--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Richards, Franklin D. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 1 number: 12 published: 1898-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Franklin D. Richards, "Wilford Woodruff", *Improvement Era* 1, no. 12 (October 1898): 865–880.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera112unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera112unse start_page: 865 end_page: 880 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1898-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera112unse publication_year: 1898 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1898, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Wilford Woodruff Vol. I. OCTOBER, 1898. No. 12. WILFORD WOODRUFF, BY FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS, THE CHURCH HISTORIAN. The following sketch of the life and labors of our departed President, Wilford Woodruff, is written in cheerful compliance with his request when giving instructions, several years ago, concerning the disposition of his remains after his departure from this life. "I wish to say that at my death I wish the Historian of the Church to publish a brief account of my life, labors and travels as an Elder and Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Wilford Woodruff was born March i, 1807, at Farmington (now called Avon), Hartford County, Connecticut. He was the son of Aphek and Beulah Thompson Woodruff. His father, his grandfather Eldad Woodruff, and his great grandfather Josiah Woodruff, were men of strong constitutions, and were noted for their arduous manual labors. His greatgrandfather was nearly a hundred years old when he died, and was able to work until shortly before his decease. A scion of this hardy stock, Wilford Woodruff was also noted for his activity, industry and physical endurance. Though not a large man, he was able to perform labors that would have prostrated men of ordinary physique. At an early age he assisted his father on the Farmington Mills, and, when 20 years of age, took charge of a flouring mill belonging to his aunt, Helen Wheeler, holding the position of manager for three years, when he was placed in charge of the Collins flouring mill at South Canton, Connecticut, and subsequently of the flouring mill owned by Richard B. Cowles of New Hartford, Connecticut. In the spring of 1832, in company with his brother Azmon Woodruff, he went to Richland, Oswego County, New York, purchased a farm and saw-mill and settled down to business on his own account. On December 29, 1833, he and his brother Azmon heard the Gospel preached by Elders Zerah Pulsipher and Elijah Cheney. They both believed it at once, entertained the Elders, offered themselves for baptism, read the Book of Mormon, and received a divine testimony of its truth. He was baptized and confirmed by Elder Zerah Pulsipher De- cember 31, 1833. At a very early age, Wilford Woodruff was imbued with religious sentiments, but never allied himself with any of the various sects. He received much information from Robert Mason, who resided at Simsbury, Connecticut, and was called "The old Prophet Mason." He taught that no man had authority to administer in the things of God without revelation from God that the modern religious societies were ; without that authority; that the time would come when the true Church would be established, with all its gifts and graces and manifestations, and that the same blessings enjoyed in the early Christian Church could be obtained in this age through faith. This led the youthful Wilford to hold aloof from the churches of the day, and to desire and pray for the coming of an Apostle or other inspired man to show the way of life. For three years previous to receiving the everlasting Gospel, he was impressed with the conviction that God was about to set up his Church and Kingdom on earth in the last days and for the last time. Thus he was prepared to receive the truth when it was presented to him by the Elders. On January 2, 1834, he was ordained a Teacher, and on February i, being visited by Elder Parley P. Pratt, he was instructed to prepare himself to join the body of the Church at Kirtland. He immediately commenced to settle up his business, started with a wagon and horses, and arrived in Kirtland April 25, 1834. There he met with the Prophet Joseph Smith and many leading Elders, and received much light and knowledge. A week later he went to New Portage, where he joined the company of volunteers which was organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and known as Zion's Camp, to go into Missouri for the relief of the suffering Saints in that State. He remained with the Camp through all its WILFORD WOODRVFF. 