W. WOODRUFF
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
VOL.
2.
W. Woodruff's
Autobiography.
[top of page blank]
entered with a
cold blustering snow storm. I spent the day plastering
and white washing the Printing Office
On the a court of Inquiry was
held at Josephs store concerning William and Wilson Law
and William Marks. William Law proffessed to
beleive that Joseph had instructed the police to kill him
but the fact was thus the Laws had turned traitors
and were in reality seeking the life of Joseph by breeing [brewing]
mischief. A second court was held on the upon
the same matter
On the Mrs Woodruff and
myself met with the quorum and we had an interesting
time of instruction. I spoke during the day upon
the relationships which we sustain to our posterity and
progenitures in the Resurrection. We returned home
and offered up prayers for the salvation of our friends
and retired to rest.
During the month of Elder Taylor
purchased the Printing Office of President Joseph Smith so
that I had to settle my accounts and close up my
connection with the stablishment
On Sunday evening I
met with my quorum and Parley P Pratt received his
[redacted text]. Joseph said concerning Parley
that he had no wife sealed to him for eternity and
asked if there was any harm for him to have another
wife for time and eternity as he would want a wife
in the resurrection or his glory would be clipped.
Many other arguments he used which were rational
and consistant
That day was delivered by
Joseph to a large assembly of Saints a discourse
of which the following is a synopsis.
Sealing the Children to the Fathers
When I consider the surrounding circumstances
in which I am placed this day standing in the
open air with weak lungs and somewhat out of health
I feel that I must have the prayers and faith of my
brethren that God may strengthen me and pour out
his special blessings upon me if you get much
from me this day
There are many people assembled
here and in this city from various parts of the world
who say that they have to a certainty received a portion
of knowledge from God by revelation in the way
which He has ordained and pointed out. I shall
take the broad ground then that if we have or can
receive a portion of knowledge from God by immediate revelation
by the same source we can receive all knowledge
What shall I talk about to day? I know
what brother Cahoon wants about ^me to the^. He wants me to speak
about the coming of Elijah in the Last days. I can see
it in his eye. I will speak upon that subject then
The Bible says I will send you Elijah
before the great and terrible day of the Lord come that he
shall turn the hearts of the children ^Fathers^ to the children and
the hearts of the children to their fathers lest I come and
smite the earth with a curse. [Malachi 4:5-6] Now the word "turn"
here should be translated bind or seal.
But what is the object of this important
mission or how is it to be fulfilled. The keys are to
be delivered the Spirit of Elijah is to come the Gospel
to be established the Saints of God gathered Zion built
up and the Saints to come up as Saviours on Mount
Zion. But how are they to become Saviours on
Mount Zion? By building their Temples creating
their baptismal fonts and going forth and receiving
all the ordinances baptisms confirmations washings
anointings ordinations and sealing powers upon our
heads in behalf of all our progenitors who are dead
and redeem them that they may come forth in the
first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of
glory with us
Herein is the chain which binds
the hearts of the Fathers to the children and the children
to the Fathers which fulfills the mission of Elijah
I would to God that this Temple was now done
that we might go into it and go to work and
improve our time and make use of the seals while
they are on earth. The Saints have none too
much time to save and redeem their dead and gather
together their living relatives that they may be saved
also before the earth will be smitten and the condemnation
decreed falls upon the world
I would advise all the Saints to go
to with all their might and gather together all their living
relations to this place that they may be sealed and
saved that they may be prepared against the day when
the Destroying Angel goes forth.
If the whole Church should go to
with all their might to save their dead, seal their
posterity and gather their living friends and spend
none of their time in behalf of the world they
would hardly get through when Night would come
when no man could work
My only trouble at the present
time is concerning ourselves—that the Saints will
be divided and broken up and scattered before we
get our salvation secure; for their are so many fools
in the world for the Devil to operate upon it gives
him the advantage of ten times
The question is frequently asked
Can we not be saved without going through with
all these ordinances? I would answer no; not
with the fulness of salvation
Jesus said there were many
mansions in his Father's Kingdom and he would
go and prepare a place for them. [John 14:2] ("House" in the
text should have been translated Kingdom). Any
person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to
abide a celestial law and the whole law too; but
here has been a great diffuculty in getting anything
into the hearts of this generation. It has been
like splitting hemlock knotts with a corn dogger [dodger] for a wedge
and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to
understand. I have tried for a number of years to prepare
the minds of the Saints to receive the things of God; but
we frequently see some of them after suffering all ^that^ they have
for the work of God fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything
comes that is contrary to their traditions. They cant stand
the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a
celestial law and go through and recieve their exaltation
I am unable to say; but many are called and few
are chosen." [Matthew 22:14]
On the I met with the quorum of the Twelve
at the house of President Young. Orson Hyde who had
not been with us for some time was present and received
his [redacted text].
Next evening I again met with them
at the same place and Orson Pratt recieved his [redacted text]
[redacted text].
On the evening following we met at
Joseph's store. There were a number of prayers &
exhortations offered upon the subject of holiness of heart
Willard Richards and his wife Janette received their
[redacted text] and sealing
Next day was Sunday the and
in the evening I met with the quorum of the Twelve &
others for instruction and endowment. The subject of
Elijahs coming to seal the hearts of the Fathers to the
children was spoken of [Malachi 4:5-6]; and
Wilford and Phebe Woodruff received their [redacted text]
[redacted text] and sealings
Two evenings later ^on the ^ at the house of President Young
John and Leonora Taylor received their [redacted text]
and sealing. On the George A Smith and
sister Smith received their [redacted text] and
sealing and two evenings W. W. Phelp and
wife received theirs.
There was at this time quite a
revival throughout Nauvoo and an enquiring after
the things of God by all the quorums of the Church
generally
Joseph's Dream
In the office of the Prophet on the I was conversing with Willard Richards when
Joseph came in with W. W. Phelps and he related
to us the following dream
"I was standing on a peninsula in
the midst of a large body of water where there appeared
to be a large harbour or a pier built out for boats
to come into. I was surrounded by my friends
and while looking at this harbour I saw a steam-
boat approaching it. There were bridges on the
pier for persons to cross and there came up a wind
and drove the steam-boat under one of the bridges
and upset it.
I ran up to the boat expecting the
persons would all drown^ed^ and wishing to do something
to assist them. I put my hand to the side of the boat
and with one surge I pushed it under the bridge and it
righted it up and I told them to take care of themselves.
But it was not long before I saw them starting out into the
channel or main body of water again. The storms were
raging and the waters rough. I said to my friends that
if they did not understand the signs and the times and
the spirit of prophecy they would be apt to be lost. It was
but a few moments after when we saw the waves break
over the boat and she soon foundered and went down
with all on board and perished
The storm amd waters were still
very rough; yet I told my friends around me that
I believed I could stem those waves and storm and
swim in the waters better than the steam boat
did and that at any rate I was determined to try
it. But my friends laughed at me and told
me that I could not stand the storm at all
but should be drowned.
The waters looked clear and
beautiful though exceedingly rough and I said that
I beleived I could swim and that I would try it
anyhow. They said I should drown. I answered
that I would have a frolic on the water first if I
did and I drove ^dived^ off into the raging waves. I had
swam but a short distance when a towering wave
overwhelmed me for a time but I soon found myself
upon the top of it. I met the second wave in
the same way and for a while I struggled hard to
live in the midst of the storm and waves; but I
soon found that I gained upon every wave and stemmed
the torrent better and better. I soon had power
to swim with my head out of water so the waves
did not break over me at all and I found that I
swam a great distance. In looking about
me I saw my brother Samuel by my side
I asked him how he liked it and he said first rate and
I thought so too. I was soon enabled to swim with
my head and shoulders out of water and I could swim
as fast as any steamboat. In a little time it
became calm and I could rush through the water only
going in up to my loins. Soon I only went in up
to my knees and finally I could tread upon the top
of the water and went almost with the speed of an arrow
I said to Samuel se[e] how swift I can go and thought
it was great pleasure to travel with such speed
and I awoke."
I continued to meet from time to time
with my quorum for the giving of the [redacted text]
[redacted text].
Why Joseph was candidate for the
Presidential Chair
A congregation of the citisens met in the room over
Joseph's store to hear his views upon the affairs
of government which had been written and was
read by W. W. Phelps.
Joseph gave his reasons
for permitting his name to go forth as a candidate
for the presidency of the United States. He said
"I would not have suffered my
name to have been used by my friends on anywise
as President of the United States or candidate for
that office if I and my friends could have had
the privilege of enjoying our religious and civil rights
as American citisens even those rights which
the Constitution guarantee unto all her citisens alike. But
this we as a people have been denied from the beginning
Persecution has rolled upon our heads from time to time
from portions of the United States like peels of thunder
because of our religion and no portion of the Government
as yet has steped forward for our relief and under
view of these things I feel it to be my right and
privilege to obtain what influence and power I can lawfully
in the United States for the protection of injured
inocence and if I loose my life in a good cause I
am willing to be sacrificed on the alter of virtue righteousness
and truth in maintaining the laws and Constitution of
the United States if need be for the general good of
mankind."
Many other interesting remarks were
made. He was followed by Elders Hyde and Taylor
and a unanimous vote was passed by the assembly
to support Joseph.
On the I met in council
in the morning with the Presidency and Twelve. Two
messengers arrived from the Pine Count^r^y with word
from Lyman Wight wanting counsel concerning preaching
to the Indians. Joseph thought it wisdom not
to do it and said that if Lyman Wight did it
he must do it upon his own responsibility and concluded
not to send him any counsel but to let him act
with the best wisdom he had.
Next day I again ^On the ^ met with the
quorum of the Twelve at Joseph's store and according
to Joseph's counsel we sellected a company to go
on an exploring expedition to California and select
a spot to build a city. Jonathan Dunham
David Fulmer Phineas Young ^Alphonzo Young^
^and Elders Yerslay Emmett^ were named for that expedition
While we were holding this council the Rev D. Wolfe
an Episcopalian clergyman was preaching to
a congregation of Saints in the other room. When
he closed President Joseph Smith followed and among
other remarks he said
"Men may preach and practice everything
excepting that which God commands us to do and they
will be damned at last. We may tithe our 'rue'
'annis' and 'coummin' and still not obey the commandments
of God. The object with me is to obey and teach
others to obey God in just what He tells us to
do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular
or unpopular I will always maintain a true
principle even if I stand alone in it."
On the evening of Sunday the
I met with the quorum and had an interesting time
We had received information concerning the death of
Joseph Duncon and Governor Reynolds of Missouri
who shot himself through the head. They were
two of the most inverterate enemies against the
Latter-day Saints. This called forth
A Notable Prophecy of Joseph
He prophesied that within five years we should
be rid of our old enemies whether they were apostates
or of the world and wished us to record it that
when it came to pass we nead not say we had
forgotton his saying
By special appointment a large
assembly of Saints met on Thursday the
for the purpose of advancing the progress of the
Temple &c. The quorum of the Twelve and Temple committe
were present with about seven or eight thousand Saints
Hymns were sung and prayer offered up by
Parley P. Pratt and then Elder Young arose and observed that
the Patriarch was next and Hyrum came to the stand and
spoke to the assembly. He said
The object of this meeting is to stir
up your minds by way of remembrance. It is necessary
to have a starting point to build the Temple. With the
assistance of the sisters we expect to get the nails and
glass and with the assistance of the brethren we intend
to do the rest. I will proclaim in public and private
that the sisters bought the glass and nails by penny
subscription. Choose ye this day whom ye
will serve!
We shall call upon this vast
multitude for a donation to buy powder and fuse rope
to blast the rocks in the quarry. We want the
brethren to do as much as the sisters. We do
not intend to finish the Nauvoo House this
season but to finish the Temple or the walls
of it this summer get the roof on by December
and do the inside next winter and in about a
year from this spring we will dedicate it
We can do anything we undertake. We have
power and we can do great things
In five years to come the work
will progress more than it has in ten years of the
past. Isaiah said we should perform a marvellous
work and a wonder. [Isaiah 29:14] I do not marvel that he
said so if he saw this vast multitude and I
think this people are abundantly able to build
this Temple and much depends upon it. Our
endowments and sealing powers and many blessings depend
upon it."
The Prophet arrived and took the stand
and arose in the midst of the congregation and said
"Orson Pratt, come and take your place" and
then continued:
"I do not know whether the object of
the meeting has been told or not. I apologize for
not coming sooner.
I have had so much on my
mind since I saw you that I hardly know where
to begin; but one of the grand objects which I had
in view in calling this meeting was to make a
few remarks relative to the laws and ordinances
and the building of the Temple
The reason I want to speak of
the laws is that the officers have difficulties in
administering the laws. We are republican and
wish to have the people rule but rule in righteousness
Some would complain with what God Himself would
do. The laws are enacted by petition and they
can be repealed if they wish it but the people
ought not to complain of the officers but complain
of the lawmakers
I am instructed by the city
council to tell this people that if you do not like
any law which we have passed we will repeal it
for we are your servants. If any complain of
our rights and charters it is because they are wicked
The Devil is in them.
The reason I call this up is
we have a simple gang of fellows who do not
know where their head or elbows are. If you preach
virtue to them they will oppose it. If you preach the Methodist
God to them they will oppose that also ore anything else and
if there is any case tried they want it appealed to Carthage
Mr Boswicks case had to go there. Our lawyers will
send anything to Carthage
I want to know if the citizens will
sustain me when my hands are raised to heaven for the
people. I will arraign the person before the people
who acts against the interest of the city and I shall have
the voice of the people which is republican and as likely
to be the voice of God
As long as I have a tongue to speak
I will expose the iniquity of the lawyers and wicked
men. I fear not their boiling over nor the boiling over
of Hell nor its thunders and forked lightning.
I despise the man who will betray
you with a kiss. Here is Hyrum Kimball. He has
set at naught the ordinances of the city by saying that
he owns the warf, and steamboats need not pay them.
Wherefore? This body is the highest court. What
appeal to Carthage? I would not appeal there if I
died a thousand deaths. Neither Kimball nor
Morrison owns the warfage. Water street runs
along the beach and belongs to the city and not individuals
I will reprove the lawyers and
doctors. Jesus did and every prophet has and if
I am a prophet I shall also do it. At any rate
I shall do it for I profess to be a Prophet
The laws and Constitution of the
United States have ceded the right to corporated cities
to regulate all warfage of shiping and steamboats &c
All laws of taxation are subject to ^the^ city and not
to individuals; and I want from this time forth
every fool to stay at home and let the steamboats and
captains alone and let the peace officers alone. How can
we keep off mobs and keep inocent blood from being
shed? By striking a blow at everything which
rises up in disorder and I will wage an eternal
war with those who oppose me while I am labouring
in behalf of the city.
A man has been writing to the
New York Tribune. I will not mention his name.
He says that much has been spent for other
purposes which was appropriated for the building of
the Temple; but I will pledge myself that any
man who has paid any old shoes harness or
anything else if he will come I will show him
on book that everything ^farth[ing]^ has been appropriated for
the building of the Temple.
There are many men in our
midst who are trying to build up themselves at
our expence and others who are watching for iniquity
and who will make a man an offender for a
word. But I will give way and rest myself for
others"
President Hyrum Smith then made
some costick remarks upon the lawyers
A brother of Dr Foster threatened the
Mayor and the Mayor fined him ten dollars
President Joseph Smith's views of the
Government was then read and he was by universal
applause nominated by the Saints as a candidate for
the Presidency of the United States. An article was
read entitled a "Voice of Inocence from Nauvoo" and
a meeting of the "Female Relief Society appointed to
attend to the issue of this article
During the intermission which followed the
Twelve met with the Seventies and they passed a resolution
to build the Hall of the Seventies one story higher for the Presidency.
In the afternoon President Brigham Young addressed
the assembly. In the course of his remarks he said
"I wish to speak of the duty of lawyers classing
myself with the lawyers in the House of Israel. When any man
who is a lawyer takes a course to break peace instead of making
it he is out of the way of his duty. A doctor of the law
should study the law and make peace
The grand object we have before us is to build
the Temple this season. We have had the effects of
slander and want a cure and balm. I carry one
with me all the while and I want you to do the same
I will tell you what it is. It is to mind our own
business and let others alone and suffer wrong rather
than do wrong. If any one will take your property
away let him alone and have nothing to do with
him
A spirit has been manifested to
divide the Saints. This was manifest in the last
election. It was said if they did not look out
the Saints on the flat would beat the Saints on
the hill. Great God! How such a thing
looks that the Saints should be affraid of beating
one another in the election or being beat?
I would ask who built up this
city? Would steamboats have landed here if
the Saints had not come or could speculators
have sold their lands for anything here? If the
Saints had not come they might have sold for a
few bear and wolf skins but not for money. Can
these speculators sell all their lands to the Saints
for a great price and then go away and enjoy it somewhere
else. I tell you nay for know it ye people that Israel
is here and that they are the head and not the tail and the
people must learn it. All those who have gone from us
have gone from the head to the tail. But if any of you
wish to know how to have your bread fall butter side up
then butter it both sides and it will fall so. Uppose
this work and it will roll over you. When did this
work ever stop since it began? Never. The only
thing the Saints now want to know is what does
the Lord want of us and we are ready to do it. Well
then build the Temple of the Lord; keep the law of
God ye Saints and the hypocrit and scoundral will
flee out of your midst and tremble for the fire of God
will be ^too^ hot for them"
Joseph the Prophet & the Presidential Chair
Elder John Taylor followed Brigham Young in an address
upon government and political matters and Joseph in an
address after said
"As to politics I care but little about
the Presidential Chair. I would not give half as much for
the office as I would for the one I now hold; but as the
world have used the power of government to oppress and
persecute us it is right for us to use it for the protection
of our rights. When I get hold of the eastern papers
^and^ I see how popular I am, I am affraid myself that I shall
be elected; but if I should be ^ellected^ I would not say your
cause is just but I cannot do anything for you
What I said in relation to the
Anexation of Texas
is with some unpopular. The people are opposed to it.
I will take this objection away. The opposition is because
it is filled up with slavery. Now I wish to turn the
argument. It is the very reason why they ought to be
received in order to watch over them. Of the two evils
we should reject the greatest. The President of Texas
says if you do not receive us in the United States we
will go to the British. This would certainly be bad
policy for this nation. The British are now throughout
the whole country trying to bribe all they can. How
much better it is to be to a little expence than to have
the Indians and British upon us. We should grasp
all the Territory we can. I know much which I
do not tell. I have had bribes offered to me but I
have rejected them. The government will not receive
anything from me. They are self-sufficient; but they
must go to Hell and work out their own salvation
with fear and trembling. As soon as Texas
^was^ is anexed I would liberate two are [or] three states
and Gipay them for their slaves and let them go
to Mexico where they are mixed blacks &c. I would
also receive Canadia and stand by it."
Next day I met in
council with the Twelve and First Presidency when the
subject of nominating a candidate for the vice Presidency
of the U. S. came up. They had nominated
General Arlington Bennet not knowing that he was
a native of Ireland. The final decision was for
me to write to Col. Solomon Copeland ^of Tennessee^ to invite him
to visit us and see if he would suffer his name
to run for the Vice Presidency and I wrote to him accordingly
On the seventh ^^ day of this month Bro
King Follet was buried under Masonic honours. He
was killed while in a well by having a bucket of stone
fall on him
A large Assembly of the Saints net [met] at
the Temple and was addressed by Joseph upon
The Work Calling & Spirit of Elias Elijah & Messiah
There is a difference between the spirit and
office of Elias and Elijah. It is the Spirit of Elias I
wish first to speak off [of]. And in order to come to
the subject I will bring some of the testimony from
the scripture and give also my own
In the first place suffice it to say
that I went into the woods to inquire of the Lord by prayer
His will concerning me and I saw an angel and he
laid his hands upon my head and ordained me to be a
Priest after the order of Aaron and to hold the keys of this
Priesthood which office was to preach repentance and baptism
for the remission of sins and also to baptize. But
I was informed that this office did not extend to the
laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost and that
that office was a greater work and was to be given afterward
but that my ordination at that time was a preparatory
work or a going before which was the spirit of Elias for
the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way
for the greater [Joseph Smith-History 1:68-70]
This was the case with John the Baptist
He came crying from the wilderness "Prepare ye the the
way of the Lord and make his paths straight["] [Mark 1:3] and the people
were informed that if they would receive it it was the Spirit of Elias.
John was very particular to tell the people he was not that light
but was sent to bear witness thereof. [John 1:8] He told them that his
mission was to preach repentance and baptism with water
but that it was he who should come after him who should
baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost. [Matthew 3:11] If he had been
an imposter he might have worked beyond his bounds
and undertook to have performed ordinances which did not
belong to the office and calling under the spirit of Elias
The spirit of Elias is to prepare the
way for a greater revelation of God. This is the Priesthood
of Elias or the Priesthood unto which Aaron was ordained
And when God sends a man into the world to prepare
for a greater work he holds the keys of the power of
Elias. It was called the doctrine of Elias even
from the early ages of the world
John's mission was limited to preaching
and baptizing but what he did was legal and when
Jesus Christ came to any of John's disciples he baptized
them with fire and the Holy Ghost.
We find the Apostles endowed
with greater power than John. Their office was more
under the Spirit and power of Elijah than of Elias
In the case of Philip when he went down to Samaria
under the Spirit of Elias he baptized both men and
women but when Peter and John heard of it they went
down and laid their hands on them and they received
the Holy Ghost. [Acts 8:5-17] This shows the distinction between
the two powers. When Paul came to certain disciples
he asked if they had received the Holy Ghost. They
answered, "No." "Who baptized you then?"
"We were baptized unto John's baptism." "No John
did not baptize your for he did his work right." [Acts 19:1-5]
So Paul baptized them over again for he knew what the true
doctrine was and he knew that John had not baptized them [Acts 19:4-6]
and it is strange to me thant men who have read the scrip[tures]
of the New Testament are so far from these principles
What I want to impress upon your
mind is the difference of power in different parts of the
Priesthood so that when any man comes among you saying
I have the Spirit of Elias you may know whether he be
true or false for any man coming having the spirit
and power of Elias will not transcend his bounds. [Luke 1:17] John
did not transcend his bounds but faithfully performed
that part belonging to his office. And every portion of
the great building should be prepared rightly and assigned
to its proper place.
It is necessary to know who holds
the keys of power and who do not or we may be likely
to be deceived. That person who holds the keys of
Elias has a preparatory work. But if I spend
much more time in conversing about the spirit of
Elias I shall not have time to do justice to the spirit
and power of Elijah who is the Elias spoken of in the
last days. And here is the rock upon which many
split thinking the time was past in the days of
Jesus Christ and no more to be; but the spirit of
Elias was revealed to me and I know it is true therefor[e]
I speak with boldness for I know verily my doctrine
is true
Now for Elijah. The spirit power
and calling of Elijah is that we have power to hold
the keys of the revelations ordinances oracles and endowm[ents]
of the fulness of the Melchezedec Priesthood and of
the kingdom of God on the earth and to receive and
perform all the ordinances of the kingdom of God
even to the sealing of the hearts of the fathers unto the children and
the hearts of the children unto the fathers even those who are
in heaven.
Malachi says, "I will send Elijah
before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come and He
shall turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children and the hearts
of the children to the Fathers lest I come and smite the earth
with a curse["] [Malachi 4:5-6]
Now what I am after is the knowledge
of God and I take my own course to obtain it. What
are we to understand by this ^the mission of Elijah^ in the last days. In the
days of Noah God destroyed the world by a flood and
he has promised to destroy it by fire in the last
days. But before it takes place Elijah shall first
come and turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children &c
Now comes the point. What is the office and work
of Elijah? and this is one of the most important subjects
that God has revealed.
He shall send Elijah to seal the
fathers to the children and the children to the fathers!
Now was this merely confined to the living to settle
difficulties with families on earth? By no means.
It was a far greater work. Elijah, What would
you do were you here? Would you confine your
work to the living alone. No. I would refer you
to the scriptures where the subject is manifest.
"Without us they cannot be made perfect nor we without
them."—^the fathers without the children nor the children without the fathers.^ [Doctrine and Covenants 128:15]
I wish you to understand this subject
for it is important and if you will receive it this is the
spirit of Elijah that we redeem our dead and connect
ourselves with our fathers who are in heaven and seal
up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection
And here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who
dwell on the earth to those who dwell in heaven. This is
the power of Elijah and the keys of the Kingdom of Jehovah
Let us suppose a case. Suppose the
great God who dwells in the heavens should reveal himself
to Father Cutler here and tell him I offer up a decree
that whatsoever you seal on earth with your decree will I
seal in heaven. You have power then? Can it be
taken off? No. Then what you seal on earth by
the power ^keys^ of Elijah is sealed in heaven and this is
the power of Elijah and herein is the difference between
the ^spirit and^ power of Elias and Elijah for while the spirit of
Elias is a forerunner the power of Elijah is sufficient
to make our calling and election sure; [2 Peter 1:10] and it is
the same doctrine where we are exhorted to go on
unto perfection not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works but of laying on of hands
the resurrection of the dead &c. [Matthew 18:18] [Hebrews 6:1-2] We cannot be perfect
without the Fathers &c. We must have revelation
then and we can see that the doctrine of revelation as
far transcends the doctrine of no revelation at all as
knowledge is above ignorance for one truth revalled [revealed]
from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions in existance
This spirit of Elijah was manifest
in the days of the Apostles in delivering certain ones
over to the buffettings of Satan that they may be
saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. [1 Corinthians 5:5] They were
sealed by the spirit of Elijah unto the damnation of
hell until the day of the Lord or revelation of
Jesus Christ
Here is the doctrine of election that
the world have quarrelled so much about but they
do not know anything concerning it. The doctrine
that the Preysbeterians and Methodists have quarreled so much about
namely once in grace always in grace and on the other side the
falling away from grace I will say a word about. They are
both wrong. Truth takes the road between. The Prysbeterian
says once in grace you cannot fall. The Methodist says
you can have grace to day fall from it to-morrow next
day have grace again and so follow it on. But the
doctrine of the scriptures and the spirit of Elijah would
show them both false and take the road between.
According to the scriptures if a man has received the good
word of God and tasted of the powers of the world to come
if he shall fall away it is impossible to renew him
again seeing that he has crucified the Son of God
afresh and put him to an open shame [Hebrews 6:4-6]
So there is a possibility of falling
^away^ yet could not be renewed again and the power of Elijah cannot
seal against this sin for this is a reserve made in the
seals and power of the Priesthood.
I will make every doctrine plain
that I present and it shall stand upon a firm basis
and I am at the defiance of the world for I will take
shelter under the broad cover of the wings of the work
in which I am engaged. It matters not to me if all
hell boils over. I regard it only as I would the crackling of
the thorns under the pot
A murderer for instance—one
who has shed inocent blood cannot have forgiveness
David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully
with tears; but he could only get it through hell. He
obtained a promise that his soul should not be left in
hell. [Psalm 86:13] Although David was king he never did obtain
the spirit and power of Elijah and the fulness of
the Priesthood and the Priesthood that he received and
and the throne and kingdom of David are to be taken from
him and given to another by the name of David in
the last days raised up out of his lineage [Doctrine and Covenants 132:39]
Peter refered to the same subject
on the day of Penticost [Acts 2:25-27] but the multitude did not get
the endowment which Peter had; but several days after
the people asked "what shall we do?" [Acts 2:37] Speaking of their
crucifying the Lord Peter said "I wot that through ignorance
ye did it as did also your rulers" [Acts 3:17] He did not say to
them repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins
but he said "Repent ye therefore and be converted that your
sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing
shall come from the presence of the Lord." [Acts 3:19] This is the
case with murderers. They could not be baptized for
the remission of sins for they had shed inocent blood
Again to the doctrine of the sealing
power of Elijah. is that If you have power to seal on earth
and in heaven then you should be wise. The first thing
you do go and seal on earth your sons and daughters unto
yourself and yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory
and go ahead and not go back. Use a little craftiness
and seal all you can and when you get to heaven tell
your father ^that^ what you sealed on earth should be sealed in
heaven. I will walk through the gate of heaven and
claim what I seal and those that follow me and my
counsel.
The Lord once told me that what I asked
for I should have. I have been afraid to ask God to
kill my enemies lest some of them should peradventure
repent. I asked a short time since for the Lord to
deliver me out of the hands of the Governor of Missouri
and if needs be to accomplish it to take him away
and the next news which came pouring down from
there was that Governor Reynolds had shot himself
I would now say Beware O Earth how you
fight against the Saints and shed inocent blood for in the days
of Elijah when his enemies came upon him fire ^was^ called down from
heaven and destroyed them [1 Kings 1:10-12]
The Spirit of Elias is first Elijah second
and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way
and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after holding the
keys of power, building the Temple to the cap-stone, placing
the seals of the Melchezedec Priesthood upon the house of
Israel and making all things ready. Then Messiah
comes to his Temple which is last of all
Messiah is above the spirit and power
of Elijah for he made the world and was that spiritual
rock unto Moses in the wilderness. Elijah was to come
and prepare the way and build up the kingdom before the
coming of the great day of the Lord though the spirit of
Elias was to begin it.
I have asked the Lord concerning his
coming and while asking the Lord gave me a sign and
said "In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as
a sign and token. In any year that the bow shall be
seen the Lord will not come but there shall be sead time
and hearvest during that year. But whenever you see the
bow withdraw it shall be a token that there shall be
famine pestelence and great distress among the nations [Genesis 9:13-16]
But I will take the responsibility upon
myself to prophesy in the name of the Lord that Christ
will not come as Miller has prophesied for we have seen
the bow and I also prophesy in the name of the Lord that
Christ will not come in forty years and if ever the Lord
spake by my mouth he will not come in that time
Jesus never did reveal to any man the precise time
that he would come. Go and read the scriptures and you
cannot find any part which specifies the exact time of his
coming and all who say so are false teachers. There are
some important things concerning the office of the Messiah
in the organization of the kingdom of God ^world^ of which I
will speak hereafter."
The Sunday fortnight ^two weeks^ when I arrived at
the Temple Joseph was speaking. He said
"I have been informed by two gentlemen
that a conspiracy is got up in this place for the purpose
of taking the life of President Joseph Smith his family
and all the Smith family and also the heads of the
Church. One of the gentlemen will give his name
to the public and the other wishes it to be hid for
the present. They will both testify to it on oath
and make an affadavit upon it. The names of the
persons revealled at the head of the conspiracy are Chaucy
Higby Dr Foster Mr Jackson and William and Wilson Law
And the lies which Highby has hatched up as a foundation
is—he says that I had mens heads cut off in Missouri
and that I had a sword run through the hearts of the
people whom I wanted to kill and out of the way.
I wont sware out a warrant against
them for I do not fear any of them. They would not scare
off an old setting hen. I intend to publish all the iniquity
that I know of them. If I am guilty I am ready to
bear it. There is honour among enemies. I am
willing to do anything for the good of the people. I
will give the name of one of the gentlemen who have
devulged the plot. His name is Eaton. He will
sware to it. He is a bold fellow. Jackson said
a Smith should not be alive two weeks not over two months anyhow
As concerning the character of these men I will say nothing about it
now but if I hear any more from them upon this subject I will tell
all I know about them"
Orson Spencer and Sidney Rigdon followed with
addresses to the Assembly and then Joseph again arose and
remarked upon a point of Sidney's discourse. He said
In relation to the power of ^over^ the minds
of mankind which I hold I would say it is in consequence
of the power ^of truth^ in the doctrines which I have been an instru-
ment in the hands of God of presenting unto them and
not because of any compu[l]sion on my part. I will ask
if I ever got any of it unfair?—if I have not reproved you
in the gate? I ask did I ever exercise compulsion over
any man? Did I not give him the liberty of disbelieving
any doctrine I preached if he saw fit? Why do not
my enemies strike a blow at my doctrine? They
cannot do it. It is truth; and I am as the voice
of one crying in the wilderness "Repent of your sins
and prepare the way for the coming of the Son of Man
for the Kingdom of God has come unto you and
hence forth the axe is laid unto the root of the tree
and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit God
Almighty (and not Jo Smith) shall hew down
and cast into the fire" [Matthew 3:10]
Twelve days later I attended the
dedication of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge. This was
the first Masonic dedication I ever attended. The
procession was composed of about five hundred members
and the whole was grand and imposing
In the fore part of the day President
Joseph Smith was to have preached the funeral sermon
of King Follet one of the Masonic Brotherhood but in consequence
of ill health he omitted it and called upon Elder Amasa Lyman
to address the multitude who had assembled on purpose to
hear the funeral discourse from Joseph.
The day following this was the anniversary
of the Church which opened our anual General Conference
General Conference
of the
Church of Jesus Christ of L.S.D [L.D.S.]
held at Nauvoo
.
Conference commenced at 10 am. President Brigham
Young called the conference to order. The Prophet
then said that he should not occupy time in speaking
of any differences which might have occurred in our
midst. He said he was not a Fallen Prophet
and never sustained a nearer relationship to God than
at the present time and would show before the
conference closed that God was with him
Sidney Rigdon afterwards spoke
and during the Conference of the several days he
delivered three important discourses of which I reported a
synopsis in my journal and which will be found embodied
in the History of Joseph Smith
On the 3rd Sunday of th ^2nd day of con^
Sunday the in the afternoon the Prophet Joseph
delivered one of the most important discourses of his
life to about ten ^twenty^ thousand souls upon the subject
of the death of King Follet.
Joseph's Great Discourse
(recorded in my Journal)
I now call the attention of this congregation
while I address you upon the subject of the dead.
The case of our beloved brother King
Follet who was crushed to death in a well, as also many
others who have lost friends will be had in mind this afternoon
and I shall speak upon the subject in general as far as I
shall be inspired by the Holy Spirit to treat upon it
I want the prayers and faith of the
Saints that I might have the Holy Ghost so that the
testimony may carry conviction to your minds of the
truth of what I shall say and I pray that the Lord
may strengthen my lungs. There is strength here and
your prayers will be heard.
Before I enter upon an investigation
of this subject I wish to pave the way and bring up
the subject from the beginning that you may understand
I do not intend to please you with oratory but with the
simple truths of heaven to edify you.
Go to the morn of creation to understand
the decrees of Eloheim at the creation. It is necessary
that we have an understanding of God at the beginning.
If we get a good start at first we can go right but if
you start wrong you may go wrong
But few understand the character
of God. They do not know Him they do not
understand their relationship to Him. The world know
no more than the brute beast. They know no more
than to eat drink and sleep. This is all man knows
about God or His existance ^except^ what is given by the inspiration
of the Almighty.
Go then to the beginning that you may
understand. I ask this congregation what kind of a
being is God? Turn your thoughts in your own
hearts and say have any of you seen or heard Him
or communed with Him. This is a question which
may occupy your attention. The scriptures informs us
that this is eternal life to know thee the only true and
living God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. [John 17:3] If
any enquire What kind of a being God is I would say
if you do not know Him you have not eternal life
Go back and find out what kind of a being God is.
If I am the man that shows you what kind of being
God is then let every man and woman sit in silence
and never lift up the hand against me again. If I
do not this I will make no more pretentions to
inspiration or to be a Prophet. I should be like the
rest of the world a false teacher and you would want
to take my life. But you might just as well
take the lives of other false teachers as mine if I
was false. But meddle not with any man for his
religion. Every Government ought to protect ^permit^ every man
to enjoy his religion
I will show the world is wrong by
showing what God is. I am going to enquire
after Him so that you may know God that persecution
may cease concerning me. I will go back to the
beginning to show what kind of a being God was. I
will tell you and hear it O Earth! God who sits in
Yonder heavens is a man like unto yourselves.
That God if you were to see Him to day who holds
the worlds you would see Him like a man in form
like yourselves. Adam was made in His
image and talked and walked with Him
In order to understand the dead for the
consolation of those who mourn I want you to understand God and
how he came to be God. We have supposed that God was God
from eternity. I will refute that idea or I will take away
the veil so that you may see. It is one of the first principles
to know that we may converse with Him. He was once a
man like unto us and the Father was once on an earth
like us, and I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it
The scriptures inform us, mark it, that
Jesus Christ said "As the Father hath power in Himself so
hath the Son power in Himself." [John 5:26] STo do what? That Father did even
to lay down my ^his^ body and take it up again. Do you believe
it? If not ^you^ do not believe the Bible. I will defy all hell and
earth to refute this. And you have got to learn how to become
yourself ^a^ God king and priest by going from a small capacity
to a great capacity, to the resurrection of the dead and to
dwelling in everlasting burning. I want you to learn the
first principle of this order
How consoling to the mourners when
they part with their friends to know that though they lay down
this body it will rise and dwell in everlasting burning
to be an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ
enjoying the same exaltation and glory until you arrive at
the station of a God
What did Jesus Christ do? "The
same as I see the Father do." [John 5:19] See the Father do what?
"Work out a kingdom. When I have done so too I will
give it up to the Father which will add to His glory
He will then take a higher exaltation and I shall
take His place and be also exalted"
These are the first principles of
the Gospel. It will take a long time after the
grave to understand the whole
If I should say anything but what was in
the Bible the cry of treason would be heard. I will then
go to the Bible and will make a comment on the very
first sentence of the history of the Creation—Berosheit. I want
to analize the word; baith, in, by, through and everything
else. Rosh, the head; sheit, gramatical termination
When the inspired man wrote it he did not put the baith
there; an old Jew without any authority added the word: he
thought it too bad to begin to talk about the head. It reat [read] at
first "The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods": that is
the true meaning of the words. Baurau signifies to
bring forth. If you do not believe it you do not
believe the learned man of God. Learned men can
teach you no more than what I have told you. Thus
the head God brought forth the Gods in the Grand Council
I will transpose it in the English language. I want you to
know and learn that the Holy Ghost knows something.
The Grand Council sat at the head and contemplated the
Creation of the world. Some will say the scriptures
^say^ so and so; but I will show you a test out of an old
edition of the New Testament in the Hebrew Latin
German and Greek languages. In the 21 verse of the
fourth ch. of Mathew our common translation says
James the son of Zebedee but this old book in my
possession says Jacob the son of Zebedee in each of the
four languages—the Hebrew Latin German and Greek
The doctors (I mean the doctors of the law) say if you
preach anything not according to the Bible we will cry
treason; but if ye are not led by revelation How can ye
escape the damnation of hell. Here we have the testimony
of four against one—the present translation. I have the oldest
book in the world and the Holy Ghost besides. I thank God
for the old book but more for the Holy Ghost.
In the beginning the head of the Gods called a council of
the Gods and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people
it. Having a knowledge of God and what kind of a being he is we knew
how to approach him and how to ask so as to receive an answer.
Another thing, the learned say the Lord made the world out of nothing and they account it
blasphemy in any one to contradict their idea. If you tell them God made the
world out of something they will account you a fool. But I am more learned in the
things of God than they and know more than all the world put together: the Holy Ghost does
anyhow and he is within me and comprehends more than all the world and I will
associate myself with him. They infer from the world create that the world must
have been made out of nothing. Now the word create came from the word Baurau
and does not mean to create out of nothing but to organize the same as a man would organize
materials to build a ship. Element had an existance from the time God had. It can be organized
and reorganized but not destroyed. I have another subject to speak upon calculated to exalt man
It is associated with the subject of the ressurection of the dead—namely, the soul
the mind of man, the immortal spirit, where did it come
from? The learned say God made it in the beginning
But it is not so. I know better. God has told me
If you do not believe it that will not make the truth
without effect. God was a self-existing being. Man
exists upon the same principle. God made a tabernacle
and put the spirit into it and man became a human
soul. Man existed in spirit and mind co-equal
with God Himself
You who mourn the loss of friends
are only speperated from them but for a moment.
The spirit is seperated for a little time but they are
conversant with each other as we are on earth. I am
dwelling on the immutibility of the spirit of man
Is it logic to say the Spirit of man had a beginning
and yet has no end? It does not have either a
beginning or end. My ring is like the existance
of the soul of man. It has no beginning or end. If
it were cut in two there would be both a beginning
and an end. So with man. If he had a beginning
he would also have an end.
If I am right I might say God never
had power to create the Spirit of man. God Himself
could not create himself. Intelligence is eternal
and it is self-existing. All mind is succeptible of improvement
The relationship we sustain with God places us in a situation
to advance in knowledge. God has power to institute laws
to instructe the lesser intelligences that they may be exalted
with Himself. This is good doctrine. It tastes good
I can taste the principles of eternal life. So can you
They are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ
and I know you believe it. All that which God
sees fit to reveal in relation to us makes known his
will to our spirits precisely as though we had no bodies
at all and those revelations which will save our spirits will
also save our bodies: hence the awful responsibility which rests
upon us in relation to our dead for all the spirits who have not
obeyed the Gospel in the flesh must obey it in the spirit or be
damned. Would to God I had forty days and nights in which
to tell you all; I would let you know that I am not
'a fallen Prophet'
The greatest responsibility laid upon us in this
life is to seek after our dead. The Apostle says they
without us cannot be made perfect [Hebrews 11:40] for it is necessary that
the sealing powers should be in our hands to seal our children
and our dead for the fulness of the dispensation of times—
a dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ
before the foundation of the world for the salvation of man
It is necessary that those who are gone before and those who come
after us should have salvation in common with us and thus
has God made it obligatory upon man. Hence he has said
I will send Elijah the Prophet to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children [Malachi 4:5-6]
From before the foundation of the world God hath
made provisions to suit the conditions of man. Jesus said, "All
sins and blasphemy except the sin against the Holy Ghost should
be forgiven and there is a salvation for all either in this
world or the world to come who have not committed the unpardonable
sin. [Matthew 12:31] God has made provision that every spirit in the eternal world can be
saved unless he has committed this sin and the spirits of our friends
can be searched out and saved. Any man who has a friend in eternity
can save him if he has not committed the unpardonable sin.
A man cannot committ the unpardonable sin after the
dissolution of the body and there is a possibility of his escape. If a
man has knowledge he can be saved. If he has been guilty
of great sins he is punished for them. When he consents to
obey the Gospel whether alive or dead he is saved
A man's own mind damns him. I
have no fear of hell fire. It does not exist. The torment
of disapointment in the mind of man is as a lake burning
with fire and brimstone. I
No man can commit the unpardonable
sin until he receives the Holy Ghost and then it must be
done in this world and cannot be committed after the
dissolution of the body. Hence the salvation of Jesus
Christ wrought for all men triumphs over the devil
for even he stood up as a Saviour. All who ^must^ suffer until
they obey Christ himself.
The contention in heaven was Jesus said
there would be souls who would not be saved and the Devil
said he could save them all and laid his plans before the
grand Council who gave their vote in favour of Jesus Christ
So the devil rose up in rebellion against God and was cast
down with all who put up their hands for him.
Jesus Christ will save all except the sons
of Perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpar-
unpardonable sin. He must receive the Holy Ghost have
the heavens opened to him and know God and then sin
against Him. After a man has sinned against the
Holy Ghost there is no repentance for him. He has got to
say the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to
to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened to him and
to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth and from
that time he begins to be an enemy. This is the case with many apostates
of the Church. They never cease to try to hurt me and thirst for my
blood; they have the spirit of the devil which crucified the Lord of
Life—the same that sins against the Holy Ghost. You cannot
save them. They make open war like the Devil.
If a spirit of bitterness is in you dont be in haste. You may say
that man is a sinner. Well if he repents he shall be forgiven. Be
cautious. When you find a spirit that wants murder the same
is of the devil.
I could go back and trace every subject of interest concerning the
relationship of man to God if I had time and enter largely into the
eternal worlds. Jesus says there are many mansions in my Fathers
Kingdom [John 14:2] and Paul says there is one glory of the sun another of the moon
another of the stars for one star differeth from another star in glory [1 Corinthians 15:40-42]
So also is the resurrection of the dead. What have we to console us in
relation to our dead? The greatest hope of any people on earth. We
have seen them walk worthily in our midst and sink ^fall^ asleep in
the arms of Jesus and those who have died in the faith are now
in the celestial Kingdom of God. They have gone to await the resurrection
of the dead to go into celestial glory while there are many who will
have to wait myri[a]ds of years before they can receive the like
blessings. I am authorized to say to you by the authority of the
Holy Ghost that you have no occasion to fear. You may wait for
your friends to meet you in the morn of the celestial world.
Those who have been murdered in the persecution shall triumph glorious
in the celestial world while their murders^ers^ shall dwell in torment for
ages until they have paid the uttermost farthing
I have a father brothers children and friends who ^have^ gone fto a
world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment, and we shall soon meet
again. The time will soon arrive when the trumphet shall sound. When we
depart we shall hail our mothers, fathers, friends and all whom we love who
have fallen asleep in Jesus. There will be no fear of mobs &c. It will be an
eternity of felicity.
L A question may be asked will mothers have their
children in eternity. Yes yes mothers. You shall have your children
for they shall have eternal life; for their debt is paid. There is no damnation awaiting
them. They are in the Spirit. But as the child dies so shall it rise from the dead and
be forever living in the learning of God. It will never grow. It will still be the child
in the same precise form as it appeared before it died out of its mothers
arms but possessing all the intelligence of a God. Children dwell in the mansions of
glory and exercise power but appear in the same form as when on earth. Eternity
is full of thrones upon which dwell thousands of children re[i]gning on thrones of
glory with not one cubit added to their stature.
I will leave this subject here and make a few remarks
upon the subject of baptism. The baptism of water without the baptism of
fire and the Holy Ghost is of no use. They are inseperably connected. An
individual must be born of water and the spirit in order to enter the Kingdom
of God. In German the text bears me out the same as the revelations which
I have given and taught for the last fourteen years on that subject. You
will find it in the declaration of John the Baptist. -[reads from the German]-
John says "I baptize you with water, but when Jesus comes who has the
power (or keys) he shall administer the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost"
There is one God one Father one Jesus one hope of our calling one
baptism. All these three baptisms only make one. Many talk of baptism
not being essential to salvation; but this kind of teaching would lay the
foundation of their damnation. I have the truth and am at the
defiance of the world to contradict me if they can
Hear it all ye ends of the earth—all ye Priests—all ye sinners
and all men—Repent, repent! obey the Gospel; turn to God for your
religion wont save you, and you will be damned: I do not say how long.
There have been remarks made concerning all men being redeemed from hell
but I say that those who sin against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven
in this world or the world to come. They shall die the second death. Those
who commit the unpardonable sin are doomed to Gnolom, to dwell in
hell worlds without end. As they concoct scenes of bloodshed in this world so
they shall rise to that resurrection which is as the lake of fire and brimstone
Some shall rise to the everlasting burning of God, for God dwells in everlasting
burnings and some shall rise to the damnation of their own filthiness
which is as exquisite a torment as the lake of fire and brimstone
I have no enmity against any man. I love you all but
I hate some of your deeds. I am your best friend and if persons miss
their mark it is their own fault. If I reprove a man and he hates me
he is a fool for I love all men especially these my brethren and sisters
I rejoice to hear the testimony of some of my aged
friends. You dont know me. You never knew my heart. No
man knows my history. I cannot tell it. I shall never
undertake it. I dont blame any one for not believing my
history. If I had not experienced what I have I could not
have believed it myself. I never did harm any man since
I was born into the world. My voice is always for peace.
I cannot lie down until all my work is finished.
I never think any evil nor do anything to the harm of my fellow
man. When I am called by the trumph of the archangel
and weighed in the balance you will all know me then.
I add no more God bless you all. Amen
Conference reassembled the next day
when Joseph arose and said it was impossible for him to
continue the subject of the previous day in consequence of the
weakness of his lungs. But among his brief remarks was
one of the most important revelations of the age. He said
Yet I have
A Great Proclamation
It is in relation to Zion and a proclamation for the
Elders to teach the Church hereafter. The whole of
South & North America is Zion and the mountain of the
Lord's house is in the centre of North and South America
When the House is done the baptismal font erected
and finished and the worthy are washed anointed endowed &
^ordained^ kings and priests which must be done in this life—
and when the place is prepared you must also go through
all the ordinances of the house of the Lord and if
you have any dead relations for them also the same
as for yourselves—then the Elders are to go through all
America and build up Churches until all Zion is built
up.
But this is not to commence until this Temple
is built and the Elders are endowed. Then go forth
and accomplish the work and build up stakes in
all North and South America. There will be some
place ordained for the redeeming of the dead. I think
this will be the one."
He also remarked that this proclamation
was the greatest ever made to us as all could not
come here but it was necessary that enough should
come to build up the Temple and get an endowment so
that the work could spread abroad
Joseph's lungs failed him and he called
upon George J. Adams to occupy the forenoon
At the close of the morning's meeting President Joseph
Smith turned over the conference into the hands of the Twelve
and it continued through the next day under the presidency
of Brigham Young and then adjourned to the following
Saturday to re-assemble at 2 o clock to hear a political
address from Elder John Taylor.
During this conference ^244^
Elders volunteered ^were called^ to go into the vineyard that season to preach
the gospel
On the I moved into my
new brick house and felt truly thankful to have a
comfortable dwelling for the first time to leave my
family in while I went out again on mission.
Next day I spent with my family
preparing for my summer's mission and I called
my family together and blessed them and Phebe washed
my feet that I might be clean every whit
A number of Apostates on the same
day which was Sunday the met together and organized
a new Church and took a strong stand against
the Prophet the Twelve and the Church. The leaders
were Wm. and Wilson Law R. D. Foster Chauncy
and Francis Highby James Blakesley and others.
Five ^Four^ days later which was I arose in the morning arranged some domestic
affairs and parted from my wife and children for the
purpose of taking my summer's mission through the
United States to attend the General Conferences
For the last ten years of my life with the exception of
one it had been my lot to be in the vineyard every
summer. I left Nauvoo in company with
Elders George A Smith J. M. Grant and Ezra Thayer
and his son.
This was the last mission ever Joseph
the Prophet gave to the Twelve Apostles of this dispensation
He wished none of us to remain with the exception of Willard
Richards. He told John Taylor he wanted hism to
go especially on this mission with his quorum and he
spoke with much earnestness. He also turned to me
and said brother Woodruff I want you to go and if
you do not you will die. It rested with weight upon
my mind at the time he spoke and I have often thought
since when musing over the awful catastrophy of his & Hyrums
martyrdom how true his words might have been had I
remained. Elder Taylor did remain and he and Willard
Richards the only ones of the Twelve left in Nauvoo where [were]
with him in prison at his assassination. Had more
of us been there with him in Nauvoo we might some
of us have met the death which Elder John Taylor
but barely escaped. having received
It might have been that Willard Richards who was the
only one whom Joseph wished to stay with him of the
Twelve was also the only one of us who could stay with
him unhurt ^safely^ and he passed through that awful scene
of the martyrdom of our Prophet and Patriarch safe
from personal harm.
I took the parting hand of Joseph
and Hyrum at their own dwelling. Joseph was
standing in his own entery when I took his hand to
bid him farewell. Brother J. M. Grant was with
me. As he took me by the hand he said
"Brother Woodruff, you are now about to start upon
your mission." I answered "Yes." He looked
me steadily in the eye for a time without speaking
He looked as though he would penetrate my very
soul but at the same time seemed unspeakably sorrowful as
though he was weighed down with a foreboding of something
dreadful in the future. He finally spoke in a mournful
voice—"God bless you Brother Woodruff! Go in peasce!"
I turned and left him with a sorrowful heart partaking
of the same spirit that rested upon him. This was the
last time I ever saw his face or heard his voice again
During the following week we journeyed
on our mission held meetings and on the in Newark
Kendall Co George A Smith and myself of the Twelve
held our first conference at which were present various other
officers of the Church. At the close of the conference
Elders Charles C. Rich David Fulmer and Henry Jacobs
arrived from Nauvoo
Next evening we all met at the School
House to deliver a political lecture. I called the meeting
to order and introduced to the assembly Mr Henry Jacobs
who arose and read General J Smiths views of the policy
and powers of the United States Government after
which I introduced ^Mr^ David Fulmer who addressed the
assembly in an effective manner showing the policy
of Joseph and then I urged our claims and right to vote
for our own president and George A Smith closed with
a spirited political address. The next evening we
also held another meeting for the same object and had
quite a time in political spirit ^matter^ and the impression
made on the people was good. We had rode on this
day thirty miles to hold our meeting in a large school
room in Juliett
We continued from place to place
holding meetings reading the views of General Joseph
Smith to public assemblies making political speeches
and placing Joseph before the public as a fitting
candidate for the Presidency of the United States
On the we held the Kalamazoo
Conference in Comstock Kalamazoo Co. Michigan. There
were present 2 of the quorum of the Twelve—Wilford
Woodruff and George A Smith; 3 High Priests ^council^—S. Bent
Charles C. Rich and D. Fulmer; 5 of the High Priest
quorum—H Green, Z Coltrin Moses Smith, E Thayer
and G. Coltrin and also 8 of the Seventies, 14 Elders
2 Priests and 1 Deacon.
The Conference was called to order by
Elder Charles C. Rich when Elder Wilford Woodruff
was chosen to the chair and Elders C. Dun^n^ and
E M Webb as clerks of the Conference.
The various Branches were represented
& President C. C. Rich in council with the officers after
the close of the Conference appointed the Elders to their
stations in the different counties of the state and
he manifested much wisdom in arranging his plans in
carrying out his work both on politics and religion in the
state of Michigan that season
On the we held the Pleasant Valley
Conferance and on the another Conference was held
by us in Franklin Oaklin Co
On the alone I arrived at
Boston and next day had an interview with Elder Brigham
Young. We spent the forepart of the day together
Early in the evening he took cars for
Salem. This was on
The Day of the Martyrdom
Elder Brigham Young and myself were setting together in
the railway station at the time that Joseph and his brother
Hyrum were assassinated. This was at a quarter past
five at Carthage the place of the fiendish tragedy and half past six p.m.
at Boston where Elder Young and myself were. Brigham as we
sat together in the station was very sorrowful and depressed in spirit
without knowing the cause. This was the time that the direst blow
which Satan had struck since the Son of God was crucified sent the
spirits of the Prophet and Patriarch to join the martyred host of God's servants
Too well we afterwards knew why all the Twelve wherever they were
on that day and at that time were like the President of our quorum
very sorrowful and burdened in spirit without knowing why.
Two days afterwards we held the
Boston Conference
of the
Church of ^Jesus^ Latter-Day Saints
at Franklin Hall
.
There was present a majority of the quorum of the
Twelve—namely, Brigham Young its President Heber
C. Kimball Orson Hyde Orson Pratt William Smith
Lyman Wight and Wilford Woodruff; and also a
large number of Elders. Brigham Young
presided.
The Conference continued for two days
and was addressed by Orson Hyde Brigham Young
H. C. Kimball Lyman Wight Orson Pratt and
Wilford Woodruff
The Conference was well attended
the meeting spirity and the discourses instructive
and effectual.
State Convention of Jeffersonian Democracy.
Ticket: General Joseph Smith for the Presidential Chair
Sidney Rigdon Vice President
The Convention met at 10 o clock a.m.
in the Melodian [Melodeon] at Boston, and was organized as
follows
The Hon Brigham Young of Nauvoo President
The Hons William Smith and Gen. Lyman Wight
vice Presidents
The Hon Wilford Woodruff and Professor O Pratt
of Illinois A McAllister Esq of Boston
and N H Felt Esq of Salem secretaries.
The Convention was addressed with much
animation and patriotism during the day and evening
by the President Hons Orson Hyde Daniel Spencer William
Smith and Proffessor Pratt all of Illinois and George B
Wallace of Boston
A Preamble and many important
Resolutions were adopted all of which together with the
proceedings of the meeting were published in the Boston
Times of .
The Melodian was crowded in
the evening and it was soon evident that a large number
of rowdies were in the galleries and disposed to make
disturbance. Among ^others^ Abby Folsom made her
appearance and arose and commenced speaking while
the President of the Convention was addressing the
meeting. A young man soon afterwards arose and began rowdy conduct
in which he was encouraged by his companions until confusion became
general in the gallery. The police came in to take the
young man out but they were badly beaten by a set of
young desperadoes. After much hard fighting however the
officers succeeded in clearing the gallery of the rowdies but the
meeting was also soon broken up
The Convention was adjourned until the next
day at 4 o'clock at Bunker Hill. Heber C. Kimball
and George B Walace were appointed delegates to the Baltimore
national Convention.
We met at 8 o clock a.m. on the held a council and devided ourselves off into different
parts of the vineyard and each one took several conferences
to attend to
The same night I left the city in
company with Milton Holmes and old companion
and fellow labourer in the ministry whom I had not
met for five years. We left Boston at 7 o clock p.m.
Next day we arrived at Father
Carter's early in the afternoon and found my wifes
father and mother and her brother Fabyan and family
all well.
I descovered on my arrival that brother
S. B. Stoddard and had given out an appointment
for our Conference which was held in Scarboro on
the and in a Presbyterian Meeting House.
There were present of the Elders
Wilford Woodruff S. B. Stoddard Milton Holmes
Elbridge Tufts and Samuel Parker. On the
Sunday afternoon we had an audience of about six
hundred.
In company of Father Carter and Milton Holmes
I left Scarboro on the and rode to Portland and dined
with my brother-in-law Ezra Carter and was about to take
steam boat in the evening for Thomastown and Fox Islands
but in the afternoon we obtained the Boston Times
containing the solemn information of the assassination of the
Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum
Next day I took the cars for Boston
and on the following met with the Saints. They mourned
the loss of the Prophet and Patriarch yet through our meeting
they were strengthened in the faith and the comfort of the
Spirit was with us so that we had a good time together
On the morrow I wrote a letter
to the Editor of the Prophet published in New York
by the friends of our martyred leader giving a word
of exhortation to the Saints abroad to maintain their
integrity and keep the faith and paitence of the
Saints unto death
The following morning we obtained
information from Quincy as late as June 29th giving
full accounts of the horrid affair at Carthage and the
tremendious loss which the Church had sustained.
The Governor himself acknowledged the death of Joseph
and Hyrum to be a wanton murder. The state of
Illinois was in commotion and the Governor Ford had
made Quincy his head quarters and issued a Proclamation
to the citizens of the state. The news of the day
stated that the Mormon Leaders in Nauvoo had done
all they could to restrain the disciples of the martyred
Prophet from vengeance still there was evidently a
disposition of both the people and the troops to destroy
Nauvoo lest the Mormons should hold a fearful
reckoning in the state in their desperation and despair
at the loss and assassination of the Prophet and Patriarch of the Church
The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth.
I again held meeting with the Boston Saints
on Sunday the preached to them in the forenoon ^from Rev Ch VI verse 9, 10, 11, & 12;^ administered
the sacrament in the afternoon and preached again in the evening
I was the only one of the Twelve at that time in Boston.
We had not heard from any of our brethren
of the calamity which had fallen upon us in the great breerevement
of the Church but as I arose on the morning of the two
letters were handed to me one from Erastus Snow and the other
from John E. Page confirming the martyrdom of the Prophet
and Patriarch.
I immediately wrote three letters to Brigham
Young and sent one to Peterboro N. H. one to Lowell
and one to Bradford Mass. I then went direct to the
Post Office and took out a letter directed to G. A. Smith from
his wife in which Mrs Woodruff wrote a few lines to me
which was the first intelligence I had from her since I left
home. She related to me a dream which Joseph had
a few days before he sealed his testimony with his blood
He thought that William and Wilson
Law bound him and cast him into a pit or well
like as Joseph was anciently. [Genesis 37:20] He struggled hard
and got up so that he could look out and he saw
the Laws a little distance off one of them in the
grasp of a tigar and the other in that of a snake
They called to him to come and help them but he told them
they had bound him and he could not; and he thought
in his dream that a brother soon came along and took
him out of the pit.
On the following day
Elder Brigham Young arrived in Boston. I walked
with him to 57 Temple Street and called upon
Sister Vose. Brother Young took the bed and I the arm
chair and here we veiled our faces and gave vent to our
grief. Until now I had not shed a tear since I heard
of the death of the Prophet but my soul had felt nerved
up like steael. After giving vent to our grief in tears
we felt more composed. Brother Brigham left the
city again on the same day
On the following day Elders Orson Hyde
Heber C. Kimball and Orson Pratt arrived in the city
and President Brigham Young also returned and we met
together and held a council. I wrote a letter to the
Prophet advising the Elders who had families in
Nauvoo to go immediately to them and for all the
authorities of the Church to forthwith assemble at
Nauvoo for a council: "By order of the Quorum of
the Twelve. Wilford Woodruff clerk; Brigham
Young President. -[Published in Deseret News Vol VII. No 44]-
That night there was a meeting in a
hall in Washington Street opposite Boydston Hall.
Elder Orson Hyde had advertized to preach on the murder
of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the close of which a
collection was to be taken up to pay his expences
home. I reported a synopsis of his address and
recorded it in my Journal.
At the close of Elder Hyde's discourse
President Brigham Young arose and said he felt disposed
to add his testimony
"Be of good cheer. The testimony is
not in force while the Testator liveth: when he died
it was in force: so it is with Joseph. On the day
of Pentecost there were but one hundred and twenty of
the Saints but at that time there was added three
thousand souls. When God sends a man to do a
work all the devils in hell cannot kill him until he gets through
his work: So with Joseph. He prepared all things gave the keys
to men on the earth and said I may soon be taken from you."
I left Boston on the and arrived at my
father's house in Farmington two days later. I found my father
and stepmother alone, not a child with them in their decline of
life to watch over them
I had but twenty four hours to stay
and I happily improved the time. My father was 67 years
of age and I might never have seen him again in mortality
and my mind had been deeply impressed of late that I
had something to do for my parents
As the sable shades of a serene night
drew her curtain over the earth and stilled the cares of day
we met alone: none but congenial spirits were there. I
arose and with the Spirit like that of Joseph towards his
father Jacob opened my heart to my father and he reciprocated
my sentiments. [Genesis 46:29] I then laid my hands upon his head and
according to the authority of the Priesthood and Apostleship
(confered upon me under the hands of the Twelve Apostles
upon the corner stone of the house of the Lord in Far West
President Brigham Young being mouth) I ordained my
father Aphek Woodruff unto the office of an High
Priest and Patriarch after the order of Melchezedic and and sealed him up unto eternal
I placed upon his head the seals of the covenant in connection
with Bulah Thompson and Azubah Hart—my own
mother and stepmother
life. I shall never forget the deep satisfaction and
heavenly spirit of that night beneath my father's roof
Sleep departed from me and I was wrapt in the
meditations and visions of by gone days and the days
to come and of this life and the one hereafter.
The next day I again left my father's house
and arrived in New York on the next ^following^ morning. I then
took steamboat and found on board Elders Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt
We were bound for Albany at which place when we arrived
we took the rail for Buffaloo and on the way at chSchenectady
we joined Elders B. Young H. C. Kimball and Lyman Wight
making six of our quorum journying homewards together
We reached Buffaloo on the and next
morning took steam boat and in 24 hours reached Cleavland
but Orson Hyde left us at Fairport to visit his family in
Kirtland
Arriving at Detroit we spent the night of the
at the railroad Hotel and the next morning took steamboat
propeller Hercules for Chicago.
This was Sunday. I spent a part of
the day in writing. We had good state rooms and was
comfortable. We spoke much of our famlies and the death
of Joseph and Hyrum, and we felt anxious to get home
President Young expressed his feelings to
me upon a variety of subjects and among other things he said
he wished me to keep an account of things as he should
look to me for his Journal some day. I had an
interesting time with Lyman Wight talking over old times
and looking forward to new ones
Joseph's Presentiment that he would not see the Age of Forty.
During our conversation Lyman Whight informed me
that Joseph told him while they were in Jaol [jail] together ^in^ that he
Missouri that he should not live to see his fortieth year
of age but bid him not to reveal it until he was dead.
Two nights before our arrival in Nauvoo
Elder Kimball had a dream which he related to us. He
thought he was preaching to a large congregation upon the policy of the nation
and of the work of God, and he said Joseph had laid the foundation and we
should have to carry out his measures. Joseph was himself present and heard all
and sanctioned it. All seamed perfectly natural
We stoped at various places going down the Mississippi:
among others the town of Burlington. We then prepared our
minds to once more behold the city of Nauvoo and embrace
our famlies and friends
^^ We were landed at the upper stone
house at 8 oin the evening and were welcomed with joy
by all the citizens we met. We hired a coach and I
accompanied my brethren to their families after which I
was conveyed to my own and truly felt to rejoice to once
more meet with my wife children and friends
When we landed in the city of Nauvoo
a deep gloom seemed to rest over it which we never experienced
before. This was August the 6th
The I went through the
city of Nauvoo saw many friends and met in council with
the quorum of the Twelve at Elder Taylor's whom we found
recovering from his wounds received at the massacre of the
Prophet and Patriarch of the Church
We felt to rejoice at again having
the privilege of meeting together in council in Nauvoo
after passing through such trying scenes and to be welcomed
by the Saints who considered it providential for the Twelve
to arrive at this particular juncture when their minds were
agitated their hearts sorrowfull and darkness seemed to
cloud their path feeling like sheep without a shepherd their
beloved Prophet having been taken away
We spent the forepart of the day in
council at brother Taylor's and in the afternoon at 4 o'clock
the Twelve the High Council and the High Priests met
at the Seventies Hall
After prayer by Wm. Marks President of the
stake President Brigham Young called upon President Rigdon
to make a statement to the Church concerning his message to
the Saints and the vision and revelation he had received
President Rigdon said, The object of my mission
is to visit the Saints and offer myself to them as a Guardian
I had a vision at Pittsburg June the 27th. This was presented
to my mind not as an open vision but rather a continuation
of the vision mentioned in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
It was shown to me that this Church must
be built up to Joseph and that all the blessings we receive
must come through him. I have been ordained a spokesman
to Joseph and I must come to Nauvoo and see that the
Church is goverened in a proper manner. Joseph sustains the
same relationship to this Church as he has always done. No
man can be the successor of Joseph
The kingdom is to be built up to Jesus Christ
through Joseph. There must be revelation still. The
martyred Prophet is still the head of this Church. Every quorum
should stand as you stood in your washings and consecrations
I have been consecrated a spokesman to Joseph and I
was commanded to speak for him. The Church is not disorganized
though our head is gone
We may have a diversity of feelings
on this matter. I have been called to be a spokesman unto
Joseph and I want to build up the Church unto him and
if the people want me to sustain this place I want it upon
the principle that every individual shall acknowledge it for
himself.
I propose to be a Guardian to the people
In this I have discharged my duty and done what God has
commanded me and the people can please themselves
whether they accept me or not"
President Brigham Young said, "I do not care who
leads the Church even though it were Ann Lee; but one thing
I must know and that is what God says about it. I have
the Keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on
the subject
I know there are those in our midst who
will seek the lives of the Twelve as they did the lives of Joseph
and Hyrum. We shall ordain others and give the fulness
of the Priesthood so that if we are killed the fulness of the
priesthood may remain
Joseph confered upon our heads all the
keys and powers belonging to the Apostleship which he
himself held before he was taken away and no man or
set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in
this world or in the world to come
How often has Joseph said to the Twelve
I have laid the foundation and you must build thereon
for upon your shoulders the Kingdom rests
The Twelve as a quorum will not be
permitted to tarry here long. They will go abroad and
bear off the Kingdom to the nations of the earth and baptize
the people faster than mobs can kill them off. I would
like were it my privilege to take my valise and travel and
preach until we had a people gathered who would be true
My private feelings would be to let
the affairs of men and women alone & only go and preach
and baptize them into the Kingdom of God; yet whatever
duty God places upon me in His strength I intend to fulfill
it.
I want to see this people with the various quorums
of the Priesthood assemble together in Special Conference
on Tuesday next at 10 o clock a.m." (which was carried
unanimously by vote)
At the request of William Marks who was
then Presiding over the Stake a special meeting was held next
morning at 10 o'clock to choose a Guardian or President and
Trustee. Sidney Rigdon took his position in a waggon
about two rods in front of the stand and harangued the
Saints for about an hour and a half upon chosing a
Guardian for the Church. The meeting was then dismissed
when President Brigham Young gave out an appointment
for the brethren to assemble at 2 o'clock
At the appointed time the brethren
came together. Present of the Twelve—Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball Parley P. Pratt Orson Pratt Willard
Richards Wilford Woodruff and George A Smith
The several quorums were organized on and around the
Stand according to order.
The meeting being opened President
Brigham Young arose and said, Attention all!
This congregation makes me thingk of the days of king
Benjamin the multitude being so great that all could
not hear. [Mosiah 2:7-8] I request the brethren not to have any feeling
for being convened this afternoon for it is necessary. We
want you all to be still and give attention that all may
hear. Let none complain because of the situation of
the congregation. We will do the best we can
For the first time in my life—for the
first time in your lives—for the first time in the
Kingdom of God in the nineteenth century without a
Prophet at our head do I step forth to act in my calling
in connection with the quorum of the Twelve as Apostles
of Jesus Christ unto this generation—Apostles whom
God has called by revelation through the Prophet Joseph
who are ordained and anointed to bear off the Keys of
the kingdom of God in all the world.
This people have hitherto walked by sight and not by
faith. You have had the Prophet in your midst. Do you all
understand? You have walked by sight and without much
pleading to the Lord to know whether things were right or not.
Heretofore you have had a Prophet as the mouth of the Lord to
speak to you, but he has sealed his testimony with his blood;
and now for the first time are you called to walk by faith and
not by sight.
The first position I take in behalf of the Twelve
and the people is to ask a few questions. I ask the Latter-
day Saints, do you as individuals at this time want to
choose a Prophet or a guardian? Inasmuch as our Prophet
and Patriarch are taken from our midst do you want
some one to guard to guide and lead you through this
world into the Kingdom of God or not? All that want
some person to be a guardian or a Prophet a spokesman
or something else signify it by raising the right hand
-[No votes]-
When I came to this stand I had peculiar
feelings and impressions. The faces of this people
seemed to say we want a Shepherd to guide and lead us
through this world. All who want to draw away
a party from the Church after them let them do it
if they can but they will not prosper
If any man thinks he has influence among
this people to lead away a party let him try it and he
will find out that there is power with the Apostles which
will carry them off victorious through all the world and
build up and defend the Church and Kingdom of God
What do the people want? I feel as
though I wanted the privilege to weep and mourn for
thirty days at least, then rise up shake myself
and tell the people what the Lord wants of them
Although my heart is too full of mourning to launch forth into
business transactions and the organization of the Church I feel
compelled this day to step forth in the discharge of those duties
God has placed upon me
I now wish to speak of the organization
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If the
Church is organized and you want to know how it is
organized I will tell you. I know your feelings. Do
you want me to tell your feelings?
Here is President Rigdon who was Counselor
to Joseph. I ask, where are Joseph and Hyrum?
They are gone beyond the veil and if Elder Rigdon wants
to act as his counselor he must go beyond the veil where
he is
There has been much said about President
Rigdon being President of the Church and leading the
people, being the head &c &c. Brother Rigdon has
come 1600 miles to tell you what he wants to do for
you. If the people want President Rigdon to lead them
they may have him; but I say unto you that the
quorum of the Twelve have the Keys of the Kingdom
in all the world
The Twelve are appointed by the finger
of God. Here is Brigham; have his knees ever faltered?
Have his lips ever quivered? Here is Heber and the rest
of the Twelve an indipendant body who have the
Keys of the Priesthood—the Keys of the Kingdom of
God to deliver to all the world: this is true, so help
me God! They stand next to Joseph and are as the
First Presidency of the Church
I do not know whether my enemies will
take my life or not and I do not care for I want to be
with the man I love.
You cannot fill the office of a Prophet Seer and
Revelator: God must do this. You are like children without
a father and sheep without a shepherd. You must not appoint
any man at your head; if you should the Twelve must ordain
him. You cannot appoint a man at your head but if you
do want any other man or men to lead you take them and
we will go our way to build up the kingdom of God in all
the world
I know who are Joseph's friends and who are
his enemies. I know where the keys of the Kingdom are
and where they will eternally be. You cannot call a man
to be a Prophet; You cannot take Elder Rigdon and place
him above the Twelve; if so he must be ordained by them
I tell you there is an over anxiety to hurry
matters here. You cannot take any man and put him
at the head; You would scatter the Saints to the four
winds; You would sever the Priesthood. So long as we
remain as we are the heavenly head is in constant co-operation
with us; and if you go out of that course God will have
nothing to do with you
Again some perhaps think that our
beloved brother Rigdon would not be honoured—would not
be looked to as a friend; but if he does right and remains
faithful he will not act against our counsel nor we against
his but act together and we shall be as one
I again repeat, no man can stand
at our head except God reveals it from the heavens. I have
spared no pains to learn my lesson of the kingdom in
this world and in the eternal worlds and if it were not so
I could go and live in peace; but for the Gospel and your
sakes I shall stand in my place. We are liable to be
killed all the day long. You have never lived by faith.
Brother Joseph the Prophet has laid
the foundation for a great work and we will build upon it: you have never
seen the quroums built one upon another. There is an almighty foundation
laid and we can build a kingdom such as there never was in the
world: we can build a kingdom faster that Satan can kill the
Saints off.
What do you want? Do you want a Patriarch for
the whole Church? To this we are perfectly willing. If brother
Samuel H Smith had been living it would have been his
right and privilege; but he is dead. He is gone to Joseph and
Hyrum; he is out of the reach of bullets and spears and he
can waft himself with his brothers his friends and the Saints
Do you want a Patriarch? Here is brother William
left; here is uncle John Smith, uncle to the Prophet Joseph left
It is their right. The right of the Patriarchal Priesthood belongs
to Joseph's family.
Do you want a Trustee in Trust? Has there
been a Bishop who has stood in his lot yet? What is his
business? To take charge of the temporal affairs so that
the Twelve and the Elders may go on therir business. Joseph
condescended to do their business for them. Joseph
condescended to offer himself for the Presidency of the United
States and it was a great condescension.
Do you want a spokesman? Here
are Elder Rigdon brother Amasa Lyman (whom Joseph
expected to take as a counsellor) and myself. Do you want
the Church properly organized or do you want a spokesman
to be a chief cook and bottle washer. Elder Rigdon claims to be
spokesman to the Prophet. Very well, he was; but can
he now act in that office? If he wants now to be a
spokesman to the Prophet he must go to the other side
of the veil for the Prophet is there but Elder Rigdon is here. Why
will Elder Rigdon be a fool? Who knows anything of the Priesthood
or of the organization of the Kingdom of God? I am plain.
Does the Church want it as God organized it? or do you want to
clip the power of the Priesthood and let those who have the Keys go
and build up the Kingdom in all the world wherever the people will
hear them?
If there is a spokesman, if he is King and Priest let
him go and build up a Kingdom unto himself. That is his right. It
is the right of many here; but the Twelve are at the head of it.
I want to live on the earth and spread truth through
all the world. You Saints of Latter-days want things right. If
ten thousand rise up and say they have the Prophet Joseph Smith's
shoes I know they are impostors. In the Priesthood you have
a right to build up a kingdom if you know how the Church
is organized.
Now if you want Sidney Rigdon or William Law
to lead you or anybody else you are welcome to them; but I
tell you in the name of the Lord that no man can put
another between the Twelve and the Prophet Joseph. Why?
Because Joseph was their file leader and he has committed
into their hands the keys of the kingdom in this last
dispensation for all the world. Don't put a thread
between the Priesthood of God
I ask who has stood next to Joseph and Hyrum?
I have; and I will stand next to him. We have a head
and that head is the Apostleship, the spirit and power of
Joseph and we now can begin to see the necessity of that
Apostleship.
Brother Rigdon was at his side—not above.
No man has a right to councisel the Twelve but Joseph Smith
Think of these sayings ^things^. You cannot appoint a Prophet but
if you let the Twelve remain and act in their place the keys
of the kingdom are with them and they can manage the affairs
of the Church and direct all things aright
Now all this does not lessen the character of
President Rigdon. Let him magnify his calling and Joseph will
want him beyond the veil. Let him be careful what
he does lest that thread which bind us together be cut assunder
May God bless us all."
Much more was said by President Young
which I did not write.
Amasa Lyman said: I do not arise to electioneer. I am gratified
with the open frank and plain exposition of President Young. He has seen
the relation I bear to my desceacsed brother. I never did conceive it gave
me precedance to go before the Twelve
I do not make any exceptions to anything he has
said. I beleive there is no power or officer or means wanted to
carry on the work but what is in the Twelve. I am satisfied that
no man can carry on the work but the power which is in the Twelve
as has been said
There is one thing to secure the salvation of
this people and that is not in union alone. It is for you to know
the right and be united—it has been presented by President Young
All I design to do is to redeem my pledge
President Young has stood next to the Prophet
Joseph with the Twelve and I have stood next to them and I will
stand next to them. I have been at the back of Joseph Smith and
will be at the back of the Twelve forever and then we will be
saved.
There is no nead of a President. We have a head
here. What is that head? The quorum of the Twelve Apostles
are that head. We now see the necessitty of the Apostleship
I might rise up as well as any other man to
ask for the Presidency; but I could not do it without endangering my
salvation. This is the power that turns the key to bestow salvation
through all the land in the way that Joseph commenced it—the
first one called to do the same in all the world. If Joseph
had any power to bear off the Kingdom of God the Twelve
have the same.
I could not advocate the choosing of a President and myself a candidate
so then you know the place I occupy is to stand to the Twelve the same as the
Twelve did to Joseph either on one side or the other. I do not want to go before
them or to fall asleep. I want to see the kingdom roll forth by our united
faith and efforts"
President Rigdon called upon W. W. Phelps to speak in
his behalf as he could not speak himself
W. W. Phelps arose and said: With the knowledge I have
I cannot but suppose that this congregation will act right this day. I believe
enough has been said to prepare the minds of the people to act
I have known many of them for 14 years and I have
always known them to submit with defference to the authorities of the Church
I have seen the Elders of Israel and the people take their lives in their
hands and go without purse or scrip in winter and in summer I
have seen them prepare for war and ready to pour out their hearts blood
and that is an evidence that they will walk by counsel
I am happy to see this little lake of faces and
to see the same disposition and spirit manifested here to day as
it was the day after the bloody tragedy when Joseph and Hyrum
Smith was brought home dead to this city: then you submitted to
the law's slow delay and handed the matter over to God. And
I see the same thing here to day. You are now determined as
one man to sustain the authorities of the Church and I cam happy
that the men who were on Joseph's right and left hand submit
themselves to the authority of the Priesthood
I have feelings about this especially for President
Rigdon and I want to say that there is a quorum that the Twelve
belong to and that the people will receive an endowment. I brought
President Rigdon into that quorum and he receved in part the blessings. I
could not bear the thought of President Rigdon going into the world
he did receive part and I hope he will submit
I want Brother Amasa Lyman to stand on
the side of the Twelve and they are wanted there still. let them go
on and sustain them in that high office. You cannot put in a
guardian of the Church
We have hitherto walked by sight and if any man
wanted to know anything he had only to go to brother Joseph.
Joseph is gone but he has not left us comfortless
I want to say that brother Joseph came and
enlightened me two days after he was burried: he came to me the
same as when he was alive and in a moment appeared to me in
his own house. He said tell the drivers to drive on. I asked
^if the building was on wheels?^ He said certainly. I spoke and away it went. We drove all
round the hills and valleys. He then told the drivers to drive
on over the hill into Iowa. I told him Devil Creek was before
us. He said drive over Devil Creek; I dont care for Devil Creek
or any other creek, and we did so; then I awoke.
There is a combination of persons in this city who
are in continual intercourse with William and Wilson Law who are
at the bottom of the matter to destroy all that stand for Joseph
and there are persons now in this city who are only wanting power
to murder all who still stand for him; but let us go ahead and
build up the Temple and then you will be endowed: when the
Temple is compleated all the honourable mothers in Israel will
be endowed as well as the Elders.
If they want to do right uphold the Twelve;
If they die I am willing to die with them: but do your duty
and you will be endowed. I will sustain the Twelve as long as I
have breath.
When Joseph was going away he said he was going
to die and I said I was willing to die with him; but as I am now
alive as a lawyer in Israel I am determined to live
I want you all to recolect that Joseph and
Hyrum have only been removed from the earth and they now
counsel and converse with the Gods beyond the reach of powder
and ball.
Parley P. Pratt remarked: What has been said has been well
said. If there are men here who are our enemies I tell you when they will
cease to be here: they will be here while you will deal with them. If I
exchange property or deal with men I do it with those whom I know to be
faithful
If there are wicked men here it is because we support them
Stop dealing with them and they will go away. Will I support them?
No; I would deal with all honest men whom I know to be such.
I am willing to do good to all men especially
to the household of faith. Our enemies will cease to dwell here when
you cease to deal with them. Mobs and wicked men will cease
when you cease to support them. I know we can all live and
be happy too when we deal with honest men. If a man wants
a doctor or a lawyer he will send directly for the worst man he can
find. I would die a natural death sooner than I would have
a wicked doctor to healp me off. I would go without sueing all
the days of my life before I would go to a lawyer to sue. I will
not say anything about the merchants because you all know them
President Brigham Young again arose and said:
"There is more business than can be done this afternoon but we can
accomplish all we want to have done without without calling
this convention of the whole Church. I am going to present to
you the leading items
I do not ask you to take my counsel or advise
alone but every one of you act for yourself; but if brother Rigdon
is the person you want to lead you vote for him but not
unless you intend to follow him and support him any as
you did Joseph. Do not say so unless you mean to
take his counsel hereafter
And I would say the same for the
Twelve. Dont make a covenant to support them unless
you intend to abide by their counsel and if they do not
counsel you as you please dont turn round and oppose them.
I want every man before he enters into a
covenant to know what he is going to do; but we want to know
if this people is going to support the Priesthood. In the name
of Israel's God if you say you will, do so
We want men appointed to take charge of
the business that did lay on the shoulders of Joseph. Let
me say to you that this Kingdom will spread more than ever
The Twelve have the power now the Seventies the Elders and
all of you can have power to go and build up the Kingdom
in the name of Israel's God.
Nauvoo will not hold all the people who
will come into the Kingdom. We want to build the Temple
so as to get our endowment and if we do our best and Satan
will not let us build it we will go into the wilderness and
we will receive the endowment for we will receive an
endowment anyhow
Will you abide our counsel? I again
say my souls for any man's if they will abide our counsel
that they will go right into heaven. We have all the signs
and tokens to give to the porter at the door and he will let us
in
I ask you as quorums do you want Bro
Rigdon to stand forward as your leader your guide your
spokesman. President Rigdon wants me to bring up
the other question first and that is does the Church want and
is it their ownly desire to sustain the Twelve as the First Presidency
of this people?
Here are the Apostles the Bible the Book of
Mormon the Doctrine and Covenants they are written on the
tablet of my heart. If the Church want the Twelve to
stand as the head—the First Presidency of the Church and at
the head of this kingdom in all the world stand next to Joseph
walk up unto their calling and hold the keys of this kingdom every man
every woman isevery quorum is now put in order and you are now the
sole controllers of it.
All who are in favour ^of^ this in all the congregation of
the Saints manifest it by holding up the right hand. -[There was
a universal vote.]- If there are any of the contrary mind—every
man and every woman who does not want the Twelve to preside
lift up your hands in like manner. -[No hands up.]- This
supersedes the other question and trying it by quorums
We feel as though we could take brother
Rigdon in our bosom along with us. We want such men as
brother Rigdon. He has been sent away by brother Joseph to
build up a Kingdom. Let him keep the instructions and
calling; let him raise up a mighty kingdom in Pittsburg
and we will lift up his hands to Almighty God. I think
we may have a printing office and a gathering there. If
the devil still trys to kill us he will have enough to do.
The next is President Marks. Our feeling
is to let him stand as President of the Stake as heretofore
We can build the Temple &c.
You did not know who you had amongst
you. Joseph so loved this people that he gave his life for
them. Hyrum loved his brother and this people unto death
Joseph and Hyrum hasve given their lives for the Church.
But very few knew Joseph's character. He loved you unto
death. You did not know it until after his death. He has
now sealed his testimony with his blood
If the Twelve had been here we would
not have seen him given up. He should not have been given
up. He was in your midst but you did not know him
He has been taken away for the people are not worthy of
him
The world is wide. I can preach in England
Ireland Scotland France Germany &c; I can preach in all the world and
the devils cannot find us. I will sware to you I will not
be given up.
There is much to be done. You have
men among you who sleep with one eye open. The foundation
is laid by our Prophet and we will build thereon. No other
foundation can be laid but that which is laid and wee will
have our endowment if the Lord will
As the authorities do not want us to do
military duty dont do it. If it is necessary my kneck
is ready for the knife. As for myself I am determined
to build up the Kingdom of God and by the bye there will
be a gleaning of grapes and it may be said "to your tents
O Israel"
We can build on the foundation which
was laid by the Prophet. Joseph has finished his work
and all the Devils in hell and all the mobers on earth could
not take his life until he had accomplished his work. God
said I will put a veil over his eyes and lead him up
to the slaughter like a sheep to be killed for the people
are not worthy of him though God loves this people
Let no man suppose that the Kingdom
is rent from you that it is not organized. If all the quorums of
the Church were slain except the High Priest they would rise up
with the keys of the Kingdom and have the power of the Priesthood
upon them and build up the Kingdom and the devil cannot
help himself
You can go to a healthy country buy the land
and dont let a cursed scoundrel get in your midst. Let there be
good men good women and whenever a man comes with a wheelbarrow
full of goods dont let him land dont let him a house or buy
of him
Suppose we had ten thousand such places and
increasing in greatness perfectly free from these poor devils we should feel
better than we do now. Let us all be humble and get our endowments
all be humble industrious and prudent what sort of a kingdom would it
be? The foundation is laid for more than we can think or talk
about to day
Is it the will of this congregation that they will
be thith ^tithed^ until the Temple is finished as they have heretofore been?
