a pulverizer, a line of wooden tanks with rubberized electric agitators, a special rubberized rotary filter, precipitation tanks, pumps, and other equipment went into the development of a large scale process, as the stockholders' hopes soared to new heights of great expectations.
[133]
A large scale process presented many engineering bugs that had to be solved, and the inventor promised to remain and solve them, and reap his reward in stock and from production returns; but the progress was slow--very, very slow--and the ore was of such poor quality that, rather than remain and try to succeed in this manner, John Harper and his associates became disgruntled and decided to abandon this project and seek quicker results elsewhere. However, death took a hand as John Harper suddenly died from a heart ailment.
All that remained in the mill now
was the abandoned equipment and a few crocks of half-processed ore, mostly lime
or calcium, and but little desire on the part of anyone to try to complete this
process until there was some worthwhile ore to justify it. One thing that was
accomplished was the attraction of a large new group of stockholders to the
company. (The Dream Mine Story,
Pierce, pp. 72-74)An electric ore furnace was later added to the mill to
further implement ore reductions. Also another kind of "flotation"
process was installed in the mill.The mill was finally completed about 1936--at
least as far as it was supposed to be for the present time. The Bishop
explained that someday more sections would be added to the mill both from the
southwest side and to the bottom of the canyon.The humble living conditions of
John Koyle are difficult for the modern saint to comprehend. For many, many
years he lived in a small rented adobe house without plumbing, which was
located on the outskirts of Spanish Fork. From here each day he would make his
trek by horseback up to the mountain, and then return again at night. The stockholders
decided to make a building project of their own.[134] In the year 1939 the stockholders unitedly
contributed their time and money to help build a home for Bishop Koyle. It was
time that he should have a decent house to live in, and one that he could call
his own. With the labor of love, the house project developed quickly. A host of
workmen framed the house in one day. It was built on the mountain, near the
mill, where the Bishop could be close to the mine and enjoy a beautiful view of
the valley below.[135]
Since the home had a large full basement, it was a good place to hold
stockholders' meetings. They had previously been held annually on Labor Day at
the Grove, but now it was decided to have meetings once a week on each Thursday
night. These were not religious nor any type of church meetings, but rather a
legal and lawful stockholders' meeting. It was in these meetings that people
came to hear the latest developments at the mine or perhaps to hear the story
of how the mine first began. The meetings were usually started with prayer and
song, as any worthy gathering should be conducted. Many of the stockholders
expressed their reasons for purchasing stock, while others felt they had been
converted to it by Divine guidance. The meetings usually resembled a
"testimony" meeting as many speakers appeared to be filled with the
spirit and power of God. The Bishop was frequently the last to speak, and most
of the time he expressed words that seemed to be flavored with the spirit of
prophecy and revelation. Little wonder that so many stockholders would travel a
great distance to attend those Thursday night meetings!Bishop Koyle saw that
two banks would eventually be established--one in Spanish Fork and the other at
the mine:As early as 1911, his prediction about the economic decline and
collapse was recorded by Carter Grant. At that time he told about how he saw
the Dream Mine establish a bank on a certain corner in Spanish Fork, and later
he spoke of another one at the mine in
* * * He said that people would bless this company for what we were doing because their burden of distress was so great that nowhere could they find relief except here. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 66)The first ore that would come from the mine would be sent somewhere to a smelter. But the second would be processed at home at the mine's own mill. The first major production of gold from the mine would be valuable enough to pay for all of the work that had ever been done on that mountain.In 1930 the Bishop directed the workmen to level off ten large terraces along the side of the hill near the mine. There, he said, would be the location of some of the huge storage bins that would be built to store grain for the famine of the future. He also told them that those terraces would remain free from any oak brush growing back on them, which always happened on other clearings they had made. For nearly 50 years this prediction has been verified by the flat barren spot which those men scraped off the mountainside.[137] Carter Grant recorded some of his conversations with Bishop Koyle on these important matters:Wednesday, March 4, 1931:
Last night Brothers William A. Jones, Clyde Hood, Philip Tadje, Richard Sonntag, and I went to Brother Koyle's, arriving at 8:00 p.m. After asking each one of us about the hard times, getting what we knew, Brother Koyle opened declaring that they would grow worse and worse each week; that even the Church would become so hard pressed that the cry of the needy could not be satisfied.March 14, 1931:
Now as to storing wheat! Since this subject has been upon Brother Koyle's mind for some time, he stated to us that on Friday, March 13th, while coming out the tunnel, inspiration came to [138] him like a voice speaking, telling him to build double cement bins on the side hill near the powder magazine, one below the other, so that he could let the grain from the first bin run down into the next and then down into the third and fourth. These long cement tanks or bins were to begin at the upper road and stretch down the hill, so that with the gates open between the bins, grain that was dropped into the top one would easily find its way down the incline to the lowest level.
* * * Then, too, this plan, says
Bishop Koyle, "will put the grain upon our property where no one can
molest it, where we can make distribution as we see fit. All eyes are to look
toward us for relief." (Journal of Carter Grant)The angel who took John
Koyle through the mine and the nine large caverns led him through a large
tunnel that came out into
[142] Chapter 11 THE MODERN
GLADIATORS
When God contemplates some great
work, He begins it by the hand of some poor, weak, human creature, to whom he afterwards gives aid, so that the enemies who seek
to obstruct it, are overcome. (Martin Luther, The Table Talk of Martin Luther, Hazlitt, p. 32)The enemies of
Bishop Koyle were continually making significant victories in their fight
against him. It was not the kind of victory usually associated with good
sportsmanship, or an honorable Christian, where the champion helps the loser
back on his feet, or to regain his normal stability. The battle against Bishop
Koyle was similar to the gladiators in the Roman arenas. It was a struggle to
the death. These modern gladiators would use every conceivable means to
permanently silence Bishop Koyle and his mine, just as the Roman gladiators
often did to the early Christians.Bishop John Koyle sat in the audience of the
Nebo Stake Quarterly Conference on July 15, 1928, to hear one of the most
offensive rebukes of his life. Apostle James E. Talmage began his tirade
against Koyle by stating that he had personally made a visit to the "Dream
Mine" in 1913 and found nothing to convince him that the mine was worth
anything. He denounced stock selling schemes which claimed any supernatural
powers in connection with it, and used Koyle's mine as a prime example. He
urged all members of the Church to have nothing to do with Koyle or his mine.
He continued:[143]
I say to you that the misrepresentations which have been made in selling
the stock of the Koyle Mine are of the Evil One. I come to you as a
representative of the Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve to warn you
against it. I warned the owners in the name of the Lord and as His Apostle that
it is barren and always will be.The Church will not close this mine or any
other mine or enterprise that is legal because the Church will not interfere
with private interests; but the Church will take a decided stand against anybody
who tries to induce others to buy stock on the representation that angels of
God have revealed these things and that the proceeds are to be used for the
building up of the Church. Don't raise your hand to sustain the prophets of the
Lord and authorities of the Church unless you are willing to follow their
counsel and advice. If ever there was a day when the Church was led by the gift
of revelation, it is this day. The authorities are not asking you to do
anything that they are not doing themselves. They are leading and asking the
membership to follow. (Spanish Fork
Press, p. 1, July 19, 1928)Two months earlier he had written the following
article for the Church News: Dream
MinesEditor,
Word having reached me to the effect that I have expressed favorable opinion regarding present and prospective value of a certain mining property situated near Salem, Utah County, and known variously as the "Koyle Mine," "Relief Mine", and "Dream Mine", I deem it advisable to make the following statement:[144]
Several years ago, at the request of parties concerned, including some of the officials of the company operating the property, I made an examination of the ground and excavations, thereon, and reported to the effect that I found the so-called mine wholly barren of ore, and that the geological conditions were such as to offer no indication or promise of ore of a commercial nature being discovered on the property. I have held the same opinion since the time of my examination, and hold it today.
Furthermore, when I visited the property, I was told that the mining operations theretofore carried on and then in progress had been largely influenced and directed by alleged dreams and visions of supernatural character, received by certain of the company officials and other interested parties, by whom these statements were made known to me personally.
