On the 6th inst, we attended the obsequies to the body of Elder Stephen Longstroth, who departed this life on the 4th at 6 p.m.

He was born in Langcliff, England, June 29th, 1789.  Previous to his death he wrote the following:

"I Stephen Longstroth, was baptised [sic] on the 4th of March; 1838, and was ordained a teacher in the Church of the Latter Day Saints on the 29th of March of same year, and was duly authorized to preach the gospel, agreeably to the authority of that office. While I was in this office it was my earnest desire to please God in taking up my cross to preach and exhort the people to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through my zeal in the cause of righteousness, and diligent desire to persuade men to forsake vice and embrace virtue, I was ordained a Priest in the same church at Clitheroe, according to the rules and regulations of the said church, and was duly authorized to preach the gospel agreeably to regulations of the said church, and was duly authorized to preach the gospel agreeably to the authority of that office, on the 10th day of Nov. 1839. Whilst I was in this office my desire was to improve in the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that through grace I might preach this gospel." From the above it is plain that father Longstroth commenced to write his own obituary notice, but was not able to finish it. "We will continue it from his journal: He was baptised [sic] and ordained a Teacher under the hands of Elders H. C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, and was ordained a Priest under the hands of Elders W. Richards, Joseph Fielding and William Clayton. November 10th, 1840, he was ordained an Elder under the hands of Elder H. C. Kimball; and on March 28th, 1841, was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Elders Heber C. Kimball and O. Hyde at Clitheroe, England.  In 1844, with his family, he arrived in Nauvoo, and in 1840 received his endowments in the Nauvoo Temple. He was one of the first public hands to work as a carpenter on that temple, and continued until it was finished. He arrived with his family in Utah and was received into the bosom of the church here by re-baptism, Nov. 26, 1848, and was one of the first to commence work on the public works. Throughout a long illness he manifested that fortitude and patience worthy of his calling as a Saint and servant of the public works. Throughout a long illness he manifested that fortitude and patience worthy of his calling as a Saint and servant of the Most High. In the last few days of his life when he could speak, he was often heard to say  "I am full of hope." The following is a brief sketch of the re-marks of Prest. Heber C. Kimball on that occasion:

It is twenty-three years since I baptised [sic] brother and sister Longstroth, and from the first day of their entering the church to the present time they have hung on to the ship faithfully in fair weather and in storm. Br. Stephen Longstroth has finished his work, and aid his body off for a season, and he is without spot or blemish, his life has been exemplary for strictness to his duties as a Saint of  the Most High. He was a scrupulously honest man in his deal, and these principles he has taught to his children by precept and example.

I am acquainted with the whole family, and can say they are a good family. We have no reason to mourn as the world mourns, for they are destitute of the hope the gospel gives, the future is a blank to them.  Br. Longstroth is not far from us, he will not leave his body until he sees where it is laid, that he may know where to come and get it again, then he will be escorted by the spirits of some of his acquaintances to where the spirits of just men made perfect are gathered together, which is not far away, and there he will mingle with Joseph, and Hyrum, and Willard, and the Saints that have died, and continue his work in seeking to overcome the countless numbers of evil spirits with which they have to contend in the spirit world who are constantly seeking to destroy the kingdom of God upon the earth. Where is the spirit world? It is in this world. It is around about us. Here are the spirits of the old Gadianton [sic] robbers, who are seeking to overthrow this people, as they did the kingdom of God and the people of God anciently. They united with the spirits of the wicked, who were thronging around the cities of the east to bring that army upon us a few years ago, but they failed in their purpose. Br. Longstroth is where he can do more good to his friends and family, and to the Kingdom of God on the earth than if he had staid here in the flesh. I am proud of  brother Stephen for he is one of the first fruits of my labors in a foreign land, and he has remained faithful to the end. And here is his seed that will increase to kingdoms, dominion,  and powers infinite in number, and all these kingdoms will spring from that single tree that I planted in Christ in that land, and through faithfulness I shall be crowned with them in the Celestial kingdoms of our God. I can count eight persons here this afternoon who came into the church in England over twenty three years ago under my ministry, and what I say of  Br. Stephen will equally apply to all the faithful. May God bless you. Amen.  -Mill. Star please copy.  G. D. Watt, Reporter

Deseret News, St. Lake City, Feb. 3, 1861 - Transcribed by Candi H. - 2009