Letter from William B. Parkinson, 25 October 1880
Morgan City, Utah,
Jos. F. Smith O. Pratt & W. Woodruff
Salt Lake City
Utah.
Dear Bro,
I returned from a mission to England
with the Sept company arriving here 24th. I thought
to report my labors during conference time as it would
cost me much less than to proceed with the company and
return. I found my family on arriving all well But
on Sunday 26th two days after my arrival the two
children of my second wife were taken ill with the
"Malignant type of scarlet fever." After several days
of anxiety &c they died Oct 4th and 5th. This has
been the severest trial of my life. It seemed from the
first that they were to go As nothing we could do seemed
to benefit them in the least. Truly the Lord had a
design in taking them away. I feel to recognise His
hand and our only hope is That we may prove
ourselves worthy to receive them in morning of the
first resurrection. I have had quite a serious
time with my wife as they were all she had. However
she is becoming more reconciled. The recent visit of our
beloved Sister Zina Young seems to have done her
a great deal of good. However I dont wish to