86'? travels and trials, until it was dispersed in Clay County, Missouri, when the Prophet Joseph returned to Kirtland and Brother Woodruff remained with Lyman Wight and worked until the ensuing winter. Having a great desire to preach the Gospel, he went one Sunday evening into the woods alone and prayed earnestly that God would open his way and grant him his desire. He received a witness by the Spirit that his prayer would be answered. After walking some distance from the spot, he was met by Elder Elias Higbee, who said to him: "Brother Wilford, the Spirit of the Lord tells me that you should be ordained and go on a mission." Brother Woodruff replied, "I am ready." At a meeting of the High Council in Lyman Wight's house, November 5, 1834, Brother Woodruff was ordained a Priest by Elder Simeon Carter, and was shortly after sent on a mission to the Southern States. On January 13, 1835, in company with Elder Harry Brown, he crossed the river into Jackson County, where there was much danger from mobs, but which they passed through in safety, traveling on foot and enduring much fatigue. After crossing the Osage River in a canoe, they walked sixty miles in one day without anything to eat. Just before dark, when approaching some timber, a large black bear arose before them on his hind feet, but after a short time, he turned and walked off. They obtained shelter at night in a log cabin, but could get no food as there was none in the house. Walking twelve miles further, a mobocrat named Conner, gave them breakfast, cursing them all the while they ate because they were "Mormons." They reached Pettyjohn Creek in Arkansas, where Alexander Akeman and family resided, who had been members of the Church in Jackson County, Missouri, but he had apostatized and become very bitter. The brethren stayed in the neighborhood 25 days, though threatened by Akeman and others with death. On February 14, Brother Woodruff, in response to a thrice-given admonition of the Lord, called upon Mr. Akeman and bore testimony to the truth of "Mormonism" and the wickedness of opposing it, when Akeman followed him from the house in a terrible rage, but just as he reached Brother Woodruff he fell dead at his feet, as though struck by lightning, swelled up and turned black. This had a great effect upon the people; several meetings were held and some persons baptized, but Elder Brown insisted upon leaving the place and traveling southward; so they journeyed on to Little Rock, rowing down the Arkansas River 125 miles in a canoe, which they made out of a cottonwood tree, which they cut down and dug out, 4 feet wide and 12 feet long. From that point they started for Memphis, Tennessee, about 175 miles, wading through mud and water, sometimes forty miles a day, and on March 24, Brother Woodruff was seized in the swamps with rheumatism, and could not travel as fast as his companion desired. The latter determined to return to his family in Kirtland, so left Brother Woodruff sitting on a log in the mud and water, unable to walk, with- out food and twelve miles from any house on the road. In this condition he kneeled down in the water and besought the Lord to heal him. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, the pain left him, and he went his way, preaching the Gospel wherever he could find people to listen. He crossed the Mississippi River March 27th, and went to Middle Tennessee. On April 4th, in Benton County, he met with Elder Warren Parrish, with whom he labored over three months, preaching and baptizing, forty persons joining the Church while they labored together. Being called to Kirtland, Warren Parrish ordained Brother Woodruff an Elder on June 28, 1835, and the latter continued his labors in Kentucky and Tennessee and baptized thirty-one after Elder Parrish left. At a conference held February 26, 1836, at Benjamin L. Clapp's house, in Calloway County, Kentucky, Brother Woodruff ordained Abraham O. Smoot and Benjamin Boydston Elders and B. L. Clapp and Daniel Thomas priests. Brothers Woodruff and Smoot labored in the ministry, and in April, Apostle David W. Patten and his wife returned to Tennessee, and Elder Woodruff labored under his direction, being opposed by mobs, but receiving no injury, and being comforted by great manifestations of the power of God in the healing of the sick. On May 31, he was ordained by David W. Patten a member of the Second Quorum of Seventies. At a conference held at Damon's Creek, Calloway county, Kentucky, where several branches numbering iig members were represented, Elders Woodruff and Smoot were released from their labors in the South to go to Kirtland and receive their endowments. September 19th Brother Woodruff organized the first company of Saints who emigrated from the Southern States, numbering 22 souls. In company with Abraham O. Smoot and Jesse Turpin, Brother Woodruff started for Kirtland October 20th, arriving November 25. By advice of the Prophet Joseph, he attended school in the Temple and studied Latin and English grammar. January 3, 1837, he was set apart as a member of the First Quorum of Seventies. In the spring of that year, he witnessed manifestations from the Lord in the Kirtland Temple, where the gifts of the Gospel were enjoyed, the spirit of prophecy was poured out, and the prophet was clothed with the power of God. WILFORD WOODRUFF. 869 On April 13, 1837, he married Phebe W. Carter, at the house of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was to have performed the ceremony but was prevented by a mob who sought his life. Elder Frederick G. Williams officiated in his stead. Next day Brother and Sister Woodruff received their patriarchal blessings under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sen. On May 5th, he was impressed to go to Fox Islands to preach the gospel. He had never been there, but mentioning the matter to Elders Sidney Rigdon and Heber C. Kimball, they encouraged him to go, and in company with Jonathan H. Hale and Milton Holmes, he left Kirtland May 31st, 1837. Arriving in Canada they attended a conference of ten branches June loth, when Elder Woodruff, with Elder William Draper, ordained seven elders, nine priests, eleven teachers and five deacons. With three other Elders, he