Seth Dunstan and Marion Owens' witness of Apache Indians' prophecy of the Messiah

“Business had brought me to the little town of Woodruff, which is situated just below the confluence of the streams Show Low and Colorado Chiquito, on the northern slope of the Mogollon range of mountains, in Apache County, Arizona. It was on the 27th of April, 1887, that I there listened to the following report given by Seth Dunstan and Marion Owens, who were two of a small company who were encamped seven miles north of Fort Apache, Arizona, about a month previous; while they were preparing to make themselves comfortable for the night, several Apache Indians came into camp, and one of them was recognized as Alchesa, chief of the Apaches who were located on the White Mountain Reservation. Alchesa expressed a strong desire to talk, and was very particular to learn if all present were “Mormons.” He said, “The Gentiles do not believe that God talks to the Indian, and we meet abuse and ridicule when we mention to them what the Great Spirit tells us to do to please Him.” When the chief was satisfied that none but “Mormons” were present, he said, through his interpreter, whom he brought with him: Why do not Mormons visit us and teach our people as they teach the Navajos? Your men show them how to build houses to live in, and how to be cleanly in their habits. You teach them to plow their land and plant their corn and melons properly; and you seek out for the Navajos arroyas (dry water-ways), and teach them how to construct dams to hold the floods of water that come down in the rainy season, with which to water their crops and furnish water for their families, and flocks, and herds, during the dry season, when but little water can be found in this country. Besides, you tell them how to worship God, and teach them the history of their forefathers, who lived long ago upon this land, and were white like you are; and also that the Lord is coming to the earth again. We know He is coming, for He has told us so. Do you know when He is coming?” “No.” “Well, I can tell you. He will come in four years. Yes, we know the Lord is coming, but we do not know how to prepare for His coming. You know how to make ready for the coming of the Lord, and we demand that you send men among us to teach us as you are teaching the Navajos. We are ignorant and have no means of obtaining knowledge like you have. You hear often from many people. You have books and papers; you can read and write. We have no source of gaining information only by way of what we hear, and there are few people who will stop to talk with an Indian, to tell him what is going on in the world. Why is it that the Gentiles are all rich and Mormons and Indians are all poor? When the Lord comes, will He prevent the Gentiles from persecuting the Mormons and Indians? For they seem to hate all these people who have done them no harm. When the Lord appears, will He resurrect all the Indians? The earth is old, and trembles like an old man; it must soon be changed; it can’t live much longer. Can I learn to read and write, or am I too old? We want all these things taught to us and to our children. Will your great captain send men to us, who will teach us the things we want to know? For we are poor, ignorant Indians, but we have a great desire to become wiser and better.” — Millennial Star 52:50”