[sideways text] Prest W. Woodruff.
Sept 17, 1886. [end of sideways text]
Presidents
John Taylor & George Q Cannon,
Dear Brethren,
your letter of Aug 27 was received, and read
with much interest. yes Brethren I also feel
it my Duty to acknowledge the hand of God in
his present Dealing with us. I am satisfied
that He is permitting this present raid upon the
Latter Day Saints for a wise purpose. But it is
all in fulfillment of the revelations of God through
the Mouth of Ancient and Modern prophets. Our
Nation is determined to get ripe in thir iniquity
Their Never was a Nation ripening faster and
they must fulfill ther Destiny. The same wave
that engulphed the Jaredites & Nephites will over-
whelm this Nation or one like it. They will make war
upon the Saints untill their cup is full. Again
Zion has got to be cleansed The Saints have got to be
purified and united, and my opinion is we shall be
afflicted untill it is done. It is not for me to say
how long it will take. It has seemed to me
of late that there was a wave of evil passing over the
whole Church & Kingdom of God like a wave of the sea
to temp men to do evil. Men that have been strong
for years give way to Adultery & pollution; and sacrifice
salvation to gratify the lust of the flesh. while these things
remain Zion will be afflicted untill she is purified
I have been pained to hear the reports of events
passing among us. But Zion will not be moved
out of her place. God has Decreed it. He will
^contend with Zion &^ plead with her strong ones untill she is purifed
and overcomes and clean before the Lord. The Zion-
Church, and Kingdom of God must stand, prevail, conquer
& overcome while the wicked must be destroyed, and
Babylon fall. The Lord will not fail concerning his
promises I am satisfied that great Judgments await
our Nation, and afflictions begins at the House of God.
I think it is vary signifficant that the first
Earthquake that has done Damage in North America
for a century should begin at Charleston whare
the rebellion commenced. See D&C, section 121: 23, 24, 25 v
The word of the Lord should comfort us and sustain us
in all our afflictions. We are begining to pass through
some strait places and making important History
(We hear all kinds of reports of the Determination of
the wicked concerning the presidency to take them
either Dead or alive. I cannot feel that they will be
taken in either condition, they will not if the prayers of
the saints prevail) But No doubt their is a great
exertion made by our enemies to get possession of
the leaders of the Church But I am satisfied that
the Lord will watch over them, and reveal unto them
their Duty, and what course to pursue in order
to be saved Joseph Smith has set us an example
at the Head of this Dispensation the same as Jesus at the
head of his both sealed their testimony with their Blood
and lives. We should not feer to lay down our lives if required
The Temple is closed for the present
I have received several letters of late from G. T. & E. S.
at Chihuahua evry thing was getting along as well
as could be expected the Saints are generally in good
health except Brothe S eye sight was failing some so
reported My Health is good eye sight splendid but my
right ear is getting Dull of Hearing whethe it will be
permanent or not I do not know It is a general time
of health here. Crops were very good in Clara fields
but No watter for irigation from the virgin river
this season. A good crop of fruit in the City I
got letters from J. F. S. & E Foss from the Island they
seemed to be well & prospering. Were henderd some in
there sugar operations from a leaking boiler, but
got it mended & all right now. I hope Brother
John W Taylor will not suffer through his arest
in any serious manner our enemies would
like to stop the testimony of the leading men and
all the Elders if they had the power, and will
as far as they can I am thankful that you are
still blessed with Health and such freedom as
exiles obtain which is far better than what a prison
affords.
My prayer to God is that you may be Blesed with health
streng[th], and peace, and that you my be preserved from the
hands of your Enemies.
I remain your Brother in the Gospel
W Woodruff
[upside-down text] Please excuse my writing as I have No clerk [end of upside-down text]