laid hands on a woman possessed with an evil spirit, part of the time dumb, the devil was cast out, she was healed and went on her way rejoicing. Many sick persons were also healed under his administration. He then went to Albany and walked to Farmington, arriving at his father's house July 6th. He was kindly received, and on July 12th, after preaching in a school house at West Avon, he baptized his uncle Ozem Woodruff, his aunt and cousin John. This fulfilled a dream he had when ten years of age. He afterwards preached in the Methodist Church in Farmington, his father and his family being present. On the 2ist, he sent his wife by stage to New Rowley, Massachusetts, and started out on the hot, sultry day to walk there himself. He arrived there in two days and a half, having walked 136 miles. After visiting his wife's relatives in Scarborough, Maine, he and Elder Jonathan H. Hale started for Fox Islands, walking to Portland and going by steamer 85 miles to Owl's Head. Having no means to go farther, they went on a hill and prayed to the Lord to open their way. A sloop came into the harbor, and the captain agreed to take them to North Fox Island, where they landed at 2 a. m., August 20th, and wandered over the rocks and bushes until they found shelter. It being Sunday morning, they applied to the pastor of the only church there for permission to preach. Elder Woodruff delivered the first discourse ever preached by the elders on those Islands. They preached every day and succeeded in baptizing a great number of persons. They visited several of the Islands, and Elder Hale returned to Kirtland, October gth. Brother Woodruff labored alone during the winter of J837-38, preaching, baptizing and withstanding mobs. He preached also in a number of towns in Maine, and at Hampden ordained James Townsend an elder. He returned to Fox Islands, but being warned by the Lord to leave for a season and take a western mission, he left on April 28th for Scarborough and thence to Boston. He preached at a number of places in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey; then returned to his father's house, where he commenced preaching again, and on July I, 1838, baptized his father, step-mother, sister Eunice, cousin Seth, Aunt Anna Cosett and a Methodist class-leader named Dwight Webster. This fulfilled the promise of Patriarch Joseph Smith, Sr., that he should bring his father's household into the kingdom of God. After organizing a branch of the church and visiting his wife in Scarborough, he returned to Fox Islands, where on August gth he learned that he had been appointed to fill a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve, and that he was to prepare to take a mission to England in the spring. He then visited all the Saints on the Islands, and called on them to move with him to Missouri. Brother Nathaniel Thomas promised to furnish means to help all the poor Saints who desired to go. He advised them to start not later than September ist, but they did not arrive at Scarborough, where Elder Woodruff was visiting, until October 3rd, when they all started to travel from Maine to Missouri, 2,000 miles, with teams through rain, mud, frost and snow. They arrived in Sangamon, Illinois, Dec. 19th, where he labored all winter for the support of his family. On March 17, 1839, having reached Quincy the day before, he had an interview with Elders Brigham Young and John Taylor, and afterwards went to Far West and met with the Twelve on the temple block there, where April 26th, he was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles, Brigham Young being mouth. Returning to Quincy, he met President Joseph Smith May 3rd, who had just escaped from his enemies in Missouri. He was with the Prophet Joseph in July, at the time when he healed so many of the sick who were at the door of death. Being requested to go three miles to heal two small children, and not having time to go, the Prophet gave Brother Woodruff a red silk handkerchief, telling him to go and lay hands on the children, wipe their faces with the handkerchief and they should be healed, but to keep the handkerchief to be ever a league between them. Brother Woodruff did as he was told and the children were healed. This was on July 22nd. He kept the handkerchief all his life. On August 8th, although sick with chills and fever, his family also being sick and with only four days' provisions on WILFORD WOODRUFF. 871 hand, he blessed them and started on his mission to England, President B. Young rowing him across the Mississippi. The Prophet Joseph said to him: "Go ahead in the name of the Lord, and you shall be healed and blessed on your mission." After visiting his father at Farmington, he went to New York, and on December 19th, with Elders John Taylor and Theodore Turley, he sailed for Liverpool, and landed January 20, 1840, in good health and spirits. He was appointed to labor in the Staffordshire Potteries. Calling at Manchester on the way, where there was a branch of 164 members, he administered to a woman possessed of the devil, raging and foaming, taking four men to hold her. The evil spirit was cast out, and she arose and praised the Lord. He spent forty days in the Potteries, preaching, baptizing, confirming and blessing children. On March ist, while preaching to a large gathering in Hanley, it was revealed to him that this would be his last sermon in the Potteries for many days. He announced this to the meeting. He had appointments out for a week, but