If so signify it by the uplifted hand -[The vote was unanimous]-
The men will act who never acted before
and they will have the power and authority to do it. Is it the
minds of the congregation to loose the hands of the Twelve and
enable us to go and preach to all the world? We want to know
the feelings of the people. Is it your will to support the Twelve
in all the world in their missions. -[The congregation sustained
this question by a unanimous vote]- Will you leave it to
the Twelve to dictate about the finances of the Church and will
it be the mind of this people that the Twelve teach what will
be the duties of the Bishops in handling the affairs of the
Church. I want this because Twelve men can do it just as
well as calling this immense congregation together at any other
time -[A unanimous vote]-
We shall have a Patriarch and the
right is in the family of Joseph Smith—his brothers his sons
or some ones of his relations. Here is Uncle John he has
been ordained a Patriarch. Brother Samuel would have
taken the office had he been alive. It would have been
his right. The right is in Uncle John or one of his brothers
-[read Doctrine and Covenants sec III Par 17]- I know that it would
have belonged to Samuel but as it is if you leave it to the
Twelve they will wait until they know who is the man
Will you leave it to the Twelve and they dictate in the
matter -[unanimous vote]- I know it will be let alone for the
present.
I feel to bring up brother Rigdon. We are of
one mind with him and he with us. Will this congregation uphold
him in the place he occupies by the prayer of faith and let him
be one with us and we with him -[unanimous]- The Twelve will
dictate and see to other matters. There will be a committee
for the Temple and now let men stand to their posts and
be faithful"
The Conference adjourned to Oct. the 6th with
the Benediction from Elder Parley P. Pratt.
The next day I attended a council and we
appointed two Trustees in Trust for the Church—namely George Miller
and N. K. Whitney
Nauvoo at this juncture of our Church
history was seeing gloomy times. The Prophet and Patriarch was
gone from us and there was but little ambition in the people
for a time to do anything though they were very busy working
on the Temple.
A Council of the Twelve
Monday August the th
Present: Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball Parley
P. Pratt Orson Pratt Willard Richards Wilford Woodruff John Taylor and George A Smith
Voted: That Amasa Lyman is one of the Twelve Apostles
Voted: That the Estate of Joseph Smith settle its own
debts and the Church have nothing to do with it
Voted: To organize the Continant of America into districts
and to appoint High Priests to preside over each
Voted: That Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards
district the continant of America and appoint Presidents over the several
districts."
The meeting adjourned till 1 o'clock and met again
at 3.
Moved by Heber C. Kimball that Elder Wilford Woodruff
take a mission to England and preside over the Church and printing
establishment in England Ireland Scotland and the adjacent Isles and
continant. -[Carried]-
Voted: That the general superintendance direction and control
of the emigration in England be at the disposal of Brigham
Young President of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Brigham Young President of the Council
Willard Richards clerk.
Sunday the th a vast congregation of the Saints
assembled at the grove to hear a discourse from President Young
upon the excitement then prevailing in Nauvoo in consequence
of some trying to draw away parties after them
Discourse of President Brigham Young
(synopsis from my Journal)
I have many things to speak of. It was
my mind in the first place that we should have suitable time
to meditate upon all matters and weigh them even every subject
wherin we felt interested. When the question was asked me if
they should continue to baptize for the dead I said I had no counsel to
give upon that subject at present but should think it not best to attend
to it at that time
I have learned some things I did not know
when I came home. I discover a disposition in the sheep to
scatter abroad now the Shepherd is taken away. I do not say
that it will never be right for this people to go from here or scatter
abroad but let them wait until the time comes and until they
get counsel to do so
The report has gone through the city
that the Twelve have secret understanding with those men
who are going away and taking companies with them that
they shall take all they can and that although the Twelve will
blow it up yet privately they wish it to go on but if it was
the last words I had to say before going into the eternal world
I would sware by the Holy Trinity that it is utterly false and
and not one word of truth in it. There is no man who has any
right to lead away one soul out of this city by the consent of the
Twelve except Lyman Wight and George Miller who have had
the privilege of taking the Pine Company where they pleased
but not another soul has the consent of the Twelve to go
with them
There is no man who has any liberty
to lead away people into the wilderness from this Church or
to lead them anywhere else by the consent of the Twelve or the
Church except the case above named and I tell you in the
name of Jesus Christ that if Lyman Wight and George Miller
take a course contrary to our counsel and will not act in
concert with us they will be damned and go to distruction
If men will not stop striving to be great and exalted and
lead away parties from us and striving to weaken our
hands they will fall and not rise again and I will destroy
their influence in this Church with the help of God and
my brethren. I wish you to distinctly understand that the counsel of
the Twelve is for every family that does not belong to the Pine Company
to stay here in Nauvoo build up the Temple and get their endowment
Dont scatter. United we stand divided we fall
It has been whispered about that all who go
into the wilderness with Wight and Miller will get their endowment
but they cannot give an endowment in the wilderness. If we
do not carry out the plan laid down by Joseph and the pattern
he has given for us to work by we cannot get any further
endowment. I want it to sink deep into your hearts that
you may remember it. I repeat it. Let me reason with you
If you stir up the flame of dissent will you get an endowment? No.
You get a party to run here and another there and divide our strength
and weaken our hands and we shall be left and our enemies will flock
around us and destroy us. In that case you will not get your
endowment but will sink and not rise—go to hell and not to the bosom
of Abraham
Do the people leave here because they are
affraid? Do you fear those who have power to kill the body
If you leave this place for fear of ^the^ mob before God tells you to go
you will have no place of rest but you will flee from place to
place and go like the Jews until God raises up some other
people to redeem you for if the Devil scares you from this
place he will scare you from all other places.
Let no man go from this place but the
Pine Company brethren but stay here sow plant & build. Put in your
plowshares into the praries. One plowshare will do more to
drive off the mob than two guns. Let us stay here
where the bones of Joseph and Hyrum Samuel Don Carlos
and Father Smith are. Joseph has said if I am slain
in battle or fall in any way I want my body laid in
Nauvoo. I had rather have the dead body of the Prophet
than some men who are alive and I should rather have
the clothes of the Prophet stuffed with straw for President
of the United States than any man whose name is now before
the ^nation^ for a candidate for he would not do as much harm
We want to build the Temple in this place. If we have to build
it as the Jews built the walls of the Temple in Jerusalem
with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. How
easily some men are scared. I have never been frightened
yet and I know other men who have not
Do you suppose the mouth of God
is closed to be opened no more unto us. If this was so I
would not give the ashes of a rie straw for the salvation
of the Church. If God has ceased to speak by the
Holy Ghost or relavelation there is no salvation; but this is not
the case
There seems to be a disposition manifested
by many to leave Nauvoo and go into the wilderness or
somewhere else. But what if we should go into the
wilderness and we should ask God to give us an
endowment and he should ask us if we were driven
from Nauvoo and who drove us. The Devil
drove us would be the answer. "Well" he might
say "did you not know that I had power over the
devil" Yes; but one said "I would not give a Jack
knife for all Nauvoo and another said I would not
give a pair of mules for the best farm in Hancock County
& I was affraid.
Would the Lord give an endowment to
a people who was frightened away from their duty
These who are wishing to lead away parties contrary to counsel
I would not wish them damned worse than to have a company
after their own likeing for they will soon quaral among
themselves
If we should go into the wilderness
and ask the Lord to give us an endowment he might ask
us saying "Did I not give you rock in Nauvoo to
build the Temple with?"
"Yes."
"Did I not through my Providence furnish men to quary
and cut the stone and prepare it for the building"
"Yes."
"Did I not give you means to build the Temple there?
"Yes."
"Very well, had you died in Nauvoo on the walls
of the Temple or in your fields I would have taken you to
myself and raised up men to officiate for you and you would
have enjoyed the highest glory. Did you make a
sacrifice by tithing?
"No"
"Well I dont wonder you did not believe I had power over the
devil."
Such may go away. But I want to have
the faithful stay here and settle this city. We shall require the
truth of all your property as the tithing for the building of the Temples
for the poor and for the Priesthood. I want my support and living by
the Church hereafter so that I can give my whole time to the
business of the Church. I have always supported myself heretofore
in all my travels and labours
While in England in one year we circulated 60,000
tracts upon our doctrine. This ought to be done in all the world and
it can be where the Elders are faithful to their calling
Joseph the Testator has been preserved till
now but he has now sealed his testimony with his bolood and his testament
should be put in force. While the Testator lived it was all in his own
hands but now he is dead
There is no remission of sins without the sheding
of blood. You will soon wake up and know things as they are
There has been a great debt paid. There will be no need of more
blood of the Saints being shed at present. By and by you will
understand and see that all is right
Wo! Wo! Wo! unto all who have shed the blood of the
Saints and the Lord's Anointed. It must needs be that offences
come but wo unto them by whom they come
To those who want to go away from this
place I would say wait until the time comes. I will give you
the key. North and South America is Zion and as soon as
the Temple is done and you get your endowment you can go and
build up stakes but dont be in haste. Wait until the Lord
says, Go.
If you have the Spirit of God you can discern
right from wrong. When all is right in the Priesthood and a man
rises up and speaks in the Spirit of God and just right all will
say Amen; but when a man rises up and talks as smooth as
oil if he is not right there will be many queries about it. It will
not edify the body. I give this as a key
You may go all over North and South America
^and build up stakes^ when the time comes. The whole continant of America must be
organized into Districts and Presiding Elders appointed over
each district. The time has come when all things must
be set in order. I have had these things upon my mind all
long time. The time has come now for bickering to cease
There must be a strict order of things and we are no longer bound
to harbor blacklegs counterfeiters ^&^ bogus makers. We know
all about them. They have been in our midst long enough. I
advise all the Saints to have no dealing with such men. Let
them alone. The time has come that they should be whiped
out of our midst. Let those men alone—let the ungodly
dealers alone. And as to the Doctors who are in our midst
who are our enemies I would say let them alone also for I have
no doubt that three to one who have died in this place had a
doctor
And I would say wo unto you lawyers
for your whole study is to put down truth and put a lie in its stead. I want
the lawyers to know that we have common sense. They want to make
you believe that when you spell baker you mean cider or wiskey
Now let the Doctors and Lawyers alone and leave off bitterness and
evil speaking and you will build the Temple and get an endowment
All you lawyers go away and let us alone and when we get full of the
devil and want you we will send for you. We may then have a
more convenient season
I want to say to the Saints do not harbour
blacklegs counterfeiters & bogus makers. Wipe them away. It is time
to carry out the design of our Prophet. Do cease to employ doctors
lawyers and merchants who will use your purse and then mob
you. Store your grain in Nauvoo for you will want it
there to eat while you are building the Temple
I want to say to the hands upon the Temple
be united and to the committee I would say dont turn away any
person because he is an Englishman Scotchman Irishman or any other
nation but employ every man you can and build the Temple and
your homes.
I would rather pay out every cent to build up
this place and get an endowment even if I was driven the next minute
without anything to take with me.
As to the doctors let them go. I can prove
that a doctor in this place doctored a woman who was in the family way
and he did not know it until she was delivered and both the woman
and child died and if you employ them you will all die; but the
time has come when you neead no longer support them
There is a distinction between the law of
the land and the law of the Church. You have the privilege of
keeping all shops that does not come in contact with the law of
the state county or city so I will evade the law says the dealer
and give away wiskey and sell a little tobaco or something else
and charge enough for both but the law of the Church will reach
such men if they are members for they will be cut off
I had a dream which I will here relate.
I saw a fruit tree and I went into the tree to search for fruit. I
soon descovered that some of the main branches on the top growing
from the main body was dead. It seamed necessary to cut
off the dead branches in order to save the tree. So I told
some person to help me cut them off and he steped on to a large
green limb. They were affraid it would break so I put my
shoulder under it and held it up while he cut off the dead
branches. It cracked the green limb but it did not break
After we cut off the dead branches the wounds healed up and
the tree grew finely
Now let us cut off the dead branches
of the Church that good fruit may grow and the voice will
soon be heard go and build Zion and the great Temple of
the Lord.
A word unto the Seventies. They will
be organized into their different quorums and a presidency of
of seven men will be chosen out of the first Seventy to preside
over each quorum
Now as you have been warned let
every man warn his neighbour and we will give every man
his appointment as soon as convenient
May the Lord bless you in the name
of Jesus Christ Amen.
In the afternoon the assembly was again
addressed in a simlar strain by Heber C. Kimball and
President Young but I was at home writing and hence
did not take notes; and in the evening in company with
Mrs Woodruff I rode out to bro John Benbows and spent the
night. We came to the conclusion to leave our only son
Wilford with brother and Sister Benbow while I took
my mission to England accompanied by my wife
Returning the next day I met in Council with the Twelve
We conversed concerning the route we should take and it was thought that
the northern route would be the healthiest. Among other things some
dreams were rehearsed. The following was told by myself:
"I met with Joseph Smith in the congregation
of the Saints. He had his old Hebrew and German Bible and preached
to the Saints but he seamed to be too thronged by the people and he
rose up lifted up a curtain and passed into another room where the
people could not disturb him and there he was going to teach
the people.
The following is from the hand of Brigham
Young:
Certificate
"I hereby certify that Elder Wilford Woodruff has received
a mission by order of the quorum of the Twelve to England to
preside over the Churches in that land and I feel to bless him
in the name of the Lord with all belonging to or dwelling
beneath his roof at this time consisting of his wife and
children and sister Mary who is assisting them
to get on their journey.
Brigham Young
On the rd I visited Emma Smith the
widow of the Prophet. She let me have a piece of oak
for a staff out of the coffin of the martyred Joseph. She
also let me have a pair of white cotton gloves a^nd^ Mrs Woodruff a
pocket ^cotton^ handkerchief both of which were woren ^worn^ by the Prophet while
living
We called upon Sister Mary Smith widow
of Hyrum the Patriarch and she gave us some hair from
the heads of Joseph, Hyrum Samuel and Don Carlos Smith all
brothers and the same parents. I also obtained some hair of the
quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints. My intention in obtaining the hair was that
I might put a portion of each in the knob of my staff as a relick
of those noble men—the master spirits of the nineteenth century
I next visited Mother Lucy Smith the
parent of Joseph—the Lord's Anointed—and of Hyrum Samuel
and Don Carlos, and the wife of Joseph the First Patriarch of
the last dispensation all of whom directly or indirectly fell martyrs
for the cause of God. The old Mother and Prophetess felt
most heart broken at the loss of her children and from the wicked
and cruel treatment she had received from the hands of the
world. She beged a blessing at my hand. I laid my
hands upon her head and by the Spirit of God proclaimed
the following
Blessing
of
Mother Lucy Smith
under the hands of Wilford Woodruff
on the
Beloved Mother in Israel
According to your request I lay
my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom
of God to bestow a blessing upon you for though art worthy of
all blessings
As I laid my hands upon thy husband
Joseph the senior, the Patriarch of the Church by his request
to bless him as he lay upon his bed like Jacob of old ready
to gather up his feet and sleep with his fathers and I about
to take my departure for foreign nations over the sea which was the last time I
we met on earth in like manner do I esteam it a blessing and privelege to
lay my hands upon your head in your decline of life to leave with you
my parting blessing
I am again called to bid farewell to my native
land and visit foreign climes to bear record of the words of God. We may
never meet again on earth ^*^ but I thank my God that I have this
privilege of blessing thee for thou art the Greatest Mother in
Israel. The sons which thou hast borne and cherished are the
most noble spirits that ever graced humanity or tabernacled in the
flesh. Their work shall be had in honourable remembrance
throughout all generations. Though counted among transgressors
they like the Messiah have shed their blood for the sins of
the people and freely offered their lives and sealed their testimony
^with their blood^
Thou hast lived to see the fall of thy
sons by the rage of Gentile hands but like an eternal rock in
the midst of the ocean thou has stood and God has given thee
the desire of thy heart in seeing the Keys of His Kingdom
held in the hands of thy posterity so planted on the earth
that they shall never be taken from it until He reigns whose
right it is to reign [Doctrine & Covenants 58:22]
Let thy heart be comforted in the midst
of thy sorrow for thou shalt be had in honourable remembrance
forever in the congregations of the righteous. Thou shalt be
remembered in thy wants during the remainder of thy days and
when thou art called to depart thou canst lie down in peace
having seen the salvation of God in laying an everlasting
foundation for the deliverance of Israel through the instrumentality
of thy sons
I seal upon your head all the blessings
of the fulness of the gospel of the "First Born" and all
those blessings which have been sealed upon your head
heretofore. If we meet no more on earth we shall meet
*We never did. Though Mother Smith lived 15 years after that
in the morn of the first resurrection when you shall receive thrones
and powers a^nd^ dominion and kingdom with thy husband in his
exaltation in the lineage of his fathers.
I seal these blessings upon your head
in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy
Priesthood: Amen.
Set Apart For My Mission
(Nauvoo )
The following blessing was confered upon my head and
I was set apart by the Twelve for my mission to England to take
charge of all the Churches in Europe. Elder John Taylor was
mouthpiece for the quorum
Brother Woodruff, We lay our hands
upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ and by the
authority of the Holy Priesthood to seal upon your head a
blessing and set you apart unto the important mission which
is appointed unto you of the Lord by the voice of the Twelve
to go over the sea to England to take charge of the churches
throughout that land; and we ask God the Eternal Father
in the name of Jesus Christ to bless you with health
and strength open ^open^ the door before you and your family
that you may have food and rament and money and all things
necessary to make you comfortable and that the power of God may
rest upon you in a greater degree than in any mission
before. We seal upon your head these blessings. You shall
be preserved to finish your mission and return home with your
family and meet in the Temple of the Lord and rejoice therein
and shout Hosanna. You shall have power and wisdom to
accomplish the design of your missions and shall have the desire
^of your heart^ given you in all things in righteousness before God.^"^
The next day was Sunday and I was called upon to
address the congregation of Saints assembled in Nauvoo as I was about to leave
for my mission to England. The following is a few of the items I presented
to the people in my discourse
"There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty
giveth it understanding. [Job 32:8] It is through this principle that this congregation is
assembled together at this place. You had understanding of the things of God
^by^ and His Spirit.. ^by the Spirit of God^
I have now one important declaration to make to you
and that is that inasmuch as you will be united in heart and mind and
in action in suppoting your counsellors—the Priesthood of God—the
authorities of the Church and follow the counsel given you as you
have endeavoured to follow the counsel of the Prophet while he was living
you will be safe and blessed and will prosper but if you are divided and
reject the counsel of God you will fall. Union and faithfulness is your
salvation. It is true you have been led by one of the best men that
ever graced humanity or tabernacled in the flesh but he is gone; he
has sealed [h]is testimony with his blood. He loved this people unto death.
I would now call upon this people to be
united in building up^on^ the foundation which the Prophet Joseph has
laid. You have been called uponto suffer much in the cause in which
you are engaged but if Judgement begins at the house of God Babylon will
not escape and if there is a fire in a green tree a dry tree will not
escape. There is no people ^more^ prepared for the shock that is coming
on the earth than ^the^ Latter-day Saints. The object we have is to
secure blessings beyond the veil in the first ressurrection. This
is what we are preparing for.
Again I would say let not the Saints be
troubled because they have lost their Prophet. I would ask because
the Prophet has sealed his testimony with his blood does that destroy
the Gospel or take away the power of God. Is truth annihalated
or has the Priesthood found a burrying place? I tell you nay
His testimony is now in force. Therefore my counsel is to
follow the exsample of those who have gone before and be faithful unto
death. If you will be united and go to with your whole mights
in building that Temple you have power to accomplish it and
get an endowment"
I earnestly exhorted them to faithfulness and
requested their prayers in my behalf and asked forgiveness of anyone
thing which I might have done wrong and bid the congregation
farewell
Joseph Gave the Keys of the Kingdom to the Twelve
I was followed by President Brigham Young
Also Elders P. P. Pratt and Orson Hyde spoke and testified that
Joseph the Prophet had ordained anointed and appointed the Twelve
to lead the Church and had given them the keys of the kingdom for
that purpose. W. W. Phelps and R Cahoon bore testimony
that Joseph said upnto the Twelve "Upon your shoulders the
kingdom of God must rest in all the world. Now round up
your shoulders and bear it."
Many important things were spoken by the
brethren at this time which I had not the leasure to write
Next day I went to the river with Mrs
Woodruff to be baptized for some of our ^dead^ friends. I was administered
to under the hands of Elder G. A Smith as proxy for five of my
family. I also baptized my wife for five of her friends. Willard
Richards confirmed us.
On the Temple at Midnight
After preparing for my departure bidding farewell
to the Saints and blessing many until midnight of the th
in company with Brother and Sister Smoot and Hannah
Ells my wife and I walked to the Temple of the Lord in
Nauvoo. As we approached we lifted up our eyes to
view the sacred scene which the silver moon illuminated
with the brightness of her glory. After gazing a few
moments upon her walls and her capitols which were standing upon the ground
completed we all as of one accord ascended the ladders on to the top of the walls:
Several of the police and friends followed our example among whom was General
^C C^ Richard and Elder Godard.
We repared to the south west corner of the Temple and there
we bowed our knees upon the top corner stone which was prepared to receive its
capitol and theirre with uplifted hands towards heaven I called upon the God
of Abraham Isaac and Jacob; offering the gratitude of our hearts for preserving
our lives and giving us power to so far build the Temple; praying that it
might be finished and the Saints receive their endowments to plant the work of
God in all the earth; asking the Father for a just reckoning for the shedding
of the blood of the Lord's Anointed; praying Him to enable us to fulfil our mission
and return to the bosom of the Church; invoking a double portion of the Spirit of
Joseph to rest upon Brigham and the Twelve to bear off the Kingdom in all the
world and for the power of the Priesthood to rest upon all the quorums and Elders
of Israel and dedicating myself family and all belonging to me in the name
of Jesus Christ unto the Lord God.
After prayers we descended and returned to our homes
with joy and peace in our hearts.
Letter of Appointment
Nauvoo
To All Elders and Saints in Europe Greeting:
We send our beloved brother Wilford Woodruff
to England to take charge of all business transactions pertaining to the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints both spiritual and temporal
We wish you to give dilligent heed to his counsel in all things and as we
have not the opportunity of informing you of what has transpired this
season, by letter, our beloved brother will make known unto you all things
We wish the brethren to be faithful and dilligent
in keeping all the commandments of God and in hearkening to the counsels
of those who are sent to counsel them. Let no man or set of men think
they have power or authority or the keys of the kingdom above the Apostle
Wilford Woodruff whom we send unto you to instruct you in the things
pertaining to life and salvation
Though our Prophet be slain for the word of God
and the testimony of Jesus yet the keys of the Kingdom remain in the
Church and the heavens are not closed neither is the mouth of the Almighty
sealed up that he cannot speak. The God of Israel will communicate to
his disciples all things necessary for the building up of his Kingdom upon
the earth until Israel is gathered: yea even all the blood of Abraham scattered
over all the earth Zion established Jerusalem rebuilt and the whole earth
be filled with the glory and knowledge of God
We wish all the Saints in England to
continue their gathering as usual to the land of America and they
may have the privilege of appointing a committee to visit the land
of America to prepare a location for a settlement of the brethren from
Europe according to their desire under the direction and counsel of Elder
Wilford Woodruff
And further we would say unto the Saints
in all the world that may be visited by Elder Wilford Woodruff that
inasmuch as they will hearken unto his counsel they shall be blessed;
inasmuch as they shall render him any assistance in his mission
they will be doing the will of God and shall not lose their reward. And
we desire that all Saints may use their efforts to sustain him in this
important mission which he is called to fulfil by their faith prayers
and brotherly love according to the grace of God for he is quallified to
teach in all things pertaining to the Church and Kingdom of God
established in these last days. [Doctrine & Covenants 94:3]
Therefore dear brethren we would say unto you
^in^ conclusion be humble and faithful and hearken dilligently unto the counsel
of this our beloved brother in the Lord Elder Wilford Woodruff and
the blessing of God will attend you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Brigham Young President of the Twelve
Willard Richards Clerk
On the th I parted with the quorum of the Twelve ^at the Temple^ and started on
my mission. Our company consisted of myself wife and two children Hiram
Clark and wife and Cap. Dan Jones and wife and three brethren who came
with their teams to convey us to Chicago where we arrived on the th of
the next month, September; and on the next day we went on board the propell [page torn]
Oswego to journey up the lakes on our way east
We arrived with a fair breeze at the Manatow
Islands at 12 o clock at noon and spent three hours there. With Mrs Woodruff
I walked over the same beach that we walked over together after being wrecked
on the Chesapeak in Sep 1841. It brought the scene fresh to our minds
We wrote on some smooth stones concerning our wreck and our mission
to England, our names dates &c.; and at three o clock we left the Island
and continued our journey.
Cry of Fire At Midnight
After leaving Detroit on the morning of the th
we sailed well through the day and evening until midnight when a
strong wind arose the lake became rough and the boat rocked badly
and in the midst of it when we we were opposite the Cleveland lighthouse
a cry of Fire Fire Fire rang through the boat by the watch on deck
We immediately leaped from our births in our night clothes and each
one caught a bucket as best he could and I caught a bucket about half
full of water and ran barefoot as I was to the stern of the boat looking
for the fire while some was running up stairs. I leaped into the engine
room and saw the fire in one corner of the stern of the boat. I ran over the
pile of coal and dashed my water into the fire which was not larger than
a half bushel measure at the same time a bucket of water flung by Capt
Davis struck the fire and it was extinguished.
There is nothing more terrible and alarming than the
cry of fire at sea or on any water out of the reach of land. It is far more
terrible than a storm or wreck for when fire gets the control all hope is lost
and persons will plunge into the raging deep to escape its fury. On my
return to the cabin I found one woman in convulsions with alarm and Mrs
Woodruff holding her and she did not get over it until the next day
On the th under a fair wind we crossed
Lake Erie entered the mouth of Welland Canal to go round the Falls into
Lake Ontario on the Canadian side. The Canal was 28 miles
long and had 38 locks
On the rd in the Lake Ontario a gale
arose at midnight and during the next day we had a very rough
time and fire again broke out in the midst of it
Journying on by boat and rail I arrived
at my father's house at Farmington on the th. My wife and
children left me on the road several days before to visit her parents
and family
I had quite an interesting time in visiting
my family and friends in Farmington and neighbouring places
and during my stay there I ordained my uncle Ozem Woodruff
unto the office of High Priest
My native place & family I left again on the and
arrived in Boston two days later. Here I found the eastern churches
were passing through a critical state and I wrote to President Young
giving him an account thereof. Elder G J. Adams at this time was
holding discussion with O Bachellon at the Malrlbury Chapel. It
was a money getting scheme.
On the th I declaired in great power
and plainness to the Church in Boston against iniquity in all its forms
informing the Saints that any man from the head to the foot would
be brought to justice if he broke the commandments of God and advised
all to be cautious and for none to throw themselves to ruin because
others do wrong.
I had a convers[at]ion with Bro Whitmore
and he related to me the following dream
He had prayed to God to let him see Joseph in a dream and he
fell asleep and dreamt that he saw the heavens opened and beheld some of
the things of eternity. He saw a personage rise out of the earth and
an Elder informed him that it was Joseph Smith. Joseph did not speak
to him but droped some slips of paper on the ground from whence
he arose. Brother Whitmore picked up one of them and read upon
it the words— "Emma is not worthy of me." He wished
to read the others but the person with him picked them up and put
them in his pocket and did not let him read them.
After my meeting that evening Elder Adams
and Brannan prefered a charge against Elder Hardy for slander
and the case was to be tried on the following Tuesday.
On the Sunday I met a large congregation
Sister Vose that day gave me 10 dollars and another sister five to
help me on my mission and in the afternoon's meeting a collection
was taken up for the same object making in all about 50 dollars
with the $15 given me at Sister Vose's. At night I attended another
discussion between Adams & Bachellon.
I visited Lowel where Here I found Elder
William Smith^;^ and the Branch at that place was in a sad
condition of disatisfaction and in Boston on that evening the trial
was to come off against Elder John Hardy to try to cut him off for
slandering Adams Brannan and William Smith
I was at Gilsum ^N. H.^ on the st where I
arrived with two brethren having rode from Peterboro to Elder Chilon
Mack's son of Solomon Mack. Here I preached in the evening
and spent the night with Solomon Mack aged 72 brother of Lucy
Smith mother of the Prophet Joseph. I spent the evening in
conversation about the Smith's family
The next day was the last one set by the Millerites
for the Comming of Christ. I rode to the old home stead of Mother
Smith where she was born on the side of a hill and the Brook Ashuilet
It was truly a rural place. We rode through Walpole had a good
view of Westminster in Vermont called upon several brethren and in
company with Elders Charles A Adams and Alfred Cordon preached in
the evening at the schoolhouse at Drewsville
Next day I was a[t] Peterborough and thence on
the following to Boston where at the Post Office I found a letter from
my wife stating that both her and the children were very sick
I directly started on the next day to my wife
and arrived at Scarborough on the same day and found my wife ^&^ children
Here for the next month I was as it were blockaded with sickness
and surrounded with darkness and it seaemed as if the dDestroyer was
was trying to hedge up my way to hinder me on my mission for
not only my wife and children but a number of her family was afflicted
nigh unto death.
We left our little daughter Phebe Amelia
with my wife's father and mother and on the
I started with my wife and youngest child Susan Cornelia for New
York to set sail for England
A Peculiar Dream
While at my father-in-laws I dreamt a peculiar
dream. Much of it was unutterable and cannot be written. Indeed
I cannot comprehend it myself. Among other things I thought
I was called to hold with the Twelve the Keys of the Kingdom in all
the world and I travelled with them over much of the earth
and finally travelled through many countries alone and when
I got through I saw many things which I cannot write and
in the end Joseph Smith the Prophet assissted me to come into
the place where he was and pointed out my work and portion
of ^and^ labour. I immediately entered into the duties
assigned me.
I also had on the same night another
dream. I was in the presence of the Prophet Joseph
and was conversing with him about his death. I told him I felt bad about
it and that had I known he would have been taken away so soon I should
have conversed more with him while living and asked him more questions
He said it was not his fault I did not. Speaking of my work and duties
he said I had better get a dozen to help me
I
I stoped at Boston on my way and met with the
Church and cut off eight from the Church who had joined Siydney Rigdon's
faction. This left the Boston Church firm.
On the Sunday th after leaving Boston
I was with the Saints in New Bedford with whom I held meetings
that day during which three were baptized
The I spent taking a view of the
city which for beauty and elegance and location is hardly to be
surpassed. It is a ^the most^ noted city for fitting out of walemen.
The whole city has been built up through the wale trade. The
docks were lined with casks of wale and sperm oil. We went
aboard of a number of wale ships which were fitting out which
would carry from fifteen hundred to three thousand barrels of
oil. A sister gave me three pair of specimen of shels brought
from the wale country
I arrived in New York on the
where I received a letter from my father and mother in law
stating that Samuel Deming had turned him off from the
mill which he had rented and occupied all his lifetime to old
age and after he had spent the last summer in repairing the mills
and when they were ready to start and the Winter coming
on he turned him off without notice.
At New York I also received a letter
from President Young in answer to the one I wrote him from
Chicago and several days after its receipt I wrote a long
letter to President Young ^him^ informing him of the recklessness of
William Smith and George J. Adams during that season
I was at the time on a visit to Philadelphia spending
a few days with Jedediah M Grant and the Saints there. I returned
to New York on the being accompanied 40
miles on the way by Elder J. M. Grant
The th was my last day on shore which
I spent with my wife's brother Ilus F. Carter packing up my trunks
and preparing to leave
We were on board the splendid new
packet ship John R. Skiddy Capt Wm Skiddy with sails
hoisted going out of Sandy Hook about 11 o'clock th
when the pilot left us and we steared on our course.
The company of the brethren and families
consisted of myself wife and child Elder Dan Jones and wife
and Elders Milton Holmes and Leonard Hardy on
mission to England to build up and sustain the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in that land
We had a heavy gale on the th and
we were driving under head winds and bare poles during the
day and in the evening about 9 o'clock the gale increased and
it seaemed as though the yards would be torn from the mast
We kneeled before the Lord and prayed unitedly that he would
cause the gale to cease and the wind to change that we might
go forward and not backward. In a little time the wind
suddenly ceased and finally changed to the south-west which
gave us fair wind
Christmas day on the ocean which
was the first one I ever spent at sea. We had preserve pudding
for dinner and short cake. We enjoyed ourselves had a light
breeze and one sail in sight
We entered the Irish Channel on the
th and here we were beating about under foul winds
for some days.
A Dream on the Night of the
I dreamt that I was in council with the martyred Prophet
and Patriarch and also with the quorum of the Twelve Apostles in
America. I thought we had all to be ordained for some purpose
I was called upon by President Young and another person to assist
in administering the ordinances. In the midst of the council Sidney
Rigdon came in and was objected to by Hyrum Smith. I
awoke and again fell asleep and dreamt of being in council
with the Twelve and others. I made an address to them
John E Page arose to address the meeting but was stoped
by some female and was followed by Elder Willard Snow
I have recorded this dream at the time in
my daily Journal yet I did not pay much attention to dreams
on shipboard.
The close of the year found us bearting
about as we had been for several days in the Irish Channel
Synopsis
of the travels and labours of Wilford Woodruff in 1844
I travelled in the United States in many of the principal
places and minor towns and cities in all visiting between 50
and a hundred Journeyed through some part of Canada and crossed
the Atlantic making in all a distance of ten thousand and
fifty miles
I held fifty three meetings and attended
ten conferences
Councils with the First Presidency & Twelve
I met with the quorum of the Twelve in twelve councils
and with Joseph Hyrum the quorum of Apostles and
other brethren in transacting the affairs of the kingdom in
thirteen councils
In The Endowments
I attended with Joseph Hyrum and the Twelve
in receiveing our endowments twenty one meetings
Baptized for the Dead
I was proxy in the ordinance of baptism for the
dead for nineteen persons.
Baptized Confirmed & Ordained
I baptized for the remission of sins 6 persons and
confirmed 42 and I ordained 1 Patriarch 3 High Priests
25 Elders 9 Priests 3 Teachers and 2 Deacons.
Married Blessed &c
I married two couple blessed six children and administered
to 24 sick persons
Sermons Reported etc
I reported 11 sermons of the Prophet Joseph and 17 of the Twelve
and others all of which I recorded in my Journal and wrote 65 letters
and received 17 and obtained a number of subscribers to our papers
[top of page blank]
The New Year at Sea
The New Year found me and my family and companions
Dan Jones and wife and Elders Hiram Clark Milton Holmes
and Leonard Hardy still on the Packet ship John R Skiddy
beating about in the Irish Channel against head wind as we
had been for five days making but little progress
On the . we landed in
Liverpool glad to put our feet again on the land after being 27
days at sea. On landing we took a cab and drove to 36
Chapel Street to find Elder Hedlock but no one being in we
spent the night at the Pig & Whistle but the next day I had an
interview with Elders Hedlock and Ward and spent a little time
in talking over affairs
Theth was Sunday and we held meetings
in the Music Hall at which myself and companions Elders
Dan Jones, Clark Hardy and Holmes addressed the Saints
We boarded several days at Mr Powells No 11 Key Street
From first to last during a quarter of a century and reaching to 20
years later than my present date the Elders boarded with this
Wm Powell and afterward his widow
Elder Clark and myself then rented a two
rooms at Mr. Bagnalls No 38 Highfield St where we
remained several weeks and then rented a house in Nor
In the meantime we had received an interesting
letter from Elder John Taylor and another from President Young
bearing good news of the unity of the Church in America and
that Parley P. Pratt had gone to New York to take charge of
affairs in the eastern churches and publish a paper
We also on the of the mo[n]ths started
a ship load ^company^ of 100 Saints on the Palmyra for New Orleans
under the Presidency of Elder Amos Fielding and Elders Carnes
and W. Benson his counsellors
On Sunday the th in the morning
I preached in the Music Hall Liverpool and in the afternoon
as I entered the meeting Elder Ward spoke to me and wished
me to go with him to Manchester and attend evening meeting
as there had been an appointment for an American Elder
to preach. Accordingly we took the rail and arrived
just as the meeting commenced. Elder Ward introduced
me and I addressed the meeting 1 hour and twenty minutes
Here I again met Elders Leonard Hardy
Milton Holmes and Charles Miller with whom I pleasantly
spent the and returned on the following to Liverpool
In the 9th No of the Millennial Star
vol [blank] there is a long address of mine written to the
Saints in the British Islands
About the middle of February I received
letters from Elder John Taylor from Nauvoo and from
P P Pratt who was presiding over the eastern Churches in
America and from Jedediah M. Grant in Philadelphia Accompanying
these were numbers of the "Neighbours" and "Prophet" published the
one in Nauvoo and the other in New York and from the Neighbour
I learned of the prospect of more riots and mobs breaking out against
Nauvoo
In company with Elders Leonard Hardy and James
Darling Ross I took rail to Manchester on the
to hold a special conference the next day which was Sunday
Special Conference
held in
Manchester Sunday .
There were present Wilford Woodruff President of the mission
his counsellors Elders Hedlock and Ward with five High Priests
30 Elders 31 Priests 21 Teachers and 4 Deacons
We met with the officers before the public
meeting and laid before them the buisness of the day and then
a vast assembly of the Saints gathered in Conference capacity
and we laid before them the changes designed for the Manchester
Conference and it was proposed that Elder Milton Holmes preside
over the Conference and Elder J. D. Ross over the Manchester
branch both of whom accepted their appointment. Sacrament
was then administered which occupied the time till dark
In the evening we had another mamoth
meeting. Elder Hedlock first addressed the assembly and
then he and Elder Ward had to leave for ^Liverpool^
but could scarcely get out of the crowded Hall. I then arose and
addressed the congregation and the Spirit of the Lord was with
us and love and union pervaded the congregation
It was a scene to make the heart
glad to behold together in a foreign mission so many Saints
united together in the Everlasting Covenant. I had often thought how
much I should like to see the Prophet Joseph meet with a
Conference of Saints in England but it was not granted
to the British nation to have the Prophet in their midst nor
to him nor us to see him meet in England the thousands who
had entered into the New Covenant which God through his mission
had mad[e] unto Israel.
This was one of the most interesting
Conference I ever attended abroad and this day was fullfilled
a prophecy which I gave in the House of the Lord in Kirtland
in 1837 that I should attend a Conference with Elder Milton Holmes
in the British Isles.
On the 3rd day after our conference I
took the railway cars from Manchester to Bradford where I
arrived at noon and in the afternoon, Elijah F Sheets arrived
from Leeds. He had come over from America with
Elders Stratten and Davis. We were truly glad to meet
each other on a foreign shore and to attend meeting together
in the evening with the Saints of that place. Brother
Sheets was presiding over the Bradford Conference
The next day in company with
Elders Sheets and Ure presidents of the Bradford and Sheffield
Conferences I left ^walke[d]^ to Idle ^in^ Yorkeshire three miles from Bradford
to pay
A Visit to the Grave of Lorenzo Barnes
When we arrived about half way we had a fair view
of Idle and the Churchyard where for a season was laid
the remains of our beloved brother until the brethren of the
household of faith to which he belonged removed the dust of
the honoured dead to his native land and laid it in the
burial place of the Saints
We had a beautiful green vale to pass through before
arriving at Idle which is on the top of a hill. The fields of grass
were as green as in May though it was but February which gave
the landscape around us a picturesque and verdant charm. We
were walking on the road which our departed brother had walked over
many scores of times to preach the Gospel of Jesus and I felt
sorrowful and filled with meditation
Arriving at Idle containing a population of
seven thousand inhabitants and a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints numbering 37 members we called upon
Elder Thomas Cordingly and family who had the care of Elder
Barnes through his sickness and death. They pointed out
to me the house and room where he passed ^t^his^e^ last hours of
his mortal life
After partaking of some refreshments we
walked to the Churchyard and reverantly gazed upon the peaceful silent
grave of our beloved brother. My feelings were sensitive and
sad. As I stood upon his grave I realized that I was standing
over the body of one of the Elders of Israel of the "horns of Joseph,"
one of the members of " Zion's Camp" who travelled more than
one thousand miles in 183^4^ for the redemption of his persecuted
and afflicted brethren ready to lay down his life for their sakes
and whose fidelity was a strong trait of character.
While standing upon his grave I offered
up my vocal prayer to Israel's God that I might die the death
of the righteous when called away and that my last end might
be as safe as our beloved and departed brother's and that his sacred
dust might be called forth in the morn of the First Resurrection
[rest of page blank]
Meditating upon his life I retired from the grave of Elder Barnes in company
with my brethren who had come with me to pay our reverant respect
and remembrance of our departed brother and on our return to the
family who attended him in his last moments I made enquiries
and obtained the following information
The Cause Sickness & Death of Lorenzo Barnes
On^e^ day in the latter part of September ^1843^
Elder Barnes walked very fast for about thirteen miles to
reach the railway station in time to take the cars. Some
part of the way he ran and got into a high state of perspiration
and only had time step into the train just as it was starting
He rode on the railroad for about twenty miles during which
time he became entirely chilled which thro ^gave^ him a severe cold
that settled upon his lungs and brought on quick consumption
from which he never recovered. He attended conference and preached
several times afterwards but was very feble. The last time
he preached was from the passage—"There remaineth therefore
a rest for the people of God." [Hebrews 4:9] After he was confined to his
bed he was asked if he would have a physician but answered
"No." If he died he would die a natural death. If he lived
he should live unto the Lord if he died he should die unto the
Lord. He manifested a great desire to live if it should be
the will of God that he might return to Nauvoo. He was
deprived of his reason during some portion of the time and his
whole conversation on such intervals would be about Nauvoo
how he should get there and his friends. He spoke of his
mother frequently. The night before his death he had his
reason and he then bore a strong and faithful testimony of the
truth of the fulness of the Gospel as taught by the Latter day Saints
I also learned that Elder Barnes suffered by going with
poor boots and wet feet from place to place. He was slow to make his
wants known to the brethren and some were slow to administer to them
until he got sick. Every attention however was paid to him after he
was confined to his bed but then it was too late.
I enquired if there were any writings left by
him such as Journals &c but could find nothing excepting several
fragments of a correspondence in poetry between himself and his intended
wife which showed the strong fidelity of his heart so characteristic
of the man throughout every action of his life. These fragments I
copied from his M.S. into my daily Journal
I preached to a good congregation at Idle that evening
and the next day in company with Elders Sheets and Ure and Abraham
Lord the presiding Elder of the Idle Branch I returned to Bradford
The brethren placarded the town with the following
notice:
Conference: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints will hold their Conference in the Philadelphia Chapel North Wing
Bradford on Sunday Feb 23rd 1844; to commence at ten o'clock in the
morning two in the afternoon and six in the evening; when there will
be present on the occassion two Americans, one of whom belongs to
the quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Also there will be preaching on the
fulness of the everlasting gospel as revealed by an angel of the Lord in
these last days on the following ^evenings^—Monday Tuesday and Wednesday
in the said chapel to commence at eight o'clock each evening. N. B.
People of all Persuasions are invited to attend
This Conference was duly held according to
notice of which I here give the epitome
Bradford Quarterly Conference
held in the
Philadelphia Chapel Bradford Yorkshire
Present: Wilford Woodruff of the Quorum of the Twelve 1 High Priest
1 Seventy 9 Elders 9 Priests 6 Teachers and 4 Deacons
Elijah F. Sheets the President of the Conference
was called to the chair and Priest Beecroft chosen clerk
The meeting being duly opened the Conference
was represented consisting of three Branches—Bradford Leeds
and Idle numbering in the whole 168 members
There was a good number of the Saints
gathered together and an excellent band of music in front of the
pulpit accompanied the singers. In the morning Elder Woodruff
addressed the meeting
The chapel in the afternoon was crowded
with the Saints and citizens. Sacrament was administered
and I again addressed the congregation but was somewhat interupted
by a man intoxicated who had been cut off the Church
In the evening we again had a crowded
house and the music and singing which commenced our service
was inspiring. It fell to my lot once more to address the
congregation during the evening and I took for my text the
XIV of Rev 6 7 & 8 verses. In my discourse I gave an account of
the rise and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints the leading mind of Joseph Smith how he was called of God
by the administration of angels and traced the subject through to
the sealing of his testimony with his blood
I spoke for the space of one hour with
the power of God and the congregation was as still as death and
a most intense interest prevailed. During the Conference
I confirmed 4 persons blessed 3 children and laid hands upon twelve persons for
the healing of their infirmataies
Two days afterwards I returned to Liverpool stoping
on the way several hours at Manchester which I spent with Elder Holmes
was my birthday and I was thirty eight
years of age and in Liverpool presiding over the British Mission and with me
my wife
An Attempt to Rob the Church of the Copyright of
The Book of Doctrine and Covenants
On my birthday I received a letter from a friend
containing the copy of a letter dated Pittsburgh Jan 30, 1845 written by
John Greenhow to his father in Kendal stating that he was getting the
Doctrine and Covenants stereotyped in Pittsburg and that he was going to
bring the plates to England to print the work here and get the copyright secured
so that the Church could not print them ^it^
This was indeed a bold move of the apostates to
undertake to undertake to print the works of the Church and such a
book as the Doctrine and Covenants which is the second standard work of the
Church and I viewed it as nothing less than the providence of God
which ^put^ the knowledge of this design to rob the Church of the copyright
into my hand^s.^ I spent the day in examining the law of
England upon the securing of copyright.
I spent the forepart of the following day at
home and the afternoon with Elders Hedlock and Ward upon whom at this
time I laid my hands and ordained as my counsellors and they then
laid their hands upon me and blessed me. Afterwards we partook
of the sacrament together and then we called upon God our Father to
bless us and frustrate the designs of our enemies and overthrow the
designs ^plans^ which they had laid to rob the Church and injure the cause
of God.
I wrote President Young giving him account of the
affairs of the mission and informed him of the deep laid scheme
of those at Pittsburgh, America—John Greenhow Samuel Benett
and others to rob the Church of the copyright of the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants. I also wrote to the Secretary at
Stationers Hall to secure the copyright of the work myself for
the Church and wrote to brother Curedon to send me a copy
of the Doctrine and Covenants
Preston Quarterly Conference was held
on Sunday the at which myself and Elder Ward
attended. Elder John Banks was called to the chair. During
the day Elder Leonard Hardy was chosen to preside over the
Conference and there were eleven Branches represented with 505
members
Next day I took a walk through the city and
visited the old Cockpit where Elders Kimball and Hyde had
preached so much at the first opening of the British mission and
where also Dr Willard Richards afterwards also preached.
We walked up and down the river where
many hundred of the Saints had been baptized and I also viewed
^from whare^ the Scotch made an attack upon the English at Preston when the
gallant enthusiastic followers ^army^ of the Young Pretender made ^their^ illfated
and mad attempt to unseat the first George from the English
throne and give it to their bonnie Charle ^[wished] it the house of the Stuarts^. Some of the Scotch
entered the town as far as the Cockpit but most of them was
slain in the valley. I saw their burial place. There is now a
grove growing over their bodies. This was in the year 1745
just one hundred years before this date
We returned to the town and after dinner
I took the parting hand of Elders Banks and Hardy and the
Saints of Preston and returned to Liverpool
Lord Nelson's Monument Liverpool.
In company with my wife and Sisters Clark and Haywood
I visited Nelson's Monument the design of which was made by Mathew
Charles Wyatt of London and was executed in bronze by Richard
Westmacott also of London and the pedestal of Hendal Marble by
Messrs Hetherington and Webster of Liverpool. The subscription
to build it commenced on the 15^th^ of Nov 1805 and ^was^ completed the same
year amounting to £9000 and the first stone was laid July 15th 1812
The principal figure is Admiral Nelson
resting one foot on a conqured enemy and the other on a cannon his eye
stedfast and upraised to Victory from whom he is receiving a fourth
naval crown upon his swoard held in his left hand indicating the loss of
his right which is concealed by the flag which the genius of Victory
is lowering over him. Under the folds of this flag Death lies
in ambush indicating that he received the reward of Victory and the
stroke of Death at the same time. There is an enraged British
sailor represented symbolizing the zeal of the navy to revenge the loss of its
most illustrious chief, and in the back ground is Britannia leaning on
her sphere and shield with lauarral in her hand but she ^is^ regardless of them
representing the country's pride and anguish over the triumph so darly
purchased.
Around the upper moulding of the pedestal are
inscribed Nelson's ever memorable words—"England expects every man
to do his duty". At the base of the pedestal are four figures in
chains as captives emblematical of the four great victories he achieved and
the space between these figures on the sides of the pedestal is filled by four
grand bass reliefs executed in bronze ^also^ representing those glorious
victories—namely, St Vincent 14 Feb. 1797; Nile 1st Aug. 1798;
Copenhagen 2nd of April 1801; Trafalgar 21st of Oct. 1805. The
figures are all of the proportion of seven feet. Lord Nelson was
born Sep. 29, 1758.
The whole range of the buildings called The Exchange
cost £110,848; Flaging £36,000; Town Hall £156,000.
After visiting this monument we went through several
of the principal ^streets^ and viewed them and then returned home
The day following which was the th
I took the steamer Commodore for Glasgow in company with
Elders Hedlock Ward and Banks and arrived at the mouth of
the river Clyde at 6 o'clock next morning.
We passed Gourock, Greennock, Port Glasgow
Dumbarton at the mouth of the river Leven at which stands the
rock so noted in Scotish history and called Dumbarton Castle
on which is stationed a regiment of soldiers to protect the river
Clyde.
We had a fair view of Bell's monument
errected in memory of John Bell who was the first to run a steamer
up the river Clyde to Glasgow which is confined to its banks
by a stone wall for sixteen miles
The Highlands were covered with snow
and we arrived in Glasgow in the midst of a severe snow storm
In the evening we held a council with
the officers of the Branch and two days afterwards which was
the th we held
The Glasgow Conference
at the Odd Fellow's Hall Glasgow
The meeting was called to order by Elder
Peter McCue was called to the chair and aAfter singing and
prayer 15 Branches of the Church wasere represented containing
1065 members 35 Elders 51 Priests 37 Teachers 24 Deacons.
Wm Gibson was clerk of the Conference.
During the day the vast assembly
of the Saints was addressed by Elders Hedlock Ward Banks and myself. I
felt much interested in this my first visit and Conference among the Scotish Saints
Next day I called ^took the^ rail to Coats Bridge and thence went
to Whifflett and held a Council with the officers of that Branch and the following
morning I took a walk to visit Dunbyvan Iron Works. From thence we visited ^walked^
^to Ashley and called upon the brethren there and then visited^
the extensive Calder Banks Mallable Iron Works
I next visited the Ardrie Museum
collected and kept by Mr James Myrdock antiquarian. After taking
some refreshments with him he showed us each appartment of the Museum
and among the many curiosities I had a view of coins from about 1000
years before Christ down to the present day. Among the rest were
coins bearing the names and profile of Pallios 1000 B.C. Antonius,
Vespersion Caesar, Servius, Christianna, Comodus, Posthumus,
Artaxus, Tragin, Domician, Antonius, Gordian, Auridian, Hiradien,
Claudius Caesar, and Pius.
There was quite a collection of natural History
and three and half tons of precious books as a liberary. I saw
also a ^metal pot^ bearing this inscription: "One Hundred and
twenty years after Christ. I belong to St. Lawrence". I also saw
three gold and silver Roman crosses stolen by travellers from the
Vatican at Rome, 300 years old, besides a number of weapons of war
and paintings of ancient date.
Afterwards we called at a brothers house and I
laid hands upon six who were sick and blessed twenty persons who pled
with me to let them have a blessing under the hands of an Apostle. I
preached in the evening to a crowded house and afterwards walked to
brother ^Carruthers^ and spent the night
I dreamt a rattlesnake bit me on the ancle but I
pulled him off squezed him to death and much poison ran out of
him. The interpretation was that when we arrived at Edinborough
I should be opposed by [blank] for appointing
John Banks to preside over that Branch and Conference of the
Church.
Returning to Glasgow and joining Elders Hedlock and
Ward we took the rail to Castle Care^r^y and thence by coach to Sterling
and as we came in sight of it among the mountains we had a fine
view of the famed Sterling Castle which brought to mind the heroic
Wallace & the royal Bruce in their renowned wars to free Scotland from
the English yoke. Sterling Castle was taken by Wallace in
one of his most famous act's
Arriving at Sterling we called upon
Elder Daniel Sutherland in John Street and took supper and
then called upon John Gillies 76 years of age. He was the third
man in the formation of the 92 Ilanders was in the army for
21 years and embraced the Gospel in the 73 year of his age
I had an interesting conversation with him during the evening
and we spent the night at his house
Sterling Castle.
Next morning with brothers Hedlock Ward
and Gillies we visited Sterling castle and went through every appartment
of it. As we passed up the avenue leading to the castle
we closely examined the palace of Mary Queen of Scots and the King's
stables and went into them!
In going through the old castle we saw
the armoury and old flags and many things of antiquity. We
went into the Chaple of John Knox and closely examined the oak
pulpit in which he preached and where he baptized Prince Henry
I brought away a small piece of the pulpit and stood upon the
exatct spot where the fierce Scotish reformer Knox stood and
preached his first sermon. Here I also saw the place in
the old church where stood the Twelve Apostles in stone figures
which Knox destroyed before commencing his sermon and fierce
denunciation against popery and image worship. We also had
a view of the habitation of the Earl of Lecester in 1639 and
Cemens Hospital and the place where James the VI was crowned
We had a pleasant view of Sterling Castle and the surrounding
country from its heights
While at Sterling I laid my hands upon the veteran John
Gillies and blessed him and ordained him an Elder and on the third day
from our arrival we took steamboat for Edinghborough where we arrived at
seven oclock and after taking some refreshments at Henry McEwan's the
Presiding Elder we went to the meeting
This was the first time I had ever been in Edinborough
and the Edinborough Conference of the Church was in a divided state for
many aspiring spirits were there and had been manifested for a length
of time. I prayed God to give us wisdom to set this Conference
in order.
Edinborough Castle.
Next day we viewed the renowned city of Edinborough
and visited its castle and went through each appartment of it. From the
Castle we had a splendid view of the city of Edinborugh and surrounding
country for many miles. The rock itself which forms the c^s^ite of
the castle is three hundred and eighty ^3^ feet above the level of the sea and
is accessable only on the eastern side the other sides being nearly perpendicular
The castle is of great antiquity and has been held
as a fortress from the earliest times. In 1093 it was besieged by Donald
^Bane^ brother to King Malcolm; taken by the English in 1296, retaken and
demolished by Randolph 1313, rebuilt by Edward the III of England,
surprised by Wm. Douglas 1341, and by Albany in 1482; taken
by the Regent Murray from Mary Queen of Scots, his half sister, in 1573;
by Cromwell in 1650 and by William the III of England in 1689
The Scotish Regalia are kept in the castle.
They were placed there in 1707 and discovered in an oken chest in the
crown room in 1818. This is King David's crown, first king of
Scotland
I also inspected the celebrated piece of artilary
called Mons Meg cast at Mons in Flanders. It was used in the
seige of Norham and afterwards burst in firing a salute to the Duke
of York on his visit to the castle in 1682. It was forged in
1486 out of large bars of iron. Its weight was seven and half tons
and it carried 268 pound shot, the bore was twenty inches and
its length fifteen feet.
After visiting the Armoury and going through
each appartment of the castle and taking the splendid views of
the surrounding country we left and visited other portions of the
city and among the rest saw the old house where John
Knox the Scotish Reformer was born May 2nd 1505 and
died Nov 24, 1572.
Visit to the Palace of Holyrood
We next visited the palace of Holyrood. It occupies the
site of an Abbey which was founded by David the I in 1128
and which was one of the ^richest religious establishments in Scotland^
In the chapel ^of the palace^ were deposited the remains of David II; James II; Prince
Arthur third son of James IV; James V; Magdalene his queen;
Arthur second son of James V, and Henry Darnley. The
ruins of what is now called the Chapel Royal ^is worthy of notice^
The Picture Gallery of Holyrood which
is 156 feet long by 27 1/2 wide and 20 feet in height contains
the potraits of the Scotish monarchs.
In the palace are preserved several relics
of the unfortunate Queen Mary of Scotts. I saw her workbox
visited her bed chamber and saw the bed and furniture and the
chair occupied by her when married and also visited her dressing
room both of which was hung with the most splendid ancient tapestry
I saw the hiding palace of Lord Darnley
and his associates when they murdered David Rizzio Mary's musician
and the place where the victim fell and the stain of his blood
which yet remains. I also saw the armour worn by Lord
Darnley at the time of the murder and I put on Darnley's steal
head dress which was heavy
We visited each appartment of this palace of Kings one of
which was the s[t]ate room of George the IV where was his throne and portrait
in his highland dress by David Wilkey and among the curiosities of this
chief dwelling place of Scotland's royality I saw the bones of the kings in
the vault pilled up together. Cromwell took away their coffins and left
their bones scattered upon the ground. Here was the end of human
greateness symbolized in a nations royal burrial place in the Palace of
its kings.
We called upon one of the brethren after our visit to
Holyrood and having taken dinner started out again to view other
portions of the city. Sir Walter Scotts Monument is a splendid
specimen of art.
On the following day w^e^ held conference in
the city
The Edinborough Conference
of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sunday
Present: One of the Twelve Apostles 3 High Priests 8 Elders 16 Priests
and four Teachers. R. Hedlock was chosen President and Priest
Braley clerk.
Conference having been opened with singing and prayer
eleven Branches were represented as the Edinborough conference containing
409 members 13 Elders 22 Priests 8 Teachers 1 Deacon and 9
baptized ^since the last Conference^
The morning was taken up in teaching principle
in the afternoon the Church partook of the Sacrament after which Elder John
Banks was appointed President of the Edinborough Conference and also the
Edinborough Branch and Henry McEwen presiding Elder over two or three
Branches under Elder John Banks. In the evening I preached
to an attentive congregation.
A company of young men who called themselves
the Nauvoo Legion escorted us out to see the city next morning and they
led us to the very top of the high cliff known as Arthur's Seat which
was the highest peak of rocks anywhere in this region and a good part
of the way up was almost perpendicular. I was informed that
Elder Orson Pratt while he was establishing the Branch in Edinborough
which he found about as difficult as we did the establishing of the
work in London, would frequently go to the top of this rock as a
place of retreat and meditation
From this rock we had a full view of
the whole city of Edinborough and the surrounding country which
presented to us a sublime prospect. I was quite unwell with
a severe cold and and felt wearied in reaching the top of this rock
or Arthours Seat ^which^ was also the case with the rest of the brethren
as far as fatigue was concerned
When we had sufficiently viewed the
country around we returned took dinner and then visited several
of the Saints and in the evening we held a council meeting
of the officers.
The day after we parted with the Saints
in Edinborough took the rail to Glasgow where we spent 3 hours
with the brethren then continued by rail to Grenock and
thence by steamboat for Liverpool. Elder Hedlock and
myself were together; brother Ward had been left in Edinborough
by accident
We had a disagreable night on board and
I arrived in Liverpool sick and weary and for several day continued
unwell and mostly unfit for business
On my return I received several of
numbers of the Times and Seasons and Neighbour and
the New York Prophet also a letter from Elder George
A Smith.
Liverpool Conferance
held in
The Music Hall Liverpool
Sunday the
Present: One of the Twelve 4 High Priests 18 Elders 13 Priests and
eight Teachers. Joseph A Stratton was appointed President
and James S. Cantwell clerk.
The representation of the Elders showed that
at this date the Liverpool conference comprised 12 Branches with
676 members 30 Elders 39 Priests 21 Teachers 10 Deacons and
31 baptized since the last Quarterly Conference. Brothers Brown
and Wilson were chosen deliagates to the coming General Conference
of the British mission
On the I wrote a large sheet full
of matter to President Brigham Young concerning the affairs
of the Church over which I was presiding and the progress of the
work in Europe
Rumours of wars between England and the
United States were again heard through the land. The American
Government having anexed Texas to the United States there seemed
a prospect of England joining Mexico in a war. Quite an
excitement was created among the American captains in
consequence of the English Government having stoped the steampacket
which was to sail on the 4th until furthar orders.
On the I took the train with Mrs
Woodruff for Manchester and was met at the station there
by Elders Stratton Holmes and Ross
I had an interview with many
Elders as delegates from the various Conferences and among the
number were Elder Elisha H Davis from London and Elder Dan
Jones from Wales.
General Conference of the British Mission
of
The Church of Jesus Christ of L. D S.
held inat
Manchester in the Hall of Science Cam[p]field
This was our yearly General Conference of the various
Conferences of the Church throughout the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and which was held as in America on the anaversary
of the Rise of the Church
A large assembly of Saints and friends
came together at an early hour. Elder Woodruff presided
supported by his counsellors Reuben Hedlock and Thos Ward.
After the Conference was duly opened the
President called upon the delegates to represent the various Conferences
of the British Mission which occupied the forenoon. It was
much the largest representation ever given in England up to this
date notwithstanding our emigrations.
The afternoon was occupied by the Delegates
in representing the condition of their Conferences and the evening
was spent in the same manner and the Hall was filled with
a large assembly.
At the close of the evening I occupied
a few moments as delegate from America in representing
my conference consisting of the United States containing
one Quorum of the Twelve Apostles one High Council, 300 High Priests,
1050 of the Seventies 5000 Elders and about the same number of Priests Teachers
and Deacons and about one hundred thousand members including the
officers generally in very good standing, having built several towns and
one city with a population of 15,000 souls, built two Temples and laid
the foundation of another suffered much persecution and 50 or more of
its members had sealed their testimony with their blood but still it was in
a good state of prosperity.
General Conference re-assembled next morning at 10
o'clock at Mr Haywood's Room the usual meeting place of the Church at
Manchester and the first business presented was the Joint Stock Company
A committee of ten was chosen to withdraw from the body of the
Conference and form an instrument in writing as a Constitution for the
society.
The Committee of the Joint Stock Company
accordingly withdrew and sat in council most of the time for 24
hours and while that was going on the President and his counsellors
continued the business of the General Conference in making changes
of Elders giving appointments settling difficulties and putting
things generally in order
The two last days of the conference was occupied
mostly with the business of the Joint Stock Company and at the close Elders
Elisha H Davis & Elijah F. Sheets were ordained into the quorum of the Seventies
and T. D. Brown to the office of Elder under the hands of Elders Woodruff
Ward and Clark
Wilford Woodruff President
Thomas Ward
J B Meynell clerks
Having spent the intermediate time to the in and
around Manchester visiting the Churches and the Saints at their homes myself
and wife returned to Liverpool. Here I found letters at the office for me
two of which was from President Young and P. P. Pratt. These letters were
full of public interest and brother Brigham's spoke of the progress of
the Temple and affairs of Nauvoo.
The Maynooth Grant
On the I attended a meeting appointed by the minister
of the Church of England for the purpose of opposing the Maynooth
Grant which was then under discussion in the British Parliament
The whole country was in an excitement upon the matter and alarm
was created throughout the Protestant Churches of England. The meeting
was held in the Music Hall where the Saints held their services and
the celebrated Rev Hugh McNeile was chairman. The speakers
considered that Parliament was betraying the country and striking
a death blow at ^the^ three hundred years of reformation. Many addresses
were made and resolutions formed and the meeting broke up at
half past ten.
I spent the at the office examining the
and aranging the trunk and relics of our departed friend and brother
Lorenzo D. Barnes. I carefully filed all his correspondence and packed
in his trunk together with his own compositions Journals Patriarchal
Blessings &c also a dozen or more of choice coin of ancient date and
characters which he probably collected for the Nauvoo Museum
with one weight the standard for a soverign and his finger ring all
of which I carefully put in a package and sealed it with wax and
stamped it with a large ^seal.^ Upon the outside
of this package I wrote the contents and dirreected it to the
President of the Church in Nauvoo. Besides this I packed
his carpet bag a splendid Buffalo robe worked with Indian beads
overcoat dress coat various other clothing 2 cases of razors two
pocket books containing deeds of land and other papers a crown piece in a small
pocket book for the Museum at Nauvoo and a variety of other things all of which
I carefully packed to be sent to Nauvoo
A Dream.
After retiring to rest this night I fell asleep and dreamt that I
had just returned to Nauvoo from my English mission and was in company
with a number of the Twelve and other brethren. We met with Joseph
the Prophet and I shook hands with him and asked him if he and his
family were well. He said they were. I thought the endowment
had been given and he was counselling us about taking a mission
abroad. While talking he sat in a chair and leaned upon his breast
He said he was going to take a mission to India and pointed out the
man to go with him but I cannot now call him by name. George
A. Smith asked liberty of Joseph to spend more time with me that
we might be prepared to take a mission together which was granted
Orson Pratt had his mission appointed but I do not know where^;^
Lyman Wight was spoken of but I do not recollect what was said.
We had an interesting time together and all seamed happy to
see the Prophet again.
Toomb Stone of Lorenzo D Barnes
I sent to Elder E. F. Sheets the following Epita[p]h for the
toomb stone:
"In memory of Lorenzo D. Barnes who died on the
20th of December 1842 aged 30 years. He was a native of the
United States an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints a member of the High Priest Quorum and also of
Zions Camp in A.D. 1834 and the first Gospel Messenger
from Nauvoo who has found a grave in a foreign land.
Sleep on Lorenzo but ere long from this
The conquered toomb shall yeild her captive prey
Then with thy Quorum shat thou reign in bliss
As King and Priest for an eternal day.
The same evening I rode to Newton in company
with Bro James Ferguson and here I stayed with that Branch of
Saints for several days.
During my stay at Newton I with several
friends went to see the Muspratt vit^rol^ works carried on in
their various branches. It is one of the most lucrative businesses
in the world but very disagreeable and unhealthy. The fires are
fed with brimstone and the smoke of the whole works is carried
off through a brick chimney 138 feet in circumferance and 396
in height and often the air is so impregnated in the dirrection
that the smoke goes even at a great distance that one can
only with difficulty breathe in it
After leaving these works I visited each
appartment of the Newton Engine factory where a large number
of engines are made for the railroad. We had several of the
brethren at work there who could carry on the business in all its branches
From the Newton Engine Factory I
walked several miles through a very pleasant scenery surrounded
with green fields hedges trees and gardens and visited the Church. On
the side of the building was the figure of a pig in stone with
a stone hung around its neck. The tradition is that the materials
for the Church was drawn to another place quite a distance
from where the Church now stands and the pig came along and
took a stone in his mouth and carried it along squeeling and
laid it down where the Church now stands. The people
took it as an omen that they should build the Church there
and they did.
I returned from my walk to Bro Nuttall's
laid hands upon his sick child had prayers with the Saints and departed
for Liverpool.
In the beginning of May I visited the Churches
at Preston and Blackburn and with brother Speakman on the th
I walked from the latter place to Whalley and visited its old Abbey
which was the largest I had ever been into. It covered several acres
of ground & was nearly in total ruins except a small portion of it
which is inhabited by a few families. The Abbey is 800 years
old and was built A.D. 1,000.
Stoneyhurst—The Jesuits College
Next day Brother Speakman and myself walked to
Stoneyhurst and went through every appartment of the Jesuits
College which was the only college of the kind in England
We inspected each department of the rare and splendid paintings
and of the library which was very extensive containing many
very ancient writings and parchment manuscripts. There
was the prayer book of Mary Queen of England and a copy
of St. Paul's Epistles one thousand years old. We went
through their museum studies lodgings chapels &c containing
many rare and curious things. There were many paintings
and figures of Christ and some of the images of the Saviour
on the cross in fine marble cost £700. We went into
the chapel of the boys educated there and also into the main
chapel one of the windows of which with the paintings of the
Twelve Apostles on it cost two thousand pounds and
the candlesticks crosses and all the furnature were very choice
and costly.
We visited each departmentpart of the gardans which wer devided
by walks bordered by the ewe tree which formed the whole into departments. This
ewe tree border was about 4 feet thick 12 feet high and from 40 to 200 feet long
varying in the departments and these borders were as straight and smooth as a
plastered wall
After going through this noted College and its gardens
we walked to Waddington and visited the Almshouses built and
dedicated by Sir Robert Parker in 1,700 to the poor widows of
the parish. There were twenty five dwellings and a small
garden to each. These houses were occupied by aged widows
the youngest of whom was sixty years of age and the oldest
87. They appeared quite comfortable. We stoped at Waddington for the night
Thence next day to Clithero then to
Chatburn and we walked through the street that the Apostle
Heber C. Kimball walked through with his hat off and
blessed the place. I felt the Spirit of God rest upon me
while walking over the same road
A Day at Fishing
I went fishing the following day
with Father Richard Smithies in the river Ribble. He was
70 years of age and ^was^ considered the greatest fisher^man^ in that country
He fished with the fly and it being the first time I had ever
witnessed it I was delighted with this ingenious art of fishing and
the dexterity of the fisherman. The fishing rod was about
14 feet long very slender and his long fine line made of hair and
catgut was wound round a small brass wheel with a little crank to it
and fastened to the but end of the pole. The line then runs through
half a dozen brass rings or ilot holes fastened at regular distances
along the rod to the small end of it. On the line are
five or six artificial flies about two feet apart fastened by
catgut almost as fine as a hair. Twenty or thirty feet of the
line is unwound from the reel at the but of the rod and thrown
upon the water and the fly hooks swim down the stream and
the trout thaking them as natural flies are hooked as
soon as they bite. If they are large trout and run, they
of themselves unwind as much line as they want from the
reel and when the fish are thus worried in the water until they
struggle no longer the fisherman draws them to the bank
by the line or to himself if he stands in the water and
then with a small hand^-net^ on a pole of 5 or 6 feet puts it under the trout & very
deliberatly takes it out of the water. The fishermen have flies varying
for almost every month imitating the natural flies which swim upon the
water at the time they fish. These flies are made of feathers of birds
of different colours and the trout will often take them before the natural
fly
Father Smithies caught 7 trout and 2 cheven
I was much gratified with the days fishing and after our return
Sister Parkinson cooked the trout which made a good meal.
Clithero Quarterly Conference
Held Sunday the
Elder Speakman was called to preside. The churches were
represented some a[l]terations made and officers ordained in the morning
In the afternoon sacrament was administered and the power of
God rested so abundantly upon the congregation that many were
melted into tears.
This is the Conference brother Kimball speaks
of in his Journal. I do not wonder that he wept when he left
them for I was myself so overwhelmed with the spirit and power
of God and simplicity of the people that I could scarcely speak
They were like little children and as pure minded and inocent as
angels. Many of them bore their testimony to the work of God.
I returned next day to Preston and there met
Elders Holmes and Hardy and preached at night from the CII
Psalm and on the day after I reached Liverpool.
I stayed at home but two days and
then started to attend the Carlisle Conference. I took ^the^ steamer
for Carlisle at 4 p.m. on the th and as the boat was newly
painted from stern to stern and one could not touch ^or sit^ anywhere without carrying
away the paint my last resort was to pay 2 shillings for the use of a
bunk among the sailors. I had no sooner gone below than I was
enveloped in the most horrid stench I ever smelt arising from the
cargo consisting of goano [guano]. I laid down but was as sick as death
and vomitted at intervals for five hours and my stomach being empty
I strained at such a degree that blood ran out of my nose almost
a stream. I suffered much through the night and the sailors
smoked their pipes and filled the place with tobaco smoke which
though nacious to me was better than the stench of the cargo. I
thought it the most horrid night I ever spent at sea.
We arrived at Port Carlisle at 9 o'clock in
the morning. I then crossed the ferry and took the canal boat to
Carlisle.
With brothers Kent and Allen the next
day I went through the town of Carlisle. It was anciently walled
in with a high strong wall most of which was taken down in
building the city. We walked upon some portion of the
walls which still stood and visited the old St. Marys Church and
Abbey about eleven hundred years of age. Portions of the Church
was the ancient building itself and the remainder had been repaired
We also visited the Carlisle castle which gave us a fair view of
the surrounding country and among other things of note with which
we made ourselves acquainted was a very valuable painting by
Edward Rancier which we saw at Mr Charles Thurnum's
stationer's shop. It represented a blacksmith in the act of
shoeing a bay horse with a donkey by his side and a dog sitting
on the ground with the tool box anvil tools &c scattered around
It was such a life picture that it seemed more than a mere
painting. Five thousand pounds had frequently been offered
for it and refused. They sold the engravings for 5 pounds
each and it was supposed that no living artist except
Rancier could paint such a picture.
Carlisle Conference
held
In the Recabites Lodge Room Castle St. Carlisle
Sunday th
This conference had not met before for 4 years and
as it was somewhat a special meeting now Elder Woodruff was called to
the chair and Joseph Maughen clerk.
The representation showed the conference to consist
of the Branches of Carlisle Brampton Alston New Castle Sunderland and
Dunfries and containing 165 members
The necessary business in putting the Churches
in order was attended to sacrament partaken of and in the evening
the president of the meeting preached to a crowded house upon the rise
and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
which closed the Conference
I parted from the Saints of Carlisle and
returned to Liverpool by the same steamer in which I came. It had
on board 400 sheep and some horses and cattle which nearly covered the entire
deck yet the sailors found space large enough to fight on. About
a dozen of them got at it which left many bloody noses and sore heads
We had a very good passage however.
On the which was the
seventh day of the week and on this the Sabbath day of ancient Israel
at 6 o'clock in the morning the last stone was laid on the Temple
of the Lord at Nauvoo with shouts of grace unto it. Glory to
God in the Highest who finished his work on the seventh day
and rested. So may the Saints rest! Thus I wrote in
my Journal upon
The Laying of the Last Stone of the Nauvoo Temple.
On the I started by rail to London
upon the important Church business of securing the copyright of the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants. I left my family in Liverpool
Copyright of the Book of Doctrine & Covenants
Secured
By Wilford Woodruff at Stationers Hall England
As refered to elsewhere in my autobiography I had received a
copy of a letter from John Greenhow to his father in England
stating that he was stereotyping the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
of the Chuch at an expence of $300 and that he would be in
England about the 1st of May when he should strike off a
few copies of the book and deprive us of the privilege of printing
it. This was to be kept a profound secret but through the
mercy of God the knowledge fell into my hands and I as
the lawful agent of the Church immediately employed a printer
and printed three thousand copies. And on this 7th of
June I secured the copyright of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
in my own name at Stationers Hall London and carried
one copy according to law to the British Museum and
got my receipt for it
I spent several weeks in London and while
there the case of Elder Albon was before the Church. He was the
minister of the Indipendant connection whom we baptized at
the commencement of the work in London on my former mission
to England. He was brought to trial for resisting the order
and counsel of the Church and at a meeting on the of
June when his case was brought up for the last time for
settlement he defended himself with a heart full of envy and
accusation but acknowledged what was brought against him
and said that he should continue his course baptizing on [blank] and
ordaining in his own way. A vote was taken and he was cut
off from the Church a second time
While in London on this occassion I also revisited
many of the noted places and things of the city and subburbs and saw
some alterations and additions but the most famous of the fresh things
which I saw and which I had never visited before was
The Unrivalled Exhibition of Madame Tussaud
and Sons
Bazar Baker Street Portman Square
I have never in my travels seen anything which could
begin to compare with this exhibition. On entering I purchassed a
book of the contents of each room. Here were life representations
of the kings and queens of England for centuries with their courts at various
periods, also the kings and emperors of other nations of Europe with
a grand marshalling of celebrated poets orators and renowned men
of the earth with the due proportion of unenviable notorious characters
Among the rest stood our own Washington in his dress of state and
Byron Shakspeare Voltaire Luther Calvin Knox Wesley and
a host of like celebrities. And what makes the exhibition so
interesting is the fact that we find there not only the best possible
representations of the persons of the grand array of famous characters
but also the very dresses &c which they wore in life even to the
coronation robes of royalty with their diamonds stars precious stones
and all the gorgeous paraphernalia of everything famous in the
present and past. Here is Napoleon the 1st represented under
almost every circumstance of his life and the Sleeping Beauty
of France with her jewels and necklace of brilliants with her
bosom heaving with the soft regular breathing of sleep looking as natural
as life as does ^also^ the other figures. Indeed to such an extent
is this life like illusion sustained everwhere in this famous Bazaar that
visitors often find the novelty of taking these wax figures for living
persons. I myself was in one case particularly taken in with
the apparant life reality of a respectable old gentleman ^setting^ by my
side. The following is an extract of some of some of the
personages and things which I saw at the Bazaar of Madame
Tussaud and Sons.
First Group
in honour of her Majesty and the Duke of Wellington
1st Queen Victoria in full court costume. 2nd Prince Albert as fField
Marshal. 3rd the Duke of Wellington in his uniform. Nicholas I
Emprieor of Russia in uniform of R. Guards. Archbishop of Canterbury
in robes worn only at the coronation. The Duchess of Kent in
full coronation robe. Frederick William King of Prussia. The
Queen Dowager in court dress. Espartero late regent of Spain
uniform of a Spanish general. Louis Philippe king of the French in the
costume of the national worn by himself. Napier as an admiral.
Lord John Russell. Mehemet All^i^ in a Turkish costume. Charles XIV
king of Sweeden and Norway, uniform of the Sweedish guard. The Marquis of
Anglesea. Sir Robert Peel. Lord Hill late commander of the English
army. Marquis of Wellesley brother to Wellington in the clothes and orders worn
by him in the court of George the IV. Lord Palmerston. The late
Princes[s] Augusta in the dress she wore at the coronation of Queen Victoria
Second Group
George the IV wearing the orders of the Garter Bath and guelph and the
figure moddled from life. The robe complete in every respect worn
by his Majesty was that used in the procession to Westminster Abbey and
measured seven yards long by three wide was borne by three ^9^ eldest
sons of peers. The robe on the right under the looking glass was used
at the opening of Parliament that on the left was the purple or imperial
robe used on his Majestys return from the Abby. These three robes
contain five hundred and sixty seven feet of velvet and embroidery with the ermine
lining and cost 18 thousand pound sterling. Figure 22 was George I in the robes of
the order of the Thistle. George III in the robes of St Patrick. Princes[s] Charlotte of Wales
dressed in full court costume. Late Duke of Kent in the robes and habits of the Bath
and wearing all the royal orders. Leopold I King of Belgium in the full habit of
the Garter taken from life in 1817. The late Queen Charlotte in full court dress of
her period wearing the hoop &c. The Duke of Cambridge in full field marshall^'s^
uniform with the coronation robe and all the royal orders ^collars^. George II in full robes
of the garter as worn at that period with the ancient collar. The late Duke
of York in the full robes of the Garter wearing various royal orders. William IV
in the magnificent coat worn by himself as Lord High Admiral of England. The
king of Hanover in full field marshall's uniform with the robes of the Bath collars &c.
Queen Caroline in court dress of the period. The late Duke of Sussex in a suit of
cloth worn by himself as Col. of the city artillery wearing the mantal worn by
him at the coronation of Queen Victoria
Third Group.
representing the coronation of Queen Victoria. Her Majesty is dressed in her royal
robes and seated on her throne having on her head the imperial crown and in her
hands the sceptre and orb. Near her is the Archbishop of Canterbury imploring a
blessing supported by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London. The throne
is the identical one under which George IV received the allied sovereigns and all
the figures are dressed in strict accordance with the regulations at the coronation
In this group there are also Nelson, the Right Honourable George Canning
Dukes of Newcastle Sutherland and Devanshire, Earl Grey Marquises of Londonderry
and Normonby Bishop of London in full dress and Queen Victoria
again.
The Fourth Group
represents the most celebrated characters of the late war including the
members of the Holy Alliance.
The figure pointing to the Eagle is Buonarparte; immediately behind him
is Marshal Ney and next to the pedestal is Murat the late king of Naples
behind them stand Prince Talleyrand and Roustan the favourite Mameluke
of Napoleon. The figure seated is the Emperor of Austria behind him next to
the pedestal is the King of Prussia and Blucher with the Emperor Alexandraer
of Russia offering on behalf of the allied monarchs the kingdom of France. The
intention of this group is to show ^in view^ the principal actors in a which never had
a parallel and to give effect to the view the allied monarchs are supposed
to be offering to Napoleon the kingdom of France as it was under Louis XIV
(an historical fact) which he refuses prefering to risk the chance of war
against Europe in arms rather than give up his pretentions to universal
dominion. Napoleon grasping the sword which won him empire points
to his favourite Eagle and determines to fulfil his destiny. The
Eagle surmounting the whole was presented by Napoleon to his Imperial
Guard and was taken at Waterloo by the Prussians under Von Blucher
The Emperor of Austr[i]a and King of Hungary ^is^ in the uniform of the
Austrian Guards Alexander Emperor of Russia uniform of his guards
Frederic William III of Prussia do. [ditto] and Field Marsalhal Von
Blucher in the uniform of the Prussian guards Napoleon in the
uniform of a chasseur of the Guard with the star of the Legion
of Honour taken from life in the year 1815. The figure numbered
next to him was Murat as king of Naples, Prince Talleyrand in
his usual dress Marshal Ney, P^rince^ Te La Moscow and Napoleon's
Marmeluke who saved his life in Egypt.
Fifth or Armour Group.
is an interesting group of historical characters in magnificent
suits of armour with the badge of the Garter period 1649
Cromwell in this group is supposed to communicate to the
King Charles his death warrent. Charles I is in a magnificent
suit of cha^e^vealier armour with the badge of the garter
Cromwell is in his favourite dress Charles II in a suit of
cha^e^valier armour with the badge of the garter and the
figure number 61 is Wolsey in the dress of a cardinal.
Sixth Group
Joan of Arc as represented at Versailles. Numbered next is
Henry IV of France in a suit of chevalier armour with the badge of
the Holy Ghost he granted toleration to the Protestants and was assassinated
by Ravillac May 14 1610. Next is Francis I of France in a cap-a-pie
suit of the times with the badge of the Virgin.
Seventh Group
The unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots reproved by John Knox. This
group is designed to represent at one view the celebrated characters of the
15 century to give effect to which John Knox is supposed to be
insulting the queen which she bore with great resignation. Near
Mary stands Henry the VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth and
behind John Knox are the great reformers Luther and Calvin. Numbered
next are the figures of James II and William the III of England
Group of Celebrated Characters
Fame standing on a pedestal between the renowned English statesmen
Pitt and Fox. Next the Earl of Eldon taken in 1833 and Joseph
Hulme taken from life in 1836 Daniel O. Connell Lord Brougham
Sir Francis Burdett Earls of Leicester Earl Spencer Lord Durham
taken from life Lord Byron taken from a bust Sir Walter Scott
taken from life in Edinburough in 1828 by Madame Tussaud
George Washington—dressed as the President of the United States
taken from a bust executed from life William Cobbett in the
dress usually worn by him and Richard Cobden. Louis the
XVI with his queen & children. Voltaire (ancient costume taken
from life two months before his death. ^Next^ a coquett in the dress
usually worn by ladies of the period, following ^her is^ Madame Saint Amaranthe
or the sleeping beauty and then the artist taken by himself
Figure 96 was John Westey next Rev John Clows and following Baron
^is^ Sweedenborg costume senator of Sweeden. After these were numbered
Shakspeare J. P Kemballe Mrs Siddons in the character of Queen
Catherine and Liston in the character of Paul Pry. Next were
Father Matthew Madame Malibran Paganina and F[r]ost the
Chartist leader. Tom Thumb was the last numbered in the
group. He weighed at his birth 9 lbs 2 or 3 oz and was then 14
years of age and weighed only 15 lbs
Relics of Napoleon.
The celebrated and identical camp-bed used by Napoleon 7 years
at St. Hellena with the original mattress and pillows on
which he died. Here ^he^ is lying in state in his chasseur uniform
covered with the identical cloak worn by him at Marengo
and prized so highly that he expressly left it by will to his
son the king of Rome. In it he laid in soldier's glory and
it served as his pall to the grave. They paid for the bed
alone £550 for the Tussaud Bazaar. Here is the
coronation robe of Napoleon and also the coronation robe of
the Empress Josephine the train of which at her coronation was
borne by four queens. A figure of Napoleon in the identical
clothes worn by him ^at^ St Hellena, waistcoast smallclothes stockings
morning gown and sword belt. The celebrated flag of Elba which
Napoleon presented to the National guards at Elba afterwards
used by him on his return to France. It was again presented
to his guard before the battle of Waterloo and was taken by
the Prussians. This flag accompanied Napoleon in the most
interesting portion of his marvellous history. There were figures
of Josephine in her Imperia[l] costume Prince Lucien The
King of Rome Madame Mere Napoleon's mother his
sister the wife of Murat and Queen of Naples and Napoleon
crossing the Alps. In this room Napoleon is represented
under four phases—as a general as the E^m^peror as the Exile and lastly
in death. One of the most famous of the Napoleonic relics is
the carriage of Napoleon in which he made the campaign of
Russia and which was captured on the eve of the battle of Waterloo
and sent with the officer who took it to the Regent of England from
whom it was purchased for 2,500. It accompanied the Emperor in
many of his campaigns and was used by him as sovereign of Elba
It was constructed so as to make good accomodations for riding sleeping
writing eating storing arms &c. I sat in this carriage in which
the great Napoleon had sat so many anxious hours and from which
he gave command in his final battle—Waterloo. There was
also the identical sword worn by him during his campaign in
Egypt and a host of other relics but probably the most curious
relic is the counterpane used on the camp-bed on which Napoleon
died, marked with his blood
Chamber of Horrors
Full figures: Count De Lonrge as in prison in the Bastile. Marat
taken immediately after his assassination by Cha[r]lotte Corday with
a knife in his bath. Burke and Hare: Burke taken three hours
after his execution and Hare in prison. They killed people for their
bodies for desection
Heads: Robespierre taken immediately after his execution.
Carrier taken immediately after his execution, guillotined in 1794
Fouquier Tinville guillotined in 1794, and Hebert in 1794. These were
monsters of the French revolution who was executed by the instrument which th[e]y
had themselves so horribly used. Ravaillac for stabbing Henry the IV of France
His right hand was consumed in boiling brimstone his flesh pulled off his bones
with red hot pinchers boiling oil and rosin and brimstone was poured on his wounds
and melted led on his navel: he was then drawn in quarters by horses. The
original cast of Burke's face. Greeenacre the murderer. Daniel McNaughten
who shot Mr Drummon thinking it was Sir Robert Peel: was confined at St Luke's
insane. Edward Oxford who shot at Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. John Francis
found guilty of high treason for shooting at her Majesty. Fieschi attempted the life
of the king of the French and his sons: He with his confederates were
guillotined. Sir William Courtney the fanatic dressed as king of Jerusalem
He shot a constable and an officer. He with 17 of his followers were killed
and wounded. There were other heads of individuals of similar notoriety in
this chamber
Models and Relics
Model of the Guillotine. Modle of the Bastile. Shirt of Henry IV
worn by him when assassinated by Ravillac with his blood still to be
seen. An Egyptian Mummy.
