15 I spent this day Journalizing, & reading papers tThe Eastern Mail
came in but not much news.
View selected quotes from this page in Wilford Woodruff's journal.
I am not a Bishop, but in a Bishops meeting and I feel like saying a few words as President Young has given liberty. It matters not to me whether the lash hits me or you in the reproofs given by President Young, I feel to thank God that we are blessed with a leader who has indipendence of mind sufficient to do the will of God let it reprove or rebuke who it may. He asks no odds of any kingdom, Nations, people person or thing who stands in the way of his doing his duty. It is a Blessing to us that we have a leader who have Eyes to see for us when we are in danger ourselves and if we had not some one to warn us and reprove us when we do wrong we would not be safe. President Young is sustained by the power of God and when he calls upon us to do any thing we ought to do it, and if we withhold we do it to our hurt. the Elders in England have beged of the people, untill they have bound them in chanes and kept them there in poverty if the Elders had pursued a wise course there are thousands who are now in England who would this day have been in Zion, then let us go to & fit out the missionaries and stop there begging from the poor. Bishop made a few remarks & the meeting dismissed
Elder O. Pratt spoke in the morning and he preached an Excellent discourse said he had been in the church thirty years lacking a few days spoke of what Joy he had in bearing testimony of the work of God & in bringing sools to repentence but he had sorrow in doing things that was not acceptable to the presidency of the Church. He said he was going on a mission and did not know whether he would ever return or not. He spoke as though he had some presentment that He would never return to Zion