I am now informed that claims of supernatural direction in operating this mine are still current, and that I am understood as having endorsed them. I absolutely disclaim having given the least credence to any such alleged manifestations, whether dream, vision or otherwise. To the contrary, immediately after making the examination and hearing the statements of persons claiming to have received supernatural aid in directing the work, and on many later occasions, I emphatically declared that I regarded the alleged manifestations as spurious and that the setting forth of such claims, allegations or intimations as inducements to prospective purchasers of stock was wholly unjustifiable and fundamentally wrong. I reaffirm this now.
James E. Talmage, May 4, 1928
Church
Offices, 47 E. So.
S.
L. C.,
(Des. News, May 14, 1928,
p.
1 of Church News)[145]
Then again in 1932 the Deseret News
carried another statement of warning to members of the Church against buying
stock in the Koyle Mine. It read: Church Reaffirms Stand on Koyle "Dream Mine"
The attitude of Church officials concerning certain features in the mining operations of the Koyle Mining Company at the "Dream" or "Relief Mine", east of Salem, remains the same today as it was expressed in a statement issued in 1913, it was declared Monday at the Church Offices.
The reaffirming of their position came in answer to persistent reports that have reached the Genera] Authorities that stories are being circulated alleging that the Church has changed its position in regard to the "Dream Mine".
The erroneous reports are that Dr. James E. Talmage of the Council of the Twelve, is ready to apologize to the mine officials for his past statements concerning the mine and that he will tell the officials of the mine, to "go ahead" and that the General Authorities are opposing Elder Talmage in his stand on the "Dream Mine", that they have called him to account for his statements made in public, that his Church position is in jeopardy unless he apologizes to the mine officials and that the Genera] Authorities are themselves ready to tell the mine officials to "go ahead". (Deseret News, Sept. 19, 1932, p. 1)Then in October of the same year, President Heber J. Grant spoke to the General Priesthood session of the semi-annual conference and said that John Koyle had been "lying to the people for the last 20 years". The "lies" he referred to were probably the prophecies accredited to the Bishop. However, a lie is falsehood--but Koyle's prophecies were continually being fulfilled and therefore proved themselves true.[146] Carter Grant had jumped into the conflict by writing a letter to Apostle Talmage. Part of this appeal was as follows:If you should ask me for one suggestion, as the chairman of our group, I would say: Call the promoter before the highest tribunal of this Church, not leaving it to any ward or stake; for it is a whole Church affair, stock being owned in many missions, in dozens of wards and a score of stakes. I am positive that should you listen to his story as a Quorum, you would have definite information--real facts in the case. Then, when the members of the Quorum speak, they can say, "We have heard the matter. Here is what we have found."
* * * If you should ask Brother Koyle to appear and he refused, you have a straight case against him; if he comes, you have your firsthand information. Even what I give you is second hand. Nobody can make a good case on such statements, especially when one letter and one afternoon would finish the whole matter. Really, I am in earnest. The present method takes your time, it takes mine, as well as the worry over the whole matter. Why prolong it? If you will call me over the phone, setting the date for such a hearing, I shall either see that he is there or notify you ahead so there will be no conflict. I shall come with him if desired. * * *
I can think of no meeting or
decision before the Church so vital right now, as the passing of first-hand
judgment in the matter. All our Committee would welcome it. Then, too, it would
put a stop to the statements that the Authorities of the Church have never seen
Brother Koyle and have nothing but hearsay, how can they pass intelligent
judgment, etc.? Following the hearing, you would know exactly what steps to
take. There would be no misunderstandings, no mistakes. That is how I feel
about it. ("Grant/ Talmage Statement," Sept. 9, 1931, p. 8)[147] However, the General
Authorities still refused an audience to Bishop Koyle. How strange that the
Bishop tried all his life to personally speak with the Church Authorities, but
with every attempt they flatly refused.J. Golden Kimball also entered the
arena. When he was called into the office of the Church President, he was
censured for his support of the Dream Mine. Heber J. Grant pounded his desk and
said, "There's no more gold in that mountain than there is on this
desk." Golden answered by saying, "Well, there's as much gold in
Koyle's mine as there was in that mine that you and the brethren promoted up in
Oregon."The Church leaders had been convinced of a potential ore deposit
in a mountain in
In order that there may be no
justification for any misunderstanding by the members of the Church regarding
these matters nor regarding the attitude of the First Presidency thereon, we
deem it wise to reprint, as we do below, the warning issued by these brethren
under date of August 2, 1913.The statement was then reprinted with the
signatures of George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark, and David O. McKay at the
bottom.Again, on September 7, 1946, another barrage against the Bishop appeared
in the Deseret News. (See following
page.)But to make things look worse for the Church leaders, an interesting news
release had been circulated by many of the Dream Miners. The Church had gone
into the mining business. But the irony of it was they were at the same time
trying to close down another man's mine.[151] The
Sept. 7, 1946
Editorial
Dream MinesTelephone inquiries are again coming in
about the so-called Koyle Dream Mine, and reported sale of stock in that
property. It is said that some persons of local prominence are again agitating
the sale of stock in that mine and in some instances have claimed to have
received "revelations" that certain of their neighbors should buy
this stock. It is also claimed in some instances, as it has been claimed in the
past, that the Church authorities are no longer opposed to the so-called
supernatural basis upon which the mine in being operated, and some go so far as
to quote Dr. James E. Talmage as saying that he admitted being mistaken in his
earlier studies of the mine.
Latter-day Saints should understand that at no time have Church
officials changed their attitude regarding this mine and its supernatural
claims. On Dec. 29, 1945, there was republished in the Church Section of The Deseret
News a statement of the First Presidency of the Church warning members of the
Church away from schemes based on super-natural claims by which persons hoped
to get gain. Said the presidency:
"We feel it our duty to warn the Latter-day Saints against mining
schemes which have no warrant for success beyond the professed spiritual
manifestations of their projectors and the influence gained over the excited
minds of their victims. We caution the Saints against investing money or
property in shares of stock which bring no profit to anyone but those who issue
and trade in them. Financial schemes to make money for the alleged purpose of
redeeming
When claims are made that Dr. Talmage changed his mind about this mine,
let all remember that such claims were made in the lifetime of Dr. Talmage and
in answer to them he published in The Deseret News on May 14, 1928, a statement
including the following: "Several years ago, at the request of parties
concerned, including some of the officials of the company operating this
(Koyle) property, I made an examination of the ground and excavations, thereon,
and reported to the effect that I found the so-called mine wholly barren of
ore, and that the geological conditions were such as to offer no indication of
the promise of ore discovery commercial value on that property. I have held the
same opinion since the time of my examination, and hold it today."
[152]
The following ironical sidelight
developed, which may be found in a news article in the Salt Lake Tribune for
Sept. 6, 1940, on page 14, in the upper right corner. It tells of one C. H.
Workman, 57, of
Among the complaining witnesses at a court hearing were Richard R. Lyman and Dr. Joseph F. Merrill, also Dr. Warren Shepherd and C. O. Sanders. "Dr. Shepherd said he gave the defendant $500, Mr. Saunders said he gave $792, and Dr. Merrill $2,100. . . . Mr. Lyman said he gave checks to a reputed associate of Mr. Workman, but he was not questioned as to the amounts." lt is alleged that there were several other Church Authorities taken in this manner, who did not care to reveal themselves as complaining witnesses.
The Deseret News gave an account of the event without giving the names
of the victims. The point is that no one at all dared to question their right
to invest their money in a mine which they were never able to find, yet it was
deemed expedient for this quorum of "investment experts" to warn
everybody against investing in a mine that did exist, their main objection
being that the operators of the Dream Mine sought for--and claimed to
receive--divine guidance in their business; and also their objection was that
they exhorted their stockholders to use this wealth for righteous purposes
connected with the future of this people. (The
Dream Mine Story, Pierce, pp. 83, 85)A few years later Church leaders were
again involved in a mining venture:[153] SALT
August 13, 1952
Wednesday Evening
p.22
Up and Down the Street
By
ROBERT W. BERNICK
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is going into the
nonferrous metal mining business.