appointed Brother Alfred Cordon to fill them, then went before the Lord and asked him where he should go. The Spirit answered, "Go to the south." He did so, and arriving in Herefordshire, found a society called "United Brethren," numbering about 600 members and fifty preachers. They were prepared for the reception of the Gospel, so that hearing his testimony, they came forward and in thirty days he baptized 160, forty-eight of whom were preachers, including their presiding elder, Thomas Kington. Three clerks of the Church of England were sent by their ministers to see what he was doing, and he baptized them, also a constable who came to arrest him. Learning that Elder Brigham Young and five others of the Twelve had arrived in England, he went to Preston and attended a conference with them. Returning to Herefordshire, he was accompanied by Elder Brigham Young and was afterwards joined by Elder Willard Richards. Brother Young remained 27 days, then went to Manchester. Brother Woodruff, with his brethren, spent seven months in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, and baptized over 1,800 persons, with 200 preachers of various denominations. On August i8th, 1840, he went to London and labored with Elders Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith, spending a little over five months, where they established a church. After attending all the general conferences in England, he sailed for New York April 20th, arriving May 20th, 1841. He visited his family at Scarborough, returned to New York, 3.nd started for Nauvoo, via the Lakes, but was wrecked on Lake Michigan. He reached Nauvoo in safety October 6th, 1841, where he spent the winter laboring for a living, attending meetings and councils, and on July 7th, 1843, started on a mission with Elders Brigham Young and George A. Smith through the Eastern States, to collect funds for the Temple and Nauvoo House. He was chosen a member of the city council. Being in charge of the business department of the printing office in Nauvoo, he purchased a large supply of ma- and spent the winter in Nauvoo, when terials for the office, he received his endowments, and January 20th, 1844, turned over the business of the Times and Seasons int6 the hands of Elder John Taylor. On May gth, 1844, he parted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, who blessed him and bid him God speed on his mission through the Eastern States. In company with Elders George A. Smith, Jedediah M. Grant and Ezra Thayer, he traveled and preached through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. He met with the Twelve in Boston, June 27th, and then went to Maine. At Portland, when about to step on board a steamer bound for Fox Islands, he saw an account of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The Spirit bore witness to him that it was true. He returned to Boston, and with the members of the Twelve who were there, went to Nauvoo, arriving on the 6th of August. A council of the Apostles was held on the same day and Wilford Woodruff was appointed to preside over the European mission. He left Nauvoo to go to England on August 28th, but did not arrive until January 3, 1845, when he at once took charge of the affairs of the Church in Europe. After a prosperous mission, Brother Woodruff left Liverpool January 22nd, 1846, to join the body of the Church then arranging to move to the Rocky Mountains. He reached Nauvoo in safety, and preached to the Saints in the Temple, May loth. Leaving Nauvoo with a company of Saints, he stopped at Mount Pisgah, a temporary settlement 172 miles from Nauvoo. Under the counsel of President Brigham Young, a number of volunteers for the Mormon Battalion were enrolled, and Elder Woodruff, with a company went on and joined the camp of the Saints at Council Bluffs. He remained with the Camp of Israel during the winter with the Apostles at Winter Quarters, and labored with his accustomed energy to provide for his family. When the Pioneers were organized to cross the plains in April, 1847, Wilford Woodruff was appointed captain of the first ten. He arrived with the Pioneers on July 24, 1847, President Brigham Young, who was sick, riding in Brother Woodruff's carriage. He went to work at once planting some WILFORD WOODRUFF. 873 potatoes which he had brought with him from the east. July 26th, with President Young and others, he climbed the hills to the point now called Ensign Peak, and went thence to the Warm Springs. He was also with the first company that visited the shores of the Great Salt Lake and proceeded into Tooele Valley, and thence going southward, viewed from a high ridge for the first time Utah Lake. He assisted in laying out Salt Lake City and erecting the Old Fort. He built two rooms of logs, with poles for rafters, willows for roof, and earth for shingles. On August 26th, 1847, he started with President Brigham Young and five other Apostles in a company of 108 men, with thirty-six wagons and about 100 horses and mules, on a return trip to Winter Quarters, which they reached October 31st, and were received with great joy. Brother Woodruff was present at the council of the Apostles held in Winter Quarters, December 5th, when Brigham Young was chosen President of the church, with Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as his Counselors. Also at the conference held in the log tabernacle, on the east side of the Missouri river, when the First Presidency were sustained by vote of the people. In the spring