Protection of the Birmingham Saints and Elders from a Mob

“BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE.—Elder G. H. Baugh writes from Birmingham, under date of Nov. 5, 1888, as follows:—We have been having a very lively time in Birmingham of late. A man named Jarman, who has been lecturing against the 'Mormons' in various parts of England, has been here for the last two weeks, and has succeeded in stirring up the spirit of mobocracy to a very high pitch. Our meetings have been attended by large crowds of people, who have been very boisterous, and have tried in every way to break up our services. Stones, mud, and other missiles have been thrown at the Elders and Saints as they have been going to and from the meetings, and also at the windows of our meeting hall. We have had the police present at our meetings, and they have done what they could to keep order, but the mob has been so large and so determined that it has been a difficult matter for them to do so. We have felt that the Lord has been with us, and has protected us from the violence of the wicked. We have made it a subject of earnest prayer that we might be preserved from harm, and that the work of the Lord might not be hindered. We feel that our prayers have been heard and answered, for although the mob has been very threatening, and has done all in its power to injure us, yet not one of the Elders or Saints has been hurt, and our meetings have been held as usual. We feel to thank the Lord for His protecting care, and we are determined to continue our labors, trusting in Him for strength and guidance. The Elders laboring in this conference are: President Spokes, Elders Hurst, H. C. Barrell, Mayhew H. Dalley, George F. Jarvis, L. J. Jordan, and G. H. Baugh. They are all feeling well and are energetic in the discharge of their duties.”

— G. H. Baugh, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 50, No. 46