Cabinet Figures
Louis the XVI and the Duc D. Orleans. Tippo Saib killed fighting
Tippo Saib's Sultana. Cleopatra dying. Socrates dying. Voltaire at the
age of fifty; and other figures.
I left London on the and rode by rail to Birmingham
One year ago on the 27th the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum the Patriarch
his brother were martyred and I appointed the 27 of June as
A Day of Prayer and Fasting
throughout all the Churches in the British Isles. I met with
the Saints that evening in Birmingham
I remained in Birmingham several days
and then went into the Potteries Staffordshire from thence I went to
Manchester and on the returned to Liverpool
On the th of the same month my wife Phebe
gave birth to a fine son to whom I gave the name of Joseph on
the 8th day of his age when I blessed him in the arms of his mother
I continued my Presidential labours in and around
Liverpool being most of the time in the office until August the
when I took the train to Manchester and next day continued
to Sheffield where we held conference the next ^following^ day ^&^ returned to Liverpool three
days afterwards were ^Here^ I remained but two days and then attended the Preston Conference
held and returned again to Liverpool on the .
On the th of this month I forwarded the trunk of Elder
Lorenzo Barnes to President Young by Elder Houston who went on board of the
Oregon with a number of others of the Saints.
On the th with my wife and 2 children I left
Liverpool to attend
The Manchester Quarterly Conference
held th
There were represented twenty four Branches at this time
composing the Manchester Conference with a total of one thousand seven
hundred and sixty nine members including 44 Elders 99 Priests 57 Teachers
and 27 Deacons. One hundred and fifteen had been baptized during
the quarter. Most of the Branches were represented in good standing
A recommendation was presented to Elder Holmes by the unanimous vote
of the Conference and Elder James D. Ross appointed to supply his
place for the time being as President of the Manchester Conference
We returned to Liverpool on the th and receieved
letters from my wife's father and brother containing the ^news of the^ death of her mother
on the 21st of July aged 70 years 3 months and 13 days. My wife did
not return until two days afterwards. I did not inform her of the death
of her mother intending to let her recover herself from the fatigue of her
journey &c but she found the letters before I informed her and was very much
affected by the sudden blow
Lemington Conference
was held th^
Myself and Elder Hedlock from Liverpool attended. A good impression
was made through^out^ the conference upon the minds of a large audience
of respectable citizens notwithstanding that mobs had recently been
raised there who had broken the banisters around the stairs of our
meeting place with the benches tables &c.
Lemington is one of the first aristocratic towns in
England which the Nobility and gentry visit as one of their select places
and in consequence of its sulphur springs. The streets and buildings
of the town are rich and splendid in appearance
A Visit to Warwich Castle
In company of about a dozen Saints I visited
the Warwichk castle and tower. It is considered the most splendid
castle in England and is furnished with all the magnificence which art
and the wealth of Earldom could bestow upon it.
The main body of the castle was 333 ft
long divided into its various rooms. The walls were hung with rich
gorgeous tapestry the rooms furnished with the costliest furniture
and the richest damask-covered chairs tables and stands inlaid
with pearl shell and precious stones. Some of these articles cost
£15,000 each and would take three years for the artizen to make
This castle contained a great variety of
paintings and portraits of Kings Queens Lords Orators Reformers
and nobles. One among the gallery of portraits was the founder of
the Jesuits.
From the windows of the castle we looked
out upon stately ceders of Lebanon oak firs and other shrubs and
saw the pleasure grounds of forty acres and a park five miles in
circumferance. This castle was 800 years old and the Tower
500 years old and 150 feet high. We went to the top of it and had a
magnificient view of all the surrounding country
In a small room at the entrance of the
castle we had a view of the armoury of the celebrated Guy
His helmet breastplate and shield weighs 120 pounds and his
sword 20 lbs. His copper porage pot holds 120 gallons and
six grown persons of us sat in it at the same time
In the evening I took the train in company with Elder
Hedlock and rode to Birmingham. On our arrival we found Elder Crook
waiting for us. We accompanied him to the Hall of the Latter-day
Saints where we found between 4 and 5 hundred of the Saints sitting
at a general tea table. As we entered the door the clapping of
hands and stomping of feet that welcomed us made the room tremble
and it was with difficulty that I could get to the stand as all wished to
shake hands with me as I passed along
After taking a repast with this warm hearted
band of brethren and sisters I addressed them for about the space of
an hour clothed with the Spirit and power of God. I was followed by
Elder Hedlock and we spent a good time together
Next day I left Birmingham for Liverpool
On the and of the month in Liverpool I sat
with the board of Directors of the British and American Joint Stock
Company until near midnight of the second day. It was a hard day's
work and a critical one. Each article of the deed for settlement
preparing for regestration was read over several times changed and
altered as the Board of Directors thought fit.
It had been with much labour care and
expence to get the Joint Stock Company settled so as to begin to
do business and during the day I had many trying things to
encounter. My spirit was greived and insulted as it had been many
times since I came to Liverpool from a source that I ought
to have expected better things.
We got the Nauvoo Times and Neighbor
and New York Messenger informing us of the commencing of mobing
once more in Hancock County. The mob had burned 42 houses
of the Saints in Lima; and a day or two later the Liverpool
papers teemed with rumours that mobs were raging against
the Saints in Hancock Co. had burned several hundred of their
houses and that a proposition had been made by the Twelve
to the citizens of Hancock County for the Mormons to leave ^that they would leave the state as soon as they could dispose of their property^
Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles
[13 lines blank]
On the I met with Elders Hedlock and Ward
and laid before them my feelings concerning our situation in
Liverpool both temporally and spiritually. There had not
been a good understanding between us for some time but I told
these brethren what I wished to be done and seemingly our
meeting was profitable and at the close of our consultation we
bowed our knees together before God.
Towards the latter end of the following
month I received intelligence from President Young that
the State of Illinois would not protect the citizens of Nauvoo
and that the only terms of peace granted at all was upon condition
of our people leaving the State. The Presidency of the Church and
the community themselves had been under the necessity of agreeing
to leave the State of Illinois the next Spring. I wrote in
return to President Young expressing my feelings severely upon
this extermination of the Saints and asked his counsel whether
I should tarry in England or return to America. I also sent
him a duplicate of the entering of the copyright of the
Books of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants
I also notified the Presiding Elders of the British
mission of a Special General Conference to be held at Manchester
on the 14th day of December 1845.
I then left Liverpool and attended the Glasgow
Conference held sunday October and returned again to Liverpool
on the and on the with Mrs Woodruff
I took train to Manchester.
Special General Conference
of the
British Mission
held at
The Hall of Science Manchester .
The conferences of the British Mission were represented
containing a total of eleven thousand and thirty two members
with one of the quorum of the Twelve 8 High Priests 392 Elders
590 Priests 311 Teachers and 188 Deacons and 1573 baptized during
the last eight months. The statistics of the Staffordshire
Conference was not included in this total
Thus had the work of God in ^the^ British
Isles in a few years grown into a mighty mission
This Special Conference was continued
through two days and much important business was taken up
and arrangements made in view of my return to the United States
and ^and^ the emigration expulsion of the Saints and the general affairs of
the mission discoursed upon.
I spent the day following the Conference
with the Saints an Manchester and bid them farewell and
next day returned to Liverpool
St John's Market Liverpool on
My wife and I paid it a visit. It was a fine
sight. The best of beef mutton pork veal and prize bullocks sheep
lambs &c uncut filled their department of the Market House game
and poultry of every kind crouded its department and fruit from
almost every country and clime was heaped fancifully on its
numerous decorated stalls and the whole body of the market was
hung with evergreen. After we had viewed St John's Market
we returned home and at eleven o'clock at night we attended
High Mass In the Catholic Chapel
Scotland Road Liverpool.
This was the first time in my life that I had ever attended
High Mass in a Catholic Church.
I and my wife eat our Christmas dinner
at brother and sister Enion's with whom our daughter Susan
Cornelia had been for some time living and in the afternoon we
all attended a general tea meeting of the Saints held at the Music
Hall in Liverpool with a company of 3 or 4 hundred Saints
A few more days past and the year
1845 had rolled round and I and my family ^in^ Liverpool continuing
my second mission to the British Isles.
My Synopsis of Labours and Travels
In Great Brittain
in 1845
I travelled in the British Isles three thousand
six hundred and eighty two miles.
Meetings Held and Conferences Attended
I held eighty meetings and attended fifteen conferences
Baptisms &c.
I baptized 2 confirmed 41 blessed 23 children
and administered to 90 sick persons
Ordinations
I ordained three to the office of the Seventies
seven Elders eight Priests one Teacher and two Deacons.
Letters Written and Received
I wrote four hundred and seven letters and received 379
Publishing in 1845
I published 3000 copies of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
in Liverpool and this was the first European edition. I also
published 3000 copies of the Hymn Book and 20,000
copies of the "Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles"
Copyright of the Book of Doctrines & Covenants
I secured the copyright of the First European Edition
of the Book of Doctrines and Covenants in the name of Wilford Woodruff
at Stationers Hall London June the 7th 1845
Funds for the Temple
I collected three hundred and seventeen pounds twelve shillings for
the Temple of the Lord in Nauvoo.
[top of page blank]
On I wrote Elder Samuel Downs
a letter and sent him as a New Year's Gift some hair from the
heads of Joseph Smith the Prophet and all the male members of
his father's ^the Smith^ family and also some of the hair of Joseph's mother and
most of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles with a piece of
the Prophet's handkerchief
On I left Liverpool for
Preston and preached on the Sunday
The glasgow conference sent me elveven
pounds three shillings and the Manchester conference 42
pounds and Birmingham six pounds to assist me and my
family to return to America. I gave out of this 12 pounds
to Elder Clark
On the evening of I made
a feast for a few of the brethren before my departure
and had for my guests Elders Hedlock Ward Clark Wilson and Downes
Next day was Sunday and the last but one
of my stay in England on this mission. I communed with the Saints
and delivered in the evening my farewell address.
The following week was a very busy one
in preparing for our own emigration and the sending off of a small
company of the Saints
On I went on board of the ship
Liverpool with my family and about 40 others of the Saints. Elders
Hedlock Fielding McChacie and myself ^I and^ went out with the ship ten
miles and I then parted with my family and the company of Saints
on board and returned with the above ^several^ brethren in a small boat to
Liverpool for I could not go for some days but had to leave my
wife and children to cross the Atlantic without me and tarry
myself for some days to settle my business and the affairs of the
mission
As was the last day of my time
on shore I was determined to make some settlement of my affairs
before going on board of the ship and this I had found hard to
accomplish. Elders Ward and Hedlock had so much business of
their own to do that they had done but little to help me in the
settlement of mine and what they should have done had been
put off by them to the last minute. This made it very hard
for me. I had to pull along alone and none to help and Elder
Ward especially had manifested great indifference and neglect towards
me. However I struggled through it by the help of God and
also overthrew a design to partly rob me of the little means I had
This design I had every reason to believe was concockted by Mr
James the Printer and a professed friend standing near me in
office and interest.
But I succeeded this day in effecting a final
settlement and the statement showed that I left the printing
department of the Church with property in excess of debts
574 pounds 16 shillings and one penny.
After regulating the accounts and writing
My Valedictory For the Star
all in the midst of a whirl of business I bade farewell to Elders
Hedlock Ward and Wilson and others around ^and^ with Elder Joseph
A. Stratton I went on board the packet ship Ashburton
of the Swallow-tail line bound for New York with its
passengers and crew
We hoisted anchor and was towed out
into the channel by a steam tug on the morning of the
. The tug left us about 15 miles out
and we set sail and went on our course
My wife and children with a company
of the Saints were crossing the Atlantic for New Orleans on
the ship Liverpool and I now commencing my voyage
accross to New York. It was designed that my wife
with the two children with her should go direct towards Nauvoo
and I by the way of New York to fetch my daughter Phebe
from my wife's sister ^Sarah Foss^ in Sc^arborough^ and also
to take with me to Nauvoo my Father and Stepmother
Man Overboard
About a week after we set sail during a
roughish day ^storm^ the second mate steped forward to the bow
of the ship and ordered one of the hands to do something on
the bowsprit who refused upon the plea that it was
dangerous and at the risk of his life. The mate replied
that he would not ask a man to do a thing he was not
willing to do himself and forthwith attempted the task
At the same moment we shipped a sea which instantly
washed him overboard. The cry of second mate overboard immediately
rang through the ship and ropes were thrown out to him but he
could not get them. The buoy was next flung to him and he swam
hard to reach it but could not as the sea was running so high it
floated to the leeward of him. The captain then gave orders to bout
the ship which was going 8 knotts an hour. This was done as spedily
as possible still it took several minutes to accomplish. The
Life boat was then ^let^ down at the same time and Harry the boatswain
and four other hands maned it. Notwithstanding the high seas
they managed the boat well. The second mate continued to swim
for 15 or twenty minutes in the raging billows even until the
Life-boat was within a few rods of him when he instantly sunk
to rise no more. They remained on or near the spot where
he was last seen—both the ship and the boat—but nothing more was
seen of him. The boat then came along-side but it was with
great difficulty they got on board the ship and they came near being
swamped several times
After every exertion had been made they were
oblidg[ed] to trim the sails to the wind and continue their course
leaving the unfortunate mate in his watery grave. The Captain
and crew seemed much affected by the event.
The name of the second mate was William
Drummond an American native of floshing ^Flushing^ Long Island New York
He was a single man had been in the East Indian trade with our
Captain William Holland. This was his first trip in the Liverpool
trade and he was now on his return home. He was a stirring
ambitious young man and it was remarkable with what pleasure
the night before he spoke of taking tea with his mother on his arrival
home. But in the midst of his young ambitious hopeful
life he was suddenly in death burried in his watery grave
Harry the boatsman took the place
of the unfortunate secondmate and soon the ship's company
was sailing on as though nothing had happened.
A Strange Story
While on our voyage Elder Stratten related to me
the following narative
I ^"^In company with some friends on the 22nd of
October 1845 I went to visit a young maiden who was in a ^kind^
^of^ trance. She was the daughter of James and Susan Corner ^Comer^
and her own name was Ann Corner ^Commer^. Her parents lived at
the village of Farrington Gurney Somemertshire England; and
the village is 12 miles from Bath and 15 from Bristol.
Ann was a sprightly child until the age of 12 years at
which time she was take[n] with convulsions and fits for five weeks
Her jaws became locked and eyes closed; she lost the use of her
limbs and was only able to turn her head and raise her hand a few
inches. The last article of food she was ever known to eat was
a small portion of an egg. This was upwards of eight years
ago during which time there has nothing entered her mouth
or passed from her. She breaths through her nose with
regular breathing and her pulse also beats regularly though
quite feble. She has grown about 2 inches in height during
this state looks very pleasant and has a smile upon her
countenance. It is the oppnion [opinion] of some that she is not
insensible and as incredible as the case may seem I could
not find a doubt among any one in the neighbourhood of the
correctness of the statement given me. I pressed her hand
several times and received a light pressure in return. Her
fingure nails have come off three times during the eight
years but at the present time they are perfect. Many
of the first Physicians in Bath have visited her and
some have spent three or four days at a time with her
They have desired to have her removed to the Hospital
but her parents will not alow it and as much as possible
the family have tried to prevent the rumour of the case of their
daughter from going abroad.
We Arrive at New York
After a very long ^stormy^ and fatiguing passage of ^43^
days we landed on my native shore thankful enough once
more to put our feet
As soon as we landed brother Stratton Mr
Hastings and myself went to an eating house and got a bo dish
of oysters which we relished very much after so long a trip and
the exhausted ship's fare; but we were more reconcilled to our
hard passage when we found that other ships had passed
quite as long and hard a voyage as ourselves that trys some of
them coming in dismasted and all had suffered much
Elder Stratton started for Nauvoo and
I to Farmington my native place to take my father and
step-mother with me to Nauvoo and thence to find a new
home with the Saints in their exodus to the Rocky Mountains
I reached Farmington on the found all matters concerning
my father and mother as I ^according^ to my expectations but
my Aunt Anna Cossett had died which broke up the ^her^
family. Her daughter Ann was going into a factory Cyrus
to Canton in the blacksmith business which left my
cousin Betsey alone and she desired to go with my
fathers family and the Saints.
Leaving Farmington for a season I
started for my wife's father's to fetch my daughter Phebe
whom I found a large fleshy girl.
I reached Saco on the and called
upon my wifes sister whom I found in good health faith
and spirits and with her Phebe her daughter and my child
Phebe whom I soon caught in my arms and kissed
I took dinner with my sister-in-law ^Sarah^
Foss and then went with her to Father Carter's in a wagon
I found my wife's father well and the rest of the family excepting
Mary whom I thought had somewhat failed since I last saw
her. With my father-in-law and others of the family I spent the
night at his house. He told me that the spirit of mother
did often at night visit him ^visited him almost evey night^.
My wife had given me as her last request
that her father should be baptized and receive the Priesthood at
my hands before I left him and thus I communicated to
him. He said that he had desired at times to be baptized
and thought he would at this time if I stayed over another
day but next morning he was reluctant as the water
was frozen &c so I thought it best to start on my journey
that day as I was so late in the season and our people had
to leave Nauvoo that spring
Father Carter was 73 years of age that
very day. Before I bade him farewell we visited together
mother's grave walking on the crust of snow that covered
the ground but her grave was bare. The old man
pointed to a spot beside it and said "that place will
soon be my bed." I took some pebbles from the grave
to carry to Phebe.
At our parting our aged father
was much affected and wept. He sent his best parental
love to his daughter and wished me to say to her that he
was a firm beleivedr in the Book of Mormon and the
faith of the Latter-day Saints and that as soon as he saw
his way clear he would endeavour to be baptized
I arrived at Farmington on
the and we commenced directly our packing
and arrangements for our journey
Farewell To My Native Place
We arose early on the morning of the
to start on our journey to Nauvoo. We took breakfast and bade
farewell to the town of Farmington and the inhabitants thereof
Our company consisted of my father mother and cousin Betsey
Cossett with myself and little daughter Phebe
It was a pleasant morning. We rode to
New Britain in a waggon and when we were on the top
of the mountain I cast my eyes back upon my native place
I gave to it a final and probably my last adieu
We did not get to the station in season
for the passenger train so we took the baggage train to
New Haven. Here I found Elder ^Bro^ Adams from Springfield
and he went with me to the United States Riffle Factory
and I bought four riffles with extra barrels
After the various incidents usual
on such a journey we arrived in Nauvoo on the . We stoped at Keokuk for an hour and at
about 2 o'clock we started to assend the Rapids. In
about 2 hours we came in sight of the Temple and
the city of Nauvoo. I immediately got my spy glass
and took
A View in the Distance of the City
and Temple which to my eyes looked truly splendid
The boat stoped at Montrose and
then crossed to Nauvoo at the upper landing. I soon
got a waggon and took my friends to my house where I had
the happy privilege of again meeting my dear wife and
children who arrived only a few days before me having also
like myself had a long voyage accross the ocean being 9 weeks
and fourteen days on the passage
[top of page blank]
When I arrived at Nauvoo I found the Saints
[rest of page blank]
Dedication of The Temple
of the Lord in Nauvoo
In the evening of this day I repared to the Temple and
with Elder Orson Hyde and about 20 others of the Elders of Isreal all
dressed in our Priestly robes we dedicated the Temple of the Lord built
unto His most Holy Name by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints
Notwithstanding the prophesies of Sydney
Rigdon and others that the roof should not go on and the House
of the Lord be finished and the threats of the mob that we should
not dedicate it we had finished the work of the Temple of
God and now dedicated it to his most holy name ^him^. After the
dedication we raised our voices in the united shout of Hosanna to
God and the Lamb.
After our dedication and the offering up of
our prayers for the Camp of Israel and that we might not be disturbed by
any mob during our further services of dedication we returned to our
homes thankful for the privilege which we had enjoyed in our evenings
service.
Public Dedication
of the Temple of the Lord
Next On this day we met for a public dedication
of the Temple and on entering each paid one dollar to clear the
debt upon it and pay the hands who had built it. I paid seven
dollars for my company who were seven in number consisting of myself wife father
mother cousin ^and others^
I opened the meeting by prayer and was followed with remarks
from Elder Orson Hyde who also offered up the dedication prayer. Afterwards
Elder Almon Babbit was called upon to address the meeting which he did much
to the edification of the assembly.
On the dedication was continued.
The Saints began to assemble at an early hour and at ten o'clock the house
was well filled. Orson Hyde myself and Elder Stratton occupied the upper
stand.
After ^the^ singing Elder Stratton opened the service by prayer
and then Elder Orson Hyde arose and addressed the congregation from
the passage of scripture:
"What is man that thou art mindful of him
or the Son of man that thou visiteth^est^ him" [Hebrews 2:6]
After Elder Hyde had closed I addressed the
assembly and the meeting desmissed and the dedication of the Temple
ended.
I had an interview with John Taylor
who had returned to the city to settle his business and went
over the river to the camp and on the following our company from
the east arrived with our baggage
On the I received several letters
one of which was from President Brigham Young from the Camp
of Israel and another from Elder Elijahsha H Davis from London
I went to the Temple at an early hour
and found the house filled. Elder Phelps opened by prayer and
I addressed the congregation ^from the words of Solmn. There is a time for all things &c^ [Ecclasiastes 3:1-8] and was followed by Elders ^Amos^ Fielding
Benjamin Clap and others. This was
The Last Time I Preached
in the
Temple of the Lord at Nauvoo.
Next day I crossed the river to Montrose
and bought 2 yoke of oxen and paid 50 dollars per yoke and then
drove them up to the camp where my waggons were and during several
following days I was busy at home preparing for my journey
I left Nauvoo on the and crossed the
Missisippi with my wagons and family and camped about one mile from
Montrose where also Orson Hyde was camped. I was very weary with
the continued and unceasing exertions which I had for months been making both
before and after my return to Nauvoo to follow with my family the body of the
Church to find a new home.
The was one of the most perplexing
of my life. I had on the ground three baggage waggons one family
carriage six yoke of oxen six cows 4 calves one yearling and a pair
of mules making in all 25 head. I started to go to the Black Jack
Grove to camp. The whole care was upon myself. As soon as we had
started the cows and calves all ran various ways and while I was trying
to get them together the oxen broke the tongue out of my carriage. After
that was mended by leaving part of our stock we got started but we had
not gone far before my father drove into a mud hole and the oxen
mired down. We put on 8 yoke of oxen to draw the waggon
out but we could not and broke four chains in the attempt. We
had to dig the waggon out at last and finally got camped at Black
Jack Grove very weary though we had made ^but^ four miles.
I returned to Nauvoo on the morrow
and sold our prairie land for goods and next day crossed the river to Montrose
and had an interview with a company of Saints from Pennsylvania
and among them was Brother Sidwell who gave to Brother Orson Hyde
seven hundred dollars for the camp $100 for himself and $100 for me
I again returned to Nauvoo and arranged
some business. Here I saw Mother Woodruff my sister Eunice and
her husband and Mother Smith together and some unpleasant feelings
were manifested upon the subject of Strang and his followers. I
parted with Eunice and her husband for the last time and again
crossed the river and road ^rode^ to the Camp a distance of 20 miles
I rode to Montrose next day and got my goods. I had
to pay 60 dollars on my patent flouring mill and 70 for freightage. I returned
to the Camp where I spent the next day.
Adieu to Nauvoo
I was in Nauvoo on for the last time and
left this city of the Saints feeling that most likely I was taking a final farewell
of it in this life. I looked upon the Temple and city as it receded
from me and I asked the Lord to preserve it as a monument of the ^remember^
sacrifices of His Saints.
I returned to camp painted my ^waggon covers^ and prepared for
my journey during the several following days and struck our tents andon
, and drove to Charlestown where we camped for the night. Here
I remained in camp during the next day as I had taken cold and
felt quite lame and had a few day^s^ before sprained my sholder and thumb
among the cattle. Brother H. Clark J Townsend and many others passed
us during the day and brother Smoot came up and camped with us for
the night.
My Father Nearly Killed
Just before we stoped to camp on a serious accident
happened to my father. He went to get into the waggon while
the oxen were travelling and the foreboard which he had taken hold
of gave way. He fell instantly upon his back and both wheels of the
waggon loaded with 25 cwt passed over his legs and arms and came
near passing over his head. I expected at first that it had killed
him but we soon found that it had not nor broken any bones though
it had badly brused his flesh.
We journeyed to Farmington next day. Here the
whole of the company bought their flour—I bought 4 barrels—and then we
crossed the Desmoin River at the Farmington Ferry and went four miles and
camped. We were now twentyfive miles from Nauvoo
We lay still through the next day and I reloaded
my teams ^waggon^ and sent back to Farmington for sundry articles. Father was
quite lame but doing well considering how badly he was injured
Several days after we overtook the Ramus Company
of about 25 waggons and on the next I went to Bloomfield and bought
two more yoke of cattle for which I paid $20 for one yoke and $30
for the other.
Sunday we killed our last calf and
in the afternoon travelled till sundown when we came to a long
swail one mile and half across. This was the worse piece of road
we had passed. My carriage and family went through it and
I got my waggons half through by dark when the wheels of my
waggon cut to the hub in turf and mud and with 8 yoke of
cattle I could not get through and two of my waggons remained
in the swamp all night. My cousin Betsey was in one of
then and remained all night. I was in the mud and water
up to my knees till 2 o'clock and among the cattle nearly all
night. At daylight I rolled myself up in a Buffaloo robe and
got some sleep and we rested through the day both man and
beast.
We travelled 20 miles next day and camped
near the Macedonia Company, consisting of 31 waggons and travelled
with them through the following day atnd at night I called the
camp together and addressed them.
Next morning I started the company according
to our organization. We passed through a bad swail and my men broke
another tongue out of my waggon. We went to timber cut a stick and
put in a new one and camped for the day
We journeyed on for the next few days
passing camps of the Saints and holding occassional connection with other
families on the road and on the we arrived at the
Camp of Israel called Mount Pisgah. I had an interview with brothers Charles C. Rich
and Huntington the President and council at Mount Pisgah and many other
friends. I encamped on the east side of the creek and the Camp of
Israel. Here I learned that Brother Noah Rogers who had just returned from
a mission to the South Sea Islands was dead and the first person burried
in the burrying ground at Mount Pisgah. Bro Turnbow one of our company
also lost a child to day. I attended to its burrial on the morrow and
visited the encampment.
The day after I rode through the encampment
to buy a ton of flour to fit out my company. I rode thirty miles and
was sick at night and continued unwell next day but rode a good part of the
time. I went to see Lorenzo Snow who had been quite sick. I administered
to him and he was relieved
The following day I got home my flour. I bought
for myself 1680 lbs at 3 cts per lb and also some for brother Blanchard and
Sanders and the next day I had a thorough overhauling of my loads and
repacking. I left a number of chests barrels &c
On the Sunday the I preached to a large
congregation of the Saints on Mount Pisgah and enjoyed the spirit of
God and was followed by Elders Huntington Rich Benson and Sherwood
We had a good meteting. Some assistance was called for to help me
off. Some money was donated and oxen and waggons promised
After meeting an express came from the
President at Council Bluffs requiring 100 mounted men as dragoons
for a guard and Buffaloo Hunters for the Camp of Israel.
Next I met the people to raise
the 100 volunteers of mounted men and addressed the assembly on the
importance of complying with the request made and assisting the Twelve
and those associated with them to go to the Mountains and lift
up the Standard of Zion. I then called for the volunteers and
about 60 followed me out in the line. We appointed the next
evening to meet again at which time we met and afterwards wrote
to the President reporting what we had done in the matter.
The Call For Five Hundred Volunteers
by President Polk
On the our Camp was thrown into some excitement
by the appearence of JCapt. J. Allen with 3 drgagoons of the U S. army
I soon met Bro Huntington and his council towith Capt Allen to enquire
into his business and he informed us that he was sent by order of
CaptCol Kerney who had been instructed by President Polk to give
the Mormons an invitation to raise five hundred volunteers
to assist the United States in the Mexican War. We treated
the agent courteously and directed him on to Council Bluffs to lay
the matter before the President ^Young.^
Next day I received a letter from
President Young and wrote him one and sent him a messenger before
the troops.
I was unwell on the Sunday yet I preached
to the Saints at Mount Pisgah and had an interview with Elder
Clayton and next day I gathered my company with their cattle
and waggons together and bid adieu to the friends at Mount
Pisgah and travelled on.
When I started from Mount Pisgah I had
six waggons one carriage sixteen yoke of oxen 7 cows 2 mules and
one horse in all 42 head
After we had completed building a new bridge
over the creek bywhen we camped at the end of our first days journey
from Mount Pisgah we gathered up our cattle and started on our way
I stoped my carriage on the top of a
rolling prarrie where I had a fine view. I could stand and gaze
to the east west north and south and behold the Saints pouring out and
gathering like clouds from the hills and dales groves and prarries
with their teams waggons flocks and herds by hundreds and thousands
It looked like the Moving Of a Nation.
Call For the Pioneers
After travelling a few miles on we were
visited by Elder Parley P. Pratt who was direct from Council Bluffs and was
a Messenger to all the Camp of Isreal. I formed a circle of about 50 waggons
and he delivered his errand. He was sent to raise a company of
men as pioneers to go immediately to the mountains without their families
to pick out a location and put in spring and fall crops. The quorum of
the Twelve had volunteered to go
After we got our message I drove ahead as fast as
possible with my teams. We travelled 20 miles with our ox waggons
and camped at about 10 o'clock at night man and beast wearied out.
we journeyed till 7 o'clock at night
and on the following one was overtaken by Brother Parley returning in
company with Brother Benson who had been nominated to fill the place
and wear the crown of John E. Page.
Brothers Pratt and Benson wished me to return
accompany them to the Bluffs so I saddled my horse and started with
them.
Village of the Pottawattime Indians.
It was interesting to be once more with brother Parley
and to add to the interest of our day's ride we passed through the
main village of the Pottawatamie Indians. This was the first
time in my life I had ever passed through a large villiage of
Indians.
After viewing the Indians and their village
awhile we continued our journey and rode until dark then
unsaddled our horses and made our bed in the grass on
the side of the hill but the musketoes soon routed us out
We had to go to the top of the hill where we again laid
down and spent the night in the wind and in the morning
I felt quite stiff and sore.
Next day was —Independence day
We arose saddled our beasts and rode about 10 miles and took breakfast
with some brethren and as we had no supper the night before our appetites
were good. Here we were informed that President Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards were but a short distance
from us encamped and were on their way to Mount Pisgah. We
immediately rode down to them and it was truly a happy meeting
and I rejoiced once more to sh[a]ke hands with these noble men for
it was the first time we had met since I left Nauvoo on my
mission to England in 1844 soon after the martyrdom of Joseph and
Hyrum
Brother Brigham and his companions Heber
and Willard insisted that I should return with them so brother Benson
myself and several of the Life guard returned until I met my family
and company and I had the privilege of introducing to the brethren
my father and others. After spending a little time together they
continued their journey to Mount Pisgah to raise the five hundred
volunteers for the service of the United States. I tarried with
my family. I had ridden about 50 miles already that day and
was exceedingly sore and stiff and almost sick.
The Sunday followed and we continued
to journey slowly through the day and on the next evening we
camped at the same place where I had camped with Parley in
the grass. An Indian Chief camped near us with some
squaws. The Indian said he was going to meet with Mormons
and smoke the pipe of peace.
Early next morning some 50 Indians
said to belong to the Sious^x^ passed our camp for the east.
They said they were going to meet the Mormon Chief. We
supposed they ment President Young who had gone to Mount
Pisgah. They were noble looking Indians
We laid by this day to let our cattle
rest. I was called upon to administer the ordinance of the Church
to sister Grant and she had a daughter born in five minutes after I left. Thus
children were born unto Israel in the wilderness and by the way side as in the
days of old
Next morning we continued our journey and came
along side of the general encampment at Council Bluffs at about noon.
I saw the encampment of some of the Twelve and had an interview with
Elders Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor and many other friends.
I pitched my tent and camp on a bluff near
Elders Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor. It rained hard at night.
In the evening we held a council about raising
the 500 volunteers for the President of the United States to go to Upper
California and for the Mexican war
Visit From Col. Kane
I spent in camp assisting to gather
the Volunteers. We had a visit from Col. Kane from the city of
Washington confirming the declaration that President Polk had sent
for five hundred Mormon Volunteers. He informed us that the
President was very favourable to our people and that he had taken this
course for our good. Col. Kane manifested the spirit of a gentleman
and much interest in our welfare.
From the information received from
Col. Kane ^him represented^ we were convinced that God had begun to move upon the
heart of the President and others of the nation to act for our interest and
the general good of Zion. The object of Presedent Polk was to enlist
500 of the Latter-day Saints and feed cloth[e] and pay them and
let them go direct to California via Santa Fe^e^ and take possession
of that country and prepare a way for the body of the Church
to come which would make them the first settlers of that
country.
Elder Taylors company was encamped on the
south of the chime ridge or Redemption Hill and mine on the north
about 4^5^ rods apart. Elder Parley P. Pratt was ten rods north of my company
We built a bowery between Elder Taylor's ten and my own and a large
assembly of the Saints met at an early hour the first Sunday after
I arrived at Council Bluffs. I was called upon to address them
and give an account of my travels through England Scotland Wales
which I did for about the space of an hour. Parley P. Pratt and
John Taylor and others followed particularly taking up the subject
of the volunteers for the United States and the expedition to California
Next day which was
President B. Young H. C. Kimball and Willard Richards
returned from Mount Pisgah and we met in council. All
of the quorum was present except Lyman Wight. Col
Kane was present.
On the following day also the Twelve
met in Council and then a general meeting of the Camp of
Israel was called when three companies of one hundred each
volunteered for the California service. Several measures were
entered into by the Twelve. At the close of the business of
the day a concert of music was called on Redemption Hill and
some felt so well they danced.
A Special Mission to England
On I met in council with the quorum of
the Twelve and pwe passed the resolutions that Elders Orson Hyde
P^arley^ P. Pratt and John Taylor go to England forthwith and
remove Reuben Hedlock from office and also Thomas Ward
and call them to America and regulate all the business of the
British Mission
The enrolment of the companies for
the service of the United States in the Californian expedition
had been prompt and strongly characteristic of the loyal
spirit of our people. Notwithstanding the ill treatment
and sufferings we had endured in the persecutions yet while in the midst of
a long journey we steped forward as a people at once at the call of our country
The President of the United States asked us for 500 volunteers for the service
of the Mexican war and instantly the men steped forth at the call
was a great day in the camp of Israel and important
to the whole Church. Four companies of the volunteers were organized
and ready for marching. They were brought together and formed into a
hollow square by their Captains and then addressed by several of the
quorum of the Twelve in a very suitable manner
The March
At the close of the address the Battalion commenced
its march in double file from Redemption Hill for seven miles
across the Missouri River Bottom to the Ferry. The brethren
who formed these companies had left their families teams and waggons
and cattle standing by the way side not expecting to meet them again
for one or two years. Yes here by the way side they left their
wives and children to the mercy of God and their brethren but they
went away with cheerful hearts believing they were thus doing the will
of God. As I viewed them I considered that I was looking
upon the first Battalion of the army of Israel engaged in the service
of the United States.
Ordination of Ezra T. Benson to the Twelve
^(July 16)^
After the march of the Battalion the quorum of the
Twelve met in council and ordained Ezra T Benson to fill the place
of John E. Page as a member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Some other business was also attended to and then in company with
the Twelve I rode across the bottom and we returned home and they took supper
with me.
Next day I met in council with my quorum
and then we called a general meeting of the people to transact business
Men were called upon to go to work on the road at the ferry. About
20 volunteered. Ninety men were also appointed to act as Bishops
to take charge ^of the famlies^ of those who had volunteered for the Californian
service.
At the close of the meeting in company with
President Young the Twelve and others we left Redemption Hill
Council Bluffs and rode 5 miles to the French and Indian Village
and Mills. We then took the Indian trail across the ridges bluffs
hills and dales on the road that Emmit travelled to big Pigeon. Here
we camped for the night with some of the Saints who had arrived
two hours before us. This was the first Mormon Camp on the
Big Pigeon
Next morning I arose took breakfast and then
went to examine the Big Pigeon which I found well supplied with good
fish. I returned to the waggons and then with the Twelve to Redemption
Hill but a company of six men crossed the Big Pigeon to explore
the country.
With Mrs Woodruff I rode to the encampment
near the Ferry to see the Mormon Battalion of 500 men who were
making preparations to start on their journey to California President
Young called the officers of the company together and gave them
good counsel concerning their march to their destination. After
this instruction to the officers they were dismissed and a concert
was given to Col. Allen in the afternoon and we returned
home in the evening
On the Sunday we met assembled at
the usual place of meeting and the people were addressed by
Elders Parley P. Pratt John Taylor and myself and at the close
of the meeting 40 persons came forward and joined the volunteers to fill
up the companies.
Appointment of the High Council at Council Bluffs
I met with the quorum of the Twelve on the morning of the 21st and we
appointed 12 men with Father Morley as their head to act in the capacity
of a High Council to take charge of affairs at Council Bluffs while the
quorum of the Twelve go on to the Island f establish Winter Quarters
On I crossed the river Mo. to the
camp to attend a council with the Twelve but they had gone to Elkhorn and
did not return until the evening so our council was put off unto the
the next day when we met on a high prairie ridge. Eleven of our
quorum were present. We put on our robes and offered up our prayers
to God conversed upon principle and decided that no man has a right to
attend to the ordinance of sealing except the President of the Church or those
who are directed by him so to do and that the ordinance should be confined
to Zion or her stakes. This was the last council we were expected
to hold together before the departure of Elders O Hyde P. P. Pratt and
John Taylor for England
We had an interesting time in our council
and at the close Brother Parley, George A. and John Taylor started for
our camp at the Bluffs. We rode part of the way to the river in a
carriage and then I walked with Brother Parley and took skiff and rowed
over the river and then started for home but in taking a near road ^across
a slough^ in the dark we missed our way and wandered some time in the
dense weeds willows bushes &c. We at last found our road and arrived
at brother Pratts tent in the bottom where I parted from him and lost
my way ^again^ going to the Bluff but arrived at last at my tent at 10 o'clock
very weary having walked about 12 miles after sundown
Next day I got together my teams early in
the morning and started for the ferry to cross but found Brother
Pratt before me with twelve wagons and as it took the whole day to get these
over I had to remain with mine on the bank until the morrow when
we commenced about sunrise to take our cows over with a skiff by
tying their heads to the boat and rowing them over. We took over
twenty thus and also some oxen and as we had not enough men I took
one of the oars myself and assisted in ferrying in the hot sun and
then drove teams up the hills through the mud and when I got
through my days work I felt hardly able to stand up and next
day we were all unwell in consequence of fatigue
I continued unwell also on the following
day but attended a council of the Twelve and dined with Dr
Willard Richards
Suddenly a thunderstorm struck us.
The water beat through our waggon covers and the wind drove our
family carriage down a steep hill turned it bottom side upwards
and smashed the top to pieces but providentially there was
no one in it and everything was saved ^that was in the carriage medicine bottles and all^ but the bottles in the carriage
Very heavy thunderstorms continued during the night and the beds
bedding and family was drenched and several tents in the camp
torn down
Winter Quarters Decided
The Council of the Twelve met on this Sunday afternoon
and decided that Winter Quarters of the Camp of Israel should
be located near where we then were
A messenger had just arrived from the
Mormon Battalion within 30 miles of Fort Leavenworth. He gave
a good report of the brethren who were all well and doing
honour to the cause
During the evening President Young
and Dr Richards called at my tent and President Young addressed
us upon the Priesthood and the principle of sealing. There
were present Phebe W. Woodruff Caroline Barton Sarah Brown and
Mary Jackson.
I was now surrounded by two or three hundred
waggons belonging to the Camp of Israel but I had been so busy in our
journying caring for cattle &c and so few men to assist according to the
amount of labour that I had not been able to devote so much time
to my Journals necessary to do them justice in keeping a record of the
exodus from Nauvoo of this great people and their travels in the
wilderness towards the Mountains
On I travelled 9 miles with my
company and camped for the night. Col. Kane camped with
me and his horse ran into my tent tore it badly to pieces
and broke all the poles
I travelled with President Youngs
company 9 miles and camped on a prairie ridge near the timber
and on the following rode with the Twelve and others to
view the timber and find a place of encampment and on
the next again met in council with the Twelve after which
we rode out and enjoyed a pleasant day
Winter Quarters Organized
We held a public meeting in the Camp of Israel
on this day and chose twelve men as a High and
City G Council to transact all business appertaining to the
settlement during the winter
We also held a consultation with
Col. Kane and some important things were said and
a resolution formed to address certain resolutions to
President Polk expressive of our gratitude for his kindness
to the Latter-day Saints in his design of arming and
planting 500 of Volunteers from us to take possession of
of California and for our good and also urging against Governor Boggs
being governor of California and Oregon as his friends were trying
to make him
President Young informed Col. Kane that our
intention was to settle in the Great Basin or Bear Valley and
that a Territorial Government would be petitioned for as soon as
we got settled.
We rode out in the evening and pitched
upon a location in a valley the east side of the timber.
On the Sunday a large congregation of
the Saints assembled in their new meeting place in the valley
sellected for Winter Quarters. The Stand and seats sufficient
to hold about 300 were made the evening before. I was called
upon to address the congregation which I did about an hour
and was followed by several of the Elders and then President
Young closed with an interesting address. He said he
did not expect to see the Rocky Mountains that year but when
the Lord commanded him to go direct he intended to go if he
left all and went alone but thought the Lord would let him
take the people with him. When he found the place for
the Temple he would work hard until it was built.
In the evening I met in council with Presidents
Young Willard Richards and others until about 12midnight and
we drew up a plan of the encampment.
Next day my company and I was
engaged in building a fence around my encampment and I also
met with the High Council
Forming the Encampment No 1.
The following day was
when the whole of President Young's company moved from
where it was on to another prairie ridge. This was
company No I. It was only seperated from company No II by a valley
of about 50 rods. Heber C. Kimball was the Captain of No 2.
We formed a hollow square with an L
of about 350 waggons in encampment No 1 and then built a strong fence
as an enclosure of the whole. The fence was built five rods from
the waggons and the waggons were placed mouth fronting the Square
The encampment made a fine appearence and we had a busy
day in setting it in order.
Next day was a busy day for me and my
company in building a fence for our cattle and looking them up. I also
met in council with the Twelve and we had a public meeting in
Encampment No 1 when the encampment was devided into eleven divisions
and numbered. My company formed the 10 Division. The
meeting was held in the hollow square
My Division
The following is a copy of the form of my division of
Encampment No 1 President Young
Cutlers Park Omaha Nation
The roll or memorandum of the men and boys; number of waggons
horses oxen cows mules and sheep belonging to the Tenth Division
Wilford Woodruff captain
John S. Fowler Clerk
The sum total of the Tenth Division: 36 men, 33 waggons, 9 horses
129 oxen, 58 cows, 4 mules and 40 sheep.
Total of President Youngs Encampment.
Company N 1 of Eleven Divisions, 324 men, 359 waggons
146 horses, 1264 oxen 828 cows, 49 mules and
416 sheep
Sum Total of President Kimballs Encampment.
Company No 2 of [blank] Divisions 228 men 230 waggons
83 horses 741 oxen 105 young cattle 340 cows 244 sheep.
Sum Total of the Whole Camp of Israel.
Companies No 1 and 2 ^as they stood^ who were together at the time of the
enrollment: 549 men, 597 waggons, 229 horses, 2110 oxen
1168 cows, 49 mules 660 sheep.
Porter Rockwell arrived in camp on
and brought the mail from Nauvoo. I received one paper and
learned that the mob spirit was still alive in Hancock Co.
and that they were mobing whipping and killing each other ^the Saints^.
The Saints ^who^ were leaving as fast as they could and the new
citizens had taken the matter in hand and the war was now
between them and the mob. Porter Rockwell was kept in
jail as long as they could keep him and when brought to court
no one appeared against him.
During our sujorn [sojourn] in the wilderness
Mrs Woodruff had been tried severely in her health and it required
great care to preserve her in life.
On the morning of I carried Mrs Woodruff
in her carriage into a deep vale of a shaded grove to spend the day
away from the noise and bustle of camp in solitude for her health
I returned and met in Council with the
Twelve and 3 of the High Council from the Bluffs—namely Isaac
Morley J. H. Hale and P. Richards. We spent the forenoon
in doing business for the benefit of the people.
In the afternoon the two High Councils
and the Twelve resolved into one council for the day. We heard
a report from Bro Griffin from the P^awnee^ village stating that about 20 waggons
would spend the winter there, 160 waggons had gone on with brother Miller to
the Punkas village with ten chiefs to spend the winter. The Pawnees
numbered about 4000 men woman and children. The Punkas are a part of
the Sioux nation
News From the Mormon Battalion
Our Messenger to the Mormon Battalion had returned and we also
heard his report. All was well with them. They were getting
praise and fame wherever they went. A mail was brought in from
them.
We conversed upon the subject of a mail route. President
Young suggested the propriety of employing some of the Omahas to
watch our cattle &c. We also met in the evening and passed resolutions
concerning cutting hay sowing turnips &c.
On in company with the
quorum of the Twelve I rode to the Mo. River crossed the Ferry
and on to Council Point where there was an encampment of
from 40 to 50 waggons we found many sick.
Sunday we assembled a congregation
of the Church at Council Point to give instruction to the Saints
concerning sending the money received from the army and all money
in their hands to St Louis to buy goods and clothing for their outfit
the next spring. President Young H C. Kimball G A. Smith
A Lyman andO Pratt and W. Woodruff spoke and then it was
voted that the monies be appropriated according to counsel
in the purchase of goods clothing &c
We found many sick at this place and
after a lengthy meeting we laid hands upon them and rode
to Redemption Hill.
Next day seven of the Twelve—B Young
H. C Kimball O Pratt W. Richards W. Woodruff G. A Smith and
A Lyman rode 5 miles to Mr Henry Millers and had a feast of mellons
corn and vegatables and then returned to Redemption Hill and crossed
Musketoe Creek on to Perkins' Camp over hills and dales. Here we spent
the night and on the morrow back to Redemption Hill and thence
to Council Point where we found many upon whom we had laid
our hands recovering from their sickness
Next day we rode to the Mo. River and
crossed the ferry. Two of the Omahas were with us to the Cold
Spring and they shot their pointed arrows to divert us. At the
Cold Spring we saw Erastus Snow and several families. From
thence we rode to the Camp of Israel and saw on our way the
Omaha village or lodges which was quite a picteresque view
We carried home to our families some vegatables.
On our return to the camp we found the
people much improved in health but we also found an evil in the
Camp. A man by the name of Barnum not a member of the
Church had joined with other young men in spending their time
at nights in fiddling and dancing and afterwards leading away young
woman into folly and wickedness
In Council with Two Tribes of Indians
I met with the Twelve and High Council with two
tribes of Indians. The object was to get permission to stay
on the land that season and to use wood grass and water for
two or three years or as long as we wished while gathering to the
mountains.
We first met with the Otoes between whom
and the Omahas there was a dispute as to who owned the land
The Otoes said the land was theirs. The chief with five
or six others were present. We talked to him and
he went home.
We afterwards all met in council with the Omahas. The old
chief's name was Big Elk and his son a young chief called Young Elk. There
were also present about 60 old men and braves of the tribe. As it was late
the council was adjourned until the morrow. We then met in
council among ourselves and did some business and among other things
appointed 3 men to buy up the cattle and sell beef. They were
Lorenzo Young, C D. ^P.^ Lott and A Cutler.
Privilege of the Land Granted by the Indians
We met in the morning with the Omahas chiefs and
braves in Council. We smoked the pipe of peace and then
President Young spoke to them through their Interpreter. He told
them it was our desire to winter there and that if they wished we
would do some work for them—make them a field fix their
guns &c and said many other things which I did not report.
The Big Elk replied:
"My Son, Thou hast spoken well. I have
all thou hast said in my heart. I have much I want to say
We are poor. When we go to hunt game in one place we meet an
enemy, and so in another place. Our enemies kill us. We do not
kill them. I hope we will be friends. You may stay on these
lands two years or more. Our young men may watch your
cattle. We would be glad to have you trade with us. We will
warn you from ^of^ danger from other Indians."
Much more was said by Big Elk. The
Council closed and the Indians were fed and returned home.
On Sunday we held meetings in the
Camp of Israel and on the Monday B. Young H. C. Kimball
Willard Richards W Woodruff George A Smith and A Lyman
of the Twelve with others started in search of Council Bluffs
we had a pleasant day's ride and we all enjoyed ourselves well
excepting that I suffered from ca[n]ker in the mouth. We rode over hill and dale
about 25 miles and camped 12 miles above the Bluffs
The Old Council Bluffs
. We arose washed prayed breakfasted
and started down the river to find the Bluffs. We came to a creek and
had to build a bridge before we could cross. The Indian trail went up
the Bluff which was the road to be taken but as we didhad no guide
we kept the table land under the bluff.
We passed through a flat about two miles
across covered with pea vines grass weeds and cane from five to ten
feet high. We had to wallow through without ^our^ horses or
waggons. Four of us finally climbed the bluff and traced the trail
back to the bridge we made and then returned to the horsemen and
waggons. There were 10 of the former and three of the latter.
We came to another Creek which we had to
bridge and after crossing it on to another flat of about 600 acres
and here we found Council Bluffs at ^near^ sundown
There was nothing standing of the old Barracks
except the body of the Magazine with one gable end made of
brick arched over. We walked to the edge of the bluff. Before
us on the bottom appeared a small grove of willows beyond it a small
stream of muddy water and in the distance a dense mass of cottonwood
and Willow. I started up a deer a few rods of me
and we tried to get a shot at him but could not. A woolf ^also^ went
into the forest before us.
W After looking about the premises of the
old Council Bluffs about an hour and seeing nothing inviting
we started on our return and after travelling about a mile
we found a good spring and camped for the night. Near
this place we started up a deer and the horsemen gave chase
but lost him. There were signs of deer and elk very
plentiful. Both man and beast of the company were very weary having ^going^
through such heavy bottoms
Next day we arose prayed and started for the Camp
of Israel which we reached in about 10 miles from the Bluffs
On the following evening I was in council with
the Twelve and High Council and Orson Pratt wass called upon to report the
visit to the Otoes and Omahas. He reported that the Otoes would not
give a decesion until they came to the Camp and gave a dance. The
Omahas wanted also to come and give a war dance on their way to war
with the Sioux. The report was accepted and Brigham Young made
a report of our journey North.
Brothers O Pratt H C. Kimball P. Rockwell
J. M Grant, Eldridge myself and others on went in search
of a new ferry. We travelled down the Missouri River
five miles on the Bluff and saw many hops elderburies and grapes, killed
one turkey and saw two deer
We had brought with us a leather boat in
which we crossed the river with seven persons in it. Here we met
a committee from Council Point who was upon the same business as
ourselves. This committee was composed of Bishop Morley Harris
Miller Richards and others some of whom returned with us
Several of us spent some time in picking
grapes of which were picked 2 bushels and after making a bridge
across a creek we started for home
Col. Kane Receives His Patriarchal Blessing
Col. Kane called upon me at my tent for the last
time today as he was about to leave for the east. He had been
sick for several weeks but was now getting well. Before he left
he desired to receive his Patriarchal Blessing under the hands
of Father John Smith. I went with him to the tent of the
Patriarch who laid his hands upon Col. Kane and blessed him
I wrote the blessing and presented the Col. with a copy of it
in my own handwriting
Next morning I took the parting hand of Col
Kane who left the Camp for the east also Bishop Whitney with
several of the brethren started for St Louis to buy goods for the
Camp of Israel
On th we held meeting. Orson
Pratt discoursed upon Sceentific principles. He was followed by
President H. C. Kimball and then the Marshall of the city ^said^
that the City Council had passed certain acts among which were
that "there shall be no firing ^shooting^ of firearms after sundown
and no timber cut within 20 miles of the place without the
direction of the Council and that dogs be taken care of and
no more shot without the direction of the Marshall
Discourse of President Young
Afterwards President Young arose and said:
"I wish to say a few words upon principle
I desire the brethren and sisters to be taught in all things necessary
There is one thing I want you to realize and that is that God
angels and Saints—heaven and all of Gods creations are governed
by law. And I want the Camp of Israel to understand
that we must be. If Heaven was not controlled by law
what sort of a place would it be? I would not wish to be there
for where we rushed into heaven without law every man would
be in danger of loosing his rights and having them trampled
upon. But all celestial beings are governed by law and
order for the celestial law is a perfect order of things—a
perfect system of light law intelligence exaltation and glory
where every person's right's are sustained to the fullest extent
But we do not arrive at this at once. As an Apostle said we have precept
upon precept line upon line here a little and there a little [Isaiah 28:10] until we
arrive at a fulness of knowledge and glory even that fulness which
reigns in the heavens
We must begin to be governed by law here
before we are prepared to receive the fulness that reigns in Heaven.
The whole law has not been given and you cannot abide the whole as
yet. If it had all been given we should all have been smashed
up and destroyed. A people must become acquainted thoroughly
with law before they can abide it; but the time has come when
we must have law and order in our midst
There has been some feelings of late in the
Camp because some unruly boys have been floged by the Marshall
for their wickedness; but if this Camp is not willing to let law
and order reign here and put a stop to such wickedness I wish
you to let me know it and I will go away from you for those
who wish to sustain crime and corruption let them return and
strike hands with the mob and carry out their principles and be
damned. But if you want to do right say so. This people
have been driven here for their desires to do righteousness and
this wickedness shall be put a stop to that has been manifest in
the camp by certain young people of late. Yes it will be
stopped if God comes out and smites it by judgement. The
Marshall did not whip them hard enough or they would not
have spit out their revenge but it would have been whipped
out of them. If I am drove to the necessity of whipping
a person in such a case they will not spit out revenge afterwards
for I will whip it out of them.
Shall we any longer sustain in our midst
men who will carry out the principles of John C. Bennett and
other corrupt scoundrils^?^ No: I will sware by the Eternal
God of Heaven that such conduct shall be stopped and shall
not be permitted in this Camp for if they continue it I will
tell the Marshall what the law is and they shall be taken care off
in a manner that they will not whine and I will whip any man
who will sustain it. And I prophesy in the name of God
that such a man whether old or young shall be bowed down with
sorrow and mourning even more than this people have. Then
stop before you further go and not sport upon the brink of
sorrow and mourning. This people have the law of liberty
and the Gospel and the more the light and liberty and greater
the privileges the stricter the law. We are going into the
wilderness and shall we suffer such things? No: I sware by
the Eternal God such things shall not be while Brigham
lives.
Brother Kimball gave a good shot
when he said that no man would run into his waggon and
sware that he would shoot the Marshall if he came after him
except he was guilty of crime. No man is affraid except
he is guilty. No man need be affraid who does right.
I defy the world to say that I have taken away ^any^ man's right^s^ but
after we have been driven into the wilderness we are still followed
by men who sware that they will steal what they get in our
midst. I sware t^T^hey shall not have it in our midst
Some young Elders who never preached
a sermon in their lives are affaid that I shall have more
blessings than they or more wives or something or other but let
them go and preach the world over as I have in poverty and
distress with blood in my shoes and spent years and years
at it and left my wife and children who have also suffered much;
let them do as we have done and they will not be jealous of me
about blessings. If the Lord should give me a thousand
woman is it any man's business. No. Let such go and
spend as much time as I have and there will be many
clinging on to their skirts to be saved
The majority of the men of the Gentile
world will be damned and the women wished to be saved by going with good men
A woman that has the Spirit of God will go with a good man who has been faithful
and spent much time in saving mankind and who has the Priesthood. Such men if
they continue faithful will be saved in eternal glory and those who are with them
I am determined that my affections shall be with
God. I will not alow them to be placed on things that perish. When plagues
and disease get hold of our bodies we become loathsome and beautey fades away
but our affections should be placed upon things that are noble exalted lasting
and glorious. I love an exalted mind for it is eternal and cannot
fade. I want all my affections to be subject to God and glory and
eternal life. May God bless you: Amen.
Removal Of the Camp of Israel
On this day we removed our encampment from the
prairie ridge to the table land on the bank of the Missouri River
This was a beautiful place for a city and we laid our city out in blocks
of 20 rods by 40 each lot 4 by 10. I had one block for my
company which consisted of nearly 40 families so I had to put two
families on a ^lot^ block. It was a very busy day and as we had no
yard we lost many of our cattle at night and I was hunting cattle
all the next day while most of my division drew poles and made a
fence to keep our cattle in.
Arrival of Daniel H. Wells
To the Camp of Israel
Squire Wells arrived in Camp to day and also Brother
Cutler. They were both direct from Nauvoo. I sat about one
hour and heard them relate the state of affairs in that city. The mob of
Hancock County and the State of Illinois had swelled to over one thousand
men and had come upon Nauvoo and one hundred of the brethren
had kep[t] them off three days then had a pitched battle of one hour
and twenty minutes and drove the mob off the ground. The loss
of the brethren was 3 killed but that of the mob was not known
The morning of we spent hearing
read a Missourian paper giving an account of the battle between
the mob and the Mormons of Nauvoo; also of General Karney's
army of the west among whom was the Mormon Battalion. There
was a propspect of the whole army suffering for want of food.
We appointed a meeting to be held at 2 o'clock
in our new city to hear a statement from Squire Wells of the
affairs in Nauvoo. Before the meeting there was heard the
cry of fire on the prairie grass of the encampment. All ran
to put it out and it was soon extinguished
Meeting opened at 2 o'clock at the Council Block
by prayer from Orson Pratt who also made some remarks upon
the subject of the time and he was then followed by Squire Wells who
gave to the assembly
A Narrative of the Battle Between the Mormons of
Nauvoo and the Mob
He said: "I will by request give a short account of
affairs in Nauvoo concerning their late difficulties. You have heard
that men were lynched there. We took 15 of the offenders who were sent
to Quincy for a trial and they were let out on bail. The mob then
issued writs against Pic^k^et^t^ Clifford and Furnice. The two latter
went; Pic^k^et^t^ would not. A mob was then raised as a possee
to execute the writs they said. They stayed several weeks to
increase their numbers. They had at first about 300 and increased
to a thousand. The hundred men we had laid in ambush
for the mob. ^who^ They cannonaded through the day but did no harm. Next day
they tried the same thing again. We repelled them
On Saturday at 1 o'clock they advanced upon the city
with from a thousand to twelve hundred men. We met them in the name
of God and gained the victory. The action lasted one hour and twenty minutes
They fired 42 cannon balls and we 32 balls. Although the mob were
ten to our one they were defeated and retreated from the battlefield. We
had three killed and none ^2^ wounded. The mob would not acknowledge any
killed but we walked over the battlefield and found a plenty of mob blood
One man not a member of the Church said he saw them put 15 bodies in
one waggon and they were handled like dead ^hogs^ and other waggons were
loaded in the same way. One of the Saints lying in a cellar saw
8 wounded brought to the building each one telling where he was shot
They dug at their entrenchment after the battle. It was supposed
they buried their dead there.
The next day was Sunday. They did
not fire any but we threw some ball and burst one cannon
On Monday the mob sent us a cannon
ball to let us know they had some left and we sent it back again
During the fight the boys would watch the cannon ball strike and
run and get it and bring it to us and we would send it back
again.
On Tuesday a committee was sent to
us to make a treaty but it was rejected by both parties. A Brigade
was then called for but afterwards a treaty was made. We agreed
to surrender the city and leave in five days
On Wednesday evening the treaty was made
and the Saints and the Saints began to pack up their goods and the next day
all goods was removed. As the mob came in we left two blocks
in advance
We met many of the Saints on this side of the
river in distress and it drew tears ^even^ from the eyes of some of the mob
We saw campfires of the mob the same night we left on both
sides of the river.
There were scenes transpired in the seige enough to melt
the heart of a stone. The lynching of men when they are labouring for
a living and whipping them until they cannot stand alone as the mob
did was a damnable thing. They made them kneel on a spot where
they said some one was buried and placed them in a position so they
could be whipped easy. An old Revolutioneer was one of them
and he was so beaten by the mob that he has not been able to get
about all summer. I have an old grandfather—a Revolutioneer
I have thought I would not let him know anything about it but
keep it from him that his feelings might not be harrowed up as
he is about ready to sleep in his grave. But I will say no
more but give way for brother Cutler
Brother Cutler said:
I can bear my testimony that
what brother Wells has said is strictly true. If I were to talk
till sundown the whole could not be told. I have been kept
in Nauvoo by the hand of God. Others wanted to have been
here and would have been had it not been necessary to stop to
save our brethren there who could not get away. I know the hand
of God has been manifest in the salvation of the people in Nauvoo
I thank God I had a hand in the battle. And the hand of God was
so visible in that battle that many who were weak and faltering have been
much strengthened by it and will gather with the Saints. I did not expect
that God would deliver their enemyies into their hands but expected that
He would save them out of the hands of their enemies and this he had
done.
I was sensible we must leave Nauvoo. The time
had come for us to depart. God has called upon us to go and if we
will not he will let the mob loose upon us to drive us out but they
will not get any glory for it but will have to suffer for their wrongs
to the Saints.
I hope the day will come when we shall not
have to suffer from mobs but if we had sought to save our lives in this case
by fleeing many would have lost them for but few could have fled; but we
went out in the name of God and conquered. Through the blessing of God we have
done well. One brother put on a sheep-bell and went near the camp to
spy out the enemy and they supposed it to be a sheep. The mob do not
acknowledge having any killed but they had a good deal of blood spilled that
they could not cover up which I saw. Captain Smith who was captain
of the guard at the time of the death of Joseph was shot in the neck but
not killed. Another commander of the mob was also shot. Bro Wells
has done well in all places where he has been put in the midst of danger
as well as in safety. With regard to the citizens of Nauvoo there
were but few who stood by us in time of trouble. There are many
spirits in Nauvoo who are like bats ready to join any party that
conquer. If the beast conquer they will show their legs, if
the feathered tribe their wings.
President Young arose and said
I wish to make a few remarks
attached to those which have been made. I will inform the brethren
who have come up that we are that we are glad to see them. Brother
Cutler has been with us before. Brother Wells has been in our society
for several years and I have had considerable acquaintance with
him and I am more than ever satisfied with his course. We have
prayed for our brethren continually. I am sensible that there is
a good deal of suffering there and here but let me say that the Lord God
who has fed us all the day long has His care still over us. When the
Saints are chastenized enough it will cease. At least the hand of God
will be visible in their salvation. Some individuals may fall but
the body will be sustained. I have never believed the Lord would
suffer a general massacre of this people by a mob. If ten
thousand men were to come against us if no other way was open the
earth would open and swallow them up. Some say they can stay
in Nauvoo and can live there in perfect peace they ar so righteous
There are some who have no better eyes than to say let me live with the
wicked in peace, but thereir blessings will be scarce with the mob and
if they do not leave I fear they will prove a source ^scourge^ in the hands of
God. He works with the wicked by law and when they trespass
upon his rights God is there to maintain them
Many other remarks were made by
President Young.
On the Sunday following during the
intermission of meeting Orson Pratt Amasa Lyman and myself
laid out the city of the Camp of Israel named Winter Quarters
into thirteen Wards and appointed a Bishop over each Ward. We
ordained six Bishops
On the Monday we started on a grapeing
expedition. I took five women in my carriage to pick grapes
On our way we shot three prairie chicken got refreshments at Br
J. Alred cut a road half a mile for my carriage and got on to
the grape ground at dark a distance of 20 miles
At daylight we arose breakfast on
Prairie chicken stew went on to the grape ground and found the grapes
on cottonwoods and willows. I cut down several hundred of them
about the size of my arm and some larger and at sundown we
had picked three barrels of bunch grapes and started home by moon-
light arrived at the Camp of Israel quite weary next day and pressed
out about 20 gallons of juice for wine
Another Of My Serious Accidents
Nearly two weeks later I took my
axe and went into the wood to cut some board-timber with two
of the brethren. While falling the third tree I steped back
from it several feet but when it fell it shot back of the
stump and bounded and struck me in the breast and knocked
^me^ several feet into the air against a standing oak and the falling
tree caught me against it and I came down crushed between the two trees.
My left thigh and hip were badly brused & my left arm^;^ my breast bone broken
into about 6 inches and three of my ribs of my left side broken and my lungs
and vitals bruised
After the accident I sat down upon a log and
waited until Brother John Garrison went a quarter of a mile to get my horse
Notwithstanding I was so badly hurt I had to mount my horse and ride
two and half miles over a rough road and my bones being so much broken
every step went through me like an arrow. I rode to Turkey Creek and was
exhausted and was there taken off and carried in a chair home. Elders
Young Kimball Richards and others met me in the street and assisted
me home where I was laid upon my bed exhausted. Here I
laid without being able to move much until my bones knit together
and they began to knit on the 9th day but I was not able to
sit up in my bed until the .
On the I was helped out of my waggon and
with the assistance of two persons I was enabled to walk to my tent
and to Sister Benbows waggon where she laid very sick. On this day
our little son Joseph was taken sick ^and^
On the
My Son Joseph Died.
As I grew convalescent bour little son declined. He
suffered much from convulsions during his sickness and breathed
his last 15 minutes before six o'clock in the morning and we took
his remains to the grave at 4 in the afternoon. His loss was
a great sacrifice to us
I began to labour once more on the
and during the next two weeks was overwhelmed in business which
was the case with the whole Camp of Israel
I had never seen the Latter-day Saints in
any situation where they seemed to be passing through greater tribulations
or wearing out faster than at the present time. After being exposed
to the sufferings of a tedious journey of 10 months in tents and waggons
without houses we were now oblige to build a city of log houses
numbering more than one thousand for the purpose of stopping
in for about three months. We also had to go a great distance
for wood and timber and get it out of deep ravines and
hollows which made it very hard to endure. I was
trying to build a log house for myself and one for my father
and this on the first days of my labour after my serious
accident and broken bones.
Death of Sister Benbow
It will be remembered that brother Benbow who was
a respectable farmer was the first fruits of my extraordinary
mission in Herefordshire and one of my chief helpers. Sister
Benbow had also ministered to my wants and the wants of
my brethren the Twelve in a foreign land and had
done much good. Her husband and her had helped
the Saints to gather ahad gathered with them and had shared
our privations and hardships in the wilderness which
were ended to her by death on the
She rested from her labours and her works will follow
On the I assisted
Dr Richards to finish his house eight square framed covered
with puncheon upon which we put fifty loads of dirt
I drew the first load and superintended the building
during the day
Mrs Woodruff gave
Birth to a Son whom we called Ezra and he
Died two days afterwards
at half past nine oclock in the evening. We buried
him the next day making two sons whom we had laid in the
grave within so short a time.
On this day the main body of the warriors
belonging to the Omaha nation were out on a hunting party and
were surrounded by a party of the Sioux and sixty of the
Omahas were killed. This was a great loss to the Omaha
nation among whom in consequence there was great mourning
and wailing
The Camp of Israel was now devided into streets
blocks and Wards and a Bishop over each to see to the poor and the widows
and to keep an account of what each man was doing. The Twelve High
Council and Bishops met each week to do business and to manage the affairs
of the Church and instruct the Saints in each Ward
There was begining to be murmurings throughout
the Camp of Israel at this time and much wickedness that the Lord was
not pleased with. The Saints appeared like the children of Israel in the
Wilderness and the Nephites on this continent who at times would forget ^their^ God
and turn to wickedness. And while in council on the evening of the the High Council asked President Young for some teaching and
he arose and said that he had no teaching to give at present but to cry
repentance to the people and he would begin with the High Council
They must repent he said and the Camp of Israel must repent or the
Twelve would have to flee out of their midst and go to the Mountains
On the following Sunday I met with my
Ward the 14th for an organization according to the arrangement appointed
and I warned the people to repent before the Lord lest a scourge come
upon them. I was followed by Elders George A Smith and Orson
Pratt and brother Smith reproached the people for their treatment towards
me in not building me an habitation for the Winter as I had been
sick.
We were informed that there was to be a meeting at
the Stand so we dismissed ours and repared to the meeting place where
we found a large congregation assembled and President Young addressing
them. The following are some of the words which fell from his lips which
I noted while present
President Young Crying Repentance to the Camp of Israel
He loudly called upon the Camp of Israel to repent and said:
"You must stop your swearing; you must stop your cheating; you
must stop your lying; you must stop your stealing; you must stop
your whoredoms; you must stop your backbittings—speaking evil of the
Twelve speaking evil of me—you must stop these things and put away
your wickedness or you will be damned: you will be destroyed; you will
be visited by pestelence and plague and by the sword and you will fall
to the ground and I warn you and forewarn you of these things if you
do not repent. Yes councillors High Priests and Elders here in
the camp of Israel will say I will be damned if I pay my tithing or
if I ^will^ do this or that.
If God was like man he would hurl you down
to hell and let you lie and welter there a thousand years and his mercy
only keeps you out
There are many here who are corrupt and
rotten at the core and I have no more fellowship for them than I have
for John C. Bennett. If I fellowship these things it will drag me
down to hell with you and I will not do it. Brother Joseph being
a very merciful man bore with these things until it took his life
but I will not do it. Men get led away by degrees until the devil
gets possession of their tabernacles and they are led captive at the will of the
devil
And now I say that those who are calculating
to continue in wickedness and serve the devil had better go no farther
with this camp. They had better go to Missouri and spend the
rest of the time with the Gentiles; for I can swear to them if they
go with us and continue their wickedness their heads shall be
severed from their tabernacles and the devils that are in them shall have no tabernacles
to dwell in
The truth of the matter is there are many places which
we pass through that have been the slaughterin ground of the ancient Nephites
and Lamanites and the spirits of devils are hovering around it and if
you are not on your guard they will enter you and lead you captive at their
will; for if you are not governed by the Spirit of God you will be by the
spirit of the devil. If you are governed by the Spirit of God while in
such places and they cannot enter you ^any of you^ they will try to enter your cattle
your beast for they want to enter some tabernacle as they did the swine in
ancient days [Matthew 8:28-32]
I had rather go to the Mountains with the
Twelve alone and not to have another soul with us than to have those who
will not be subject to the Priesthood but practise wickedness and
serve the devil for if we continue with this company and they do not
repent the righteous will fall with the wicked
There are people in this camp who are stealing
hay and wood and I know who they are. Will I fellowship them?
No I will not; and because we know who is guilty of wickedness they think
we are fellowshiping them and doing the same ourselves but it is not
so. Joseph suffered much from the same cause. Because he
knew of the rascality and wickedness his enemies and many of the
Saints thought he was guilty of it himself. The truth of the matter
is those who are leading the house of Israel while in the path of their
duty know the wickedness that is among the people. It cannot
be hid from them for they are in vision all the time
I will now look a little upon the other
side of the question. I will say however that if we have a
mind to be subject to the will of the Devil—Death Hell and the
grave—we may be and bow down to it all the day long or
we may have perfect power and triumph over it
Who am I surrounded by? By men
who have entered into covenant with God who have received endowments in
the Temple and are called to be saviours upon Mount Zion. To save what
Our Fathers and Israel clear back to Father Adam who are still lying in
their graves and waiting for the redemption of their bodies through your
instrumentality. Then will you curse swareear lie steal commit
adultrery and take the name of God in vain? Pretty saviours you
would be. O shame! God and angels would blush at such
conduct. Then repent and do the work appointed you. Many
are overtaken in fault who desire to repent and turn to God. Shall
we cast such away. Nay; but bear with them as God bears with
us. We cannot be sanctified all at once but have to
be tried and placed in all kinds of shapes and proven to the utmost
to see whether we will serve the Lord unto the end so that we may
be safe when we come into the Kingdom of God and not do as
Lucifer did the first time an opportunity is offered—rebel against
God and the Council of Heaven and be hurled down to hell in a
manner that you could not be redeemed at all
You must not sin murmur and complain
while in the midst of your trials because you have been mobbed
and tried even to the utmost. It is no excuse for you to commit
a wicked deed, take the name of God in vain or do any evil.
Now al of you forsake it. Repent and turn to God and you
shall be blessed.
Notwithstanding I have thus reproved
you I consider you the best people as a body on the earth and
if there were any better I would go to them and take you with
them who desired to go
In speaking of the redemption of our dead
I would say that there are millions who have died from the days
of Adam to Christ who are waiting for their bodies to be raised
In comparason to the number but few arose at the resurrection
of Christ and they were some who had the Priesthood or fulness
of it sealed upon them."
President Young made many other
usful remarks band closed by blessing the people believing they would repent
and what was said made a deep impression upon the congregation.
Statistics
of the
Number of the Camp of Israel in Winter Quarters.
on the .
The following is a true report:
| Total number of souls | 3483 |
| Sick persons | 334 |
| Well men | 502 |
| Sick men | 117 |
| Absent men | 138 |
| Policemen | 19 |
| Woman whose husbands were in the Mormon Bat | 53 |
| Widows | 75 |
| Waggons in Camp | 814 |
| Horses | 145 |
| Mules | 29 |
| Yokes of oxen | 388 1/2 |
| Cows | 463 |
| cords of wood drawn | 83 3/4 |
| Number of days spent by the camp in building a Mill-Race | 561 1/4 |
I was quite unwell the following
day yet I went into the woods with Father and chopped 3 loads of
wood and brought home two loads of it
The dawn was saluted in the camp of Israel by the firing of
cannon from the hills by the artilery. I met in council with the Twelve
and spent a portion of the two following days also with them in council
and during the following day worked on the Council House and two of
the last days of the year I spent in cutting and drawing wood and
hay for the Winter
Organizing the Pioneers
On the th the Quorum of the Twelve sat in
Council to consider the subject of organizing a pioneer company to go forward
and put in crops in the Spring and prepare the way for the Camp
of Israel and also to make preparations for the moving of the
camp. The forepart of the evening was occupied in
conversing upon a variety of matters. There was an intermission during
which time a little recreation was taken. Prayers were afterwards
had and Presidents Young and Kimball spoke in tongues awhile. We
then went into council and our final dicission was that we fit out
outa pioneer company and follow them as soon as grass grows
the pioneer company to go this Winter as far as they could go
on rushes and brows then as far as they could on grass until it
was time to put in their corn crop. This was the last
important action of the Quorum of the Twelve during the year
eighteen hundred and forty six.
Synopsis
of the
Travels and Labours of Wilford Woodruff in 1846
I travelled seven thousand four hundred and thirty six miles
Councils
I attended 31 councils with my quorum of the Twelve and two
with Indian chiefs.
Ordinations &c
I ordained 9 Bishops baptized 6 persons and administered to fifty
six of the sick.
Meetings Held &c
I held 26 meetings wrote 70 letters and received 56
Summary of the Year
During the year 1846 my time had not been occupied in
preaching in the vineyard and building up churches. I left the field
of my labours in Liverpool at the office and in the British Mission
in general at the beginning of this year. Since then I had
crossed the Atlantic and travelled the bredth of the United States
gathered my father stepmother and cousin to Nauvoo with me
I arrived in Nauvoo on the 13th of April after a severely tiresome
long and dangerous passage in which the storms were so constant
and tremendous that I saw not a fire on ship board for the
space of ^30^ days. On my arrival in the city of the
Saints where I joined my wife and children who had only reached home
a few days before me I found that President Young and the Twelve
had led out the Camp of Israel into the wilderness and without a
moments rest after my return I gathered up my friends and a company
of Saints from the Gentiles and joined the camp of Israel in
their journeyings to the wilderness and passed through all the trials
privations labours and sufferings attendent on such a journey; and
in spite of my severe accident and broken bones late in the year I built
my own house helped the building of others cut down and drew my wood
and hay and generally assisted with the Twelve in establishing
Winter Quarters. Thus ended the year with the cares of the
Twelve daily increasing
^^
[several lines blank]
At the beginning of the year I looked over and
arranged my journals and the following is
A Summary of My History for the Last 13 Years
Since 1834 I had travelled sixty one thousand six hundred and
ninety two miles crossed the Atlantic four times travelled ^severa[l] times^ through
England Scotland and Wales and on six Islands of the Sea through twenty
of the United States and the Canadias held one thousand and sixty
nine meetings had eighty six conference and one hundred and
twenty three councils. I baptized 634 persons and assisted
in the baptism of hundreds of others was baptized for 36 dead
friends confirmed 813 ordained 2 Patriarchs 9 Bishops 3 High
Priests 3 Seventies 156 Elders 142 Priests 63 Teachers and 13 Deacons
and assisted the Twelve in ordaining about 200 Seventies and
Elders at one time in Nauvoo not recorded in my Journal or enumerated
in the above. I had administered by anointing and
laying on of hands unto 364 sick persons many ^of^ whom were healed
blessed 194 children married 7 couple planted 51 churches established 77
preaching places & had 10 mobs rise against me. I recorded 30 of
the Prophet Joseph's sermons and 25 of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
I wrote 1040 letters & received 699. I collected for the building of
the Temple of the Lord in Kirtland Nauvoo 1674 dollars also 5000
dollars for assisting in the printing of the works of the Latter-day Saints
I procured 205 subscribers for the periodicals published by the Saints
I printed the "Times and Seasons" and "Neighbour" in connection with Elder
Taylor for two years and I printed 2500 copies of the Millennial Star
at Liverpool and published 3000 copies of the Book of Doctrines and
Covenants and secured the copyright of it at Stationers Hall London
printed 3000 Hymn Books and 20,000 of the Proclamation called
the Proclamation of the Twelyve Apostles.
During this above period I was ordained to the
office of Teacher Priest Elder member of the second quorum of the
Seventies first quorum of the Seventies and one of the Twelve
Apostles; received my anointing sealing and endowments from
and under the hands of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball
by order of Joseph the Prophet.
There were many things of interest transpiring
in the councils of the Twelve held in the beginning of the year 1847
which I did not write in my Journal as Elder Willard Richards
was present. He was the Recorder and Historian of the Church
and wrote of these councils which will be found in the General
Church History
On the in a council of the
Twelve at which I was present at Elder Heber C. Kimball's a revelation
was given concerning the organization of the Camp of Israel for
the time had come when it had to be organized according to the
order and law of God for the peace safety and salvation of
the people.
A True Copy of A Revelation
given at
Winter Quarters at Elder Kimball's
[Doctrine and Covenants 136]
"The Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp
of Israel in their Journeyings to the West"
"Let all the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints and those who journey with them be organized
into companies with a covenant and promise to keep all the commandments
and statutes of the Lord our God. Let the companies be organized with
captains of hHundreds captains of fFifties and captains of Tens with a
President and his two counsellors at their head under the direction of
the Twelve Apostles: And this shall be our covenant that we will
walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.
Let each company provide themselves
with all the teams waggons provissions clothing and other necessaries
for the journey that they can. When the pcompanies are organized
let them go to with their might to prepare for those who are to
tarry. Let each company with their captains and presidents
decide how many can go next spring; then choose out a sufficient
number of able bodied and expert men to take teams seeds and farming
utensils to go as pioneers to prepare for putting in Spring crops.
Let each company bear an equal proportion according to the dividend of
their property in taking the poor the widows the fatherless and the
families of those who have gone into the army that the crys of the
widow and the fatherless come not up into the ears of the Lord
against this people
Let each company prepare houses and fields
for raising grain for those who are to remain behind this season [Doctrine and Covenants 136:1-9]
and this is the will of the Lord concerning His people. Let every man
Let every man use all his influence and property to
remove this people to the place where the Lord shall locate a stake of Zion:
and if ye do this with a pure heart in all faithfulness ye shall be blessed:
you shall be blessed in your flocks and in your heards and in your
fields and in your houses and in your families.
Let my servants Ezra T. Benson and Erastus
Snow organize a company and let my servants Orson Pratt and Wilford
Woodruff organize a company also let my servants Amasa Lyman
and George A Smith organize a company and appoint presidents
and captains of Hundreds and of Fifties and of Tens: and let my
servants that have been appointed go and teach this my will to
the Saints that they may be ready to go to a land of peace.
Go thy way and do as I have told you and fear not thine enemies
for they shall not have power to stop my work.
Zion shall be redeemed in my own due time
and if any man shall seek to build up himself and seeketh not my
counsel he shall have no power and his folly shall be made manifest
Seek ye and keep all your pledges one with another and covent not that
which is thy brother's. Keep yourselves from evil to take
not the name of thy God in vain; for I am the Lord your God
even the God of your fathers the God of Abraham and of Isaac
and of Jacob. I am he who led the children of Israel
out of the Land of Egypt and my arm is stretched out in the
last days to save my people Israel
Cease to contend one with another
cease to speak evil one of another cease drunkeness and let your
words tend to edifying one another. If thou borrowest of thy neighbour
thou shalt restore that which thou hast borrowed and if thou canst
not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbour lest he
condemn thee. If thou shalt find that which thy neighbour
has lost thou shalt make dilligent search till thou shalt deliver
it to him again [Doctrine & Covenants 136:9-26]
Thou shalt be dilligent in preserving what thou hast that
thou mayest be a wise steward for it is the free gift of the Lord thy
God and thou art His steward.
If thou art merry praise the Lord with
singing with music with dancing and with a prayer of praise and
thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful call on the Lord thy
God with supplication that your souls may be joyful. Fear
not thyine enemies for they are in mine hands and I will
do my pleasure with them. My people must be tried
in all things that they may be prepared to receive the Glory
that I have for them even the glory of Zion and he that will
not bear chastisment is not worthy of my kingdom
Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom
by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God that his
eyes may be opened that he may see and his ears opened that he
may hear; for my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten
the humble and contrite and to the condemnation of the ungodly
Thy brethren have rejected you and your
testimony even the nation that has driven you out and now
cometh the day of their calamity even the days of sorrow like
a woman that is taken in travelail and their sorrows shall be
great unless they speedily repent yea very speedily for they
killed the Prophets and they that were sent unto them and they
have shed inocent blood which crieth from the ground
against them. Therefore marvel not at these things
for ye are not yet pure: Thou canst not yet bear
my glory but thou shalt behold it if ye are faithful in
keeping all my words that I have given you from the days
of Adam to Abraham from Abraham to Moses from Moses
to Jesus and the Apostles and from Jesus and his Apostles
to Joseph ^Smith^ whom I did call upon by mine angels my
ministering servants and by mine own voice out of the
heavens to bring forth my work which foundation he
did lay and was faithful and I took him to myself. Many have marvelled
because of his death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with
his blood that he might be honoured and the wicked might be condemned
Have I not delivered you from your enemies,
only in that I have left a witness of my name? Now therefore hearken
O ye people of my Church and ye Elders listen together. You have received
my kingdom; be diligent in keeping all my commandments lest
judgement come upon you and your faith fail you and your enemies
triumph over you.
So no more at present: Amen and Amen."
[rest of page blank]
^Feb^
On the th I met in council with the Presidents and Counsellors
captains of hHundreds Fifties and Tens to farther the organization of the camp of
Israel. I received an appointment to go to Kegg Creek with brother Smoot
to organize the people there
was a very interesting day to me. I
attended the family meeting of President Brigham Young and he addressed
the meeting at great length during the day and evening. There were
present of the quorum of the Twelve Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball
Willard Richards Orson Pratt Wilford Woodruff George A Smith Amasa
Lyman and Ezra T. Benson.
After singing and prayer by President Young
he arose and addressed the meeting and remarked that he had invited
the Twelve to be present though they were not of his family yet he
wished them to fact free and speak such things as the Lord shall give
them. He said, "Let me state a principle by which you may
contemplate much. For the word of understanding many have
suffered jealousies to arise which afflicted their minds with
borrowed troubles and uneasiness fearing the Lord loved some
others more than themselves. This I have seen in the
Church ever since its rise. It was manifeste in Kirtland. When
the first Bishop was ordained, Tthis jealous feeling was manifest
Some wondered if the Lord would think enough of them to ordain them
a Bishop. Father Morley and others who were present can bear
record of this fact. And when the Twelve were chosen the same
feeling existed and in fact I will not except all of them some of whom
manifested the same feelings when the Bishops were ordained. This
Spirit has been the overthrow of many in this Church and in fact
upon this principle thousands have fallen in all ages
The Lord gives to every man all the power
influence and authority he can wield in righteousness and all that his
goodness and faithfulness merits. Then why should jealousies
arise or what benefit can come by suffering such feelings to exist
None at all; but he who cherishes such feelings commence^s^ trying
to pull down every one that is prospering or gaining influence as Cain did [Genesis 4:1-16]
instead of building up and nourishing every tree and thereby proving
themselveshimself worthy and show^ing^ to theirhis brethren and to God that theyhe loves
the cause and by theirhis pasive spirit that theyhe is not only willing
that others should prosper and gain influence but that he actually
loves to see them prosper; for then he does all that he can through
himself if he helps to advance it through others although they receive
the honour of it and he still be aware of it. Such a man will never be
forgotten and to his honour and glory and exaltation there shall be
no end.
