Brother Lyman Wight
Dear Sir
I take the liberty of addressing a
few lines to you for various reasons, one is for old acquaintance sake,
and another for the purpose of making a request of you, and upon
this subject I will write first, it is this. During the last year I
have been engaged in writing the History of the church and especially
the History of the Twelve. I am taking up the Quorum from the
commencement, have been trying to write your History but I cannot do
justice to it at all without your assistance, and on the receipt of
this I wish you would write a sketch of your life and forward it
to me to this city, name your lineage or forefathers as far back as
you can get, with anything you know about them, and where you
was born and when, what your religion was before you embraced
the Gospel, where you was baptized and who by and all your
ordinations, and by whom ordained—an outline of all your missions.
Was you not in the war of 1812? What offices have you ever held
in church or state. I want you to give me the particulars of your
conversation with General Wilson the night you was taken prisoner
when he wanted you to betray Joseph, that was an important time
with you, and for that deed alone you shall have salvation; give
me an account of your going with Judge Higbee some 6 or 7 miles to
intercept a company of 40 men going I think to Jackson County also
of the 7 men armed, who chased you on a certain occasion, when you
leaped a ditch with your horse which the others could not leap, and
any incident of your life that should be preserved as History; please
forward to me soon. Give my respects to Sister Wight, Orange,
and any with whom I am acquainted.
We are all well, it is a general time of peace, health and
plenty in this Territory at present—never a better prospect for crops.
Our Eastern mail arrived on the 23rd inst. being the quickest trip ever
made (25 days) from Independence 1200 miles.
We are informed all hell is boiling over against the Mormons.
Parly P. Pratt was murdured in Arkansas, by one McLean—he was
shot—lived 2 hours. T. B. Marsh is on the way to this place—wishes
to be forgiven and to return to the church again.
I wish Brother Wight you would come and pay us a visit.
we will all be glad to see you. we have built up a beautiful city
in the valley of the Mountains. Our census makes us about 80,000
souls and increasing fast—mormonism is as great a trouble to
the world as ever. All the Twelve are now in this country except
O. Pratt, E. T. Benson, Erastus Snow and John Taylor who are abroad
Amasa Lyman and C. C. Rich arrived a short time ago from San
Bernardino, and Geo. A. Smith from Washington.
I hope you will not fail to write me by the next mail
Will you tell me who baptized Wm. E. McLellan and when?
My family are all well. I have but one son grown up 17 year
old named Wilford and a good boy. My Father is with me—
80 years old—is able to work about every day. I baptized him 20
years ago, and brought him to this valley. I find the world is
much bothered to know what to do with Utah. Brigham, Heber
and Orson Hyde are all well.
I remember old times we have spent many a good day
together, and I wish we could spend many more. Mormonism is
as good to me to day as it was when I was with you in
the old log cabin in Clay County, and milking the cows for Sister
Wight and making brick for col. Arthurs house. All the world
will find it is true in the end. We are living in an important
day and God is bringing about his purposes and the Devil is
a trying too. Great things are at the door.
I say again br. Lyman come and see us, we will
not hurt you, but try to do you all the good we can. Elders
Geo. A. Smith, A. Lyman, and C. C. Rich have just come
in and say, send our best respects to br. Lyman Wight.
Direct to Great Salt Lake city. Utah.
Respectfully yours
W. Woodruff.
N. B. Please include in your history your labors since you left Nauvoo