Independence, Missouri
Sunday School
21 June 1908

On Sunday, June 21, Elders Joseph Quinney, Jr., of Logan, Utah, and Victor Hegstead, of Rexburg, Idaho, visited and addressed the Sunday School at Independence, Mo.

At the regular evening service there were some unusual features. In a congregation numbering near one hundred persons there were present representatives of four different religious societies, all of whom believe in the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Elder Quinney was the first and Elder Hegstead the second speaker, and both delivered excellent discourses. Between the addresses Sisters Green and Madsen rendered a duet most beautifully.

There was present Elder Wingfield Watson, presiding high priest of the religious society founded by James J. Strang, and commonly known as Strangites. He was invited to make the closing address. The invitation was a surprise to him, but he accepted it and spoke about fifteen or twenty minutes. Although past eighty years of age he is well preserved. He spoke clearly and, from his standpoint, logically, and, considering the brief time allotted him, made a comprehensive statement of the claims of James J. Strang. Part of his discourse was in substance as follows:

“The Prophet Joseph Smith and his early followers proclaimed that the divided condition of Christendom was proof that the different sects were wrong, and now sectarian preachers can use the same argument with believers of the Book of Mormon. I hear persons say they know this is true, and they know that is true. But as for myself I do not claim to know, but I believe. And I think the time has come for the different factions who profess to believe in the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon to get together and investigate each other’s claims.

“I am thankful for the privilege of addressing this congregation. I thank the elder who is presiding for his courtesy. And I pray that, when the judgments of God pass over the land, all believers in the Book of Mormon may be preserved.”

The congregation listened to the aged speaker with marked attention and respect. He seemed much impressed by the spirit that prevailed, and his closing sentences were spoken with a voice broken by emotion. It is safe to say that from henceforth he will cherish feelings of respect for the elders and Saints from the west, and it seems likely that this sentiment will spread among his followers.