[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16 + This was an interesting day to the camp of Israel And the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Four Companies of the volunteers were ready for marching. They were brought together into A Hollow square by there Captains And there addressed by several of the quorum of the Twelve in A vary interesting manner. At the Close of the Addresses they marched in single double file from redemption Hill for 7 miles across the Missouri River Bottom to the ferry.
This enlistment of 500 Latter Day Saints in the service of the USA for one year was to go to Santafe then to upper Calafornia to take that country And occupy it And prepare the way for there families who were to come after. This was by the direction of the President of the USA.
When this 500 men were Called for they steped forth instantly at the Call of the President notwithstanding the Ill treatment & suffering we had endured in the Persecutions of the United States. Yes we steped forward as A People while in the midst of a long journey And left families teams waggons & cattle standing by the way side not expecting to meet with them again for one or two years. Yes wives & Children were left in this way to the mercy of God And the brethren And went away with Cheerful hearts Believing that they were doing the will of God. And while casting my eyes upon them I consid-erd I was viewing the first Battalion of the Army of Israel engaged in the United States service for one year And going to lay the foundation of A far greater work even preparing the way for the building of Zion.
The quorum of the Twelve met in Council And ordained Elder Ezra T Benson to take the Crown Apostleship And Standing of John E Page And as A member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some other business was Also Attended to.
I rode across the bottom with the Twelve And returned Home.The Twelve took supper with me. Distance 10 m.
[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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