The Utah Mine Co., capitalized at $10,000, has qualified to do business
in the state of
Apostles Henry D. Moyle and LeGrand Richards are president and vice
president respectively. Joseph L. Wirthlin. presiding
bishop of the L D S Church, is secretary.
William H. Reeder of the church's property section said the corporation
was organized to hold certain lead-silver-zinc mining claims in
Mr. Reeder said the claims were deeded to the church many years ago.
All of the $1 par value common stock of the firm has been subscribed.
Under its genera] charter, the Utah Mine Co. can engage in anything
having to do with mining. It also is empowered to lease and to enter into
agreements with other persons or companies.
[154] In 1944, Mark E. Petersen was made an apostle. When this news event was announced, Bishop Koyle said, "That man will become the worst enemy this work has ever had." One of the directors of the mine, by the name of Phil Tadje, said: "Oh no! He's a personal friend of mine; I know he will never cause us any trouble." But the Bishop reaffirmed his appraisal.Phil's friend soon took up where the late Dr. Talmage left off. He spear-headed the opposition against the mine by writing numerous articles in the Deseret News and also gave verbal advice both in public and in private against the mine. He was destined to become the worst enemy the mine ever had--just as the Bishop had declared he would.In 1947, the author was astounded at an article published in the Church Section of the Deseret News. It said that John Koyle was holding sacrament meetings at the mine. I was working and living at the mine, but I never saw any sacrament or sacrament meeting up there. It was these warped reports that would eventually cause the Church leaders to bring down the final curtain on Bishop Koyle.On January 7, 1947, Bishop Koyle was summoned to a Church trial. He appeared before his stake president and the high council of his stake in a formal Church court proceeding.According to the few accounts which are available, the proceedings in some respects, composed a scene of questionable justice. In a secular court the accused normally has the advantage of a non-partisan judge and jury. As occasioned here, however, this was not the case. Practically everyone present was well versed in the history of the mine in addition to being intimately acquainted with its aged prophet. Partisan feelings for and against the old man [155] were such that emotions might well have replaced facts as a basis for judgment. (Historical Study of the Koyle Relief Mine, Christianson, p. 54)The court proceedings had all been pre-arranged. An unmerciful decree had been written for this special occasion. The Bishop was ordered to sign this typed statement or else lose his membership in the Church.The Bishop repeatedly bore testimony of the reality of the numerous spiritual experiences that he had and the complete fulfillment of the promises that had been made to him by the Lord. He desperately sought to stay the decision of the court by requesting a hearing with the President of the Church--just as he had done in 1913. However, they said that such a procedure was not according to the rules of the court; therefore, his request was denied. Like criminal lawyers who badger a client into a breakdown, Bishop Koyle was continually threatened with excommunication if he did not sign the paper. This was the same old procedure of the Catholics who, during the Dark Ages, forced signatures from the "heretics" who chose to disagree with the Pope. There seemed to be no way out for him--it was sign a lie or be classed as an excommunicated apostate. At this moment he was in a complete state of quandry. Under the pressure of such unwarranted bombardment, the poor man broke down and wept. The ultimatum was a most consequential form of mandate--both choices were bitter to his soul.From nearly 7 o'clock that evening until midnight he was pressured to "sign" that document. Finally he spoke up and said, "You are forcing me to sign a lie." Raymond Taylor, one of the high councilmen, told him that if he would sign it, then they could get the interview with the President of the Church.He <John Koyle> was getting old now, in his 84th year; for a long, long time his health had been failing badly, and even now he had been on [156] a sick bed for several days. The years had taken their toil of his strength and vigor, filled as they had been with so much trouble and persecution, and now most of the fight was gone out of him. He knew that his days on earth were about over, and for the few that might be left to him, he did so want to cling to his membership in the Church--the Church for which he had been a missionary and a bishop--a membership which so many LDS believed was essential to salvation. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 93)The Bishop was told, and knew, that if he did not sign that document, he would be excommunicated, and then others who were associated with him would be excommunicated also. What he didn't know was that they would excommunicate him and others like him anyway.One of his close associates begged him saying, "For heaven's sake, Bishop, don't let them take away your membership." He was expressing fear for both himself and for other stockholders. None of them thought that they would be brought to this final test--the truth or their membership in the Church! They didn't think the leaders of the Church would go that far in this issue.Koyle looked at the paper and then made one more request. If he signed it, would they agree not to make it public until after he had a chance to present his case to the head of the Church. The request was acceptable and agreed upon.Then John H. Koyle, sick and weakened, with the fight gone out of him, and his two closest friends urging him on, did that which his Nephite mentors, long ago in 1914, had warned him not ever to do. He signed this bold-faced lie and cleverly conceived repudiation to save his friends and himself from the Church axe, which was hanging over them ready to drop if he did not sign.
[157]
Herein was the
full significance of the Nephite warning to him that he should never write
anything, nor sign any written statement about the mine. To that warning he had
always tried to be strictly obedient--not even so much as writing a personal
letter to anybody, and what is more unfortunate, not putting his wonderful
experiences in his own writing. . . . (The
Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 94) After the document had been signed and
they went to the home of Quayle Dixon, the Bishop was weeping and sobbing like
a child. He bore the consequence of a concession just as the Prophet Joseph did
when he gave the Book of Mormon manuscript to Martin Harris. (See D & C.
Section 10.) It was merely an expression of human weakness, but it was a
spiritual catastrophe.As Moses, who in a moment of weakness took honor from the
Lord, lost his chance to visit the Promised Land, so by the stroke of a pen the
Bishop took honor away from the Lord for the mine. He would not live to see the
promised ore.The statement was an explosive shock wave to the Dream Miners.
However, everyone soon knew that he had signed it merely as a means to retain
his membership in the Church.The men responsible for Koyle's trial did not keep
their promises. First, they published that document without his consent and
against their own word that they would not do such a thing. Second, they
excommunicated him after they promised him that they would not if he signed
that statement. Third, they never made the promised arrangements for Koyle to
have an interview with the Church President. And fourth, they continued to
harass, threaten and excommunicate stockholders of the mine.[158] Quayle Dixon and Wallace Strong signed the
declaration as witnesses. All three names appeared on the front page of the Deseret News in full size reproduction
of the declaration with their signatures as they were signed on that document.
(See following article.)It was an agreement with hell and he suffered the pains
of hell. He suffered more and grieved more because of his signature on that
document than for any other sin of his life.Because the General Authorities had
consumated their cleverly conceived placard, the Bishop realized that he had
been exploited and betrayed. The full impact of what he had done by signing
that directive was now clear to him. Under coercion and threats, he had put his
trust in the arm of flesh--the General Authorities--and now he suffered the
curse. Remorse and regret are the consequences of sin, and now came the Godly
sorrow that only repentant sinners know. His grief nearly brought,
him to death.In that state of agony to the soul, his departed wife came to him
in a dream to impress him with the necessary will to continue with his life and
mission. She concurred that the signing of that document was wrong, that it was
a satanicly inspired testament, but that they on the other side realized and
understood the pressures that had been brought upon the Bishop. Centuries of
history have been filled with these evil and coercive pressures and the
influences that work upon men to use them. The whole picture became clear to
his mind and he knew now why the messengers had warned him not to sign
anything. The Bishop repented as best as he knew how. He always referred to
that incident as the "worst thing I ever did in my life."But the
signing of that publicized denunciation did not kill the mine nor the faith of the stockholders. So another plan was
devised by his enemies.[159] John H.
Koyle Repudiates All
Claims Regarding Dream MineTO WHOM IT MAY
CONCERN:
I, JOHN H. KOYLE, do sustain the President of the
I do believe that the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints alone has the right to receive divine guidance for the people of
this Church as a whole, and am willing to sustain the First Presidency of This
Church is all things, including their stand and instruction with regard to the
so-called Dream Mine, of which I am the principal leader.
I hereby repudiate all statements which I have made against the advice
of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as
pertaining to this Dream Mine and my conduct of it, and I hereby repudiate all
spiritual claims I have made with respect to the mine.
