By Maude W. Call
Daniel Daniels was born 9 August 1807, at Llain, Llampumsaint, Carmarthenshire, South Wales. He died 1 September 1879, at Malad, Oneida Co., Idaho. He married Mary Jeremy. She was born in 1796, at Llanegirade, Carmarthen, South Wales. She died 29 April 1849. They had two sons: Thomas sho was born 18 January 1831 at Brecha, Carmarthen, South Wales and David, who was born 19 April 1835 at Llanegirade, Carmarthen, South Wales.
Daniel Daniels had four other wives, Mary Davis, Mary Thomas, Ann Jones and Leticia Jones.
I don’t know anything about his life in Wales. I think they must have been members of the L.D.S. Church. Great grandfather Daniels was with one of the first organized groups that was accompanied by Captain Dan Jones from Wales to Utah. Daniel Daniels 1807-1879 and Thomas E. Jeremy 1815-91, were probably the leading figures of the group.
In 1849 the first emigration of Latter-day Saints left Wales to come to Salt Lake City, Utah. Captain Dan Jones, a fiery pioneer, conducted such a vigorous crusade that in a few years thousands of Welshmen joined the Church. Many Welsh Mormons were ready to accompany their leader, Dan Jones, to Salt Lake City. One of the last things he did before leaving was to attend the opening ceremony of the “Saints Chapel” at Llanelly, Carmarthen, a building which still stands.
When Captain Dan Jones left, he was succeeded by William Phillips as Present of the Welsh Mission.
On the “Buena Vista”, a ship, there were 240 Welshmen including children. There were 65 Weshmen on the ship “Hartley.”
Dan Jones was such an outspoken crusader that he aroused great enthusiasm among others. A Branch of the Church was affected aboard the ship. Permission was given to use the captain’s deck for the choristers and orchestra to render “The Saint’s Farewell” for the last time.
By the time the ship was passing the “Isle of Anglesey” everybody was seasick except Captain Dan Jones and Daniel Daniels. The ship finally made its way across the ocean to New Orleans. Two people had died aboard the ship.
The ship then sailed up the Mississippi River, to the Missouri River and then to St. Louis. Dan Jones engaged a special steamboat to convey his company from St. Louis to Council Bluffs, Iowa. This was the usual starting point for the long trek westward.
A quantity of iron was bought at Council Bluffs to make wagons before starting on their long trip to Salt Lake City.
Daniel Daniels was at one time, editor of the “Udgorn Seion” in Wales. His wife Mary Jeremy was a sister to Thomas Jeremy. Thomas Jeremy filled several missions to Wales, the last one in 1875-1876. He was appointed a patriarch in 1887.
Many Welshmen reached Salt Lake City in the autumn of 1851. Soon after their arrival, Thomas Jeremy had the pleasure of baptizing about eighteen of them in one day. The rite of baptism, he added, was obligatory on all Saints after their arrival here. He said, “We have freedom here to worship God without being disturbed or terrorized as in Wales, or by the snobs of Missouri and Illinois. Captain Dan Jones was with the Prophet Joseph Smith, in his last days at Carthage.
In a letter, Thomas Jeremy reported he had been appointed President of a Welsh Branch of the Church in Utah with Daniel Daniels and Rice Williams as Counselors.
The Daniels family resided in Salt Lake City for a while then moved to Brigham City and then later to Malad Valley.
In a book No. 3303 in the 16th Ward in Salt Lake City, was recorded the following: “The United Order was organized with the following officers: President – Daniel Daniels. John Price and John Jones Williams, Vice-Presidents and David R. Jones, Secretary. Thomas W. Richards was Assistant Secretary and Richard Jones, Treasurer.
When the Box Elder Stake of Zion was organized 19 August 1877, Malad Ward and all the other settlements in Malad Valley became a part of that Stake. George Dunford was called to act as Bishop of Malad. He chose Daniel Daniels as his First Counselor and John D. Rees as his Second Counselor. Bishop Dunford didn’t make Malad his permanent residence. His home was in Salt Lake City. Because of the great distance from Salt Lake City to Malad, Daniel Daniels acted as Bishop or Presiding Elder most of the time.
Brother Daniel Daniels, writing from Malad Valley says, “Our fall grain looks beautiful and also our spring grain. We have every prospect of an abundant harvest this summer. No grasshoppers are to be seen here and the creek channels are well supplied with water, indicating the Hand of God. If you should get short of breadstuffs, in consequence of grasshoppers, you will know where to come.”
Two days of meetings were held at Malad on the 27 and 28th of 1874. They were attended by Apostles Erastus and Lorenzo Snow, and a number of leading Elders of the Box Elder County and Malad Valley. The subjects treated upon during the meetings are as follows:
- The United Order
- Restoration of the Gospel
- Redemption of Mankind, etc.
- The Constitution of the United Order of St. George was read and adopted by a unanimous vote of the people of Malad and the Branches.
Daniel Daniels was appointed President of the Malad Branch which was organized in 1865. Benjamin Thomas and Henry Peck acted as Counselors to President Daniels. In due course of time, Counselor Benjamin Thomas was excommunicated from the Church and Henry Peck disagreed with the President, hence in about 1870, John Price and John Jones Williams were appointed Counselors to President Daniels. When the Malad Branch was made a Ward, Daniel Daniels was made the Bishop of Malad Ward, 1866-1877.
He was President of Malad Co-op from 1869-1879. He served as a missionary to South Wales for four years. Dan Jones went with him. It was said that his missionary book and record was burned in some fire. He assisted in building the first bridges and wagon roads in Malad valley. He died 1 September 1879, and is buried in the Malad City Cemetery.
Copy of Daniel Daniel’s patriarchal Blessing
Nghynwile Elfed in the Parish of Carmarthen, South Wales, January 18, 1851.
In the name of Jesus Christ we lay our hands on thy head, dear Brother of the Lord, and seal upon thee all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, over and in the name of thy Father. In as much that thou was obedient to the gospel in the day of thy youth, and over much sorrow and trials, over great mountains and dangerous waters, through much persecution, and chose rather to suffer sorrow with the people of the Lord, than enjoy pleasure and the ways of the nations in this world of time. This according to the will of the Lord.
Thy name is written in the Life Book of the Lamb. You are of the lineage of Joseph of the blood of Ephraim. Having been appointed to work with the people over the world. Thou shall have the power and the priesthood, with the power to confirm on the earth. Thy way will be in the midst of the mountains and among the nations of the earth. Thou will cause many to believe the truth. Kings of the earth and great men will yield to thee. Thou wilt lead them to Zion and great riches. There is no power on the earth that will stay thy hands. The waves of the sea will obey thy voice and when thou shall speak to the nations, they will believe and give proper acknowledgement to thy standings.
Thy posterity will be many and great in the house of Israel. Thou wilt gather many to the land of Zion. Thou shall have wealth, gold and money, and great contentment. Thou shalt have power over treasures that are hidden in the earth. Nothing good shalt thou be deprived of.
And now brother, in as much as thou are faithful and follow the advice of them that are over thee in the Gospel, the words of this blessing shall not fail. Amen.