of 1848 he was sent on a mission to the Eastern States, which he faithfully filled, and reached Salt Lake City on his return in 1850. He was elected a member of the Senate of the General Assembly of Deseret, which met December 3rd, 1850. He applied himself to manual labors for the support of his family, and was active in the councils of the Church. In 1852 he went with President Young on an exploring expedition to Southern Utah. In 1853, in company with Elder Orson Pratt, he gathered a number of families to strengthen the settlements in Tooele County. September 13th, 1855, the Horticultural Society was organized in Salt Lake City, and he was chosen its president. His residence was in the Fourteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, but he traveled in company with President Young and the Apostles extensively, assisting in the establishment and location of new settlements, and was engaged in the duties of his Apostleship and also as a member of the Legislative Assembly, a position he occupied for twenty years in the Council and one year in the House. He was also for many years president of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society. He officiated in the Endowment House on frequent occasions, and at the General Conference, October 6th, 1856, he was appointed assistant Historian. He occupied this position until he was appointed Historian and General Recorder of the Church in October, 1875, continuing in that office until April, 1889. He was specially 874 IMPROVEMEN7 ERA. adapted for this position, having kept a daily journal from the beginning of his ministerial career. In this diary he recorded important events in the progress of the church, with choice extracts from the sermons of the Prophet Joseph Smith and other leading lights, which, but for his untiring industry in this direction, would have been lost to posterity. This journal Brother Woodruff compiled with unerring regularity up to within a couple of days of his decease. His diligence, precision and accuracy were most remarkable, particularly in so aged a man. At the dedication of the St. George temple in the spring of 1877, he was appointed president of that Temple, and during the two years of his presidency 41,398 baptisms for the dead were performed, besides other ordinances for the living and the dead. Brother Woodruff was very diligent in his efforts to obtain his genealogy and was very successful. While in the St. George Temple, it was manifested to him by the Lord that he could enlist the services of his family and friends to assist him in attending to ordinances for his deceased ancestors. By this means 3,188 baptisms were vicariously attended to in their behalf. It was while in the Temple that Elder Woodruff received visitations, three nights in succession, as he repeatedly testified, from the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who solicited his services in their behalf, to which he cheerfully responded, and the work necessary for them was faithfully performed. During the period of the extreme and unrelenting prosecutions under the anti-polygamy acts of Congress, President Woodruff spent much of the time among the churches in Arizona and Southern Utah. On January 26, 1880, having retired for some days in the mountains fasting and praying, he obtained important revelations from the Lord concerning the work of the Twelve Apostles and events which would happen affecting both the church and the nation. These were submitted to President John Taylor and the Council of the Apostles and were accepted by them as profitable for doctrine, for comfort, for light as to the future and for encouragement in the work of the ministry. He was preserved by the Almighty in his extensive travels and arduous labors, and retained his vigor of mind and body to a most remarkable degree. At the General Conference in October, 1880, Wilford Woodruff was sustained as President of the Twelve Apostles, succeeding President John Taylor in that position, which he held until April 7, 1889. As trustee-in-trust for the Church, he was the responsible head of all its business affairs, entailing heavy duties which WILFORD WOODRUFF. 875 he discharged with wisdom, honesty and fidelity. He was chairman of the general board of education of the Church and President of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations. In addition to these, he was also from October 5th, 1887, President of Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution, and from October 7th, 1887, President of Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company. In the midst of his numerous labors and responsibilities, he never failed to attend the regular meetings of the Council of the First Presidency and Apostles, except when he was absent from the city attending to some public duty. Yet he traveled extensively, visiting the Stakes of Zion and assemblies of different kinds. He came from St. George to Salt Lake City, July 26th, 1887, the day after the death of President John Taylor, and from that time bore the weight of leadership in the Church. In May, 1888, he dedicated the Temple in Manti, Sanpete County. At the General Conference, April 7th, 1889, he was sustained as President of the Church, with George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as his Counselors. Needing a change from his arduous duties, he took a trip to California April 13th, 1889, returning on the 26th of the same month. October 20th, of the same year, he went