I appeal to all of my followers to join with me in this repudiation of
claims to divine guidance in connection with this mine and to regard this mine
as a business venture without any religious significance. I also ask all
stockholders in this mine to harmonize their thinking with the published
statements of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints with respect to the Dream Mine and to honor and sustain the First
Presidency as the only ones chosen of the Lord to give divine direction on any
subject pertaining to the Church at large.
I ask my followers likewise to retract all statements they have made to
the effect that the Authorities of the
I appeal to all stockholders in this mine to rally around the
Authorities of the
I voluntarily do this of my own free will and choice. John H. Koyle (sig.)
Witnesses:
Quayle
Wallace Strong (sig.)State of
) SS
B.L. Isaac (sig.)
Notary Public, Residing at
Spanish Fork,
Commission expires April 7, 1947PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF--Above is a
photographic reproduction of the statement in which John H. Koyle, for more
than 50 years the leading figure in the so-called Dream Mine near Spanish Fork,
Utah, repudiated all divine claims with respect to that mine. The document was
executed last night following a formal high council trial held at Spanish Fork,
and covering the claims Koyle has made in the past with respect to the
mine. Stockholders
Asked To Take Similar StandSPANISH FORK--John H. Koyle, head of the so-called
Dream Mine, or Relief Mine, which is located in the mountains east of here, last night completely repudiated all claims to divine
guidance with regard to the mine. He accepted fully and completely the stand of
the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
regarding the mine, and retracted any and all statements he had made in which
he said that the First Presidency were mistaken concerning this mine. He also
called upon all of his followers and stockholders to make similar repudiation
and retraction, and asked them to "regard this mine as a business venture
without any religious significance."
Accepts Statement
He accepted the published statement of the First Presidency concerning
the Dream Mine, and asked his followers to "harmonize their thinking with
the published statements of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints, with respect to the Dream Mine and to honor and sustain
the First Presidency as the only ones chosen of the Lord to give divine
direction on any subject pertaining to the Church at large."
His statement was signed following a formal high council trial held
here last night, presided over by President William J. O'Bryant of the Palmyra
Stake, and his two counselors, J. Angus Christensen and Wallace H. Gardner. The
statement was signed in the presence of the stake high council, and was signed
by two of Mr. Koyle's followers, as legal witnesses. They are Quayle
Refers to Document
The statement of the First Presidency, referred to in the document
executed by Mr. Koyle, was published in the Dec. 29, 1945 issue of the Church
Section of the Deseret News, and reads as follows:
"To officers and members of the
"From the day of Hiram Page (Doctrine and Covenants Section 28) at
different periods there have been manifestations from delusive spirits to
members of the Church. Sometimes these have come to men and women who because
of transgression become east prey to the Arch Deceiver. AT other times these
people who pride themselves on their strict observance of the rules and
ordinances and ceremonies of the Church, are led astray by false spirits who
exercise an influence so imitative of that which proceeds from a divine source
that even these persons who think they are "the very elect" find it
difficult to discern the essential difference. Satan himself has transformed
himself to be apparently "an angel of light."
"When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions, or an
extraordinary gift of inspiration conveys something out of harmony with the
accepted revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of the
constituted authorities, Latter Day Saints may know that it is not of God, no
matter how plausible it may appear. Also, they ...
[160] Apostle Mark E. Petersen came to Spanish Fork
as an "advisor to the local authorities" for the express purpose of
excommunicating Bishop Koyle. A formal trial was set for April 1, 1948, a
little more than a year since the Church trial where he was forced to sign the
repudiation. The Bishop obediently came to the trial, only to find that it was
merely a pre-arranged formality. The decision and judgment had already been
made. "It was not much more than an announcement, swift and to the point,
with no defense allowed, . ." and then the job
was done. John H. Koyle was excommunicated from the Church.When he called
out,"Where are my accusers?" no one stepped forth. But 'ere his
judges left the room, they heard him state that they all must answer for this,
and that Mark Petersen, whose orders he said they were obeying, would go down,
and down, and down and out. Although Mark Petersen was not in the room at the
time, he knew that he was in an adjacent room listening carefully to
everything, and that he heard this statement: a statement not made in the
heated wrath of the moment, for he had made it once before when Mark E.
Petersen was made an apostle. Now it was a matter of record again. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p.
95)Both Church records and personal interviews with Mark Petersen indicate that
the action taken against Koyle was not from the local level but rather it
came--. . . in a directive from the First Presidency wherein the leaders of the
Palmyra Stake were counseled to deprive Koyle of his membership. Accordingly,
Apostle Mark E. Petersen was sent to Spanish Fork as an advisor to the local
authorities. (Historical Study of the
Koyle Relief Mine, 1894-1962, Christianson, p. 55)[161]
THE
FAMILY NEWSPAPER
John H. Koyle, of Spanish Fork, Utah, was excommunicated from the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last night an a charge of
insubordination to the rules and authority of the Church.
Action was taken by the presidency and high council of the
The Lord had a watchful eye upon Bishop Koyle and this was known by a few of the authorities in the Church. Years after his visitations from angels and his dream concerning the mine, he was called by revelation, through the Church authorities, to receive the Church's highest blessings. He was . . .. . . a man who was important enough to the Powers on High, that about the time he made a bishop (about 1910), he was visited by his stake president, who declared that he had been commanded by an angel of the Lord to recommend Bishop Koyle for his second anointings .... (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 97)[162] John was ordained a bishop in the Church on May 31, 1908. For eight years prior to this he had served as counselor to his bishop when the Leland Ward was organized in 1900. Soon after John Koyle was made bishop, he was called--. . . by revelation to go before the prophet and receive his second anointing, which is a blessing few men get. This put him beyond the authority of earthly men, subject only to the powers and dictates of the Lord. (Relief Mine Story, J. Young, p. 2)But his excommunication accomplished one thing--it completed the division between the two sides on that issue. It was a responsibility as extreme as either side could assume. lt brought into judgment the fact that either Koyle was being deceived or else the modern leaders were. There was no longer any middle ground.Many other Church members have received the same rendition of justice. It seems that whenever someone raises questions or casts doubts upon recent doctrinal manipulations in the Church, the leaders choose to ignore the question or else silence the inquirer. When questions are asked that may prove embarrassing to answer, the response may be excommunication. The person or persons can then be classed as apostate. But not every man who is excommunicated is an apostate to the Lord.Persons sometimes say that they have enjoyed the spirit of the work as much since they were cut off as while they were in the Church. Have they enjoyed the Spirit? Yes. Why? Simply because they were wrongfully cut off. They were cut off in such a way that it did not take the Spirit of God from them. And the reason why they were cut off was because they did not come up to the particular standard of perfection of those who dealt with them, or they did not come up to their feelings. (Mill. Star 24:99, 1862)[163]
But in many of these modern cases of excommunication, a much more important factor is involved. Not only is the victim being judged, but also the principles that he advocates. Men should be excommunicated for sin. Personal beliefs or feelings are not grounds for excommunication.At the trial of Bishop Koyle, the First Presidency of the Church were actually judging the revelations that had been received by Bishop Koyle. But if Koyle had been misled by the devil, then he should have been brought to trial in 1894. Action should have been taken before so much work had been completed at the mine and before so many thousands and thousands of Church people became involved. Why was he brought to trial 54 years later? Was it because many men in high Church positions had gradually changed until the revelations of the Lord became offensive and intolerable to them? Many revelations given to the early Church leaders are now rejected by the modern Church leaders!But it was apparent as early as 1392 that something was wrong when the Church was so financially depressed, and yet a revelation showing how to locate the needed wealth did not come to the leaders of the Church. Their predicament was relieved by a revelation of God to a humble young man named Jesse Knight. This same financial confrontation will again be realized when the financial structure of the nation will collapse and the Church shall again be brought to its knees.Here then is the ultimate test--for both lay member and leader in the Church--that they must learn the truth for themselves, by the power of the Holy Ghost. They cannot trust in something else or someone else, for a curse is promised to all who put their trust in the arm of flesh.If the blind lead the blind, or if the blind follow the blind, they both shall fall into that proverbial and spiritual ditch. Therefore, "man should not counsel his fellow man, nor trust in the arm of flesh," but rather let God dictate [164] to him so that he "might speak in the name of God." Bishop Koyle was one of those few men who could talk to God, but like the prophets of old, he had to pay the price to do it.