There is another principle that has
caused considerable uneasiness and trouble and that is the idea of
some men having more wives than one. Such tremendious
fears take hold of some that they hardly know how to live:
still they can't die. They began to whisper and talk around: "I am
actually affraid to go on a mission for fear some man will be sealed
to my wife"; and when they return some will be babling about
"You dont know but what you have got another man's wife" and
they are affraid to speak to a young woman for fear that she belongs
to some one else or for fear some one else wants her. Others deny
the faith as they think (but they never had much) and say that it is
all of the devil. To Such foolishness ought not to be cherished among
a wise and prudent people
Admiting the Lord created the same number
of woman as men at the beginning and commanded them to multiply
and replenish the earth and to fill up the measure of their creation in
righteousness the question is did they do it? Answer: No. They
soon disobeyed every commandment and plunged themselves into
wickedness and rendered themselves unworthy to raise up seed
unto the Lord and in fact used ever means in their power
to cut off life and hindering women answering the end for which
they were created. Nine tenths of them would rebel against
the very thing he was created to do. Hence you see the propriety of the
Lord calling upon men who bears the Pristhood to take to themselves wives from among
the daughters of men and raise up a righteous seed unto him that hHe might fill
up the measure of their creation and hasten the consummation of his purposes
in righteousness in this dispensation according to His word previously spoken
through His servants the Prophets.
Those who suffer fears and jealousies to arise
in their bosoms either back right out or get to be mighty righteous and for fear
they are sleeping with other men's wives they kick up a dust or briooil at home
and perhaps abuse their own companion through jealousy then go off to
some woman that does not understand what is right or wrong and tell her
that she cannot be saved without a man and he has almighty power
and can exalt and save her and likely tell that there is no harm for them
to sleep together before they are sealed and then go to some dough-head
of an Elder and get him to say the ceremony and all done without the
knowledge of the Authority of this Church. This is not right and
will not be suffered. The God I serve will reward every man
openly without his being under the necessity of going secretly and
privately palming himself on the credulity of ignorant inocent
females
Such jealousies do exist and were I to say
to the Elders you now have the liberty to build up your kingdoms one
half of them would lie swear steal and fight like the very devil to get
men and women sealed to them. They would even try to pass
right by me and go to Joseph thinking to get between him and
the Twelve. Some have already tried to use and influence
against me but such jealousies and selfishness shall be stoped and
if the brethren do not stop it I will blow it to the four winds
by making them all come and be sealed to me and I to my father
and he and all this Church to Joseph
When I go astray and give wrong counsel
and lead this people astray then is time enough to pull me
down and then God will remove me as He has done all others
who have turned from the faith.
But to return. I have gathered a number of families
around me by the law of adoption and seal of the covenant according to the
order of the Priesthood and others have done likewise it being the
means of salvation le^ft^ to bring us back to God. But had the keys
of the Priesthood been retained and handed down from father to
son throughout all generations up to the present time then there
would have been no necessity of the law of adoption for
we would have all been included in the covenant without
it and have been legal heirs instead of being heirs according
to promise
The Priesthood is eternal; without
begining of days or end of life as the Apostle has expressed
it; [Hebrews 7:1-3] but man through apostacy which is entire disopbedience
has lost or suffered the keys and privileges of the Priesthood
to be taken away from them and left to wander in darkness
and practise all manner of wickedness until thousands
became the vessels of wrath and were doomed to destruction,
for as long as men are without the Priesthood they continue
to be without God and never retrace their steps until it is
done by the Priesthood. The idea of the Saints being
led by false Prophets is just a notion according to the light
in which they view them. All the false Prophets we
have are the men who have turned away from the truth.
The man is the head and God of the
woman but let him act like God in virtueous principles and
Godlike conversation walk and deportment. Such men will continue
to gain influence and power and advance in glory to all eternity
But should they use their power in wickedness as a tyrant they will soon
be called to render an account of their stewardship. If not
found worthy they will be hurled down to perdition and their
family and kingdom be given to another that is worthy. Some
say that a woman cannot be saved without a man: neither can
a man without a woman.
Brother Joseph said he had taught the Twelve all he knew
concerning the order of the kingdom but the difficulty was they could not
remember it as he told them but when it was necessary they would
not be at a loss for understanding. And I bear record of the truth
of his word before God this day that I always had an understanding and
everything was brought them to my mind just as he taught them ^it^ to
us. All the ordinances of the Temple and building of the altar &c
came to me just right when they were to be attended to and could we
now know brother Hyde Pratt and Taylor's feelings you would say
that they could read a man through as soon as they cast their eyes upon
him
The Apostle Paul while speaking of the Fathers
and the ancients said that they without us could not be made perfect [Hebrews 11:40]
There was a lack in his day and still will be to all eternity until
the chain of that Priesthood is restored and every spirit take a tabernacle
that was foreordained according to the dispensation of the will of God
I am entitled to the keys of the Priesthood
according to linage and blood—So is brother Heber C. Kimball
and many others—and have taken kingly power and ^the various^ grades
of the Priesthood. This we would have taught in the Temple
had time permitted. Joseph Smith was entitled to the keys
of the Priesthood according to blood. Still he was the fourth son
But when we get another Temple built then we will teach you
concerning these things. Suffice it to say that I will extend
the chain of the Priesthood back through the Apostlolic Dispensation
to Father Adam just as soon as I can get a Temple built
Jesus could have restored the order of
the Priesthood in his day and brought in the Millennium if the
people would have hearkened to his instructions but they rebelled and
would not and it was for this cause that Jesus told them
that all the blood which had been shed from righteous
Abel down to Zeachariel the Prophet should be required
at their hands. [Matthew 23:34-35]
I have a request to make of my family and that
is that they (especially old people omit calling me their father.
Call me Brother Brigham. I shall fell better when yo[u] do
for I do not consider that I am worthy of that appelation. Father
in the Priesthood implies the Great Head. The term would be
proper to Father Adam. Jesus had reference to the same
thing when he told his disciples not to call any man father
orn earth for their Father was in heaven [Matthew 23:9]
The seal of the covenant that I
have been speaking of to day was what the Apostle saw
previous to the destruction of the wicked when the angel
was commanded not to pour out the vials of wrath upon the
wicked until the Saints were sealed in their foreheads [Revelation 7:3]
and when this was done they all became Father Adam's
family
Those that are adopted into ^belong to^ my family
and take me for their Councillor if I continue faithful I
will preside over them throughout all eternity. I will
stand at their head and Joseph will stand at the head
of this Church and will be the President ^&^ Prophet and God
to the people in this dispensation
When we locate I will settle
my family down in the order and teach them their duty
They will then have to provide temporal blessings for
me instead of my boarding from 40 to 50 persons as
I now do. I will administer in spiritual blessings
to them. I expect to live in the House of the
Lord and receive and administer ordinances to my brethren
and for the dead all the year round."
President H. C. Kimball and Orson
Pratt then address briefly President Young's family
meeting and then there was an intermission until
after supper.
The table was will furnished and supplied.
Forty persons could be seated at the table at a time. The men
were seated to the right with their companions opposite to them,
commencing with the Twelve President Young at their head; then in order
the ^rest^ adopted children begining with the 1st that was adopted. The
band and choir kept their seats and discoursed their sweet strain of
music while the guest were partaking of the rich festival.
While at table brother Thomas Wolseey
and John H Tippetts came in. They were direct from the
Mormon Battalion 280 miles south of Santa Fe on the river
Rio Grand^e^ on the 10th of Nov. 1846. They had piloted fifty six
sick men to Fort Pueblo where Cap Brown's estableshment was
stationed. From thence they came in on packmules were
50 days on the way and were taken prisoners twice by the
Indians and once was sentenced to death by the Pawnees. For
thirty days they were without bread and five days were without
much of anything to eat. These brethren brought a package
of 137 letters and a good account from Fort Pueblo but rather
unfavorable from the Battalion who were described as resembling
mountaineers in their persons.
The arrival of these brethren in the
camp produced no small stir. Men and women came from
all directions to enquire after their friends in the army.
After the men were refreshed we went
into council with them and they rehearsed the situation of the Battalion
The brethren composing it had been on half rations for three weeks
when they left them and no prespects of more than half rations
should they attempt to cross the mountains that Winter. Report
however had reached Santa Fe when they arrived that the
Battalion had taken the Alpasio a strong hold between the
Rio Grande and the Mountains without the firing of a gun
President Young said that if they had hearkened to his counsel
not a man of them would have fallen but would all have returned to their
friends in perfect safety.
We returned to the Council House at 7 o'clock
The Saints were rejoicing in what they had heard that day and after Elder
Isaac Morley had expressed himself upon the occassion President Young
arose and continued his remarks upon the law of adoption
"The Lord introduced the law of adoption for the
benefit of the children of men as a schoolmaster to bring them back
into the covenant of the Priesthood. This principle I am
aware is not clearly understood by many ^of the^ Elders in this Church
at the present time as it will hereafter be; and I confess that
I have only a smattering of those things; but when it is
necessary I will attain to more knowledge upon the subject
and consequently shall be enabled to teach and practice more.
In the mean time glorify God the bountiful Giver
I have heard Elders say they were
not dependant upon any man. It was saying more than
I can say for I consider that we are all dependant one
upon another for our exaltation and that our interest is
inseperably connected. For example: What can my family
do without me. Supposing they were to all turn away
from me I hold the keys over them through which they are to receive
their exaltation. Would they not be like sheep without a shepherd?
and be devoured by the wolves? They certainly would. Then
let us change the position and say that I would cut off all my
family then what glory would I have with no body to rule over
but my own dear little self. To tell you my feelings
I would rather be annihilated than to be in that situation
This is another proof of the Apostle's
saying when he declared that they without us could not be made
perfect. [Hebrews 11:40] Neither can you without me nor I without
you that is to say if we are faithful for without faithfulness
there is no perfection on any consideration
This rule applies to the whole human family
This is the torment and misery of the disobedient spirits that they cannot
be made perfect unless some scheme should hereafter be introduced
for their redemption.
They are now without tabernacles to dwell in
only such as they have taken possession of unlawfully and usurped
power over. It is a part of their agency that was allowed them which
they use to the consummation of their unhappy and wretched estate it
being the reward and fruits of their doings having been given over to
all manner of wickedness and permitted to afflict the handywork of the
Lord until they fill up the cup of their iniquity. Then the Lord
will say unto them, "Thou wicked and disobedient spirit thou
shalt not have power any longer to afflict my people or destroy the works
of my hands: you have forfeited your agency and wrought your fulness;
depart hence to the pit that I have prepared for thee
This is their torment that their power
and agency is taken from them and they are left to regret that it
was through their own disobedience they cut the thread of their own
salvation. This reflection only serves to torture and
increase their torment.
And this would be the situation of my
family were they to cut themselves off from me. I use my family
as an example not that I have the least fears, of their ever doing
so, for I have none.
I feel happy this night because we are
of one mind. Still should I believe that we were perfect and
could not advance any farther I should not be happy. But to
the honour power and glory of the faithful there is no end
For your satisfaction I will show you
a rule by which you may comprehend the exaltation of the
faithful. I will use myself as a figure and say that I am
ruling over ten sons or subjects and soon each of them would have
ten more sealed to them and they would be ruler over them and that
would make me ruler over ten Presidents or kings whereas I was ruler
over ten subjects only: or in other words I ruled over one kingdom
but now I should rule over ten. Then let each get ten more
then I should be ruler over one hundred kingdoms and so on continued
to all eternity. The more honour and glory that I could
bestow upon my sons the more it would add to my exaltation
but to clip the thread of your exaltation then where would be
your glory? It would be like the fallen angels or devils
that kept not their first estate but were reserved in
everlalsting chains of darkness unto the judgement of the
great day. Others fell from heaven were thrust down
to hell. But if you wish to advance hold up the
hands of your ^file^ leader. Should you have ten legions
of trains following on after you, you should say to
your file leader push ahead for I am coming with
my train lifting him up at the same time instead of
trying to pass by him. This would stimulate
him and he would say Come on my boys I will travel
as fast as you can and on we would go in one solid
train to all eternity.
Before I close I will answer one
question that has been asked me repeatedly. Should I have
a father dead who has never heard this gospel would
it be required of me to redeem him and have him adopted
into some man's family and I be adopted unto my father
I answer no.
If we have to attend to the ordinances
of redemption for our dead relatives we then become their
saviou[r]s and were we to wait to redeem our dead relatives
before we could link the chain of the Priesthood we would never
accomplish it."
Many other remarks were made
and at the close there was a little exercise by music and dancing and the
meeting was dismissed
Brother Smoot and myself left Winter quarters
on the th on our mission to Keg Creek. We rode to Council
Point the first day where we found that Branch assembled for meeting
We addressed the meeting and I read the revelation given at Winter
Quarters and took a vote upon it
we travelled to ^Musketoe
Creek^ and on the we visited the Branch of
the Church in that place and organized it according to the pattern
given. We then drove our team to Keg Creek. There was
a snow storm during the day and our horses suffered
much on the journey in the storm.
On the I met with the Branch
at Keg Creek and addressed the congregation in much plainness
and rebuked some false spirits and was followed by Elder
Smoot. We took the names for organizing and rode
twelve miles back to brother Petty's and spent the night. We had
about 2 feet of snow to travel through
was very cold but we travelled
30 miles through the snow to Winter Quarters.
During the next ten days I met several
times with the 1st Division and captains of hundreds in furthering
the organization and its design and again on the
met in council with the first division and several speeches were
made by several of the brethren concerning our location in
Winter Quarters ^&^ our journey westward. President Young
said he should go as he was directed by the Lord and
he requested the Saints to be ready to start on the 15th.
On Sunday the I met with the
Saints in our Ward. Bishop Smoot addressed the people
I followed and requested the people who had means to carry
something to the Bishop for the poor and after meeting I
went home and took for my part flour meal sugar and coffee for
that object to the Bishop and then myself and brother Smoot
and I myself took of the subjstance donated for the poor and visited
the sick and administered to them spiritually and temporally.
About this time brothers McCray and
Lum^meroux^ arrived in camp from Nauvoo. McCray
had been in prison and many of the brethren had been imprisoned
and some hung by the mob until they were nearly dead
I spent the th in preparing my
carriage to go with the Pioneer Company and spent the
next day in council with the Twelve and captains of
hHundreds for adopting measures for the government of the
people after we left
The th was spent in council with
the Twelve and Captains of Hundreds upon the movement
before us and the meeting was addressed by President Young
and a number of others.
The next two days was^ere^ occupied in
preparing for our journey; and on the following one I was
unwell but attended a musical concert in the Council House
in the evening though I had to return home and go to
bed being so ill.
I was somewhat better two days
later and continued preparing for the Pioneer journey, This
and attended the funeral of sister Phebe Traine. There was at
this time much sickness and death in the camp
Sunday the st the camp of Israel
assembled in a general meeting on the public square. President
Young addressed the congregation upon a variety of subjects
We also met in Council but not much business was done
There was a severe snow storm during the night.
The next morning was very cold; but
there was a meeting of the Presidency and captains of company's
and it was resolved to stockade the city of Winter Quarters and for the Twelve
to go forward to pick out a resting place for the Saints. In the
evening I attended a council of the Bishops and Twelve; and a variety of
subjects was brought up
President Young spoke upon Patriarchal
blessings and the blessing of children and said that any father
who held the Priesthood was a Patriarch to his own family and
when he blessed his children it was a Patriarchal blessing. If
a man wrote the blessing of his children and could get the
Historian to record it that was all right enough but the Historian
could not write all the blessings in the Church.
Next day the Presidency and Bishops
met to decide where the lines of the city should be and two days
later the Camp of Israel held a public meeting
In the evening I met with my company
and expressed my feelings to them concerning labouring together
for the season in raising grain and taking care of the families
of those who were going in the Pioneer company. The
spirit of union prevailed in the matter.
On the I attended the funeral of
sister Burnham and took the family to the grave and then returned
and let George A. Smith have my team to go to the grave to
bury one of his family.
The Sacrament for the First Time in Winter Quarters.
Sunday the th was a fine day and the
camp met at the public stand and in the morning brothers
Young Kimbal Pratt and Benson ^addressed the meeting^
In the afternoon we partook of the
sacrament and the assembly was addressed by Elders Woodruff
Smith Lyman Willard Richards Phelps and President Young. This
was the first time the sacrament had been administered
to the Saints in a general Assembly in Winter Quarters
In the evening I visited the sick and
administered to five persons and met with the Twelve High Council
and Bishops.
Next morning I met with the Presidency
Captains of Hundreds and Pioneer Company and it was
finally ^agreed that those who were ready^ should start on the morrow for the
Horn. It was fine weather
On the evening of the of the month
I was with the Presidency and Captains of Hundreds in council and
expressed my mind with others upon the subject of ^stockading^ barracading
the city and uniting together in labour in cultivating the earth
President Young spoke upon the subject
At the close of this council the
quorum of the Twelve met and resolved that Brother W. W. Phelps
go to the East and procure a Printing Press and type and
receive a recommendation to that effect.
On the I sat for a
likeness to be taken by Major to be put into a plate with
others of the Twelve. In the afternoon I met in council with
the Twelve. Elder Stratton who had just arrived from
St Louis was present and gave an account of the affairs of
the Church in that city. We received a mail of papers
containing the war news &c which we read with great
interest in our isolated life.
On the a portion of the Pioneers
commenced removing the ^out houses on the outskirts^ unto a line in the
city. I spent a part of the day in the office reading the
news and a part in writing in my Journal and an epistle
to my family and capatains of my company giving an
account of my affairs which I was leaving behind
The following was a busy day in preparing for our
journey. The Pioneers were now about to start to go to the Mountains
of Israel to find a location and a resting place for the Saints while the
judgements of God are poured out upon the earth. The burden and
cares of the Church and my family rested heavily upon my mind and
I never felt more in leaving my family to go on a mission than
now but I prayed that the Lord would sustain them as he had done
in the many missions which I had taken. I assisted brother Richards
in the evening to pack up his waggon.
Next day was Sunday and I went to the
river and baptized 3 persons members of brother Dewey's family and
I also confirmed them.
Our A^nnual^ Conference
at
Winter Quarters
As usual the Church held its annual conference on
the aniversary of the organization of Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints on the 6th of April 1830. This
year it was held at Winter Quarters where the body of
the Church had located for the season on its way to the
Rocky Mountains to find at new home.
It was a fine morning; the sun
shone brightly the Heavens smiled upon us and our hearts
were made glad. There was not much business done.
President Young addressed the Assembly with good sound
doctrine and the conference voted to sustain the quorum
of the Twelve and the rest of the quorums and authorities
of the Church
I spent the afternoon in preparing to start
for the Rocky Mountains on the morrow
The Pioneers
Leaving Winter Quarters
The day after the General Conference I took
leave of my family and friends and started with my company
of Pioneer waggons 8 in number and left Winter Quarters for
our journey to the Mountains to select a location for the
Church and prepare for the body of the Saints to follow
When we were on the top of the
ridge west of the city I took a view of the city and looked
at my wife and children though my glass. I then led
the company to the old camp ground from thence toon the
Pinakaw road about 7 miles and camped for the night, ten
miles from Winter Quarters.
We had excellent stables for our
horses in a valley near a small stream of water. We
had not been camped long before Brother Pratt and his
company arrived and close upon them President Young and
his company so we all camped together about 25 waggons
of us and it was a very windy night.
In the morning we arose and took
breakfast. A ^squirel^ was killed and it being the first
game killed by the Pioneer Companyies I moved that the
first fruits of the game be offered to the Priest: so it was
presented to President Young for his breakfast
President Young Father Morley and others
went to the old camping ground to pick them out a place for
a farm and I with several others spent the day in hunting
butand caught nothing but weary limbs and wet feet. We saw
however deer geese ducks &c.
When I returned to camp in the evening from our
unsuccessful hunting expedition I learned that Parley P. Pratt had arrived
at Winter Quarters from his mission to England, and that President Young
Orson Pratt and others had gone back to the city to see him.
In the morning I mounted my horse
and started for Winter Quarters to see brother Parley the Twelve my
family and others. Mrs Woodruff was at our camp the day before
while I was out hunting and left a letter for me in answer to the
one I had written to her.
Before I got to the city I met the
Twelve. I was within half a mile of home yet I turned about
with them returned to the camp of Pioneers harnessed our
horses and drove until dark 10 miles towards the Horn leaving
brothers Young and Kimball several miles behind.
Early the next morning we started
drove to the Horn and crossed it with all ^our^ teams ^on a raft^ before sunset
The following was Sunday. We crossed
over 20 waggons in the morning and then Presidents Young
and Kimball arrived with their companies and we
continued to ferry them until they were all over. We moved
down our encampment 2 miles and spent the night.
Next day the encampment moved up the
Platte 14 miles; but the quorum of the Twelve and others ^re^crossed
the Horn and returned to Winter Quarters. Four of us followed
an Indian trail and cut off 15 miles. It was 35 miles by the
waggon route but only 20 the way we went.
I was very busy the next day painting
one of my waggons to take away and sell. I got another horse
to take away with me and was in council with the quorum
of the Twelve until midnight. Elder John Taylor was with
us. He arrived in the city in the evening on this return
from England. We were all glad to meet him once more
He brought for our use on this Pioneer journey two Sextants
two baromaters two artificial horizons one circle of reflection
and one telescope, all of which were exhibited to us in the
evening and boxed up so that we could take them along
Next day I called together my family
and blessed my wife and children and left them in the
hands of the Lord. I bade farewell to Father Woodruff
and family and all around me and took my leave
of Winter Quarters and in company with Elders O Pratt
A. Lyman G. A Smith E. Snow and others we again
took the Indian trail and rode through the prairie to
Elk Horn and went over on a raft and camped two miles
below the Ferry. We had an excellent supper of
fried catfish pork beans short-cake honeycomb coffee
milk &c. We all eat very hearty. had prayers & retired to bed
Professor O Pratt the next morning
took an observation for the correct time. Brothers Young
Kimball and Whitney and others came and crossed the ferry
and we all moved up to the General Camp on the Platt^e^
River 9 miles in advance ^of us.^ We found the Camp
very busy in blacksmith work preparing to ^continue^ contue our
journey
Brother Jesse C. Little arrived from
the Eastern States in our midst. Finding us not at
Winter Quarters he followed and overtook us this evening. He
gave us news of the Eastern Churches and brought a remembrance
to the quorum of the Twelve from our friend Col. Kane
in a variety of presents to us. The Col. had sent me a
patent life preserver and a stop-compass.
Brothers Little Rockwell and Reading
returned to Winter Quarters next morning and the camp continued
4 miles up the Platt^e^
Before we left this morning the camp
came together and was organized for journeying as a military
^as a military body into companies of hundreds fifties and tens.
Col. Stephen Markham and A. P. Rockwood were appointed
captains of hundreds.^ I was appointed captain of Ten and the
following are the names: Wilford Woodruff J. S. Fowler J Burnham
Orson Pratt Joseph Egbert John M Freeman Marcus B. Thorp George
A Smith and George Waurdle being 9 in all.
The camp consisted of 73 waggons 143 men 3 women
and two children making in all 148 souls.
We travelled 8 miles next day and camped
ion the border of a grove of cottonwood to spend the Sabbath. In the
afternoon the organization of the camp was completed according to the
following order: Brigham Young Lieutenant General Stephen Markham
Colonel John Pack 1st Major Shedrick Rounday 2nd Major.
The Regiment to be divided into tens under the following captains:
| Wilford Woodruff | capt. of 1st company |
| Ezra T. Benson | 2nd comp. |
| Phineas H Young | 3rd co. |
| Luke Johnson | 4th |
| Stephen H Godard | 5th |
| Charles Shumway | 6th |
| James Case | 7th |
| ^Seth Taft^ | 8th |
| Howard Egan | 9th |
| ^Appleton M. Harmon^ | ^10th^ |
| John Higby | 11th |
| Norton Jacobs | 12th |
| John Brown | 13th |
| Joseph Mathews | 14th. |
Orders from General Young was for the whole regiment
to journey in a compact body as we were in an Indian country
and for every man to carry his gun loaded the cap locks to
be shut on a piece of buckskin with caps ready to slip on at
the instant in case of attack, for flint locks with cotton or tow
in the pan and powder flask always handy to prime quick^ly^
and for every man to walk by the side of his waggon and not
to leave it except sent away by order. The object of all this
caution was to prevent accident for strict dicipline was necessary
while travelling through a hostile Indian country
Some traders came down from the Pawnees and camped
with us over night. They had plenty of Buffaloo meat dried and they gave
us what we wished and informed us that we were within two days
drive of the whole ^a large band^ of the Pawnees. We camped here in
a line for the Sabbath
President Young called
the captains together and gave them instructions concerning our travel
We were to start in the morning two abreast all who were not driving
teams were to carry their guns and walk by the side of the waggons
and no man to go hunting to get out of sight of the camp. In
the morning ^evening^ the bugle was to be blown at half past 8 o'clock ^5 o'clock^ and
the camp to arise and pray cook eat feed horses harness them &c
and start at the call of the bugle at 7 oclock and at night
the bugle was to be blown at half past eight when all wasere to
go to prayers in their several waggons and retire to bed by
9 o'clock. Each Saturday night we were to pitch
our tents or camp in our waggons and rest forrom our journey
on the Sabbath. This was the order of the Camp
It was quite cold on Monday morning
The bugle blew at five o'clock for prayers and at seven for starting
We travelled according to general orders and bore a no[r]therly direction
until about noon when we reached the north bend of the Platt^e^
10 1/2 miles north of the ford. Professor Pratt took an
observation and found it to be in Lat. 41. 27. 5.: The crossing
place of the Horn was in Lat. 41. 16. 24., making the North
Bend of the Platt 10 1/2 miles north of the Ford. We formed
a circle at noon and baited.
While nooning Elder Little P. Rockwell
and two others arrived and brought the mail. I received
two letters one from my wife and one from Leonard Hardy
of Mass. who informed me that Milton Homes hand his father
and mother had turned Strangites and been cut off the Church
Brother Little brought with him
many things that Col. Kane had sent as presents to the Twelve and others. I
recieved a stop-box marriners compass small enough to carry in the pocket
It was a splendid present.
We camped at night near a grove of timber on
the bank of the Platt^e^ where we formed a circle on the edge of the bank
The river on one side was our defence and the forewheel of each waggon was
drove up to the hinder wheel of the one before it and all the horses
and cattle taken inside of the corrall: so that we were secure against
the Indians
There was a hard wind during the night and
the morning was fair but a strong south ^west^ wind which covered our waggons
with sand dust.
The grass was now about 4 inches high s[c]attering
and there was not half feed for our animals so all along thus far we
had to cut down cottonwood trees &c to feed them and the horses
would knaw off the bark from brouse limbs as readily
as they would eat corn of which we gave to each horse 2 quarts
per day
We started on our journey 2 1/2 miles and
came to another grove of small and large cottonwood covering
about 40 acres. It was about 5 miles to the table land
which was now rising into a bluff. Here the road runs 20
degrees south of the west Bending to S. by W. one mile in
which distance we passed three Islands in the Platte covered
with timber the largest of which was about ten acres and
there continues a chain of Islands for miles along the river
and some timber on the south side of the Platte
Three miles from our last encampment
we came to Shell Creek and one and half miles from Shell
Creek is a Prairie Dog village covering about 6 acres of ground
This creek was timbered only by a few scattering willows and
the river was about parallel
After crossing Shell Creek bridge the
road runs about S. W. by W. 60 degrees west of south for about 15 miles
The Platt is skirted with timber
Professor Pratt and myself went forward
of the company to take observations. After travelling 13 miles we
stoped baited horses and took observations. The company approached us
and we continued on 5 miles and the whole encampment came up and
we camped for the night in a circle and cut down cottonwood trees to
feed our horses.
^The following day was^ A cloudy day was the next one with a
light sprinkling of rain and wind in the east and our course westward.
The ox teams started at 7 o'clock and the horse teams between 8 and 9
An Indian appeared on a mound mounted on a poney about 5 miles
from us. He went out of sight and again appeared. He then
approached the Camp full speed was met by the brethren and
shook hands and was followed by seven others. They went through
the encampment and then returned with us
We travelled till half past 12 o'clock when
when we came in sight of 70 Indian horses and mules and soon in
sight of a large Pawnee village on the North side of Loop Fork and
also one on the south side of it. We drove on by the villages
and they soon began to sally out to come to us and we camped
in the form of a half moon the bank of the river forming
a parallel line in front.
The Indians to the number of about
200 on the South side of the river came down to the shore. Some
waded over and about 75 came into camp including the grand chief
of the nation with many war chiefs. We met them before
we left the ground and made them presents of 4 1 lbs of tobacco
15 lbs of lead powder fishhooks beads flour salt &c but still
they were not satisfied. Considering our numbers they thought
they ought to have had more
When we left the ground the
Indians appeared very disatisfied but we harnessed up our teams
and drove on to Looking glass Creek and camped at its mouth for the night upon
the bank of the Loop Fork
After our horses were turned out we were called
together and in consequence of the disatisfaction of the Indians a guard of 100
men was called for. The quorum of the Twelve with nearly the whole
camp volunteered to stand guard one half of them the forepart of the
night and the other the latter part. We also had a picket guard of
five men with their mules at each watch.
I was one of the picket guard. We had
a hard wind and rain in the afternoon which continued a portion of
the time that I was on guard. I rolled myself up in my buffalo
^robe^ and let the wind and rain beat on to me. We were released
at about 1 o'clock and went to rest; but no Indians appeared
during the night
Looking Glass Creek was crossed 15 minutes
before 9 on the morrow and a westerly course continued and Beaver
Creek reached at noon. There was a good many otter on the
Looking glass and Beaver about a mile above the mouth of Beaver
Creek.
Professor O. Pratt took the meridian observation
of the sun by the sextant for the Lat. which was found to be
41° 25' 13". We also found the magnetic needle to and also made other observations
vary about 12 degrees east
for the time &c.
We crossed Beverr ^Beaver^ Creek at half past two o'clock
travelled seven miles and came to the Pawnee Missionary Station
and camped for the night. The Bluff was skirted with some
oaks on the north side of the road in the hills. We kept out a guard
through the night as we were in danger of the Sioux on the one
side and the Pawnees on the other.
While watering the horses at the creek at
the station this evening brother George A Smith's horse mired
pitched forward and jumped on to him treading upon his feet and
breast and holding him fast in the mud while I caught ^the^ himhorse by the bit and
backed him off. I was fearful that brother Smith was badly injured
but found that he was not
A Day of Adventures.
The next day was one of adventures to the Pioneer
Company. In the morning 12 of us started on horse back to
search out a ford across the dangerous and troublesome Loop Fork
of the Platt^e^ River.
We went down the River some distance
and several men waded across and found the water so deep and
so much quicksand that we came to the conclusion to drive up
to the old Pawnee village. So we returned to the camp and
harnessed up our horses
My gray horse named Titus had the
was sick [blank] yet I started out with him and the camp drove
up with some little difficulty to the old Indian village or a little
below it and men commenced searching out a ford and found the
whole bed of the river one body of quicksand into which if a horse
or waggon stoped it would begin to sink down
We had two channels of water to cross
with a sand bar in the middle. The deepest water was from 3
to 4 feet deep and very rapid and about 300 yards across. At
some places the quicksand sank both man and beast instantly and
the more they struggled to get out the more they would sink. Of
course we avoided such places as much as possible
As I led the van with my ten being
the 1st ten it fell to my lot to make the first trial. Professor
O. Pratt having a strong pair of horses went forward and I followed
him. I had two yoke of cattle and my horses on my
carriage with about ten hundred on it
As soon as I started I immediately
saw that the cattle did but little good being slow and in the way. We would stop
and begin to sink. I jumped out of my carriage into the water up to my
waist and about ten men came to my assistance with a drag rope and
hitched it to the oxen and assisted me in getting across the first stream
though with great difficulty
We stoped on a sand bar out of the water
but my horses and waggon began to sink. By treading the ground a little
it would become a perfect quagmire; yet though we were sinking in it
the men had to leave the waggon where it was and go to the assistance
of Orson Pratt who in trying to cross the second stream had sunk into
a bed of quicksand and all the men had to go to his relief to get his horses
and waggon out. The horses were unhitched from the wagon and
the load taken out and carried to shore by hand and the waggon drawn
out by the help of men
I took off a part of my load in fact most
of it in a boat and went through the second stream nearly empty and
got out two other waggons done in the same way but it was so
terrific and undertaking that the rest of the camp would not follow in
our track.
So here we found ourselves on the opposite
side of the River 6 men of us to spend the night together with our horses
and waggons to guard against the whole Pawnee band then camped
below us on the same side of the river; and it was supposed they
numbered 600 warriors. We divided our company making three
on guard at a time
Brother Pack Orson Pratt and myself went
on guard the forepart of the night. Although I had been in the
water the whole of the afternoon I stood guard in my wet clothing
one half of the night and slept in them the other half.
We had not more than got our portion of
the night through when we were joined by five men from the
camp who crossed in a boat and were sent by President Young
to assist us making eleven of us in all and we divided our force
accordingly. The night however passed off in peace and ^no^ disturbance from
hostile Indians.
The morning when it came was pleasant and Professor
Pratt took and ^an^ observation on the south bank of the fording place on the Loop
Fork. and The Lattitude was found to be 44^1^° 22' 37"
The camp on the other side were now
busy in devising plans to cross the River. They drew together
timber and rails to build two rafts and began to put it together but
some of the brethren made another trial to cross with waggons by
putting on several horse and mule teams.
They went a little higher up than we
did and got over with much less difficulty and the more the ground
was trod in the water the smoother and harder it grew. So the
whole encampment turned their waggons back to the ford and abbandoned
the raft. By unloading one half of the baggage they could cross
in safety and the whole came over by doubling teams and by
going back and forth until all were over each captain with his
ten assisting each other across. So in this way all Israel
who were present went over (not Jordan) but the Loop Fork of
the Platte River in safety without hurt to man or beast and
they felt t[h]ankful to God for his mercies and rejoiced that they
were on the south side of the river.
We all loaded up our waggons and
drove 4 miles and camped for the Sabbath on the bank of
the River and after our waggons were arranged wthe Twelve took
a walk on the high table land to make observations with our
glasses of the surrounding country
Sunday came with a pleasant morning
The order of the Pioneer Camp was that there should be no fishing
hunting nor labour of any kind on the Sabbath except that
which was absolutely needed.
Four aAntelopes appeared before us on
the plain on the opposite side of the river. We could see them
with the naked eye but much better through our spyglasses. This was the first
antelope I ever saw. About 10 o'clock 4 Elk also appeared on the opposite
side and we viewed them with our glasses and these were the first Elk
I had ever seen.
After making the Sabbath a day of rest
both for man and beast until 4 o'clock the Camp gathered together
for a meeting and were addressed by a number of the brethren; the
guards were placed out as usual to guard the Camp at night and a company
of hunters appointed to go forward of the company for game. There
were 7 horsemen and 10 footmen appointed and the quorum of
the Twelve had the privilege of joining them when they pleased
Indian Attacks
Early in the morning before the break of day 2 Indians crept
upon their hands and knees approaching the camp to steal horses. They
got within 3 rods of the guard before they were discovered. The guard
first thought them to be wolves and snapped at them. They rose up and
ran. Two of the guards fired and 4 others rose up out of the grass
The bugle was sounded and all arose to arms not knowing but there was
a large party near by; but no more were seen then
I started out in the morning with the Hunters
We saw 8 deer & 4 antelopes but caught nothing. Eight miles travel and we
camped for noon. On the opposite of the river were relics of an old
Indian town.
In the afternoon we travelled 7 miles and camped
on Clear Creek with a hard gravel bottom the first of the kind we had
met on the road. We killed one wild goose and saw fresh signs of
buffalo where we camped being the first we had seen. Brothers Young
Kimball Richards and myself went on to a high bluff to view the country
Just at dusk a tremd^i^ous alarm was
given through the Camp that Indians had cralled up and taken Porter
Rockwell and his horse and made off with him. Many men mounted
their horses and made after him with all speed but it was soon discovered
that Rockwell was in camp but that two horses were gone—
Dr Richard's and brother Little's. About 20 men mounted and
armed went in search of the horses
On the morrow we continued our journey
a south course to try to get on the Platte River came on to some
beautiful green grass saw a great quantity of Buffalo signs but
found no wood nor water. We baited our horses in ga green
valley after 12 miles travel
Just as we were starting in the afternoon
we rose onto a small bluff and saw two antelopes in the valley
before us. Brothers Young Kimball and myself were together. Bro
Brown and another brother was on the other side of the hill and saw
them. Brother Brown first fired on one and the other man and
myself fired. We all hit him with our balls but he did
not fall; we rode up and cut his throat. This was
The First Antelope Killed.
He was dressed and put on board the waggons and we continued on
and in a short time saw three more at the top of a mound
looking at us. Brother Brown and myself went after them but
could not get them so we so we turned about 10 degrees East of
South and went to the creek and camped. Our cattle and horses
were very dry not finding any water through the day.
We had a heavy storm of thunder lightning
wind and some rain which lasted about an hour. A rifle ball
went off in brother Brown's waggon by accident and the ball
went through a bag of clothes set it on fire then through the
waggon and broke the leg of a fine horse and the result was
the breaking up of one of the teams of the Pioneer Company
Brother Rockwell and 3 others had gone
in the morning again in search of the ho[r]ses which the Indians
were supposed to have stolen and on the edge of the evening they returned and reported
that the Indians had stolen them and that they had themselves been attacked by
15 Indians who were in ambush in the grass. They came upon them
determined to take their horse from them but the brethren kept them off
by their rifles and pistols. The Indians were armed with guns
and bows and when they found that they could not scare the brethren
they then professed friendship to get to them but the brethren were resolute
^and determined^ not to move but to fight rather though only 4 to 15. The Indians
finally rushed upon them to ketch ^catch^ the horses by the bits and the brethren
drew their pistols upon them determined to fire and do their best and the
Indians seing their determination broke and ran but fired their guns
upon the brethren. The balls whistled around them but no one
was injured. The Brethren did not return the fire not wishing
to kill any if they could help it.
Next morning we travelled to Grand Island
and nooned on its banks. I went out with the hunters but we caught
nothing but a wolf and a goose. We journeyed 6 miles in the
afternoon and camped on Wood Creek formed a circle put our horses
inside and had a good defence. We saw plenty of deer run across
on the Island but President Young thought it not prudent to travel up
the Island hunting lest we should come up^on^ an Indian ambush.
A cool morning on the morrow and we started
at 5 o'clock without feeding drove three miles and breakfasted. The
hunters went up the Grand Island and found it well supplied with rushes
and cottonwood. Wood Creek was heavily wooded for this country and
we were beginning to get a good supply of grass for our horses and
cattle.
We travelled 8 miles and nooned and then 10 miles
farther and camped on the borders of Grand Island which at this place
was thickly covered with rushes upon which we fed our horses
I went on to the Island with the hunters
and saw about 30 antelopes and 8 deer. The antelope would play
around on the large plains and keep out of our way so that we
could not shoot them. We shot 4 geese. I shot two of them and one
deer but did not get the deer
We travelled 16 miles next day and camped
without wood or water and the grass short affording but little feed.
Our First Buffalo Hunt.
This was an interesting day to the Hunters of the
Camp of Israel who put out and the camp started on the journey
before breakfast travelled 6 miles and camped on the prairie in
sight of
A Herd of Buffalo Feeding on the Bluff to our right
They were about 200. Three only of the hunters started out after
them who rode near and left their horses and crawled upon them
to get a shot but they frightened the heard and they ran away
A little before the main herd being
seen three Bulls were discovered on the bluff. O P. Rockwell and two
others went after them and wounded two but got neither
We had not travelled more than two miles
farther before we discovered another large herd five miles a head of
us. The hunters gathered together and held a council and
waited until the camp came up. We were determined to get
some of the Buffalo if possible.
We travelled with the camp until within
a mile of the herd when a halt was made and 15 hunters
started out. Amasa Lyman and myself of the quorum of the
Twelve were with them. We all travelled together on to the Bluff
within a few rods of the herd and then divided out. Brother
Grover and Luke Johnson went together into the Bluff; O P. Rockwell
and brother Brown took the entire left and so we divided into
companies on the right left and centre. I was with the company
in the centre of the herd
We all made a charge upon them from the Bluffs and
rushed on to the plain. The herd ran very fast down the ruff bluffs into
the plain but when we reached the plain we soon overtook them and each
company singled out its game. We made choice of cows generaly; then
rushed up toby the side of them and fired upon them with our pistols
such as horse pistols & riffle pistols which we found much better to
carry that [than] rifles which were cumbersome in runing
The first we gave chaise to was a Buffalo
cow with her calf. I rode by the side of her and fired two balls
which took effect and the other brethren with me also fired until she
was killed. We cut her throat.
I then ran my horse to the assistance of another
party who had wounded one and that was also soon dispatched. I
then saw that O. P. Rockwell had three bulls at bay on the prairie and
Brother Pack and myself ran our horses to his assistance and brother
Kimball came up at the same time.
We surrounded them and commenced firing
upon them. They bolted a-head. I put spurs to my horse and
ran in front and was in about a rod of them when they all pitched
at me and gave me chase for fight. I had to be quick to get
out of the way but I soon cleared them. Two broke for the bluff
and brother Brown put for them but Rockwell Kimball Pack and
myself stuck to the old bull. I fired 2 balls into him, Bro
Kimball one and Bro Pack one and the bull fell dead and we
cut his throat. We also shot a calf that was with him.
By this time the two that had left us and
after which Brother Brown was gone was more than a mile distant
in the Bluffs. Brother Kimball and myself gave chase to
them and when we were within 20 rods of the bluff we saw
two come out and run for the main herd to which we gave chase
for awhile but they were fresh and my horse had ran nearly
ten miles in the chase; so we gave up the pursuit
I returned to Brother Brown in the Bluff
and found that one of the bulls to which he gave chase was ^wounded^ nearly killed ^dead^
and had laid down but Brother Brown having no more powder or ball
before I affrrived the bull had got up again and ran into the herd on the
Bluff. So we all returned on our chase-ground to gather up the
meat we had killed being 3 cows one ^3^ bull and five calfs making
eleven in all
Brother Soloman Hancock went out in the morning
to kill buffalo on foot. He did not come in at night and we
felt concerned about him; but in the morning he returned having
killed a 3 year old cow and watched her during the night to
keep the wolves from the eating her. Three wolves came upon
him. He shot one and the rest ran away
This made 12 Buffalo in all that
the Hunters which killed on their first day's Buffalo chase and
we considered this pretty well seeing that we were all strangers to
the Buffalo hunt and but very few of us had ever seen one before
in our lives.
We dressed our meat and waggons came
from the camp to take it in
A part of our chase was through an immense
prairie-dog town nearly ten miles widelong and 2 wide with burrows
nearly at every rod and great danger of the horses steping into
them and falling. My horse ran into one and was near falling
but no harm was met by any off the hunters. This was the
first Buffalo hunt I ever took part in or saw
The next day was Sunday and all were
busy cooking and saving their meat and in the afternoon we moved
three miles up for better feed and camped by the side of a large
slough of water. Our last camping place was at the head of
Grand Island. Professor Pratt took an observation and found it
to agree with Fremont's observation taken two miles south of our
camping ground on the south side of the river
Soon after we camped a herd of
Buffalo came from the Bluffs to the river to drink within about 2 miles and then
returned to the Bluffs. Some were anxious to go after them but as it was
Sunday President Young thought it best to let them be until to morrow
The Indians set fire to the prairie before us which
burned rapidly over a large region of country. Brothers Young Kimball
and others went in the evening several miles on the road to examine the fire
and other things.
Monday morning the hunters were called 20
in number to go into the Bluff for a still hunt for buffalo and other
game. We started out with two waggons to bring in the game
I had taken a severe cold which had settled in
my side where my bones were broken last fall and it made me sick and
I was unfit for the hunt yet I started with the Hunters though I
had jarred myself badly in my hard buffalo chase on Saturday and
was now feeling its effects
At the same time the hunters started another
company was formed to explore the route and see if we could get grass
for our horses as the Indians had been burning it for several
days
When the Hunters reached the bluffs they divided
into two parties 10 in each and we travelled some 10 miles back and
forth over the hills and saw no game except antelopes and wolves
I felt so unwell that I concluded to return to
camp and A Lyman and three others were with me. We sat down
upon the edge of the Bluff in sight of the camp to rest ourselves when
a company of horsemen approached in haste bearing a red flag. When
they got within a mile of us we trailed our arms and went down
to meet them and were informed that the party who had gone up the
river had come upon an encampent of about 400 Indians warriors
and a party of about 100 had followed them down a ravine to cut
of[f] their retretat. We went into the camp.
The horsemen had come to call in the Hunters
and in their return they came across a herd of Buffalo and they
brought into camp three calves and 4 antelope
There was a good guard during the night kept and
^early^ in the morning the cannon was fired twice to let the Indians know that we
were awake. I had a very severe night with my side
We started on our journey in the morning
five agons ^waggons^ abreast making five roads. This was to be in readiness
in case of an attack from Indians.
We travelled 3 miles and saw some waggons
on the opposite side of the river going down the Platte. Soon one of
the men waded the river and came to see us to know who we were
He informed us they were traders from Fort Laramie that they
were 16 days from that place the grass good on the south side
but burned up on the North side by the Indians. He would take
letters for us to Sarpee who lived near Winter Quarters; so the
camp stoped and wrote 52 letters to our families
I was ahead of the company with
Orson Pratt taking observations and did not know of the matter
until the time was nearly up and I then in great hast scribbled
a few lines to my wife. An epistle was written to the
Church and three brethren accompanied the Frenchman across
the Platte to the other men of this company who were 9 in all
who informed the brethren that they had not seen an Indian
since they left Laramie that there was a ferry at the fort &c
and agreed to take our letters safe.
We drove on three miles farther and
bailed our teams until the brethren returned from the French
traders when they made a report to the camp of what was said
to them. A council of the whole company of Pioneers was
then called to decide whether we should cross the Platt or continue
up the North side
We were convinced that it would be better
for us as a company to cross the river on to the old travelling
road to Laramie as there was good grass on that side
while the Indians were burning it all off on the North side of the river where
we were travelling; but when we took into consideration the situation of the next companies
and the thousands who would follow after and as we were the Pioneers and had
not our wives and children with us we thought it best to keep on the North
side of the River and brave the difficulties of burning prairies. Thus
a road would be made that should stand as a permanent route for the
Saints indiependant of the old emigration route and the River would
seperate the emigrant companies that they need not quarrel for wood
grass or water and when our next company should come along the
grass would be much better than on the south side as it would grow
by that time.
These were the views that the Pioneers assembled
in a mass council took and the vote was called and it was unanimously
resolved to go on the North side of the river. So the camp again
moved on; but during the nooning Col. Markham drilled the men
in a military capacity and they unshiped the cannon and carried
it on wheels
The Frenchman informed us that he never saw
so many buffalo on the route before as this season and that they had to
stop several times to let the herds pass. We saw many deer
and antelope this day and a few buffalo and at night camped
near a herd but a short distance from us. It was also afterwards
found that the alarm of the 3rd about the 400 Indian warriors was
a false one and that a man had been frightened by a herd of antelope
supposing them in the distance to be Indians
The change from salt to fresh meat was
affecting many in the camp
In the morning we had to keep a guard out to
prevent a herd of buffalo from mixing up with our cattle. Two bulls
at noon were approaching our herd of cows and men had to go out and
drive them off. In the afternoon the brethren killed one
cow and 5 calves and brought in a bull calf alive with the intention
of raising it. It would try hard to bunt the men and dogs over
and some got hard raps. It was dead however the next day.
We stoped for the night but found the grass on
fire and had to return back one mile and camped on the bank of the river on
a spot that was just burned over except small patches. Some took their
horses on to an Island near by and cut down cottonwood for feed.
We started early next morning without feeding
(excepting a little corn) as there was no grass; travelled three miles and
left it in our rear the fire and breakfasted on a good spot of grass
This morning the herds of buffalo speck both
sides of the river and the antelope was in great abundance some of which
would run into the camp. A young buffalo calf also came in and
followed us and we gave him some milk and left him.
We continued our journey seeing many
herds of buffalo & antelope and one large herd of Elk. Two antelopes
were killed this morning but as there was so much meat in camp
it was thought best not to kill any more game until we needed it
Dr Richards George A Smith and myself
walked up quite near several herds of Buffalo and examined them through
our glasses. They were shedding their coats. One bull had a mass
of wool swinning by his side like a loose robe.
Our herd of cows started to run among
the Buffalo but President Young galloped his horse to seperate them
and had great difficulty in doing so. He lost a spyglass in the chase
worth 40 dollars. The brethren hunted a long time for it but
could not find it
We continued our journey among the herds
of buffalo and were not out of sight of them at all and they had
eaten the grass to such a degree that there was little remaining for
our cattle and timber also we not but seldom met. We camped at
night near a heard of buffalo that reached as far as our eyes could
extend. This day the camp made 20 miles.
Next day I should judge we saw ten
thousand buffalo and came near one large herd with an unusual
number of calves yearlings and two years old. We saw several large ones mired
dead wolves had commenced eating some. Wolves on every hand were seen
following the herds to eat those who died by wounds &c
President Young and others rode out in the evening a
few miles to search out the road. There was some rain.
The next morning was a pleasant morning and not
so cold and windy as the day before. A start was not made until 10 o'clock
as the teams needed rest and feed bad. I rode forward to day with the Twelve
and others and the sights of buffalo that our eyes beheld was most astonishing.
Thousands upon thousands would crowd together as they came from the bluffs
to the bottom land to go to the river and sloughs to drink until the river
and land upon both sides of it looked as though the face of the earth was
alive and moving like the waves of the sea. Brother Kimball remarked
that he had heard many buffalo tales told but never expected to behold
what his eyes now saw. The half had not been told him.
When we stoped at noon many of the
buffalo walked along beside our waggons so that it would have been
easy to shoot them down. O. P. Rockwell did shoot one through
the neck and she droped dead. It was a two year old heffer and good
meat. We had great difficulty in keeping our cattle and horses
from going among the herds and if they had got mixed it would have
been almost impossible to have ever got them again.
We travelled 11 1/4 miles this day until we
came to the bluffs that made down to the River and there we camped for
the night. Brother William Clayton had prepared a mile gage on
histhe hind wheel of his waggon so that the distance could be measured
Brigham Young H. C. Kimball George
A Smith and myself went on to the highest bluffs near and took a
survey of the surrounding country without glasses; and the scene
before us north east and west as far as our vision extended looked
as rough as the sea in a storm with the ridges and valleys mostly
sand and scarcely any green thing upon it excepting a little scattering
grass and the Spanish soap root which the Mexicans use for washing
The top resembles a pineapple. I brought in one root 24 inches long and
two in diamater. I pounded a little of it and found that it would fill
a dish with suds like soap
On Sunday the as we had no feed around ^us^ our
teams passed across the bluffs 4 miles and camped for the day. I
wrote two letters one to brother Ferguson and the other to Brother Bevin
for brother Wolsey ^Wolsey^ to take with him to Pueblo ^Pueblo^. We had a
meeting and a good one. The Spirit of God ruled over the camp
Peace quietness and contentment pervaded almost every breast.
The Twelve met and it was thought
best not for the brethren to start for Pueblo until they arrived
at Laramie. I rode with the Twelve and others 4 miles
up the river and saw large herds of buffalo come to water
Monday morning was cool. Before leaving
the camp ground a letter was written to the next camp which
should follow put into a small box nailed to a post 12 feet
long one end of which was planted firmly in the ground and
standing as a guide board with the following words inscribed:
"Open this box and you will find a letter; 316 miles to Winter
Quarters; Pioneers; Lattitude 41°. Our friends we had
no doubt would be glad to get the letter as it contained an account
of our journey
We travelled 6 miles and nooned and then
travelled 4 more and camped for the night. Our teams were
week in consequence of there being no grass for several
days. It being eaten all up. There was one buffalo one
deer and one hare brougt into camp to day by the Hunters
which was distributed among the company. We had what
fresh meat we wanted daily
The grass we found somewhat better
to-day and we met but few buffalo but passed through
some miles of dead grass which we burned to give new
feed to the next company. It made a great fire indeed
The Hunting Ground of the Sioux
Two days afterwards we found ourselves travelling
over the hunting ground of the Sioux. Some 8 or ten days prior there
had been a large band there of from 500 to 1000. This we judged from
the signs around us. They had taken the brains out of the large
buffalo their hides generally and some of the meat and had broken
up the bones for the marrow. One Hundred calves we found
dead in one place with nothing taken but the tongues legs to
their knees and entrails. At another place 35 calves were
found dead and washed in heaps where the buffalo had been chased
across thethe river and had ran over the calves in rising the bank
of the river.
I found on the bluff their medicine bag
tied to a stick 6 feet long stuck up in the bank; also a saddle
tied to a large buffalo dung I supposed to show the next party which
way the buffalo had gone.
I had left my horse to feed in the valley
while I went on the Bluff to view the country and he started off
not seeing the camp took the back track and I had to run after
him and in doing this I ran through the great encampment of
the Sioux where thereir lodges had been on their hunting expedition
Here I left my gun and followed my horse until I overtook
him & with the assistance of brother Fowler who came out of the
encampment I stoped him and rode back got my gun and
examined the ground and judged that there had been five hundred
lodges. There were acres of ground covered with buffalo
wool where they had dressed their skins buffalo wolf &c
I brought in a good dressed white wolf skin
Many of the brethren went out the next
day to visit the Indian encampment and brought in parts
of robes leather &c which had been left.
We travelled to day eleven miles. The bluffs
for the first time on the North Fork came bald to the river so that
we had to go over the bluffs with our waggons
There is one thing concerning the Platt River
worthy of note. It is much of the way a mile in width generally
covered with water but very shallow. When the south wind blows
hard the water all rushes to the north shore so that one would
suppose there was a great rise in the tide but let the wind shift
and blow hard from the north and the water immediately
recedes from the north shore until one can walk across two
thirds of the River on bare ground. Thus the River constantly
ebbs and flows like the tide according to the wind.
Early next morning I went out to hunt
Buffalo returned to breakfast and started out agian with Phineas
Young. I got lost among the Bluffs but found my way out
again. Brother Phineas shot a buck antelope and I carried
him into camp. There were three antelopes and one buffalo
killed.
Some of the hunters thought they heard Indian
guns during the night on the opposite side of the river. An
Indian cralled up to a pair of mules that waere tied together and
made a grab at them but the mules sprang and got away
One of the gards Sshot at him and he ran. All the horses
were then brought into the circle of our camp and the cannon
prepared for firing but seeing no one it was not fired
A large number of barefoot tracks
were seen next morning supposed to be of the Indians who came
down last night to steal our horses. We travelled eight
miles during the day: in the morning our road was over the
Bluffs with cold North wind and rain but we had the best grass
we had found on the road. We camped on the prairie. I
went out with some others to hunt got within about 30 rods
of the Buffalo and shot at the neck of one. The ball entered
his shoulder and crippled him but he hobbled away with the herd. There were a number
of hunters among the herds and one of them killed a fat buffalo which was
brought into camp.
Sunday the th was still cloudy and a cold wind. With
Brothers Young Kimball Benson Rockwell and Stephens I rode 4 miles
over the Bluffs to pick out a road for the Pioneers to get again on the
bottom land. We had a good meeting in the afternoon; and the
laws of the Camp were read. One of the brethren had shot an
antelope and a buffalo which was against the rules of the camp
to go hunting on the Sabbath.
was warm and pleasant but our road
was hard: two and a half miles through sand bluffs when we again
struck the bottom 4 1/2 miles from our last camping place.
The hunters brought in 3 buffalo which detained the camp sometime
to get and President Young was not pleased with it as we had
so much meat in camp. We saw large droves of deer in the
bottoms more than we had seen before. A young fawn was picked
up and brought into camp. I led the company of Pioneers
mostly through the bluffs in the morning before brothers Young
and Kimball came up when we rode together all day
picking out the road.
The camp was called together
and President Young sharply reproved the hunters for shooting
so much meat detaining the camp and for taking more life
than necessary and also the horsemen for their indifference in
picking out the road. He said there were but two who had
manifested any interest in helping him get the camp along
Afterwards the horsemen went forward to pick out the road instead
of going hunting and I did not hear a gun fired during the day
The we met the worst
sand hill on the journey and what made it worse was that the
rain was pouring down upon us continually; and we had more rain
during the day and evening than ever before on our route. I rode
forward during the day in the rain picking out the road. We travelled
eight miles.
Next morning seven miles were made and
we nooned opposite Ash Creek on the south side of the river where
the Origon road first strikes the North sidefork of the Platt. Several
of the brethren went over in the boat which we were taking along
to examine the rocky bluffs road creek &c.
In the afternoon we travelled 8 3/4 miles
and camped for the night. We had a very good road most of the day
on the bank of the river. There was a good bit of rock bluff on
both sides of the river and some on the south side was formed into
natural terraces rotundas squares &c from 50 to a hundred feet
high and looked like good foundations for forts fortifications and strong
holds. They resemble the works of art and look something like
the old castles of England and Scotland. They were level on the
top. There is a beautiful Cedar Island in the river a
short distance above Ash Creek which is a good landmark to
show travellers where the Oregon road strikes the river
Before we left the encampment next
morning Bro Clayton put up a guide board for the benefit of
the next company bearing the inscription, "From Winter Quarters
409 miles; from the Junction 93 1/4 Cedar Bluff 36 1/2
Ash Hollow 8 miles and 133 from Fort Laramie."
We travelled 7 1/2 miles and nooned and
eight more and camped for the night. I killed a bagger with
the jaw bone of a buffalo.
Just as we got to our camping place two
Indians came from the Bluffs riding towards us and made signs for
us to come to them. Several of the brethren went. It was
a Sioux Indian and his squaw. They talked by signs and
went away.
Our road was very straight on the morrow's
travell but we came over 2 1/2 miles of the worst sand hill that we
hadve passed. The bluffs on our route today presented the most singular natural
scenery I had ever beheld in all my travels. It had the appearance of the
old walls and ruins of the castles of Europe. The brethren found a part of
a petrified leg-ofbone of a mamouth. It was from the knee joint downwards
was 17 inches long and 11 wide and weighed 27 lbs
Next day was Sunday the rd. In company
with Brigham Young and the Twelve I visited the top of the highest bluff
ruins that lie opposite our encampment which was truly a curiosity. We
had a fair view of Chimney Rock from where we were. I carried a bleached
Buffalo's head on the top and we wrote upon it our names and distance
from several places. O. Pratt took a Barometrical observation on
the solitary cedar tree on the top of the bluff ruins
The camp met at half past elleven in the
morning for Sababath services. Erastus Snow addressed the meeting
followed by President Young who said he was satisfied that the
Lord was with us and leading us. He had never seen a company
of people more united than the camp had been thus far on the journey;
that we should pluck the fruit of this mission to all eternity; that
he had many things to teach us but could not do it only in a stake
of Zion; but he was well satisfied with himself his brethren the Twelve
and the camp at large. One thing he would say to the praise of
all and that was that not one had refused to obey his council on the
road. His peace with God was continually like a river and he felt
that the Spirit of peace rested upon the whole camp.
Several others spoke and the meeting was then
dismissed.
We intended to have rode out in the evening but
saw that a storm was gathering. It began to blow very hard and
it was as much as we could do to save our waggon bows and covers
from being smashed. It continued for about an hour and then
rained for another hour accompanied by hail. I covered all my horses
with all the blankets I could get and got up several times in the night
to see them. It rained occasionly and the horses shook with cold but
morning came and all was alive again and we continued our journey
As soon as we camped at noon two Indians
came to the camp. They were Sioux and well dressed and clean. We
gave them dinner and they left.
We camped at night near the quicksand
mountain making 16 1/2 miles that day. I rode about two
miles forward to find grass and a camping ground and on my
return saw about 30 Sioux plunge their horses into the river on
the opposite side and make towards us. I rode with several
others to the river and met them as they came out. They shook
hands with us very friendly. The chief unfurled a large American
flag with the Eagle stars and stripes and presented me a letter,
written in French which we however made out. They were all
well dressed and the chief was in a military coat. The brethren
brought a white flag and planted it by the side of theirs. They wanted to go into camp. We proposed
for five of them to go and the rest to remain but they all wished
to go so we let them and gave them supper. They remained in camp all
^night^ but were good and stole nothing.
Some little trading was done with the
Sioux next morning and we gave them breakfast. They behaved well and
when we started crossed the river. I had to keep my carriage today
having the rheumatism in sholders & back and teeth ache.
We nooned next day in good grass 2 miles
above Chimney Rock and I wrode to day with brothers Kimball and
Benson to look out the road. By an imperfect measurement by a
trigonometrical observation by the sextant Professor Pratt made
Chimney Rock to be 260 feet above the level of the river
A Panic Among our Teams
Just before camping at noon while travelling on
a smooth Prairie an Indian horse that was bought of the Sioux
ran away with a singletree at his heals and gave a tremendious
fright to the cows oxen and horses and in an instant a dozen or more waggons
were darting by each other like lightning and the horses and mules flying as
it were over the ground some turning to the right and some to the left and
some ran into other waggons. The horses and mules that brother Fowler
was driving leaped with all speed with he holding the bits and brother Little
the lines darted by my carriage like electricity and came within one inch
of a collision with my wheels which would have made a wreck. Another
waggon with a paeir of mules and one yoke of cattle dashed by which would
also have smashed my carriage had they locked. By this time my
own horses started to run but was held by the driver. Fowlers waggon
continued regardless of rough or smooth ground about 50 rods he ^being^ draged
the whole distance by the bit which was the case with many others
but all were soon stoped and returned to their lines without accident
which appeared truly a miracle. A person can hardly conceive the
power manifested by anamals especially mules in sugch a fright
and it gave us some idea what an Indian yell would do in a camp
with teams hitched to waggons
Brother Kimball and myself picked the road
during our journey of the following morning ^morning^ and in the afternoon I piloted
as straight as any road yet made on the whole route and picked out a camping
ground on the bank of the river in good feed
It should be understood that we were pioneering
a road for the whole House of Israel to travel in for many a year
to come and therefore that it required the greatest care in marking
the route.
A cold rainy morning followed and we
concluded not to start until it stoped so we remained till 10 o'clock
and travelled 11 1/2 miles and camped for the night.
During the evening President Young called
at my fire and seeing several brethren playing dominoes in a waggon
near by he began to teach saying that the Devil was getting power
over the Camp which had for several days given way to cards
dominoes &c and that if they did not spedily repent their works
labours and journey would be in vain. He said that to be sure the camp
did ^not^ quarrel for the Devil would not set them at that as long as he
could draw them gradually away from duty and fill them with
nonsense and folly for the Devil was very cunning in winning away
the people of God. I felt the force of his remarks.
During the evening I went into Dr Richard's
waggon and read a chapter in the Book of Mormon and prayed with
them after which President Young H. C. Kimball Willard Richards
E. T. Benson and Wilford Woodruff met in council in brother Brigham's
waggon and President Young wrote some of the word of the Lord
concerning the camp and expressed his views and feelings; that
they must spedily repent or they would be cursed that they were
forgetting their mission and that he would rather travel with ten
righteous men who would keep the commandments of God than
the whole camp while in a car[e]less manner and forgetting
God. We stayed together till ten o'clock
The Pioneers Chastised
Next morning President Young called the camp
together and required each captain seperately to call out his men and when
all were present except two who had gone out hunting he addressed
them something near in the following words:
"I think I will take as my text to
preach my sermon from—I am about to revolt from travelling
with this camp any farther with the Spirit they now possess.
"I had rather risk myself among the savages
with ten men who are men of faith—men of mighty prayer—men of
God than to be with this whole camp when they forget God and
turn their hearts to folley and wickedness yea I would rather be
alone and I am now resolved not to go any farther with the
camp unless you will covenant to humble yourselves before
the Lord and serve Him and cease your folly and wickedness
For a week past nearly the whole camp has been card playing and ^checkers^ and
dominoes have occupied the attention of the brethren and dancing and nigering
and hooing down all has been the test continually
Now it is time to quit it. There has been
trials and lawsuits upon every nonsensical thing and if this is suffered to
go on it will not be but a short time before you are fighting mowing ^knocking^ each
other down and taking life. It is high time it was stoped
I do not want to hear anymore such reports
as I heard last Sunday of men going to meeting and preaching to the
rest after playing cards until meeting time. You are a pretty set of
men going to look out a location among the mountains for a resting
place for the Saints—even the whole Church of God who have been
driven out from the Gentiles and rejected of them. And after you
have established a location you are then going out to preach the
Gospel andseal salvation upon the House of Israel and gather the nations
How would you look if they should know
your conduct and ask you what you did when you went to seek out
Zion and find a resting place for the Saints where the standard of
the Kingdom of God could be reared and her banners unfurled for
for the nations to gather unto?
"Did you spend a good deal of your time
in dancing pitching quoit jumping wrestling and the like? Yes, yes.
Did you play cards dice ^checkers^ dominoes? O! Yes.
What ycould you do with yourselves?
Why you would shrink from the glance of the eyes of God angels and
men even wicked men. Then are you not ashamed of yourselves
for practising these things? Yes you are, and you must quit
it"
After speaking somewhat lengthy upon these
matters President Young called the Twelve together and the High
Priests Seventies and Elders and there was found to be eight of
the quorum of the Twelve 18 High Priests 80 Seventies and
eight Elders
After this was done President Young said unto the
Twelve—
"I[f] you are willing to humble yourselves before the Lord
and covenant to do right and walk humbly before Him make
it manifest by raising the right hand."
Then each one raised his hand and
the same question was put to the High Priests Seventies Elders and
Members and all universally covenantted with uplifted hands to
humble themselves before the Lord repent of their sins and keep
His commandments
President Young then spoke of those who
were not in the Church as there was some present. They would
be protected in their rights but they must not introduce wickedness
into the camp for it would not be suffered. He also spoke
of the Standard and ensign that would be reared in Zion
Elder Kimball followed and said that
the words of President Young was as the word of the Lord unto
him and just as binding us though it was a written revelation
and it was just as binding upon the whole camp as it was
upon him and he urged the Pioneers to give heed to the teachings
that had been given.
O Pratt remarked that if the Saints had
leasure hours they could spend them at much better advantage than in
playing cards as there was a world of knowledge and science to be
obtained and every moment should be improved in storing the mind
with some good principle. And he acknowledged the teachings we
had received to be of the Lord
Wilford Woodruff said: "A burned
child dreaded the fire. He had not forgotten his journey in
the Camp of Zion in 1834 and should he live to the age of
Methusalah he should not forget the hour when the Prophet and
Seer Joseph Smith stood upon the waggon wheel and addressed
that camp and said that because they had not hearkened unto
unto his counsel but disobeyed and transgressed from time to time judgement must
come and that we should be visited by the Destroying angels. And so we
were and more than twenty of our members fell by the stroke and we
all suffered much in our feelings. I pray the Lord I may not see another
such a time; and I would now advise my brethren to be careful in
keeping the counsel ^covenant^ we have made lest by and by the word of the Lord come
unto us as in the days of Joseph and we cannot escape His judgement.
I would advise all the brethren who have got cards and the like to burn
them for if you keep the covenants you have made you will have no
time to use them and if you keep them for your children they will only
prove a curse to them. My prayer to God is that we may all be
enabled to keep our covenants with the Lord and each other. I rejoice
that the watchmaen in our midst are quick to comprehend and warn of
evil and reprove us when wrong that we may be saved and do the
will of God.
Brother George A Smith and myself went
together to pilot out the road. We travelled 8 1/2 miles and camped for the
night in good feed
Day of Prayer and Fasting
Sunday th
We set this Sabbath apart for prayer and fasting
In the morning I shaved cleansed my body put on clean
clothing & read a chapter in the Book of Mormon humbled myself
before the Lord and poured out my soul in prayer before the Lord ^Him^
and His Spirit descended upon me and I was blessed and prepared for
the service of the day and then I spent some time in writing
in my Journal
The camp had a prayer meeting in the
morning and met again for public meeting. President
Young with the Quorum of the Twelve and a few others went
into the valley of the hills and prayed according to the order of the
Priesthood. Porter and Brother Carrington watched to see that no Indians
came upon us. We had a good time. There was a heavy shower
storm appeared but it mostly went around and there was but little
rain where we were
We returned to our waggons took some
refreshment having eaten nothing all day and soon the sun came
out pleasantly and in the evening I went out two miles with the
quorum of the Twelve into a high bluff and we had a good view
of the bBlack Hills and also engaged in prayers.
Two days afterwards we camped
opposite Fort Laramie. This was st.
When we arrived we saw some men
approaching us from the Fort and found them to be a part of the
company of Missisippi brethren who had been to Pueblo through
the Winter. Brother Crow and his family 7 waggons and
14 souls were the persons who were at Fort Laramie. He
informed us that the remainder of the Missisippi company with
the portion of the Mormon Battalion at Pueblo would start from Laramie
about the 1st of June and follow our trail; told us of 4 of the brethren
who had died and had heard nothing of the main body of the
Battalion
President Young suggested the propriety of
of our leaving all our ploughs at the Fort except such as we need to
use immediately when we got to our destination and also to do
our blacksmithing mending waggons &c as soon as possible so that we
might go on our journey speedily. A company company was appointed
to attend to the herding and these branches of business.
nd in company with the Twelve
and others I crossed the river to visit the Fort. We examined
Fort St John which was now evacuated but the walls were still standing
The dimensions of Fort St John were 144 by 132 outside and inside contained
16 rooms. The largest on the North side was 98 feet long 47 wide
The Oregon trail ran one rod from S. W. corner of the fort.
We next visited Fort Laramie then occupied by 38 persons
mostly French who have married the Sioux. Mr Burdow was the superintendant
This fort was 168 by 116 outside with 6 rooms inside. It was quite a pleasant
situation for a fort
Mr Burdow was a Frenchman. He received us kindly
and invited us into a large setting room and gave us all the information
he could in relation to our route and furnished us with his flat bottom boat
on reasonable terms to assist us in ferrying the Platte. He informed us
that Gov. Boggs and his men had much to say against the Mormons and
cautioned him to take care of his horses and cattle &c lest we should
steal them and tried to prejudice him all he could against us. Burdow
said that Boggs company was quarraeling all the time and most of histhem
had deserted him. He finally told Boggs and company that let the Mormons
be what they might they could not be worse than he and his men.
After conversing with Mr Burdow a length of
time we got into the flat bottom boat about 20 of us and went down the
Laramie Fork to its mouth about 2 miles and up the Platte 1/2 a mile
to our camp. After dinner we met in council and decided that
Amasa Lyman should go to Pueblo with several other brethren to
meet the detachment of the Battalion that was there and for them
to come as soon as convenient to Laramie and follow our trail
A very windy day followed but we commenced
before sunrise to ferry over our boats. My ten was the first that went
over.
We set up our blacksmiths shops in the old fort
to do our work and made fires to do our washing.
In the evening the Twelve and others went on to
the highest peak to view the surrounding country and on our return
we visited the Indian and French burying ground. The Indians were
laid upon a staging about 10 feet from the ground but the French
buried in the ground with crosses at their head being Catholics
and strong pickets around their burying-place.
A. O. Smoot and J. Benbow and left them in the hands of Mr [blank] who
kept the store and acted as Post Master. He said he would forward our letters
for Winter Quarters to the care of Mr Sarpee
Before we left the fort Bro Clayton errected
a guide board on the North side for the next company.
We started on our journey again on the th
and the route began to be attended with considerable interest of scenery as
we commenced the assent into the Black Hills
Brother Robert Crow had joined us which
added to our company 9 men 5 women 3 children 6 waggons 13
yoke of oxen 20 cows 3 bulls ten young cattle and horses which
made our whole camp now 148 men 8 women 5 children
79 waggons 96 horses 51 mules 90 yoke of oxen 43 cows 3 bulls
9 calves 16 dogs and 16 chickens.
As we travelled farther into the hills they
grew lofty and we began to come into an Elk bear and mountain sheep
country. Soon after we arrived at the Springs 15 miles from
Laramie the first company of Missouri emigrants came up 12 waggons
of them. We journeyed 10 1/2 miles farther in the afternoon and the Missouri
company camped a 1/4 of a mile below us
Next day was Sunday the th which we devoted
to prayer and fasting but the Missouri company of emigrants started on
in the morning
The camp met for prayer meeting at 8 o'clock
and the Spirit of the Lord was with the people and met again for
preaching at 11 o'clock. We had a shower of rain and the meeting
closed. Another company of Missouri wagons 20 in number
passed us. The rain soon cleared off and our company moved
forward five miles and camped for the night on Bitter Creek
The two Missouri companies which had
camped near us at night started before us in the morning and while
nooning another company of 13 waggons passed us. We were in a
fair view of Laramie Peak with its snow covered top. We camped
for the night on the Horse Shoe Creek in the best feed we had met on our journey. The
hunters brought in two blacktailed deer and one antelope
Next day we formed a company of men and went forward
of comp our teams and cleared the road of stone. We used pick-axes bars spades &c
and it was a great help to our weak wgaggons
In the afternoon we travelled 8 3/4 miles over the
most mountaineous road on our way and then descended into the valley and
camped for the night on Labent Creek with an abudance of timber water
and good grass
Brother John Higby went forward hunting and saw
the Missouri companies of emigrants and when they started out they
had such strife one with another in trying to start first. They did not
stop to milk their cows and in clearing up their breakfast they strewed their
meal salt bacon short cake beans and other things upon the ground
throughout their encampment and when we came up 3 wolves were feeding
upon the fragments
In coming over the hills today we found it
so cold it pierced us like Winter. On reaching the valley we found
fires the companies in advance had built and we pilled on the wood
and soon got warm. An antelope lay before us which the hunters
had brought in. We carved it up with our knives forked it on
sticks roasted it and satisfied ourselves finely without the seasoning
of salt.
We started in the morning at 5 o'clock
into better feed a mile further on and turned out our teems. The
brethren did some trading with the hunters who camped near us
At 7 o'clock 15 of our waggons was formed
into a company to go forward to make a boat to ferry the Platte
They went forward and we followed them and the traders started at
the same time.
Soon another party of traders overtook us
who were direct from Santa Fee. They informed us that the Mormon
Battalion was at California ^went in Jan.^ and that Capt. Brown was
in Santa Fee for money for the detachment and would come on as soon as possible
In the afternoon of the next day Presidents Young
and Kimball rode with us. Our detached company had not been heard
of since last night when they camped with the foremost company. We
camped this night at Deer Creek had good feed and our horses and cattle
were gaining daily
I examined a splendid grinding stone quary
on the East side of the road as it leaves the hills and strikes the Platte and
Brother Carrington found a very excellent coal bed on Deer Creek. The
specimens produced were good
At the blowing of the horn at night I did
not feel much like retiring to bed so I walked half a mile
from the camp on the bank of Deer Creek and found brother
William Clayton fishing with a hook. He had caught two
dozen good fish they resembled the eastern herring. Another brother
had also caught some. As they were about to leave they left
their lines for me to fish with
So I sat down for half an hour musing
alone as unconcerned as though I had been on the banks of
Farmington River in my native place when suddenly I heard
a rustling in the bushes near me and for the first time the thought
flushed across me that I was in a country abounding with the
Grizly Bear wolves and Indians and was liable to an attack at
any moment from either of them away from my company and
no weapon to defend myself against even a bBadger. I thought it
wisdom to return to camp and picking up my fishing rods I walked
leasurely home and retired to rest.
Next day we rode our horses during our
journey several times into the river to find a fording place but
could not. Our detached company was reported at the ferry
ten miles or so above us. Our hunters brought in 13 antelopes
and the Msisssourian Company killed 3 Buffalo
I started on the following morning
to go forward in company with brother A P. Rockwood who was riding President Youngs
steed when suddenly he sprang upon my horse but instead of striking him he took
my knee into his jaw and brused me considerably sinking one tooth to the bone
through three thickness of clothing and one of them buckskin
George A Smith and myself then rode on to the
Ferrying place and found our detachment ferrying over the Missourian company
who paid the brethren $1.50 cts for each waggon and load and paid in flour
at $2.50 cts per cwt. while flour through this country was worth at least
10 dollars per cwt.
It was very difficult to get over the river. They
carried the goods over in a boat but drew the waggons over the ropes by
hand but when the current struck them they would frequently roll over
several times in the water and they came near drowning their horses. One
of the men would have been lost had not the brethren picked him up
with the boat. On the road the Missouri company had a run-away ^stampede^
of their teams turning over their waggons brusing women and children and
smashing their things and anone ran into the river and would probably have
drowned and lost all had not a little boy jumped out beside the off
ox which frightened him and he "hawed off" and ran on to ^a^ sand bank
dragging the others with him. The boy was knocked over into the
water and hurt but the scene ended without any loss of life
Our blacksmiths had been to work for the
Missouri company for which they got flour money &c and our
hunters had been busily engaged. They had killed 5 fat
buffalo one old she bear and 3 cubs and shot at 2 grizly bear but
did not get them. Those killed were black bear. Our hunters
also brought into camp 8 antelope
Sunday was a very warm day and the camp
met for prayer meeting at 9 o'clock and at 10 we had a preaching
meeting. President Kimball first addressed the meeting and
was followed by President Young who remarked upon the great
difference between us as a camp and the Missourian companies
who were travelling the same road. He said, "They curse swear
rip and tare and are trying to swallow up the earth but though they do not
wish us to have a place on it the Earth will soon open and swallow them
up and they will go to the land of forgetfulness while the Saints if
faithful though they suffer some privations here will ultimately inherit
the earth and increase in power dominion and glory."
He spake much to our edification and was followed
by Elder O Pratt and afterwards the meeting dismissed and the Twelve
Colonels Captains &c of the camp met at President Young's waggon and
consulted upon the measures to be adopted to get across the river. It
was finally agereed to go immediately to the mountains with waggons
and teams and for every two Tens to get polls and lash two or four
waggons abreast to keep them from turning over and float them
across the river with boats and ropes. So a company of horsemen
started for the mountains and teams to draw the poles
In the evening the flour meal and bacon
were distributed through the camp equally which had been earned from
the Missouri company for ferrying them over. It amounted to 5 1/2 lbs
of flour 2 lbs of meal and a small piece of bacon for each individual
in the camp. It looked as much of a miracle to me to see our flour
and meal bags replenished in the midst of the Black Hills as it did
to have the children of Israel fed with manna in the Wilderness. [Exodus 16:13-15] But
the Lord had been truly with us on our journey and wonderfully preserved
and blessed us.
At daylight next morning the two first two
Tens were called together to make arrangements for crossing. Some of
our party did not like the mode proposed to lash the waggons together
as the current was so strong so we appointed brother Grover as our
Captain to direct the rafting and concluded to put our poles into a raft
and carry our goods over in a boat and ford our waggons on the raft
We commenced at 5 o'clock in the morning and
in four hours we had landed eleven waggon loads of goods upon the
North Shore with our little leather boat and during the day we got
over all the waggons belonging to our Tens being eleven waggons in all
The rest of the encampment being twelve Tens only got
over the same number of waggons as ourselves. They floated their waggons by
tying from two to four together but the waggons turned clean over each other
bottom side up and back again breaking the bows covers and boxes to pieces
and loasing ploughs axes and iron left in the boxes.
Most of our company was in the water from
morning till night and all was very weary when the work was done.
Just has we had drawn Dr Richards' two waggons
to the shore and loaded his goods into them when a storm struck us. I sprang
into my carriage tied all down tight and laid out my whole strength in
holding my waggon cover on but the rain wind and hail beat so
heavily that it was a task and my bed and things were nearly drenched
It only lasted seven minutes but was severe on our waggons and goods
and our horses ran two or three miles in the storm. I crossed the
river went after them tied them up and returned weary but had some
pleasant dreams at night
I felt unwell next day from the exposures
of yesterday and with the teeth ache with which I had suffered much
on my pioneer journey. It was very windy to day and our companies
crossed the river very slowly. Another Missouri company had
come up with us
President Young thought it wisdom to leave
a number of the brethren here with ^until^ our companies deigning to follow us
come up and for them to keep a Ferry for the emigrants on the road
not of our people who would pay $1.50 cts per waggon in flour at
$2.00 cts per cwt and cows at $10.
The brethren made two new rafts on the
third day of our fording the river and got quite a number of our
Pioneer waggons over. I was still unwell but in company with
Orson Pratt I went on to some of the Bluffs to view the country
and shot one antelope. This was the first antelope I ever killed
We had some heavy squals of wind and rain
and in the evening many of us went over the river and tied up our horses
and when one company was returning in the leather boat it half filled and they
came nearly sinking.
Early on the following morning we swam our
horses over and one mule was nearly drowned by being tangled in a rope but
the current carried him ashore.
Twenty men the day before went down the
river to dig out two large canoes to cover over and make a Ferry-boat
The emigrants were arriving daily at our Fording place and they reported
one thousand waggons between here and Laramie. This was the
6^5^th day spent in ferrying our Pioneer company across the river but now
we had succeeded in getting all over and once more formed our waggons
into a circle. Over brethren crossed some of the Missourians also and
ran their boat all night in ferrying them
Next day also we were still ferrying the
Gentiles and another large company arrived. We gathered our cattle at
10 o'clock and harnessed but did not start as all were not ready to
we turned out our teams again
In the afternoon we heald a council and
resolved to leave 9 men to tend the Ferry to ford emigrant companies
and also our own brethren who should come after us. The men were
chosen and we met with them again in the evening. President Young
rebuked one who pettioned to stay but whom he wished to continue on
with us. He also instructed the brethren who were to tarry to keep
together and devide their means accumulated equally according to their
labour for each to esteem his brother as himself in no wise to
retain that which belonged to the traveller to be careful of the lives
and property of those they ferried to forget not their prayers and to come
up after us with the next company of Saints.
The brethren to remain at the Ferry were
Thomas Grover, captain; John S. Higby Luke Johnson William Empy
Edmund Elsworth Benjamin F. Stewart Francis Pomeroy James
Davenport and Appelton Harmon
After 7 days tarry we continued our
journey travelled during the day 21 1/2 miles and had the most wretched camping ground
at night we had found on the way. President Young thought it might be properly called
hell-gate. The country abounded with alkaline and the water was disgustingly
naucious. Our horses and cattle being thirstly drank some and left it and some
of the cattle got badly mired in the marshes. Our hunters brought in one
buffalo 1 deer and 3 antelope
Early on the Sunday morning we hitched up without
feed or water and left our encampment of death poison-waters and alkaline
marshes and drove 3 miles to a good camp-ground and sweet water. This was
on the Willow Spring branch about 3 miles from the head
We bated 2 hours and took breakfast and
President Young wished me to go on about 15 miles and look up a camp
ground for the night. So I went forward and George A Smith with
me to the head of the Willow Spring. Here he stoped with a doctor
of a Missourian company who had been attending a sick family to
wait for our waggons to come up and I rode on alone
After travelling alone several miles brother John
Brown came up with me and we rode on together over a sandy barren sage
country to a creek of good water about 10 miles west of the Willow Springs
We arrived here at half past 1 o'clock, and turned out our horses to bait
Here we tarried till four o'clock watching for
our waggons to come in sight but we could see no waggons. At length
two horsemen were seen approaching and we waved a small flag for
them to come to us supposing they were of our company but they turned
out to be two hunters of the Missouri companies carrying in buffalo
meat to their camp. In the distance they thought we were Indians
and made off
I mounted my horse and put after them and
soon overtook them and made enquiries concerning our company. They
said they had not seen it but had seen about a dozen waggons
coming by themselves
I then concluded that our camp had stoped
at the Willow Springs and so Captain Smith one of the hunters and ^who was the^ leader
of the Missouri ^Co^ invited us to go on and camp with them for the night as they did not
expect to go more than a few miles further than the Creek we were now
on. We could see five miles on the road back and no waggons
were in sight and as it was now five o'clock I concluded our company
would not come on and if they did they would go no farther than
the Creek
We accepted Captain Smith's proposal and
went on with him to spend the night with his camp but instead of
journying only a mile or so he continued on mile after mile finding
neither feed nor water excepting salt and alkaline ponds until we struck
the Sweet Water river at Indipendence Rock so noted already in Fremont's
Journal and by other travellers. This was 12 miles from the Creek
before spoken of
The Sweet Waters were sweet indeed both
to man and beast after travelling thorough so much alkiline country
and there was good feed around.
After a good supper of bacon buffalo corn
bread coffee milk &c I laid down in a tent with the Missourians but
did not rest well. I found there was a great difference between
these Missouri emigrant companies and our own where there was
no such thing as cursing swearing quarrelling contending with
other companies &c allowed or practised
But to return to our Pioneer company. At
a late hour they came up to the Creek which we had left 12 miles
back and grass being poor continued on 4 miles West of the Creek
and camped for the night. Not finding me at the creek nor hearing
from me at all they felt somewhat alarmed lest I was lost or had got
into trouble with the Indians. They blew the bugle and watched
for me till midnight and finally fired the cannon while I was
camped 10 miles from them not thinking that I was giving them
any trouble. I travelled this day a distance of thirty miles
and our Pioneer company 20 miles.
Indipendance Rock
Reached by the Pioneers
I arose early this morning took breakfast and in company with
Brother Brown rode clear round Indipendance Rock. We examined the many
names and lists of names of the trappers traders travellers and emigrants nearly
all in black red and yellow paint on this rock. Some had washed out and
defaced. The greatest number was put on within a few years but we
found some of thirty years standing. Nearly all the companies who
pass put their names on this rock
After going around and examineing it we
staked our horses and mounted it. I went forward and gained the
highest point of the south and of the Rock which contains the names. I
then went to the North end which is the highest point of Indipendance
Rock. Here is an opening or cavern that would contain 30 or 40 persons
and a rock standing upon the highest peak of about 3 tons weight
Upon this rock at the highest point we climbed
and offered up our prayers according to the order of the Priesthood praying
earnestly for the blessing of God to rest on President Young and his
brethren the Twelve and all the Pioneer Camp, the whole camp and
House of Israel in the wilderness our wives children and relatives, the
Mormon Battalion and the Churches abroad. While offering up our
prayers the Spirit of the Lord descended upon us
I was the First Latter-day Saint on Indipendance Rock
We had a view of our camp from the Rock and
expected they would noon there so we mounted our horses and
concluded to examine the country around. We rode five
miles to the North East went on to the top of a high bluff and
saw our camp in motion. We then rode to the foot of the mountain
and traced the way to the
through which the Sweet Water runs. Here we spent but a few
moments and then hurried back to Indipendence Rock. As our camp
had come up before we could get to them and camped half a mile East
of the Rock ^it.^
I met President Young going up to Indipendence
Rock and I related to him my travels since I left the company. He
asked me to go back with him so I turned out my horse having rode
him twenty miles during the forenoon and returned with President Young
Willard Richards George A Smith and others. We spent half
an hour on the Rock and then returned to our camp mounted our horses
and rode to the Devil's Gate, five miles from Indipendence
Rock
We rode as far as we could into the Gate
hitched our horses and walked into about the centre of the cavern
The Devils Gate is 400 feet high, perpendicular
rocks, 120 feet wide and 50 rods long and the water rushes through
it with a roar. The rocks are coarse grey granite with a vein of
black trap rock running through. We spent about half ^an^ hour here
and then had to back our horses out and rode raround it on the
south Side. some of the footmen walked over the top of it. We
camped for the night about one mile west of the Devil's Gate on the
bank of the Sweet Water.