to Canada and visited the settlements of the saints in Alberta, returning by way of Vancouver and Portland. He reached home November i6th. In 1890 he took another trip to California, starting September 4th, and returning September 21st. At the October Conference, i8go, he issued the celebrated Manifesto, in which he announced his intention to obey the laws of Congress in reference to polygamy, which had been pronounced constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States, and advised all the Latter-Day Saints to do the same. As the man holding the keys of authority in the Church to regulate this matter, he from that time refused to give permission for the solemnization of plural marriages. In September, 1893, he went to Chicago, when the Tabernacle Choir gained a triumph at the World's Fair, calling by the way at several points, where he was received with distinguished honors. His reception at Independence, Missouri, was one of the most striking of the many evidences of the change in public sentiment toward the Latter-day Saints. It was there that the violent hostilities against the Mormon people otcurred in 1833, resulting in the expulsion of the saints from Jackson County, Missouri, and many flagrant outrages, with the destruction of much property. But President Woodruff was welcomed by the civic authorities with the utmost courtesy and respect, as he was wherever he traveled on this trip. At the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, April 6th, 1893, he predicted that the Lord would soften the hearts of the people and a change would come over them favorable to the preaching of the gospel, so that the elders would be able to labor freely in the mission field. This prophecy has been fulfilled, the change being not only palpable in President Woodruff's travels, but in the experience of the elders in the mission fields throughout the world. On June 25th, 1895, President Woodruff, with several members of his family, went to Portland, Oregon, for rest and recuperation. At home he was troubled with insomnia, but on the sea-level slept sweetly and enjoyed good health. He proceeded to Tacoma and thence to Vancouver's Island, and finding favorable arrangements, the party went to Fort Wrangell and thence to Juneau and Sitka in Alaska. They visited the Muir Glacier, also the famous Taku Glacier, went to Douglass Island and also inspected the celebrated Treadwell mine. They returned by way of Gardner's Channel and went to view a grand waterfall between 300 and 400 miles from Seattle. While in the north he indulged in his favorite pastime of fishing, in which he was usually very successful. He reached home on July 27th. From the year 1834 to the close of 1895, Wilford Woodruff traveled 172,369 miles, held 7,555 meetings, attended 75 semi-annual Conferences, and 344 quarterly Conferences; preached 3,526 discourses; established 77 preaching places in the missionary field; organized 51 branches of the church; received 18,977 letters; wrote 11,519 letters; assisted in the confirmation into the church of 8,952 persons, and in addition to his work in the St. George temple, labored 603 days in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, He traveled through England, Scotland, Wales, six islands of the sea, twentythree of the United States, and five territories. During his eventful life. President Woodruff met with a number of severe accidents, many of which would have killed an ordinary person. He frequently remarked that he had broken nearly every bone in his body except those of his spine and his neck. Because of his remarkable recovery from these disasters, he reached the conclusion that there — were two powers seriously affecting his life one engaged to destroy him, and the other to preserve him. He recognized in the latter the hand of divine Providence, protecting him for a wise purpose. The following chapter of accidents which befell him was prepared under his personal direction: When three years of age he fell into a cauldron of boiling water, and it was nine months before he was considered out of danger. When five years old, he fell from the great beam of a barn, striking on his face; three months WlLFORD WOODRUFF. 8l7 later he fell down stairs and broke an arm. Soon after, he broke his other arm. At six years old he was chased by a mad bovine, but he fell into a post-hole and the animal leaped over him. The same year he broke both bones of one of his legs in his father's saw mill. When seven years of age, a load of hay on which he was riding was tipped over upon him, and he was nearly suffocated. When eight years old, a wagon in which he was riding was turned over upon him, but he was not seriously injured. When nine years old, he fell from an elm tree, through the breaking of a dry limb, fifteen feet to the ground, and was supposed to be dead, but he recovered. When twelve years old, he was drowned in Farmington river. Conn., but was brought up by a young man from thirty feet of water. He suffered greatly in his restoration to life. When thirteen years of age, he became benumbed with cold, while walking through the meadows, and went into the sleep of death, becoming insensible, but was found and was restored. When fourteen years old, he split his in-step open with an axe, and was nine months getting well. At fifteen he was bitten in his left hand by a mad dog. At seventeen, he was thrown from an ill-tempered horse over the horse's head on a steep hill amid the rocks; he landed