[165] Chapter 12 DEATH OF A MAN AND A
MINE
But, behold, the righteous, the
saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of
Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame
of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from
the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever. (2 Nephi
9:18)John Koyle was a simple man. His desires in life were few and so were his
possessions. He was mild-mannered and soft-spoken; and when he was asked a
question, he often hesitated for a few moments before giving an answer. He was
always willing to listen, as well as to talk, and yet he would never force his
opinions on others.He was a rather short man, stoop-shouldered from a lifetime
of work and a vast array of burdens. His country style speech was homey, with a
sort of wry wit which always put a distinct twinkle in his eyes. His kind
manners and cordia] friendship quickly won the love of all who knew him.John
was usually dressed in a faded work shirt and dungarees supported by wide
suspenders. He was born and reared from that "common-folk" stock
which made him an ideal friend and a good neighbor.When John reached his 80th
birthday, a special tribute was prepared for him by some of the mine
stockholders. A small pamphlet was printed for the occasion which is reprinted
here:[166] WE SALUTE YOU
John Hyrum Koyle
On the
Occasion of Your EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY
Monday, August 14, 1944
[167] John Hyrum Koyle JOHN
H. KOYLE was born on August 14, 1864, in Spanish Fork,
[168] WE HAD SOME WONDERFUL dreams in which he was shown a gold mine whose treasures were to relieve an entire community in time of great distress. This seemed so stupendous to him that he went to his Stake President for counsel, who told him, "It was of GOD." Yet, not satisfied, he counseled with Apostle George Teasdale with whom he was personally acquainted. The Apostle sanctioned what his Stake President had said and said, "GOD bless you, go ahead."
During the succeeding many years he devoted himself untiringly to this work which was outlined to him. During all this time he accomplished many wonderful things, among which are a tunnel and drifts in solid rock totaling 5,000 feet. Shafts and inclines also in rock amounting to 2,500 feet. A dugway up the mountain likewise carved out of rock which is three miles long, and graded so that an automobile can go up and down. All of this work was done the hard way, by hand. During the depths of the depression, in 1932, he built a concrete flotation mill which is fully equipped and its present value would be over $100,000.00 After having talked for many years about storing food for a famine, in 1932 he surveyed, leveled, graded and terraced a place on the hillside for the building of large grain bins which are to hold a million bushels of grain. More than 500 acres of land, not counting the mining claims, have been purchased, [169] costing $30,000.00 All of these items are paid for in full. They include two streams of water which are invaluable. He has been assisted by 5,000 stockholders who have stood solidly behind him.
After his splendid mission in
early life he was made Superintendent of the Sunday School
in Leland Ward. During this time he served as Counselor to the Bishop. Later on
he was ordained Bishop of that same ward. He was loved and honored by all the
members. At the meeting when he was released from his calling as Bishop, the
ward members voted 100 per cent to retain him. Again in
All through his life he has been a devoted Latter-day Saint, acquainting himself with the scriptures and thus becoming very qualified to expound them. He has a perfect tithe-paying record. He has a numerous posterity, all of them members of the church, and not one who uses tobacco or liquor.
And now, Bishop Koyle, your stockholders salute you on this your 80th birthday, and we pray that you shall live many happy years to enjoy the fruits of your labor and complete the tasks that you have so nobly carried these many years.[170] A Tribute to
JOHN HYRUM KOYLE on his
Eightieth Birthday
August 14, 1944The roof was made of willows--
The floor was made of earth
Where eighty years ago today
This great man had his birth.
Throughout the days of childhood,
Evil forces lurked nearby
In an effort to destroy him,
But a Power from on high
Kept him safe--his footsteps guided
While he grew from child to man,
As his life was very precious
To the great Eternal Plan.For his daily bread he struggled,
And his earthly goods were few:
But his faith and honest effort
Proved his heart was staunch and true.
Thirty years had passed away
When one night he had a dream,
And a Messenger imparted
Unto him a task supreme.
While he took him through a mountain
Which was precious, sacred ground
And he showed him all the places
Where rich treasures did abound.[171] Then he gave him much instruction:
Where to work, and how to mine,
And convinced this man we honor
That his mission was divine....
Twenty years he worked and labored--
Then, one January night
From deep sleep he was awakened,
In his room there came a light
And two Messengers stood by him,
While the taller of the two
Spoke to him in careful detail
Of the work he was to do.For two long hours he listened,
Sitting upright in his bed;
He was told about the dreams he dreamed--
How he was being led
By Higher Powers than his own,
On each step of the way....
They told him they would guard this Hill
Until that glorious day
When these rich treasures should come forth
According to the Plan
To bring relief, and untold worth,
And benefit to man.Now fifty years have passed away
The road's been rough and long,
The persecutions many--
Yet still he presses on:
Though Church, and State and Nation
Have assailed him left and right
And evil forces threatened
To destroy--"Put out his light,"
He has never lost his courage--
He's been honest, loyal and true,
For he knows with all his heart and soul
That God will see him through!--VIRGINIA LINDSAY THOMANDER.[172] The tribute
was well-deserved, although it was one of the few honors he would ever receive
in his lifetime. In less than four years from its publication, he would be
dead.The story of his life is a complex one--mostly because of his conflict
with those who were determined to be his enemies. The very persons whom he made
his greatest efforts to befriend were those who dealt him most of his
troubles.Many stockholders seemed confused over the division between believers
and non-believers among Church leaders. "How," they asked, "is it
possible that a split in believers could cause a rift all the way up through
the First Presidency of the Church?" Some leaders said the mine was of
"the Evil One", while others prayed and received answers and
testimonies that it was of God. But there were many reasons for such a
division.When the Church is in harmony with the laws of heaven, then it is the proper order of things to have God speak to
and through the head of the Church. However, if Church leadership seeks to back
away, or excuses themselves from obedience to any of the laws of God, then they
are out of order, and God will go elsewhere to find people who will listen and
obey Him. The Prophet Joseph Smith confirmed this by saying: . . . if Zion will not purify
herself, so as to be approved of in all things, in His sight, He will seek
another people; for His work will go on until Israel is gathered, and they who
will not hear His voice, must expect to feel His wrath. (TPJS, p. 18)By the
turn of the century, it became evident that all things were not approved of in
His sight. Church leaders began to discourage the gathering of
Bishop Koyle was shown that when vindication came, a complete setting-in-order in the Church would be at hand. This, he said, was shown to him by the Prophet Joseph Smith, himself, who clearly demonstrated to him that not one single General Authority of the old order would be left, but that all would be removed, and that new ones called of God would replace them. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 86)When the Church and its members were sorely pressed for money during the depression of the 1890's, the Lord spoke to Jesse Knight, rather than to the President [174] of the Church, and relief came to the Church and its members through Jesse Knight's mine.When the Church and its members are brought into the great financial collapse of this nation, they will also know that the Lord spoke to John H. Koyle when relief comes to the Church and its members from his mine.When the Prophet Joseph Smith came to Bishop Koyle, he said, "Come, Bishop, I want to show you something that I am going to do." Joseph went to the leaders of the Church and began to release them one by one and replace them with some others. Finally the Bishop said, "Brother Joseph, are you going to let them all go?" The Prophet turned to him and sternly replied, "Every jack last one of them--they had their chance and they failed!" This setting-in-order would include many people in many positions, because the Bishop said it would be "first the Church, then the State, and then the Nation." All of these would be "brought up standing to judgment like a wild colt is brought to a snubbin' post."The scriptures abound with references to the Lord's setting His house in order. It shall be one of the most important events of the last days. To believe in this event, it requires much faith and an understanding of the scriptures. Men must prepare themselves mentally and spiritually for those crowning events, for God shall again speak from the heavens to reveal His will and to direct the affairs of men on earth in great power.In May 1949 the Bishop became sick and although he was extremely ill, he fought for life. But he knew that he was not going to live much longer. He had received a dream indicating that his life's mission would soon come to a close.[175]
As his last days approached, he would have Dean Dallin take him down to the Second Ward Chapel where he had last been a member. He could not see what was going on because his eyes were dimmed from sickness <cataracts> and age; so he would ask Dean if the chapel was being torn down yet. When on one of these trips, Dean assured him that the chapel was now being torn down, and the ward members were using the high school auditorium for a chapel until a new one could be built, Bishop Koyle then felt that he was ready to die. In a few days, he took sick again and was taken to the hospital for the last time. (The Dream Mine Story, Pierce, p. 98)Drilling out the main shaft, tunneling for the five "fingers", construction of the mill, and all the other work had finally been completed just as the Bishop saw it in 1894. All that remained was the firing of those few rounds of explosive charges that would bring in the ore. But this was yet in the future. The Bishop's mission in mortality, however, was finished. The mine would now fall into that void of "dark clouds" as he saw in a dream, which would completely cover the sky and the mine.Bishop Koyle had become bent from the burden of many difficult years of work and toil. Now the old warrior lay sick on death's door, and life was ebbing away. He would soon find the peace and rest that only the righteous will ever know. As he lay quietly on his death bed, suddenly his eyes widened and he looked upwards. With an expression of rapture, he cried, "Joseph, Joseph, Joseph!" Then the last light and life of Bishop Koyle was gone. Here was a man who knew and talked with Joseph Smith, the Prophet, The Bishop had taught and honored the Gospel as it was revealed to the Prophet Joseph. Now as he passed into the world of spirits, he--like Brigham Young--uttered those same words at meeting again their beloved leader and friend.
