but being gone longer than I expected your letter arived & was opened by Brother Turley. But I
have sent orders for no more letters to be opened that are sent to me. And with regard to the
question you asked me on the scrap of paper. (I say yes let them eat or drink what they will in such cases)
I should be pleased Brother Richards to hear from you often & give me all the news you have
from any quarter I was pleased to hear of doors being opened in Scotland tell me whare
I can direct a letter to Elder Mullenner in Scotland. also inform me of any information
you get from any of the Twelve I wonder why they tarry so long in Americ[a] may the Lord
hasten them to his country. Also inform me concerning sister Richards health from time
to time give my love to her & tell her I should be exceding glad to see her but when I shall
get out of this part of the vineyard I cannot tell. pray for me Brother Richards that I may be meek
& humble that I may fully overcome evry speces of pride & self wrighteousness [that] I may feel
my dependence on God in all things, & that I may know the mind of God concerning me in all
things. A word concerning you & Sister Richards. But what am I that I should teach or instruct
thee or inquire the will of the Lord concerning thee. O that I was more worthy that I might greant
thee the desire of thy heart in this this thing & that I might more fully know the mind of
God concerning myself & all things that are required at my hand that I might be more fully
prepared to greant thee thy request. But if you can receive it at my hands I say unto you thus
saith the Lord let not my servant Willard Richards litely essteem his calling or station for I have
called him & he is a chosen vessel unto me & no man shall ever do his work or take his
crown. for he is humble & seeks my will, his afflictions shall work together for his good in
the end, let him be not weary in commtting his case unto the Lord or trusting in my n[a]me
& I will bring it to pass & the darkness shall pass away & the light shall come. & I [page torn]
break the bands that bind him & lib[er]ate him from those under his charge for they [page torn]
not worthy & some are under condemnation for litely essteeming the priesthood & him
whome God has set over them. Let him still call upon me in Mighty prayer & be not weary
committing his companions & all his ways into my hands & I will work out his deliverance
in a way that I have prepared, & he shall yet have many souls as seals of his ministry, & be
mighty in council, & much beloved by his brethren the Twelve. Thus Dear Brother is
the voice of the spirit concerning you & I would say to Sister Richards by way of council to try
not to be discouraged nor desire to die but to live. though your afflictions may be
great for a time yet consider what Jesus has bourn, commit all your ^ways^ unto the Lord
you will ere long enter that rest that remains for the people of God then your
morning will be turned into joy & you will be satisfyed with the goodness of
the Lord I feel as though the Lord will open a door whareby you will be liberated
before many days I will pray for you before God that your faith fail not & that
you may have grace & strength according to your day. whatever is manife[s]ted
unto me I will endeavour to communicate it unto you from tine to
time. Write me soon Brother Richards & dont be discouraged God will be your
friend. I should be glad to see the second No of the Tines & Seasons should you
get one please send ^it^ to me at Ledbury. Any thing you may have upon your
mind pleas communicate freely It will meet a welcome reception
W Woodruff
Excuse my scribling I dont have time to write plain [w]ay
but being gone longer than I expected your letter arived & was opened by Brother Turley. But I
have sent orders for no more letters to be opened that are sent to me. And with regard to the
question you asked me on the scrap of paper. (I say yes let them eat or drink what they will in such cases)
I should be pleased Brother Richards to hear from you often & give me all the news you have
from any quarter I was pleased to hear of doors being opened in Scotland tell me whare
I can direct a letter to Elder Mullenner in Scotland. also inform me of any information
you get from any of the Twelve I wonder why they tarry so long in America may the Lord
hasten them to his country. Also inform me concerning sister Richards health from time
to time give my love to her & tell her I should be exceding glad to see her but when I shall
get out of this part of the vineyard I cannot tell. pray for me Brother Richards that I may be meek
& humble that I may fully overcome evry speces of pride & self wrighteousness I may feel
my dependence on God in all things, & that I may know the mind of God concerning me in all
things. A word concerning you & Sister Richards. But what am I that I should teach or instruct
thee or inquire the will of the Lord concerning thee. O that I was more worthy that I might greant
thee the desire of thy heart in this thing & that I might more fully know the mind of
God concerning myself & all things that are required at my hand that I might be more fully
prepared to greant thee thy request. But if you can receive it at my hands I say unto you thus
saith the Lord let not my servant Willard Richards litely essteem his calling or station for I have
called him & he is a chosen vessel unto me & no man shall ever do his work or take his
crown. for he is humble & seeks my will, his afflictions shall work together for his good in
the end, let him be not weary in commtting his case unto the Lord or trusting in my name
& I will bring it to pass & the darkness shall pass away & the light shall come. & I page torn
break the bands that bind him & liberate him from those under his charge for they page torn
not worthy & some are under condemnation for litely essteeming the priesthood [illegible]
whome God has set over them. Let him still call upon me in Mighty prayer & be not weary
committing his companions & all his ways into my hands & I will work out his deliverance
in a way that I have prepared, & he shall yet have many souls as seals of his ministry, & be
mighty in council, & much beloved by his brethren the Twelve. Thus Dear Brother is
the voice of the spirit concerning you & I would say to Sister Richards by way of council to try
not to be discouraged nor desire to die but to live. though your afflictions may be
great for a time yet consider what Jesus has bourn, commit all your ways unto the Lord
you will ere long enter that rest that remains for the people of God then your
morning will be turned into joy & you will be satisfyed with the goodness of
the Lord I feel as though the Lord will open a door whareby you will be liberated
before many days I will pray for you before God that your faith fail not & that
you may have grace & strength according to your day. whatever is manifested
unto me I will endeavour to communicate it unto you from tine to
time. Write me soon Brother Richards & dont be discouraged God will be your
friend. I should be glad to see the second No of the Tines & Seasons should you
get one please send it to me at Ledbury. Any thing you may have upon your
mind pleas communicate freely It will meet a welcome reception
W Woodruff
Excuse my scribling I dont have time to write plain way