When we left Brother Noble, the
Prophet Jeseph went, with those who
accompanied him from the other side to
the banks of the river, to return home.
While waiting for the ferry-boat, a
man of the world, knowing of the mir-
acles which had been performed, came
to him and asked him if he would not
go and heal two twin children of his
about five months old, who were both
lying sick nigh unto death.
The Prophet said he could not go;
but, after pausing some time, he said
he would send some one to heal them;
and he turned to me and said: "You go
with the man and heal his children."
He took a red silk handkerchief out
of his pocket and gave it to me, and
told me to wipe their faces with the
handkerchief when I administered to
them, and they should be healed. He
also said unto me: "As long as you will
keep that handkerchief, it shall remain
a league between you and me.''
I went with the man, and did as the
Prophet commanded me, and the chil-
dren were healed.
I have possession of the handkerchief
unto this day.
On the , Joseph
Smith and his counselors, Sydney Rig-
don and Hyrum Smith, crossed the river
to Montrose, to spend the day with the
Twelve, and set them apart and bless
them, before they started upon their
missions. There were twelve of us who
met there, and we all dined in my
house.
After dinner, we assembled at Brother Brigham Young's house for our meeting.
Brother Hyrum Smith opened by
prayer; after which the Presidency laid
their hands upon our heads and gave
each of us a blessing.
President Rigdon was mouth in bless-
ing me, and also blessed Sisters Young, Taylor and Woodruff.
The prophet Joseph promised us if we
would be faithful, we should be blessed
upon our mission, have many souls as
seals of our ministry, and return again
in peace and safety to our families and
friends; all of which was fulfilled.
Brother Hyrum advised me to preach
the first principles of the gospel; he
thought that was about as much as this
generation could endure.
Then Joseph arose and preached some
precious things of the kingdom of God
unto us, in the power of the Holy Ghost;
some of which I here copy from my
journal:
"Ever keep in exercise the principle
of mercy, and be ready to forgive our
brethren on the first intimation of their
repentance and desire for forgiveness;
for our Heavenly Father will be equally
as merciful unto us. We also ought to
be willing to repent of and confess our
sins, and keep nothing back. Let the
Twelve be humble and not be exalted,
and beware of pride and not seek to ex-
cel one another, but act for each other's
good, and honorably make mention of
each other's names in prayer before the
Lord and before your fellow-men. Do
not backbite or devour a brother. The elders of Israel should seek to learn by
precept and example in this late age of
the world and not be obliged to learn
everything we know by sad experience.
I trust the remainder of the Twelve will
learn wisdom and not follow the example
of those who have fallen. When the
Twelve, or any other witnesses of Jesus
Christ, stand before the congregations
of the earth, and they preach in the
power and demonstration of the Holy
Ghost, and the people are astonished
and confounded at the doctrine, and say
'That man has preached a powerful ser-
mon,' then let that man or those men
take care that they do not ascribe the
glory unto themselves, but be careful
that they are humble, and ascribe the
glory to God and the Lamb; for it is by
the power of the Holy Priesthood and
the Holy Ghost that they have the power
thus to speak.
"Who art thou, O man, but dust! and
from whom dost thou receive thy power
and blessings, but from God?
"Then let the Twelve Apostles and
Elders of Israel observe this key, and be
wise: Ye are not sent out to be taught,
but to teach.
"Let every man be sober, be vigilant,
and let all his words be seasoned with
grace, and keep in mind it is a day of
warning, and not of many words.
"Act honestly before God and man;
beware of sophistry, such as bowing and
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WILFORD WOODRUFF.
Column 1
healing since the organization of the
Church.
When we left Brother Noble, the
Prophet Jeseph went, with those who
accompanied him from the other side to
the banks of the river, to return home.
While waiting for the ferry-boat, a
man of the world, knowing of the miracles which had been performed, came
to him and asked him if he would not
go and heal two twin children of his
about five months old, who were both
lying sick nigh unto death.
The Prophet said he could not go;
but, after pausing some time, he said
he would send some one to heal them;
and he turned to me and said: "You go
with the man and heal his children."
He took a red silk handkerchief out
of his pocket and gave it to me, and
told me to wipe their faces with the
handkerchief when I administered to
them, and they should be healed. He
also said unto me: "As long as you will
keep that handkerchief, it shall remain
a league between you and me.''
I went with the man, and did as the
Prophet commanded me, and the children were healed.
I have possession of the handkerchief
unto this day.
On the , Joseph
Smith and his counselors, Sydney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, crossed the river
to Montrose, to spend the day with the
Twelve, and set them apart and bless
them, before they started upon their
missions. There were twelve of us who
met there, and we all dined in my
house.
After dinner, we assembled at Brother
Brigham Young's house for our meeting.
Brother Hyrum Smith opened by
prayer; after which the Presidency laid
their hands upon our heads and gave
each of us a blessing.
President Rigdon was mouth in blessing me, and also blessed Sisters Young,
Taylor and Woodruff.
The prophet Joseph promised us if we
would be faithful, we should be blessed
upon our mission, have many souls as
seals of our ministry, and return again
in peace and safety to our families and
friends; all of which was fulfilled.
Brother Hyrum advised me to preach
Column 2
the first principles of the gospel; he
thought that was about as much as this
generation could endure.
Then Joseph arose and preached some
precious things of the kingdom of God
unto us, in the power of the Holy Ghost;
some of which I here copy from my
journal:
"Ever keep in exercise the principle
of mercy, and be ready to forgive our
brethren on the first intimation of their
repentance and desire for forgiveness;
for our Heavenly Father will be equally
as merciful unto us. We also ought to
be willing to repent of and confess our
sins, and keep nothing back. Let the
Twelve be humble and not be exalted,
and beware of pride and not seek to excel one another, but act for each other's
good, and honorably make mention of
each other's names in prayer before the
Lord and before your fellow-men. Do
not backbite or devour a brother. The
elders of Israel should seek to learn by
precept and example in this late age of
the world and not be obliged to learn
everything we know by sad experience.
I trust the remainder of the Twelve will
learn wisdom and not follow the example
of those who have fallen. When the
Twelve, or any other witnesses of Jesus
Christ, stand before the congregations
of the earth, and they preach in the
power and demonstration of the Holy
Ghost, and the people are astonished
and confounded at the doctrine, and say
'That man has preached a powerful sermon,' then let that man or those men
take care that they do not ascribe the
glory unto themselves, but be careful
that they are humble, and ascribe the
glory to God and the Lamb; for it is by
the power of the Holy Priesthood and
the Holy Ghost that they have the power
thus to speak.
"Who art thou, O man, but dust! and
from whom dost thou receive thy power
and blessings, but from God?
"Then let the Twelve Apostles and
Elders of Israel observe this key, and be
wise: Ye are not sent out to be taught,
but to teach.
"Let every man be sober, be vigilant,
and let all his words be seasoned with
grace, and keep in mind it is a day of
warning, and not of many words.
"Act honestly before God and man;
beware of sophistry, such as bowing and
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