To Asahel, Clara, Owen, Blanch and Alice.

My Beloved Children:

You have again the privilege of enjoying the
society of your mother. I am thankful for this. I want to give
you all a word of Council. Considering the signs of the times,
the persecution of our Nation against us, and my own age, you
cannot reasonably expect to enjoy much more of my society as your
father in this life; but you have with you your mother. Now if it
was the last testimony I was to give you on earth, I want to say
be kind to your mother. You cannot always expect to have her with
you, although she may live a score of years or more, the time will
be short. Do not give way to anger or say or do anything that
you will be sorry for, but I pray you to be united with your mother
and with each other, and act for each other’s interest. Again I
wish to say to you, my children, that I know God lives, that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, and he
shed his blood to redeem us from death, and God raised up Joseph
Smith as a true Prophet of God, who brought forth the Book of Mormnon
and laid the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day-Saints, the only true and living Church upon the face of the
whole earth, with which the Lord is m well pleased; and the Church
of Christ, and the Zion and Kingdom of God has been organized on
the earth for the last time, and this Church and Kingdom of God will
stand and fill the whole earth and be thrown down no more forever.

Now you all belong to this Church and Kingdom of
God on earth, and I want you all to persue a course so as to never
be separated from the Church in time or eternity. As your father
has been called to the Apostle-ship, which office I have held near
49 years, and have now been called to stand as the President of the
Twelve Apostles. Now as an Apostle and as your father, I have a
right to counscil you and give you advise. There is one particular
thing I want to impress upon your minds; that is, study the revelat-
ions of God and have faith in them,—The Bible, Book of Mormon and
Doctrine and Covenants. And I want you all to begin in your youth to
make your wants known unto the Lord in prayer; ask him for what you
want,—not as a ceremony, but in faith, and he will hear you and
answer your prayer.

Now my children, harken to these sayings, and put
them in practice. These revelations of God are true and will be
fulfilled. I want you all to be saved and ^to^ be with me in the morning
of the first resurrection, to dwell with me forever, with God and
the Saints. This is the prayer of your loving father.

Wilford Woodruff.

Feb. 1, 1887.