over the rocks on his feet about a rod ahead. It broke his left leg in two places and dislocated both his ankles. In eight weeks he was out of doors on crutches. In 1827, while attempting to clear the ice out of a water-wheel, a full head of water was turned on, his feet slipped into the wheel, but he plunged forward head first into three feet of water and escaped being crushed to death. In 1831 he was again caught in a wheel twenty feet in diameter, but leaped out against a jagged stone wall, and escaped with a few bruises. During the winter of that year he suffered severely from lung fever. In 1833, the day he was baptized, a horse, newly sharpshod, kicked a hat off his head, and ten minutes later he was thrown from a sleigh, without any box, on which he was driving, lighting between the horses, and was dragged with the sleigh on him to the bottom of a hill on a snow path, but escaped unharmed. In 1834 he narrowly escaped death twice from the discharge of fire arms, a rifle ball passing within a few inches of his breast, and a musket, heavily loaded, being snapped with the muzzle pointed at his breast. In April, 1839, in Rochester, 111., while riding on the forward axle tree of a wagon, he was thrown so that his head and shoulders were dragging. His horses took fright and dragged him about half a mile till they ran into a high fence. He was bruised, but no bones were broken. While going to St. Louis, in July, 1842, he had a severe attack of bilious fever, and on returning to Nauvoo, in August, was confined to his bed for forty days, and appeared to be stricken with death, but he recovered by the manifestation of the power of God. September 12th, 1843, at 5 p.m., he left Boston on the Portland Express. Six miles south of Kennebunk, after dark, the train was wrecked, several cars were smashed to pieces, the engineer was killed, some of the passengers bad bones broken, but he escaped unhurt. October 5th, 1846, when with the camp of the Saints on the west bank of the Missouri river, while cutting some timber, he was crushed by a falling tree, his breast bone and three ribs on the left side were broken, his left arm, hip and thigh were badly bruised, and he was internally injured, yet he rode two and a half miles over a rough road and was then carried to his wagon, when President Brigham Young and his Counselors laid hands upon him and rebuked his pain. He had no physician, was able to walk in twenty days, and in thirty days from the time he was hurt he was able to work again. On the 21st of April, 1856, while helping to move an ox that had died from poison and had been skinned, his arm was inocculated with the virus, and seven days afterward he began to swell, and his whole system appeared to be impregnated with the poison. President Young administered to him and promised him he should recover and live to finish the work appointed to him on earth. He subsequently recovered, although dead flesh had to be removed from his arm with instruments and lunar caustic. April 6, 1896, President Woodruff, with his Counselors, the Apostles, (with one exception), the Patriarch of the church, the Seven Presidents of Seventies and the Presiding Bishopric, issued the celebrated Declaration of Principles, •explaining the discipline of the Church concerning its leading officials. In i8g6 he took another trip to the Pacific Coast, starting August loth, by Oregon Short Line to Portland. He took steamer from that place to San Francisco, then went by rail to San Diego. He and party took a trip out on the Pacific, where they engaged in fishing for yellowtail, and in about two hours, caught about 600 pounds. Brother Woodruff, with the aid of his wife, succeeded in hauling out one yellowtail weighing 30 pounds. They also went to Catalina Island and fished for groupers, which are found at very great depth of the ocean, and were equally successful in their catch. He reached home September 9th, having during his absence preached at San Francisco and Los Angeles. President Woodruff's 90th birthday was celebrated March ist, 1897, by a grand gathering of his friends and admirers at the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, which was filled completely, and was attended by the Governor and members of the Legislature and many other public officials. Mormons and non- Mormons. President Woodruff made a notable speech on that occasion, speaking with great vigor and clearness. After an appropriate program was rendered, President Woodruff, with his wife, Emma Smith Woodruff, 59 years of age, whose birthday occurred on the same day, was seated in front of the lower stand and held a reception, which lasted over an hour, almost the entire assembly passing by and shaking hands with the venerable President and his wife. Nowithstanding his advanced age, he received a party of his immediate friends at dinner at his residence, the same day, manifesting no signs of fatigue after the ordeal he had passed through. On July 20, 1897, he officiated at the great Pioneer Jubilee celebration, when the statue of President Brigham Young was unveiled and the dedication prayer by President Woodruff was offered. In the afternoon, he attended a meeting of the Pioneers, which was held in the tabernacle, and was there presented with the gold Pioneer badge, which had been designed for the oldest Pioneer present. On July 22, he was honored by being crowned with flowers in the Tabernacle by the children who had marched in the procession to the number of about 10,000. They were represented by Ida Taylor Whittaker, grand-daughter of the late President John Taylor, who said: WILFORD WOODRUFF. 