Thursday, September 3, 2020

Koyle's Dream Mine


Opposition from the LDS Church[edit]

"DREAM MINES." Owing to the importance of the subject treated on in the letter of the First Presidency to the officers and members of the Church, which first appeared in The Deseret News of Aug. 2, this year, it is reproduced today at the head of these columns. We trust the Saints generally will profit by the advice given. And in order to bring it to the attention of all Church members it might be well to cause the letter to be read in ward meetings, or stake conferences, or other similar gatherings of the people. The First Presidency warn the Saints against investing in worthless mining schemes, or valueless stock, even if the promoters allege that they are guided by dreams and revelations. It is a timely warning. Almost everyone have heard of how Such-and-Such found a rich mine by following directions given in a dream, and many fondly hope for similar luck, but in most instances it will be found, on investigation, that such stories have little or not foundation in fact. They belong to the class of rumors which like the wind, "bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth." No one should be guided by such rumors, but by reason enlightened by the Holy Spirit. It is a safe rule not to accept the counsel of anyone who is in any way antagonistic to those who have been duly appointed to lead and guide Israel. And it will be found that the promoters of "dream mines" and "vision enterprises" generally are of that class. They find fault and pass judgment, without justification. But by that very fact they warn the Saints to steer clear of them, just as the ringing, or whistling, buoys during foggy weather call the attention of mariners to the presence of danger, by the noise they make.
First Presidency letter published in the Deseret News on August 16, 1913
In 1913, Mormon apostle and geologist James E. Talmage examined some ore from the Dream Mine and reported to church headquarters that it was worthless.[9] On August 16, 1913, the LDS Church issued a statement entitled "A Warning Voice" directed at Koyle's Dream Mine.[11]:35 The introduction to this statement reads:
The First Presidency warns the Saints against investing in worthless stock, even if promoters allege that they are guided by dreams and revelations…. Almost everyone has heard stories of how such and such has found a rich mine by [12]
following directions given in a dream, and many fondly hope for similar luck, but in most instances, it will be found on investigation, that such stories have little or no foundation in fact.

Abstract


The Koyle Relief Mine, located near Spanish Fork in Central Utah, has had a profound effect upon the life and property of thousands of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Company officials claim that the number of stockholders, past and present, exceeds six thousand persons.




Despite the sixty-eight years of its totally unsuccessful operation, the mine continues to maintain a countless number of old believers and to attract a considerable array of new ones. Prompted by a type of religious fervor, these people continue to declare the mine divine and its founder, John H. Koyle, inspired. Basing their faith on the claimed dream, visions, and theophanies of Koyle, they await the coming forth of boundless riches from the mine which will be used to benefit not only themselves, but all of the righteous in the last days.

 

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