A Guide Board was put up at Devils Gate
stating that it was 175 1/4 miles from Fort Laramie and 50 1/4 from
our Ferry of the Platte River.
Two more Missourian companies overtook
us at noon on our next day's travel and they informed us that a
man was drowned at the Ferry after we left in trying to swim his
horses and they had not found his body.
The camp started on again after our company had nooned
but brothers Young Little Benson and myself went back to meet Lorenzo Young
who had broken an abxletree of his waggon and we were behind all the
afternoon
After a journey of 20 3/4 miles the Pioneers camped
at night at the foot of a mound about 200 feet high on the bank of Sweet Water
Brother Kimball and myself went to the top of it and looked down upon the camp
and it appeared to us delightful. We offered up our prayers and the Srpitrit
of the Lord rested up[on] us and then we decended to the camp. The moon
was shining beautifully. ^On the the best horse in camp President Young's was
shot by accident.^
The South Pass Reached
On the evening of the 26 after a travel of 18 3/4 miles we camped
opposite the table rock and near the summit of the South Pass. I
was quite astonished at the road and country to day considering we
were crossing the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains it was the best
road we had travelled over for many days and had it not been for
the wide river ^Wind River^ range of mountains in full view of our right covered with
eternal snow and some snow banks 10 feet deep by the side of the
road as we passed along with the table rock on the left I should almost
have thought myself travelling over the beautiful prairies of Illinois and
Missouri excepting that the country was covered with more sage than
prairie grass. The road for many miles and also the plain
of beautiful grass lying North of the table rock were strewn with
very handsome cornelian stones. I saw more in one hour this evening
than ever before during my whole ^life travels^ either in the rude state or polished
and set in breast pins &c in all the Jewellers shops I ever saw in my
travel's
Elders Kimball, Pratt, G. A Smith & Brown
had gone on to take observations on the dividing ridge and they
continued on to the Green River 7 miles from us which runs into the Pacific
while we were on the Sweet Waters that run into the Atlantic. They
supposed that we should come on to them and as they did not return
several of us mounted our horses to go in search of them but we soon
met brother Kimball returning and he informed us that the rest of
brethren would camp on the Green River with some men from
Oregon on their way to the States
was the day 3 years from
the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
It was Sunday morning but we harnessed
up our teams and drove to where brothers Pratt and Smith had camped
with Major Harris who had been travelling through Oregon and California
for 25 years and had much acquaintance with the country. He brought
a file of Oregon papers and one published by S. Brannon of
California. We had much conversation with him and
he spoke unfavourably of the Salt Lake Country for a settlement
but spoke of other places not far off that were good
Meeting With Mr Bridger
We parted with Major Harris next day after doing some
trading with him and in our afternoon's travel met Mr Bridger of
the fort on the way with two men going to Fort Laramie. He
was expecting us and wished to have an interview with President Young
and the Twelve and we also wished to have an interview with him
so we immediately returned to the creek upon which we had
nooned and camped for the night and Mr Bridger and his men
camped with us.
We met in council with Mr Bridger and
spent some hours in conversation and found him to have been a great
traveller and had ^professed^ an extensive knowledge of nearly all Oregon and
California—the mountains lakes rivers springs valleys mines ore &c
He spoke more highly of the Great Basin for a settement than
Major Harris had done said that it was his paradise and that if this people
settled in it he wanted to settle with them. He said that there was but one thing
that could operate against its becoming a great grain country and that would
be frost for he did not know but the frost might affect the corn. He conversed
with us about a great variety of subjects connected with the country said he was
ashamed of the maps of Fremont and that he knew nothing about the country only
the plain travelled road and that he could correct all the maps published
of the Western world
We parted next day from Mr Bridger who
remarked that it would not be prudent to bring a great population
to the Basion until we ascertained whether grain would grow or
not. O. P. Rockwell and myself went forward to pick out
a camp ground. It was fifteen miles from where we nooned before
we could get grass and this made the longest day's journey we had
travelled on the whole route making 23 3/4 miles
We travelled 8 miles on the
and camped on the bank of the Green River at the Ferry and the afternoon
was spent in building a raft as the river was high and could only be crossed
upon rafts or boats
During the afternoon the arrival of Elder Samuel
S. Brannan from the bay of San Francisco was anounced in camp
and we were glad to meet with him to hear from the Saints who went
with him. He gave us an account of their landing their travels
and present settlement which was two hundred miles up the river from
the bay and they were putting in wheat and building up their place
During the twothree following days we were
fording Green River. On the afternoon of the the Twelve
held a council and four men were appointed to return and meet the
Camp of Israel and piolot them up. We each wrote our views concerning
the counsel to be given to the camp. I wrote a letter next day
to my father A. O. Smoot and John Benbow to be taken back by the
pilots. The ferrying was finished on the evening of
the third day and we moved on three miles and camped.
Indipendance Day
The Return of the First Detachment of the Mormon Battalion
The Fourth of July came on Sunday. I accompanied Presidents
Young Kimball and Richards withand others with the pilots to the Ferry to
put them across and when we arrived at the river we saw 13 horsemen
on the opposite bank with their baggage on one of our rafts. But to our
great joy who should they be but our brethren of the Mormon Battalion
belonging to Captain Brown's detachment who had been at Pueblo
during the Winter. Amasa Lyman whom we had sent
unto them had reached them with information of our movements and
the whole detachment of 140 of the brethren were within seven days drive of us
When we met these brethren it was truly
a hearty greeting and shaking of hands. We crossed them all over
the river excepting one who returned with our pilots to meet
the following companies of the Saints. This small detachment
of the Battalion had about a dozen of their horses stolen by some
horse thieves but they overtook them and got them all back but
two which had gone on to Bridger
We left Green River (the head waters of
the Colerado) on the drove 20 miles and camped on Black's
Fork. There was neither feed nor water between this place
and Green River but similar to the last 200 miles a sandy desert
covered with sage-brush
Next evening we camped on the west
side of Hams Fork which we crossed on the following day and
drove to Fort Bridger. In the region of the fort before we got
on to our camping ground we crossed more than a dozzen trout
brooks the water running swiftly but clear with hard cold gravelly
bottoms and the whole region of country up and down these
streams was covered with grass a knee deep
The brethren caught several brook trout which was
the first I had seen since I left England and as we were to spend the next day at
the Fort I calculated upon a day of fishing. So as soon as I had my breakfast
next morning I rigged up my trout rod that I had brought with me from Liverpool
fixed my reel line and artificial fly and went to one of the brooks close by
to try my luck.
The men at the Fort said that there were but
very few trout in the streams and a good many of the brethren were already
at the creeks with their rods trying their skill baiting with fresh meat
and grasshoppers but no one was catching any.
I went and threw my fly into the water and
it being the first time that I ever tried the artificial fly in America
or ever saw it tried I watched it as it floated upon the water
with as much interest as Franklin did his kite when he was experimenting
to draw lightening from the sky and as he received great joy when
he saw the electricity descend on his kite-string so was I highly
gratified when I saw the nimble trout dart at my fly hook himself
and run away with the line but I soon worried him out and
drew him to shore.
I fished two or three hours during the
morning and evening and caught twelve in all. One half of them
would weigh 3/4 lbs each while all the rest of the Camp did not
catch 3 lbs in all which was proof positive that the artificial fly is
far the best to fish with.
In the afternoon I went to Bridger's
house and traded off my flint lock riffle for four buffalo robes
which were large nice and well dressed. At this fort I found
things generally at least one third higher than I had ever met at
any anyother trading post I ever saw in America
I arose in the morning quite unwell
and felt threatened with the Camp ^Mountain^ fever yet I mounted my
horse and rode till ten o'clock but before I started I was called
upon to admisnister to Bro Carter who was taken with the fever. There were
new cases of the Mountain fever every day in camp. At ten
o'clock I had to give up and take to my bed in the waggon with distressing
pain in my head back joint bones marrow and all through my system
attended with cold chills and hot flashes through the body and we travelled
over 13 miles of as bad road as any we had on our journey which made
it exceedingly painful to the sick. The day seemed very long to me
When we stoped at night I took composition cayeene and a dose
of vegitable pills had a better night than I expecetd and though
I was febeble in the morning I felt my fever was broken
up and I recovering.
After this We camped for the night on
the th 1 1/2 miles from Bear River by the best stream of water
we had found on the route and a small stream near by ; and
We had travelled this day up and down steep hills and passed through
a valley six miles long grass knee deep strong mineral springs
copper lead coal and lime
Camp fires were discovered about 3
miles from our camping ground and Georg A Smith and
others went over to them and found it to be a Mr Miles
Gooydyier. He had settled at Salt Lake and had a garden and
vegitation he said doing well. Several Missourians were with
with him going to the States.
The subject was brought up concerning
the emigrant company who perished in the Mountains last Winter
They were mostly from Indipendaence and Clay counties Missouri
and were a mob company that threatened to drive out the
Mormons who were in California and started with that spirit
in their hearts. But it seemed as though they were
ripe for judgement. The snows fell upon them 18 feet
deep on a level and they died and eat up each other. About
40 persons perished and were mostly eaten up by those who
survived them. Mrs L. Murphy of Tenn. whom I
baptized while on a mission in that country but since apostatized and joined
the mob was in that company and died or was killed and eaten up and her
bones sawed to pieces for her bones brains and marrow and left strewed upon the
ground.
We spent the Sunday in camp but some of the
brethren rode out to seek out the road and found a tar spring about 15
miles south of our camp.
Early on the Monday morning I rode to Bear
River and for the first time I saw the long looked for
The spot where we struck it was not very interesting. There was
considerable grass in the valley and some timber and thick brushes
on the bank of the river. My object in riding to the river before
the camp was to try my luck in fishing for trout. After
fishing for several hours I started after the camp having
caught 8 trout in all
The camp had travelled 9 miles and
nooned in a valley. I found President Young very sick with
the fever. The company had started on but President Young
being so sick concluded not to move from where he was. Brothers
Kimball Benson Rockwood and others staid with him with
their waggons
We drove without any road over hills
and dales having to make our road as we went along. We camped
at night b in Mathew's Valley by the side of Reddings Cave. The valleys
were beginning to grow more fertile and the air more pacific.
I arose quite unwell in the morning. Several brethren
went to meet President Young, and the camp laid still waiting for him to
come up. Brother Kimball came at noon and a council of the whole
was called and it was resolved that Orson Pratt take a company of ^about^ 20
waggons and 40 men and go on to the Kanyon and make a road as
they went along and if they could not go through Kanyon to find Smith's cutoff so that we need not be hindered when we
and make a road over the mountain
came along. There were 23 waggons in all that started at 1'oclock
We had found but little game for many days
until yesterday when the Hunters brought in 12 antelope and 10 to day.
President Young was better to day but designed not
to move until to morrow. In the afternoon I walked rode out with Elder Richards
in search of springs of water.
Next In the morning I rode back 7 miles to visit
President Young and found him much better in health and quite cheerful
The evening before Dr Richards myself and George A. Smith went before
the Lord to pray for brother Young and we had a testimony that he
would recovered from that hour. I found brother Rockwood the sickest
man that had been in our company. I tarried until near night assisting
the camp ^sick^ and then returned back to our encampment.
I started early ion the morrow with my
carriage and horses to go back for President Young and brother Rockwood
I was two hours driving 7 miles to their camp. I found them much
better and they thought they could ride as my carriage was the easiest
vehilcle in our company. I made up a bed and took them both into
my carriage and the rest of the waggons started and drove to the main
body and the sick seemed refreshed with their ride. After a short halt
the whole company drove 4 1/2 miles and camped for the night
Next day I again took Brothers Young
and Rockwood in my carriage and drove them during the day. We
had bad road for the sick and brother Brigham was wearied out and
worse at night. I went to Weber's Fork 1 mile from our encampment
at night and caught a trout for him.
He was still sick in the morning and after
we had driven three miles on^to^ Weber's Fork we camped the remainder
of the day in consequence of President Young being worse. The Twelve
and others went out and prayed for him and the sick according to
the order of the Priesthood
Sunday the was spent holding meeting and on the morrow
morning 41 waggons went on among whom were Dr Richards and George A. Smith.
15 waggons remained with President Young and two of mine were of the number.
and In company with Heber C. Kimball E. T. Benson
and Howard Egan I rode over the mountain called Pratt's Pass with the company
that went on and then returned to President Young.
Next morning we started early and stoped for breakfast
after a five miles drive. I carried brother Brigham in my carriage. The
fever was still on him but he stood the ride well.
After breakfast we travelled 10 miles over the worse
road of the whole journey. Our camping ground this night was on a trout
creek. Here we found 3 waggons had tarried in consequence of the
sick. Brothers Sherwood Johnson and Dewey were so sick they
could not journey and we camped with them and baptized them for
their sickness and I confirmed them. This morning brother Pratt's company
were only 8 miles farther on than where ^where^ we camped at night
We remained in camp next day in consequence
of sickness. The stream we were on was Ogdon's Fork ^We were on East Kanyon Creek^ and the route we
were taking was Reed's Pass which we named Pratt's Pass in consequence of
his going on to make the road.
Next day 8 miles were made of our journey and
East Kaynon^nyon^ Creek the camping place. It was 8 miles of the worst of
roads and Brother Case smasshed one of his hind wheels to pieces and we
had to wait 2 hours to bring his waggon up. The sick stood the journey
better than we expected during the day considering the bad road.
We left East Kayn^ny^on Creek on the and
travelled to the West five miles up hill which brought us to the summit
and then descended the mountain 6 miles through a thick timbered grove
The timber had been cut out of the road yet it was full of stumps and
it kept each teamster very busy to dogdge the stumps and not break
his waggon. One man turned over his ox waggon and smashed
the top all to pieces. There were two children in the waggon but
they were not hurt.
We nooned at a beautiful spring in a small birch grove
There was more timber during this half days travel than we had seen in a month and
the valleys both ascending and descending were extremely fertile and covered with vegitation
to the tops of the hills
At the spring where we nooned we were met by
brothers Pack and Mathews from the forward camps. They brought a
letter to us & informed us that it was only 10 miles to the Valley of the
Great Salt Lake or Great Basin and 14 to their camp. They had
explored the country as far as possible and made choice of a spot to
put in crops.
After nooning we travelled up another very
tedious hill and down into a valley and camped for the night
Great Salt Lake Valley
Reached by the Pioneers
This was an important day in the history of my life and in
the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After travelling from our encampment 6
miles through the deep ravine valley ending with the Kaynnyon we
came in full view of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake or the Great
Basion—the Land of Promise held in reserve by the hand of God for
a resting place for the Saints.
We gazed with wonder and admiration
upon the vast fertile valley spread out before us for about 25 miles
and 16 in wedth clothed with a heavy garment of vegitation and in the
midst of which glistened the waters of the Great Salt Lake with
mountains all around towering to the skys and streams rivllulets
and creeks of pure water running through the beautiful valley
After a hard journey from Winter Quarters of 1200 miles
through flats of the Platte River and steeps of the Black Hills and Rocky
Mountains and over the burning sands and eternal sage regions willow swails
and rocky kayn^ny^ions to gaze upon a valley of such vast extent surrounded with
a perfect chain of everlasting mountains covered with eternal snow with their
innumerable peaks like pyramids towaering towards heaven presented at one
view to us the grandest scenery and prospect that we could have obtained on
earth. Thoughts of pleasant meditations ran in rapid succession
through our minds at the anticipation that not many years hence the
House of God would be established in the mountains and exalted above
the hills while the valleys would be converted into orchards vineyards
and fields & planted with cities and the standard of Zion be unfurled for
the nations to gather.
President Young expressed his full satisfaction
in the appearence of the Valley as a resting place for the Saints and was
amply repaid for his journey ^and while laying upon his bed in my carriage gazing upon the scene before
him many things of the future concerning the valley was shown to
him in vision.^
After gazing awhile upon the scenery before
us we travelled across the table land 4 miles into the Valley to the
encampment of our brethren who had arrived two days before us. They
had pitched upon the bank of two small streams of pure water and had
commenced plowing and broken about 5 acres of ground. They had also
began planting potatoes; and as soon as we were formed into the
encampment before I took my dinner having 1/2 bushel of potatoes
I went to the plowed field and planted them hoping with the blessing
of God to save at least the seed for another year. The brethren
had damed up one of the creeks and dug a trench and by night nearly
the whole ground which was found very dry was irrigated
Towards evening brothers Kimball Smith
Benson and myself rode several miles up the creek into the mountain
to look for timber see the country &c.
There was a thunder shower and it rained
nearly over the whole valley. It also rained some in the fore
part of the night. We felt thankful for this as it was
the general conceived opinion that it did not rain in the Valley during the
Summer season
The First Sunday In The Valley
th
This was the first Sunday the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints spent in the Great Salt Lake Valley. We
shaved and cleaned up and met in the circle of the encampment
Meeting was opened by the Bishops and
George A Smith Preached the First Sermon
It was an interesting discourse. Heber C. Kimball and E. T. Benson
followed.
After an intermission of two hours the Church
met again at 2 o'clock and the Bishops broke bread to the
congregation. I then addressed the brethren and was followed by
Orson Pratt and Willard Richards. Several other brethren also expressed
their feelings and all expressed the universal satisfaction with the Valley
and were joyfully disappointed at the whole prospect
At the close of the meeting President Young
though feeble addressed the congregation for a few moments. He
informed the brethren that they must not work on Sunday; that
they would loose five times as much as they would gain by it
None were to hunt or fish on that day and there should not any man
dwell among us who would not observe these rules. They might go
and dwell where they pleased but should not dwell with us. He
said that no man should buy any land who came here that he had
none to sell neither should he buy any but every man should
have his land measured out to him for city and farming purposes
He might till it as he pleased but he must be industrious and
take care of it.
On the the camp in general was busily engaged
in ploughing and planting corn and other seeds. Ten men were chosen for an
Exploring Expedition through the Valley
I took President Young into my carriage and travelled two miles towards the
mountain and made choice of a spot of ground for our garden with a small
rivlet running through it which I named Garden Creek.
We then returned to camp and went North about
five miles and we all went to the top of a high peeak on the edge of
the mountain which we considered a good place to raise an ensign. So
we named it Ensign Peak
I was the first person who ascended this hill
which we had thus named. Brother Young was very weary in climbing
being feeble from his recent fever.
We descended to the Valley and started North to
visit the hot sulpher springs but we returned two miles to get a drink
of cold water and then went back 4 miles to the Springs, and then
returned to the camp quite weary. Brothers Mathews and Brown
had crossed the Valley in the narrowest place opposite the camp to
the West mountain and found it ^about^ 15 miles
Next morning brother Amasa Lyman came
into camp and informed us that Brown's detatchment of the Mormon
Battalion would be with us in about two days
We again started on our exploring expedition
Brother Lyman and all of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve
in camp being 8 in number were of the company. Six others of the
brethren were with us among whom was Brannon from San Francisco
Visit to the Salt Lake
We started for the purpose of visiting the Salt Lake and mountain
on the west of the valley. We travelled two miles west from
Temple Block and came to the Utah outlet of the Utah Lake thence 14 miles
to the West Mountain and found that the land was not near so fertile on the
west side of the valley as on the East and but little fresh water as far
as we went while the East side of the valley was as well watered. as any.
land I ever saw
We took our dinner at the fresh water pool
and then rode 6 miles to a large rock on the shore of the Salt Lake where
we made a halt and we all went into the salt water. It was quite
warm and impregnated with as much salt as could possibly be dissolved
in water. No person could sink in it but would float and roll
on the top like a dry log. While standing to our waist in water
we could not get our knees to the bottom but would rise to the top like
cork. The whole body of the water would make at least 3 pints
of the best white salt to one gallon of water. There was a lot of
beautiful white salt on the shore. We concluded that the Salt
Lake was one of the wonders of the world. After spending
an hour here we rode south on the Lake shore about 4 miles
and then returned 10 miles to our place of nooning. The whole
distance of the day was 40 miles
We arose refreshed by sleep in the open
air and having lost my carriage whip the night before I started
in the morning on horseback to go after it
As I got near the place where it was droped
two objects appeared before me about half mile distant whom I took
at first for bears but after approaching a little nearer I discovered
about 20 Indians and as I was unharmed [unarmed] I did not consider it
prudent to go among them so I wheeled about my horse and started
on my return at a slow trot
As soon as I started back they called
to me and one mounted his horse and came after me with all speed
When he got within 20 rods of me I stoped and met him and the
rest followed on. I found them to be Utes and that they
wanted to trade. I informed him by signs that our camp
was near so he went on with me to camp. From what we had yet seen of the Utahs
they appeared friendly though they had a bad name from the Mountaineers.
The Indian wanted to smoke the pipe of peace with us but we soon started on
and he waited for his company to come up
We travelled about 10 miles south under the
mountain on the West side of the valley. The land laid beautiful but
we could not find any water and not as good soil as on the East. Thence
we turned our course towards the Pioneer encampment which we reached
weary after a journey through the day of 30 miles. We saw on the West
side of the valley about a hundred goats sheep antelope &c playing
about the hills and valley.
The Temple Block Selected
^^
After our return to the camp President Young called
a council of the Quorum of the Twelve. There were present
Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball Orson Pratt Willard Richards
Wilford Woodruf George A Smith Amasa Lyman and E T.
Benson
We walked from the North camp to about
the centre between the two creeks when President Young waved
his hands and said here is the 40 acres for the Temple and the city
can be laid out perfectly square North and South East and West. We
had conversed upon the subject of the location for the Temple previous to this
It was then moved and carried that the Temple
lot contain 40 acres on the ground where we stood. It was also moved
and carried that the city be laid out into lots of 10 rods by 20 each exclusive
of the streets and into blocks of 8 lots each being 10 acres in each block and
one and a quarter in each lot
It was further moved and carried that each street
be laid out 8 rods wide and that there be a side walk on each side 20 feet
wide and that each house be built in the centre of the lot 20 feet from the
front line that there might be a uniformity throughout the city
President Young remarked that he wished but one house
be built upon a lot and they being in the centre if they took fire they would not
burn up their neighbours and if any man wanted a market to have it upon
his own lot and not to lay out public grounds for a market-place. Let every man
cultivate his own lot and set out every kind of fruit trees and shade trees and beautify
the city.
It was moved and carried that there be four
Public Squares of 10 acres each to be laid out in various parts of the city for
Public Grounds. This was in Lat 40° 45 44.
At 8 o'clock the whole camp came together on the
same ground and passed all of the above votes unanimously as they are recorded and
when the business part of the meeting was closed President Young arosed and
addressed the assembly upon a variety of subjects
In his remarks President Young remarked that he
was determined to have all things in order and righteousness should be practised
in the land. We had come here according to the direction and counsel
of brother Joseph Smith before his death and that he would still have been
alive if the Twelve had been in Nauvoo when he re-crossed the river from
Montrose to Nauvoo.
He spoke of the Saints being driven from place
to place and said the only way Boggs Clark Lucas Benton and all the leaders
of the mob could be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus would have been
to have come forward voluntarily and let their heads be cut off and let their
blood run upon the ground and go up as a smoking incense before the
Heavens as an atonement but now they will be eternally damned
All the Presidents and Governors of the United
States had rejected all our petitions from first to last. When the Saints
were driven from Illinois to perish on the prairies then President Polk
sends for a draft of 500 men to go into the army. What for? That
they might be worasted away and their wives and children be wasted
away that we might be entirely wasted away as a people. If the
brethren had not gone they would have made war upon us and the
Governor of Missouri would have been ordered not to let us cross the
Missouri. The raising of the Battalion was our temporal salvation at the time
Polk will be damned for this act. He with many of the
Government had a hand in the death of Joseph and Hyrum and we will never cease our
exertions until the blood of the Prophets and Saints is avenged
He said that he intended to have every hole and corner from
the Bay of San Francisco to Hudson Bay known to us; and many more things he
spoke of important to our people.
Arrival of the Mormon Battalion
.
President Young with his brethren the Twelve and others
mounted our horses and started to meet the Battalion under the command
of Captain Brown.
Some of them were met about 4 miles from camp
and we continued on and soon met with Capts Brown Higgins Lieut. Willis and
the train following them and I met brother Bevin who went from my family
into the army. There were about 140 of the Battalion and a company
of about 100 of the Mississippie Saints that came with them from Pueblo
being about 60 waggons in all 100 horses & mules and 300 head of cattle which
added greatly to our numbers
We had a heavy shower of rain while we were
in the Kanyon which sent the water in the creeks from the mountains
with a rush and roar like thunder resembling the opening of a flood gate
The first rush of water came down with a front 3 feet high. The shower
spread over a good share of the valley where we were settled
We returned at the head of the companies and
marched into camp with music and they took up their quarters between
our two camps on the bank of the creek
While we had been exploring the rest of the
Pioneers had been farming putting in potatoes corn beans peas buckwheat
and preparing a garden for garden seeds. Today our garden was
divided off as each had need.
In the evening Brother Young and the Twelve went to
the Warm Springs and bathed
Next day we met in council—the Twelve
Capts Brown Higings Willis and others and heard the statement of the officers
concerning the Battalion and their situation and counsel was given by
President Young what course to persue
It was deemed wisdom for Capt Brown
and others to go to the Bay of San Francisco and report himself
men and the State and brother Brannan was to go as their pilot
After the council broke up we mounted
our horses and rode to the Warm Springs and visited the Hot Sulpher
Spring and on our return I visited the Battalion and then the planting
ground and found some of our potatoes had rotted and sone were coming
up. Our corn was also up and our beans.
At 8 o'clock oin the evening all the
camp met together and was addressed for more than an hour by
President Young. He expressed his feelings freely concerning
the treatment of the Government towards us as on the 28th
The meeting opened by the assembly with
a shout of Hosannah to God and the Lamb repeated three times
with its Amen. Brother Young said the Ancient of Days
was not as far off as many supposed
On the Saturday the Battalion went to
work at the Bowery and our Camp of Pioneers sowing and planting
^At^ About noon a company of about 20 Utahs
visited our camp. They came to trade with us and while doing
so one Indian struck another over the head with his gun and broke
it and the old chief whipped them both. In the afternoon
the one who had the gun broke over his head stole the others horse
and made off with him. The Indians followed and shot both
him and his horse dead and they returned to our camp ^an[d]^ The
policy to be pursued with the Indians came up and President
Young and others expressed their views
First Meeting In the Bowery
Sunday
The congregation assembled under the Bowery on the Temple Block
at 10 o'clock and the meeting was opened by singing and prayer. Brother Kimball
first addressed the congregation and then was followed by a discourse from Orson
Pratt upon the prophecies of Isaiah and their fulfilment in our present location and
the building up of Zion
When Elder Pratt concluded Willard Richards read a
letter from the commanding officer of the Battalion who went with it to the
Pacific and he spoke in the highest terms of praise of the members of the
Battalion in all their proceedings. A letter was also read from Capt Hunt; and
then Brother Kimball made some remarks upon our relations with the Indians
In the afternoon the revelation given at Winter
Quarters [Doctrine and Covenants 136] was read by Elder Willard Richards and received a unanimous vote and
then the congregation was addressed by Elder Amasa Lyman. A vote
was taken to cease entirely trading with the Indians, and it was decided
to form all the encampments into one.
In the evening the Twelve met and decided
for brother E. T. Benson to go back with 3 others with him to meet
the camp get the mail and bring word concerning the Saints who were
following the Pioneers
On the Monday Brother Benson started
and we commenced laying out the city begining with the Temple Block
In forming the Temple Block 40 acres appeared so large that we held a council
to determine if it would or not be wisdom to reduce it to one half. G. A. Smith
believed if we did it we should be sorry and would rather enlarge than diminish
Heber C. Kimball thought we should let it be as it was even if we set it
out to shrubery Amasa Lyman said George A. Smith had spoken his mind;
we all ran in the same channel and President Young said we could easier
diminish than enlarge it afterwards and it was determined that we let it remain as
it was
Two days afterwards we again met upon the
subject and as it was considered that we could not do justice to 40 acres
to begin with we should limit the Temple and garden to 10 acres
As we were under the necessity of returning
soon it was thought best to go into the mountains to draw logs to build
ourselves cabins as the "dobie" houses might not be ready for our use
Brothers Young and Kimball had commenced drawing out logs
for their buildings and brother George A. Smith and myself concluded
to join our efforts.
So on the morning of the I
took my axe and in company with brother Smith went to the mountain
about six miles distance with several men with us to assist in chopping
We found a grove of fir trees that we thought would answer our purpose
but we had to make a road and bridges across the creek to it. I
dreaded the job for it was a hard one and I do not exercise the prudence
I ought when I take hold of hard labour. We choped and drew
home to the Fort more than enough to build one house 16 feet square
and drew 25 logs home to the Fort. I was weary and my
hands blistered for I had done much the most work
We started again next day with five teams
and 4 teams went also for Dr Richards and in the two days
we had cut and drawn 77 logs for our two buildings
That morning I had arisen quite sore with
the labour of the previous day and on going into the Valley for my
horses could not find them and we supposed the Indians had driven
them off for they had been in camp during the night so horsemen
were sent out to drive in all the horses in the valley and much to
our joy we found none had been stolen this Increased our confidence
in the Indians around us
I had ridden 8 miles without a saddle
and was fatigued by it but after we had found our horses I saddled
my horse and took my axe and went on before the teams and cut down 5 large fir
trees before they came up and during the two days I hadlaboured so hard that when
we got home I could hardly stand upon my feet and I went into my waggon
and threw myself on my bed to rest
I had not been there but a short time before
Heber C. Kimball called upon me and informed me that the Twelve were
going to the water to be rebaptized for the remission of sins to set example
to the whole Church and that the brethren would be called upon on Sunday
to follow the example
The Twelve Re-baptized
^1847^
We considered this a duty and a privilege as we had come into
a glorious valley to locate and build up Zion. We felt like renewing
our covenants before the Lord and each other and we soon repared to
the water and President Young went down into the water and
baptized all his brethren of the Twelve present and confirmed us and
sealed upon us our Apostleship and all the keys powers and blessings
belonging to that office. Brother Heber C. Kimball baptized
and confirmed President Brigham Young. The following were the
names and order of those present: Brigham Young Heber C.
Kimball Orson Pratt Willard Richards Wilford Woodruff
George A Smith and Amasa Lyman.
Selecting Their Inheritances
In the afternoon of the next day the Twelve went on to Temple Block
and picked out their inheritances. President Young took a block East
of the Temple and running South East to settle his friends around him;
Brother Heber C. Kimball took a block North of the Temple whaereon to
settle his friends; Orson Pratt South of the Temple Block and running
South; Wilford Woodruff took a block cornering Temple Block and at
the South West corner joining Orson Pratts block; Amasa Lyman took a
block 40 rods below or West of Wilford Woodruff's and running S. West
to settle his friends and George A Smith took one joinging the Temple
on the West and running due West. It was supposed that Brother Richards
would take his on the East near President Young's. None others of the Twelve
of the Twelve were present in camp.
During the same evening the Twelve went
^to City Creek^ and Heber C. Kimball baptized 55 members
of the camp for the remission of their sins and they were confirmed under
the hands of President Young Orson Pratt Wilford Woodruff George A. Smith
and Amasa Lyman: Brigham Young being mouth
General Baptism of the Pioneers
^1847^
Sunday Morning at six o'clock the Bishops repared
to the streams of water for the purpose of baptizing the whole camp
of Israel for the remission of sins and the renewal of their covenants
before the Lord.
Brothers Lewis Goddard Everett Shumway
Snow and Heber C. Kimball baptized and the Twelve confirmed them
There were two hundred and twenty four baptized and confirmed this morning
99 of whom I confirmed with my own hands. This made 288 in all
who had been re-baptized during the last three days
The camp assembled as usual at 10 o'clock
for public meeting and was addressed by Heber C. Kimball who spoke
much to our edifycation. I followed and was never blessed with greater
liberty of speech
In the afternoon we again met and partook
of the Sacrament. Brother Lorenzo Young addressed the people
and was followed by President Brigham Young who was febeble in health
Afterwards 110 men were called upon to go into the adobie yard ^and
76 volunteered.^
I spent the Monday in making a sawpit and the next ^day^ in preparing
timber for our dwellings in the Fort. It had been decided to enclose one block of
10 acres with adobie and log buildings as a Fort.
The North East corner was laid out as follows:
Brigham Young 4 rooms Lorenzo Young 2 Heber C. Kimball 5 rooms Willard
Richards 2 rooms Wilford Woodruff 2 ^George A Smith 2 A. Lyman 2^ Erastus Snow 1: all the rooms were to be
14 feet wide and as long as we choseose. George A Smith and myself build
together
Brother Crow had a [grand]child drowned on the th.
On the the Twelve held council. Each one was to make
choice of the blocks that they were to settle their friends upon. Brother Brigham
took two tiers of blocks south through the city Brother Kimballs runs
North and N. W. Orson Pratt 4 blocks Wilford Woodruff 8 blocks George
A. Smith 8 and Amasa Lyman 12 blocks according to the companies
organized with them.
Next day 4 of the Messengers returned from
Bear River and Cache Valleys. They had gone with Capt. Brown who
had started with a company to San Francisco Bay via Fort Hall.
The returned messengers brought a cheering
report of Cache Valley and the country betwenen us and there. The soil
was rich well watered and well calculated for farming purposes and
Bear River ^valley^ for grazing &c
The brethren also returned that went to Utah
Lake to get fish and they found a mountain of granite good for building
running from 7 to 15 miles from camp. The Quorum of the
Twelve decided in council that the name of our city should be the "City of
the Salt Lake"
Remarks by President Young
"I am going to day to speak upon the subject of the Patriarchal
Priesthood and by request of brother Crow say something upon the death of
his [grand]child by drowning ^who was drowned^ the other day. I hope to speak so as to be understood.
There is a reality in eternal things as much as in
the things of time which we daily see with our eyes. When a man has
a dream or vision of eternal things it is an evidence of its truth as much as though
he saw it with his own eyes in one sense of the word
The Lord has hid from man the things that
he knew before he came into the flesh that he might walk by faith
and prove himself while here. The Lord converses with man on the earth
in the form of a servant and by visions and dreams &c but he never appeared
to man in the flesh in the fulness of his glory for He is as a consuming
fire and a mortal body would paerish in an instant in His presence
The Priesthood is again restored to the earth
to bring that which was lost. We do not receive all at once but we
receive grace for grace. When brother Joseph received the Priesthood
he did not receive all at once. He was a Prophet Seer and Revelator
before he had the fulness of the Priesthood and keys of the Kingdom. He
first received the Aaronic Priesthood and keys from under the hands
of John the Baptist. [Joseph Smith–History 1:72] He then had not power to lay on hands to confirm
the Church but afterwards he received the Patriarchal or Melchesidick Priesthood
from under the hands of Peter James and John who were of the Twelve
Apostles and were the Presidency when the other Apostles were absent [Doctrine and Covenants 128:20]
From those Apostles Joseph Smith received
every power blessing and privilege of the highest authority of the Melchisedeck
Priesthood ever committed to man on the earth
Some have had fears that we had not power
to get revelations since the death of Joseph. But I want this subject from this
time and forever to be set at rest; and I want the Church to understand from
this day henceforth and forever that an Apostle is the highest office and
authority that there is in the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth
From whom did Joseph receive his authority?
From just such men as set around me here -[pointing to the Twelve Apostles
who sat with him]- Peter James and John were Apostles and there
was no noise about their being Seers and Revelators though those
gifts were among them. Joseph Smith gave unto me and my brethren the Twelve
all the Priesthood keys power and authority which he held and those are powers which
belong to the Apostleship.
In Joseph's day we had to ordain Patriarchs. Could
we ordain men to authority greater than we held ourselves? No. But it is necessary
to have Patriarchs to bless the people that they may have blessings by the spirit of
prophecy and revelation sealed upon their heads and their posterity and to know what awaits
their posterity
Father Smith was the senior Patriarch in the
Church and first Patriarch in our day and afterwards Hyrum was the senior
Patriarch for his father sealed it upon his head. But wasere thereir power and authority
different from that of all Patriarchs in the Church? No. There were all alike in their
authority in blessing.
Elijah is spoken of in the Bible that he should come
in the last days to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children
to their fathers. [Malachi 4:5-6] The fulfilment of this Scripture is manifest in establishing
the Kingdom of God and Priesthood on the earth in the last days and those who
hold the keys of the Priesthood and sealing power have the spirit and power of
Elijah and it is necessary in order to redeem our dead and save our children
There is much more importance attached to this
than parents are aware of.
In the loss of this [grand]child of Brother Crow that was
drowned I felt that I could weep in sorrow if I gave way to my feelings; for
I realize it is a loss to the parents to losose little children. It is true all
children are saved. Their names are written in the Lamb's book of life
which was the case with every Spirit that takes a tabernacle on this earth
Their names were written there before the world was made and will there
ever remain until they sin against the Holy Ghost. It will then be
blotted out no more to be restoredcorded for ever.
But notwithstanding this can Brother Crow get
that child again or any other persons their children except there is something done
for them on the earth by their parents? No they would not. They they
would go to God who gave them but the parents ^on earth^ would not have them
The parents framed the body to be sure but the Lord gave the Spirit and what is the
body good for without the spirit? What then can be done? I will tell you
A man that has embraced the Gospel must go to some one who has the Priesthood
and keys and power of Elijah and must attend to ordinances for that child even
must be baptized for it as well as to have it sealed to him and through this medium
claim his child in the morning of the resurrection and the Lord will give it up
to him
I had my children sealed to me in the Temple
except one that died and that I shall leave in the hands of the Lord until I have
another opportunity
As soon as we get up some adobie houses for our
families we shall go to work to build another Temple and as soon as a place is
prepared we shall commence the endowments long before the Temple is built
and we shall take time and each step the Saints take let them take
time enough about it to understand it
Everything at Nauvoo went with a rush
We had to build the Temple with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the
other and mobs were upon us all the while and many crying out; "O the
Temple cant be built!" I told them it should be built. This Church
should not fall and the Lord said if we did not build it we should be
rejected as a Church with our dead. Why did He say it? Because
the Saints were becoming slothful and covetous and would spend their money
upon fine houses for themselves before they would put it into a house for
the Lord. But we went at it and finished it and turned it over
into the hands of the Lord in spite of earth and hell and the brethren was
so faithful at it that we laboured day and night to give them their endowment
The children want to be sealed to their parents and
parents to their children that they may have blessings in eternity which they
will stand in need of.
God promised to Abraham that his seed should be
as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea shore and to
his seed there should be no end. [Genesis 22:17] This of course would continue to all
eternity the same blessings upon our heads if we are faithful; for
our eyes have not seen nor our ears heard neither entered into our hearts the great things that
God has in store for us. [1 Corinthians 2:9]
And when I look upon the great work the Elders of Israel
have to perform and look around upon them and see them vain and foolish, it makes
me sorrowful. They forget their calling. O ye Elders of Israel think for a
moment what manner of persons ought ye to be? men who hold the Priesthood and
keys of salvation and have power to go to the nations of the earth and say to the people
I have salvation for you and power to exalt you to celestial glory or if you reject
it to seal you unto damnation.
It is no trifling affair to have power put into your hand
to deal with the eternal destinies of the sons and daughters of Adam who form
the nations of the earth.
While in the Temple at Nauvoo we voted to cut off the
Gentiles who rejected the Gospel and killed the Prophets and it was recorded on earth
and it is recorded in Heaven. That nation will go down quickly!"
Many other interesting and important items were presented
by President Young.
In the afternoon Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow preached
and in the evening President Young met with the company who were to start back
in the morning with the ox teams: there were over 60 in number. Many of
the Battalion deposited with him their guns for safe keeping.
On the evening of the th while unloading the last
load of logs for our houses one stick fell on Bro George A Smiths head knocked
him down cut a hole in his head and hurt him badly
In Conference with the Twelve and Saints on Sunday
the nd it was resolved by the public Assembly to call this place, "The
City of the Great Salt Lake" of the Great Bason North America; the
stream running through the city, City Creek; the Utah outlet, Western
Jordan and two creeks coming out of the mountain Great Kanyon Creek
and Little Kanyon Creek and one large stream Mill Creek. It was
also voted to fence the city for farming purposes the coming year and
to appoint a President and High Council and all other necessary officers
in this Stake of Zion and that the Twelve write an epistle to leave
with the Saints in the City of the Great Salt Lake. Adjourned until the
6th of October A. D. 1848.
The Pioneer Camp Returning
to
Winter Quarters
The morning the Pioneer Camp with a large number of the Battalion
harnessed up our horses and bade farewell to our friends who were to tarry
I put a pair of mules ion my carriage and brother Stillman drove them and
I rode on horse back
On the 4th day of our journey we were met
by our messengers E. T. Benson and companions who had been on to
meet the camp of Saints bound for the Valley of the Great Salt Lake
They were truly welcome messengers for our anxiety to hear from our
families had been great. The coming ^camp^ numbered nearly
600 waggons and were divided into 9 companies. I received three
letters from Mrs Woodruff and one from A. O. Smoot. My father
was coming along but Mother Woodruff had gone back to Iowa to
live with my sister Eunice and her husband.
We reached Fort Bridger on the st and on
the upon the Big Sandy to our great joy we met
the first Fifty of the 6 hundred waggons: they belonged to brother
Spencer's Hundred. A meeting of the camp was held in the
evening and addressed by George A. Smith Brigham Young Heber C.
Kimball and Wilford Woodruff.
On the we travelled to Little Sandy and
to mar met Captain Session's Fifty and also Parley P. Pratt's Fifty.
In the afternoon the quorum of the Twelve
convened together and we had one of the most interesting councils we ever held
together. At the commencement two of the quorum was
sharply reproved for undoing what the majority of the quorum had done
in the organization of the camps for travelling. At first it was not received but afterwards
the error was seen and confessed. Much teaching was given by President Young
and the power of God rested upon us and our hearts were melted.
The President said if he did not tell us of our faults
we should be destroyed but if he told us of them and reproved us we should live in
love in love and our hearts be cemented together
Brothers Parley Pratt and John Taylor had been to England
and done a good work but had returned to Winter Quarters and disorganized
the two divisions and companies that the quorum of the Twelve had spent the
whole Winter in organizing and which was also governed by revelation. Brother
Parley took the lead; and President Young chastized him for his course and
taught us principle. He said that when we set apart one or more of the
Twelve to go and do a certain piece of work they would be blessed in doing
that and the quorum would back up what they did, but when one or more
of the quorum interfere with the work of the majority they burn their fing^ers^
and do wrong. When the majority of the Twelve plant a Stake of
Zion and establish a President over the Stake and appoint a High Council
has the minority of the Twelve one or more any right to go and interfere
with those councils? No; unless they should get corrupt and do wrong.
Then it would be the duty of any one of the Twelve to show them their error
and teach them what was right: and should the majority of those councils
get corrupt and try to lead astray the people it would then be the duty
of any one of the Twelve to disannul those councils and call upon the
people to sustain him and appoint a new one; but while the councils
are trying to do right it would be the duty of the Twelve who might be
with them to assist in carrying out the views that the majority of the
Twelve had established
The quorum all decided that Brother Parley Pratt
had committed an error in not carrying out the emigration ^organization^ as established by
the Twelve.
Brother Parley was led to confess his fault and the power
of God rested upon the whole quorum and President Young said that
he felt eternity upon him and was weighed down with to the earth with
this work and that brother Kimball felt the weight of it more than any other man
except himself. He should chastise any one of the quorum when out of the
way. He had done it for their good and was constrained to do it by the
power of God.
Brother Heber C. Kimball addressed brother Young and
wished him to rest as much as possible and let his brethren to bear his
burdens. He said he wanted brother Brigham to save himself for he
was wearing down. "I feel tender toward you and want you to live
and if I or my brethren do wrong tell us of it and we will repent."
Brother Brigham observed that there was not a better
lot of men on earth than the Twelve but when they needed it he should
chastise them that they might be saved
Each of the quorum present expressed his feelings
and we all felt it good to be there for the Lord was with us
Next day we travelled to the Springs and here met
three Fifties. Here I found in brother Smoots company my father
and many from our Ward.
After supper we held a meeting of all the
camps when George A Smith Wilford Woodruff and Orson Pratt
addressed them. It was decided by vote to tarry over the morrow
The Twelve held council on the day of our tarry
and settled some important matters and in the evening at Dr Richard's
we heard read the Epistle to the Saints in the Great Salt Lake
Valley.
On the we bade farewell to the Valley bound
companies and continued our journey towards Winter Quarters
We travelled 14 miles and camped on the
Sweet Water with John Taylor's company and also Edward Hunter's
The ground was covered with snow which continued to fall till evening
This Hundred prepared a feast for the whole
Pioneer Camp and furnished a table here in the wilderness in
fine style. Our feast consisted of roast and broiled beef
pies cakes biscuit butter Peach sauce coffee tea sugar and a great variety of good
things. In the evening the camp had a dance but the Twelve met in council
at brother Shirtliff's tent and transacted the business that came before them
for adjustment.
Fourteen miles were travelled farther on the morrow and
then we met brother J. M. Grant's Hundred.
Brother Grant had burried a child on the road and
his wife lay at the point of death.
In the evening we held a council and heard from
Brother Jedediah the circumstances of the organization of the companies
and Brother Brigham said he was more than ever convinced that there was
wrong in this matter. Brother Grant also related his interview with
Col Kane who had the Spirit of the Lord with him and was working
for us but Thomas Benton was our inveterate enemy and was doing
all he could against us
Our Horses Stolen By The Indians
The alarm was given early next morning that a lot of
our horses and mules were stolen. Bells were found cut from the
horses the lariettes cut an arrow picked up and other Indian signs. The
trail was finally found and a company of 20 horsemen started after
the Indians.
It looked gloomy to see so many women and children
here in the mountains with their horses and cattle stolen and breaking
down so late in the season. Thirty horses were taken from the
Pioneer Camp and 20 from the other camp^s^ which was quite crippling
to us
The camps remained together during the day
and in the evening assembled for meeting and was addressed by
Orson Pratt Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young
During the evening 2 of our brethren returned who
had been in pursuit and brought back five of the horses.
Next morning we parted with our friends who were
going East ^West^ and those of us who had not lost horses divided with those who
had. As we journied on we met the remainder of our brethren returning
from pursuing the horses but they did not obtain any more of them. The
enemy had escaped with 43 of our horses.
Our Camp Attacked By 200 Indian Warriors
Two weeks later than the time when the Indians stole so many
horses from us we had another immensely exciting Indian fray
About 9 o'clock in the morning the call was made
to get our horses. I started for them in the timber half mile from
camp. When I got about two thirds of the way to the horses
one of the most exciting scenes occurred I ever witnessed
I heard several reports ^of guns^ in quick succession
and our Guard cry "Indians! Indians!"
In less than a minute the timbered ^and^ bluffs were
lined with mounted Indians charging with all speed upon our guard horses
and camp. They shot at two or three of the guard but missed them
One of our guard they ^two of them^ took and tried to carry him off on his horse. He
knocked some of them down with his fist and got away. Some
of the brethren snaped their guns but they missed fire.
As soon as I heard the report of guns and
the cry of Indians and saw them driving off our horses and gathering thick
and fast upon every hand being without either horse or arms I ran
to camp with all speed and gave the alarm and called upon all to
gather their arms and mount their horses
Brothers Kimball Rookwood Mathews
and several others sprang on to their horses with their guns and pistols
and ran to stop the horses which the Indians were taking away
One party of Indians had driven five or ^about^
six ^a dozen^ horses and mules over the hills. Brother Kimball took after them. Two
Indians had gone over the Bluff with my horse and mule: Brother Rockwood took
after them and at the same time about 20 of our horses came rushing towards
camp frightened by the Indians. With great exertion President Young and
one or two other brethren succeeded in stoping them and getting them into
our camp.
As soon as I arrived in camp I opened my trunk
took out my belt containing 8 pistols ^shots^ and harnessed ^buckled^ it on to myself as quick
as possible put a saddle and bridle on to a broken down horse for want of
a better one and mounted without spupr or whip and gave chase after my
own horses. I could not ride very fast over the rough ground and bluffs
on a poor horse but I went as fast as I could
As soon as I began to rise the bluffs I saw
Indians gathering thick on every hand closing in between me and the camp
As I passed one Indian he was priming his gun. But I continued the
chase.
While putting up a ravine with steep bluffs on
each side an avalanche of some 30 Indians rushed down upon me and
hedged me in so that I could not get out. Within a few feet of me
a large Indian drew a gun upon me. I presented a six shooter
at his breast and gave a yell which I had no sooner done than he
gave a whoop and ran up the hill and left me and all the other Indians
surrounding me followed his example and ran.
As soon as my horse and mule had got over their
fright and got out of sight of camp they tried to return to it and troubled
the Indians in driving them and brother Rockwood soon came near
them and one stoped and met him when they found they were overtaken
and professed friendship but the other still tried to drive off the horses
and brother Rockwood fired a pistol at him and he ran and the other
Indian did the same and brother Rockwood started my horses towards
me and I soon came to his assistance also some other brethren and
we catched them.
While this was going on nearly 40 Indians
surrounded brother Kimball and some of the brethren started to his assistance
Indians were also upon every side ^of me^ until I got to
the camp and the brethren who had helped me had gone to the aid of
brother Kimball.
By this time 150 warriors had gathered close to
our camp all dressed in the greatest stile for a war charge; and the
old chief began to address at the top of his voice the Indian band and
also our camp telling us that they were good Sioux and they had thought
we were Crows or Snakes
When they found they could not get any more
of our horses and that three had been re-taken which they had stolen
they professed friendship. There were 11 horses in all taken by
the Indians who numbered about 200 warriors on the ground who
were well mounted and there were not more than 20 meof our men
including our guard who were engaged in any way against them
in stoping them or retaking our horses
Brother Gould took one Indian horse
and all and another Indian brought back Thomas Woolsey's horse
which was among the stolen and exchanged him for the Indian
horse. This with my two horses were the only ones
retaken during the skirmish.
But when the Indian warriors gathered
before our camp they saw that we as a body were armed and that we
knew them and had treated them kindly on our way to the Valley
The old chief then proposed that we smoke
the pipe of peace and said that if our chief pointing to President Young
would go to their camp they would smoke with him and give up
the horses which his men had taken. Brother Brigham was not
well and we did not think it prudent for him to go
While in this conversation with the Indians
Brother Kimball who had been out on the chase after the horses returned
bare headed (having droped his hat) accompanied by brother Benson
and in riding into camp rushed his horse through the midst of the
Indians and they fearing some treachery or that he was an enemy coming upon them
in the rear instantly leaped upon their horses scattered and dashed from the camp
some running into the creek and all appeared in great fright; but as soon as they
saw that no harm was designed they returned and took their places and had a
hearty laugh at their fright
Brother Kimball volunteered to accompany the
chief into his camp in the place of President Young that we might get our horses
I volunteered and also Stephen Markham volunteered to go with Brother Kimball
on the expedition and so we three mounted our horses and set out accompanied by
a Frenchman who could speak a little Sioux language
The Indians told us their camp was one mile
away but we travelled 7 miles over Bluffs and valleys before we came
in sight of their camp some three miles distant moving towards us.
So we halted and waited for them and they
came and pitched about 100 lodges. Their were some 600 Indians men
woman and children and they brought with them about 1000 horses and mules
all of which we supposed were stolen from emigrants and other tribes. Their
encampment presented a very picturesque and amusing appearance.
Among their horses we readily descovered ours
which were stolen on the night we camped with brother Grant's company
We lost 49 that night and they were here in the drove which these
Indians had
The old chief called ^together^ the war chiefs and placed
them on his left hand and ourselves on his right and set down upon the
grass and filled a long pipe with Keunickeneisick and smoked and passed
it to his chiefs; they smoked and passed it to us and we also smoked
in turn.
The old chief then pointed to us to pick out our
horses which we undertook to do but we found it no easy task to pick
out 8 or 9 horses scattered through one thousand others for one or two
miles up the creek. However after a labor^i^ous search we got all
but two that were stolen this morning. We then spoke to him
about the 49 horses which they had stolen from us before and
they acknowledged they had the horses butand gave us some encouragent ^encouragement^ of letting us
have them when we got to Laramie but would not let us have them then
excepting only one. The brethren brought 3 bushels of salt as a present
to the chief. We returned to camp and this ended the scenes and
business of the day.
We reached Laramie on the and
Brothers Young, Kimball, Benson and myself dined with Mr Burdow
and talked to him about our stolen horses. He informed us
that our company with the ox teams lost every horse they had but they
got them back excepting five. He gave us some encouragement of
sending an Interpreter with us.
We crossed the Platte and pitched our
camp about 3 miles from the Fort and President Young called us together
and addressed us at some length and appointed 10 men to go and
visit the Indians to get our stolen horses and 25 men to follow after
to assist in case of necessity.
Next morning at 9 o'clock the first
company of 10 men commanded by Col. Markham started on their
Indian expedition and an hour afterwards the 2 of 25 men followed
leader ^under^ the command of Brother Benson but it was not long before
both companies returned having ascertained that a man had gone forward
to inform the Indians of our coming and to have them chache
up their horses
In the evening we received word that Brothers
Johnson and Little had returned on the road to us and had fallen
in with Commodore Stockton from the Bay of San Francisco with
40 men going to the S[t]ates.
Next morning, Sunday, Brothers Johnson
and Little reached the Fort with two other brethren bringing us ten
horses for which we were indeed glad for we had as much as we
could do to get along and our horses were daily growing poor. Brothers
Young, Kimball and others dined at the Fort with Commodore Stockton
In the afternoon we drove three miles
on our journey and camped.
We were now nearly out of bread and meat and this
was the case for some days to come but we killed a little and obtained some
meat from Mr Bewshaw the ^an^ Indian Trader and he promised to come over the
river with some Indians and kill some buffalo for us but we missed each
other and we did not have our buffalo hunt on the 1st of October for which
we had prepared. On this evening Com^m^odore Stockton arrived and said he
would like to journey with us but he changed his mind next morning and
concluded to travel on the North side of the Platte
We bought some half dozen horses of the Indian
trader.
Wonderful Dicipline of a Buffalo Herd
In company of Luke Johnson I left camp on the
to get some meat. We started at daybreak and the wolves which had
rent the air during the night were dispersing in all deirections as we rode
along and the beautiful swan in flocks were floating upon the Platte
adding beauty to the scene.
Soon a large herd of buffalo was in sight
and we left our horses and stole upon them the best we could and their
picket guards were frightened several times but we managed to re-assure
them. There is no well-diciplined army of men more particular
to have an old experienced guard on a close look out than a herd
of Buffalo.
By going under a bank we passed their guards
and lay ^lyn^ ^lying^ concealed until we were surrounded and the main bodies
were comming on to us with a heavy phalansx of bulls meeting us
in the face with the cows following in their rear
When they were within a few rods of us we
thought it time to be up and doing for our own safety. I had a single
load in my rifle and a brace of pistols and Johnson a slide of six loads
in his rifle. He fired twice and they broke and ran. None were
killed. I then put a ball into a young cow. She hobbled off and I walked
over the ridge and shot her through the heart-strings and lungs & she
droped dead. Johnson mounted and rode some distance after the herd but my
cow was the only one we got. We travelled a tenfew miles farther and brother
Amasa Lyman killed two more and an antelope. The meat was brought
into camp and divided ^dev^
On the morning of the a company of 10
men were dispatched on foot to overtake the ox teams and stop them until
we should come up as our horses were breaking down. We learned from
a board stuck up on the way that they had tarried five days for us
and killed and dried 30 buffalo cows and they were still about one
week ahead of us
On the while we nooned we thought we
saw approaching in the distance a band of mounted warriors but
by the aid of our spy glasses we found them to be
A Band of Elk.
They made a splendid appearence. I went up a swail of tall grass
and the band came within 10 rods of me their horns waving above the
tall weeds like rocking-chairs. I drew my gun for a doe; but
at this instant another man came up behind me and they saw him
and broke and ran. He shot after them but to no effect. They
ran near a Frenchman and he shot a doe and I got a piece of her
for supper. This was the first Elk I ever eate.
On the just before camping the
brethren returned whom we sent after the ox teams. They could not
gain upon them and all except two gave it up. Brother Luke Johnson
came near being trampled to pieces by a large herd of Buffalo travelling
in the night. They came upon him suddenly and he was
caught in their midst and they were 15 minutes passing him
The only way he had to keep them from trampling him down was
by striking out on each side with his stick punching them and yelling
As they passed him they opened a lane in the herd just wide enough for him to
stand and he thus escaped being trampled to death
Hunting Expedition
We were now passt the buffalo ground and as our camp had
not enough meat it was deaemed wise for a company of Hunters to return back
So about 20 of us including butchers and teamsters returned 10 miles with three
waggons and pitched our camp in a little timber on a slough and during the
evening we killed two buffalo.
After cutting the body of meat from the bones we roasted
them for our supper and breakfast and at the two meals we ate ^picked^ the bones of
of the two buffaloes. It is incredible what an amount of buffalo meat
a hungry man will eat without salt or bread and not make him sick. The
hump bones of a fat buffalo rosasted is most delicious and the leg bones
are filled with marrow which we drank without bread. As we sat around
our fireside we should have been ^made^ a delightful picture for an artist
to have drawn.
At daylight in the morning 4 of us went to the
Bluffs to observed the position of the herds. After breakfast we divided
into twos. Luke Johnson went with me and we saw while out
three wild horses and they were splendid looking creatures
We found that the herds on the upland
were travelling to the N. & N. E. and the only way to obtain meat was
for the hunters to confine themselves to the herds on the flat. Nine
buffalo were killed ^most of them by Amasa Lyman^ but only seven of them were dressed and brought
into camp: the wolves feasted on the other two. We got counsel to
return to the main body early in the morning
Met By the Police From Winter Quarters
In accordance to our instructions we started early in the morning
to return to the main camp and when about a mile on our way
we discovered 7 men about 2 miles from us coming from some scattered timber
We at first took them to be Indians on foot but we soon found them to be mounted
white men and we then thought they were troops. They came down upon
us with all speed and we stood ready with our arms in hand to meet
them; but when they came to our great surprise we found them to be
the police from Winter Quarters led by Brother Hosea Stout. They
informed us that 16 of them had come from Winter Quarters thinking
we might need some help. The remainder of the party had stoped with
our main camp.
We halted our teams returned with them to
our camping ground and prepared the brethren breakfast from our fat
Buffalo and they regaled us with information of our wives and families
We reached the camp at 8 o'clock in the evening and had a pleasant
interview with the rest of our brethren from Winter Quarters
Winter Quarters Reached
Sunday
We all got over breakfast and organized for going into Winter Quarters
The company that came out to meet us went in front of our encampment
It was a hard day's drive as our horses were worn down and 30
miles were before us
When within about one mile of Winter
Quarters a halt was made and the company was drawn up in
order and addressed by President Young ^who dismissed the Pioneer Camp with his blessing^ and then we drove into
the city in order. The streets where lined with people to
shake hands with us as we passed along. Each drove to his
own home. ^Three^ days previous to my arrival I had
a daughter born to me and I found both mother and child doing
well and all cheerful and happy. ^&c &c &c^
Winter Quarter's Prosperous
On our arrival at Winter Quarters we found that the brethren there had
as well as ourselves also been greatly blessed and the earth under their cultivation
had brought forth in great abundance. The city was full of hay surrounded
with corn and plenty of vegiatables and buckwheat had grown.
The was spent by the Twelve in
council and brother Jesse C. Little was to be sent East and I wrote 6 letters
to Col. Kane and others to be taken by him. We also heard a letter
read from Capt. Dan Jones of Wales who could represent in that land
one thousand Saints.
During the month of November much important
business and matter came before the Twelve and on the the subject came up concerning appointing three of the Quorum of
the Twelve as the First Presidency. Brother Brigham Young said
that by pursuing this course it would liberate the quorum of the Twelve
to go to the nations of the earth.
On the we met in conference
with the Saints on the East side of the river. Elder Appleby arrived
in our midst from Philadelphia spent the evening with us and gave
us much information concerning the nation the wars &c. He brought
as a present from Col. Kane a card of gold pens one for each of the
Twelve
The conference next day was adjourned for three
weeks after having resolved to immediately build a large log tabernacle
for the people to meet in. Henry Miller was appointed the
committee and about 200 gave their names to go at once to work
It was to be about 65 by 40 feet in the cleer and the building was
to be under the direction of the Twelve.
Next day was an important one in the history
of the Church. We rode to Elder Hyde's had a good feast and
went into council and determined the following important matter:
Brigham Young Appointed President
of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sunday .
Brother Brigham Young In this council of the Quorum of the
Twelve Appostles of the Church brother Brigham Young its President
expressed his mind concerning the organization of the Church and the
appointing of a First Presidency. He wished all of the quorum
present to express their feelings and views upon the subject beginning
with the oldest and we did in the following order:
Heber C. Kimball Orson Hyde Orson Pratt
Willard Richards Wilford Woodruff George A Smith A Lyman
and E. T. Benson; and then President Young followed.
After this Orson Hyde moved that Brigham
Young be President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and that he nominate his two councillors to form the First
Presidency. Wilford Woodruff seconded it and the motion was
carried by the uniminanimous vote of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President Young then nominated Heber
C. Kimball as his First Councillor which was seconded by [blank]
[blank] and carried unanimously. President Young then nominated
Willard Richards as his Second Councillor which was seconded by
[blank] and carried unanimously
Father John Smith
Appointed First Patriarch
of the Church
The day after choosing the First Presidency the Twelve convened
in council and Father John Smith was appointed by them the First Patriarch
over the whole Church
Remarks upon several subjects were made by President
Young among which were the following items:
Our children in this life do not look just like their parents but
they have a variety of looks. The offspring of celestial beings have spiritual
bodies.
He also said that the Twelve were at liberty to publish
papers in any part of the world where they should be or to take the best
course to spread the work. The Twelve should superintend the printing
wherever they where and if they were going abroad it will be well for
them to ordain Elders out of new members and take them to preach
and there should only one of the Apostles go to one place and call the
Seventies to their assistance
In this same council it was decided that if a man
lost his wife he was at liberty to mary again where he pleased and
was justified; and Wm W. Phelps was cut off from the Church ^for
adultery^
Log Tabernacle Conference
held at
Winter Quarters
.
The brethren on the East side of the river had been busily building their
Log Tabernacle designed for this conference and others which might follow
We felt they had done a good work in so short a time and on the
day appointed we held this one of the most important conferences of
the Church
The Conference opened at 10 o'clock this day
according to appointment. Orson Pratt opened by prayer and Wilford
Woodruff addressed the meeting upon the object of calling the
Conference and was followed by Orson Pratt upon the same subject
Others also addressed the assembly during the day
The conference lasted 4 days. On the evening of the
second day the Twelve met in council and spoke of appointing the First Presidency
during this conference and several men were named to fill up the quorum
of the Twelve but it was not decided who should fill up that quorum
The First Presidency Chosen By the Church
In General Conference at Winter Quarters
.
On the last and most important day of the conference about 1000
souls were assembled in the Log Tabernacle
Heber C. Kimball addressed the meeting in
the morning in the power of God and then the names of the Seventies
were called over and President Young remarked that it would not be
necessary to put them to the meeting or to organized them into quorums
while here but to remain in a body under their Presidents until they
arrived at the Valley. He said that any quorum of the Seventies
or the Twelve though scattered to the fo^ur^ corners of the earth and not
filled up in Zion yet as quorums would be full but when there was
a vacancy by death or apostacy then the vacancy might be filled
From President Youngs teachings we learned
that it was necessary to keep up a full organization of the Church through
all time as far as could be: at least the First Presidency Quorum of
the Twelve Seventies and Patriarch over the whole Church.
It was then moved by [blank]
seconded by [blank] and carried unanimously by the
body of the Church in Conference at Winter Quarters that Brigham Young
be the President of the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints
President Young then nominated Heber C.
Kimball to be his First Councillor which was seconded by
[blank] and carried unanimously.
President Young afterwards nominated Willard Richards as his
Second Councillor which was seconded by [blank] and
carried by a unanimous vote.
It was then moved by [blank] and
seconded by [blank] that President John Smith be the Patriarch
over the whole Church.
Much important and interesting instruction was given
upon these and other subjects among which President Young spoke upon the
resurrection. He said there was nothing more to be learned by the people
upon the subject than what was written. It was made plain in
the Bible and other revelations and it was not a subject we wanted to
use at the present time as we had not come to the resurrection. There
was no person except a resurrected being who held the keys of the resurrection
Michael the Arch-angel or Ancient of Days who was Father Adam holds
the keys of the Resurrection.
The Conference adjourned until 10 o'clock on
the 6th day of April 1848
On the last day of the year I had an interview
with President Young in the morning upon a variety of subjects among
which was that of my going East on a mission.
Sypnosis of 1847
The Twelve Apostles with their brethren 143 volunteers as
Pioneers had made a journey of more than one thousand miles to the Rocky
Mountains and sought out a place for a city and a Stake of Zion
that the Saints might have a place to flee to while the indignation
of the Lord pass over the nation that had driven them out. We
had returned to Winter Quarters and with all our exposures sickness
and danger not a human life had been lost but all returned in
safety. The blessing of the Lord had been great upon
us as a people during this year in all the various portions of the Camp
of Israel and throughout the whole earth. While the past year
had also shown the fulfilment of prophecy in wars rumours of wars
and the many gathering signs of the times. The United States had
been engaged in war with Mexico involving themselves in a debt
of one hundred and fifty millions of dollars and a loss of twenty five
thousand men on their side and double that on the Mexican side
Famine had raged in Ireland cholera through Europe and a new
era opened in the history of the Jews by the election of Baron
Rothschild to the British Parliament and a prevailing spirit for
the gathering home to Jerusalem.
During this year I travelled 2619 miles mostly
in our Pioneer journey to and from ^the^ Great Bason or Great Salt
Lake City
I attended with the Twelve 56 Councils
With the High Council 15
I preached 33 times to the Saints blessed 12 children
administered to 30 sick persons wrote 14 letters and received 6
Baptisms Confirmations & Ordinations
I baptized 3; confirmed 122; ordained 1 Bishop
and one member of the Seventies
[top of page blank]
During the first three months of the year
the affairs of the Church and temporal arrangements of the people
at Winter Quarters were filled in with about the usual amount of
ordinary business and events with here and there an incident worthy
of historical note but not sufficient to afford a constant thread of
narative as did our Pioneer Journey.
From to the end of
the , meetings were held by the Twelve at the Log Tabernacle
on the East side of the river. We crossed on the ice to visit
the Saints.
Two petitions were presented to the meetings
for signatures one for a county in Potawattame tract of land
in Iowa and the other for a Post Office. Brother Miller and others
were appointed to go to the Legislatrure of the State of Iowa
as delegates to lay before it the pettition of the people of
Winter Quarters for a county
In council on the th Almon Babbit Hyrum
Kimball and John Snider from Nauvoo made a report of affairs
in that city and received some counsel from President Young
who said he did not wish the Temple there Nauvoo to be sold
and a number of other matters came up.
On the . those who were in the
battle of Nauvoo held a feast to commemorate the event. President
Young ^Kimball^ addressed the company upon the subject of the battle
and was followed by Col Johnson after which there wasere feasting
singing instrumental music and dancing
In the battle it appeared from what was
stated there were only 100 Mormons against 800 to a 1000
of the mob. There were only three of the brethren killed
and one or two slightly wounded while there were several waggon
loads of the mob killed and many wounded and the enemy driven
from the field. The brethren wore a red badge on the
left arm to distinguishe them from their enemies enemies
They wore the same red badge to day at the feast.
Orson Hyde returned from the East in
the middle of the month. We also heard of the welfare
and success of the mission of Cap. Dan Jones in Wales in spite
of the fact that nearly the whole of that country was stirred up
against him.
I was 41 years of age on the
On the night of the I had
An Interesting Dream.
It was one of the most interesting I ever dreamt but most of
it was taken from me when I awoke
I flew through the air from state to
state and escaped from the hand of my enemies. I went to
Heaven and saw the Saints in their estate and employment. I saw Joseph and
Hyrum Smith and many others of the Latter-day Saints who have died
The innumerable company of Saints which I saw seemed to be preparing
for some grand and important event which I could not understand. Many
were engaged in making crowns for the Saints. One crown did not
suit the artist so he cut it in the middle to remake it. The Saints
were all dressed in white robes both male and female
On the 18th ^ my son Wilford Woodruff
was eight years of age and he wished to be baptized: so according to the
order of the Church to baptize children at that age I in company with
his mother and sisters and brother John Benbow went to the water and
Baptized My Son Wilford Woodruff Jun.
March the 18th ^22nd^ 1848
We returned home and he was confirmed By myself and
^John Benbow^
On the a large mail was received from the
East. I had a letter from Orson Spencer giving account of the Church
in Europe over which he presided. The papers brought the state
of affairs of the United States. Among the members of Congress
dead was John Quincy Adams aged 81 years. He died in his seat
in the house of Congress. His father John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson both Presidents of the United States both died on
the same day the 4th of July in the fiftieth year of the Indipendance
of the United States and now John Quincy Adams had died on
the birth-day of Washington.
On the Brigham Young H. C. Kimball
Wilford Woodruff and others crossed the river and met at the Log
Tabernacle ^with^ Orson Hyde George A. Smith and a number besides
and we went into council concerning the the organization of
the Pottawattame County. Documents were read from
several members of Iowa to the inhabitants of this county and
concerning politics and other matters. Speeches were made pro and
con. and finally answers were given to the effect that we felt
disposed to let politics take their own course and find their own
level.
On the following Sunday our city was
visited with a strong gale of wind and a hay stack was burned
down on the outskirts of the place and had it been in the city
the wind probably would have blown the fire and endangered
the whole city.
Next day we were in council with
several of the Pawnee chiefs who asked for about ^a^ hundred bushels
of corn for their families who were starving. There were about
one hundred of the Pawnees in the city and we loaded their
mules with corn and let them go home
Next On the I baptized
a number among whom was Samuel H. Smith only son
of Samuel H Smith brother of Joseph the Prophet.
News reached us of the French
reveolution and the abdication of King Louis Philippe
General Conference
of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
held at the Log Tabernacle Potawattame County
.
The conference organized at 11 o'clock and Orson Hyde was
appointed President. There was then an intermission of one
hour
The conference re-assembled and Orson
Hyde addressed the meeting. He remarked that a First
Presidency had been appointed but he wished it sustained by this
General Annual Conference of the Church
Orson Hyde then moved that Brigham Young be
the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which was
carried unanimously. Heber C. Kimball was next by a unanimous
vote chosen to be his First Councillor and afterwards Willard Richards
his Second Councillor
The General Conference next sustained as members
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Orson Hyde Parley P. Pratt
^O Pratt^ Wilford Woodruff John Taylor George A Smith Amasa Lyman Lyman
Wight and Ezra T. Benson:
Next Joseph Young Levi Hancock Henry Herriman
Zerah Pulsipher A P. Rockwood Benjamin Clapp and Jedediah
M. Grant as Presidents of the Seventies; and then Father John
Smith as the Patriarch of the whole Church.
President Young made some remarks concerning
appointing the First Presidency. He said, "tThe Spirit of the
Lord has been with us and we know what is right. It would have
been our right to have appointed the Presidency the first Conference
we held after Joseph's death but it was not wisdom to do it
We have now whipped all our enemies with one hand tied
behind us and now it is time to organize the Church"
In speaking upon principle he said that
an honest man would not be dishonest neither would he follow
such men as Rigdon & Strang. The sheep would follow such
as God sent even the Shepherds while dishonest men would
follow the wolves. The Lord will rule in his Kingdom
I know how things have been and are and will be:
"Some suppose that by appointing a
Presidency it is robbing some of the rising generation or taking
away some one's rights but it is not so.
"Concerning persecution I will say that the
Lord will cause the wrath of man to praise Him. The remainder
will the Lord restrain"
It was resolved that we sustain Wm Snow
as the President of the High Priest Quorum and Moses Clawson
and Aaron Johnson as his counsellors.
Joseph S. Clark was appointed as President
of the Elders Quorum and Charles Hopkins and Lewis Neley as
his councillors
James Allred was chosen as President
of the High Council in Potawattame County and Ira Overt
Aaron Johnson Wm. Draper Wm Snow Even M Green
Lyman Stoddard Silas Richards Henry W. Miller, Noah
S. Brindley and Heman Hyde were appointed with
their President to compose that Council.
Orson Hyde spoke concerning raising
teams and waggons for the Presidency and the names of those
were taken who had such to spare.
The Conference continued the next day
Orson Hyde addressed the meeting from Mathew V. 25-26 vers
Phineas Young spoke of his mission East and interview with
Oliver Cowdry and his feelings concerning the Saints. Joseph
Young remarked up^on^ it that no man could go from our
midst and Councils and say that he was not warned against evil
and had not true principle taught him
Orson Hyde read several resolutions against
stealing and after the second reading President Young said that
document would give the people the [blank] He said
he wanted to give a little counsel to Orson Hyde G. A. Smith
and all people: ^and the High Council^
"Will you hear it. Then let your paper alone
and keep pen off from it and it will save you much trouble
The inocent will suffer by it. Send no man into Missouri
for crime but to Iowa as we are in that State."
He also expressed his feelings very plainly
against being taken prisoner at any time while he was inocent
Teams were again called for and President Kimball spoke
upon the subject. Remarks were also made concerning the wives of the
Batallion staying at Winter Quarters on this season. It was thought the
soldiers would have to come back for their bounty money and if so that they
would wish to find their families here
President Young said that he was under the
necessity and obligation to do all he could for the soldiers families and
and that what he had was at their command. "And now what I want
to know is" he said "Will the Church take this responsibility from off
my sholdiers and let me go free?" All said "Yes."
A committee of five were appointed to locate the
poor the widows and others needing care. The meeting then was
dismissed.
During the evening Philo Dibble exhibited his
paintings of the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage
Jail and Joseph Smith's last address to the Nauvoo Legion
After the exhibition Wilford Woodruff gave a short address
upon the interest and importance of historical paintings of the Church
in the formation of a National pGallery of paintings.
Orson Pratt and Joseph Young made a few remarks upon the
same subject.
The next day of our Conference was a very
inspiring time and at the end of the following one ^day^ Sunday the
the Conference adjourned sine die.
Messengers From the Mountains
During the we were visited by three messengers
direct from the City of the Great Salt Lake City. They were of
the Mormon Batallion had spent two months in the Valley
and had brought a large packet of letters for us. They left
the last of January.
The mildness of the Winter this year in
the Valley had been very remarkable and Providential to the Saints who
had arrived only just before its approach. The most of the Winter
was in November and December and broke in the middle of
January. When they left gra ^at^ the end of that month grass
was three inches high and the horses mules and sheep were fat
and the Saints had put in 1500 acres of wheat and calculated
to do double that amount. Everything seemed prosperous. There
had been 10 deaths in all the Camp and many births. My
father had been quite sick but was well again.
During the evening of this day President Young and lady
and George A Smith and John Benbow called upon me and
spent two or three hours with us very pleasantly. Mrs Woodruff
asked a blessing under ^at^ the hand of President Young. So he
with George A Smith and myself laid hands upon her
head and part of the blessing pronounced by President Young
was as follows
"Sister Phebe I lay my hands upon thy
head to bless thee in the name of the Lord. As thou art
going forth with they husband into the vineyard the blessing
of the Lord will go with thee. Thou shalt have power and
wisdom to teach the truth to thy friends and thy sex. Thou
shalt not be at a loss for ideas and words in thy teaching. Thou
shalt do a great work in connection with thy husband. Thou
shall save all thy children to return to the Church with Thy
husband who shall be prospered in his mission. Thou shalt
have power over all thy enemies and overcome all thy
besetments. Thou shall be looked up to as a
mother in Israel for counsel and instruction".
A Brother Shot.
On the I went over the river to Log Tabernacle with
George A Smith and on our way learned that there was much excitement
at the Point. The inhabitants had laid off Council Point into
a town or town lots. One line fence ran through John Geens
house and the people pulled down his fence to move it. He went
and put it up and took his rifle and swore he would kill the first
man who crossed the line of his fence or offered to touch it
While the company stood looking at him
Brother Condit a shoemaker came out of his shop and walked up to
see what was going on and in doing so walked over the line and
John Geen shot him through the heart and he fell dead. A Frenchman
then struck Geen across the head and he fell as if he was killed
but he came to. They buried the dead brother and took his
murderer to Iowa city to be tried for his crime. ^He afterwards shot
himself in G. S. L City.^
A guard was called for on the to gauard
our cattle against the Omahas who had again began to kill our
cattle and two days afterwards Brother Benson arrived at night
from his mission East
President Young made a feast on the
and invited a few of his friends inasmuch as we were about to
seperate. The company was composed of Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball Orson Pratt Wilford Woodruff A P. Rockwood
Joseph Young E. T. Benson Levi Richards and their ladies
We had a pleasant time. Bro Benson gave something of
an account of his begging mission in the East
During the evening two men came
in from Salt Lake City but we did not get much news
from them. Brother Snow also arrived bring papers
and letters with him from which we learned much of the affairs
and revolutions going on in Europe
May the 1st ^^ Orson Pratt George A Smith W Porter and
myself and Phebe W. Woodruff went to the upper bur[y]ing groung and took up
our little boy named Joseph and brought him to the bur[y]ing ground near
Winter Quarters and put him into the grave with Ezra Woodruff
Their bodies are in the grave No 34. I put a stone at the head of
their graves marked J. E. W. for Joseph and Ezra Woodruff. I also
put a stone at the head of Sister Benbow's grave with J. B. on it
George A Smith put grave stones at the head and foot of all his relatives
lying there and O. Pratt did the same.
We packed up our trunks during the next
day preparing for our mission; and in the evening a company
of soldiers arrived from the Valley and brought a mail
A letter came from the High Council
of Great Salt Lake City to the Presidency here. Our Valley
news informed us that the Saints had sowed 800 acres of wheat and
had inclosed 5000 acres of land within pole fences
The Otoe Chiefs with many of their
tribe paid a visit to Winter Quarters on the . They had
behaved themselves much more honourable towards us than
the Omahas.
All was bustle at Winter Quarters two
days latter for a steamer had arrived and brought us flour groc[e]ries
freight and baggage. On the return of the boat the same day
several took passage in her among whom wasere Orson Pratt and
family bound for England.
President Young addressed the people on
Sunday the and among many interesting remarks he said
he felt to bless the Saints who go on to the Valley or tarry at
Winter Quarters. He blessed the Potawattame lands and
also said that the Saints never would be driven from the
Mountains except by insurrection among ourselves and he
had no fears of that
On the 2th ^^ about 150 passengers
mostly Saints from England arrived per steamboat. Among them wasere Elders
Franklin and Samuel Richards. They brought with them the body of Elder
Sarine who had been dead some 12 days
Next day I rode five miles out with President
Young to the Camp bound for Great Salt Lake City. There were about
three hundred waggons in the encampment
At this date and during the two or three weeks
before and later the brethren at Winter Quarters were very active in
preparing and organizing for their journey to the Mountains and some
for their missions East and to Europe
On the President Young went out to the
Horn to organize the Camp and next day I took the parting hand of
Brother Brigham and let him have 25 dollars to help him buy a
yoke of cattle. On the following day I moved my family
and effects over the river and stoped near the ferry.
In company with Orson Hyde E. T. Benson
and others on the I rode out to the Horn to see Presidents
Young and Kimball and the Camp of Israel. We found on
our arrival that all had crossed the Horn and that Lorenzo
Snow and Zera Pulsipher captains of Hundreds had gone
on their journey with their Hundred each.
There were about 600 waggons in all that
had crossed the Horn. They had made a noble looking encampment
and a beautiful sight. There had been 4 burials here 2
infants and one aged woman and Brother Neff had a son ^named Charles^ 8 years of
age drowned at the Horn. His name was
I spent a little time with President Young
went through the encampment visited my acquaintences and whrote
a letter to brother John Benbow who had gone on in the foremost
companies.
Next day we took the parting hand of
Presidents Young and Kimball and many of the Saints re-crossed
the Horn and returned to Winter Quarters
Some days later I crossed the river to see President Richards
and to talk over the subject of his situation. He was lying sick and
had been for many months and Presidents Young and Kimball
had to go on with their companies and leave him behind. Besides
he had not means to go with and I was waiting to see if I could
not assist him in some way
On the I rode to George A Smiths
took him in my carriage rode to the Ferry dined with Brother
Benson and again crossed the river to see President Richards.
Just as we landed the blowing of the
bugle the rush to arms and report that Indians were coming
upon the people created quite an excitement. About 80 men assembled
but they were in a poor state to resist an attack. No Indians
however came; and the people were addressed by Amasa
Lyman George A. Smith and myself upon the necessity of being
well armed and prepared for Indian attacks while in an Indian
country. The men were required to met every night at sun-set
for drill.
The night previous to this the Omahas
came upon some Pawnees who were in the town and fired
arrows upon them which they returned with powder and ball
but none were killed.
On the Sunday I rode with my
family to the Tabernacle and President Richards laid his
curcumstances before the meeting. George A. Smith W. Woodruff
and O. Hyde urged the subject of our assisting President Richards
with waggons oxen &c to follow on to the Mountains and a
committee was appointed to go and obtain means for this purpose
At the close of meeting I took the parting
hand with many of the Saints. Brother Richards blessed
me and said that the power of God should rest upon me on this
mission and that no power should prevail against me. Many
blessings he pronounced on my head
Starting On My Mission
On this day I started on my mission East. Our company
consisted of myself and family and Dominicas Carter with my carriage
Brother Russel Homer had a waggon and carried with him Libeas T. Coones
John McMurry and David M. Gammit. The whole of us were eleven
souls in our company.
On the 6th day of our journey at the close of
a heavy thunder storm Elders Hyde and Johnson and other drove up
drenched with rain
Next day we reached Mount Pisgah and at night
held a meeting at that place which was addressed by Orson Hyde
and Wilford Woodruff, both constrained by the Spirit of God to speak
in much plainness to the people
On the following day I had an interview with
Aaron York President of the Branch who laid before me the state of
affairs concerning himself and the Church at Mount Pisgah
In the afternoon we held meeting. I addressed
the people and gave them counsel. Bro York followed and withdrew
from the Presidency of the Branch and we then appointed by the
voice of the people Edwin Whiting for President with brothers
Whiting and Demill for his counsellors
We left Mount Pisgah on the and continued our journey
On the we spent the afternoon and
night with Brother James Williams after our drive of 15 miles
in the morning.
During the evening a hard thunderstorm
was approaching us. My mules were tied to a large oak on
the opposite side of the street and I felt impressed to move them
away to another place and I did so. I also removed my
children out of the carriage and made them a bed in the house where
Mrs Woodruff and myself slept
We had just retired to bed when the storm
reached us with great fury and in a moment the large oak tree came
thundering to the ground with a terrific crash. Had I not have
moved my mules it probably would have killed them; had I not have
moved my carriage it would have crushed it to atoms and killed us for
the body of the tree fell where my carriage stood. It just
missed brother Kingsleys waggon. I consider my impressions
an interposition of Providence to save our lives
On Sunday the in company with brothers Dana and
Kingsley I drove into Montrose dined with MrBro Beebe and
then crossed the river on the steam ferry boat to Nauvoo
We called upon Almon W Babbit and
then in company with John Snider I visited the Temple and went
over it from the bottom to the top. Here I once more had
a full view of the once beautiful but now desolate city Nauvoo
The Temple was in a much better state of
preservation than I expected to find it
The people in the city of Nauvoo were
much excited from a report that Elder Hyde would preach in the
Temple that day. They had made many threats upon the
subject and some came in waggons from the country to hear and
see; but the excitement was all among themselves for Elder
Hyde had given out no such appointment
I returned to Almon W. Babbits and
found a man had come from Michigan to enquire after
the Gospel and to see the Saints. I was introduced to him
and he told his business. I preached the Gospel to him
one hour and then went to the river in Nauvoo and baptized him
Afterwards we returned to brother John Snider's in the house built by George A. Smith
and here I confirmed him and ordained him an Elder gave him a licence to preach
and he went his way rejoicing
Next day I called upon Elder Babbit spent the
morning with him and bought of him six volumes of the Times and Seasons
I then went to Hyrum Kimball's and dined with him and visited his
garden which was the finest in the Western country
I sold my mules carriage and harness to Samuel
Beverly for 160 dollars and buffalo robe for 3 dollars and 70 cents and took
passage for Keokuck on the and in the evening from thence took
passage on board the Lucy Bertram for St. Loouis where we arrived
the next day
On Sunday I met with the St Louis Branch of the Church
over which N. H. Felt presided. There was a large congregation
present and Orson Hyde addressed them ^upon the subject of the resurrection^ in the morning and I spoke
to them in the afternoon
I spent the Monday in St. Louis and in the
evening took cabin passage with my family on board the Herald and
arrived at Lasselle two days later
From thence next day I hired a man
to carry myself and family to brother Luther Scammans 2 1/2 miles
North of Lost Grove in Lamoile Bureau Co. Illinois. We found
him and ^our sister my wife's sister^ Rhoda and their family all well but our little daughter
who had been sick for some days was suffering much through the
journey and grew worse. Two days afterwards she died.