879 "As one of the descendants of Utah's 1847 pioneers, I crown you the oldest of that noble band present here today, and pray God's blessing on you and all your pioneer companions. On July 24th, President Woodruff rode in his carriage in the great pageant at the head of the Pioneers. He received the plaudits of all classes of people, old and young. September 9th of that year he took another trip to Port- land, Oregon, and went to San Francisco, returning to Port- land and thence home, which he reached September 25th On Pioneer's Day, July 24th, 1898, the Old Fort Square was dedicated as a public park, for the benefit of Salt Lake City, and President Woodruff was invited to make a speech on that occasion. He spoke with great force, giving some particulars of those early times. On Saturday, August 13th, 1898, President Woodruff left Salt Lake City for a visit to San Francisco. At home he suffered from insomnia, but on the sea coast he enjoyed rest and sleep. His health was excellent most of the time during his stay. On Saturday, August 27th, in company with Pres- ident George Q. Cannon, who was with him in nearly all of his travels from home during the later years of his life, and on whom he relied as his chief assistant in all the affairs of the Church, he attended by invitation a gathering of the Bo- hemian Club, in honor of an octogenarian, who addressed the company, an event considered remarkable because of his advanced age. President Woodruff in his 92ad year aston- ished the company by an impromtu speech when called upon which was full of vigor and vivacity. On Sunday, August 28th, he addressed the Saints at their meeting in San Fran- cisco, to their great delight and edification. On Tuesday he manifested signs of sickness and distress: medical aid was obtained; he was administered to, but grad- ually began to dechne. His system was worn out. Every attention possible was paid to him. His wife Emma, also President Geo. Q. Cannon, Bishop H. B. Clawson, a trained nurse and the best medical experts of the city waited upon him at the luxurious residence of Col. Isaac Trumbo, which had been kindly placed at their disposal, but he gradually declined, and at 6:40 A M., September 2ad, 1898, his spirit passed away without a struggle or a moan. He fell asleep in Christ. He will awaken in the morning of the resurrection day. Like a gentle child in placid slumber, the change came so peacefully that none knew he had gone until his pulse ceased to beat. The sad news was telegraphed to Salt Lake City soon as possible the body was prepared for As conveyance home and the party returned with the remains, arriving on Sunday morning, September 4th, The coffin, covered with beautiful flowers, was conveyed to the family residence, where it remained until Thursday, September 8th, when services were held in the Tabernacle and the body of the departed President, enclosed in a pine casket, was placed in front of the stand, splendid floral emblems surrounding it, while the pulpits were draped in white and the great organ from which depended white streamers was adorned with the American flag, and a full length portrait in oil of the deceased. Electric lamps shone out with the words "Being dead yet speaketh. Presidents Joseph F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow and Franklin D. Richards delivered discourses and President George Q. Cannon spoke on the life, character and last moments of President Woodruff to a congregation which entirely filled the building, while crowds congregated on the outside. The funeral cortege was immense; state and civic officials, as well as all the leading church authorities and prominent people of all classes followed the remains to the cemetery, passing between great throngs of spectators, whose presence was a tribute to the worth of the departed. The grave was dedicated by Apostle F. M. Lyman, and the body of the veteran Apostle and devoted servant of God was laid away in order to rest till Christ shall call it forth. Wilford Woodruff, during his extended life, was the husband of five wives, who bore him thirty-one children. He had one hundred and six grand-children and eleven greatgrand-children. He was a kind husband, an affectionate father, and toiled unceasingly for many years for the support of his numerous family. Just, temperate, honest as the day, he knew no guile, and owed no man anything until obligations crowded upon him in his official capacity. His sterling integrity and undeviating truthfulness, with his frankness and simplicity won the hearts of all who met him, and their common expression was, "There is an honest man." He was waited upon by distinguished people from all parts of the world, who came to Utah as tourists. He treated them all with courtesy and replied to their questions with directness and pleasantness, without affectation and without reserve. Even the bitterest opponents of the Mormon faith and people respected and admired President Wilford Woodruff and recognized his sincerity. God was with him and he prevailed. His name is written in heaven and is enshrined in the hearts of the saints as that of a prophet and teacher, who practiced what he preached and fitted himself by his purity of heart and righteousness of life for that crown which awaits him, and which will glorify his brow in the presence of God and the Lamb forever!