Dear Willford
I have sent to the Office a number of times since you left here
hopeing and almost fearing that I should receive a line from you. I say fearing
lest it would say that you was not about returning as I have been pleaseing
myselfe with the I idea that I should soon see you again although I have felt
anxious even to hear from. If you reco^l^lect you mentioned not writing if your
stay was short–but let me say that your epistle came to hand last eve and
met with a pleasing reception. I perused its contents and was truly rejoiced
to hear of your good health and spirits likewise of your prosperity in the cause
of Christ and that the Spirit of God attended you and brother Hale and opened
the way before you booth temporally and spiritually as I felt verry anxious about
you knowing your circumstances and that your temporal meanes were verry
limited. Well we will acknowedge this to be another proof that the Lord is
not unmindful of his servants and all that put their trust in him. He is
able and will give us that which is best for us, although the way seames verry dark
before us sometimes, yet he sees fa^r^ther than we do.
After reading your letter I
[fe]lt encouraged and satisfied to have you about your masters business although
I have felt some lonely and would like much to see you and enjoy your company,
yet I think that it will be much better for us both to be in the place appointed to
us by God, if it is to be separated a while than to be elsewhere.
Willford I per-
cieve that the day is at hand when the salvation of souls and a seat in the celestial
kingdom of God will be of more value than the shining ore which many spend their
whole time and talents in persuite of in this life– therefore I hope that you will
ever be diligent in keeping the commands of God and in dischargeing your duty fai-
thfully to this gene[r]ation that you may be the sooner discharged from your warfare
and be permited to dwell (with one in whose affections you share largely) in peace
and with the approbation of heaven saying “I have fought the good fight I have finised
my course I have kept the faith” &c&. If we seek first the kingdon of heaven we have the
promis of all things being added to us–yet my heart will sometime distrust providence
I then take a review of the dealings of God towards me and the promises left on reco-
rd for those who keep the commands of God. this stimulates me to diligence and
persevereance and to try to endure to the end and then obtain a crown which
I trust is laid up for me if faithful. I find it to be rather hard liveing here spir-
itually as there is much darkness and opposition in these regions but my faith is as
strong in the gospel of Christ as ever and I think if I keep close to the rod of iron
I shall get through. It is a verry darke time here now–it appeares as though
every ones heart is closely shut against the truth in this place and H. Harmond
is as bus^i^y as a bee in the summer in putting down mormonism as he calls it
he says he is determined to put it down–Yet I rejoice that the hearts of some are
open to receive the truth even on the Islands of the sea and pray the Father of Heaven
that you may have many souls as seales of your ministry. Believe me Willford I
have not forgotten you or brother Hale once ^since you left^ when alone before God but asked him
to open the hearts of the people to administer to your temporal wants and give you
access to their hearts that you ^might^ speak the words of life to them and receive it. I am
pleased with brother Hales prosperity as it is some ^thing^ more new to him to travel and
pr^e^ach than for you. brother Willy said before I left Kirtland that he would not
hold one meeting alone this summer, thus we see that he was mistaken and I rejoice
in it. I think that he will make a mighty man for God if faithful.
You mentioned something about letters comeing to the Office for you I have taken out two
one from Mother Woodruff bearing date of Aug. 22 – and one from Asahel H. Woodruff
from Terrahaut bearing date of July 23rd. directed to you in Farmington, it was taken
out there and then remailed and then remailed and sent to Scarborough. Mother Woodruff
mentions the reception of your letter–the bank note and the bowl of bread and milk
w^i^ths with which you was favoured on a day of your journey–thinks the promis not
made void that as thy day thy strength shall be says that the health of her family is
good or that hers is not quite as good as when we was there. she says that she was about
to write to Aunt Coyssett when verry unexpectedly Betsey came into the house and
her mother soon followed her. says they came away in haste hopeing to see you
again–says it was her intention to have been baptized had you been there. Mother
told her she was in hopes to see you again this fall. she has written to Azmonds’
family and to Asahel and say’s her sheet was well filled she gave the particulars of
your visit with them and the reception you met with among your relat^i^ves. she says
that she wrote something to Azmond and Elisabeth by request of sister Coysett
the substa purport was this, that from an interview with you she believed you
to be right and engaged in a glorious work. and Uncle Ezra was much di^s^appoint
ed in not seeing you and hearing your discourse at uncle Adner’s as he did not hear
of it before it was to late. Mrs. Alling called on her (Mother) recently she said that
her mind and heart was open in view of this subject. Uncle Ozem has lost a child
of late. As her letter was lengthy I have just given you a few items and preserve
the original for your perusal when you return. also of Asahel’s he mentions the
reception of your of your letter dated at Farmington and makes many friendly remarks
upon the subjects of friendship connections mormonisn &c&c. We have received a paper of
late from Kirtland–there was not particular news in it accepting that the inhabitants of the
Citty far West had chosen 2 Judges 14 Justices of peace and established a post Office.
Therefore I fear that your letter will get lost by the Office being in another place. I
finished that letter which you commenced to Sarah and Aphia the next sabbath and
sent it. Tell brother Hale that there was a letter came to the Office for him a day or two
after he left here. I will now forward it to him with this. The health of our family is
good with the acception of Mother’s and I think her much better than when you left, she
wishes to be remembered to you. I have been quite unwell one day and night of late
but have far recovered. sister Shuah’s school closes this week and sister Rhoda expe-
cts to be change her situat^i^on in life next month. brother Fabyan and wife send their
best respects to you likewise allof the family. You said that you felt easey about me
well I am receiving every kindness that my fathers house can afford. I have been spend
ing some time with sister Foss she wants to see you much. Brother Toronsen works just
above there–he called on us Sabbath afternoon and spent the eve with us–we had a little prayer
meeting which seamed quite encourageing. I feal that I am almost alone spiritually therefore
I hope that you and brother Hale will continue to pray for me for I feal that I nead the
prayes of all who have access to the t^h^rone of grace–You shall have mine. When the eve twilight
comes Phebe wishes that she could see and converse with you for a few moments at least, but
she cannot at present–she can retire in private and ask the Father to keep and presere you
and give you wisdom knowledge understanding and strength equal to your day. I hope that
you will be faithful and that all the people on the Island will be wise in time to secure
their salvation. Was I near you I should like much to go to meeting with you occasionally.
You requested me not to send any letters to brother ^H.^ if they come to this oOffice after the 15th. of this
month and that you should come in about 2 months are you expecting to stay longer
than he does. I recollect those pebbles–children are pleased with something new. I have not
learned styrography yet–but am waiting for you to come and learn me. Write often for I [illegible]like
to receive a line from you any time. I am expecting to go to Portland tomorrow to spend a
few days. Give my best respects to brother Hale and accept a large share of them
yourself. I haste to close as the clock has just struck 11 and retire to rest.
May the peace of God ever rest upon you is the sincere desire of your Phebe
Phebe W. Woodruff –
Excuse mistakes for I perceive
them verry frequent while reviewin
this
Mr Wilford Woodruff
Vinalhaven
Maine
[stamp in red ink] PORTLAND
SEP
8
Me.
^To^ [stamp in red ink] PAID ^12 1/2^
Mr Willford Woodruff
Vinalhaven
Maine
[Wilford Woodruff] Phebe W Woodruff
Aug 5th 1837