Shuah Woodruff was born
October the 28th 1847 and
Died
Aged 8 months and 25 days
On Sunday the we buried her in the garden of ^our^ brother^-in law^
Luther Scamman's a few rods south of his dwelling. She was
buried in a good black wallnut coffin set inside of an Ash box.
I put up a lime stone slab at the grave with the following
inscription well carved upon it with my own hand:
S. C. Woodruff Died July 22nd 1848 aged 9 months.
The children born to us up to this time were
Sarah Emama born July 14th 1838 Died July 17th 1840 aged
2 years and three days
Wilford Jr born March 22nd 1840
Phebe Amelia born March 4th 1842
Susan Cornelia born July 25th 1843
Joseph born in Liverpool England July [blank] 1845; Died
November 11th 1846 aged 1 year and 4 months
Ezra Carter born Dec 9th 1846; Died Dec 11th 1846 aged
two days
Shuah Carter born Oct. 28th 1847; Died July 22nd 1848 aged 8 m. 25 days
The loss of our children ^much^ affected Mrs Woodruff and she refused
to be comforted because they were taken away.
While we were staying at Luther Scammans he
had 18 acres of wheat which he wanted stacked. So he
rigged two teams and I took them into the field and during
the day I phitched on to the waggons the wheat which grew
upon 12 acres of ground and a young man loaded it for me and
brothers Scamman and Carter put it into stacks as fast as
we brought it in. Good judges said it would yeild 25
bushels to the acre; that being the case I had pitched into the
waggons in one day 300 bushels of wheat making 3600 bundles
It was a very hot day and I was not in good health. It was
as much as a well man ought to have done in two days and
it was imprudent in me as I had done no hard work for some
months. At night I was sore from the crown of my
^head^ to the soles of my feet.
On the I left brother Scammans
and arrived at Chicago on the and continued and reached Buffalo on the . Our son Wilford was
taken very sick on the road with a species of [blank]
After a long and tedious journey with my family of
2595 miles from Council Bluffs to Boston by land and waggons rivers lakes
canals railroads &c we arrived at the city of Boston on the
where I found Elders Felt and Robins and in a few days also met here Elders
O. P. Rockwood and Jeciesse C Little
Here I tarried until the holding meetings associating
with the Saints gathering up the exciting news of the world writing letters &
directing the affairs of the Church and then went to Bradford with Elder
Leonard Hardy
On the Sunday we held meetings with the Saints
at Bro Samuel B Hardy's at East Bradford and while at this place
I spent a few hours with Milton Holmes who was quite gloomy
feeling unhappy and knowing not what course to take
I rode to Lowell on the and visited
the Iron Foundries &c; and in the evening met with the few Saints
at that place.
Next day I parted with Bro Hardy he for
Peterborough and I for Boston to my family. Here I tarried with
the Saints until the and held meetings on the Sunday
with Elders A. Cordon Lewis Robins and N. H. Felt present.
On the 4th I and my family left Boston
in the express train for Portland. Through some misunderstanding
the two trains waited for each other 3 or 4 hours so we did
not get into Portland till 1 o'clock at night. We found our
brother Ilus F. Carter waiting for us and he took us home and
we spent with him the night
Next day we called upon our brother
Ezra Carter and family and ascertained that Father Carter had
been in the day before to carry us out home with him but not
finding us he went away quite disapointed. So Mrs Woodruff
thought it best to go out to her fathers house to see her aged
father once more and she took stage and went out and spent
the night with him. He was quite out of health but got well almost
immediately as soon as he saw her. He was 76 years of age and
a visit from his daughter Phebe was like as from one rose from the
dead
I left Portland with my children next day and rode
to Scarborough to Father Carters and was glad to once more see
him and sister Foss and their families
On the afternoon of the Father
Carter, G B. ^Ira Carter^ Foss Rhoda Foss and myself and Mrs Woodruff
left Scarborough to visit Freedom Moulton and family at Wilton
which we reached on the second day having left however sister
Rhoda on the way
Here Sarah B Foss Phebe Woodruff
and Shuah C. Moulton all our sisters had the privilege of
meeting once more together. It had been 8 years since they
had met before. It was a happy family union.
Freedom Moulton had a good farm of 100 acres
and had taught shchool 120 months. He and his wife Myrs
Woodruff's sister treated us kindly during our visit. We parted
from them on the and reached Scarborough on the
second day
The day after our return we had a family
meeting in the evening at Father Carter's. Our father was
present also our brother Joseph Fabyan Carter. We had a good
time. I expressed my feelings in plainness concerning my
course and the dealings of the Lord with and and Phebe did the
same and said that her parents and friends would know in eternity
why she had taken the course she had in leaving her father's
house and following the Saints. The Spirit of the Lord
was with us. Brother Fabyan Carter spoke for a few
minutes and fFather Carter said he was satisfied with us and
if there was a society of Saints where he could spend the few
remaining days of his life which he had to spend on Earth
he should be glad to. It was an interesting time to us all.
On the Mrs Woodruff and Mrs Foss carried me in a
waggon to Saco and I then left them and took the cars with brother D. Carter
for Boston where I spent a few days in the performance of my ministeral
duties among the Saints
On the I was at Worcester. There was
a cattle show there on that day; and here wasere some of the finest oxen
I ever saw in my life. I saw one large ox that girted 10 feet
and weighed alive 4200 pounds; two Durham oxen which were two of
three twins calved at a time 2200 lbs each; a mamouth Durham cow
girt 8 feet, weight 2500 lbs; and other remarkable specimens in the
cattle line.
In the evening I took the cars to Northbridge
We were loaded down almost to suffocation and the cars crowded out on
the platforms until the people were in danger of falling off
I stayed with the Saints at Northbridge
over the next day and returned to Worcester. Here I visited the
insane hospital which contained about 500 occupants. Their appartments
were neat clean and comfortable. Bro ^Jesse^ Haven went through
the Asylum with me.
I arrived at New York on the and
on Sunday the met with the Saints there, and
preached to them. The Presiding Elder was gone and I recommended
Bro T. Cartwright for that position and we appointed him and I
ordained him to the office of an Elder. The records represented
at this time 65 members in the New York Branch
I spent several days with the Saints of
New York visiting them &c and then left for Philadelphia on
the .
Next day I called upon Col. Kane clerk
of the SUnited States Court. There were many persons in
his office yet as soon as he saw me he laid aside all
other business and came and grasped my hand and seemed
much delighted to see me. He talked with me about 15 minutes about ^upon^
a variety of subjects and I then retired from his office
There was quite a display to day the
in Philadelphia in depositing the remains of Comodore James Biddle
in the vault of the Biddle family. This was done with military
honours. There were about 20 military companies and three
bands of music acompanied with a display of flags from
public buildings chiming of bells firing of minute guns from
the navy yard &c. Commodore Biddly is the eleventh
commodore buried in Philidelphia up to this date and the
8th or ninth who had died there. Those preceding him
were Commodores Decatur Bainbridge Barry Truston Shaw
Hull Rodgers Porter Elliot and Dallast.
Two days later Elder W. I. Appleby
and myself again called upon Col Kane. His office was full
of business men but as as soon as he saw me he came directly
as cordially as before and conversed with us with deep interest upon
our cause. He said he had fears that there was trouble
brewing against us in the West of Iowa and he wished me to
give him the earliest information of anything against us.
On the Sunday I met with the Saints
with many strangers in the old Mormon Hall or Marshall
Hall. I addressed them in the morning from the words
of Jesus to his disciples "that "as it was in the days of Noah
and Lot so also should it be in coming of the Son of Man. [Matthew 24:37] I
had the power of God with me during the day.
I gave Brother Appleby a recommend
to preach and organzie churches in Pa. N. J. and Delaware in
my absence
On the I parted with the Saints in
Philadelphia and rode by rail to Newmark and the next day
held a meeting at the house of brother Provost and organized a
branch of the Church called the Newmark and Spring Garden
Branch and appointed brother John Sanderson of Roway the Presiding Elder
over the Branch at this place.
During the following days to the I visited
New York Brooklin Hempstead and Northwalk ^Newark Norwalk^ Ct. being at New York and
Brooklin several times in the interval.
The following is an extract of a letter written by
me to my wife on the 18th:
"I have been much blessed with the Spirit of
God since I saw you. I have felt more of the presence and power of
God with me than I expected to have enjoyed on this Eastern mission
I have felt that some one has prayed much for me of late. I wonder
if it was Phebe? I know you pray much for me. I feel its power
and prize it much. I have never felt such a desire to prove worthy
of your confidence and trust, shun every eappearance of evil keep out
of the path of all temptation and do right in all things as I have
of late
"I have had much of the spirit of secret prayer,
have poured out my soul in supplication before God with tears of joy
while the visions of my mind have been open at times to see
clearly my duty to my God, to my wife and children, to the
Saints and the world at large.
"I have also seen the awful and certain
judgements of God which like a gathering storm are ready to burst
upon the whole Gentile world, especially this nation who have
heard the sound of the Gospel rejected it with all the testimony
of the servants of God stoned and killed the Prophets become
drunk with the blood of martyrs and Saints and at last driven
the entire Church with the Priesthood and keys of Eternal life
out of their midst into the Wilderness and Mountains of Israel
By so doing they have turned the last key which seals their
condemnation which lingereth not and their damnation which
slumbereth not: therefore they cannot escape. Not only
the Holy Ghost but that portion of the Spirit of God that
enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, which like a faithful
ambasasador who has finished his work, is rapidly takings its flight from
Gentile America and Wo! Wo! Wo is their doom."
I was at New Haven on the . I
called at Mr S. Turtles and found Sister Turtle sick. She was as
yellow as saffern. A number of comforters like those
those who came to Job [Job 2:11] called upon her and reproached her
because she was sick inasmuch as she professed to believe
in God and asked why she did not call upon her Elders
to heal her. This was done to reproach her and she spoke
out and said, "O that the Lord would send brother Woodruff here!"
This was but a few moments before she received a note from
me stating that I was coming and when I laid hands upon
her she was healed indeed and I felt to praise the Lord.
Next day was Sunday and I met
with the Saints at Father Jairus Sandford and among others
present was Mr Smith Turtle and his wife who was healed the
day before. Soon after she left home her daughter came
to the house to take care of her supposing her to be very low
but found she had gone to meeting. I preached twice
during the day with the Spirit and power of God and in
the afternoon administered the Sacrament
Before I left this place I felt strongly
impressed by the Spirit of the Lord to ordain Elder Jurius
Sandford to the office of High Priest and Patriarch which I did
on the he being 85 years of age 10 months
and 2 days old. He had done much good to the Church
He paid into the hands of Elder Sarine $267 dollars for
his tithing 163 for Sarine's own use and in all had given
700 dollars for tithing and the assistance of the Saints and
the Elders. I left the old Patriarch rejoicing in
God; and then started on the to North Haven rode
round with Orrin Mansfield of that place to see the Saints
held meeting with them and advised them to keep up their organization of the
branch and hold meetings
A Great Day at Boston
I took the rail at North Haven and arrived in Boston at 12 o'clock
and got into an Ominibus to go to Cambridgeport but was blocked up
by the great procession marching through the city in celebration of the
introduction of the water from the Long Pond into the city of Boston
This procession was two hours and 30 minutes
passing any given point and was considered the grandest display ever
made on any occassion in an American city and there was supposed
to be more people in Boston than ever known before. The procession
itself was said to be 7 miles long. Archways were formed across
the streets decked with evergreens and flowers and a pyramade
of evergreen and flowers overtop bearing a great variety of mottoses
The procession started from the Common
15 minutes past 12 at noon. First came a powerful band of
Lancers. Then followed 30 military companies in full uniform
and several other bands of music. Next came the fire companies
of the city with their engines ornamented with wretathes flowers &c;
following were the fire companies from the neighbouring towns
After these came a cavalcade of 500 gentlemen and a few ladies
A boy's fire engine drawn by two ponies was followed by
two of the largest size water pipes mounted on a platform
drawn by seven black horses bearing the inscriptions: "First
pipe laid April 19th 1847"; "Water introduced into the city Oct 25
1848."
After this came a brick layers platform
with impliments of their trade followed by a host of workmen.
Next were the bBoston Boat Clubs with their boats and after
these the Boston Port society with a ship fully rigged and
manned under the command of Father Taylor: the Salem East Indian
Marine and the old Marine societies followed bearing in their ranks
the old Palanquin which had ^not^ been seen in public for 40 years
This was borne by 6 stout Negroes. In a carriage drawn by
4 horses was a large full rigged moddle of the famous but unfortunate
privateer the Grand Turk. Other carriages followed containing
specimens of American clocks goods carpeting &c
After these came Oak Hall expresses
Adams & Mrs Kidders. A printing office passed on
wheaels with workmen all at work strewing papers cards &c among
the mass as they proceded onwards followed by Fanewuil Hall
market in minature with a grand display of beef mutton pork
fowlses fish vegitables &c which I presume was a temptation
to the hungry crowded lookers on. The market men came next
in great force with badges on their hats
A stuffed Elephant passed mounted upon
a carriage with 3 persons riding on his back; also an artifical
flower manufactory drawn by 6 horses containing 12 young girls
dressed in white all busy making flowers. There was an
apple tree filled with fruit with Adam and Eve picking it and
the serpant on the tree. All the mMasonic and Odd Fellow's
societies of Boston were in the procession and hundreds of flags
making a costly array were brorne [borne] onwards
The first Division of the Procession was
under the direction of the honourable John C. Park and consisted
of the Mayor of Boston Committee of aArrangements; Water Committee
Water Commissioners & Engineers, Aldermen, President of the
Common Council, Members of the Common Council, High
Sheriffs of the State; the Governor and suite &c, &c, escorted
by the Boston Cadets and flanked by the city Greys. After
these was a long array of civil and military functionaries,
representatives of foreign countries bearing the tri colloured flag,
the cClergy, Medical Faculty, Editors, Members of the bar
Governments of the N^n^eighbouring cities students of Harverd University, Mercantile
Libarary Association in full array and scores of other companies too numerous
to name
All along the route of the Procession the public
buildings hotels and private residences were crowded with human beings
and the Common was literally covered
At half past 4 o'clock the Government of the
city headed by the chief Marshal reached the Common and took their seats
on a decorated platform in the centre ^of the^ reservoir after which lengthy
speeches were made by the Mayor and Mr Hale. At the close
of the speeches the Mayor arose and said:
"Fellow citizens, it is proposed to admit the
waters of Lake Cochituate into the city. All those in favour
will say Aye!"
The response was in a voice of thunder. The
signal was then given and upwards gushed a pure column of water
8 inches in diameter 80 feet into the air and falling again into
the reservoir. The cheering of the people at this moment was
overwhelmning. The night was passed with fireworks and
illuminations
While beholding these things going on the
words of the Lord came with weight upon my mind which says
"Broad is the road that leads to death and thousands flock together
there while wisdom shows a narrow path with here and there
a traveller." I went to Brother A Badlams and spent
the night.
Next day I took train with brother Nathaniel
Corey to New Bedford and read an account of the burning of the
Temple of Nauvoo by our enemies.
After visiting the Saints at various places
and attending to Church affairs I reached Scarborough again and
found my wife and children at her sister Foss'
Here I remained with our friends until
the when I parted with Father Carter and the rest of our
family ^there^ and with my wife and children to ^took^ the rail to Boston and thence
by ominibus to Cambridgeport where I received letters from Orson Pratt
and others all bearing good news of the progress of the work of the
Lord in England.
I took a house in Cambridgeport for my
family and continued labouring with the Saints in Boston until
the when I took train and stage to Peterboro where
I found Bro Jesse C. Little and Leonard Hardy; and with
them and the Peterboro Saints I spent the interval to the
when I rode to Guilsom and stayed with Chilon Mack
Solomon Mack and their Father Capt. Mack came in and spent
the night with me. Capt. Mack and Lucy Smith mother
of the Prophet Joseph were brother and sister
Next day was Sunday and I preached
to the few Saints who were in that place and on the
following day with Solomon Mack ^rode^ to Bro Waldos and
next day ^the following^ to Walpole Branch where I found difficulties had
existed for several years
During the 5 following days I was
at Alworth Peterboro and Lowell at which places I preached
and on the I returned to my family at Cambridgeport
All the persapers and news of the day
were full of important and stirring events of the wars and
revolutions in Europe and startling developements ^in America^. Among
those of America was the descovery of Go[l]d by the Mormons
in upper California and the rush of the nation to the
gold field like the rushing of a horse to battle.
The cholera had again commenced in
New York yet the gold panic was so much greater than
the fever of the cholera that it was hardly noticed
Among the letters which I obtained on
my return to my family was one from Orson Hyde who
informed me that Oliver Cowdery had come back to the Church had
made satisfaction and was voted to come in by the door of baptism. He
was the first man baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in this last dispensation under the hands of Joseph Smith the
Prophet and one of the Three wWitnesses of the Book of Mormon
After being out of the Church seven years he had now returned again
Ten days more of ministeral labour in
Boston and the year was brought to a close.
Sypnosis of 1848
During this year of our Lord 1848 the "Fig Tree" hath
rapidly put forth her leaves and blosomed for the summer. It
is a year which has laid the foundation for the fulfilment of
more prophecy and revelation than has been fulfilled in centuries
in other ages. Thrones have been cast down kingdoms
overturned the power of the Pope of Rome broken and he driven
from the papal dominion; and All the nations of the earth have
been convulsed. Revolutions wars anarchy and confusion have
followed each other in rapid succession; cholera plagues and
famine came in the train and last of all though not the least
in importance the foundation is laid for the dissolution
of the American Government. While these things were
going on a spirit has prevailed for the return of the Jews
and the rebuilding of Jerusalem; some 7000 Latter-day Saints
have gathered into the Valley of the Mountains by the Great
Salt Lake and the Saints in the valley of Sacramento
have discovered vast quanties of gold the report of which has
ran like electricity through the world and tens of thousands
are flocking to the gold fields of California
The revolutions of Europe commenced with
France. The people rose en masse and had a three days
^fight^ at the end of which they drove Louis Philipi out of France with all the
royal family. The people entered the T[ourelles] took the throne
upon their shoulders carried it into the streets and dashed it to pieces
on the ground. They then undertook to establish a Republican
government.
It was said that in the first 3 day's fight
there were only 500 killed; but afterwards a reaction took place with
a fight and some 15000 killed. Finally they orgainized a government
atnd at the end of [18]48 the world was anxiously waiting the election of
a President of the French Republic and prophesying much future
bloodshed before the issue of this revolution was reached
The German States and Prussia next
followed in revolution. Austria arose and drove her king
from his throne but he afterwards returned with his armies
and bombarded Vienna 8 days and reorganized his kingdom
giving to his people a milder form of government and more
toleration and still his throne was in danger
The Emperior of Russia had also much
war and his throne was in some uncertainty the Irish had
made a struggle to throw off the British yoke but failed. The
inhabitants of Rome had risen up in their might and compelled the
Pope to change after change and at last dashed his power to the
earth assassinated his councillors and driven ^him^ from the Papal
chair which has stood unshaken for centuries and he has sought
protection by feleeing to other nations
While this was going on in foreign
countries turn our eyes for a moment to America. She was
a nation blessed above all other nations under heaven yet she
had recently shed the blood of Apostles Prophets Patriarchs
and Saints and had suffered mob rule to take the place
of Constitution law and order. And what position is she
in at the close of this year. One of her States Ohio has
disgraced herself by her Legislature sitting for weeks in
fighting for mastery instead of organizing and doing the business of the
people; and the leaders of the whole nation herself at Washington had
also been engaged in ^engendering^ the spirit of party strife hatred disunion and war
They had met in seperate parties laying plans for the disolving of the
Union and the anhilation of the American Government and while
the Senators and Statesmen of the Slave States have met in convention
and resolved that if slavery in the District of Columbia was abolished
or prohibited in California they would immediately disolve the
Union lay Texas [taxes] upon the shipping of the free states &c, the citizen
and statesmen of the free states had also met and had resolved upon
the struggle between North and South unless they could carry their
measures
Yet while parties were growing more and
more determined and divided the public mind seemed to be blinded
as to the result of these movements and ignorant of the fruit which
would grow up from the seed of their own sowing. They had
eyes but saw not, ears but hear not, hearts but do not understand." [Matthew 13:15]
But the servants of God and his Prophets have seen the end with
as much certainly as did Noah Lot and Jesus the things
concerning Jerusalem Sodom and Gomorrow and the antedeluvian
world
During the past year also the Asiatic
cholaera had marched through the earth and had arrived in the
States and was sweeping down its thousands daily
Turning our eye towards Zion on the other
hand the Lord had been favouring her. The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been organized with
a First Presidency—namely, Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball
and Willard Richards who had gathered to the Mountains of
Israel in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake took with
them about 3000 souls some 8000 head of cattle making
at this date a population of about 7000 Saints in the City
of the Great Salt Lake; while those of the Brethren who
had located near the Bay of San Francisco had discovered mines of wealth
in gold and other precious and useful ore which had created an immense
excitement throughout the world
My Travels in 1848
I travelled during this year 4850 miles
Meetings & Councils
I attended with the Twelve Apostles 12 Councils
and I held during the year ^of^ public Meetings 44
I baptized 14 persons confirmed 14 ordained to
the office of Patriarch Jurius Sanford aged 88 ^85^ and also
ordained one President of the Seventies
Administrations & Blessings
I administered to 20 sick persons some of whom were
remarkably healed and glorified God; and I blessed according
to the order of the Church 10 children
I wrote 60 Letters and received 39.
Thus had been the events and general affairs of the world
of the Church and myself during the year 1848 and the
Spirit whispered to me that the year eighteen hundred and
forty nine would be a year of calamities and moment
to the nations of the earth
[top of page blank]
On Monday morning the
the Steamer Europia arrived bringing news of the election of Prince
Louis Napoleon as President of the French Republic; also of the
abdication of the Emperior of Austria in favour of his young
nephew and of dreadful starvation in Ireland and the raging
of the cholera in Europe. Tidings also arefrom South America
was of a similar character. At New Orleans the cholera was
raging to such a frightful extent that the inhabitants were
fleeing business suspended captains mates clerks and hands
dying off and the steamboats had to stop running.
I received a letter brought by brother
Goodridge from brother Josiah G. Hardy wishing me to visit a
sister who was possessed of an evil spirit so I accompanied
him to West Newbury 40 miles
I tarried around this neighbourhood
until the and then returned to Boston to my family
Next day I received letters from
Orson Spencer and Dan Jones from England. Brother Jone[s] [page bent]
expressed his feelings on warm terms concerning my letters to him and
said he felt encouraged by them to go ahead in the name of the Lord.
He informed me that he had raised up a Branch at Myrther of over
800 members and the total of members of the Churches raised up by
him in Wales was 2747.
The whole representation of the Churches in
England ^Scotland and Wales^ represented at the General Conference at Manchester Aug 14th
1848 amounted to 350 Branches 929 Elders 1185 Priests,
608 Teachers 341 Deacons, 17902 members. There had
been added since May 31st 1846, 8467 souls to the Church
Orson Pratt was now the President of the Churches in the
British Isles
Elder Dan Jones added "I have
published in the Welsh languishage 48 different kinds and
size of pamphlets comprising more original matter than the
Book of Mormon Doctrines and Covenants and Voice of
Warning and have circulated one million eight hundred
thousand of pages all of which preach night and day to
rich and poor the eternal truths of Mormonism and
cheer the honest hearted. Many learned and some very
noted men have embraced the work. I have been
enabled to subdue my foes many of the gifts of the Spirit
are manifest. One young man who had been deef and
dumb 8 years was healed when coming up out of the waters
of baptism so he both heard and spake was ordained
to the Priesthood and is now preaching the Gospel with
success."
Captain Dan Jones was adding
to the Churches in Wales 150 per month. Elder
Orson Spencer also wrote to me many good things
He said in his letter to me:
"The work is rolling forth in
much power. I have been of late stiring up the
Saints to pay their tithing. I have visited many of the Conferences and feel
encouraged to believe I shall gather a good sum for the Temple.
The addition to the Churches continue to
be great. The emigration falls much short of the increase. There
may be 1500 Saints emigrated this season but what is that among
so many.
"The Saints wax very bold and utter their
testimony with much assurance in the Holy Ghost. It is truly
delightful to see them pushing sectarian churches and demolishing
human creeds as so much hay and stubble. The weak are
becoming strong and the Gentiles marvel.
"You would be astonished to see the issue of
books stars and tracts from the Star office. Every fortnight
the issue of Stars has doubled since I took charge in [18]47 and
all other works in equal ratio and the tide of truth rolls
irresistibly through the land."
Some two weeks later Almon W. Babbit
called upon me and spent the evening and conversed upon a variety of
subjects. He had been to Washington and had spent a length of time
and called to see me to induce me to go there with him and get
an introduction to the members of Congress in case the Church should
wish me to do any business there another year. He said he had
been labouring while there to so arrange the Territorial bills
as to have a Territorial government in the Great Bason North America
to be called the Utah Territory embracing 300 miles in length
He thought it would be necessary for the inhabitants of Great Salt
Lake Valley to organize a state government &c. He had got
a Post Office established at Salt Lake City and Elder Haywood
appointed Post Master; also had got Post Offices established at
Garden Grove & Mount Pisgah. He was very familiar with the
members from Iowa and Illinois and Thomas Benton of Missouri
came to him just before he left and shook hands with him familiarly
After hearing all Almon Babbit had to say I concluded that he
was at work upon his own book and not by the council of the
Presidency of the Church. So I resolved that my health calling and the
spirit within me would not permit me to leave the business upon
which I was sent and go to Washington
On the I received three letters from
George A Smith E. T. Benson and Dominicas Carter from the
Bluffs and two from the Valley one from A. O. Smoot
The letter from brother Smoot gave an
account of the affairs in the Valley since his arrival there. He
said the organization of the Presidency was received in the Valley
and all business attended to that was necessary and wrote of the
ravages of the crickets upon the crops &c.
George A. Smith and E. T. Benson wrote
that they had organized 50 Branches of the Church at Council
Bluffs and all were doing well. Most of the brethren who
went into the army had returned to their families. They had
built a new Tabernacle in Pottawatamie County. Brother Egan
and 12 others had arrived on the 7th of Dec with the latest news
from Great Salt Lake. They left on the 13th of October.
President Young had arrived at the Valley on the 20 of Sept
and Heber C. Kimball on the 24th. Charles C. Rich had
been appointed President of the Stake and John Young and Erastus
Snow his councillors. Arrangements were being made for
inclosing an additional field of 1100 ^acres^; 860 men had taken shares
in it varying from 5 to 10 acres the smallest lots being near
the city to accomodate the mechanic. All the buildings of
the fort were to be moved on to city lots except the square
enclosed by the Pioneers. The Indians were friendly and
it was considered safe to settle on farms. A new city
had been laid out 10 miles North of the Temple Block and
another about 10 miles South. All the lots surveyed
had been taken up and an addition had been made running
to the mountains on the East side. The Pioneers claims
were to be respected. Elder Addison Pratt had arrived from the Sanwich
Islands; a company of Saints that went to California, Mexican Cession Territory on board the Brooklin
were en route for the Valley; Willard Richards and Amasa Lyman
were within three days drive of Salt Lake City when the express
left and Dr Richards was driving his own team.
Elder Kimball wrote that they had raised
squshes in the Valley from 63 to 84 lbs and turnips 8 1/2 lbs.
Parley Pratt made a vegitable dinner for
the Presidency when they arrived and in the bill of fare were
items: green corn green peas green beans cucumbers beets
parsnips carrots onions potatoes turnips squashes pumpkins
pies cabbage mush mellons water mellons cantelopes, corn
bread, wheat bread, corn stalk, molasses rost beef &c.
Walker the famous Utah Chief had
visited the Saints in the Valley with his band of rifflemen
He said he always wished to live in peace with our people.
He wanted his children to grow up with ours as brothers. His
people should not steal from our people: if they did we were to
let him know and he would punish them and stop it. The
brethren told him they did not want his men to steal from the
Californians for we were at peace with them. Walker replied
my men hate the Spaniards and will steal from them and
I cannot help it
Brothers Danial Browett Allen and Cox
were all killed by a band of diggers in the Californian mountains
as they were exploring a new pass through the mountains
They were surrounded when asleep and killed with stones. One
hundred dollars worth of gold dust was found on the ground belonging
to brother Allen. Their bodies were stripped of their clothes
and then burried by the Indians. This occured 40 miles
from the settlement on the Sacramento. Their bodies were
found by a company who followed them. These brethren
I baptized in Herefordshire soon after I commenced preaching
at John Benbows. Brother Browett especially had been an earnest true
hearted Latter-day Saint and I know nothing to the contrary of the
others. They went into the army as soldiers in the Mormon Battalion
and have died as martyrs in their mission.
Brother Carter wrote that during the
Conference in the Valley Lyman White had been retained in
his standing for they did not know that the Church had withdrawn
fellowship from him at the Bluffs nor had received his pamplet
On the I received 24 Nos
of the Millennial Star and from a letter written by Parley
P. Pratt August 1848 I gathered the following concerning
the prosperity of the Valley in the first year of our settlement:
"We are blessed in gardens in wheat and
corn and in all things I have set my hand unto. I have
raised some sixty bushels of good wheat without irrigation
a few bushels of rye and oats and my corn in the field
looks as well as any corn I ever saw in the States. The
wheat crop exceeds all expectation. Oats bdo better than in the
States say 60 bushels to one of the sowing in good ground. Every
kind of vegitables suited to the Northren latitudes does well
Levi Hancock sowed eleven pounds weight of California wheat
on the 14th of April and reaped 22 bushels the latter part of
July. He sowed half a bushel of common English wheat
on an acre and half and reaped upwards of twenty bushels
One grain of seven eared wheat produced seventy two ears
Barley that was sown ripened and was reaped and carried
off. The land then was irrigated and produced from the
roots a fresh crop four times the quantity of the first crop
Oats that were sown produced a good crop and cleared. The
roots again sprung up and produced another beautiful crop
Three crops of peas ripened on the same spot of ground and
the peas of the crop raised used for seed. Beet sead planted
this Spring produce beets as thick as a mans leg and go to
seed and yield a large quantity. Cabage seed planted this Spring produces
seed again."
Sunday the I had a meeting in the forepart
of the day with my family. My wife and children come together once
a week. We sang and prayed and then I taught them the things
of the Kingdom of God; after which I was accustomed to break bread with
^and^ partake of the Sacrament with them
On this Sabbath my only son being nine
years of age and a good youth and under the influence of the Spirit
of God I ordained him to the office of Priest to officiate in that
office in his father's household until he arrived at suitable age to
officiate in the Church
My wife Phebe when I was away from my
family attending to the affairs of the Church would call my children
together and teach and instruct them to pray and to understand the
principles of faith and the Gospel and now my son Wilford
could administer the sacrament to my family when debared
the privilege of attending meeting at a Branch of the Church.
I met with the Boston Branch of the
Church and as Bro Badlam the Presiding Elder had left for
California I thought it wisdom to appoint another and so
I appointed Elder Stephen H Pierce
On the I wrote a letter
to President Young and Council containing two sheets of foolscap
paper written in my journal hand giving at account of my
leaving Council Bluffs my meetings at Mount Pisgah and
Garden Grove my providential delivery from death visit to
Nauvoo and the Temple[,] meeting at St. Louis death of our
child on the journey arrival at Boston burning of Albany
stay of my family in Maine and return to Cambridge port.
I also represented my travels among the Churches the branches
as numbering 808 ^members^ the capacity of the Saints to gather
to the Valley of the Rocky Mountains the course I had pursued
in teaching, the report of the Elders that the people had no interest in
hearing the Gospel in this land the number we had baptized &c
I also wrote another letter to President Young and Council concering the
visit of Babbit course of T. H Benton, William Smith's appearance
and teaching gold fever excitement &c. I also wrote an Historical
letter to the Historian's office made extracts from my journal concerning
the leading features of the signs of the times the revolutions of
Europe the return of the Jews spread of the Gospel progress of the
work in the British Isles and the affairs of America
of this year I was 42
years of age. The following is an extract from a letter written
by me this day to Orson Pratt in Liverpool:
Cambridgeport March 1st 1849
Elder Pratt:
Beloved Brother,
As this is my birthday also the first
day of Spring my mind is led more than usual this morning
to reflect upon the signs of the times and while meditating upon
Zion and her swift Messengers my mind flies across the
ocean to a large company of them who are the "horns" of Joseph
to push the people together from the ends of the earth. [Deuteronomy 33:16-17]
These meditations create a desire to
converse a few moments with Brother Pratt. So while all
nature is locked fast in sleep before ^the^ dawn of day which awakes
man from his slumber I seat myself to say a few words
to you
I said this was my birthday. Yes I
am 42 years old this day. How such figures look to a
man while counting up his years in this probation. The
very sight of them crowd into ^ones^ mind a flood of thought even
more than tongue can utter or pen can write. The
last sixteen years of my life has been spent in endeavouring
to preach the Gospel and build up the kingdom of God in connection with
my brethren
The past is gone. I have no desire to recall
it. I would not wish to live my life over again if I could. I
feel like looking forward and not backward. I have a great desire
that I may spend my future days doing the works of righteousness
honouring the Priesthood and my calling saving the souls of men and
building up the Kingdom of God that I may have a place with the
faithful at the end of the race
Turn my eyes which way I will either towards
Babylon or Zion and I find the movements and signs of both fully
keeping pace with the wheels of time
It is deeply interesting to see hear feel and
live in this age and gaze upon the scenery of the whole earth
which is rushing like a mighty cataract to finish its work
While the Jews were highminded and in
the hight of their pride the Son of God in Lamb like meekness
bowed to the ordinance of baptism and all the rites of the Gospel
and commandments of his father looking forward to the day when
he should make his second visit to his brethren with his reward upon
his head. So at the present day while Emperors Kings Princes
Lords Nobles Presidents and the great men of Babylon have
been making a desperate effort to maintain their dignity and
appear to good advantage before the whole earth many of the
noblest spirits that ever dwelt in flesh like Jesus and the Apostles
have been meekly submitting to the ordinances of the Gospel
and like little children been subject to the authority of the Holy
Priesthood. They have made every sacrifice required and
laboured day and night to build up Zion that the honest in
heart and meek of the earth may have a place to flee to
in order to escape the just judgement of that God whose rod
is now suspended in the heavens and about to fall upon the
earth and lay Great Babylon with all her greatness pomp
power and glory in the dust
My prayer to God is that every Elder of Israel
and Saint of God throughout the whole earth may be encouraged to
labour dilligently and faithfully while the day of harvest lasts
for soon night will come when no man can work: then they
will be just as sure of their reward as was their chief
Captain and Head.
Sunday the I met a congregation
of Saints and Strangers at brother Birds at 2 o'clock. Elder
Whipple from the Valley was present and Elder Jesse
P. Haven from the Bluffs. We had a full house and
myself and the newly arrived brethren addressed the people
After which I administered the sacrament and confirmed
two persons and blessed three children.
A curious circumstance took place
in the history of the Presidents of the United States this year
President Polk went out of office of ^on^ Saturday the 3rd of March
and President Taylor was installed on the Monday so that
for one day the United States was without a President in
consequence of the Sunday intervening.
On the I called upon
Francis N. Mitchell stone, seal engraver &c 15 Tremont
Row Boston and searched a record entitled General Armoury
of England by John Burnard Burke Heraldry. I found
my coat of arms to be the following
Woodroffe or Woodruff Lord Mayor of
London 1579 Payle ^Poyle^ ^Pahyle^ Co Surrey Gn. on a chev. ar, three Bucks
heads erased Sa. a chief perfess nebulee Sa and ar Crest
A Dexter arm embowed Habited with leaves vert holding
in the hand a branch of Honeysuckle all P Pr.
Woodroffe Paly of six Gu and Ar a bend
z ^g^obonated az and or crest. A Demi P. Pr (Lady) vested
Ar Holding in the Dexter hand a Civic Crown or.
I parted with brother Little and my family on the and
took packet left at 6 o'clock P.M. sailed through the night and landed at
the Breakwater 7 miles North of South Dennis at 5 o'clock in the morning
a distance of 60 miles. Thence by carriage with 7 passengers and the
carriage broke down but I reached Brother Nathaniel Eldridge's house
spent the day and preached there at night
Next day was . I met with a large
congregation of the inhabitants of the Cape Saints captains sailors fishermen
Christian and infidels and preached in the forenoon afternoon and
evening and then held a Church meeting until midnight. I organized
a Church here with 21 members and appointed Nathaniel Eldridge
Presiding Elder and Horace Humphry and Thomas T. Elderidge his
councillors. I baptized and confirmed one & administered unto
two that were sick
On the I parted with the Saints
at Cape Cod and returned home where I found my father-in-law
Ezra Carter sen. It was the first time he had ever had an
opportunity of visiting us
My Father-in-Law Baptized
When Joseph Smith sen. the First Patriarch of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints laid his hands upon my
head to give me my Patriarchal blessing he said I should
have my father's household standing with me in the
covenant of the Gospel and that I should have power to bring
them into the Kingdom. I afterwards visited my father's
household preached to them the Gospel and baptized my father
^stepmother^ sister and every member of my father's household and several
other relatives. My wife also whose maiden name
was Phebe W. Carter received a promise that she should
have her father and his houshold in the new and Everlasting
Covenant. Her mother was baptized before her death two of her
sisters were in the Church her two brothers were now also very
friendly though her brother Ezra had been much opposed till recently
and this day her father Ezra Carter Sen. was baptized and
became a member of the Church. I walked through the
city of Boston with my father-in-law and his grandson
Calvin Foss who was going to California in the ship
Areatus which we visited; and after visiting many parts
of Boston we returned home and held a meeting at my
^hired^ house which I hired.
I opened our family meeting by prayer Bro
Jesse C. Little then addressed us and William Page spoke and
then I arose and addressed my friends for an hour in much
plainness and in the expression of my feelings
At the close of the meeting I led my
father-in-law Ezra Carter Sen. with two others down into the
sea and baptized them. Mrs Woodruff accompanied her father
to the water and back again and we both felt to rejoice that
the words of the old Patriarch Joseph Smith were fulfilled upon
our heads.
Father Ezra Carter was 76 years and three
days old onat the time that I baptized him. He was the son
of Ezra Carter 84 years of age when he died, who was the son
of Daniel Carter who was the son of Ezekiel Carter. The
mother of my wife's father bore the maiden name of Phebe
Whitmore and she was the daughter of Elias Whitmore
Next day Father Carter Calvin Foss
William Page myself and Mrs Woodruff visited Mount Auburn
which is considered one of the most interesting cemetryies in
the world. We next visited Bunker Hill Monument and
Father Carter though 76 years old walked to the top of that
monument 222 feet high. After taking our views
around we returned home.
On Sunday the at a sacrament meeting I confirmed
^3 persons^ one of whom was my wifes father Ezra Carter.
On the I took the train to New York and
preached on the next day Sunday to the Saints of that city
I packed up all the New York Heralds and
took with me for the Historian's Office and went by rail and boat on the
to Philadelphia.
Some days afterwards I did up a packages and
pamphlets for the Presidency and a full file of the New York Herald
for the Historian Willard Richards.
On the emigrating Saints took passage
in a section boat for Pittsburg 71 in number 50 of whom were
from Philadelphia; and I took boat to Beverly
Next day I spent several hours on the banks
of the Delaware river watching the fishermen catching fish and in
the afternoon took cars for Beardingtown and walked 5 miles to Caleb
Wright's and was very weary
In the morning I arose with sore feet and
walked to Jacob'stown and to Hornerstown and I ought to have gone
to aArmytown. I was sent 4 miles out of the way. The wind
blew so hard I could scarcely walk against it. I carried my carpet
bag and walked 10 miles with blistered toes and weary limbs and I
felt as though I could hardly get to Hornstown ^Hornerstown^. I arrived at
Elder Curtis at at noon weary and lame took dinner and went to
bed. William Smith had visited this region and had drawn
some three or four after him.
After preaching here to the Saints on the
Sunday, I left on the Monday and went 30 miles to ^Toms River^
and several days afterwards returned to Horn^er^stown again. While
there I baptized and confirmed three persons of Mr Wycalf's
family. They had been believing many years. Joseph
the Twelve and others have visited them. I blessed 4 children
laid hands upon three who were sick and then rode to
to Boardentown called upon Sister Fenting and took cars for Newark
New Jersey. I saw an old blind man fall from the cars on to the
track and break his ribs. He suffered much.
I was at Bloomfield on Sunday the
where I preached baptized and confirmed one ordained one Elder
administered
[three lines blank]
On the I took the rail to New York City, New York County, New York
where I heard that T. D. Brown from Liverpool had waited a week to
see me. I found him at the hotel opposite Jersey city ferry
and spent several hours with him. He had paid the fare of many
families to Zion who went with Captain Dan Jones and Orson
Spencer and had sent on about 10,000 dollars worth of goods to the
Valley. He was known on the steamship as a Latter-day
Saint and the first officers of the steamer with the mates clerk
purser &c came to see him leave the city for the West
During the following week I travelled
daily from place to place ranging a distance up from 35 to
75 miles each day met with the Churches and cut off 4 from
the Church for committing adultery.
On the I held a meeting at the
house of Jariirus Sandford's and organized the Saints ^of Fair Haven^
into a Branch of the Church over which I appointed and ordained
Sherman Barnes Presiding Elder.
On the I organized
at Branch of the Church at ^Naugabug^ and
appointed Samuel Wells Presiding Elder
I continued travelling from place to
place in the discharge of my ministerial duties and on the
I returned home to my family and spent a little time
in Boston where I saw Brother Cannon and Elder Thomas
McKenzie who was packing up a large box of books which he had collected
for the schools in the Valley.
There had been a great mob at New York. The
papers for several days had been full of it. The Boston Daily Times
contained a long article headed: "Dreadful Riot and Bloodshed
at the Astor Place Theatre. The military called out. Firing on
the People. Awful Sacrifice of Life. Twenty-one persons killed
thirty three wounded and fifty three of the rioters arrested."
On Thursday night this
mob of 20 thousand had been collected at the above theatre in
consequence of the appearance on the stage of Mr Macready
an English actor
There had been also a riot of late in Canada
Seven thousand mob surrounded the Parliament House broke
in the windows stoned and egg'd the Governor Lord Elgin
and all the members of Parliament burned the Parliament
House to the ground and the Canadian records of five
hundred years destroyed.
On the I went into Boston with Father
Carter Mrs Woodruff and our daughters Phebe and Susan and got our
degurrotype likness taken in a group by brother M Cannon
and in the evening I met with Father Carter and my wife Phebe
and conversed with him upon the subject of the Priesthood. I then
laid my hands upon him and ordained him to the office of High
Priest and to the office of a Patriarch in the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. It was fully manifested to me that he
was of the blood of Ephraim and the power of God rested upon us
and we were filled with the spirit of prophecy and rejoicing
The New York Herald contained an
account of the visit of the Engeneers of the Panoma railroad
Epxpedition to the people lately dicovered called the Mandingo
Indians at the Mandingo Bay which contains 113 Islands
held in the sole possession of the Mandingo Indians who do
not permit there the residence of any human beings not of their own tribe and
lineage. They would not as yet communicate to any but their own
tribe any knowledge of their records or history. They live by themselves
some occupying the Islands some the main land but all firmly united
as a band obeying one chief or Old mMan (a Patriarch) who is believed
to be endowed by God with all wisdom might and power. Their
government is Patriarchal and the Old Man or Patriachal is
the spiritual adviser as well as chief of all temporal affairs.
He is said to be powerful in mind and body and all his faculties
evergreen. He is acknowledged and regarded as the Vicegerant of
God and all his orders are obeyed and in all cases of sickness or
infirmity they apply to him and whether relief is obtained or not
applicants are contented.
Col. Hughes propounded to the Old Man
the question "upon whom does the office of Old Man descend
at the decease of the present Old Man. The reply was to the
next oldest man of the tribe. "Suppose the successor should
not be endowed with the same qualities of inteligence?" The
reply was that cannot be for when the mantle descends the
Great Spirit imbues that mind with all knowledge.
"Before approaching the entrance of the
Mandingo Bay some 20 miles from land we discovered a fleet
of canoes under sail managed with a skill equal to the best
Waterhall boatmen and on bearing down found them to contain
Mandingo Indians upon a fishing excursion. The men
are short and stumpy not over 5 feet 6 on the average thick and
square built and capable of enduring great fatigue. Their heads
are remarkably large and round features prominant with all
the physiognomy of the Jew. They have a plurality of
wives according to their means. They permit no communication
with foreigners and a woman so offending is stoned to death
It is a part of their religious creed to keep their races pure
and unadulterated. They profess to have a restorative for
the organs of production the effect of which upon one administration will last
for eight years. Our surgeon obtained some of the remedy which has
been pronounced part and parcel of the body of the turtle. A question
arose as to whether this people be not descendants of the lost tribes of
Israel. In trying to get some clue of their early history the
question was asked who lived here 400 or 500 years ago. The reply
was "Tims Father." We asked an old man who looked about 60
years of age how old he was; he replied 121 years."
The foregoing is extracts from the account
which this expidition of Engeneers gave and which is interesting to
the beleiver in the Book of Mormon ^which is^ the History of the aborigines
of America.
It had now been reliably ascertained concerning
the recent great fire at St Louis that 418 buildings had been burned
20 lives lost six million dollars loss of property two thirds of the wholesale
drygoods dealers and one half of the retail and other stores of the city
were burned.
The city of New Orleans was inundated lives
were lost immense property destroyed and danger of the whole city
being washed into the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi breaking
through the levy and running into the city.
On the with Leonard Hardy
I went to Bradford held meetings and returned to Boston on
the .
Fearful accounts of disasters of w^r^ecks fires
inundations cholera wars and revolutions were daily teeming
the newspapers of this date and the gold diggers and their
perils on the plains in their rush to California formed also
much matter for the papers
On the I arranged my business
to leave home for a season in my mission in the ministry
among the Churches around; and on the I was
at Portland and spent the night at Father Carters.
From thence I made a visit to the Islands.
Twelve years before I carried the Gospel to Fox Island and gathered
with me at the close of my mission to the Islands of the sea about 60
souls ^out^ of about ^a^ hundred which I baptized while there. I now paid
these Islands a visit again and after staying there several weeks
I started for New Brunwick Canada
Considerable of the distance I walked.
One day after shouldering my carpet bag and walking 7 miles
I waited 3 hours for the stage to go to St John's and when it
came along it was loaded down and could not take me. Here
I had 42 miles to reach St John's on foot with a heavy travelling
bag and no conveyance with a vast burning forest to go through
I did not stop to meditate or complain
of my situation but swung my carpet sack over my shoulder and
started on foot in good spirits. Most of the road was through
dense forest rocky and poor soil many parts of the forest was
inhabited by bears and wolves.
After travelling a few ^miles^ I overtook
an Irishman and we walked several miles together when a
man came along in a waggon and carried my bag 5 miles
on before me to Mr McGowings. When I arrived I found
it safe and had a chance to send it on 15 miles farther to
Mr Tilton's. I took dinner with the Irishman here and
left him and I had 15 miles more to walk before I could
stop for the night
I found the whole forest as I came
along laid waste by the late fires which swept fences
dwellings barns mills lumber yard and everything else in
its march leaving but a few dwellings remaining.
Although I began to be very weary
and lame yet I entered the dark forest before me and I
found my last 15 miles a dreary road indeed. It seemed
as though I could not get through and when I did arrive
at Mr Tilton's I was so lame I could scarcely walk at all and I was under
the necessity of going to bed without my supper. I washed myself in cold
water from head to foot to take the soreness out of my cords. I had
walked 35 miles during the day a thing which I had not done before
for 10 years
After journeying by foot boat and stage we
arrived at the ferry of the Beaubours Island on the where
I left the stage feeling very thankful that my bones were whole and
my life preserved.
I crossed the ferry to the Island walked
one mile through a pleasant grove to the house of Elder Joseph
Russel's. I found him home and had a happy greeting. I
was thankful to strike hands with a Latter-day Saint after
travelling two weeks without seeing any of the Saints.
I was quite unwell next morning which
was Sunday
Elder Joseph Russell was located upon
an Island called Beauburs Island situated at the junction
of the two branches of the Miramichis River 7 miles above
Chatham. The Island is 1 1/4 miles in length and half
a mile wide. Brother Russell had owned the whole
of the Island for eleven years during which time he had
built 23 ships upon it with an average tonage of 650
tons each. His location land and improvements
were at a low rate worth $30,000 besides 3 ships on hand. He was
calculating to sell on the 5th of Nov at some price or other settle
his business and go to the Valley.
The Island was a very beautiful and
plesant situation a good location for ship building in the centre
of the river which abounds with salmon mackeral herring schad
and other fish in their season
Brother Russell was also a Presiding Elder
over a small Branch of the Church of Latter-day Saints on
From thence I made a visit to the Islands.
Twelve years before I carried the Gospel to Fox Island and gathered
with me at the close of my mission to the Islands of the Sea about 60
souls ^out^ of about ^a^ hundred which I baptized while there. I now paid
these Islands a visit agains and after staying there several weeks
I started for New Brunswick Canada
Considerable of the distance I walked.
One day after shouldering my carpet bag and walking 7 miles
I waited 3 hours for the Stage to go to St John's and when it
came along it was loaded down and could not take me. Here
I had 42 miles to reach St John's on foot with a heavy travelling
bag and no conveyance with a vast burning forest to go through
I did not stop to meditate or complain
of my situation but swung my carpet sack over my shoulder and
started on foot in good spirits. Most of the road was through
dense forest rocky and poor soil many parts of the forest was
inhabited by bears and wolves.
After travelling a few ^miles^ I overtook
an Irishman and we walked several miles together when a
man came along in a waggon and carried my bag 5 miles
on before me to Mr McGowings. When I arrived I found
it safe and had a chance to send it on 15 miles farther to
Mr Tilton's. I took dinner with the Irishman we and
left him and I had 15 miles more to walk before I could
stop for the night
I found the whole forest as I came
along laid waste by the late fires which swept fences
dwellings barns mills lumber yard and everything else in
its march leaving but a few dwellings remaining.
Although I began to be very weary
and lame yet I entered the dark forest before me and I
foudn my last 15 miles a dreary road indeed. It seemed
as though I could not get through and when I did arrive
At Mr Tilton's I was so lame I could scarcely walk at all and I was under
the necessity of going to bed without my supper. I washed myself in cold
water from head to foot to take the soreness out of my [cords]. I had
walked 35 miles during the day a thing which I had not done before
for 10 years.
After journeying by foot boat and stage we
arrived at the ferry of the Beaubours Island on the 22nd of July where
I left the stage feeling very thankful that my bones were whole and
my life preserved.
I crossed the ferry to the Island walked
one mile through a pleasant grove to the house of Elder Joseph Russel's. I found him home and had a happy greeting. I
was thankful to shake hands with a Latter-day Saint after
travelling two weeks without seeing any of the Saints.
I was quite unwell next morning which
was Sunday
Elder Joseph Russell was located upon
an Island called Beauburs Island situated at the junction
of the two branches of the Miramichis River 7 miles above
Chatham. The Island is 1 1/2 miles in length and half
a mile wide. Brother Russell had owned the whole
of the Island for eleven years during which time he had
built 23 ships upon it with an average tonage of 650
tons each. His location land and improvements
were at a low rate worth $30,000 besides 3 ships on hand. He was
calculating to sell on the 5th of Nov at some price or other settle
his business and go to the Valley.
The Island was a very beautiful and
plesant situation a good location for ship building in the centre
of the river which abounds with salmon mackeral herring chad
and other fish in their season
Brother Russell was also a Presiding Elder
over a small Branch of the Church of Latter-day Saints on
the Island. He had a chapel in his own house. I met with him on
this Sunday morning and was much edified with his teachings and
pleased with the order carried out in his meetings and family circle
and in his temporal business. I met with them in the afternoon
and spoke to them from Amos: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing
but he revealeth his secrets to his servants the Prophets."
Next evening I visited the burying ground
of Bro Russell's family w[h]ere laid 7 of his children who had been
taken from the various places where they had been buried and
laid together upon this Island. One of them was a young man who
held the office of Priest in the Church and died strong in the faith
The burying ground was surrounded by
a cluster of tall pine trees and a wall of solid mason work 12
feet square and 7 feet high with a cope stone enclosed the
spot where the bodies laid.
I received a letter from brother Gibson
giving news of the Epistle of the Twelve and that the quorum of
the Twelve Apostles of the Church was filled up with Charles C. Rich Lorenzo Snow Erastus Snow and Franklin D Richards
who had been thereunto appointed. I was also informed
that Capt. Dan Jones had lost 50 of his company with
the cholera from St Joseph's to the Bluffs
On the I baptized Archibald
Russell son of Elder Joseph Russell and confirmed him and at the
^wish^ of the father we went to his family burying ground and knelt
before the Lord and I dedicated and consecrated it
Next day I parted with Sister Russell
and the Saints and with Elder Russell and his son I left the Island
to go to Ba^e^deque. I had been greatly blessed while on the
Island and received great kindness from brother and sister Russell
who were full of faith and good works
We ran into the harbour of Ba^e^deque
at sunrise on the and next day hired a man to carry
us in a waggon four miles to brother Wm Maxfield's where we arrived quite weary
and took breakfast and then went to a stream near by and caught a dozen
salt water trout.
In the afternoon I met with the Saints at Bro
Pickets. I found 22 members and 1 Priest in the Ba^e^deque Branch
rather in a cold state as a body. I preached to them the Gospel and
spoke of the signs of the times; then returned with Elder Russel to Bro
Wm. Maxfield's. There was also 4 Saints in Charlottetown.
I found Prince Edward's Island a beautiful
farming country to appearance but with all this the people were
nearly in a state of starvation the crops having failed for two years
past and the merchants were taking all the money out of the country
All the colonies seemed to be in a deplorable state, hundreds of
miles of the country had been burned over this year with fire, sweeping
millions of acres of forest farms fences barns dwellings mills
lumber and lumber yards and in some cases the inhabitants had
to flee into the sea or on the beach to escape the flames. Every
branch of business was dead and the people were leaving for the
States every possible way
On the st I met with the Saints at the house
of Brother Wm Maxfield for the purpose of ^re^organizing the
Bedeque Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints. Conference opened by singing and prayer and after
remarks from W Woodruff, President, on the importance of the
^re^organization of the Branch it was moved and carried that Bro Wm
^Maxfield^ be ordained to the office of Elder to preside over it and John
Maxfield to the office of Priest and they were ordained under the
hands of Elders Woodruff and Russell.
[redacted text]
was by the Conference cut off the
Church for adultery and drunkenness. During this conference
I spoke 3 hours or more upon the travels of the Pioneers location
of the Saints in the Valley gave counsel to the members
blessed five children and healed two who were sick.
On the I took the parting hand
of Brother Russell to return to my family. My mission to the
eastern Churches had been given to me by the Presidency to preside
^over^ the churches in the United States and the British Provinces and
to obtain monies to releive the Church of indebtedness. From
Elder Joseph Russell I obtained for this object $1500 and when
we parted he also gave me personally a new suit of clothes, other
presents paid all my expenses and gave me money to help me
home to the Valley.
I reached Boston on the took
conveyance to Cambridgeport and arrived at my house and
found my family in bed but Mrs Woodruff arose and gladly
welcomed me and her sister Sarah B. Foss who had accompanied
me from Portland.
In reading the papers after my return
to my family I found statements that in the Hungarian
army there were fifty two thousand Jews fighting against Austria
and Russia; and that a disease had appeared in the Russian
army called the lice itch. It appears like lice or maggots
under the skin in the flesh and those afflicted soon become
a mass of corruption and die in great misery and none are
cured.
A revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants
says that among the judgements of the "Last days" the flies
should bite the bodies of men and maggots should come in their
flesh and their flesh fall from their bones and eyes from their
sockets.
On the I took the
cars to Fall River and met with the Fall River Branch
and sat until night hearing a difficulty until my head
heart and brains ached. Next day I preached to the
Saints there and had a good time.
I rode to New Bedford on the preached at night
and organized a Branch and appointed Elder Joseph Crapo to preside and
Elder Cory his counsellor
Next day I returned to my family in Cambridgeport
and several nights afterwards there was a fire near our house and
some buildings burned down.
The last European arrival brought the
news that Hungary had fallen beyond redemption and their armies
defeated and surrendered to the Russians and Austrians
On the in company with Mrs
Woodruff our two children and Rhoda and Phebe Foss myself and
Elder Leonard Hardy took train to Bradford.
The was a day set apart by the
Bradford Branch of the Church to have their annual Plum
Island ride and I and my family had been invited to join
them
It was a pleasant day and we assembled
in the morning at 1/2 8 o'clock at Mr Burbank's where we
found our procession consisting of 18 carriages containing
78 persons
Mr Burbank being the eldest led the
van and was followed by Wilford Woodruff. On the way
we were overtaken by 25 persons drawn in the "Bonnyboat"
by 6 cream colored horses who headed our company as
we went into Newburyport where we stayed 15 minutes
then went on to Plum Island being 15 miles from
Mr Burbanks
Reaching the Island we went into a
romantic valley surrounded by hills of sand and plum bushes
A spot of half an acre in the centre of the valley was well
covered with nice grass. Around this spot we formed our
carell of carriages; upon the green grass the females
spread their table cloths and loaded them with every dainty
that heart could wish. The ground having previously been dedicated by
the Saints Elder Woodruff was seated at the head of the table and
after he had asked a blessing upon the food and bounties of the
earth spread before us we feasted with glad hearts and cheerful
countenances walked to the sea shore spent an hour and returned
home
About this time the French Minister at
Washington was dismissed and offered his passports and invited
to return home. High words had also passed between the
British and American Ministers
On Sunday the I met with
the Saints in Cambridgeport. Dr John M. Bernhisal met
with us and gave a rehersal of affairs in the Valley which was
interesting. He had come as a representative from the
Valley to Washington bearing our petition to Congress for
a Territorial government
Copy of a Letter
Received From the First Presidency.
July 25, 1849.
Dear Brother Woodruff,
As our mail is now making up for the
States we cannot let so favourable an opportunity of communicating
with you pass unimproved.
Our prospects for grain are tolerably good and
if we are not flooded with immigration intending for the mines
but compelled to tarry here we should have plenty for the
ensuing year. Our wheat harvest is now at its height and
is coming off far better than appearance seemed to warrant
The spirit of industry which has ever characterized the Saints
of the Most High God has been brought to bear with wonderful effect upon
the burning and arid desert.
The next time that you encounter the hardships
privations and toil of a journey over the plains and mountains you
will meet with a very different reception from what attended your
first arrival here. Friends will greet your arrival and the products
of the earth will administer to your comfort
Our city and valley is fast improving
roads are being made and bridges mills and houses building on every
side with astonishing rapidity considering our circumstances and
the disadvantages under which we labour but the blessings
of health peace and union have attended us. Hence our prosperity
We have a settlement in the Utah valley
and have extended North above the Weber river. We have
irrigated our land which is considerable labour but ^it^ will dimish
diminish as we improve in fixtures and experience. One
thing is certain: All the necessary products of the earth
for the sustinance of man can be raised. You have
probably learned before this that we are endeavouring to
obtain a legal government from the United States.
Dr Bernhisel is East upon this business and brother A W.
Babbitt will leave to morrow as our delegate to Washington
Our object is to gain admission as
a sovereign state into the Union. Whenever you can use
your influence to faurther this object do so. Also gather up
and come on with all you can bring another season. We shall
be quite happy to see you as will all your friends
We had yesterday a celebration of the
anniversary of the arrival of the Pioneers in this Valley. It was a day
long to be remembered. Your father enjoyed it well being one of the 24
aged fathers selected as part of the escort. For full details of these
proceedings see the Frontier Guardian. Wishing for the peace of heaven
to rest upon you
Your brethren in the Gospel of Christ
Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball
Willard Richards
This letter I copied into my daily Journal to which afterwards
I obtained the authographs of the First Presidency.
Dr Bernhisel spent the afternoon of the
with me and he related some of
The Last Words of Joseph the Prophet
Brother Bernhisel had lived in the family of President Joseph Smith
for years and was with him in prison on the morning of the day
of his martyrdom. He informed me that Brother Joseph
addressed his remarks to him alone when he said "I am going
as a Lamb to the slaughter yet I shall die with a conscience
void of offence towards God and man. I feel as calm as
a summer's morning" and the expression of his countenance
showed that he was so. He added "It will yet be said
of me that he was murdered in cold blood"
Elders Little and Hardy called upon me
and spent the evening.
The papers at this time wasere stirred
up and devoted considerable attention to the affairs of the
Latter-day Saints their organizing a state government and the
election of Brigham Young as Governor.
On the I and my family
arrived at Scarborough on a visit to my wife's father and our
friends in Maine and on the we returned home again
A week later I went on board the David
Porter and sailed to Dennis on Cape Cod and next day rode
to West Harwich and held a meeting with the Saints. Most
of the brethren were out on a fishing voyage and when they
returned the following day they gave me a barrel of fat mackerel to take
home with me.
While here I administered by the laying on of
hands to an aged sister of 84 years old and she immediately arose from
her bed and commenced washing some small articles
On the I returned home
and on the Sunday held a meeting at my house.
I received a pamplet some days later entitled
Consititution of the State of Deseret with the Journal of the Convention
I left home on the took cars at
Boston and arrived at Wiliamanti that night and next day met with
the Saints in the house of brother Dan Atwood the father of Millen
Attwood who lived with President Young. He had three sons in the
Church and talked of going to the Valley in the Spring. This
branch of the Church was called the Mansfield Branch and contained
thirty five members
Three afterwards I was at New York
and on the I arrived at Philedelphia where I found Dr John
Bernhisel and we spent the night together
Next day we called at the office of Col
Kane but he was not in and on the Sunday morning I preached
to the Church at Philedelphia and in the afternoon Dr Bernhisel
gave an account of the history of the Valley. In the evening I
preached to a full house and the Spirit of God was with us.
On the I took cars for Newark. In
the cars where I was many noted members of Congress were on
their way to Washington. It was said that the Hon Henry Clay
Gen. Cass Gov. Seward Hon Mr Wilmot Truman Smith Mr
Wheeler and others were there
I took cars to Philedelphia
where I arrived on the same day and called upon Col Kane
and saw a sleigh robe presented to him by Dr Bernhisel as
a present from President Young. It contained 7 wolves skins
^10 fox skins got up with great taste^
The Celebrated J^G^erard College
This college is one of the finest buildings
I ever saw. I visited it on the . The general
design of the building is that of ^Greek^ Temple having eight
columns on each end and eleven on each side (counting the
corner columns both ways) making in all thirty four columns
The columns are 6 feet in diameter
55 feet in height and the capitals 8 feet 6 inches high 9 feet
4 inches wide on the face of the abacus. Each shaft is
channelled in 24 semicicular flutes
The net amount of marble in each
column including the base and capital is 1346 cubic feet
103 tons and the cost $12,9^9^94. The total cost of the 34
columns $51,976. Th
The exterior of the cella or body of the
building measures 111 feet wide 169 feet long and 59 feet 8 inches
high. The whole of the exterior of the building is composed
of marble of a very superior quality.
Every block of marble in the building
is set on peices of milled lead. The roof is composed of
marble tiles 4 1/2 feet long 4 feet wide 2 3/4 inches thick. Each
tile is 776 lbs and each saddle 214 lbs. The whole number
of the tiles in the roof being 2046 and of saddles 2061:
the aggregate weight of the tiles and saddles is 906 tons
Marble chimney tops and cast iron sky lights also weigh
20 tons and the lead and masonary of the gutters 43 1/2
tons making the entire weight of the roof 969 1/2 tons
The building is three stories in highth
The first and second stories are 25 feet from flour to
flour and the third 30 feet in the clear. Each story
is divided as directed by the will into 4 rooms 50 feet
square in the clear. The outside walls are four feet in thickness the
inside 3 feet. Each arch including its abutments ^co^ntains 117,000 brick
which together with the marble floor on top makes the weight suspended
over each room about 350 tons. The stairways are situated in the
fore corners of the building the spaces allotted to them being each
22 feet ^6 inches wide 26 feet 6 inches long^ long. They are all composed of white marble and are 5
feet 3 inches in width with two lea^an^dings or quarter pieces ^paces^ in each
story. The plan on which they are constructed is that of
geometrical stairs having one end of each step secured in the wall
and one edge resting on the step below. All the stair ways
as well as the landing in the upper stories are finished with rich
bold rods ^balstrades balustrades^ of cast iron and ma[h]ogany rails sprin[g]ing from many ^massive^
marble newels. The cost of these stair ways including
the balustrades was $18,500.
The following are the materials used in
the construction of the main building
| weighing | tons | |
|---|---|---|
| 177,168 cubic feet of marble | [weighing] | 13537 |
| 25139 flooring tiles | [weighing] | 409 |
| 12,134,980 Brick | [weighing] | 27,087 |
| 12, | [weighing] | 19635 |
| 21,366 cubic feet of granite | [weighing] | 1,717 |
| Wrought Iron for bands cramps &c | [weighing] | 134 |
| Cast Iron in celling of Portico | [weighing] | 142 1/2 |
| [Cast Iron] in Water Pipes | [weighing] | 18 1/2 |
| [Cast Iron] in Sky lights and inner rims | [weighing] | 18 |
| Milled le[a]d for gutters and setting marble & le[a]d for cramping | [weighing] | 48 1/2 |
| 53,720 bushels of lime | [weighing] | 1431 |
| 50,22 | [weighing] | 3292 |
| 133,646 bushels of Pit sand | [weighing] | 8759 |
| 4200 bushels of Hydraulic cement | [weighing] | 250 |
| Locks fastenings glass lumber in doors and windows &c | [weighing] | 116 |
Extract of Stephen Gerard's Will
"Secondly; I enjoin and require that no ecc[lesiastic] missionary
or minister of any sect whatsoever shall ever hold or exercise
any station or duty whatever in the said college nor shall any
such person ever be admitted for any purpose or as a visitor
within the premises appropriated to the purposes of the said
college
Copy of My Ticket
Strangers Ticket: Admit Mr Woodruff to visit the main
building of the Gerard College
Jas. J. Boswell Director Nov 28, 1849.
Speech
delivered by
Mr Copway or Koh-Ge-Ga-Gah-^bow^ Chief of the Ojewa ^Ojebwa^ nation
Before a large audience at New York
on the eve of .
Ladies and Gentlemen—American Citizens:
Of necessity my address this evening must be
short; yet I will touch upon a few prominant items which I
consider important to the subject in which I feel deeply interested
There are certain events which stand forth in bold relief of deep
interest in the history of every nation under heaven. Therefore the
history of the Indians or their present condition has also a
deep interest—an interest of greater importance than at first
presents itself to the mind of the American people. Although
it may appear to them as covered with a cloud or buried
deep from their view yet it none the less exists
Then listen to me: I have deeply
studied the situation and interest of my brethren the Red Men for years and I
have resolved to call ^aloud^ upon the white man of this nation to give ear to my
petitions.
If you do not see the Indian Orator in your midst
making a display of oratory like the white man it is not because he
has not talent but because he has not the chance to exercise it
1st: My object in visiting the United States is
to present a petition to this government that they may assist me in
concentrating the Indians together that they may live and not die. I
want Congress to grant them a portion of Territory that they can
call their own and be concentrated upon it that they may not be
driven from it any more. They once were the owners and occupiers
of the whole soil of all North America. The white man came
and removed the Indians and continually have driven them until
they can see no hope but the grave before them
I now ask in their behalf a territory to
settle them upon that they may have a permanent home forever
and come under the United States Government and become part
and parcel of the United States. In this matter I have studied
the history ^interest^ of all both the white and the red men.
1st: give them a Territory that they can
call their own where the^ir^ children can point to the graves of their
fathers and say, We can now live in peace and be driven
no more; we can visit the graves of our fathers with none to
drive us from them; and they will be inspired to engage in every
laudable untertaking that now marks the course of the white
man.
2nd You can then establish schools among
them that will be of benefit to them. They would obtain
knowledge and make a good use of it. The gospel could
then be introduced among them and they would be far more
ready to receive it when they find the white man is consistant
and willing to do them good; but when the white man
offers the Gospel to the Indians one year and the next comes and drives
him from his home and the graves of his fathers he has no faith or
confidence in either the white man or his Gospel.
3rd you can then introduce agriculture amongst
them and they will receive it for they would then see of necessity they
must cultivate the land or die. They could not depend upon game
for support and they would turn their attention to cultivating
the soil make improvements and take delight in them the
same as the white man
4th They would then be in a position
where they would be delivered from the ill consequences of
constant removing which has continually followed them for
many years. The ill consequences of removing have
been multiplied and very great. This has been one main
reason why schools have been unproductive of good among
them. This is also the reason why missionaries have
done no more more good among them
The Indians are fast decreasing and
passing away. What is the cause of all this. There are
various causes. The^ir^ constant removing is one cause
Disease which has been introduced among them by the white
man in the capacity of traders missionaries and emigrants also
also the introduction of alchohol have had a tendency to waste
them away; also wars among themselves and wars with
the white men all of which have continually wasted away
the Indian tribes
I will here remark that in the
origin of the wars with the whites the conducting of those
wars and in the treaties of peace made and broken the Indians
have been badly treated and abused by the whites
For instance some ruffian or trader
visits the Indians introduces wild fire or alcohol among
them and will get the Indian drunk and perhaps drunk
himself and will cheat them in any way he can and perhaps kill some
of them and in his career he gets killed himself. Then the cry goes forth
that the savage Indians are killing and murdering the inhabitants of
the country. It is proclaimed in all the public journals of the
Union. Yes one side of the story is proclaimed as with peals
of thunder throughout the earth; but no voice is raised in behalf
of the poor Indian. Their story is not told. The world hear
it not; they do not enquire or ask for it. But as soon as the
story of the white man is known and proclaimed to the world the
armies of war must be prepared and soldiers sent forth to drive
and kill the Indians and burn their homes and in this way the most
desolating and expensive wars have been carried on for many
years until we feel it is time for the white man to take a
different course with the Indians
As an example of the bad effects of
continually removing the Indians I would refer you to the Cherokee
nation. That people were fast improving following rapidly
in the footsteps of the white man had extensive farms and
good dwellings and continued rapidly advancing in improvements
until they were suddenly brought to a stand in their course by
being cruelly called upon by the State of Georgia to give up their
lands and go away from the graves of their fathers into the
wilderness. And thus it was that th^eir^ mighty nation instead
of receiving that support ^encouragement^ and comfort from the nation that it ought
to receive was forced by the cruel hand of oppression to bow
their heads in sorrow ^and despair^ until they shall be called to pass through
the same ordeal again to remove and remove until they are
anhilated from off the face of the earth
Oh ye white man what encouragement
do you give the Indian to plant to build to learn to cultivate
the earth or receive a religion that professes love mercy
kindness and truth while those who profess to enjoy
it deals out such deeds of oppression and cruelty upon the
heads of the red man ^men^ that it drives them to madness and despair
Let the American nation stay their hands
from this time forth in their oppression and driving of the Indians lest
they drive them beyond a point which the Indian will endure and
return a blow upon the head of the white man which will fill many
a habitation with death
Once give the Indians a Territory—a
home where they can have a full assurance that their ears or those
of their children will no more be saluted with a call to remove from
their lands then if they do not show forth a spirit of improvement
then cast them off as not worthy of your support or attention but
until then you are not justified your garments are not clear
The spirit of the age and times
demands that Congress should take immediate action upon this
matter. 1st: The Indians cannot retain their lands.
Emigration of the white men are already surrounding
them and in their midst and the richness and fertility
of the Indians' lands are a temptation to the white
man and invite him to settle thereon
2nd The Indians have too much
land more than what the^y^ need to till and cultivate
for their support.
Let there be a Territory set off
on the North West of Iowa North of Council Bluffs
on the Missouri on which there is now no white
settlement and let the Indians East of the Rocky
Mountains and in the United States be gathered
up it. Then let other Territories in the West be appropriated
and let all the Indians on the North American Continent be
collected together and lea^rn^ us to culitivate the earth. They will
soon associate themselves together and cease their wars among
themselves also with the white men. If there is not something
of this kind done the vast emigration through all the Indian
lands will soon destroy the game and then want and starvation will ensue and
this will bring on war between the white and red men
If my proposition is accepted by the American
Government and they will carry it out it will be of vast benifit both
to the Indians and the people of the United States
1st the benefit to the Indians will be: It will give
them a permanent home where schools can be established among them
and their children taught the English language. Farms can also be opened
among them and when they see they have a permanent home
for themselves and their children and they have no game to
depend upon for food they will immediately immediately go to
work and cultivate the earth like ^the^ white man. The Gospel
can then be introduced among them to a good effect and they will
receive it with thankfulness when they can be made to believe
that the hand that deals out the Gospel to them is not laying a
plan to take the advantage of them and preparing a way
to drive them from their home and country. It will not only
unite their intrest and attachment towards each other but
their regard and interest with that of the United States
The benefit to the Government is less
expenses:
1st buying their lands and paying them yearly
annuities which is costing the government immense sums of
money.
2nd: The continual transporting of Indians
from place to place. There has already been 96,000 Indians
removed by the Government
3rd: The keeping of many Indian Agents
at great expence to Government could then be dispensed with
4th: Fortifications have now to be
errected on the borders of all Indian tribes with the intention
of keeping the Indians in subjection. These would not be
needed if the Indians were in a Territory of their own for
by having their trail clear and no encroachments of the white man upon
their borders there would be no cause of war or fortifications
I am going to Washington soon to lay my petition
before the Congress of the United States and urge them to grant my
prayer for the benefit of both the white and red man
I want your aid: I want you to sign
my petition that the voice of thousands may be heard in behalf
of this petition. I want the names of legislators governors
and American citizens in general that my prayer may be
heard and answered.
Give the North Americans Indians
a home a place where the soles of their feet can rest in peace
then you will do your duty towards them and place them
in a situation where you can teach them literature agriculture
and commerce and give them the chance the white man has
and I prophesy in the name of the Lord that there will
ere long be found among them their philosophers their
Franklins and Washingtons who would do honour to
any civilized or Christian nation on the globe. But
let this nation turn a deef ear to my petitions and the
petitions of the Indians—continue to oppress them and
drive them to desperation and the hour is near when the camp
fire will be seen upon many a hill. The war hoop will
re-echo from one end of the Rocky Mountains to the other. The
Indian will then sell his life as dear as possible and deal
out death wherever an opportunity offers. When this
blow is struck it will be terrible to all. May God
forbid that such a blow should fall at all that the
scenes of bloody Bloody Brook should ever ^any^ more be
enacted
American citizens it is to ward
off this blow that I now stand before you—that I
now call upon this nation bearing a petition unto them
Will you hear my prayer? Will you give the Indian his rights?
Will you help bury the hatchet forever or will you make
a grave to bury your dead. I leave you to decide"
-[* Note: The foregoing and the following to go in the order of date.]-
th in company with Dr Bernhisel
I called upon Col Cane to have an interview with him. In
relation to petitioning Congress. He conversed with us at length
and presented his views on a government for the State of
Deseret.
Among other remarks he said "I applied
according to the wish of President Young for a Territorial
Government. I had my last sad and painful interview
with President Polk. I found he did not feel to favour
your people and had his men of his own stamp picked
out to serve as Governor and other officers who would
have oppressed you in any way to fill their own pockets
He would not appoint men from among yourselves
and I saw it absolutely necessary that you should
have officers of your own people to govern you or
you were better without any government. I had
to use my own discretion and I withdrew the petition
Synopsis of
During this year I travelled through eleven of
the United States and New Brunswick Miramichi and
Prince Edward's Island making a distance of 5040 miles
I held 92 Public Meetings.
I Baptized 11 persons
Confirmed 21
I ordained my father-in-law Ezra Carter
[top of page blank]
^^
I returned home from my travels among
the Churches around Boston on the and received
some letters among which was an Epistle from the First
Presidency from which I extract the following items:
"They have universal health -[in the Valley]-
good crops plenty to eat no sickness or death of late are
prospering on every hand are laying off three new cities
one at Brownville one at Utah Valley and one at Sandpitch
Valley 200 miles south of Salt Lake Valley ^and^ from 50 to
100 families had gone too ^there to^ for^m^ a settlement at San^pitch^
under the Presidency of Father Morley. They had organized
^in G S L. City^ the Nauvoo Legion and it would have been a source of joy
to the Saints throughout the Earth could they have witnessed
its movements on the day of its great parade and to have
seen the men ground their arms not by command but
simply by request repair to the Temple Block and with pick
and spade open the foundation for a place of worship and
errect the pilasters beams and roof so that we have now
a commodious edifice 100 by 60 feet with brick walls
where we assemble with the Saints from Sab^b^ath to Sabbath
and almost every evening in the week to teach counsel
and devise ways and means for the prosperity of the Kingdom of God
and we feel thankful that we have a better house or bowery for
public worship the coming Winter than we have heretofore had
in any Winter in this dispensation. Also the walls of the Council
House are nearly completed. The foundation is laid and
the brick prepared for an extensive storehouse and granary
and no exertions are wanting on our part to push forward
the public works as fast as tithing and means are put into
our hand."
The Presidency spoke of their great celebration
on the 24th ^of July as long to be remembered^; the establishment of the Perpetual Emigration
Fund and their resolution to send the Gospel to all the world
as soon as possible. All of the Twleve Apostles who
were in the Valley with many others had their missions
assigned to them to the nations. Elder John Taylor
accompanied by Curtis C. Bolton and John Pack were for
France; Elder Lorenzo Snow to Italy and Joseph Torento
with him. Erastus Snow to Denmark and Peter Hanson
with him; Franklin D. Richards was for England
accompanied by John S. Higby George B. Wallace, Job
Smith H. W. Church, Joseph W. Johnson Jospeph W.
Young and Jacob Gates. Elder Parley Pratt was appointed
for a western mission to the Islands in the Spring
Elder John Forsgreen was to go on a mission to Sweeden
The Epistle spoke of Elder Orson Pratt
doing a great work in England and said
"Elder Woodruff is located at Cambridgeport
and has been comforting and instructing the Saints
in Canada and the Eastern States the past year
If Elder Woodruff will gather up all the Saints in
his vicinity and come with them to this place he
will be doing a great work and will be opening a
way for a visit to those nations who have both
eyes and ears and are crying to the Elders of Israel come tell us of the
things of God for we have heard that God is with you"
The Presidency called loudly upon me to
gather up all the Saints in the Eastern country and bring them
to Zion to establish woolen and cotton factories &c.
The following is an item of the minutes
of the Conference.
On motion President Brigham Young was
sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints by unanimous vote and Heber C. Kimball as
First and Willard Richards as Second Counsellor; John Smith
as Patriarch of the whole Church and Willard Richards Historian
Orson Hyde President of the Quorum of the Twelve Parley P. Pratt
Orson Pratt Wilford Woodruff John Taylor George A. Smith
Amasa Lyman Ezra T. Benson Charles C. Rich Lorenzo
Snow Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards as members
of that quorum
On Sunday the we
had with us at our meetings at Boston Elders Wallace
Haywood and Wololey from Zion. We had a glorious time
I addressed the Saints and was followed by Elder Haywood Wololey
and Wallace who spoke much to our edification. I felt the
Spirit of God like fire shut up in my bones as I spoke
upon the things of the Kingdom of God
I was 43 years of age on the
The day after I took cars for Portland and
next day with my brothers-in-law Ezra and Ilus Carter I went
in a sleigh to Scarboro to see Father Carter whom we found
lonely and on the evening of the ^I^ returned home again
On the myself Mrs Woodruff her
brother Ilus and his wife went into Boston and had an interview
with brothers Haywood and Wolley and consulted with them
upon the purchase of a bill of goods and then assisted in purchasing a
bill of goods mostly dry good to the amount of 15.00 dollars from the
firm of Newton Eaton & co. I paid brother Wolley 245 dollars for
waggons and sundries.
Next day we purchased another bill of goods
to the amount of 15.00 dollars and another bill of crockery of 200 dollars
I received 100 dollars from M. C. Pevey and gave it to M. Cannon
to buy oxen for said Pevey.
The day following we continued our purchases
for my brother-in-law Ilus Carter until dark
On the I gave M Cannon 555 dollars
to purchase cattle for the emigration near the outfitting point. I
took 3000 lbs of stationary and books from the Eastern Depot to
long warf and put on board of the ship Beatrice also 900 lbs
of baggage for S. B. Foss.
Next day I continued with my brother-in-law
Ilus and made a bill of hardware also a bill of 600 dollars
worth of shoes
Elder Alexander Badlam arrived home today
from the gold diggings of California. He had been gone one
year and brought two thousand dollars worth of gold dust and
to me he brought as a present from several brethren in the mines
9 1/2 ounces of gold dust; and this began to fulfill onthe portion
of my Patriarchal blessing which said I should have access to
the treasures hid in the sand to assist me in my necesities
and in the gathering of many orphan children to Zion.
Elder Badlam put into my hands
200 dollars and sent from the gold mines to help Thomas Knowles
to Zion and I wrote informing him that he might get ready
to go with us. Brother Badlam besides the gold he
brought for himself had brought considerable to cheer the hearts
of several others sent to them from the mines to help them
emigrate to the Valley.
On the Professor Orson Pratt arrived
from Liverpool where he had been presiding over the British Mission
and we sat up together late conversing upon the business of the Kingdom
Next day we went into the city of Boston
together and met Erastus Snow and George B. Wallace and in the
afternoon we met with the Saints and Erastus Snow gave an
account of the dealings of the Lord with the brethren in the Valley
and concerning the cricket war which had sorely tried the people
Elder Orson Pratt followed and spoke much to our edification. He
expected to increase the Millennial Star from five thousand to
twenty thousand.
Early next morning Elder Orson Pratt
parted with me to go to New York previous to his return
to England.
I attended the trial of Professor Webster for
the murder of Dr Parkman which closed on the with a verdic
of murder in the 1st degree and sentence to be hung.
On the Elder Erastus Snow
took his departure from Boston on board the steamer bound
for Europe while we were very busy packing up and getting
ready to start for the Valley.
I held my last meeting with the Saints
in Cambridgeport on Sunday the and on the
I left Boston with my family other relatives and 100 Saints and
arrived in New York where we were joined next morning by
100 more Saints atnd at 5 o'clock P.M. we left with 209
in our company and arrived in Philadelphia in the morning
Our baggage and freight amounted to 42 thousand pounds weight
On the we arrivied at Pittsburgh
and I was visited by several steamboat captains who
wanted to take our company to St Louis and finally
I made a contract with Captain Devinney of the De Wit
Clinton to take our company to St Louis on the following
terms:
Cabin passingers $8; steerage $2 freight 20 cts per
100 pounds and he agreed to wait for our other boats to come
up. Most of us spent the night on board the section boat
I received a letter stating that the hind
boat had met with an accident and knocked a hole in her
which had detained them two days to repair.
Next day I received another letter from
the hind boat requesting us to tarry until they came
up. The second boat containing Elder Leonard Hardy
and company arrived this morning and we unloaded both
our boats weighed the baggage and put it on board the
De Wit Clinton and assigned the births to the company
Three days later our last boat
arrived and they with their baggage were got on board
making 212 souls of the Saints and 200 other passengers
Next day we started and I never
found a captain of a boat who took more pains to
make us comfortable than Captain Devinney
We arrived at St Louis
and I was soon visited by Elders Heywood and Felt
I made a contract with Captain
Baker to take up our company on the Sacramento
to Council Bluffs on the following terms. Cabin $13
deck $4 freight 50 cts per 100 lbs
The Sacramento came along side
the Clinton and took our freight on board which occupied
most of the day
I felt thankful to God that we had
arrived at St Louis in safety and no lives lost and
up to this time we had no deaths among us but this
night Sister Bird was taken sick with cholera and the
next day ^morning^ she died
We called upon the city authorities to bury her
and the sexton soon came with a coffin and we paid the last respects
to the remains of our sister
After a hard days work to get our company
and boat ready we started at dark but brothers Leonard Hardy
and Russel were left on shore they however afterwards came
down and the Captain took them in
On the we stoped about 2 hours at
Bloomfield and brother Branch went to the grave yard and
buried his child that had died of the worm fever
News met us on our way up the river
that many were coming back from the Plains and selling
out their teams and going home and so the price of oxen
was falling. They had made a rush to the mines
before any grass had grown to sustain their oxen.
We started for St Joseph's on the
and early on the morning of the word
was given for the passengers to walk on shore to lighten
the boat and some of our company with mules left for
the Bluffs and when we got ready they could not be found
It was supposed they had fainted by the way and our
Captain and others rode miles in search of them but came
back without finding them and then we started up the
river with our boat and came upon them about 5 miles
a-head
We arrived at Fort Kearney on the
morning of the and left all the passengers and freight
not bound for the Bluffs and went on to Deseret Depot
where we arrived about dark. Here I found my brother-
in-law Ilus Brother Badlam and many others. I
spent most of the night on my feet taking charge
of our baggage.
Next day I reached Kanesville
had a little time with Elder Hyde and then returned to my company
which I had left to visit Kanesville
On the I again rode to Kanesville
with Elder Badlam and Leonard Hardy spent a little time with
him and then went to Elder Hyde's where I found him and Orson
Pratt.
I spent a long evening in conversation with
these brethren of the Twelve. Elder Hyde wished me to lay
before the Presidency in the Valley the affairs of the Church
in Pottawatamie County Iowa. He wished me to say
to them that all the men of capital were leaving for the
Valley; men from the East and England and all who
were able to go were making their fit out and talking of
starting.
There was another class he said who were
able to get a fit-out in part even able to get waggons and
they were helped on by Bishop Hunter so that the poorest
part of the community alone remained
He did not think Kanesville and the
surrounding country should be broken up which would be the
case if it continued thus and wished me to lay the subject
before the Presidency with many more details that he gave
me of his views.