[176] John H. Koyle
Dies At Age 84An official notice of the Bishop's death appeared in the Deseret News. It was not an ordinary obituary, for it was placed on the front page of the second section of the paper. It read:Spanish Fork--John Hyrum Koyle, 84, president and promoter of the so-called "Dream Mine" in the mountains east of Spanish Fork, died Tuesday, May 17, 1949, at 9 a.m. in a Payson hospital.
He had been in the hospital since last Wednesday when he suffered a heart attack.
Mr. Koyle was founder and president of the Koyle Mining Co. which promoted and operated the widely known "Dream Mine".
While the company was organized more than 50 years ago, the mine has always been on a "prospect" basis.
[177]
In promoting the mine, Mr. Koyle claimed divine guidance. He repudiated all such claims in a public statement Jan. 7, 1947.
He was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 16, 1948, after conviction in a Church court on a charge of insubordination. He had been conducting meetings contrary to the order of the Church.
Mr. Koyle was born Aug. 14, 1864,
at Spanish Fork, a son of John Hyrum and Aneda Hillman Koyle. He received his
education in the Spanish Fork schools, and spent a few years in
He was married to Emily Arvilla Holt, Dec. 9, 1884. She preceded him in death. He at one time served as bishop of the Leland Ward in Spanish Fork.
Surviving are seven sons and
daughters. John LeRoy Koyle and Merril Scovil Koyle, Spanish Fork; Ross
Fielding Koyle, Mrs. Sarah Evelyn Stout, Mrs. Alinda Duke, and Mrs. Emma
Winward, all of Burley, Idaho; Mrs. Lucille Weight, Pocatello; and about 15
grandchildren and several great grandchildren. (Deseret News, May 19, 1949)Funeral services were held in the local
school auditorium at Spanish Fork. Mourners filled the building to an
overflowing crowd who came to pay their last respects to this prophet of
God--perhaps the last of his kind in this generation.The local Church
authorities had no jurisdiction over the high school, so they were powerless to
deny them the use of their "chapel", and from among his friends there
was plenty of Priesthood authority to give the service all the sacred touch it
needed. (The Dream Mine Story,
Pierce, p. 99)[178] It
is true that the Priesthood was always well represented both in his life and at
his death. Those few men in this dispensation who
could speak to God and receive an answer, were the men who acknowledge Bishop
Koyle as an inspired servant of God. Besides such men as President Anthony W.
Ivins, Apostle George Teasdale, Apostle Matthais F. Cowley, President J. Golden
Kimball, and other stake and ward authorities in the Church, there were men
such as Joseph Musser who told the author that "The Lord has shown Bishop
Koyle his work and He has shown me mine." Lorin Woolley also never spoke
against the Bishop--even saying that riches would come from that mine and
others for the benefit of the Saints.Burial was in the
If you ventured the question
which you thought would be the most embarrassing to him--How do you explain the
fact that although you have dug for forty years, the mine has not yet produced
a single ounce of pay dirt?--you were surprised by an answer that betrayed
neither embarrassment nor lack of hope. The mine is to produce only when the
financial structure of the world is about to collapse. It will begin to produce
just in time to save the Saints from the economic ruin that will wreck the
world. (Saints of Sage and Saddle,
Fife, pp. 283-84)Christ never saw the triumph of His Church while He lived; the
Prophet Joseph Smith never saw the redemption of
4. A reply from each of the directors to the Chairman of
the Advisory Board, Joseph E. Geertsen, was also requested.The next five years
were very difficult ones, with leading stockholders being divided on what
should be done at the mine. It was very difficult to come up with even the
money for taxes.A flurry of short-lived activity came in 1955, when Quayle
Dixon, who was elevated to the Board of Directors in 1950, began receiving
several letters from an Al Sinclair in
[186] Chapter 13 PROPHECIES AND THEIR
FULFILLMENT
Prophecy
is not intended to open the future to idle curiosity, but for the higher
purpose of furnishing light to those whose faith needs confirming. The
revelation of future events may be needful in times of discouragement to awaken
or sustain hope, to inspire confidence in the midst of general backsliding, and
to warn of evil threatening the faithful. (Unger's
Bible Dictionary, p. 892)Prophets and prophecies are mentioned hundreds of
times in the scriptures and for a good reason. They are the "seers"
of the future to warn, admonish and help mankind prepare for future events.
Unfortunately, however, such spiritual beacons often go unheeded.A prophet is
usually defined as "a man of God" or as a "mouthpiece for
God"; thus, he is considered as a person delivering a message from the
true God of heaven. Amos said, "... the Lord God has spoken; who can but
prophesy?" (Amos 3:8) Here, then, is a distinction among many men who
claim to be prophets, seers, and revelators, but they never receive the words
of prophecy and revelation. There may be a thousand claim
to be prophets, but only one may have the true gift of prophecy. How strange
that in the 55 years that Bishop Koyle operated the mine, he was continually
making prophecies and seeing them fulfilled, but it seemed that no one else
could make the same claim.The prophecies of Bishop Koyle were not given for
entertainment nor curiosity; they were meant to convey a message of warning and
instruction. If this generation fails to benefit from them, they justly deserve
the consequences.[187]
The purpose of this chapter is to quickly review some of John Koyle's
prophecies so that the readers can be more aware of their message and learn
from them. The author worked with the Bishop at the mine for about two years
and has personally seen the fulfillment of many of his prophecies, and he
talked with others who saw the fulfillment of nearly all the rest.The following
prophecies, though not necessarily the greatest, deserve mention and serious
consideration:1.Mobs in the Missionfield
* John Koyle was shown in dreams that mobs would harass the missionaries.
* Twice
they came just as he was shown, but he avoided conflict because he had been
shown what to do. One of these prophecies concerned J. Golden Kimball, the
mission president.2.Operating the Mine
* Bishop Koyle was shown how to operate the mine, where to start, and what they would find along the way.
* The
workers in the mine reported finding the very formations, colors and conditions
that had been foretold, and at the time they were to discover them.3.Men and Money at the Mine
* The Bishop was promised that he need not worry about help at the mine, nor money to operate it. Both men and money would always be forthcoming as the need arose.
* For 35 years, from 1914 to 1949, regardless of wars, depressions, inflations, opposition and persecution, the mine had manpower when needed and always was able to meet operating expenses.[188]
4.Cars like Boxcars
* When the automobile was in its beginning stages, Koyle said they would become as "big as railroad boxcars" and would have something like "eyes" on them.
* Today
we see thousands of huge cargo trucks on the highways, with headlights that
look like eyes.5.The Water Ditch
* The Bishop instructed workers to build a small ditch that would be big enough to carry the water they would find.
