This week in Church history
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50 years ago
President David O. McKay spoke at the unveiling of a statue of Thomas L. Kane, a friend to the early Church, in the rotunda of the Utah state Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1959.
Kane, an attorney and military officer, helped the Church in various ways over many years. He was involved in the formation of the Mormon Battalion. With connections in government and his support of the Church amid ill feelings, he helped facilitate the migration of the Church to Utah. His mediation softened tension between the government and the Church during the "Utah War," leading to compromise and a peaceful resolution.
During his remarks at the unveiling, recorded in the Jan. 17, 1959, issue of the Church News, President McKay recounted a blessing given to then-Col. Kane by Brigham Young. In ill health, Col. Kane had traveled to Utah in the winter to help solve the problems of the Utah War, and President Young said: "Brother Thomas, the Lord sent you here, and He will not let you die. No! You cannot die till your work is done: I want to have your name live with the Saints to all eternity. You have done a great work, and you will do a greater work still."
According to the article, President McKay concluded his speech saying of the statue that "he hoped it would stand forever to commemorate the ideals of Col. Kane, the ideals of 'loyalty and a willingness to lose his life, if necessary, for the welfare of his friends in the cause of right.' "