Elder Orson Pratt wished me to say to
the Presidency that there were many Elders in England of
power faith and talent who had to labour hard to get bread
for their familises and when Elders were sent to them from
America who could not edify them they felt it a tax upon
them and that their own Elders were more efficient in the
ministry than some of those sent unto them
On the next day according to appointment
I met in Conference with Orson Hyde Orson Pratt and the
High Council near the stand in the Grove one hour
before the General meeting. Elder Hyde addressed the Conference
in substance as follows
There was business left unfinished at
the Conference which must be closed to day. As some of
the officers were going to the valley others must be appointed
Bishop Johson was going and another Bishop must be
appointed in his place also men to visit the various
Branches who would attend the Council and carry the
Spirit of the Council to the people and bring back their
spirit to them. Joseph Young and Benjamin
Clapp who were appointed last year were not with them
at all either in body or spirit and whenever they did
attend a Council Joseph Young could not stay until
he went away. We will let that pass over we will
let them go.
Elder Hyde also remarked that it was
necessary to make arrangements to receive the poor
that had of late arrived among us. I have given
Counsel through the Guardian for the poor not to
come here and some have contrary to this counsel
through misguided zeal counselling them to come and
such must bear the consequences of it
It was afterwards voted that
a Bishop be appointed to take the place of Bishop Johnson
and that Elder Stoddard be appointed to travel among
the Churches and call such men to his aid as he
needed. Three men were appointed as committe
to locate the poor
We then reparedired to the stand
before the congregation and each item of business
was presented to the people and Elder Hyde made
many remarks upon each item as it came along
and gave counsel to the people
In the afternoon Elder Orson Pratt preached and related the
progress of the work in England of the thousands who were coming into
the Church the publications from the Millennial Star office and the
opposition manifesting. He was followed by Elder Woodruff.
The speaker said he had baptized while on this
mission about 200 souls. As to the poor coming to Kanesville
he had received counsel from the First Presidency to streach out his
arms and gather all he possibly could to Zion and when the
Lord told him to do anything or he received counsel through the
proper source he went at it with all his might. He
had laboured hard to gather out the people according to the
instruction given him. One company started from Philadelphia
under Elder Gibson and he himself had started from Boston
on the 9th instant with a company of 209 which was
increased at St Louis to 225. There are ^were^ a few
poor who had come with him who were not able to go
through and if in his zeal to carry out the instructions
of the Presidency he had been instrumental in causing more
of the poor to come to Kanseville than ought to have come
it was an error of the head not of the heart.
In outfitting the brethren paid from
$45 to $80 per yoke for oxen.
On the my brother-in-law
Illus Carter returned from St. Joseph's and had purchased 19
yoke of oxen and two horses for his merchandize train
for Salt Lake City
After the usual preparation and
labour of outfitting we commenced to cross to^he^ Mo. River
on the and the next day I received instructions
from Elder Hyde to organize our company whether they
were few or many. I could not organize it in full
until I had crossed the river
We camped on Rattlesnake Hill
on the but the woods bushes and rattlesnakes made it bad
for herding; but t^T^wo days later we left and journeyed onward five
miles where we laid several days.
On the I called the camp together
and organized them as follows:
Robert Petty was appointed captain of the Hundred
Leonard W. Hardy captain of the 1st Fifty
Edson Whipple Captain of the Second Fifty
Joseph Hall Captain of the First Ten
James ^Currier^ Captain of the second Ten
Miner Atwood Captain of the 3rd Ten
^Brother^ Gardner Captain of the 4th Ten
[blank] Captain of the 5th Ten
[blank] Captain of the 6th Ten
Remarks were made by Wilford Woodruff concserning the
order of the camp and regulations for our journey strongly
opposing drinking swearing gambling whipping oxen &c
Ilus F. Carter had ten waggons of
merchandize and was appointed captain over them but
in consequence of ^illness and^ the lateness of the season he concluded to
return home so we made out the report of our organization
and sent it by him to Elder Hyde
My brother-in-law Ilus F Carter
left in my possession his train of merchandize which
with my own gave me 12 waggons 27 yoke of oxen 30
cows teamsters &c under my personal care besides
the whole company to care for generally and this afforded
plenty of labour and anxiety. Several of the teamsters
were also not bretheren and they were more difficult to
manage and during the journey they manifested much of
the spirit of the devil and tried to make disturbance
in the camp. They were gold diggers. Their object was
to ctake addvantage of ^our^ situation and compel us to pay higher wages
I told them they might leave and discharged their ringleader
and the rest became more humble; but finally we had to cast them out
On the th Bro. Samuel Smith
died of cholera. He was aged 43 and two days later Capt
Joseph Hall having drank of slough water freely died after
12 hours sickness. We all felt his loss for he was very
useful to the camp
we dug his grave but 4 men of
his company had made a covenant that should any of their
ten die on the road they would not bury them the same
day and so they remained with the body and the camp
continued and met a company of brethren from the Valley
with the mail. Brother ^Robert L^ Campbell had charge of it. We
parted from them
On the Matilda Hardy died
and on the Lucy Johnson and Mrs
Snow and some days later Emily Huntington died. There
were deaths more or less in all the camps this season
and we passed their newly made graves. ^On the in the Platte
I baptized 14 persons & confirmed them.^
While our teams were crossing a a slough
on the th a terrible thunderstorm burst the lightning
struck into our midst frightened many persons and cattle
killed 3 oxen and one man ^Brother Ridge from^ dead. He was brother Ridge
from Lane End Staffordshire. He and his team were
killed.
Stampede
On the of July the 1st division of our camp
was called to pass through one of those scenes so much
dreaded by ^all^ emigrant companies—namely, a stampede.
^of all^ All the oxen with the families
and waggons of the first division with the exception
of the ten baggage waggons which were in the rear s
No person who has not witnessed one of these
terrific scenes can form any correct idea of them and it is almost
impossible to give an adequate description of it.
Behold 30 or 40 ox teams with from
2 to 5 yoke of cattle in each team attached to a family waggon
of goods women and children all in an instant like the twinkling
of an eye become frantic and all dart off with lightning speed
running their own way bellowing rolling and tumbling over
each others waggons upsetting smashing their wheels ax[l]es and
tongues upsetting ^spilling^ the goods women and children for the next
teams to trample under feet as they roar and charge along
with their yokes bows and chains flying in every direction.
Such is a stampede and the scene is not easily immagined
^n^or described
Our stamped commenced in the
following manner:
While my son Wilford was getting on
to his horse William Murphy ^struck the horse with a whip and^ started ^him^ his horse into a
run and Wilford's horse ^was^ flung him over his head on to
the ground the saddle ^was turned^ under his ^the horses^ belley and he ran away
and as he approached one of the waggons Mr Cannon's
team became frantic and started off with great spead
In a moment 20 or 30 teams followed the example and
the whole encampment apparantly was rushing into the
jaws of Death.
I was by my carriage when this
commenced. In my carriage which was drawn by a
fine black steed were Rhoda Foss and Susan Woodruff
and we were at the head of the company.
I saw Mrs Woodruff rush into the
midst of the scene when she was in danger of her life every
instant with many other women and children. I told
Rhoda to let my horse run into the Bluffs and to do the best she could
and then I gave him a cut to start him into a run and left them
to their chance and the care of Providence and rushed into the
midst of the stampede to try to save the life of my wife and
as many others as possible but I had hard work to save my
own life
Mrs Woodruff soon found an opening
and fled out of the midst of the scene. Brother Petty's two
waggons were turned over. My family waggon with 4
yoke of oxen ran over one of his and a waggon ran over
one of his children. Prescott Hardy was knocked down
by his own team and badly wounded in the thigh and arm
Wherever I saw women or children in danger I did what
I could to rescue them but only little can be done at such
times except for each to dodge the best he can and save
his or her life if possible
When I found I could do no more for
the encampment in general I ran forward to see what
state my carriage, family, waggon and family were
in. I found my noble horse still running
but on three legs. Rhoda was knocked out of the
carriage and Susan was lying flat upon the bottom
of the carriage with her feet hanging out between the
wheels and she was screaming alloud. I hollowed
for her to hold on until I came and she did so until
I caught the horse by the bit and stoped him and
rescued my daughter
One of the ox teams had run on to
the horse and carriage bent one of the ax[l]es smashed
one of the horse's legs to pieces and knocked my
wife's sister ^niece^ Rhoda out of the carriage
As soon as I got the horse out of
the carriage I went through the encampment to see who
was killed or maimed; but was astonished to find that no one was
killed and only one badly wounded and but little damage done
either to the oxen or waggons. It was a miracle that so
many escaped. I had to shoot my horse however to put
him out of his misery. This was very painful to me
but I was thankful that my wife children and the company
were preserved so providentially
On the we lost 20
head of cattle and I started out on the journey all who were able
to go and the rest of us went out to hunt cattle. I found
them in the Bluffs and drove them into camp and as the
men were out hunting cattle with the assistance of the
women and children I drove the encampment on and
when the men returned they found us gone and followed
and overtook us
We got along well until we came
to the tremendious bluffs in Ash Hollow. Here my
teamsters Watts and Bess both smashed each a hind
wheel to pieces and broke every spoke out. I worked
until eleven o'clock at night to get the broken waggons
into camp and failing left them by the way side
and walked into Ash Hollow wearied out
The next day was spent in
setting tires and mending waggons and the following
day being Sunday we held meeting and I advised
Elders Hardy and Petty to go on with the first division
and I would stop and mend up and keep some of
the second division with me. This counsel was
heard with great surprise by the First Division and they
did not feel to leave me but after much reluctance
the next day they left me behind according to my
counsel and journeyed onward.
After 2 days tarry setting 80 tires
putting new spokes into two wheels making new tongues &c we
started on and camped with brother Whipple who went the day
before. We then made two divisions of our company
and Elders Whipple and Gardner were organized with me.
The 3rd Division had 26 waggons and the 2nd 18. We made
this division to forward us on our journey
After the usual toilsome journey hunting of
lost cattle dying of cattle incidents with the Indians &c we neared
Great Salt Lake City on the I drove into the
City at the head of the company and was glad to gaze once
more upon the Valley of the Mountains—the New Home
of the Saints. I met with Elder George A Smith
and many others and I drove to the two rooms which I
had made while in the Valley before. President Young
had come out to meet me the day previous but he
returned and I did not see him
The sickness and deaths in our
company occurred in the earlier part of the journey when
besides those named Captains Petty and Hardy were
very ill and myself and family had some little sickness
with the rest; but on the whole the journey was
performed with but few casualties of such a journey
and moderate mortality.
I set about arranging my affairs
and those of the company concerning our stock &c during
the first days after our arrival in Salt Lake city
On the I met in council
with Presidents Young Kimball and Richards and P. P.
Pratt George A. Smith and others. President Young
was sick in bed. The subject was discussed of
establishing a trading company to do business for
the Church instead of letting the Gentiles come in
and gut the Church. We adjourned until .
I met in council with the Presidency and Twelve
according to adjournment and it was thought best for me to open the
goods with Heywood and Walley.
On the I moved my log cabins from
the old Fort on to my lot joining the Temple^-Block^
Next day was Sunday and I met
with the Saints in the Bowery and was called upon to address
the meeting. I spoke of my mission to the East and related
a dream. I dreamt of dying and going to the place of
departed spirits. I saw brothers Joseph and Hyrum Smith
and many of the Saints who had died. They all appeared
to be in a hurry and I thought it strange to find them
so. I enquired the cause and was informed that the
time was set for Christ to come as the Great Bridegroom
and they had not time to prepare as those in other dispensations
and they had to be in a hurry in order to get ready. ^When^
Next Sunday George A Smith
address the meeting upon the words of Saul when he returned
from battle, "Obedience is better than sacrifice["] [1 Samuel 15:22] He spoke
much upon the subject of tithing and was followed by
President Young who told the people the consequences of
neglecting this duty.
I met in council with the Presidency
in the upper room and had prayers before the Lord and
I read to them the speech of Mr Copway the Indian Chief
and also the views of Col. Kane upon the Government of
Deseret which I had recorded in my daily journal
The Presidency on reconsidering the
affairs which I had to settle for my brother-in-law Ilus Carter
thought it wise for me to sell out his merchandize myself
and so I commenced to sell on the Monday morning and
the people crowded hard around my waggon to buy suggar
coffee &c as they had not had a supply in the Valley
I attended the funeral of Elder Joseph Stratton
next day and Elder Parley P. Pratt preached his funeral sermon.
On the following Sunday I attended meeting
with the Twelve and Presidency and met with the Regency and much
was said in relation to schools &c.
And thus continued the several weeks
following attending to my temporal affairs selling out merchandize
preparing for the Winter going to the Kanyon and meeting
with the Presidency and Twelve.
On the I met with the
Legislature. Governor Brigham Young had requested me
to meet with them and wished me to become a member of
the Senate.
Elected to the Senate
I met again to day with the Legislature of the State
of Deseret. The House of Representatives and Senate
sat in joint session. As there were two vacancies
in the Senate by the death of Bishop Newel K. Whitney
and Cornelius P. Lott the Governor appointed Wilford
Woodruff and Charles C. Rich to fill their places in
the Senate. I was also appointed by the Lieu Governor
as Chairman of the Committee on Counties in the place
of George A Smith who delivered his farewell address
to the Senate and had taken his departure to act
as Chief Justice of Iron County. Many bills came
up to day and passed the Legislature.
Sunday the I attended
meeting at the Bowery and heard an interesting discourse
from President Young. His text was truth
his subject salvation his circuit the world
He said we see the child seeking the knife fork
poison ^raizor^ or something to hurt itself with: so with many of
the Saints and Elders. They seek for that which is
not good for them and they know it not. Many seek
for things which tend to death and not life. He
spoke of the desire of some to go to the mines their
use of tobacco and spirits &c.
On the last of the year I met with
the Presidency and Council of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company
and was appointed by the President a member of that body
and gave bonds to the sum of ten thousand dollars for the
faithful performance of my duty as a member of that body
according to the rules governing the Council. Abraham
O. Smoot and Leonard W. Hardy were my bondsmen
Thus ended another year the former
part of which was occupied on my mission in preparing
for my return to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake
and in gathering up the Saints the middle months in
our journey homeward and the latter end of the year
in the necessary business of daily life and prepairing
for winter and in a Ministerial and public capacity
Patriarchal Blessing
of
Aphek Woodruf
Given by Patriarch John Smith upon his head
Brother Aphek:
Beloved of the Lord—I lay
my hands upon thy head in the order of the Priesthood and
notwithstanding thy great age I seal upon thee a father's
blessing
Inasmuch as thou has obeyed the
Gospel with full purpose of heart left thy native land disregarding
persecution thou hast passed through many trials and difficulties
thy faith hath not failed, thou art determined to persevere
in the ways of truth and righteousness and thy name is
written in the Lamb's Book of Life and is not to be blotted
out.
The Lord will grant unto thee every blessing
which your heart desires for thou art a lawful heir to
the Priesthood of the blood of Ephraim which Priesthood
shall be confered upon you in its fulness in due time
Thou shalt have power to heal the sick in thine house
and do any miracle that was ever done by man in
the name of Jesus when it is necessary for the salvation
of Israel
Thy posterity shall become numerous
upon the earth and shall fill a station in the house
of Israel which shall endure unto the end of time
The days of your years shall be
according to the desire of your heart even to see Israel
gathered and Zion established in peace in the earth
Thou shalt have health peace and
plenty while you dwell in the flesh. Thou art called
to do much good in instructing the Saints even to preach
the Gospel not only while you live but beliyond the veil, shalt
gather thousands of the remenants of the house of Israel and
bring them to a knowledge of the resurrection of the dead
Thou shalt live many years and see
much good accomplished among the Saints, be satisfied with
life come up in the resurrection with thy former companions
and all thy father's house to inherit a kingdom which
shall endure for ever and ever: Amen.
Our sister Sarah B. Foss and her family
also received their Blessings at the same time. Myself
and wife Phebe W. Woodruff had both, (she in 1836 and I in 1837)
received our blessings under the hands of Joseph Smith sen.
father of Joseph the Prophet and First Patriarch in this Dispensation
presiding in that office. These Patriarchal Blessings of
myself and wife Phebe W. will be found recorded in the earlier
part of my histroy and they were now recorded together with
my father's and wife's sister and family into the Church records
of Patriarch John Smith who at this time also blessed
my wife Phebe W.
Before commencing to bless, Father
John Smith made some remarks upon the subject. He said
he considered the mark spoken of by Ezekiel set in the
forehead of the righteous by the one having the writers
ink-horn by his side to be the Patriarchal Blessings and
seal in the last days [Ezekiel 9:2-4] and John the Revelator had the same
thing in view when he spoke of the one hundred and forty
and four thousand sealed out of the Twelve tribes of Israel [Revelation 7:4]
He also spoke of the blessings of Abraham Isaac and Jacob
to their children the Patriarchs
Synopsis
of
Wilford Woodruff
for
I travelled through fourteen of the United States
organized a company of 209 Latter day Saints and
led them through the States and across the Plains ato the
Rocky Mountains into the Valley of the Great Salt
Lake City making a distance of 4617 miles
I held Public Meetings 32.
Baptisms Etc.
I baptized 14 persons confirmed 14 and administered unto
twenty sick persons.
Councils With the Presidency & Twelve
I attended with the Presidency and Twelve Councils 5
Senate of the State of Deseret
I was appointed a member of the senate of the State of
Deseret and sat in joint session with the Legislature
five days
Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company
I was appointed a member of the Council of the Perpetual
Emigrating Association and met with them in three councils
Regency of the University of Deseret.
I was appointed one of the Regency of the
University of Deseret
Letters
I received 126 letters and wrote 172.
Thus ended my labours and the events of my
personal history during the year and the Saints in the
Valleys of the Mountains had been greatly blessed and prospered
and had been fast building up their cities
[top of page blank]
On the first of I met with the
14th Ward of the City of Great Salt Lake to dedicate a new
school house which we had built for the purpose of schooling
our children. Elder Parley P. Pratt delivered a very interesting
address on the occasion and took for a text, "The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom.["] [Proverbs 9:10] He was followed by President
Richards in a few remarks and the dedication prayer after
which remarks were made by W. Woodruff W. W. Phelps
and Bishop Murdock
We met again at 2 o'clock and it was
moved and carried that Wilford Woodruff deliver a discourse
from the text "Bought wit is the best if you do not buy
it too dear." I addressed the meeting briefly. The
evening was spent in recreation under the direction of
the Bishop of the Ward.
I met with the Regency at the School
House on the when remarks were made by the
^Chancellor Orson Spencer^ concerning the classifying
of the scholars of this city. Much was said upon
the subject.
I also attended in the evening a meeting with the
President and Board of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company
Edward Hunter laid an account of his summer's labour before
the board and his report and labours were accepted.
On the I met with the Legislature
of the State of Deseret. The Supreme Court was in session
Two men were tried on the Saturday previous for stealing cattle
and two other men were brought in chains for breaking into
stores and stealing money
The Legislature opened by prayer
after the adjournment of the Court, business commenced and
reports of committees were heard
a code of criminal laws were
presented to the Legislature and scanned closely through the
day without ^the^ assembly passing one section of the bill
The Governor made some interesting remarks to his council
in the evening
The Legislature met again on the morrow
and both houses sat in joint session. The criminal
code of laws was re-taken up and during the day there were
many interesting debates upon the subject from many members
of both houses. The Governor in his remarks said
the law was written in their hearts and it was difficult
to put it upon paper and even in criminal cases it
should be left much to the discretion of the Court. Only
three sections of the Bill passed during the day.
On Sunday the President
Young spoke upon the subject of swearing or taking the
name of God in vain. A covenant was thereupon
made by the whole congregation to put down swearing
throughout the city and State. The President said
that any righteous man who heards any of his ^any of my^ children
take the name of God in vain he might whip them until he was
satisfied
On the I met with the Legislature
and they passed several sections of the criminal code and during
the next two days other sections were passed and the criminal
code finished on the
was spent in the Legislature
We had an interesting speech from Councillor Orson Spencer
followed by one from Governor Young
Joseph Young President of the Seventies
appointed a two days meeting of the Seventies which opened
on the at 10 o'clock. After the opening of this
conference of the Seventies Joseph Young called those who
were to be ordained as members of that body to come forward
when 104 came forward and were taken into the State House
and ordained under the hands of the Presidency of the Seventies
They then returned to the congregation which was large and the
assembly was addressed through the day and evening by
many persons. The Spirit of God rested upon the
congregation.
Sunday the the people assembled
in a vast body. The Presidency, Twelve and Seventies
were in their places. The meeting was opened as usual
and then the congregation was addressed by Joseph Young
Lorenzo Young and George Grant and then President Brigham
Young followed.
President Young informed the Saints
that the time had come to begin to prepare to build a
Temple and the people must pay their tithing and he requested
the Presidents of every quorum to take the names of every
member of their quorum and they should sign a paper and
covenant to pay their tithing and they who would not do it
should be cut off from the Church.
He said "tThe ground wants to be laid off for a Temple
and Garden and materials prepared this season. A font wants to
be built and the endowments commence as soon as possible.
Those who went through the Temple at Nauvoo know but very
little about the endowments. There was no time to learn
them and what little they did learn they have most of them
forgotten."
Many other interesting remarks were made
by the President and he called upon the congregation to raise
their right hand towards heaven as a token and covenant that
they would help him build a Temple. This was done
unanimously
President Kimball next spoke and sustained
President Young speaking much to our edification and he was
followed by Elder Parley P. Pratt who spoke lengthily and to
much interest
The meeting in the afternoon was
addressed by E. T. Benson Amasa Lyman and Wilford
Woodruff.
During the day Truman O Angel presented
to the congregation a plan of the Seventies Hall about to be
built. There were 30 others ordained to the Seventies
to day.
After the General meetings the Presidency
and Twelve met in council and heard all the ordinances
read over that had been passed during the present Legislature
and next day the Presidency with several of the Twelve started
on a mission to Brownsville
Returning on the from my trip
to Cottonwood and elsewhere I learned that some brethren had
arrived from California bringing a mail with them bearing
the news that Brigham Young was
Appointed our Governor
There was great rejoicing in the Valley that the Government of the
United States had given in ^as^ a Governor ^the man of our choice.^
President Young had gone North and was
within 15 miles of the city. The band and an escort went out to
meet him and on their arrival in the city a salute of 10 guns
was given him; and fireworks &c also celebrated his appointment
as our Governor. I shook hands with him at his house
and spent the evening with him and his council there.
A Pretended Elijah In the City
Sunday the the congregation
met in the Bowery and Mr Bateman requested the privelege
of addressing the meeting in behalf of Elijah the Prophet whom
he said was in the city.
President Young made some remarks
before he spoke and then Bateman addressed the meeting
nine minutes.
President Young followed and said:
"We have heard what Bateman had to say but he has
brought forth nothing.
"Many have arisen in these last days
professing to be Elijah the Prophet but they have brought
forth nothing of interest to the people.
Will any one tell me what the office
of Elijah the Prophet was to be to the earth when he came
The answer is to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers
and the fathers to the children lest I come and smite the ^whole^ earth
with a curse. [Malachi 4:5-6] The answer is right. In what way is this
to be done? By sealing upon the head of the Prophet Joseph
those keys to remain in the Church and Kingdom of God
until the winding up scene.
The Elders of this Church know those
keys were sealed upon the head of Joseph Smith and still remain in the
Church. What are they to accomplish? As the Saints could not
be perfect in former days without the Latter-day Saints neither
can we be perfect without our fathers who have died for many
generations and those keys of Eli^jah^ confered upon the President
of the Church are to seal the fathers to their children and the children
to the fathers and to assist in welding the great link connecting
every gospel dispensation [Doctrine and Covenants 128:15]
I see the wheat growing in this dispensation
ripening for the harvest. I see the tares also growing for the
burning. I saw too the wheat and tares grow on together:
I saw the goats and sheep both go ahead unto the end.
The Saints of God are increasing in
knowledge fast but they have got to be a hundred times better,
wiser and advance in knowledge before the end.
I have watched the windings and progress
of this people and the Spirits that surround them. I have seen
many rise as it were to heaven and in a moment of temptation
fall down to hell and loose their hopes of Glory. I know the
spirits of men and the invisible spirits that affect men and operate
upon them better than I do the faces of men
I want to speak a little upon natural
philosophy. We sow the grain. It dies—rots in the ground
and then it brings forth a hundred fold. The elements which
surround us produce these effects. If we had a correct knowledge
of the elements and know how to control and seperate them we
could make bread as well out of the elements as Jesus did
when he fed the multitude. [Matthew 14:15-21] The day will come when
we can go a journey without taking any food with us. We
shall then have power to make it as we go along"
Many other interesting remarks were
made by the President. Amasa Lyman followed
At the close of the meeting President
Young invited all the Twelve to come and dine with him. We did
so and feasted on a fine large turkey supposed to be the first ever
killed and eat in the Valley.
Captain Hunt met with us at Dr Richards
office in the evening and made a report of William's Ranch, Ssaid
he wanted to sell to our people. A company was to be
organized to go down and settle a stake or colony and to purchase
the Ranch
On the
I met with the quorum of the
This record was since the filling
up of the quorum in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake
and it contained many items of interest
After the Record was read and
remarks made it was moved and carried that the Record
of the Twelve Apostles be put into the hands of Wilford
Woodruff to be kept by him^;^ and for him record such facts
as was necessary.
We then appointed a meeting for the
Twelve each Monday night
According to adjournment the
Legislature met on the to transact business for the
State.
An ordinance was passed granting to the
community a liberal charter protecting them in their religious
rights.
During the passage of this ordiance the
Governor said "We do not want the Church to pass laws to
punish crime but only to try members on Church fellowship. If the
members shall transgress the laws of the land turn them over to the
laws of the land; but we want to protect the Church in their rights of
worship and so we will every other sect that comes here.
When the kingdoms of this world become the
Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will they all be
members of the Church of Jesus Christ and obey the Gospel?
No not one eighth part of them. No more than a telestial
kingdom is a celestial one and they stand in about the same
relation one to the other.
If a society of Shaking quakers were to
come here and settle in this Valley and wanted a charter to be
protected in their worship let us give them one and if they
think it right not to marry a woman let them live without
it and not compel them to it
So if the Latter-day Saints wish to have
more wives than one to live holy and raise up holy seed unto
the Lord let them enjoy that privilege
Now the Gentile Christian nations
and Legislatures guard very strictly against passing any laws
to do away with whoredoms but they will make it almost
death for a man to have two wives but they will have
as many whores as they please and they think this is all right
but for a righteous man to have several wives like Abraham
Isaac and Jacob David and others to raise up holy seed unto
the Lord who will keep themselves pure before God they think
this is an awful sin. But if I had power I would take
all good virtuous females from all wicked corrupt adulterous
husbands and give them to holy men of God that they may
raise up seed unto the Lord
I have more wives than one. I have
many and I am not ashamed to have it known. Some
deny in the States that we have more wives than one
I never deny it. I am perfectly willing that the people of Washington should
know that I have more than one wife; and they are pure before the Lord
and are approved of in his sight. I have been commanded of
God to pursue this course."
Many other interesting remarks were made
by the Governor.
On the the subject of distilling spirits
in the Valley was before the Legislature. Many arguments
were brought up on both sides. The Governor thought
we should learn to handle and controle all the evils and that
we ought to be able to controle ardent spirits
Several days later I went to Toille ^Toollie^
Valley with Leonard Hardy & ^Bro^ Celey upon business of my
cattle &c and returned on the and thus I was from
time to time during the intervals of the more public events of
my life which I note engaged in attending to my temporal
affairs getting rock from the Kanyon building my house leaving
home for various buisness purposes &c
I was in council with Presidency
and Twelve on Sunday the and the President said he
was affraid there would be a spirit with Amasa Lyman
to build up William's Ranch and loose sight of this
"Remember" he said to brother Rich "if this is the case I
have seen the bud of it"
On the I was with the
President and others at the Council House preparing a room
for our council.
I spent the in council in the
uper room of the Council House and we had a good time
My father Aphek Woodruff was ordained to the office of
High Priest under the hands of Heber C. Kimball and
Wilford Woodruff. ^at this time^
The came and I
was 44 years of age on that day.
Sunday was the and Parley
P. Pratt delivered to the assembly his farewell address previous
to his leaving upon his mission to ^South America.^
The Sunday following Jedediah M. Grant
spoke well on prayer faith industry and other matters and
was followed by President Kimball
During the intermission President Young
Kimball and the Twelve called upon Brother Richards, and his sister
Rhoda lay at the point of death. We administered unto her
and President Young said she should live and not die at this
time.
In the afternoon President Brigham Young
addressed the congregation upon the subject of building the
Temple Tithing & labour on the public works. He said
if every man was willing to do what was right there would
be no nead of tithing. He would not be responsible
personally for the labour of every man on the public works
If the people paid their tithing the workmen would
get their pay. If we build Temples public
works or fit out missionaries to go abroad or feed the
poor it had to be by the tithing of the people
He also spoke to^of^ the merchants and
said that if they did not get their pay from those whom
they trust they were not to turn round up the Presidency
and Church for it.
Last Session
of the
Legislature of the State of Deseret.
On this day the Legislature of the State of
Deseret met in joint session for the last time and after closing the
business of the day the Assembly was disolved as a Territorial Government
was about to be established
On the President Young and many others
left the city to visit the brethren South. I rode to Bro Kingtons
and spent the night with him; and next day prepared myself
to go on the journey with Ezra T. Benson. He came along
in the morning and I went with him to A. O. Smoots and
joined Presidents Young and Kimball and we started on our
journey
We had in our company 20 waggons
and about 40 men on our visiting trip 250 miles to our southern
brethren and ^to^ comfort their hearts. I thought there never was
a company of the same number who ever left as much
business to go on a visit as we did.
An Account of our Journey South.
After we left brother Smoots we crossed the
mountain into Utah Valley and camped for the night. This
was the first time I ever was in Utah Valley. I found it
to be a spendid valley of land
The company went on in the morning
and I rode to the Fort on the North West side of the Lake
dined with some friends on some fine trout and then rode
to our encampment on the Provo Fort
Next day I rode to Brother ^Behannan^
and spent several hours with him at Hobble Creek. I here
found Walker the Utah chief with his band. This was the
first time I ever saw him. I thought him an ugly
cunning looking chief.
Next day I rode with Brother Wells across the battle
ground where the Indians fought our brethren with brother Welliams as
the le^ader^ of the Saints. He gave me an interesting account of
the battle.
We rode to Pet^etinck^ Creek where we met
the ox teams who were appointed to go to Iron County. We travelled
to Summit Creek and camped for the night.
In the evening a meeting was called to
organize the camp. Brother Wells was our captain
Brigham Young President and H. C. Kimball W. Woodruff
E. T. B^enson^ ^Benson^ and Joseph Young councillors.
President Young while speaking of the
ressurrection said that we should receive the same bodies that
we lay down even if our dust was blown to the four winds
of heaven.
When we came in sight of San Pete
settlement three days later we were saluted by the fireing
of cannon and waving of flags. We were receieved with
much warmth by Father Morely and the people in general
There were at this time about one hundred famlies in
San Pete. They were farming had a school house
and had commenced a Council House &c
I called upon Brother Brown Captain
Jones and other friends.
We held a meeting in the evening and
Brigham Young addressed the people. His beliefe ^It was his belief^ that
the earth would not have produced for the Gentiles as it
had done for us and if we had faith and power with God
to have the curse taken off^;^ as well as ^instead of^ the sage brush and
useless shrubs, we should have the apple pear peach
grape and every good fruit, but if this people do not take
a different course from what they do in some things their
blessings will prove a curse."
Elders Kimball and Woodruff followed President
Young in remarks to the people.
High Council Chosen at Sanpete
We met this day for the purpose of organizing a High
Council. There were twelve men chosen and ordained to be
High Councillors and 4 were ordained to be High Priests under
the hands of E. T. Benson and W. Woodruff. The meeting
was then addressed by John and Lorenzo Young and in
the afternoon by W. Woodruff E. T. Benson and J. M Grant.
Next day we left
Sanpete in the afternoon travelled 6 miles and camped on
South Creek and we camped on Salt Creek
Kanyon and on the we went three miles up the
Creek to explore it. We visited one mountain of rock
salt pure and clean and the body was more than 40
feet high and so hard it was difficult to cut it with an
axe. We also saw plenty of the quartz rock and
isinglass. We rode to the Severe and camped
on it's banks and shot one deer while it was swiming
the Creek
we crossed the Severe rode
25 miles through sage and camped on Cottonwood wells ^Bro Wells^
and explored the other Kanyon but could not get through
we crossed the mountain into
Maryvale and three days later travel and ^with^ a pleasant morning
brought us into a beautiful romantic mountain scenery
a gentle breeze and the air clear serene and healthy
But we were met
with a tremendious snow and hail storm in our faces
and we suffered much therefrom. We started early
before breakfast hoping to get down off the mountain out of the storm,
and travelled 25 miles before we stoped to eat. We came in sight of
the Valley of Little Salt Lake about noon drove down into a
Kanyon made a fire warmed ourselves took dinner and then
descended into the Valley over a rough road of rock and sage
drove to Red Creek and camped for the night
We had passed over the worst road for the
few days past that I ever knew waggons to go over for we had
to draw our waggons up and let them down with ropes the
road was so sideling and we had to hold our waggons up to
keep them from turning over.
We camped within 4 miles of Ceder City
and during the evening George A. Smith and two other brethren
came down to see us. We found Red Creek a good
place for a settlement.
We took breakfast next morning and then
started for Ceder City and we were met on the way by George
A. Smith and a company of horsemen who came out to
escort us in. When we arrived we were saluted by the
fireing of cannon and the flag of the Stars and Stripes
We took up our abode among the brethren in the Fort
Brother Benson and myself stoped with Bishop Robinson
We found the brethren had done much
since their arrival in Ceder Valley. They were about 100
men had been there ^three^ months had enclosed a fort containing
19 acres and 96 rods of ground ploughed and sown about
1000 acres with wheat fenced 600 acres of land built a
saw mill and had got a Council House up the first story
The next day was Sunday but as it was
a stormy day George A Smith addressed the people for a short
time and dismissed them
A company started out on the Monday
to examine the coal and iron but the President and
Council remained in Fort to hold a council meeting and do such business
as was necessary
A meeting was called at 4 o'clock to ascertain the
minds of the brethren. It was found that about 30 wished to go
home 15 to get their families and the other 15 to remain at
Great Salt Lake City. Each one made his excuse.
President Young then addressed them and
said he would express his feelings upon the subject to those who
wished to go home.
"If you were now on a mission to France
England or any other part of the earth preaching the Gospel
you would not sit down and counsel together about going
to get your families or going home until your mission was
ended. This is of quite as much importance as preaching
the Gospel for the time ^h^as now come when it is required of
us to make the wilderness blossom as the rose. Our mission
is now to build up stakes of Zion and fill these mountains
with cities and when your mission is ended you are at
liberty to go and be free but only do right
"When I go on a mission I leave my
affairs in the hands of God. If my house fields flocks
wife or children die in my absence I say Amen to it;
if they live and prosper I feel to say Amen to it and thank
the Lord"
President Young wished the brethren
to finish the fort and secure the grain &c, and to survey
the land so that the brethren who laid the foundation
could have the choice of farms.
On the morrow the brethren assembled
again and E. T. Benson addressed them in the morning
and in the afternoon the people were addressed by
John Young J. M. Grant and W. Woodruff and then
President Young followed and advised to have the logs
so close that arrows could not be shot into the Fort. He wished the
boundries of the city to be altered on the charter as there was a mistake,
also that the name was to be altered from Ceder city to the Indian
name Parowan.
Next day we rode to Red Creek to see
the country. We had a feast at Brother Baylis' house and our
exploring party returned from the coal and iron mines and brought
specimens and on the following day we rode to Summit
Creek where we could view the country 10 miles from the
Fort South. We concluded to return home on the morrow
On the the day on which we had concluded
to return we met the citizens to agree upon electing officers
President Young said he cared nothing about the feelings of the
nation who had driven us out. We should not follow in the
path of the political foolery. We should have one candidate
and but one as delegate to Congress. We can speak our
feelings freely here but when we vote let it be for the
candidate of our choice. Should we have two candidates
and they have about equal votes the United States would know
we had appostatized from our faith and union or the^at^ we
were trying to decieve them. We shall stand better in their
eyes to take our own indipendant course and act united^ly^.
If we have but one track the Saints will walk on it: if
we had two tracks there would be plenty of devils to run
on them. If we begin right we shall go right we
shall go right if we begin wrong we shall go wrong^.^
The United States are affraid of our union and so
is all the world
I^n^ speaking of the Indians he said
these Indians are the descendants of the old Gadianton
robbers who infested the mountains for more than
a thousand years
We dined together in the city of
Parowan and then left amid the roar of cannon and drove to Red
Creek and camped for the night. About 30 of the citizens returned
with us for Salt Lake City
On the we arrived at Great Salt Lake
City. One hundred horsemen came out to meet us and we
entered the city with the roar of cannon saluting our return
Our journey had been 500 miles.
Next day was Sunday. The people
assembled in the Bowery and filled the place and President Young
addressed the assembly relating our journey over the
mountains
The following was delivered on the next Sunday
Synopsis of A Discourse
by
President You Young
Delivered
If a man does right he shall have the Spirit of God to
enlighten his mind in all things; yet all men will be
tried buffeted and tempted more or less in this probation and
he that governs himself is wise. If a man is unrighteously
angry he should let it sleep and not show itself until
he is himself again
A good man may be left to commit
a gross sin but if he had watched closely he would have escaped
the evil. The Lord intended for all men to be
tried in this life and if you build your faith upon a true
foundation that faith has to be tried
All men have an opportunity of
appearing wise or foolish of governing themselves or
making their folly manifest.
Peter committed a gross error. Had
he been on the watchtower he might have turned away in silence
and not denyied his Lord [Matthew 26:69-75]
Many have been tried and turned away from
us at a time when they expected to have gained something by it
and in doing so they have lost all. Others have been blinded and
overcome and done evil then their eyes were open to see the
consequences.
But if it is the privilege of all men to live
so that they can see what each act will amount to either good
or evil how different the prospect would be before ^of^ the world
of ^or even^ this people if they would live so from what it now
is.
I endeavour to do right in all things and then leave
the event in the hands of God and am satisfied with the result
If a man is led or tempted to do a thing that you do not
comprenhend the result of and that result not lead to good
then let it alone
During the past week one remarked to
me that my observation ^of^ last Sunday ought to be made and was
good but it ought to have been spoken in the right spirit. But
I wish to say that I am satisfied with the power and influence
the Lord has given me. The Lord directs things according
to his ^own^ will.
I know my feelings and zeal would
make my words like a sharp two edged sword so that
they would seperate the sins from the people that they
should practise sin no more not to be tempted with
it; but this is not the will of God. The people still
must have their warefare and trial and if the storms
and waves overwhelm the ship still all is well for we
have a good captain at the helm
Some people are very anxious to
reprove others while they are wrong themselves and do
not know the spirit they are of. They are ready to say, "How do you
do Peter and Judas; Jesus and how do you do Mr Devil and are
very pious and will go to hell and the whole world will go to hell
with the same spirit.
Awake ye Elders of Israel and make
your calling and election sure lest you go to hell with the
wicked. I do not point you to the Sectarian hell
where devils are tossing you with a pitchfork in the billows
of hell fire eternally; But go and mingle with the wicked in
the States wrangle & fight with them get their spirit and
feelings and loose the light and spirit of God and you will
begin to feel the true state of the damned
The wicked killed Jesus Christ out
of mal^ice^ and wickedness and they did not know that
his death was to save the world. The Lord turns
many things for good which the world means for
evil.
The whole earth is filled with
misery sin and wickedness. I could find no worse
hell than to be confined among them. I labour for
the welfare of the whole people. I wish my brethren
to be a happy free people that their course of life may
be such as to get an eternal and temporal salvation
I labour to effect this.
There is time and change to all things
There has been a code of laws given in former days
which was for all people—namely the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. In the days of Christ the Apostles
and Elders were sent out to preach the Gospel and warn
the people. They did so but were then martyred
for preaching it and the Saints were killed off
the earth.
That time is gone. The change
has come; for now the set time has come to favour Zion to build
it up in strength power and glory—to gather Israel to build Jerusalem
and Zion—to fight for our freedom and liberty
We have sent the Gospel forth and preached
the Book of Mormon and the ministry of Jesus on this continent
in ancient days. Now the time is come to gather Israel
and polish them.
There is a great excitement in the world
about slavery; and the Abolitionists are fearful that we shall
have the Negro or the Indian as slaves here. We have a few
who were prisonsers whom we have bought to save their
lives. But what will the Abolitionists do? If you owe them
a dollar they will jug you up. Neither will they liberate the
slave by buying them and setting them free. The master of
slaves will be damned if they abuse their slaves yet the seed
of Ham will be servants until God takes the curse off
from them.
But they are not all the slaves who are
in the world. The whole world are slaves to sin and
wickedness and passion.
I have two blacks. They are as free
as I am. Shall we lay a foundation for Negro slavery?
No God forbid; and I forbid. I say let us be free. We will
be rich but we must be rich in faith first or we shall be
rich in no other way
We must lay a foundation to manufatcture
our own goods. If we do not we shall be slaves to our
enemies. We must stop being so dependent upon
our enemies and foreign markets or it will make us
trouble. And this people must cease getting into
debt to the merchants for if you will get into debt you
shall pay your debts. But I say stop getting into
debt. Let no one come to me and complain that
he has got in debt and that the man will sue him and ought to
be cut off from the Church for you who get into debt and
wont pay your debts are the ones who ought to be cut off from
the Church.
Dont get into debt. Go in the Spring
and get the bark off the shrub oaks. There is enough in
this Valley to tan two hundred thousand dollars worth of
leather; and here your hides are rotting over the earth and
you are paying 50 cents per pound for leather and you
pay the merchants 80 thousand annually for shoes.
Instead of pursuing this course if you will lay a foundation
for taning leather making cloth and what we want you will
be laying a foundation to build and sustain Zion
I drove sheep to this valley and
bought others and brought a carding machine here to
card wool. Who ^will^ put it up? I have done more to
stock this valley than any 4 men in the place
I want others to do something. Set up the machinery
and make the cloth.
Is there any woman in this Valley
who will make me a suit of clothes? See if I do not wear
them. What is the spirit of the times in the world?
If a woman pays a great price for an article it is considered
very nice and all want some of the same; but you
get a thing cheep and all are ashamed to wear it—you
are looked upon with disdain if you do; but if you
pay a great price you are very respectable
There are many practices not right
To see men ride through the street; they go as though
they were in a hurry to get to hell. To men of
wisdom such things look vain and foolish but to
the world it look glorious and the mark of fellowship
with them is fine clothing and splendor
I want the Saints to adorn themselves: first their
hearts with faith and grace and then their bodies with the workmanship
of their own hands. If it is silk and satin all the better
It will show your art wisdom and ingenuity in temporal
things.
True friendship is not known upon the
earth. It ^if it^ is not among this people; but the friendship
of this people is the fruits of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This must continue to improve until they are perfect."
In speaking upon the subject of tithing
President Young thought there had not been $200 paid
in cash while there had been paid the merchants in
cash two hundred thousand and there were then
30,000 bushels of wheat due on tithing.
He said, "Shall we dispense with
tithing? Do you want a building to meet in to worship
God? We want a Tabernacle and a Temple for
our endowments also a tower to hang a bell on and we want
to keep building up Zion that Israel may have a place of rest. If
we do this we do our duty. We have duties to perform and a
warefare to accomplish but the victory will soon be ours if we
can gain a victory with ourselves so as to have peace with ourselves
our wives and children we shall do well.
Synopsis of a Discourse
Delivered by
Brigham Young
"I want to speak such things as are in my heart. All
that are acquainted with me know that my religion embraces
all things that belong to the duties of life
The religion I have, embraceds all the principles of
present future progressive and eternal salvation in every sense of the word
I labour for the salvation of myself and my brethren. I would be glad
to speak to thousands even to the whole world if they could hear. I
would not like to preach in this house to 20 ^o^r a hundred persons when
more than 1000 could get in here and then for 20 or a hundred more
to come and to have to preach from 20 to 50 times to have the people
learn when they could learn all together
The President of the Seventies called a seperate
meeting to day. I came and dismissed it. What if the Twelve
Seventies High Priests Elders Priests Teachers Deacons and Members
should do the same? There would be bare walls or the house to
preach to; and what good would it do? If the Presidency of the
Seventies have such important things to lay before the quorums
to get them together on Sunday let them come and teach us
all.
I now want to give counsel in this matter
from this time forth and forever: Let not the President of
any quorum ever again call a seperate meeting from the public
congregation unless the President of the Church ^order it^
The Seventies should be here and all
the people should be here. Let the Seventies Hall go and
all other business when Sunday comes. Let the Saints of God
come together and hear the Elders teach. Apply your hearts
unto wisdom and get it. If I am full of the Spirit I
shall not get any more than I shall want. It is the duty
of all to come here who can come and let the power of eternity
rest upon us and you should not be asleep but wide
awake.
When I contrast the present with the past
situation of the Saints it gives me a great variety of feelings
both good and bad joyful and sorowful
I have seen this people waiding through
a school of afflictions. They then were prayerful and had faith. Their
trying situation made them remember the Lord their God; but now
prosperity is heaped upon you and as this people are to be tried in all
things: when prosperity comes some forget God was fat and wide and
do not realize the blessings they are enjoying
Some who are in poverty abroad desire to
gather with the Saints. When they arrive and get rich they forget
what they have been. Could you see the feelings of thousands
who are abroad who desire with all their hearts to come he^re^ they would
be willing to lick up the dust of your feet if they could but be here
They are still with the wicked. Bring them here. They look
upon many who were poor but now rich. They then desire
to be rich also. They want gold and will soon be willing
to sacrifice the society of the Saints and go to the Gold mines
and plunge themselves again into hell as it were from whence
they come to gratify an unlawful desire.
Thus it is with many men. Some
want to go to the Platte, to Bear River, to keep a ferry to
get gold and wait on wicked ungodly men. W[h]ere are their
minds? Like the fool's eyes. I told them I would not
wait on the devils for loads of gold. I would rather stay
here and serve the Lord. All I want of property
is to serve the Lord and build up his kingdom with it
I suppose many of the brethren and
sisters are much tried to think they cannot have all they
want. I will tell you what ^to^ you do. Do
all you can to day and let the rest go till tomorrow
Do your duty to-day and all will be right.
What good would it do you to
have 999 years to search and learn the revelations and commandments
of God if we have no time to carry out one of them
If any maen want to get more revelation than they
can improve upon they are greedy dogs
It will take twenty years to do the work that God
has revealed through the mouth of his servant Joseph, which
he laid out for us to perform before his death, even during
the last year of his life to say nothing of what he gave
before.
I will tell you your duty. Command
your minds from everything that is not for you to-day
and sit and worship God not sit and sleep. Worship the
Lord to-day. Go home at the close of the meeting and
get your food and rest, then come to meeting again
ponder and reflect upon the cause of the Lord Jesus
Christ and his sufferings. If there is anything
necessary to be done do it and if an ox or an ass
falls into the pit pull him out; drive any beast
out of your neighbour's grain and put up the fence.
Do you meditate? Do you
pray in your families, and in secret to get the Spirit
of God?
You say you have your trials? I
have mine. I will tell some of them. Brethren
will come here to meeting; on Monday morning go
through my field leaving my fence down and let their
cattle and horses eat my wheat, borrow my cart waggon
shovel hoe and everything I have got and that without
liberty and never bring it home. If it was not
my duty to stay here I would lay my hands upon
some I could pick out whom I have confidence in
and would go and form a colony by ourselves and would
not admit of any person who was not proven
I cannot get grass in the big
field but many of you do it; but I now warn you
not to steal any of my wood nor any of my
property for if you continue to do it I will put
a mark upon such men that they will carry all the days of their
lives. They are hypocrits and think all others are the
same. I dont love them very well
Again I say to you, it is not your
duty to get in debt to those merchants. I say you
shall pay your debts. If you say you cant pay, I say
you shall pay them.
I speak of the faults of my brethren
You may ask shall we forgive our brother his trespasses
if he repents? I say yes. How many times?
Until seventy times seven in one day if he repents
and asks for it, even all sins except the sin against
the Holy Ghost. [Matthew 18:21-22]
If you will bring back my tools
grass grain or any of my property which you have
taken unlawfully and ask forgiveness I will forgive
you. I will not cast off any man until
he casts himself off. I will not reject any man
until he rejects himself. I will hold on to any
man as long as he has any prospect of salvation
An Address
Delivered by
President Brigham Young
I would like to say enough in few words to fill
three sermons. I have to deliver my discourses
in few words
I wish the people to sustain the Priesthood as
the Priesthood. As to the opinion of man concerning myself
as a man I care no more about than I do the dust under my
feet. I dont care what you say about me, if you
will only serve the Lord our God.
Do this people live so as to know
the voice of the Good Shepherd? I wish to state one
item here which concerns you seriously. That is concering
the Indians here. They hare ignorant have been taught
to steal and kill from their childhood and those who could
do the most of it were considered the greatest Braves and
Chiefs. As soon as they begin to steal here
many of you want them killed and compare their
circumstance with your own. You are taught
from your cradle not to steal or kill as it is a great
crime. Now do you kill a white as soon as
he steals? Weigh the subject well.
Those who wish them killed for stealing
a horse reduce themselves far below the Indian. You love
them as well as I do but when the curse is taken off they
will again be fit for society; but while they are in their
dependant state it rests with us to use wisdom and judgement
in their behalf.
I say to the Saints kill every white
man you see stealing and not kill the Indian for it for
the white men know better.
I speak to the Saints not as Governer
of Utah; but you and I are sent to save Israel not
to kill them
Every Elder that crosses a certain
line I do not wish to see him; but those who do
right or seek to do right if they commit an error
we will forgive them
I do not ask for influence only what God gives
me; neither will I give any man influence only what the
Lord and his own good conduct gives him; for if God does
not give a man influence all else will be of no use to him.
If I do the work of God all is well but
I will give no man influence only what God gives.
A few words to families who have not a
head to govern. They will be destroyed. The man is the
head of the family and should govern it. The hand may say
to the head if I really thought you would govern right I would
be governed by you; but I am afriad you will not; and
I want to govern you and dictate the head. Then the
shoulders and stomach will want to dictate. But does
not good sense tell you that your head should govern
your body? Your experience teaches the same
Your head dictates you what to do and when your head
dictiates your body wickedly and polute the body then
the head should be cut off so as not to polute the
body any longer
George A. Smith remarked that
there wasere some bodies who could not act unless the belly
told the head what to do. In the strict sense of
the word
In the strict sense of the word no man
is quallified to judge and rule until he is qualified to rule
himself and be king over himself
It is thus in families. Children
and mothers have you a good husband and father?
Let the wife rule the husband and she will keep him
tied to the dish cloth and kitchen all the days of
his life and it proves a curse upon him
There is a curse upon man that I
would not take off if I could for in the experience
you have you are led to salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ
Do you know your calling mothers? It is
your duty to brace up your feelings as men have to do and be
mistresses of your house.
I go to the house to rest. The mother
says I cannot govern the children; I wish you would; but
this is not right. The Elders of this Church have to go
abroad to preach the gospel. They cannot be with their
children. When they come home to spend a little
time they want to dandle their children upon their knee
and not go to whipping them.
The mothers should govern them
until the sons go with their fathers into the field. Then
let the fathers govern. I can govern my children
when they are with me. I would rather one of my
sons to stab me to the heart and kill me dead than
conquer and master me
In government when any undertake
to govern out of their place they do not prosper
As an example; Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor undertook
to govern and control and set right my affairs at
Winter Quarters while I was on a pioneer journey
to the Mountains and they were likely to have destroyed
many; but I said Peace be still and I saved
the people.
I say to mothers in the name
of the Lord God of Israel do your duty. Dont ask
the Father to whip the child. Do it yourself if
necessary and let the mothers control their daughters
until they go to their husbands.
But let the man rule and
preside over his household. And I say to the
men do not go home and abuse wives because
of what I have said but treat them kindly. What would you
think of a man who would get up before a glass and tear his
own heart out? As well of him as I would of a man who
would beat and abuse his wife"
An Address
of
President Brigham Young
Given
If I can see the motives of the heart of man
and know eternal things by the Spirit of God it is far
more beautiful than to hear the words of men
Should an angel come and converse
with any man in the congregation no other one might
know it. He would think the person spoke to
him as one speaks to another face to face when the
angel would not be seen at all only by the Spirit of
God or by vision
We may know by the Spirit of God
what is in a man's heart before he speaks. At
all times listen to the still small voice of the Spirit
of God and it will save the Saints from many
snares.
If you get angry dont sin nor let
the siun go down upon your wrath. I do not
expect to see perfection in men, not what the
world calls perfection. I have seen a perfect
Prophet and perfect Apostles: that is perfect in
their calling; but not the perfection the world looks for. If Joseph
had been as perfect as the people wished him to be he could
not have lived with the people nor stayed this side of
the veil as long as he did. We could not have heard his
voice nor have seen his face: he would have been veiled.
Israel could not endure the face of Moses at times. [Exodus 34:33-35]
The Lord expects us to be in the
path of duty. When we get in eternity we shall be
angels or Gods. We shall there advance to the Godhead
if we do right.
In speaking of the law, what a
simple thing it is? What is the law to those who
do right? It is not made for anybody but the
transgresser and the lawless and wicked. If we do
not infringe upon the rights of others all things are ours
in heaven and earth, time and eternity; life and death
heaven earth and hell and all that is therein is ours.
If we do not infringe upon the rights of any other being
we shall become Gods and fill immensity as our
Father in Heaven does.
I can weigh all the sleepers philosophers
and learned men of the earth in a scale and know just what
they weigh and can circumscribe them all.
All is mine: heaven earth and hell—
wives, children; and I am Christ's and Christ is God's
It is not known to us where the
stakes are set to God's im^mensity^. Take the world
at large. Can they get to the end of their chain when
they get to the mill pond?
It is a startling idea ^to think^ that we are
worshiping a God who was once in the situation that we
are in ourselves. They had to pass through a
probation of pain suffering and the fall like ourselves
and be made perfect through suffering. The Son of God passed
through it and the Father would not require of a Son what he would
not do himself
All our sufferings will exalt us in the presence
of God if we endure them patiently
A word of advice concering lawing. I
never want to hear of another law-suit among the brethren.
Is it anything but good common sense to never have another
suit before a Judge to say nothing of revelation? It does not
require any great perfection to accomplish this. Let men do
right. Do your neighbour good not evil.
The Lord will burn up the earth and
clense it as you would an old pipe.
You think it hard to have to water your
land here but it is far more healthy than to have rain. It
was so in Egypt. If It did not rain more in Illinois and
Missouri that it does here it would be far more healthy
there. This could be reasoned upon natural principles
A word more upon lawsuits. There
would not be a lawsuit in this Valley if all men would
do right and were Saints; but the net has gathered all
kinds good bad and worse. Let twelve men get
drunk in this community and it ruins the place in the
estimation of good men. We have to bear the character
of drunkerds and a few stinking fish in the net defile
it and the whole net stinks and it creates a prejudice
against it
Those who were acquainted with Joseph
know that if he dealt any in temporal things it created
a prejudice against him. He bought many goods
to help carry on the public works but the people
were ready to get it all away from him. So it
is now but I say unto all men who are Saints
put to your hands and help build up Zion and the Kingdom of
God. We are scholars in the great school and must learn
We are a kingdom and must bring the kingdom in subjection to
the will of God.
An Address
Delivered by President Brigham Young
I join in testimony with the brethren, I wish to be a doer
of the word. I feel the importance of the last speaker Brother
Spencer.
Those who are not ready to meet the Bridegroom
will not be invited to the supper; and the time is near.
Jesus Christ is an example to all Saints
He was filled with wisdom in his youth; but in his childhood
and infancy he was like other children. It has been said that
he was in infancy wise as in manhood but this is not the case
He was subject to temptation as we are but was not overcome by
it.
If we have become acquainted with our follies
let us put them away and apply our hearts to wisdom. Let
us have compassion on others as we wish God to have compassion
on us
We should increase in wisdom until the day
of perfection. Apply your hearts to wisdom and it will produce
peace health wealth and every good thing.
Should you see a people carry out
the principles of wisdom, peace would be the fruit and you would
never see contention unto the day of your death. Ask the
world if they do not like a people who live in peace and are
contetnted and they will say, Yes; it is beautiful.
Take the world of the present daytime; and they
are like wolves and eat each other up. They fight and contend
and devour each other. The Abolitionists become heated and say
the negro must be made equal to the white man at the table and
all other places. They will at the same time turn away
the widow and orphan and put into prison a poor man for debt
Instead of this we should feed the hungry and do good to all men
as we have an opportunity. Then we have a Zion. It is
peace in the heart.
We should bear an evil from a friend as well
as an enemy. You ask the Lord to bear with your
infirmities so we should bear with each other
What is the necessity of doing wrong having
law suits and contending with each other. Go to law and
spend $100 to collect $5.
You may be told you are indipendant
and have rights. You have a right to do good and not evil. The
God I serve will deal out good to his Saints and everything
that is necessary for them and reveal his will unto them and
teach them what to do. He will not lie or deceive me. I
will ask O Lord, did you do this or that? Did you bless
this man or that man so and so or did you suffer that evil?
Yes I have done this to try men. Do you want me to do
so and so?
If I am going to do a thing I ask is it
the will of God? If I cannot get the will of God upon
it I refuse to do it lest I do a thing wrong.
We want to do right: then we prosper
Is the people doing right? Is the kingdom growing?
Are there principles in this kin^g^dom to govern all mankind
with?
All that the nations of the earth now possess
would not make this people happy as they now are. Give us
the Kingdom of God instead of the glories of the world.
There has been a great stir to exalt the
negro and make him equal to the white man but there is a curse
upon the seed of Cain and all hell cannot wipe it out and it
cannot be taken off until God takes it off
^When a^ A person unlawfully seeks for power and
exaltation by taking the blessings which belong to another
He ^he^ will sink far below the other. As Lucifer the Son of the
Morning sought the glory that belonged to Christ the First Born
and was thrust down to hell so Cain sought Abel's blessing
and took the life of his brother. The consequence was
Cain was cursed and his seed and this curse will remain
until Abel's posterity will get all the blessing there is for him
Then the curse may be taken from Cain or his posterity will
but his posterity will be below Abel's [Genesis 4:1-16]
All are slaves. Polititions are
the worse slaves. And if we dont do right we too shall
catch the lash. We are the freest people on the earth
Queen Victoria is a slave. She had to ask the liberty
to marry Prince Albert; but we are free. We have the right,
God and his kingdom.
Let us not dishonor God his kingdom
or our brethren. If we dishonorur our brethren we shall
sink below them and their children. If the wife dishonour
her husband the children will dishonour the mother and
she must welter under it.
Honour the Priesthood in all its parts
be more faithful be more prudent. Administer to the
wants of all as far as you can."
Other remarks were made by the
speaker
In ^the^ celebration of the Indipendance of America the city
of the Great Salt Lake poured forth her inhabitants in good
order with her "Legion" of military ^men^ as an escort to the Governer
and citizens.
The procession organized at the Temple square
at 9 o'clock in the morning to take a ride to the Great Salt
Lake. There were about 140 carriages and waggons
besides the horsemen. The car containing the band of
musicians was drawn by 16 mules
We arrived at the ^Black^ rock on the Lake
at 2 o'clock. We held a meeting wasere addressed by
Governor Young and several orators who spoke much to the
edification of the people. In the evening many
went into the Salt Lake to bathe. At 10 o'clock the fif signal
was given for prayers when all assembled within the correll
prayers were offered up & the encampment retired to rest.
It was as pleasant a Fourth of July as
I ever spent and my family was with me. Next day
we returned to Great Salt Lake City.
Discourse
Delivered by
President Brigham Young
Sunday
We get good from all men who speak by the Spirit of
God according to their calling. I speak freely; so may all
men. If we speak incorrectly we shall be corrected. We want to
speak freely that we may gather good whether it is in the past present
or to come.
Brother Kempton has been speaking. He professes
to be a scholar; I do not, but he has murdered the English language
to day. I want speakers to speak the English language
correctly for our children's sake
As to principles there are no principles
in heaven earth or hell but what the Saints have to apply
in their proper place.
If we could understand all things we
should know that here is the place to begin to make the people
happy. If we could understand the dealings and Providence
of God with us and the object of it there would not be the
discontent and murmuring of the people that there now is
but we should have peace and joy and contentment concerning
spiritual and temporal things
I would say that temporal and
spiritual things are one; but what we call temporal are the
courser things which we see with our eyes but the finer or
spiritual things we cannot see with our eyes unless they are
touched by the Spirit of God. Then we could see spiritual
things.
To say the spiritual eye cannot see temporal
things is folly but it looks unnatural to see people put out
their own eyes to spite their neighbour
Anciently God angels and eternal things
were considered natural. My mind can see many
things when clothed with the Spirit of God that my
eyes cannot.
In speaking of hell it is called very
hot but our God is a consuming fire. Hell is here.
It is said the Devil was cast down to the earth; also that he was cast
down to hell. He is in our midst striving to lead captive the
children of men.
I want the brethren to speak freely, to speak
all that is in them and if they have an error let it out and exchange
it for true principle
Some of the Saints want more revelation
mysteries, great things; but do they know what they ask for
or what they have already got. If the request of many men
were granted it would be like casting pearls before swine.
They would trample them in the mire
We have enough now of the key words and
tokens to take us through the veil into the celestial world and
lead us to the throne of God and what more do you want?
Have you ever pondered in your hearts
by visions and the Spirit of God eternal things even the
redeeming of all worlds and from them down to the smallest
things God has made? Have you ever reflected upon
the great system of salvation of the creatures of God?
Is man contented? He is not.
Can man alter the decrees of God concering the seed of
Abraham or anything else? He cannot. Why not
quarrel about Christ coming instead of the Father?
When the Father appointed Jesus Christ
the First Born to come and redeem the earth there was
contention got up. ^The second Brother^ Lucifer the Son of the Morning
wanted the honour to come and redeem the earth; but
Christ was the appointed one. It was his right by
appointment and birthright; but the war and contention
became so hot and the influence of Lucifer was so great
that he got one third part of the host of heaven to join his
standard; and when he was hurled down to hell like
lightning from heaven.^,^ ^one^ One third was cast down
with him. Where is he and those spirits that were cast down with
him? They are here on the earth and they have blinded the children
of men and who are still seeking to overthrow the Kingdom of God
but this is all right
But this
is all right and we should be contented with what God sees fit
to grant unto us and be contented with our lot. If the devil
had been contented and acted in his place he would not have
been thrust down to hell.
Any man who seeks to do a thing he
cannot do and should not do he is cast into hell: it makes a
hell for him. When a man asks for a things it that
does not belong to him it makes him unhappy; but do what
God wants you to do and wait on those who are above you
and all will be right
Why did not one of the Apostles quarrel
with Jesus Christ to redeem the world? Jesus set a little
child in their midst and said if ye do not become as this
little child you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
If you would be the greatest man in the
Kingdom of God you must be the greatest servant. You
will do more than any other man.
The Apostles did not quarrel to know
who should or should not be President. Why do I or you
not quarrel because we were not Joseph Smith?
To want to, and cannot is hell! Never
seek to do a thing you cannot accomplish. Every man has
[h]is lot appointed him and he should be contented with it
There is the work of God ^angels^ men and Devils
Is the Bible good? and the Book
of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants? Yes they are
good. Those books contain the works of God angels
men and devils; and if you dont want to be in hell
all the time be content with your lot. If you dont learn
to be contented with your lot ^you will^ [be] in hell with brother Kempton who says he
was in hell one year.
Then learn to be content and you will be happy
Dont complain about you are not God Jesus Christ an angel Joseph
Brigham a man a woman ^a father a mother^ a son a daughter or anything else; but
be content with the lot in which God has placed you: then you
will be happy and blessed
The blacks cannot take the curse off themselves
until God takes it off. So the Lamanites are cursed but is
there not blessings for them? Yes the same as there is for the
Saints for Joseph Brigham and Jesus Christ and all ^faithful^ men and
women in their time and season. So be content."
Among the remarks of the President the next Sunday
he said,
"Why should we not know our own talents and abilities
as well as others? If we do not there is something lacking
Concerning singing there are some men who know sound and
^others^ those who do not and those who do not, ought not to sing. We should
act upon what we know and let the rest go."
Upon the remark of Sherwood that he thought
we were kicked out of the fryingpan into the fire" the
President said we were kicked out of the fire into the middle
of the floor. When people get their eyes open to see that
their interest lies in the building up of the Kingdom of God
then the Kingdom of God will roll on and the people will do
better.
I spent the next day in council and
heard two letters read from our friends Col. Kane
Synopsis
of
A Discourse
A Discourse
Delivered by
President Brigham Young
-[Brother Kempton was very anxious to preach from the
text Abraham's bosom. Liberty was granted him and
President Young followed and said:]-
"Bro Kempton has had his liberty as
is given to every man who speaks here. He has not
satisfied his mind at all. He may have much in his
mind but can say but little here. He is not able
to handle the scriptures and know all the spirits in
the world as some can
When the dark sayings in the
scriptures are understood they are plain. The
scriptures here that speaks ^of^ Abraham's bosom is not as
given by brother Kempton. Abraham is in Paradise.
Lazarus is with him. [Luke 16:20-25]
For me to explain is to tell the truth
A man that feels and talks to the people should be a Bible
of himself. If a man that teaches and leads the people
is not filled with truth so as to be able to teach the people
without quoting the teachings of others altogether, then he is
a blind guide and will go to hell with those he leads
It is the intention of the Lord to teach
man principle in progression until he shall know all things;
that he may rise through faith power and victory until he
obtains every good thing, even to rise to be gods, even the
sons of God. This blessing we cannot obtain without
experience
We should not sin when we are tried, but
and tempted, but overcome, which will give us glory honour and eternal life
As fast as I improve upon what I have more will
be given me. The Saviour was subject to all that we were from
his birth to his death. He applied his heart unto wisdom. We
should do so too. Apply your hearts unto wisdom from day to
day and you will receive all that he did
If I through out all that is in me what faults
I have will give place for truth and that which is good
I feel to praise the name of God for all
that he has done for me. My heart is like Aminidab's continually
All persons see times when they wish truth to
prevail. Mormonism is all truth. The Lord has raised
up a Prophet and Seer who brought it forth and established it. He
was faithful unto death and sealed his testimony with his blood
A certain prophecy says when the Book
of Mormon shall come unto the Gentiles the Jews shall be
gathered to Jerusalem.
All truth is ours in heaven earth and hell.
It is all truth we want. But does the Church or Elders want
correcting? Yes for they have errors and false notions. The
net has all kinds of fish. We have some as cursed rascals
among us as dwell on the earth and we find evil here as well
as anywhere else. Yet Zion is here. It is in my heart
Peace dwells with me and good principles will prevail here
until all evil is overcome even in all the earth.
Let no man find fault with his neighbours
until he is righteous. I dont ask anything of others that
I wont do myself and never find fault with another about anything
you allow in yourself. Dont you swear scold and do wrong
yourself? Then dont find fault with another for it until you
subdue your own passions and the evil that is in yourself
Some will do anything to preside over
another when they cannot preside over themselves.
Now remember this that we will have Zion when
all wickedness is gone. We have got to fight, fight, fight, until
we gain the victory over ourselves. Remember this and overcome
What are the feelings of my heart? It is to bless them ^the people^ and
do them good.
The anniversary of the enterance of the Pioneers in
the Valley of the Great Salt Lake this day was celebrated with
much display and enthusiasm by the citizens
At the rising of the sun the stillness of
the morning was broken by the roar of cannon saluting the
rising Dday. The mammoth carriage of the Nauvoo Brass
Band was soon in motion and the band sent forth on
the wings of morning strains of martial and inspiring
music. The citizens poured forth from their homes
dressed befitting the occasion of a celebration and gathered
together a congregation of rejoicing people
The order of the day was kept up by
the firing of cannon 110 times and the procession paraded
the streets. The escort consisted of the Nauvoo Brass
Band the Military Band and the Pioneers of [18]47 the
Regency; the Aged Fathers; Young Ladies followed by the
Mothers in Israel; young girls; young men and young
women. The Presidency and the officers of state formed
the escorted party.
After the escort came the rear party of
the procession, 24 Bishops forming a phalanx of the combined
wisdom and strength of the kingdom of God in the last days
The numerous flags and banners the various emblems of art
agriculture and industry with the music accompanied the procession which
started from the President's residentsce to the Bowery.
The burst of feeling in music singing speeches orations
toasts &c during the exercises in the Bowery was truly delightful. "Here
was the power of truth the literature of God's Spirit the eloquence of Apostles
the laws of the Kingdom of heaven, the songs of Zion sung not in a
strange land and the harps hung not upon the willows" [Psalm 137:2-4]
The shades of evening came over the city but no
accident had marred the proceedings of the hallowed day nor curses
drinking rabble or strife.
In many respect this day was the most interesting
one that had come in my life. My father myself and my children
making three generations of my linage were in the escort.
The and I spent Harvesting
I had 20 acres of wheat. Five acres of 7 headed wheat yielded from
60 to 70 bushels to the acre. The harvest was good this year.
Dr Bernhisal on the Sunday gave an account
of his proc[ee]dings at Washington and his obtaining a library for Deseret.
I spent in council with
my brethren and during it the mail arrived from the States. It
was 20 days from Indipendance and was the largest up to this dayte
ever received in the Territory being about 400 lbs.
I received three letters one from Ilus Carter
one from my brother Azmon and the other from my brother
Thompson. My brothers informed me in their letters
of
The Death of My Step-Mother
Azubah Woodruff
March the 20th 1851
She died at halpf past 7 o'clock in the evening. Also Elizabeth
wife of my brother Azmon died January the 3rd 1851. They
were own sisters by birth.
I found from my brother Azmon's letter that
he was in much sorrow. He was baptized into the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with myself the last of December
in 1833. He was ordained an Elder and myself a Teacher under
the hands of Zerah Pulsipher. Elizabeth his wife with the
assistance of the Devil made war upon my brother and caused
him to leave the Church. He had been in sorrow ever
since.
On my arrival home with my letters I
called my aged Father into the room with me and read him
the letters from his two oldest sons containing the news
of the death of both his own wife and his son's wife
My father was resigned to the Providence of God.
^A Special^ General Conference of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Held in the Tabernacle
Great Salt Lake City
.
There were present the First Presidency—Brigham
Young Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards and of
the quorum of the Twelve Orson Hyde W. Woodruff G. A.
Smith and E. T. Benson, the first seven Presidents of
the Seventies and the other quorums and a large congregation
President H. C. Kimball arose and said
the Conference was not for the benefit of one but for the whole
"Is the Store House full of wheat? Is the tithing butter and cheese
brought in? Some of you will ask can I get my endowments?
But I will say not one of you will get your endowments until you pay your
tithing."
President Young arose and said:
"As far as you can exercise patience
you should do so. We are in comfortable circumstances and
now let us sit here and worship God and let our business rest and
let us reflect a little and exercise ourselves on our religion. Let
our houses rest and farms and crops and let the people be
still and not talk in the house or about the window
In my meditations I am like other men
who reflect; and I marvel to see men so intent upon objects
that will soon perish.
How many there are here who ask the
question, "How long will the conference last? I want to go. I
cannot stop." While others will be willing to stop and
worship God.
Some spirits are like the troubled sea, uneasy.
If I could have my wish about it, I would wish such spirits to
pass out of our midst, leave the congregation and let us worship
in peace.
We are such an industrious people that we
could not commence Conference until Sunday. I care as
little about our gardens farms lumber &c as you do about
snuffing ashes.
If you get all the riches of the world
you cannot hold them. If you will get the wisdom
it is your privilege to possess you will know that God
cares more for you than the ravens. If you seek the
Kingdom of God and its righteousness the Lord will add
all things else that is necessary [Matthew 6:33]
Our first duty is to provide for our
families, but we must take a course to accomplish it
Fools are often rich and the wise in begery. This is the
providence of God. We may be ever so rich to day; we may be
beggars to-morrow. This is the case with those who are before me
Let me draw the line between the good and the evil. Have you not
had more good than evil? more than you would have had if
you had been in the world? More peace than in the world and
happiness in the meditations of the things of God than in the world?
Yes you have. Then shame upon the man who complains of
his hardships.
The worse persecutions of the people are their
best days. I went to Missouri in 1834, walked 2000 miles
in 70 days was so weak I could not step over the fences three
feet high. I now have better health and strength than
ever before. I would give all ^Geauga^ county for the experience
I have had in six months
Now stay here. Dont go home until
conference ends. Many of the Saints ^forget^ Mormonism.
Any body who enjoys the light of the revelations of Jesus Christ
must have the Spirit of God. The key to Mormonism is all
the truth in all eternity that ever was revealed or ever will
be that exists with God angels or men. Where shall I go
to find truth? In Mormonism. If you get a truth
anywhere it is there for that covers all truth
When the light came to me sin did not
revive in me and I died but I revived and lived. I had
not consented to the death of any good man like Stephen
as Paul did. [Acts 7:56-60] [2 Timothy 4:6-8] But let him come to any of the
Churches reared to his name and the world would kill
him if they could.
I will ask you, are you accepted
of the Father and the Son? You will say I dont know.
Well it is because your minds are taken up with the
things of the world. Then let us stay here
until we know.
I am a Mormon or what is called so and I know
that Joseph was a Prophet. It was revealed to me long before his
death. I always thought while reading the world ^Bible^ about a
Prophet that I would go around the world to see one or any man
who knew things as they were and not have to guess at them.
Everything will have to bow to Mormonism
or eternal light and truth. We have the true government of
all the earth. I know the path this people has to walk.
I am prepared for Mormonism. There hwas no better man
than Joseph Smith ever lived on earth. Hear it O ye
Heavens, O ye Earth and all men: This is my testimony
that he was as good a man as ever lived save Jesus.
This^e^ world will not vote for a man
because his religion governs. They will not have God govern
them, because of their cursed meannesss; but if God did
not or can not deal out justice and rule in righteousness,
who can?"
E. T. Benson, Orson Hyde, George A.
Smith and Wilford Woodruff followed in speeches and then
President Young again arose and said:
"I read that when the wicked rule the
people mourn. Ask the world, do the wicked rule?
Yes; and they mourn. Do they seek a righteous man
to rule? No. If the curse has followed the rule of
the wicked will follow. But let them sleep on and
take their rest; but we understand the Lord has rent the
veil, sent angels to us and the Gospel is preached to the poor
The difference between us and the world
is that they say but do not, believe not. We say and
both believe and do. The world spend thousands
of dollars to preach the Gospel but do not believe it
When the judgements of God rest upon
the wicked and they are cut off then will be the gleaning
of the grapes after the vinetage is done.
Let the righteous reign and the righteous will
rejoice in the house of Israel. God takes up the isles as a little
thing; builds up and pulls down at his pleasure and why are not
the people willing he should reign? Because of their meanness.
Some may ask do not good men reign?
I will ask a question: Should an angel come to President Filmore
and tell him how to govern it ^the nation^ and he was to tell of it would they
not shut him up in a mad house? And if God was to reveal
to him truth concerning the people and he was to tell of it the
people would kill him. This is the situation of this
government—the best on earth. But let the President sware
take the name of God in vain and curse God in all its
forms they will^ould^ let him and ^stay with them as^ hail fellows well met
The nation will be damned and
go to hell who killed Joseph: The states of Illinois in
connection with the carthage mob, and the whole government
sustain it and they will be damned from the President to
the least member.
I think no more of a King or President
than of the poorest beggar. The worse scoundrel is the
most popular man in the nation
This nation is the first the Gospel
was sent unto. She has killed the prophets that God
sent unto them and their doom will be the neithermost hell."
Testimony of Willard Richards
To the Mob at Carthage
Willard Richards said
"We have had much testimony to day
I will add a few words. When Hyrum Smith fell in
Carthage Jail and exclaimed "I am a dead man Joseph fell dead
John Taylor fell wounded. I carried him to another part of the jail
and covered him up. I walked out before the people and said that
Joseph and Hyrum Smith ^who lies before me slain are two of^ were the best men that ever lived. Joseph
Smith was a Prophet of God and Hyrum a Patriarch. Two better
men never lived; two better men God never made."
"Joseph was a Prophet. Brigham is as great
a Prophet and he that believeth it may be saved and he that
believeth it not will be damned."
Judge Brochus and the People.
On Monday morning and the
second day of the conference Judge Brochus requested the
privilege of addressing the people and it was granted him
He arose and commenced his speech
by testifying of his kind reception among this people. He
had been sick among them he said and kindly treated.
The flys had been brushed from his face by a lady and he
was thankful.
He then refered to the Judiciary and
requested the people to sustain it and professed to be very
sorry that he was going to leave it. He then refered
to a report in circulation that he came here for the purpose
of being returned a delegate to Washington and other
things that were reported against him &c.
Next he took up the subject of his
appointment and said that President Filmore had appointed him
although he was a democrat; and observed that he should
not have been appointed had he not been a capable virtous
was a good man.
He then addressed the ladies upon
the subject of the Washington monument and wished them to procure a
block of marble and present it to Washington; also wished them to
donate for the building of the monument and talked much about
Washington and his battles and good deeds
He spoke of the persecutions of the Saints
considered them badly treated, had sent to Winter Quarters where
our dead was burried and had a sprig of myrtle plucked
He carried it in his bosom. It was now dryed up. He
showed it to the congregation
In speaking to the ladies he said he
hoped they would become a virtueous people. He did
not wish them to send the block of marble unless they
could do it in full fellowship with each of the seperate
States composing the United States
He had read something casting
reflections upon the United States Government concerning
our persecutions; but he would defend the Government as
long as he had a tongue to speak or hand to lift; and
said the Government could not do anything for us as they
had no power; but if we wanted redress of our wrongs
apply to Missouri and Illinois where we had received
them.
This part of Brochus' speech stirred the
blood of the whole congregation; and much more was said
by him calculated to arrouse the indignation and
wrath of the people.
President Young's Reply.
President Young arose and said that Judge Brochus was
either profoundly ignorant or wilfully wicked in presenting
some sentiments which he had to the assembly that
day. Had he supposed for a moment that Brochus
was going to throw out a challenge upon that stand in a religious
meeting and presented such sentiments as he had he should not for
a moment have given his consent to the Judge to speak on that
occasion. The President said several stood by and wished
to take up the challenge given by Brochus but he would not
permit of it for some might have got their hair pulled if not
their throats cut and he would not have it
The President then wished the meeting to
adjourn and the assembly to meet again in the conference and
transact business in the capacity of a conference for which the meeting
had been called. Meeting adjourned for one hour.
After the adjournment following previous speakers
Heber C. Kimball spoke. He said "I will tell one tell one
thing that will have a great effect upon us and remove the
mist. When we come to the house of the Lord bring
an offering to the Lord. I will make an offering to
the Lord and the Priesthood as Abraham did to Melchezedic [Exodus 14:18-20]
And offer the best you have. Did not this law come
from Joseph who was ordained under the hands of Peter? [Doctrine and Covenants 128:20] Brigham
Young was ordained under the hands of Joseph to hold the keys
of the Kingdom of God. If you strive against him you
strive against God who sent him."
After Brother Heber had spoken President
Young then arose and said:
"I will speak of principle. You may
think it is a novel Conference. How long has it ^been^ since
we have had the privilege of spending a conference undisturbed?
A long time.
I would like to hear brother Kempton
speak or any good man. I will preach brother
Abbot's funeral sermon and the funeral sermon of all
the faithful. His body is laid in the dust to rest
until the resurrection. For ever blessed is the man
who lives and dies a Saint.
I will tell whether the messenger sent to brother
Kempton was of God or the Devil. If the messenger was
not of God he would know it. If the messenger was anywhere
else but here he must have come from heaven or from another
hell for we are in hell
Go to the world and preach the Gospel.
You will find some people as honest and good as angels as far
as they know; but do they have revelations from God and know
the things of God. No they do not. If brother Kempton
has had his sins forgiven and remitted without baptism so
could all men. But this is false. No man could
have forgiveness without the sheding of blood and baptism.
The Bible says unless you keep the commandments you
cannot be saved.
When brother Kempton says he knows
his sins were forgiven before he was baptized he knows
not what he says. At times the Spirit of God is
given to men to see the Kingdom of God and they think
they are in it when they have not entered the door of
baptism
Dont go and tell the different denomination
that because their sins are not forgiven that they are always
going to dwell in hell for if they are honest they will have
a glory greater than many who carry the Gospel to men
There is a good people among all sects
Gentiles Jews and Heathen as there is on earth. They
act according to the best light they have
What is the condition of this government
Light has come into the world and men love darkness rather
than light. They rejected that light fight the
Prophets and shed their blood. For this they
are damned"
In the afternoon the officers of the Church was
presented and the^n^ President Young said
"I want to establish some travelling Biships, a thing
which we never have done. When I approach the subject of
Bishops I pause not with a trembling hand but I want to take
time and look at it all day until we can see clearer than we now
do. This people stick to the world love the world. We
should use the world not worship it. No man is free
indeed until he is free in Christ and above the world. Dont
worship the world. You will not be free. Is there any
one that has anything but what God gave him. You cannot
make one hair white or black. Now it is our duty to
feed clothe and sustain the families of those who are in
the vineyard preaching. If we let them suffer and they die their
blood will be required at our hands. We has a people have never
done it ^yet;^ but it is time it were done. The Bishops are preproved
They dont do their duty."
^John Banks and^ N. H. Felt were ordained Travelling Bishops
E. T. Benson, J. M. Grant and Orson Hyde were set apart
to go back to Kanesville and gather out all the Saints in that
region. Samuel Richards was appointed to go to England and
also Willard Snow and A. O. Smoot; D. Carnes to Germany
and Dorr P. Curtis and Venson Shirtliff on a foreign mission
and Dr Dunyan to the Eastern States.
John Smith the Patriarch said he had
been in the work since Jan 1832 and was about the oldest
man here. "I was ordained an Elder under the hands of
Joseph Wakefield. The Smith family was chosen to
bring forth this work. My team halled the first load
of stone to build the Kirtland Temple. My son George
A. drove the teem. There were four brothers of us
in the stand in Kirtland. I am now left alone
I was in jail with my nephews Joseph and Hyrum the
night before they were killed. Next day three guns were snaped at
me. I could not weep for a long time. When I did weep I
wept much. I have laboured much from that day until this to
keep things right. It is said that it is the little foxes that spoil
the vines. We have a Prophet for a leader. Now pay your
tithing and make good measure when you sell anything, and fulfil
all your covenants if they are made right. We shall then prosper
in this Valley. I am an old man and cannot say much
but I will write a piece to be published in the paper."
H C. Kimball said "I am going to make
an offering to President Young. Abraham paid tithes to
Michezedick. [Genesis 14:18-20] A certain woman gave a purse others filled
it. Brother Rhodes gave sixty four pounds of gold for
the public works. He has not lacked anything. You
should give the best you have to the Lord. He will
pour you out a blessing that there will not be room
enough to receive it." [Malachi 3:10]
After others had spoken President Young
said
"I pwill put the motion, will the sisters vote to quit
using tea and coffee? The brethren have voted not to
use tobacco.
I will speak of the Bishops. I spoke of
them yesterday and reproved them sharply. Some
wanted me to offer an apology to them. I will not.
I will see them in hell before I will do it. If this people
do not do better than the Bishops have they will and
if you do not do better than you have done you will
go to hell.
I will begin with myself. I have
taught the Bishops principle and their duty. Ask
them if they can do it. No. I will cut the Bishops
off from the Church if they do not do better. Did I
I ever councsel them wrong. You have trampled my counsel
under foot. I shall not shrink from duty.
I say to all old and young learn to pray
Pray in your families. Be content in all circumstances
where the Lord shall place you; cease your contentions
one with another; never go to law; gather your families
together and pray for me and my brethren and yourselves until
a blessing rests on us."
Others spoke and then President Young again
during the day. He said he wished to say a few words to the
Mormon Battalion.
"Those who are wanting their extra pay are
applying to Williams Blair and Babbit. If you apply to
those men and give them the papers and they cheat you out
of it dont complain and I say to those men not to take
any papers from those fwho have had their pay or sold
their claims to others. If you want your pay apply
here and you can get it.
You did not enlist to get $8 per month
They enlisted us to kill us and because we speak our sentiments
we are accused of treason. I dont ask any odds of the
United States. I will express my feelings. To drive
us from our mullions and our possessions ^and then require us to fight their battles^ is not right.
I shall pay my tithing. The Twelve
will pay one tenth of their possessions and the Bishops and
all will pay their tithing
This is the Kingdom of God and if it
falls I am willing to fall with it. I would rather fall
than stand if the Priesthood falls"
All the people covenanted to pay their
tithing and Bishop Hunter and others spoke. Upon the
remarks of Elder John Banks upon the law of liberty
President Young said:
: 1851.
The liberty of the holy Gospel is peace and righteousness
We have no liberty to take away another man's rights; but the
first principle of liberty is resignation and submission for go
where you will to heaven or hell you have to submit to laws
We are at liberty to adopt every holy principle to all eternity
Go East West North or South. Keep
everything ^you want for^ yourselfves wife children houses and cattle and create
out of the elements everything you can; yet you are not at liberty
to infringe upon the rights of man.
You may have the privilege to
do all things that is done in heaven. Organize the elements
give commands and rule over kingdoms but be subject to
such laws as you are under. The law of liberty is to
do right for God to all eternity. The opposite principle
is to be discontented with things: to be different from what
they are. This is hell and all the hell there is.