* The
miners dug the ditch, and at the exact distance described by John Koyle, they hit
the water that just filled the ditch.6.The
* When
the Church announced that its next temple would be built in
* A
year later the Saints were driven out of
* Koyle said that the 145th Artillery, most of which were Mormon boys, would not see action.
* Even though the 145th was sent to the front line, they did not engage in battle.[189]
8.Depression of 1929
* The Bishop told his banker in Spanish Fork that in four months there would be a terrible depression.
* Four
month later (October 29), the great depression began.9.Shutdown and Reopening
* The two Nephites told John Koyle that the mine would, from necessity, be shut down, but that the powers that shut it down would be the same powers to reopen it.
* Six
months later the Bishop was told by the General Authorities of the Church that
if he continued working and selling stock at the mine, he would be
excommunicated. The Bishop obeyed their injunction and closed down all
operations at the mine. After six years President Heber J. Grant sent a letter
to the Bishop requesting that he open the mine to pay off a large bill at ZCMI.10.Joseph Fielding Smith's Sermon
* Bishop Koyle told J. Golden Kimball to go to J.F. Smith and ask him not to deliver his conference speech against the mine.
* Unwillingly, J. Golden went to President Smith with the request, and was surprised to learn that Joseph Fielding had not told anyone about that sermon. And so he never gave it.
(This was one of J. Golden's
favorite "Dream Mine" stories.)11.End of World War II
* Shortly
after
* Three years later, in August 1945, the Japanese gave notice of their surrender.[190]
12.The Powder Mill
* The
Bishop foretold of a huge manufacturing plant that would be built near the
entrance to the
* Many years later when the war began, a huge powder plant was built on this spot and remains there today.13.Mark E. Petersen* When young Mark E. Petersen was made a member of the Quorum of Twelve, the Bishop said he would be the worst enemy the mine ever had.
* Mark
Petersen soon began a constant tirade, with both verbal and written statements
against the mine. He also wrote up a denial of the spiritual nature of the mine
and forced Bishop Koyle to sign it. He then instigated a trial to have John
excommunicated from the Church.14.Three
Men Would Die
* The Bishop said that three men would die at the Dream Mine.
* After
nearly 100 years of operation, exactly three men had been accidentally killed
there.15.Muddy Water
* John
Koyle said muddy water would someday flow through the streets of
* In
1983 heavy snow melt and rains caused water damages throughout
16.Kennecott,
* The Bishop said before the mine would come in that Kennecott Copper and Geneva Steel would shut down, and the Tintic Mining area would come almost to a standstill.
* In
1985, records show that all three occurred at the same time.
* Bishop Koyle said that Wall Street would have a major drop sometime before the total failure, and at that time the Government would step in to help save it.
* In
October 1988 (Black Monday) the stock market came to within two hours of total
catastrophe, and the Government stepped in to prevent it.18.The Beacon Light
* The Bishop described a beacon light that would someday be placed at the top of the Dream Mine mountain.
* Years after his death, the telephone company placed a transmitter and a huge beacon light on the top of the mountain--that can be seen today.The greatest prophecy that Bishop John Koyle ever made concerned the coming in of the mine and the "white city" that would be associated with it. The Dream Mine was to produce a vast fortune in gold at the time that this country is being devastated by a financial depression, famine and war. There are hundreds of prophecies, dating back to the days of Joseph Smith, about the collapse of this nation. The important difference is that the Bishop's prophecy is the only one that has shown how the Mormon people would be able to survive these terrible judgments. If there is no hope of relief from Bishop Koyle's Mine, then we have little hope left.[192] From the heads of our Government down to the back alley criminals, this nation has filled its cup with iniquity. It cannot survive much longer with such corruption and crime. As has been foretold, this nation must serve God, "the true and only God, or they should be swept off." (Ether 2:8)
[193] Chapter 14 THE MODERN GOLD
RUSH
Your gold and silver is cankered;
and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh
as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (James
5:3)The course pursued by men of business in the world has a tendency to make a
few rich, and to sink the masses of the people into poverty and degradation.
(Brigham Young, JD 11:348)
The same thing happened in
[196]The gold and silver that
fled from
With its graduated tax provision, the Income Tax Amendment is a replica of that clause in the Communist Manifesto which provides for the confiscation of all property through the use of just such a tax.
Not only is the individual citizen's liberty partitioned by the Amendment, but the several states are deprived of their Constitutional sovereignty, and the central Federal Government is over-strengthened at their expense. This growth of centralized power is a development which generations of Americans fought stubbornly to prevent. (Flyleaf to The Income Tax--Root of All Evil, Frank Chodorov)Karl Marx was the first advocate of a progressive income and inheritance taxation. He proposed this program as a means of destroying private property. It was published in the Communist Manifesto in 1848. Every socialist party and every liberal Communist sympathizer since then has advocated this platform. Hence, Socialists and Communists oppose the constitutional axiom of an individual's inalienable right to property.The principal cause of the Revolution was taxation. It was declared that "Taxation without representation is tyranny," and it was an invasion upon their property rights. A people who were willing to go to war for a mere tea tax would certainly not tolerate having their pockets picked by an income tax. The Founding Fathers agreed [206] with John Locke that Government is an instrument for safeguarding private property--not an agency to take it away. Taxing the income has always been opposed by most American citizens and their representatives.Slavery and involuntary servitude means, essentially, forcing someone, against his will, to work or serve. Thus when an employer is forced to serve as tax collector and bookkeeper for the Government--without payment for his time and expense, and under threat of severe penalty for any error (in a complicated set of rules and regulations) then he is certainly forced to involuntary servitude . . . and that by federal administration. The withholding law also violates that portion of the Fifth Amendment which says that no person shall be "deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ...."The final evaluation of the federal tax system is the fruits of its operation. It had been described as "an appalling mess of complicated inequities. It stifles initiative, wastes human energy and resources, distorts the national economy, and has a corrupting effect on both tax payers and tax collectors."Controlling the finances of a government can be a very profitable business--especially when the bankers control the economy of the country. At every inflation and every recession, the bankers take in profits. All of this was centered upon the theme of which Quigley says was—...nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole. (Tragedy and Hope, p. 324)There has always been a small hard core group of men who have tried to conquer the world and its people. They do not believe in God nor in the principles of truth [207] and righteousness, but rather in themselves and in their combinations. Their only concern is to gain the economic and political power of the world. In doing so they seek to win the natural resources and the man-power of the entire earth under a totalitarian, Godless dictatorship. We are now witnessing the worst "secret combination" ever perpetuated on earth.Gold has always been a great power for both good and evil, depending on its use. More often, unfortunately, it has been the means of cankering the souls of men and corrupting governments and nations. Seldom has gold been used as God intended. But in the winding up scene, man will no more hoard, covet, or steal it, because God--through His "strange act"--will see that gold is used for His own purposes.
[208] Chapter 15 CONCLUSION
That I may proceed to bring to
pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work, my strange work, that men may
discern between the righteous and the wicked, saith your God. (D & C
101:95)Fool's Gold
The Lord has a controversy with
the nations of the earth. Their corruptions and wickedness have given strength
to the powers of darkness and driven away the Spirit of God. Through money-mad
and power-hungry men, the greatest conspiracy ever created is now dominating
the political and economic affairs of the world. Throughout the blood-soaked
pages of history these diabolical schemers have created wars, depressions and
slavery for others. The forces of evil always attempt to overthrow freedom,
administer unjust laws, and rob others of their money and property. The only
form of government known by wicked men is a totalitarian government, and
tyranny is a doctrine of devils.Men cannot claim ignorance of the perils that
are upon us, for John, the Beloved Apostle of Christ, left a solemn prophecy
and warning to the Saints of the latter days. John clearly saw a worldwide
conspiracy that would nearly enslave the whole world prior to the Millennial reign of Christ. He saw tyrannical powers so
powerful and domineering that many men would be killed
rather than become slaves to it. (Rev. 13:15) John said it would attempt to
force all men "both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,"
to become subservient to its power. This world conspiracy would shackle all men
with an economic chain so tight that "no man might buy or sell"
(13:17) unless he subscribed to their monetary monopoly.[209] Another clear description and warning
concerning these evil conspiracies was given in the Book of Mormon.
