[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23d + Mrs Woodruff and myself visited Br and sister Stodard and Br and Sister Foster and obtained our miniatures by the ingennuety of Br Foster at the apparatus of his Darroutype. We both obtained a good likeness, and in the evening Elders called upon me and gave me a blessing. The following is from the hand of Elder B Young:
I hereby certify that Elder Wilford Woodruff has recieved a mission by order of the quorum of the Twelve to England to preside over the churches in that Land, and I feel to bless him in the name of the Lord with all belonging to or dwelling beneath his roof at this time consisting of his wife and Children and sister Mary Arey who is assisting them to get on their Journey. <[---].>
B Young (1)
-- Aug 24, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24th (12) I met in Council with the Twelve and the Temple and Nauvoo House Committies. A variety of Subjects was Conversed upon. Among others measures were entered into to hasten the Temple as speady as possible, to Council young men from abroad to come in and bring money and means to spend for that purpose. It was thought best for the Saints to go north into the Colder Country to build a branch. It was thought best for Br Wight to go north with his Company and not South. The quorum of the Twelve blessed as follows:
A Blessing bestowed upon the head of Elder Wilford Woodruff under the hands of the quorum of the Twelve Elder John Taylor being Spokesman. Nauvoo August 24th 1844: Brother Woodruff we lay our hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood to seal upon your head a blessing and set you apart unto the important mission which is appointed you of the Lord by the voice of the Twelve to go over the Sea to England, to take Charge of the Churches throughout that land.
And we ask God the Eternal Father in the name of Jesus Christ, to bless you with health and Strength, open the door befor you and your family that you may have food and rament and money and all things necessary to make you comfortable and that the power of God may rest upon you in a greater degree than in any mission before.
We seal upon your head these blessings. You shall be preserved to finish your mission and return with your family and meet in the Temple of the Lord and rejoice therein and shout Hosanna. You shall have Power and wisdom to accomplish the design of your missions and shall have the desire of your heart given you in all things in righteousness before God.
I settelled with Mr Hiram Kimball and I gave him my due Bill to the amount of [ ].
I settled my accounts and business with several individuals. I had Calls from several friend during the day and evening. I spent the evening in packing up my trunk and writing. (1)
A council meeting of the apostles and other members of the Anointed Quorum accepts two written revelations to Brigham Young concerning completion of the Nauvoo temple. These would never be published and are unavailable. (2)
[Lucy Mack Smith] William Smith writes to Brigham Young, saying he wants to be a "spiritual father" to the church, like Hyrum. (3)
-- Aug 25, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25th Sunday I met with the congregation of the Saints in Nauvoo. I was called upon to address them inasmuch as I was about to leave them to go on a mission to England I arose and deliverd them my farewell address. It was short. The following is a few items which I presented to the People:
Their is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth it understanding. It is through this principle that this congregation is assembled together at this Place. You had understanding of the things of God by the spirit of God. And I have now one important declaration to make unto you and that is that inasmuch as you will be united in heart mind and action in supporting your councillors the authority of the church the Priesthood of God and follow the council given you, as you have endeavord to follow the council of the Prophet while he was living, you will be safe and blessed and will Prosper. But if you are divided and reject the council of God you will fall. Union and faithfulness is your salvation.
It is true you have been led by one of the best men that ever has graced humanity, or tabernacled in flesh. But he has gone. He has sealed his testimony with his blood. He has loved this people unto death. But I would now call upen this people to be united in building upon the foundation which The Prophet Joseph has laid. It is true you have been called to suffer much in the cause in which you are engaged. But if Judgment begins at the house of God, babylon will not escape. And if their is a fire in a green tree a dry tree will not escape the fire. And their is no people more prepared for the shok that is Coming on the earth than the latter day Saints, for the object we have is to secure blessings beyound the veil in the first resurrection. This we are preparing for.
Again I would say let not the saints be troubled because they have lost their Prophet, for I would ask because the Prophet has sealed his testimony with his Blood & if that destroys the gospel, or take away the power of God, is truth anhilated, or has the Priesthood found a burying place? I tell you Nay it does not. The testiment is now in force. Therefore my council is to follow the example of those who have gone before and be faithful untill death. If you will be united and go to with your mights in building that temple you will have power to accomplish it & get an endowment.
I exhorted them to faithfulness and requested their Prayers, asked forgiveness of any thing that I might have done wrong and bade them farewell.
I was followed by Elder B. Young who made many interesting remarks. Also Elders O Hyde and P. P. Pratt testifyed that Joseph the Prophet and Seer had ordained, anointed, and appointed the Twelve to lead the Church. Had given them the Keys of the Kingdom of God for that purpose.
W. W. Phelps and R. Cahoon bore testimony to the same thing, saying that Joseph said unto the Twelve upon your sholdiers the kingdom of God must rest in all the world. Now round up your sholdiers and bear it.
Many important things were spoken that I have not time to write. The brethren came forward to convey us to Chicago when we were ready.
When the meeting was Closed, after shaking hand with many friends, and taking many letters to convey to England, I returned to my family. All our children were at home. Br & Sister Benbow was present. (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book
LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist
No comments:
Post a Comment