I dont care how things are if I
do right. We shall find the law of liberty to
be eternal life light and peace which will increase to
all eternity
We ought not to do an evil to cause
pain to any creature; still there are some things which
appear to be evil that I know to be good
God will increase his Kingdom to
all eternity. Abrahams seed will reign as kings of
kings and lords of lords and to his seed there is no end
Let this people live and do right
and the blessing of God will attend you to all
eternity
The Conference was adjourned to the
6th of October 1851.
was Sunday the
day before the Conference. In the morning Elder O Pratt
and George A Smith preached and in the afternoon the President
spoke: the following is a synopsis of
An Address
Delivered by
Brigham Young
We hear the brethren arise and return thanks for the
blessings received. We can respond to it. The work is
of all importance to the human family. The brethren are all
willing to do right; and they say Lord not my will but thine
be done. If the Lord should say come and preach to us we
would say Amen to it.
The Lord has his means to carry on his
work and also his own men^ans^ to do it. When the people's
hearts are prepared to do the will of God the victory is ours
If we come to understanding so as to
have the organization of the Kingdom so that every one will
act in unison like a beautiful piece of machinery we gain
the victory. We shall then know how to order our speaech
and conversation aright before God
This is a good people. Cannot we
be better? We have faith and knowledge. Cannot we
have more of it? Yes there is an eternity of it
We have learned to obey by the things
we suffer. But what do we behold? There is evil surmising
spakeaking and doing. The evil intruders hasve not left us
Who is keeping the commandment that thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself? [Matthew 22:39] He will save his neighbours
garden crops &c. We shall then believe and pratctise
all the commands. We shall have but one common interest. I
dont care what you believe if you practise right and as though you
loved the Lord and then you will do right.
There is no school like your own experience
When I heard George A Smith speak I thought of former days
when men from Canida and other places would stop 50 miles
this side of Kirtland leave the money with the wife go and
see Joseph say how I love you; but let Joseph ask them for
a few dollars and they would immediately dodge at it
While you were in the world you
would go away. Now you are here I cannot get you
to go to the fat vallies because Warsaw and Carthage are not
there. I felt like crying about Amasa's company. They
were ready to go to hell. How ready the people are to go to
hell! Let the eyes of the Saints be open. I had
to be pleeid ^pleed^ with Amasa Lyman and company for days not
to go. I could not stay them. Now I want you
to go and you wont go. I want to have you go to
Iron County. The people here are so full of wheat and
good things that they loathe it. If you dont want to pay
your tithing the Lord dont want your tithing until you
go into hell. If you dont want to save yourselves
nor your children nor your dead dont you pay your
tithing; if you do want to save them pay your tithing
for it is for your benefit not mine. You cannot
do the Lord any good in it nor add to his glory
but it is for yourself
The cattle have come in well of late
and I think the best have been sent in. You should
be industrious and saving. I do not want anymy
children to be lazy. If I die I do not want any
man to foster them in laziness ^idleness^. I wish my boys
had to work as I did for a living
General Conference
Conference assembled according to adjournment.
President Young said the time had come to commence
the business of the Semi-Annual Conference. The business of
the last Conference was productive of more good than any conference
we ever held. The keeping of the "Word of Wisdom" has done
much good. I will be exceedingly glad when we arrive at
wisdom in all things.
The Word of Wisdom was given in Kirtland
twenty years ago for the benefit of all Saints. [Doctrine and Covenants 89] When we
live 20 or fifty years longer we shall see that we do not
understand much of the Word of Wisdom. We are but babies
in understanding wisdom. Who understands it, were all
spoken that might be spoken. There is but one system
of explaining any revelation and that is the revelation of Jesus
Christ in the heart of man when he possesses the Holy Ghost
We are forbidden to eat meat in hot
weather. Hot drinks and tobacco is not good for man
You should not eat to over loading your stomach. There
is a greater lack in my system of wisdom of tempering my
food ^and exercise^ than in eating meat or tobacco.
Tithing is coming in so fast there
will not be room to receive it.
I wanted this Conference to come together
so that I could see their faces not to scold them. I want
to see the faces of the Saints. They look better to me than
all the glories of the earth. I said when the brethren got
out of prison I wanted to sit and look at them three weeks
Our Graineries and Store House are full
of wheat and good things.
If this people are rich beautiful and happy
I am with them; if they are miserable, I am still with them
if the people are not all crowned and saved none of us will be
It is in vain for one man to build himself
up and neglect his brother's interest. He will fail in it.
We must begin to manufacture all we want or
we are slaves to everything in all the earth
Everything is against Mormonism, and Mormonism
is against everything; everything is against us. Hear it
O Earth for the Kingdom of God is against all earth and hell
This is true and we shall fight them until the kingdoms
of this world become the kingdoms of our God. We shall
fight battle after battle until the victory is won. We
have to fight and lay down our lives for Christ's
sake.
We now want to gather companies to
go to the different valleys. I want the potters to remain
here and work at their business.
Jesus descended below all things
before he assended above all things. We have to sacrifice
ever freely in order to be exalted before God. I once
said I will go and build me a house on the hill
out of the mud. Joseph said you will stay where
you are. This was enough. I dodged as quick
as I could. I said, Enough. Since I have been
willing to be governed by circumstances that have
surrounded me and leave the event in the hands of
God"
Judge Snow then spoke and afterwards
the President said:
"At our Conference we appointed Felt and
Banks to be travelling Bishops to visit other Bishops and
. 1851 .
call them to an account and see that they are faithful Bishops
and you should feed the poor and do your duty until the Spirit
of God rests upon you and you hold the Keys of the Melchezedick
Priesthood and the power of it rest upon you forever."
Brothers Banks and Felt were then
ordained under the hands of the Presidency.
In the afternoon Joseph Young D. Fulmer and
Zerah Pulsipher ^and Alfred Cordon^ were appointed as missionaries and after a discourses
from H. C. Kimball, and from George A. Smith upon the
opening of the new settlements President Young closed with
an address upon the education of our children. This was
one of the most interesting conferences ever held by this people.
President Young's Medical Lecture.
Delivered before the Board of Health
At Great Salt Lake City
Dec. 1851
"I wish to impart intelligence to the people. My first
proposition is the science of health ^medicine^. The study and
practice of medicine as a science, if it may be called a
science is the most imperfect of any science in existeance
as it is practised by the doctors of the present day. The
doctors and priests of the day send more to death and
hell than anywhere else. About one in a million may
get some glory. A bigger set of cursed scoundrals
never graced the earth than that class. Surgery is a
different class and is very necessary in many instances and
that system can be learned. But to learn the system
of man they cannot: no more learn that than they can
learn the heavens
A worse set of ignoramuses do not walk the earth
They do not know how to turn wind in a man's body when it gets
cross ways. If you cut their infernal throats the people will
live. I know what this society is here for. It is to
impart what knowledge they have to others. But I have seen
the folly of the doctors even at my own doors. Take them as
a whole they are the most damnable set on earth. Their practices
are infamous and their medicines produce death. If the people
want to eat calomel let them do it and be damned; but dont
feed it to any of my family. If any doctor does and I know
it I would kill him as quick as I would for feeding arsnic
I do not employ such doctors to visit me. I do not employ
any doctor to visit me.
The practice of doctors in visiting women
in childbirth is damnable. Women should be let alone
and let Nature have its perfect work. Let a woman keep
her child if she can two or three years but she cannot do
it. When the time has come Nature will deliver
her of her child without a doctor. Dont fret. Let
everything take its proper course and sickness willould depart
away.
The doctors in New Haven ^Ct.^ met by mutual
agreement to see how far they could frighten a man and did
actually frighten him to death, a robust hearty man
Many things should be said to this
people. There has not been a doctor baptized into
this Church that has the Holy Ghost but what will acknowledge
he is a fool. There is not a physician in the Church or
in the world ^that is taught from on high by revelation^ but what will acknowledge this to be a true
doctrine: If there is a doctor who can see and know
man from head to foot and know how to cure his diseases
by revelation such are the only true and safe doctors on earth
All other are fools.
I see medicine ^men die^ in the hands of the doctors. The medicines
kill them. Why dont they tell what ails the patient or acknowledge
they dont know. The foolery there is among this class is disgraceful and
makes me mad and the day will come when you will not wonder at
my feelings
You are natural persons and God has made you
natural. If you are with child that child will come forth by
nature without a doctor. The earth is just so will bring
forth of itself seed after its kind.
If a person is sick and has not faith to be
healed give them herbs the products of the earth and it will cure
you, until it is time to die.
When a cat is sick she will eat catnip without
a doctor, and she gets well. Nature prompts her to it
If a dog is bit with a rattlesnake he will dig a hole in the earth
and lie in the ground until the poison is gone. So nature
will teach us as well as the cat and dog. When a toad is bit
by a spider it will go and eat plantain if it can get it
If a child is to die in being born let
it die but dont employ a doctor to kill it. How will you
be instructed? I will tell you what to do. If you are
taken sick dont be frightened but be calm. If you
get a cold let Nature be judge. Disease will go up and
down through the the system to find a place to be located
It is as much our duty to know how
to cure our system as to feed our body. The doctors would
say you are diseased but dont know it. Who made the
doctors? The Devil. The Lord did not make the
doctors of the present day
Such a thing as a man midwife
was not known until about the year 1,500. Why did not
all the women die before this time? Look at the Indians
for one thousand years. Millions of children have been
born in the wilderness male and female and they live and not die
without a doctor.
You may ask what shall we do? I will
tell you. I will give you a lesson and I want you to
remember it. When you go to visit a woman in travel [travail]
let her alone until her full time has come. Remember
it and let the mother alone. Let your system be
natural. Teach them also to execise all they can
that when they come to be delivered it will be better
for them.
A doctor if he had good sense would
not wish to visit women in childbirth and if a woman
had good sense she would not wish a man to doctor
her on such an occasion
I want you to teach your
children the truthprinciple of truth. I talk as I do
for the people will not sense anything unless they are
half knocked down or thunder rolls in their ears
soft words will not do. I want you to hear
and understand
There has been some difficulty in
this Board of Health. If I had been with you, you
would not have had any difficulty. It has been
through misunderstanding. If you understood
principle you would not quarrel. You may spread
calomel on your bread and butter and eat it if you
wish but it is as deadly poison as arsninic but not
as quick. It is not good. You may ask if
it was ever good in any case? There are cases
where it might be a benefit; but it would want a
revelation to tell when it was.
There is not poison in lobelia.
I will give 5000 dollars for the 16 part of an oz. of
poison that can be extracted out of all the lobelia in this Valley
It is not probable that any two persons are
organized just alike in all respects. Then who is a physician
None, unless he be taught of God and is a prophet or revelator
he cannot understand the human system know desease and
what will cure it.
I dont care how a man acts if he intends
to act right and when he acts wrong is willing to be righted
We will take the best physician of the day that
lives the closest to the Lord, I dont care how well he is
he will be brought down as a fool, for he will be made to
let God be honoured
I have been on a journey in the dust.
I have got dust on my brain: that is what ails me. It
will work off. Could a doctor tell what ails me? No.
Can a doctor tell what ails a sick man by feeling of his
pulse? No more than he could by fealing of a dogs tail
There is no physician unless he is taught of God
You should learn how to doctor yourself
You should study your own system. Any people who
must trust to a doctor at all times will die. But trust
in God and you will live longer
What a different time it would be if all
trusted in God rather than in the doctors; for 9 out of
10 die under the doctors' cure who would live if they trusted
in God alone. Dont get frightened and and you will
do well enough. It is ^just^ as reasonable to send for a
doctor to have a calf colt or pig brought forth as it is
for a child
After you have received your resurrected
bodies you will bring forth spirits to all eternity who
will go to some world and take a tabernacle or body the
same as we have. You dont want a doctor anymore
here than there.
If the members of this society are true either
male or female they will impart all the useful knowledge they
have to others. If they are not willing to do this they are
corrupt. If one man knows more than another let him tell
his knowledge and if a man knows more than all the rest let
him be a father unto the people and teach them and not act like
a boy. If I hold myself equal I am equal. If I hold
myself superior let me manifest it by doing a better deed and being
superior myself.
It is the man that rejects light and knowledge
when shown to him that God condemns and I condemn him
Some say we have spiritual wives but I think God has made
us all natural and I think we should be natural."
Synopsis of .
Travels: I travelled with the Presidency and others to Parowan
Iron County and explored the country from Great Salt
Lake there. The whole distance there and back was
seven hundred and sixty four miles.
Meetings &c: I attended 28 public meetings and
preached 14 discourses.
Baptisms &c
I baptized nine persons and confirmed nine. I
ordained 12 of the High Council 10 High Priests and
8 of the Seventies.
Blessings &c
I blessed eight children; administered to twelve
sick persons and married 1 couple.
Legislature &c
I spent 12 days with the Legislature of Utah; met eight
times with the Regency; met 4 times with the Perpetual
Emigration Company and met with the Presidency and Twelve
in 25 Councils.
Letters
I wrote 10 letters and received 8.
Appointments: I was appointed chaplain of the Navoo
Legion.
[11 lines blank]
The was spent as
a day of Thanksgiving according to the Proclamation of
the Governor
On Monday the the Legislature
of the Territory of Utah met according to the appointment
of the Governor and, on the next day the House met
and received the Governor's Message.
I continued to meet with the Legistlature
till the when the session adjourned until the . when
it
After the adjournment the business of the House
^was retaken up^ but the Legislative proceedings was too lengthy and unsuited for my
Journal in detail. I however give the following items from
the mass of matters that came before the House
Census of the Territory
In
Great Salt Lake County: Contained a population of
six thousand one hundred and fifty five souls.
Davis County: Contained a population of one thousand
one hundred and twenty eight
Utah County: Contained a population of two thousand
and five souls
Sanpete Co. had a population of three hundred
and sixty five.
Green River Precinct with forty six persons.
Iron County: Contained a population of three
hundred and sixty souls
Webber County: one thousand one hundred and forty
three.
The Population of theTerritory: Total: Eleven thousand
three hundred and fifty four
Judges of The Territory
The Legislature appointed the following Judges.
Webber County: Isaac Clark
Davis County: Joseph Holebrook
[blank] George Bradley.
I will also insert here an extract from the Proclamation
of Governor Young and a synopsis of Addresses delivered by him
in the early part of this year.
Extract From the Proclamation
Of Governor Young to the inhabitants of the Territory of Utah
to set apart the 1st day of January as a Thanksgiving Day
"And I recommend to all good citizens of Utah that they
abstain from everything that is calculated to mar or grieve
the Spirit of their Heavenly Father on that day; that they rise
early in the morning of the first day in the New Year and
wash their bodies with pure water; that all men attend
to their flocks and herds with carefulness and see that no
creature in their care is hungry thirsty or cold while the
women are preparing the best of food for their households
and their children ready to receive it in cleanliness and with
cheerfulness: Then let the head of each family bow down
upon his knees before the God of Israel and acknowledge
all his sins and the sins of his household, call upon the
Father in the name of Jesus for everything ^blessing^ that he desires
for himself, his kindred, the Israel of God, the universe
of man; praying with full purpose of heart and united
faith that the Union of the United States may be preserved
inviolate against all the divices of wicked men until truth shall
reign triumphant and the glory of Jehovah shall fill the whole earth
Then in the name of Jesus ask the Father to bless your food and
when you have filled the plates of your household partake with
them with rejoicing and thanksgiving; and if you feel to make
merry in your hearts sing a song of thanksgiving and lift up
your hearts continually in praise and acknowledgement of the
unbounded mercies your are momentaryily receiving."
An Address
By
President Brigham Young.
.
President Young took for his textsubject "Sin and the forgiveness
of sin."
"I speak upon this subject because we are in the
midst of it. It has been among all the elements; it has been
in our houses in our families and in our hearts and although
it has been our constant companion there are but few who
understand the nature of sin.
"Many have made themselves miserable
by thinking they had sinened against the Holy Ghost; others
that they had sinned a great sin. But what have the
revelations of the Lord said upon these subjects?
"We learn that Jesus Christ came and
took a body and redeemed the world but that Lucifer rebelled
and was cast down without any body and he has sought to
vex and destroy the children of men. He seeks
diligently to draw all from the right path especially if a
Saint tries to follow the track and get where Jesus was
then the Devil will try hard to overthrow them
Many have thought they have committed much
sin when they have not understood the nature and works of sin
We must understand many principles and arrive at much knowledge
before we can ^fully^ understand the nature of sin
The vieeil of darkness is over the earth so that
the inhabitants of the earth are so overwhelmed in tradition and
darkness they do not know light from darkness truth from error
right from wrong or the difference between the dictation of the
Holy Spirit or that conscience which has been framed for them
by the dictation of their mothers and priests. Many think
far more of the traditions of their youth than of any principle
that God could reveal unto them. Their mother must not
do anything on Sunday. To darn a stocking would
be a great sin.
Sin is one thing and tradition another. The
word of God revealed will tell what sin is while tradition will
not.
The education of the world is good as far as they
have any truth found in science which they possess; but
they do not understand truth in connection with the plan
of salvation.
I want the Saints here to understand that
they cannot sin against God and Jesus Christ and the
Priesthood against his ^their^ family^ies^ and the Saints and then come
and ask forgiveness of the Church then pass on smoothly
and think they will go to heaven. This is too cheep a way
to get to heaven. I want this subject riveted on your
hearts; if it is not you will not remember it
You must remember your covenants and
the law of God that is given to us. It is written that sin
is a transgression of the law. Where is the law? In the
books that is given us in the main; yet this does not go into
all the meanderings of life. Where do you find a law that
you shall not drive a teem across your neighbours lot not go to
his hay stack or suffer your families to take liberties that
you are not willing should be done to you? Yet you know
it to be wrong. But do unto others as you wish others to
do unto you is the law and the Prophets. [Matthew 7:12]
Some men who have been ordained
unto the Priesthood and are very high in authority will take
the name of God in vain and swear by this and that.
Does such persons suppose that the Church can forgive that
sin? If you do your hope is in vain. They
can never forgive that sin?. No man can do it. None
but God alone and it never will be forgiven until he does it.
The time will come that if a man will
take the name of God in vain he will be hewn down without
judgement or trial. Hear it O, ye Elders, for it is
time. Let this people sanctify their hearts, and then
take the name of God in vain and it will not be forgiven
The time will al[s]o come when the parents are sanctifyed
before the Lord and their children rise up in disobedience
against them and they will be hewn down.
If you sin against God and take
the name of God in vain if you get forgiveness you will
have to be forgiven by Him and not from man.
Some think if they are alone and sware
or sin nobody will know it; but they will find themselves
mistaken. Still if a man has to sware let him
be alone. If a man damns himself let him be alone
that others may not be polluted by his sin.
If you take the name of God in
vain I will not forgive it, for I cannot. If the Lord
will forgive you I will forgive you for maring my feelings
by speaking in my ears
The more you see the veil parted and the more ^you^ we
learn the more you will see that God's ways or not ^as^ our ways [Isaiah 55:8]
This people are passing through a great school of experience. I remember
while in Kirtland that if any of the brethren felt their rights infringed
upon in anywise or abused they would retaliate and be ready
to quarrel about it and get up a lawsuit for a debt of three dollars
But the minds of Saints have become more noble
Now if a man is abused who understands
principle he is above quarrelling about it and he feels to say
it is nothing to me: I am not to suffer by it; but you who
have abused me have the penalty to pay. But if the devil
can only make you think that you are abused or ill-treated
and you begin to fret about it and you give the devil power
over you in the end it is as bad as though you had done
wrong yourself.
Now if a man sins against you until
seventy times seven and he repents and with an humble
heart asks forgiveness you should forgive him for this is
the law. He must ask forgiveness and be honourable
or he cannot be forgiven
As much as been said, and many
fears entertained concerning the sin against the Holy Ghost
I wish to speak farther concerning that subject. To
sin against the Holy Ghost is a sin against God the Father
the Son and the Holy Ghost that beareth^s^ witness ^record^ of them
A man cannot sin against the Holy Ghost until the
Holy Ghost has revealled unto him the Father and Son
and a knowledge of eternal things in a great degree. When
he has a knowledge of these things and with his eyes open
he rebels against God and defys his power, he sins against
all three. If a man does sin against the Holy
Ghost the pieople have nothing to do with it; for they
cannot forgive that sin and none but God can do it, and
probably he will not in this world nor in the world to come for
they become sons of pe[r]dition and probably will never repent of nor
have a disposition to.
If you blaspheme the name of God dont
ask this people to forgive you ^for they cannot do it &c^. If God forgives the sin then
you can go down into the waters of baptism. When you get
knowledge you will be ashamed to sin
Now I want to bring this subject home
What are the acts of the people? Do they not sin and trespass
against their brethren, parents against their children and children
against their parents, the husband against the wife and the wife
against the husband? This is with us and this we can ^reach^
^and^ mangage and tell what ought to be done.
You ought to cease from taking the
liberty of any person and do unto all as you would wish them
to do unto you. Infringe upon the rights of no one; borrow
no tool but what you will return according to promise. Take
no wood nor anything else but what belongs to you and if
you find anything that is not your own do not hide it
away but report it that the owner may be found
If I had some stones here I could
cast them and hit two or three in this congregation in the
head who are guilty of these acts. You may say why
dont you tell who they are? Why you poor devil are
you not going to repent of it by and bye? If not when
the day of clensing and sanctifying of Israel comes you
will have to be sacrificed and your blood spilt upon
the ground; for the day will come when iniquity must
cease in Zion and the profane man who takes the name
of God in vain will be slain.
In the days of ancient Israel Justice
was dealt out in a manner that showed they understood
principle and revered the commands of God.
It was a mercy to many to have justice and
judgement executed upon them on the earth even to be slain and have
their blood poured out upon the earth that it might be tolerable
for them.
God made a covenant with Abraham and his seed
that he would save them. When they committed sin he
slew them that he might save them by their sprinkling ^spilling^ their
blood as an offering. Had they lived in sin they might
have sinned so as not to have been forgiven or saved. It
was a mercy to slay them
Now brethren if you sin against God
go to God to get forgiveness if that sin is not unto death. There
is a sin unto death which we are told we need not pray for.
If you sin against your brother go to him to get forgiveness
Ask forgiveness at the hands of the innocent. If you
sin against your family your parents your husband
your wife your child seek forgiveness at their hands;
but what is done in secret should be forgiven in secret
and go no faarther that sins may be hid. But if
sins are committed openly they should ask forgiveness
and be forgiven openly. These are true principles
and let them be remembered forever
Governor Brigham Young's Address
On Slavery
Before the Legislative Assembly of Utah
The whole world are slaves. Eve partook of
the forbidden fruit and also Adam and this act
brought slavery upon all their posterity in some way or
other and this will continue in some way or other until we become
righteous enough to drive the devil and evil from the earth
Adam had two sons, Canin and
Abel. Cain was more given to evil than Abel. Adam
was called to offer sacrifice so also were his sons. The
sacrifice of Abel was more acceptable than Cain's and Cain
took it into his heart to put Abel out of the way so he
killed Abel [Genesis 4:1-16]
The Lord said I will not kill Cain
but I will put a mark upon him and it is seen in the
face of every Negroe on the earth and it is the decree of
God that that mark shall remain upon the seed of Cain
and the curse until all the seed of Abel should be redeemed
and Cain will not recive the Priesthood or salvation until
all the seed of Abel are redeemed.
Any man having one drop of the seed
of Cain in him cannot hold the Priesthood and if no other
Prophet ever spake it before I will say it now in the name
of Jesus Christ. I know it is true and others know
it.
The Negroe cannot hold one particle of government
but the day will come when all the seed of Cain will be
redeemed and have all the blessings we have now and a great
deal more but the seed of Abel will be ahead of the
seed of Cain to all eternity.
Let me consent to day to mingle my
seed with the seed of Cain and it will bring the same
curse upon me and it would upon any man; and if
any man mingle his seed with the seed of Cain the
only way he could get rid of it or have salvation would
be to come forward and have his head cut off and spill
his blood upon the ground and it would also take the
life of his children
It is said that if a man takes ^kills^ another he takes
that which he cannot give. If a man's head is cut off his life is
not destroyed nor his Spirit. That lives. His tabernacle is
destroyed. But I can make as good tabernacles as I can
destroy. If you will not believe it look at my children
Much blood was shed in ancient times
both of man and beast. The firstlings and best of the
flock was sacrificed on the altar; and in some instances
many men and almost whole nations were sacrificed or put
to death because of their sins and wickedness. This was the
only way they could be saved at all.
If Jesus Christ had not had his blood
shed the blood that he received from his mother Mary
the world would not have been saved.
There is not one of the seed of old
Cain that is permitted to rule and reign over the seed of
Abel and neither you nor I can help it
Those that do bear rule should do it in
righteousness. I am opposed to the present system of
slavery. The Negro should serve the seed of
Abraham but it should be done right. Dont abuse
the Negro and treat him cruel.
It has been argued here that many
of the Jews were black. Whenever the seed of Judah
mingled with the seed Cain they lost the Priesthood and
all their blessings.
As an example; let the Presidency Twelve
Seventies High Priests Bishops and all the authorities say
Now we will all go and mingle with the seed of Cain
and they may have all the priveleges they want; and
we lift our hands to heaven in support of this.
That moment we lose the Priesthood and all its blessings
and we should not be redeemed until Cain was. I
will never admit of it for a moment. Some may think I dont
know as much as they do; but I know that I do ^know^ more than they
The Lord will watch us all the time
The Devil would like to rule part of the time but I am determined
he shall not rule at all; and Negros shall not rule us, I
will not consent for the seed of Cain to vote for me or my
brethren. If you want to know why we did not
speak of this in the Constitution it was because it was none
of their business.
Any man is a citizen black white or red
and if the Jews come here with a part of the Canaanite blood
in them they are citizens and shall have their rights but
not to rule for me or my brethren.
Those persons from the Islands and
foreign countries know nothing about governing the people
The Canaanite cannot have wisdom to do things as the
white man has.
We must quarrel against all evil. I am
not going to let this people damn themselves as long as
I can help it"
An Address
Delivered by
President Brigham Young.
I trust in the Lord for light as I have heretofore done
When the minds of men are open to understand they will see things
as they are. We are subject to all the evils which there are
in the world.
I have thought this world as fallen as any of
the creation of God. When the Lord created the earth or any world
if they have an exaltation they will have to experience all that we
experience. I see no reason why they should not be tempted
as we are tempted. If we are candidates for exaltation and
glory and we cannot get that exaltation and glory in any other way
then we should be reconciled to it and be satisfied to let the
Lord do with us as he pleases
Is there any evil upon any person or
affliction upon any pnation or kingdom that God does not permit?
There is not. We should then be faithful to God in all things
to be his secret counsellor. if If necessary Why should we complain
or find fault with God about anything? We should not. See
the example of the nations of the earth. They complain
about everything and against all this providences. There is
no proceeding of ours of act or experience but what he knows
all about
If it would be any satisfaction to you
I would say that God has passed through all the trials and
experience that we have. Jesus Christ has passed through
all the trials and experience the same as we. It would not
be prudent to say that the Father has not the same
experience that his Son had^s^. He had quite as much
as his Son.
Let the Saints look about themselves and
see if they have as great things as they expected. When
they first received the Gospel and the Holy Ghost opened
their minds they saw that Zion was to be built up and
Israel gathered, the power of God and the Holy Ghost
to be poured out upon us. "If we could get a place by
ourselves how faithful we would live and thank God." Do
you have the same things that you looked for? Well
I dont know, you say. This shows that somebody
has let down their watch and influenced others and they
have not lived up to their privileges
When we first received the Gospel we were
humble but since then the Tempter has come and we are tempted
with many things. But this is right. The Lord permits
it. We could not get glory without it.
Let me ask if any one is here who
went to Jackson County in 1831? The feeling was if I could
get with the Saints all my sorrow and trouble will be at an end
So it is with the Saints in England. Before we preached the
gathering to them the Lord revealed it to them that they would be
gathered. We told them not to reveal it till the time came
Do you have anything now that you looked
for in the beginning. If not something is the matter. You
dont do right. You dont settle this difficulty or that. But
what is the matter? You are wrong yourself. What
hinders you from praying all day or having fasting and
prayer? You have enough to eat; but the great
difficulty is when they moved to Zion they brought themselves
with them.
You had so many devils in you that
they trouble you. When the devil and wicked men
have afflicted and persecuted us as far as was for our
good then the Lord says stop and go no farther. But
if we take everything patiently all our afflictions will work
together for our good. But do you at the present
time have anything to mar your peace except what you
bring upon yourselfves. You have privileges here but
do the people prize their privileges?
Why do the people go to the Kanyons
after wood on Sunday? Why have they gone to day?
Why dont I do it? Why do I not visit my farm
or the bath house on Sunday? Because it is not right
and sets a bad example. I cannot do these things
on the Sabbath
Some will take poles from his neighbours fence or
take a chain or an axe without liberty. This is wrong. There
is nothing on earth to mar our peace but our own acts. But
the great difficulty is we cannot get away from ourselves. Some
think perhaps that if they go to the gold digings they can get
away from themselves but they cannot
When persecution and trials come they scorch
the good seed and it dries up.
How are you going to get Zion. Nothing
hinders our having Zions but ourselves. We have all the
priveleges of angels to worship God and get all blessings we
need.
We have to war with all devils temptations and
trials until we overcome. I will fight until I overcome
If I fall into the grave there are others who will take my
place. There are many who will fight and if needs
be will take the sword
I hope all who want good principles will
have the privilege of receiving them. To-day is a day of
tithing and sacrafice; to-morrow cometh the burning.
I would say that you cannot be
perfect without me nor I without you. The Providences
of God have so interwoven and identified the interest of the
children of Adam together that they cannot be perfect
without each other.
Do you enjoy yourselves and have peace. I
have peace and no man can take it from me. If you do
not have peace it is because you drive stakes and the Lord
will not let you do it.
But let the will of God be done. If
you dont enjoy Zion it is because you dont say "Let the
will of God be done.["] There is nothing to take your Zion
away but yourselves.
We are to be tried and tempted in every way in order
to prove ourselves the friend of God in all things and God will bless you
My prayer is that God may bless this people and that they may be
faithful and the friends of God.
I told the Legislature that I should
be proud to have the world know that I told the Assembly to
fast and pray until they got the Spirit of God to do their duty
I would like to see the judges upon the Bench to ask God to
bless them and all the Jury and witnesses to assist them in all
their testimony and decisions."
On the I was 45 years
of age.
On the the Governor President of the Council
Speaker of the House with all the members of both branches
of the Legislature assembled with their ladies at the Council
House and partook of an excellent feast. The Governor
gave an interesting address in the evening which closed
with the shout of hosannah.
Two days later and the Legislative
Assembly adjourned until the next December and the
Governor blessed the Assembly.
-[On the I attended a party
at the Bath House. About 50 gentlemaen and 100 ladies
were present. I addressed the Assembly at 8 o'clock in the evening
and returned home. The Presidency and Twelve and those
who had been at work in the Council House assisting in the
endowments were washed and anointed. I did not get
word of it and was not present.]-
This evening the mail arrived which
had been anxiously looked for during many weeks. From it
we gathered American and European news and found that there
were warm times in Congress in consequence of the Utah Judges
having gone home and made reports against Governor Young and others.
General Conference.
of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
held
In the Tabernacle Great Salt Lake City
There were present Brigham Young H. C. Kimball and
Willard Richards of the First Presidency; and Orson Pratt
Wilford Woodruff and George A Smith of the quorum of the
Twelve. Also Patriarchs John Smith and Isaac Morley,
Daniel Spencer President of the Stake the Presidents of the
several quorums and a congregation that filled the Tabernacle
to overflowing. Hundreds could not get into the house.
The President took the stand at 10 o'clock
and said
"We adjourned last conference to meet in the
Tabernacle to day. We are here in the New Tabernacle
according to appointment."
The hymn was then sung—"Lord in
the morning thou shalt hear"
The dedication prayer was offered up
by Willard Richards and is published in the Deseret News
President Young arose and said
I arise to say a few words, as we
have offered the "Dedication Prayer," upon that subject
Who could foresee the way of the Lord
as we now see it? We can now behold the manifestation
of the Lord. He has done what we could not but we
have an experience that teaches us to trust in the Lord
We should not undertake to dictate the
Lord for his work will go on. We have seen plenty
try to dictate the Lord and try to build up themselves
and not this kingdom; but they soon fall and the Lord
overthrows them; but this work goes on the Gospel is
preached and all his work rolls forth
Let the wicked do what they please:
we have the privelege of worshiping God and being happy
I wish to dedicate all I possess unto God and praise him
and do all he requires of me
At the last Conference I was sick
and not able to be with you—not able to be up. I
meditated upon the state of the Church. I saw some
going to the right and some to the left: some after gold and
the riches of this life. I said I would tell the brethren
my feelings. I said I would go to work and build a
tabernacle and worship the Lord so that we would not
be driven home by a storm. I saw also that some
would say I cannot go for I must take care of my
cattle my farm my fields &c; but I said I would go and
worship God as long as I wished if the whole earth sunk
Some delight in a fine horse farm
or house or good things of this life; but this is nothing to
you. It is good in its place. But you cannot
pray because you cannot spend time.
Some women cannot spend time to
have prayers. You know it is your duty to pray and
dedicate yourselves to God and your family and all you
possess
Some feel as though they must go to
night to the Kanyons; but if you will hearken to counsel you will
say to all the world stand by: I am going to worship the Lord. Let
the dead bury the dead; but I will dedicate myself and off ^my^ family
and all I have unto the Lord. No matter what the Lord
sets you about go at it and do it
There is a great change with this people
We have been sick; now are we well: We have been poor, now
are we rich—have been distressed and mobed now we have peace.
How long will it last? As long as this people do right.
It havs been 22 years since this Church
was organized. We should serve the Lord, love the Lord
with all our hearts cease to do wrong or find fault with any
of the Saints. If they do wrong chastise them and not
hate them.
Are the people prepared to make a covenant
to dedicate themselves and their hearts to God from this hour?
I feel to urge all the brethren and sisters to dedicate themselves
unto the Lord.
If we can gain the victory and say I will
do the work of the Lord in all things; if he will make
his will known I will perform it. Not only say but
perform it and dedicate our affections unto the Lord.
We may find some that cannot do this
They say I want some gold or something to help myself
with to get out of difficulties. What will be done in
such a case? I will tell you what I would do.
If I had got but one cow and she plagued me I would
give her away. If you have anything that is in your
way give it to the public works
Let nothing get between you and God
and I will tell you what to do. If anything gets
between you and God give it to his service or you
cannot get through the gates of the celestial city.
Why are you not as poor ^pure^ as the Church of Enoch?
Because you have not the mind to be. I will make my
hands do the will of God and my heart will go with it. The
spirit of envy will not obey. Then unite your interest
with this kingdom for this kingdom will stand forever.
Put your interest with it so that you cannot get away and
then you will stick to the kingdom; but if your purse
of gold is in your pocket and you apostatize you may
go away but if your interest is with the Church and you
do wrong you may stay until you get the Spirit of
God again and may be saved
We must build up this kingdom first
and dont be afraid of starving for this kingdom will be
an everlasting kingdom that will not be thrown down
It will stand forever. The more the wicked try to
throw it down the more it will stand. If you
want it to stand unite your interest with it in such
a manner that you cannot get it away. Then you are
safe.
If I was to ask what was your opinion
concerning the Millennium I should get a great many
opinions; but the truth is all will be in one sense as it is
now. You will eat built and do all things as now
only you will be more pure and united and all will serve
the Lord and not the devil any more. Let this people
possess this spirit and here would be the Millennium
as it would be with any people who will do this."
President Young closed with blessing the
people and after singing and prayer the meeting [a]djourned
In the afternoon the Tabernacle was
crowded to excess. Orson Pratt and Orson Spencer
delivered discourses.
Next morning the Tabernacle was
at an early hour filled to overflowing and in the morning of this day's
conference the authorities of the Church were presented. Among
the rest H. C. Kimball moved that Brigham Young be the Governor
of the State of Deseret which was carried unaminously; and
that Heber C. Kimball be the Lieut. Governor which was
sustained with applause.
President Young remarked that "no doubt
before you get home you will hear we have committed treason
"With regard to the labour of this Tabernacle
I will say the cost will be read before the meeting and all the
tithing and outlay; but if you feel that your expectations
are realized you should be satisfied.
I will say I never saw any room as
convenient as this. It will seat 2,200 persons and there
is ^are^ 2,500 persons here to day. I expect the Tabernacle
that we intend to build on this block will seat 15000
people. We never did build a house large enough to
hold the people. If we were to enclose this whole 10
acre block so that it would hold two hundred thousand
people by the time we go[t] it done there would be enough
to fill it.
"The Lord is controling our affairs and does
more for us than we can do for ourselves or ask him to do for
us. The more we are humble and will labour and
prepare for the gathering of Israel the faster they will gather.
"The establishment of this Tabernacle was
the result of my meditation while on a sick bed.
"If there is any man who is full of the
Holy Ghost let him rise up and speak and use his liberty.
"I feel as usual to praise the Lord with all my
heart. The hand of God has been as visible in leading
this people as it was in leading Israel in the days of Moses
Some had not faith to come on for fear of starving to death
Brother Kempton spoke for a few moments and then
again President Young spoke and observed
"The Gentiles will take exception to what is
said here. I know as the Lord lives that the people of
the United States have departed from the spirit and letter of their
Constitution and this people will be the only people who will
sustain it"
Wm W. Phelps in an address remarked
that this was the third time he had been to a "dedication
of a house built to worship God in. He was at Kirtland
when the angel of the Lord came in and sat there during
service.
In the afternoon the manifesto of the
recepts and expenditures of the tithing from Oct 1848 to
March 27th 1852 was laid before the Conference. The
sum total of the numerous items stood as follows:
| Total of all | $353,765.69 |
| Yet to be accounted for | 36,495.12 |
| Property on hand | 75,550.04 |
"For my own satisfaction and great
consolation there has not one dollar gone into the hands of a
lawyer as in the days of Joseph. At that time almost
every dollar had to go into the hands of lawyers and they
pro^se^cuted him all the day long. But I said I
would kill any man who sought to take me.
Many thought my purse reached
from eternity to eternity—that there was no end to it
We were called "bogus makers." Brother Kimball
said we would go where we could coin the pure gold
$10 at a lick. We have done so even $20 at a
time.
Our brethren went to Calafornia. The hand of God
was in all this. They opened the gold mines and the Lord
had a design in it to see who would be tried by it. Never
did nor ever will any of the Saints go to dig gold there without
being sent without being damned by it. Mark my words.
If we go on to the devils ground we shall be left to smell
hell: we shall feel the wrath of God. If I was sent there
by the Lord I would go but the Lord has not called me
to go.
Many Elders in Israel some good men
have tried it and smutted themselves up so that it is
quite a question if they will ever be washed clean.
I have said I did not think that there
was one dollar in 20 paid in tithing that had been spent
on the Public Works but it seems from the Books that there
has been about one fourth. The other 3 fourths I
have had to borrow. If I had to borrow all the monies
that is used and none assist me to pay it, it will make my
head ache
I have trusted the Lord and served
him all the day long and when I undertake anything I
persevere until I accomplish it. I see the difference
in trusting in God and doing business according to the
order of the world.
There is not one hair droped from
my head unnoticed and does God not know what I want
There never was a miracle only to the ignorant
It is all to be accounted for on natural principles. The
Lord will not turn a stone and clay into gold to suit me
There is enough without it. Jesus did not make
bread out of a stone; but he had knowledge and power
and did call together the elements to make bread and
the elements into the water to make wine. But
the Lord is not going to work a miracle to clothe us
Raise your wool and flax and spin and weave it and make it up
and not have to pay cash for every pound you use. What you
buy is hardly worth making up but what you make is strong
and will wear."
In the evening the Priesthood filled the
Tabernacle at an early hour and was addressed by President
Brigham Young. He arose and said:
"This is certainly a mixed congregation
of all the officers of the Church. We are to be instructed
in all things. The knowledge that is now in the midst of
this people is more than in all the world besides. All
science is in the midst of this people even if they have not learned
it as the world has.
I have my cogitations and views of the
affairs of this Kingdom; but I have learned that we must
work to the scribe if not we may fail in it; but if we
work in faith and confidence the Lord is apt to help us
I asked a favour of the Bishops to
divide the money debts in each ward that it might be paid
Let us contend with ourselves and dicipline
ourselves until everything within us is brought into subjection
to the law of Christ. You have been taught the first
principles of the Gospel now teach yourselves and the Church
Our school is the School of the Prophets
This is a school to plaine and polish ourselves. And
suppose under such privilege we should indulge in evil
and neglect our families and our duty to God? All
our former sins would be upon our heads.
It is for a man to commit himself
and all that he presides over unto God to do his will
and to continue to do it until he is sanctified
If your neighbour does you evil, do
not do evil to him. Bear with him and set him
right but dont quarrel with him; but be careful that you conduct yourself
well until you are prepared for the society of holy men
This is as I said the school of the Prophets
Our baptism is only the beginning of our work. You must
then go on to perfection. You must perform this work. Our
children understand the Gospel but do they understand the way
to govern their lives? We shall never see a day but what
we can learn. We shall not inherit the glory of God all
at once or understand all knowledge; but God teaches us
small principles to prepare us for greater ones.
Let us learn in this school. There are
a great many books of education of the present day. The main
branch of our study is theology. I understand it better than
any in the world. Adam Enoch Moses Aaron Jesus
and the Apostles have all been in the same school in their day
and have faithfully learned that they might be perfected. They
are my brethren and will be my company; and I now tell
you if you want me to have full fellowship with you cease
speaking evil of God and all good men whether in heaven or
on earth
When a man is in the right track he will
come and lay down anything at the feet of a brother to settle
a difficulty and rather wrong themselves ^himself^ than have a difficulty
If you wanted revelation written I could
write revelation every day about building a Temple diging gold
going to England or any other place. I profess to be an
Apostle. Every Apostle will have to be a revelator and
have revelations if there are thousands of them if they do their
duty and live up to their calling if not they will have to be
removed. But a man who is not an Apostle has
not power to stand at the head of the Kingdom of God,
hold the keys of the Priesthood and build up and lead
the Church of God. The highest authority on the earth
is an Apostle.
Jesus Christ will have a class of men who will do all
that he requires of them. They will have the greater glory; but
those who cannot endure will have a lesser glory."
George A. Smith delivered a discourse after the
president had closed.
Next day the Tabernacle was filled at 9 o'clock
and the meeting opened by prayer from Elder Wilford Woodruff who
then addressed the assembly. He was followed by Orson
Spencer Judge Z. Snow and W. W. Phelps and then President
Young made the following remarks
"The subject I am at is to enlighten
the mind. It is expected we have to learn letters
With regard to the principle of education it commences
with the mother. I do not like to see mothers
attend to everything else but their children. They should
teach their children all they can for early impressions
will last persons during their lives whether they be
good or bad. I will tell you the truth as it is
in eternity. If the child does not have good
instruction in early life it will be required at the hand
of the mother and not at the hand of the father
The child will think the mother is
the best woman on earth and the mother has power to
instill into the mind of the child what she please and what
she imparts unto them ^it^ will stay with them ^it^ through life
Mothers should take care of their children
and not spend their time watching their husbands. It is
the duty of mothers to stay at home and take care of
their children. My duty calls me to be in this stand
I know not what my children are about or what they
are doing. They may be in the street swearing for
what I know as others do. If they should go to hell
it would be required at the hands of the mother and not at my hands
A child of mine shall not conquer me. I would sooner see them
die than that they should conquer me. If any one of my
children will not follow my footsteps I will disinherit or disown
them. They shall not have part in my kingdom. I
would rather get children adopted to me who would keep the
commandments.
No child should rise up and teach and control
the mother; nor should woman rise up and dictate the
husband and the husband should not rise up and try to dictate
his president or the Lord.
Education begins with the mother to the
child. You must keep it in remembrance that the Lord
has commanded you to multiply and replenish the earth
that you may have joy and rejoicing in the day of the holy
resurrection.
Do you keep your minds pure and do
you pray night and day. Now pray from the time of
conception till the time of delivery that your child may be
filled with the Holy Ghost and that a noble spirit from eternity
may come into the Tabernacle and that the Holy Ghost may
rest upon the father mother and child
When some speak you cannot understand
they make use of such high flown words; but when I speak
you can understand the verity in the English language
I would like to be with the Holy Ones who
are full of eternal light. A point of the finger or motion
would communicate without words. When I am full of
the Holy Ghost I can see a man as well behind as
before. I can see their hearts by the Spirit of
God and know what is in them."
In the afternoon one hundred were
called for to go with their teeams to meet the emigrants
and some were appointed to go on foreign missions:
Thomas Margetts to Italy, T. B. Broderick
John Dalley and John Armstrong to England; George Parman to
the nations Wm Fatheringham to Calcutta Edward Stephenson to
Giberalter James Dilley and two others to Scotland and Alfred
Smith for foreign mission.
The Seventies held a meeting at night
on the subject of building the Seventies Hall, and they were
addressed by Joseph Young George A Smith Wilford
Woodruff and others.
Synopsis of An Address
by
President Young
"This people are blessed with all that heart can with and
yet many are not satisfied. This is the case with some
spirits and they want things illegally.
Is it not necessary that we should have
a Temple [Tabernacle]. It is absolutely necessary that we should have
a Temple to worship the Most High God in. A Tabernacle
is to assemble the multitude for meeting but a Temple is to
gather the Priesthood in that they may do the work of the Lord
Are we prepared to go and redeem our
dead? Is there a place prepared that we may go and
redeem our dead? No there is not. We give endowments
here but it is like trying to step on to the top round first
If we had the privelege of building
a temple our works would not be legal but we do these things
until we have time to build a temple. If we had gone on
to the top of the mountains if we had no room it would be
legal and right
Brother Kimball says we have to make our own
heaven. The Lord cannot save us if we do not save ourselves. If
we expect to get our endowments we have got to follow the footsteps
that God has set for us to walk in and if we walk in that channel
God owns our labours and acknowledges all that is done.
Now all the ordinances will have to be attended to
again when we get a Temple. Yet if any one dies in faith those
ordinances will be legal; but all that live will have to do it again
and I will say as a revelation that if you will not help build a
Temple and have faith in the work you will be lost.
A word to those who have got their endowments
We shall work as fast as we can and what we have done is
legal. If we had been in our own lands and had a right to
a temple we should not do as we now do.
Many have died in the faith, have been
worn out: their ordinances are legal. Those who came into
the Church first and are faithful have a right to the ordinances
first.
I wish the people to understand that when the
Lord has anything for them they will have it; but when the
Lord has nothing for the people I dont want for them to teaze
me for what they cannot have. When there is to be a work
done I will tell you.
Now we shall begin to build a temple in
1853. This Tabernacle will have to accomodate the
people until the Temple is built. If this wont answer for
the people until we build a Temple we will make a Bowery
on the North and South sides of the block
At soon as the Temple is built we will
give you your endowments. If there are any who were in
Jackson County and other places and have helped to build up
the Kingdom of God in the early days we want to bless them
first; and if there is any man or child who went in the Battalion
or Pioneers come forward and get your blessings before others and
we will bless you. If you are faithful there is no blessing
in the celestial law or kingdom of God but what you will
get.
I want to be sealed to my father before I
shall be a legal heir. If I were to die and there was
not a child of mine to live to do it for me some friend
would be raised up to do it and if not my body will
soon be raise up and I should be in some Temple with
my brethren to tell them what to do
I can see the hearts of men and
the spirits of men. If they do try to be hid I can
see them. I see many who aspire to be first and
to be exalted above their fellows; but I can tell
you all you will be rewarded according to what you do
whether you do little or much or nothing at all.
Some wish to be above Brother
Brigham. Why was I not called before brother Joseph
Why does not some one ask the Lord to appoint them to
be above brother Brigham? But the Lord will laugh
at you. Such forget the Kingdom of God. ^They are corrupt.^
Let every man say what can I do
to build up the kingdom of God. Ask the mother who
is trying to do the will of God what her reward will be?
She will say I dont know but I will say if you are
faithful and satisfied with your condition in this life you
will be blessed and satisfied with your condition in the
world to come.
Let all strive to be satisfied with their
conditions in life and that will be a blessing to them."
Other matters concerning paying our
debts &c were touched upon by the President and then Elder
John Banks followed in some interesting remarks.
After several others had spkoken the meeting adjourned
In the afternoon of this day's conference President Young delivered his
great discourse on Adam our Father and God. I recorded a synopsis
of it in my journal but a full report of it is published in the Journal
of Discourses Vol I.
The Conference continued until the close of
Sunday the th.
On the last day after an address from Heber
C. Kimball who remarked that Bishop Hunter was chief Bishop
and had the right to choose his two councillors the Presiding
Bishop arose and said he should choose men who could assist.
Brigham Young was at the head and his councillors were inspired
of the Holy Ghost. "I select for my councillors Brigham Young
and Heber C. Kimball."
Then Brother Heber C. Kimball and
Willard Richards laid hands upon Bishop Hunter's head and
blessed him and said ^H C Kimball said^
"O God the Eternal Father I ask in the name
of Jesus Christ while we lay our hands upon thy head ^the head of thy servant^ that all
our words may be dictated by the Holy Ghost while we set
apart brother Hunter as a presiding Bishop. We hereby set
you apart to be a presiding Bishop and to be a judge in
Israel. We bless you with the spirit of your office and
calling. You shall have wisdom to judge between good
and evil in all things and to be a great benefit to the house
of Israel and that they may uphold thee by their faith that
thou mayest administer in faith and righteousness and be a
great blessing to the people and administer to the poor and needy
Thou shalt have discernment like the lightning to detect the
evil and those who seek to deceive and that all may receive thy
teachings and thy work may work together for the good of all
the people: even so Amen."
^Of^ To Brother Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball
said:
"You shall be blessed and all your house and not one of them
shall be lost and no man shall get between me and Brother Brigham
and Brother Richards and no man or woman shall get between the
Twelve and Presidency: if they do they will get pinched and
any man or woman who tries to get between us will be damned
They tried to prejudice Joseph against us in his day and they will be
damned
"The Twelve are the best men that live and any
man who tries to put their feet upon their neck will get the
feet of the Twelve upon their own neck."
President Young came in at this moment and brother
Heber continued
"Do as brother Brigham tells you and all will
be right and you will not have sorrow. Follow my counsel
and you will not have sorrow. If my family would take
my counsel and had faith in me I would never have a
doctor in my family for ^but^ I have doctors here that I have faith
in; but lLet me send for a doctor and they have faith in him
and not in me and then what further am I."
Brother Brigham observed, "That is true
and worthy of note."
"If you are not one you are not mine saith
the Lord; [Doctrine and Covenants 38:27] but if you abide in me you will bring forth fruit
to the glory of God. [John 15:5] When we learn this lesson our sorrows
will cease. When we get the cloak off we shall be in heaven
In this house is my heaven for I am in a heavenly place
with holy men and angels."
The old lion's neck is out of the yoke and
they will not put it on again for Brother Brigham shall whip
them out and they shall not whip him out nor me nor my
brethren. You shall be blessed and the earth shall bring
forth for your good and you shall be blessed in your posterity
and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ"
President Young said the words of brother Kimball
was a prophecy and was true.
The Conference was adjourned until the Special Conference
in August of the same year.
On the I left the City to accompany
the Presidency on a visit to the southern settlements and to explore as
far as we had an opportunity
We visited various cities and places on the way
and reached Filmore City .
we held a meeting at Filmore and
President Young preached. I reported the sermon and have it in
manuscript.
On the fifteen mounted men armed and
equipt with provisions left us in the morning to go on an exploring
tour after lead and silver. Bro Major our artist took the
likeness of an Indian Chief.
the brethren overtook us with the
Eastern mail and we had much rejoicing with the abundant
news we obtained.
On the we drove into Parowan and
the next day the people held a meeting in the Council House
of which I took the minutes and on the Sunday Orson Pratt
preached in the morning and Presidents Young and Kimball
in the afternoon the discourses of whom I reported
On the Monday we rode to Ceder City
and President Young addressed the people and the proceedings
of the meeting I reported
We also held a meeting the next day
I preached to the people and was followed by Orson Pratt
Heber C. Kimball and President Young. The Iron Company
was also organized. In the evening we took a walk on
the hill and viewed the country around.
The Rodeometer made the distance from Great
Salt Lake City via San Pete to Cedar Fort 314 1/2 miles
We met on the th to organize the High Council and
Presidency of the Stake &c at Parowan having returned there that
morning. John L. Smith was appointed President of the Stake
John Steel 1st Councillor and Henry Lunt 2nd Councillor
E. H. Groves, M. Cruthers R. Harmons, Joseph Chatterly
J Graham James A Little Wm H Dame, John D Laee^ee^
Samuel West Elijah Newman Francis T. Whitney and Joel
H Johnson formed the High Council. Philip Chicken
Smith Bishop of Cedar City and Tarlton Lewis Bishop of
Parowan. The whole of these were ordained under the
hands of Elders Orson Pratt Wilford Woodruff and George A Smith
making 10 High Priests 12 High Councillors 1 President of the Stake
with his two Councillors.
We left Parowan the next day and
two days afterwards wasere at Filmore where we stayed over the
Sunday.
I entered a city lot in Filmore which was then the
Capitol of the Territory and I also got one entered for George
A. Smith and Orson Pratt.
Returning home at Spanish Fork I
entered 160 acres for a farm.
We rode to Provo on the and through
Utah Valley to the foot of the mountain and camped
and the next day st we arrived at Great Salt
Lake City and were welcomed by the citizens
th came on a Sunday this
year. The interval from our return from our southern
tirip had been spent in the daily affairs of life and now
the Celebration of Indipendance day was suspended till the
Monday when the Governor and escort were escorted to
the Tabernacle by the Mormon Battalion Silver Greys
Horse companies &c and the day spent as usual in celebrating the day
of American Indipendence.
The in commemoration of the
enterence of the Pioneers into the Valley was also spendidly celebrated
by the citizens.
On Sunday the Orson Pratt delivered his
sermon on the death and resurrection of the heavens earth and man
and I baptized my daughter Susan C. Woodruff and Mary Webster
and confirmed them.
On the the Eastern mail came in and I was
with the Twelve and Presidency until midnight hearing the news
and the next day the Calafornia mail arrived and the day
following Charles C. Rich left us for San Barnadino
In the evening of Sunday Alfred
Smith addressed the Saints upon the claims of Gladden Bishop
who for many years had been trying to gather a company
around him as many other foolish men and false teachers of
the Church had done. After the close of Smith's speech
President Young made a few remark and Alfred Smith
and his wife and another person who held their sentiments
were cut off from the Church.
On the I attended a great feast
at South Cottonwood. President Young was taken quite
sick so he could not be present. There were gathere[d]
on the occasion Brother Kimball and Orson Pratt and Wilford
Woodruff of the Twelve Bishop Hunter Wm W. Phelps and a
great collection of people. Speeches were made by Elders
Kimball Pratt Woodruff Phelps Bishop Hunter and others.
On this day also 4 of the Twelve Apostles returned
from their missions—namely John Taylor from France
E. T. Benson from ^Pottawatamie County^ Erastus Snow from
Scandinavia and Franklin D. Richards from the British
Mission over which he had been presiding
Next day I met in Council with the Presidency and
six of the Tweleve and it was good to see so many of my quorum together
again.
The Snake Indians came into the city to day to make
a treaty of peace with the Utahs and Walker's tribe. They had been
at war for many years but through the wise course of President
Young they were brought to peace.
Special Conference
The Special Conference assembled this morning
to appoint Elders to foreign missions. One hundred were
appointed to Europe and almost all the world. I took
minutes of the Conference. We had a good time and
the Spirit and power of God rested with the people. The
Conference closed on the evening of Sunday the .
Sunday Orson Pratt preached
the funeral sermon of Lorenzo D. Barnes and Wm Burton
both of whom had died in England but whose bodies had been
disintered and brought ^to^ Great Salt Lake City.
The mail came in on the . Bro
Joseph Russell of Marimichi had also arrived a few days previous
and had been staying with me. Orson Hyde too had returned
to the Valley.
General Conference
of
The Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. S.
The General Conference of the Church assembled in the new
Tabernacle and proceeded to the business of the day. It continued five
days closing on Sunday night the . It was a very interesting
Conference a glorious time and the Spirit of God rested upon the people
and the Elders. On the Sunday night I went with the Twelve
to bless the Elders who were going on foreign missions and the
spirit of prophecy rested upon us while we were laying our hands
upon them.
On the I met a company of Elders at the
Council House and spent the whole day in teaching and blessing
45 Elders who were going to the various nation of the earth
^China &c see^ Brother Joseph Young and J. M. Grant assisted in blessing
the Elders. The Spirit and power of God rested upon us in
a great degree, the heavens were opened unto us and our minds were
filled with visions revelations and prophecy while we sealed great
blessings upon the heads of the Elders as we were moved upon by
the Holy Ghost. We foretold to them what would befall them
by sea and by land and that they would do a great work and gather
many Saints and much wealth to Zion.
On Sunday the Parley P.
Pratt preached his great sermon on the Everlatsting covenant made
to Abraham.
the Legislative Assembly of the
Territory of Utah met in the Council House at 10 o'clock and
was organized by appointing J. M. Grant Speaker and Thomas
Bullock clerk. The Council was organized by appointing
Willard Richards President and James Ferguson clerk. Wilford
Woodruff E. T. Benson and Lorenzo Snow of the Twelve were members
of the House and Orson Hyde Parley P. Pratt George A Smith
and F. D. Richards of the Twelve were in the Council.
the quorum of the
Twelve met in the upper room of the Council House at 6 o'clock
in the evening. There were present eleven of the Twelve
Apostles. The abssent member of our quorum was
Orson Pratt who had gone to Washington to preach the Gospel to the
President Senators and legislators of the nation
This was
An Important Council of Twelve Apostles
I never saw so many of them together before in council. The
meeting ^opened^ by prayer from Orson Hyde the President who then made
some appropriate remarks and wished us to interchange our
hearty congratulations in acknowledging the mercy and blessings
of God
Parley P. Pratt made happy referrence to
our vast seperation and merciful re-union. This was the
first opportunity we had had of being together as a quorum
He felt that every member of the quorum had confidence in
each other and in the Presidency of the Church. He said
"I feel tas though the day is not far distant when
men will stand among us in their immortal bodies holding
the keys of death and hell and that brother Joseph would
say if he was angry with us that we had suffered enough
and that we should be numbered among his jewels."
He alluded to the great work we had to perform
the building of a Temple &c
Wilford Woodruff next spoke and noted
among other things the peculiar fact that up to that date there
had never been a death in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles
of this dispensation except in the case of David W. Patten who
fell a martyr for his religion according to the special request
that he made of the Lord that he might die that death. But
the rest of the quorum of the Twelve had stood in the front of
the battle and danger for the last twenty years. He refeered to
the great prosperity and work of the Twelve abroad among
the nations and rejoiced that the Lord had preserved them to
return from the four corners of the earth to again sit in council together
in Zion.
Erastus Snow followed. He had known the quorum of the
Twelve from the beginning since they were first together in his father's house
since his absence to Denmark on mission he had learnt how to appreciate
the society of home and his brethren, &c.
Orson Hyde said we were at liberty to prophesy while
together as moved upon by the Holy Ghost and if we did not feel to
prophesy to speak by faith and it should be fulfilled. He had unlimited
confidence in every member of the Twelve and the Presidency and
prophesied in the name of God that we should all meet and
come forth in the first resurrection and receive our crowns in
the celestial Kingdom" which was confirmed by a good Amen
by all the quorum.
John Taylor next spoke and referred to the changes
among the nations and said that the ^day^ was near when kings would
seek counsel at our hands. "In the beginning the Elders
went out weak ignorant men now they are full of intelligence
and the nations of the earth will feel their influence."
George A. Smith was delighted with the
occasion and rejoiced to see the union of the quorum and their
dispositions to do right. "We dont have to feel that Lyman
Wight is drawing off one way John E. Page another and Wm
Smith committing iniqiuity and we forced to sustain them
against our feelings. I have the satisfaction of believing
that each member of the quorum was ^is^ doing right and I
rejoice that the quorum have been able to publish the Gospel
in six different languages and to gather the people together. He
hoped we should meet once a week and with the Presidents
offer our prayers; felt a proud satisfaction in being associated
with 10 men whom he believed ^possessed^ the most intelligence of any
men upon the earth and believed the prophesies of that evening
would be fulfilled. He closed with his blessing upon us.
Among other remarks Amasa Lyman said He had
found out what that love and affection for his brethren is that surpasses
the love of woman for he had a confidence in his quroum far greater
than in his wives and children, for his brethren had been brought up
in the hard school of experience and had been tried in all things and
proven true and I have been proven with them. I am wedded to
my quorum with all my interest. I go when I am sent and come
when I am called and so expect to continue to do. My interest
is inseperately^belly^ connected with this Kingdom and I trust ever will
be through time and eternity
C. C. Rich expressed his feelings and said, "on
my way home I had a dream. I thought the ancients in their
resurrected bodies were associated with us in this place. I have
the most unbounded faith in the quorum of the Twelve and in
the First Presidency. I hope the Winter season may be
profitable to us in our associations and that we may improve our
our time."
E. T. Benson next spoke and among a number
of remarks said
"If the First Presidency were to be removed the
quorum of the Twelve would have to preside and if they had
not the fulness of the gifts they would not be fit to preside
I feel exceedingly thankful to be associated with such men. I
have not language to express my feelings when I was first
called to be an Apostle in this quorum. I could not sleep
for three days and nights. I feel now as though I could
break a nation to pieces. I felt renovated with the
Holy Spirit while Parley P. Pratt was speaking. No blessing
is too great or too good for us and we shall possess them
all."
Lorenzo Snow said his sentiments
were shadowed forth in his labours. I have great joy
in meeting with you and beholding your faces and contemplating
the influence and power of this quorum and the greatness of their work
I anticipate much this Winter in our meetings and in enjoying the
blessing of God. I have rejoiced this night to hear the exalted expressions
of the quorum in rendering thangsgiving to God and not one word
of complaint of hardships imprisonments or afflictions of any kind
but we are filled with hidden joy and peace. I feel determined
to do all that is asigned me that I may be worthy a place in
this quorum. I felt grateful to hear the blessings pronounced
upon us by our President."
He closed with joy and thanksgiving.
Wilford Woodruff next addressed the quorum upon
the importance of their keeping private histories of their
lives labours and ministry and also a joint history of the
quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He said since he had been
a member of the Church he had been inspired not only to write
all his own acts and life but to write the sermons teachings
and prophesies of the Prophet Joseph, President Young and council
and of the Twelve Apostles as far as he was acquainted with
their labours. He said each member of the quorum should
keep an account of his own mission works miracles and the
blessings of God unto him and that the history of the Twelve
Apostles could now be easily obtained; but if we omitted
it until we are dead our friends could not get it correctly
before the world.
Parley P. Pratt spoke of the filling up of
the quorum of the Twelve in 1848 and of their commencing a
record of the Twelve Apostles and wished it continued. He
did not know how far and minute we ought to be but
thought we ought to record our official acts and considered it
for our interest as well as a duty thus to do.
E. T. Benson said President Willard Richards wished
him to request the younger members of the quorum to hand
to him a short statement of their lives and ministry to go
into the Church History.
George A. Smith Wilford Woodruff and Parley P
Pratt interchanged a few words upon the subject of Journal keeping
Franklin D. Richards next spoke and said I feel
behind most of the quorum in not having the privilege of so much
teaching and counsel from brother Joseph as they have. When I
contemplate the future I feel that the field of our labour is equal
to the noblest ambition which man could entertain both in this
world and the next. He felt his joy tempered in the recolection
Orson Hyde said:
"While I have been listening I have
had an unusual train of reflection. Of necessity we shall
soon be called again to seperate and the kingdoms of this world
must become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. We
are trained in the school of experience. I may live to see you
all in different parts of the earth and while the kingdoms of
the earth are falling you will in many instances be enable
to strechach out your hands and give counsel and save many
people and be enabled to rule governments and thus fulfill the
prophecies. Many of these things are not afar off. All
is eternity to us whether this or the other side of the veil
We are born in eternity and let us be where we will it will
be our calling to win souls unto Christ. The Presidency
are unwell or they would be here. I wish the Journals
of the Twelve to be written up so that they can be on hand
when needed to be published. I wish each one of the
quorum to write as good an epistle as he can and have
the whole put in a book form and sent forth into the world"
Parley P. Pratt thought the subject abounded
in us. "We owe the world a testimony not as individuals
but as a quorum of the Twelve Apostles"
He suggested that each should contribute
an epistle and from the whole compile and embody a book
to go forth with the signatures of all the quorum as the combined "History
of the Twelve Apostles
George A. Smith thought it very important that
an authentic history of each member should be preserved.
Wilford Woodruff mentioned certain items which he
considered necessary in the preservation of our history. He lamented
that David W. Patten had not left any record of his life for he was a
Prophet and an Apostle and a mighty man. Many miracles were
wrought by him. He told a rich man in Tennessee who fought
the work of God that he and his family should beg their bread. Robert
C. Petty saw that same man cry at a blacksmith's shop because
he could not get trusted to have his plough sharpened"
President Orson Hyde moved that Wilford Woodruff
be the clerk and historian of the Twelve Apostles. Carried
unanimously
P. P. Pratt proposed a new reord and wished that
the Narative of each of the quorum of the Twelve be first recorded
in it beginning with the President and going through with each
member in order as he stands in the quorum
W. Woodruff said he was willing to serve the
quorum as its historian as faithfully as he could though it would
be a heavy tax on his time.
Erastus Snow enquired if the History
contemplated is to be confined to the present quorum or the members
from the beginning
Parley P. Pratt throught it should merely include
the present quorum.
Erastus Snow would like to see included all
that could be found of David W. Patten
Charles C. Rich observed that the morning of
the day when David Patten was martyred he said the kingdom
of God should be delivered or he should lay down his life
Parley P. Pratt wished brother Woodruff
to leave all temporal buissiness as much as possible and bring this
History up.
A. Lyman said there was no date of his ordination
Orson Hyde proposed for the Twelve to meet with
the Presidency and also to meet each week for a mutual exchange
of thought.
We then adjourned to meet at the same place one
week from that date
On the the quorum of the Twelve
met and spent the evening upon conversation upon some plan for
liberating ourselves and families so that we could be foot-loose
to go and preach the Gospel
On the last day of I looked over
my Journal and made up the following
Synopsis
of
The Journal of Wilford Woodruff
for 1852
Travels: I travelled with President Brigham Young Heber
C. Kimball and a large company of Elders through
the southern part of Utah Territory visiting the cities
villages and settlements on the way teaching and instructing
the people. Our southern visit extended as far south
as Parowan and Ceder cities making a distance to and from
of eight hundred and seventy six miles.
Public Meetings: I attended forty five.
Baptisms: I baptized a daughter wife and brother-in-law
Confirmations: I confirmed three persons into the Church.
Ordinations
I ordained Twelve High Council Twelve High Priests one President
and two Councillors of a Stake of Zion and two Elders.
Blessings of Missionaries
I blessed 45 missionaries sent out to all the world.
General Conferences Etc.
I spent thirteen days in general conferences and reported and
recorded the doings of the same, and I attended 14 councils
with the Presidency and Twelve
Records: ^Ets^ I recorded six sermons, and also twenty blessings of
the Missionaries ^wrote 21 letters and received 8^
Prayer Circle I attended 30 prayer meetings with the Presidency
and Twelve
Legislature
I was elected a member of the Legislature of the Territory of
Utah and spent 50 days in session with the assembly and
recorded in my Journal
The Great Speech of Parley P. Pratt
Delivered in the Council Chamber Wednesday Dec 18th 1852.
Marriages: I married three coupl[es]
History of the Twelve: I was appointed clerk and
Historian of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
[15 lines blank]
I wrote in my Journal at the time
My Reflections on the New Year.
A new year in the midst of a new era! Oh how
time flies and how great how important how magnificent are the
events broorne on its wings. It is the opening of a dispensation
that swallows up all other dispensations since the world began
The deeds of the last thousand years sink into insignificence in
comparison to the work of the present time
The heavens gaze upon the scenes as
they pass with deep interest while the whole earth behold the
scenes in wonder and amazement. The ancient Prophets saw
by vision and revelation the scenes which were to follow each
other in quick succession in this age in the establishment of the
great kingdom of God to be thrown down no more forever. The
little stone cut out of the mountain without hands which was to
roll forth until it became a mountain and filled the whole earth
breaking in pieces and subduing all other kingdoms and itself to stand forever
as seen by the Prophet Daniel has commenced its work [Daniel 2:44]
That Church and kingdom of God is now on the
earth and is being established and must endure. The world are gazing
upon it, located in these valleys of the mountains like a city set upon
a hill which cannot be hid. [Matthew 5:14] Its first Prophet and founder has laid
down his life in its defence. He has been martyred and his blood
is crying from the ground for vengeance upon a great nation. Many
others have fallen martyrs to the truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ in A.D. 1830
and many more may; yet the Church is bound to rise and prosper
until the Zion and Kingdom of our God shall stand forth in bold
relief with all that power might majesty and dominion which God
has declared concerning her and which has been spoken through the
mouths of his holy Prophets since the world began
This Churche and kingdom has continued
steadily to arise since its first organization amid opposition oppression
persecution and martyrdom until it has become established in the midst
of the "everlasting hills" [Genesis 49:26] not only gaining strength in Church but
also in State
Ephraims nobles are of himself and his Governor
has proceeded out of the midst of him. [Jeremiah 30:21] And while truth inspires
my heart shall I feelr to write it? Shall I feer that the
present or future generations may read these truths which are
burning in my breast unkindled by the altars of heaven? No
God forbid! for the voice of truth whispers to me that our Governors
Presidents and senators now arising out of the kingdom of God will
be inspired to take bold measures perform daring acts and in their
strength and power stretch forth their strong arm and save themfrom
annihilation that holy instrument—the Constitution of the United
States which the ^American^ people are about to sell for a mess of pottage
and try to consign it to the grave; [Genesis 25:29-34] but there is a power who
has decreed that liberty freedom and the rights of the meek of the
Earth shall not wholly die; and that power is God. He has decreed to
inspire and nerve up the soul the sinew and the arm of his governors
senators and prophets and arm them for the contest and defend them
in their warefare. That nation or kingdom or tongue or people
from this time forth who shall rise up against Zion—the Church and
Kingdom of God—to oppress her shall be visited by the judgements
of the Most High and be overthrown and brought to desolation
and may God spedily hasten it. May the Almighty begin
this year to rend the kingdoms of this world with his servants
and continue it until all nations shall acknowledge there is
a God in Israel."
On the of the new year the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles met at the Council House at 8 o'clock being eleven
in number: Orson Pratt was absent in Washington
The quorum marched to President Brigham
Young's and wished him a happy new year. President Young
received them with joy and gladness and after the greetings
were over he asked us what he should treat us towith. The
sentiment was instantaneous in the hearts of tall the quorum
and spoken by President Orson Hyde: "Treat us with your
blessing."
Then President Young blessed the quorum of the
Twelve Apostles and said they always had his blessing; and
the Twelve felt and realized that the blessings of the Presidency
of the Church and Kingdom of God was of far more worth and
benefit to them than any earthly gift or the treasures of the
earth and their hearts were full of joy and gladness.
The Twelve left their blessing upon President
Young and his house. While they were paying their respects
to him the band was playing a lively tune in the front of
the house. The quorum saluted the two bands with a
happy new year and received in return some excellent music
The quorum of the Twelve next visited President Heber C.
Kimball and wished him a happy New Year and he also received them
with gladness and gave unto them his blessing which was also highly prized
In his blessing unto them he said his faith and feelings were that no
one of the present quorum of Apostles should ever fall and no power should
take their crown and kingdom; but they should come forth in the morning
of the first resurrection and be exalted to glory immortality and eternal
lives. Their blessings should increase from that time hencforth
and forever and they should not want bread but they should have means
to support themselves and families."
The Twelve left their blessings upon President
Kimball and then visited Father John Smith the aged Patriarch of the
Church and wished him a happy new year. He manifested much
joy and satisfaction in seeing eleven of the Twelve Apostles beneath
his roof. This venerable Patriarch also bestowed upon the Twelve
his blessing and said they should live to see the kingdom of God
and Zion established to be thrown down no more forever and that
none of them should ever fall but they should have part in the
first resurrection. No power should take their crowns but
they should be blessed in all their labours in the earth and the
blessings of God should increase upon them from that time
forth both temporal and spiritual.
The Apostles also left their blessings upon
the Patriarch and his household and next visited President Willard Richards
who received them in like manner and was saluted by them
with the happy new year. He also gave the Twelve his
blessing. He believed this the beginning of an eventful year
in the history of this Church and that each succeeding one would
be more and more so until the coming of the Son of Man. He
said the Twelve were ever before him in his thoughts prayers and
blessings notwithstanding they might be scattered to the four corners
of the earth. They were men of God and were destined
to perform a great and mighty work upon the earth and they
should live till they were satisfied with life and see light and truth prevail
over sin and tradition."
The Twelve then went to the house of Elder P. P. Pratt
and thenre united with his family in singing the "Return of the Twelve"
and other songs of Zion. The spirit and power of God rested upon
them and their hearts were filled with praise and thanksgiving to
God in all their visits of this the new year of 1853
The bands continued their salutations throughout
the city and their enliveing music was everywhere received with open
ears and hearts of joy.
Dedication of Social Hall
During the evening the quorum of the Twelve
with the Presidency and about 200 of the Saints met with our famlilies
at the Social Hall and dedicated it to the purpose for which it
was built after which they went forth in the dance finishing
their enjoyments of this new year's day
Sunday the Bro Joseph Toronto gave an
account of his travels through Italy and the dangers he ran in
preaching the Gospel to his native country. He was among the
Waldensees
On the following Sunday after an interesting
discourse ^from P. P. Pratt^ brother Gr^oward^ gave an interesting account of his
mission on the Western Islands—of his travels among the natives,
his sufferings among them, and the opposition by the French
Government. He was 9 years on his mission and several
years without hearing anything from the Church and his mental
sufferings were very great. The first he received was a letter
I wrote to him and that he did not obtain until two years after
it was written.
On the Sunday Jan 2nd President Brigham
Young and Heber C. Kimball met with the quorum of the Twelve
and the same subject was brought up and talked over as on the 29
of December. President Young said the best way for the Twelve
to get a living for themselves and families was to preach the
Gospel with all their might and "you^r^ means will come in your way. T.
B. Marsh once said he did not know what Joseph called the Twelve for
unless it was to abuse them and I told him if the Twelve were faithful
they would soon see the day that they would have all the influence
they could weild."
The President Young said laying plans in our present
situation for perpetual cover was all a shadow. We may lay
plans but they may be frustrated"
The Legislature closed its session of the year on the
night of the
Sunday Orson Hyde preached upon the
subject that the hand of God had been in the working out of the events
and changes among the nations to prepare for his work—such as the
reformation of Luther and others God's inspiring Columbus to the
discovery of America the invention of railroads telegraphs &c and in the
revolutions among the nations. Parley P. Pratt and Amasa Lyman
followed both advocating the same views.
On the Mrs Woodruff had a son born but
it only lived two hours. I blessed it before it died and named it
Aphek. I buried it during the day in my garden
Sunday the Parley P. Pratt preached a
fine discourse upon the subject of the Kingdom of God to be set up
in the last days.
^ see Apendex^
Breaking The Ground For The Temple
This was an important day to the Saints in the Valley
and even in all the world.
The Saints met upon the Temple Block in a
vast body to break the ground for another ^Temple^. The people commenced
gathering at an early hour and at eleven o'clock there were thousands
upon the ground. President Young and Council the quorum of the Twelve
and many of the quorums of the Church were there and all the bands of music
in the city were in attendance
At eleven o'clock President Brigham Young Heber
C. Kimball and Willard Richards got into a buggy inside the square
surrounded by the quorum of the Twelve. President Young then
arose and addressed the assembly upon the subject of building Temples
I recorded it in my Journal but it is published in the Journal of Discourses
Vol I.
After the address of President Young Heber C. Kimball
arose and with uplifted hands to heaven offered up a fervant heart-felt
prayer to God imploring his blessing upon President Young and his
Councillors and all the authorities of the Church with the whole house
of Israel. He then dedicated the ground unto God and prayed
for his blessings to attend them in building the Temple and all the
public works in Zion
At the close of the prayer the Presidency and Twelve
walked to the South East corner of the ground laid out for the Temple
The earth being frozen President Heber C. Kimball commenced breaking
the ground with a pick. Then President Richards did the same
and then Orson Hyde Parley P. Pratt Wilford Woodruff John Taylor
Amasa ^Lyman^ Charles C. Rich Ezra T. Benson Lorenzo Snow Erastus
Snow and Franklin D. Richards. Then the gound was broke
and President Brigham Young took out the first turff and while
taking it out a silver dollar from some one in the congregation was
thrown which struck in the hole. Brother Kimball said that
was an omen that we should have plenty of money to build the
Temple with.
Orson Pratt was at this time at Washington and
George A Smith at Provo but all the rest of the Twelve were present
at the breaking of the ground for the Temple.
As soon as the turf was taken out the
congregation was dismissed and the people rushed to the hole to get
a chance to throw a little dirt out. My father Aphek Woodruff aged 78 years
myself Wilford Woodruff aged 46 and my son Wilford Woodruff aged 12 years
all threw out dirt from the foundation of this important temple
After leaving the ground in company with the Presidency
and Twelve I went to see the new sugar works operate. I saw the hydraulic
press pressing out the juice. Brother Joseph Russell of Marimichi had
furnished about fifty thousand dollars to purchase the machinery and apperatus
and get it to the valley to make sugar from the beet
My children Wilford Phebe and Susan also Emma and
Sarah were all present at the breaking of the ground for the foundation
of the Temple
On Sunday the President Young delivered a discourse
which I reported and recorded in my Journal but it is also published in the
Journal of Discourses Vol I and as at about this date is the commencement
of the publication of the sermons of the Presidency and Twelve I shall
only transcribe from my daily Journal such as may not be found
already published.
I was 46 years of age on the
General Conference
of
The Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. Saints
held
In Great Salt Lake City
The General Conference commenced this morning and
it was one of the most interesting ever held by the Church since
its organization.
The proceedings of the day was afterwards published
in the Deseret News and copied from thence into the L. D. Saints
Millennial Star and therefore I shall not record it here. I
will say however that the four corner stones of the Temple
were laid in Great Salt Lake City ^on this day^
The Presidency laid the South East corner stone
with the Patriarch; Bishop Edward Hunter and Council with the
lesser Priesthood laid the South West Corner stone; John Young
the President of the High Priests Quorum and Council the President
of the Stake and council with the High Council of laid the North
West corner stone; The Twelve Apostles First Presidency of the
Seventies and Presidency of the Elders quorum laid the North
East corner stone.
There was a prayer offered on each corner
stone and also an oration delivered and a song sung as they
were severally laid
There were gathered on this occasion the
largest assembly of Saints ever gathered together in Deseret
The proceedings occupied until 2 o'clock
After the laying of the North East corner stone by the Twelve
&c which closed the ceremony President Young ascended the stone
and gave his benediction as follows
Bretheren and sisters I bless you in the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and pray my father in
heaven to encircle you in the arms of his love and mercy
protect us until we have finished the Temple receive the
fulness of our endowments therein and then build many more
And I pray also that we may live to see the great Temple in
Jackson County Missouri. You are now dismissed with
the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ upon your heads
Amen."
The procession then returned to the Tabernacle
and were dismissed by President Young until 3 o'clock
President Brigham Young delivered a very
interesting discourse in the afternoon which is published. Brother
Kimball said that the Seventies had a portion of all the Apostleship
so had all the Elders but none were ordained to the fulness of
the Apostleship except the Twelve or those who are ordained to that office
Amasa Lyman told a dream. He said that Joseph
came to him and told him to dip a large lake dry and gave him a
spoon to do it with. He said he thought he could have no impression
upon it with a spoon but still he would obey counsel and he went
dipping and soon had lowered the lake five feet. Then Joseph told
him he could not always judge of things by appearences but the
Lord would do all for us that our hearts could desire.
On the the conference was called to order by
President Young who presented to us a text—a set of fire irons made by the
brethren from the native iron in Iron County.
Benjamin Clapp arose and made confession that
he had been in darkness and had done wrong in many things. He
desired to be forgiven and retained in the Church. He was forgiven
The authorities of the Church were presented and
sustained.
George A Smith was called upon to preach an iron sermon
He took one of the fire irons made from native iron and sw^ung^
it round his head and cried out stereotyped edition and then
descended amidst the cheers of the congregation.
In the afternoon Parley P. Pratt read his oration
delivered on the corner stone of the Temple and also preached his sermon
of that day published in the Deseret News.
After dismissing the meeting the Presidency and
others met in the vestry and James Alread Aschel Perry and
Charles Walker Hyde were ordained Patriarchs under the hands
of Presidents Young Kimball and Richards
The meeting being opened on the following
day President Kimball arose and said we have a number chosen to
go on missions and then 23 names were given and set apart
to their different stations in Europe and five to other parts of the
world. Their names are published in the "News".
President Young afterwards arose and gave a
text—"The Right of Heirship" and preached an important discourse from it
which is published
On the the Conference adjourned to
October 6th 1853 but President Young appointed the 2nd Saturday in August
for a Special Conference to appoint Elders to go abroad.
The President closed with, "And I bless every man
and woman in the name of Jesus Christ: Amen" and then President
Kimball gave the benediction.
President Young returned home
from his southern visit and the Legion went out and escorted
him into the City; and on the following Sunday President Young
addressed the people upon the subject of his journey South
There had been at this date considerable
excitement about the Indians and expectations of war with
them.
Sunday the Parley P. Pratt spoke upon
the linage of our fathers and that we should seek to obtain it
and in the afternoon President ^Young^ delivered a powerful discourse rebuking
wickedness with a sharp two edged sword
The was celebrated by the
citizens an account of which is published in the Deseret News of
.
The came on a Sunday and
the Saints celebrated the enterance of the Pioneers into the Valley
by worshiping God in the Tabernacle.
Next day I and my family attended a feast
at Big Cottonwood in honour of the enterance of the Pioneers upon
which I made a speech
I received a letter from Dwight Webster saying
that his wife my sister Eunice died on the
My Sister Eunice Died
June the 14th 1853
My sister had a long illness and she sent me word that she died a full believer
in Mormonism.
On the President Young preached a discourse upon
the subject of our Indian war for we had had a war with Walker and his
band for about three weeks. The Saints were gathering in out of the
small settlements and fortifying themselves.
Two brethren had been killed
and three wounded and 10 Indians killed as supposed.
Special Conference of the Church
It conviened Saturday the and continued over the
Sunday. I did not record the minutes in my Journal
On the I baptized brother and sister Rose and confirmed
them.
On the I rode in company with Elder Kington to
Weber and spent the night with him.
Locating the Weber Settlement
I was sent by President Young to locate the fort for the inhabitants as
they could not agree among themselves. They had moved it several
times and still were disatisfied
The day after my arrival I rode throughout
the Weber settlement on both sides of the river examining the whole of the
country and collected the whole people together at 12 o'clock. I preached to
them 2 hours and heard them talk two hours more. I then
established the fort on the south side of the river in the midst
of the farming lands. I was weary and spent the night at Brother
Kingtons
Next day I left Weber and rode to Salt Lake City
through hard rain showers. I then mounted ag horse and rode to
John Benbows on Cottonwood and spent the night with him. William
Benbow with two daughters had arrived from Wis^consin^ and
was at John Benbows. Next day I baptized William Benbow and
his two daughters Ann and Marion and confirmed them and then with
John and Wm Benbow I returned to the city
General Conference of the Church
The Conference lasted from the 6th until the during which time
much business was done. Many missionaries were chosen to go
to the Lamanites and to various places besides and much instruction
was given by the Presidency and Twelve. All the proceedings
are published in the Deseret News. I received a mission in
connection with Ezra T. Benson for the settlement of Toeilla
We were to pick out fifty families to settle that place. President
Young gave an address to the missionaries which I reported
and gave him
Sunday the Twelve met with the
company of Elders who were appointed to go to Green River to establish
a station at that place. We blessed them and set them apart
for the work. They were addressed by Wilford Woodruff and
Parley P. Pratt. This was the second company for that place
making in all 90 men
On the evening of the I
met with the Regency upon whom the Presidency had called
to get up a new alphabet and make an improvement in the English
language. The Regency had sat several evenings for that purpose
Parley P. Pratt had commenced a Spanish
school and I was attending it to learn the language
On the in company with Ezra T. Benson
and Dr Andrews I rode to Toella city and spent the night at
Bishop Robery's.
Next day was Sunday and we rode to
Willow Creek settlement and held a meeting with the people. I spoke to them
and was followed by E. T. Benson.
There were about one hundred men in this settlement
and they were beginning to fort up; and there were also about one hundred
friendly Indians. All settlements were counselled to live in forts
until they could wall in their cities. Thomas Clark was the Bishop
and we dinned with him.
From Willow Creek on the same day I rode back
to Toella City and preached to a large congregation and on the following
day I returned to Salt Lake City but stoped on the way and appointed
a cite for a new fort and city.
On Sunday the the mail came
in bringing good news from the Elders and tidings that war was
proclaimed between Rusiasia and Turkey.
Sunday the President Young addressed the people
and I reported it and prepared it for the press.
On Monday the the Legislative Assembly
commenced its sessions and next day both houses in joint session
received the Governor and his Message. I was one of the members
of the House.
Christmas day was on a Sunday. Hosea Stout
who had just returned from his mission to China addressed the congregation
on the Chinees, their religion customs and pursuits including the
revolution among them at the time. In the afternoon Claudius
V. Spencer gave an account of his mission to England; and in
the evening I met with the 14th Ward and addressed the people
upon the subject of education and our duties to our children.
On the evening of the next day I met with
the 14th Ward and Parley Pratt delivered an address upon education
which I reported and spent the in writing and preparing it
On the last day of the year Franklin D. Richards
addressed the young andpeople and the children in the morning in the Ward
and in the afternoon we met for a social party and I addressed them in the evening