For it cometh to pass that whoso
buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and
countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is
built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who
beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to
commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they
have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the
beginning. (Ether 8:24-25)Since the day that Cain created a secret society,
there has been a foundation upon which the devil could manipulate wicked men
into doing his evil designs.When Jesus said, "My house is the house of
prayer ... but ye have made it a den of thieves," He was exposing the
secret conspiracy of Satan. By casting out the "den of thieves," He
made war on the society of Satan, and He was signing His own death warrant. It
was these servants of Satan who provided the 30 pieces of silver for Judas to
betray Christ into their hands. This same secret combina-[210]tion
arranged to have the Romans put Him on trial, and also for the Romans to
execute Him. After the resurrection of Christ, these same masters of deceit met
in secret council and "they gave large money unto the soldiers, to lie
about the resurrection of Christ's body. They further promised that if it
should "come to the Governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure
you." (Matt. 28:12-13)These money-masters could buy soldiers, priests, or
governors. They were able to persuade men to lie,
cheat, steal or betray. They use the same tactics today.All of the true
apostles and disciples of Christ are aware of the
conspiracies of Satan. Paul the Apostle left a solemn warning to-- . . . put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places. (Eph. 6:12)As early as 1831, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith
that "the enemy is combined," and these conspirators were plotting
"in secret chambers to bring to pass even your destruction in process of
time, and ye knew it not." (D & C 38:12-13)God commanded the
missionaries, who were going to minister in the east, to warn those who
believed in the Gospel to "flee to the west, and
this in consequence of that which is coming on the earth, and of secret
combinations." (D & C 42:64)Hence, the nucleus or central headquarters
of the secret combinations was in the east. Later the Lord said, "Watch,
for the adversary spreadeth his dominions and darkness reigneth. (D & C
82:5)[211] In July 1849, two years after
the Saints arrived in the valley, a correspondent from the New York Tribune
attended a meeting in Salt Lake City. On October 9, 1849, an article was
published in that newspaper wherein Brigham Young was quoted as saying:After this came a lengthy discourse from Mr. Brigham Young,
President of the society, partaking somewhat of politics, much of religion and
philosophy, and a little on the subject of gold, showing the wealth, strength
and glory of England, growing out of her coal mines, iron and industry; and the
weakness, corruption and degradation of Spanish America, Spain, etc., and her
idle habits. Every one seemed interested and pleased with his remarks, and all
appeared to be contented to stay at home and pursue a persevering industry,
although mountains of gold were near them. The able speaker painted in lively
colors the ruin which would be brought upon the United States by gold, and
boldly predicted that they would be overthrown because they had killed the
prophets, stoned and rejected those who were sent to call them to repentance,
and finally plundered and driven the Church of the Saints from their midst, and
burned and desolated their city and temples. He said God had a reckoning with
that people and gold would be the instrument of their overthrow. The
Constitution and laws were good, in fact the best in the world, but the
administrators were corrupt, and the laws and Constitution were not carried
out, therefore they must fall. (Des. News 2-16-97)The devil is ruling the world today. With subtle deception
he has blinded the eyes of those who should have detected and exposed him. It
is one of the mysteries of the age--how American citizens have been so passive as they pay tribute to this massive destructive
machine which is preparing their own burial. Ecclesiastical leaders, [212]
especially Mormons, seem to bend over backwards to pay homage to the Modern
disciples of the devil. When religious leaders revere such a pack of rascals,
it is evident that the blind are leading the blind. The devil's deceptions have
dirtied every table, and religious leaders cast aside the laws of God in their
support of unconstitutional and unjust laws of the land. Our religious hierarchy are excommunicating members of the Church for not
paying the income tax in an effort to redouble their esteem for these modern
Gadianton robbers.God once promised the children of
2.creating depressions and inflation.
3.robbing men of both their income and property through taxation.
4.promoting wars among the nations.
5.making and enforcing laws of the land against the inalienable rights and freedoms of man.
6.controlling the movies, television, education, and the news media.
7.promoting atheism and evolution.
8.destroying morals, standards and religion.
9.promoting Socialism and Communism.
10.forcing inter-marriage among the races to develop a "grey" race.
11.establishing
a worldwide enslavement of all people.The devil has his disciples and apostles
on earth. Some of them are in the camps of those who create wars, depressions
and murders to gain power and wealth. They are master artisans of conspiracy,
subversion and lies. In their power no man has personal or God-given rights,
but rather they must serve them like slaves. Some of these intellectual
bureaucrats are trying to create a one-world government--a kingdom of serfs
without God and a people without freedom. But
the Lord has plans to overthrow the work of the devil. The Relief Mine is one
of them. Therefore, when that mine comes in, it will not only be a means for
personal prosperity as many have wished, but it will also be the means of
alleviating the sufferings and sorrow of millions of souls who have unknowingly
put their trust in deceiving men and apostate governments.[214] Modern Israel has assumed the speech,
customs, and styles of the modern Babylonians. We are governed by their laws,
traditions and regulations. Indeed, we look and act like them, and have been
influenced by their crimes, corruption and wickedness. And to render additional
offerings of subservience to their foreign gods, we have been taught to scatter
among the nations, to observe and obey their strange laws. This has brought
The ancient prophets Isaiah and Micah were shown in vision one of the most remarkable events in the history of man. They beheld nations gathering to a mountain. In the spirit of prophecy they said:And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.... (Isa. 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2)[215] How amazing that they saw a certain "mountain" that would be "exalted" above all the other mountains. Something would occur at this mountain that would cause many distressed people to "flow" to it. What would cause "nations" of people to leave their native lands and seek out this special mountain? Why would this "mountain" be classed as a part of God's "house" (or kingdom)? Why did these two prophets call it "the mountain of the Lord"?Joseph Smith once prophesied that:The White Horse will raise an ensign on the tops of the mountains of peace and safety. The White Horse will find the mountains full of minerals and they will become very rich. You will see silver piled up in the streets.
You will see gold shoveled up like sand. Gold will be of little value even in a mercantile capacity, for the people of the world will have something else to do in seeking for salvation.
Peace will be taken from the
earth and there will be no peace only in the
You will be so numerous that you
will be in danger of famine, but not for the want of seed time and harvest, but
because of so many to be fed. Many will come with bundles under their arms to
escape the calamities, and there will be no escape except by fleeing to
2.It will provide the means for gathering the House of Israel.
3.It will become another witness of how God protects and cares for His children, if they are willing to obey Him.
4.It will become another testimony to the Book of Mormon.
5.It will restore faith and confidence in God, within men from many nations.
6.It will further establish testimony that God speaks to man
7.It will rebuke the Pharisees, and also prove the foolishness of the wisdom of men.
8.It will provide the means for men to live the United Order and Consecration.
9.It will give the Saints the temporal power they need to withstand the enemies of God.
10.It will open the way for wealth
to build up the New Jerusalem, the
great temple of promise, and usher in the millennial reign of Christ
on earth.Mormons are proud of their
heritage. They built an empire out of a wilderness; they tamed the desert and
the Indians; they fought off mobs and armies; their faith saved them from
famine and crickets. Through poverty, sweat and blood, they lived and died in a
righteous faith. But their greatest accomplishments are yet in the future.
Through the labors of good men and women, shall the ful-[221]fillment
of the promises to Abraham be fully realized. The Latter-day Saints shall give
both temporal and spiritual salvation to the nations of the earth.To bring
about happiness for all men of all nations, men must learn to live by the
Golden Rule rather than to rule with gold. President Brigham Young said: It is
the privilege of the Saints to enjoy every good thing, for the earth and its
fulness belong to the Lord, and He has promised all to His faithful Saints; but
it must be enjoyed without the spirit of lust, and in the spirit of the Gospel;
then the sun will shine sweetly upon us; each day will be filled with delight,
and all things will be filled with beauty, giving joy, pleasure, and rest to
the Saints. (JD 8:82)When