Mormon History, Aug 25, 1844

-- Aug 25, 1844
[Brigham Young] Sunday 25 went to the Stand Br Woodruff Preached I spoke to the saints 3/4 of an our had a good meeting gave much instruction to the saints and liberty to Baptize the saints for there dead relitives Brs. Hyde P. P. Pratt Cahoon and Phelps Bore testamona (1)

Charles Coulson Rich: Commissioned major general of Nauvoo Legion by Governor Thomas Ford about 25 August 1844. (2)

-- Aug 26, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26th I went to the River in Company with Mrs Woodruff to be baptized for some of our dead friends. I was baptized for five of my friends under the hands of G. A. Smith, & confirmed under the hands of Elder Richards. Their names were Cyrus Thompson, Sylva Thompson Hyram Barber Arena Hart, Electa Woodruff.

Phebe W. Woodruff was baptized for five of her friends under the hands of W. W. & confirmed by W. Richards. Olive Libby, Sarah Pierce, Ezra Carter, Sophia Carter, Rachael Smith.

W. Woodruff baptised & confirmed by G.A.S. on the 26th of Aug. for: Asahel Hart, wife, Asahel Hart, Joseph Hart, Sophrona Hart, Adna Hart, Eunice Hart, Robt. Mason, Erastus Hart, Milla Woodruff, Hellan Woodruff, Henry Woodruff, Laura Hoskins, Marietta Hoskins, Wakerman Standley. (3)

The apostles privately excommunicate James Strang, a repetition of the Michigan branch's action. He is publicly excommunicated again in the Nauvoo temple Feb. 1, 1846. (4)

-- Aug 27, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27th This was an exeeding busy and laborious day with me. It was the last day that I or my family shall spend in Nauvoo for many days. I have left my family and friends almost yearly to go on missions in the vineyard of the Lord, for the last ten years of my life, but have never attempted to take my family with me before for the purpose of accompaning me on a mission. But as I am now about to leave my own country to again visit foreign climes to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ & take care of the Churches which will probably be a long mission, I conclude it best to take my family with me according to the Council of the Twelve.

So this day is spent settleing accounts taking inventories of Goods and Chatels left, packing up goods, recieving letters, biding friends farewell blessing the Saints, which continued untill midnight.

+ At 12 oclok at night in company with Mrs Woodruff, Br A. O. Smoot, Sisters Smoot, and Hannah Ells, we walked to the Temple of the Lord in Nauvoo, and as we approached it we lifted up our eyes and beheld the greatness grandure and glory that presented itself to our view in a conspicuous manner. While she was coverd with the silver rays of the Queen of the night who was pouring the whole strength of the brighness of her glory upon her it presented an imposing, grand, and sublime senery to the beholder.

After gazing a few moments upon her magnus walls, and examining her capitols which were Completed, standing on the ground, we all as of one accord assended the laders unto the top of the walls. Several of the policee and friends followed our example, among which was Gen C. C. Rich and Elder Godard. We repaired to the South west cornor of the Temple and their in company with Mrs Woodruff & the above named brethren and sisters, we bowed our knees upon the top corner stone which was prepaired to recieve its Capitol, And their with up lifted hands towards heaven, I called upon the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph by Prayer and supplication to except the gratitude of our hearts for his mercies and blessings unto us in preserving our lives giving us power to build the Temple thus far. Prayed that the Saints might have power to finish the Temple according to the Patern given, and accepted at their hands, that the Saints might recieve their endowment, and be prepared to plant
the work of God in all the world.

I asked my heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood and the Keys of the kingdom of God that he would spedily avenge the blood of Joseph the Prophet Seer and Revelator, and Hiram the Patriarch, which had been shed by the hands of the American gentile nation, upon all the heads of the Nation and State that have aided, abeted or perpetrated the horid deed, of sheding the blood of those righteous men even the Lords anointed.

I prayed that God would preserve our lives and enabled us to Fill our mission in righteousness and be enabled to again return to this land and tread the courts of the Lords house in peace and recieve blessings at his hand. And that a double portion of the spirit of Josephs God might rest upon President Brigham Young and upon the quorum of the Twelve in connexion with him, that they may have power to bear off the keys of the kingdom of God in all the world, in righteousness and truth according to the power of God. And that the work of the ministry, and Power of the Priesthood, may rest upon all the quorums of the Church and Elders of Israel.

I dedicated myself my family, and all apper-taining unto me, unto God committing my all into his hands for the mission Praying for his blessing to rest upon me through the mission appointed unto me in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

After Prayers we again desended to the ground returned to our homes with Joy and peace in our hearts.

A Blessing given under the hands of B. Young

And H. C. Kimball (3)


Footnotes:
1 - Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com


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2 comments:

  1. My ancestor, Joseph Holbrook, records attending the August baptismal session at the river in his journal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Does go back to Holbrook family in early MA?

    ReplyDelete