Wilford Woodruff, Fourth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints History of His Life and Labors, as Recorded in His Daily Journals

"To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." If the whole religious life of Wilford Woodruff could b...

The year 1896 brought Statehood to Utah. "I feel to thank God," wrote Elder Woodruff "that I have lived to see Utah admitted into the family of states. It is an event that we lo...

In Arizona.--An Epistle to the World.--Birthday Celebrated in St. George.--Travels in Arizona.--Hunt with Pelone, the Apache Chief.--A Visit to the Zunies.--Travels with Lot Smi...

A Prayerful Ambition to Preach.--Departure on Mission to Southern States.--Traveling without Purse or Scrip.--Treatment Received from Minister.--Tribulations.--A remarkable Drea...

Again on the Fox Islands.--Opposition Increases.--Manifestation of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.--Sign of the Prophet Jonas. Wilford Visits A. P. Rockwood in Prison.--Baptizes Hi...

Rapid Increase of the Church in Great Britain.--Mysterious Spirit Personage Attempts to Strangle Wilford Woodruff, and Wounds Him Severely.--He Is Relieved and Healed by Three H...

Ferrying the Missourians over the River.--Construction of Rafts--Obtaining Provisions.--Ten Men Left at the Ferry.--Independence Rock.--Devil's Gate.--175 Miles from Fort Larami...

After more than ninety-one years of incessant activity and immeasurable usefulness upon the earth, the mortal tabernacle of President Wilford Woodruff was to-day laid to rest in...

Mobocrats Seek To Prevent the Fulfillment of a Revelation Given Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, but Are Disappointed.--Temple Cornerstone at Far West Laid.--Wilford Returns to...

Change in Governors of Missouri and Illinois.--Prophet's Release.--Discourse on Authority.--Signs in the Heavens.--New Arrivals of Saints.--Death of Lorenzo Barnes.--Discourse o...

President and Congress of the U. S. Memorialized.--Words of Brigham Young.--Arrival of Col. Kane.--Governor Cumming Reaches Salt Lake City.--Migration Southward.--Delegates from...

Wilford's Arrival in England.--Missionary Work Begun.--Casting Out a Devil.--Directed by the Spirit of the Lord to Another Field of Labor.--Meets with the United Brethren.--Many...

Dedication of the Temple in Nauvoo.--The Exodus to Council Bluffs.--Accident to His Father.--Reaches Mt. Pisgah.--Meets Brigham Young.--Recruiting of the Mormon Battalion.--Colo...

In the Redman's Country.--Indian Customs.--Hunting Became Excessive.--Description of the Bluffs.--Guide Board 409 Miles From Winter Quarters.--Chimney Rock.--Brigham Young Rebuk...

Letter to Orson Pratt.--Baptism of His Father-in-law, Ezra Carter.--Labors in New England.--Meets Dr. John M. Bernhisel.--Healing the Sick.--Interview with Col. Kane.--Hears Ind...

On January 6th, 1875, Elder Woodruff accompanied by his son-in-law, Jesse Moses, left for Randolph, Rich County. Although the winter there was very cold he hauled wood from the...

Co-operative Movement.--Cove Fort.--Pronouncement Against Use of Wine.--Organization of Bear Lake Stake.--Visit of Schuyler Colfax.--The Godbe Movement.--Descendants of Cain.--U...

Departure.--Route.--Visits Home of Solomon Mack.--A Peculiar Dream.--On the Ocean.--Copyright of Doctrine and Covenants.--Visit to Scotland.--Lemington.--Troubles in Nauvoo.--Co...

Exemplary Deacons.--Adam-ondi-Ahman.--Visit to Colorado.--The Patriarchal Order of Marriage.--Andrew Burt.--Farm Life.--The Crusade Opens.--The Family Celebration of His Birthda...

In Retrospect.--First Crop of Potatoes Planted.--The Beginning of Irrigation.--First Sunday.--Explorations South to Utah Lake.--Choice of Temple Block.--Address by Brigham Young...

Elijah Newman Healed.--Indians Attempt Theft.--Antelopes Killed. Encounter with Indians.--A Buffalo Hunt.--Meet Traders from Laramie.--A Decision To Keep the North Bank of the P...

Address of the Prophet on Constitutional Rights.--Orson Hyde's Call to Russia.--Prophet Explains His Position with Respect to Missouri.--Origin of Nauvoo Legion.--Political Expl...

A Fisherman.--Early Employment.--Noble Reflections.--Lessons in Reading.--Interest in the Bible.--Philo Woodruff's Strange Dream.--Mocking Deity.--Its Effects.--Peace of Mind.--...

Killing of Thieves.--John Baptiste, the Grave Digger.--Value of a Daily Journal.--Erection of the Salt Lake Theatre.--State of Deseret.--Foundation Stones of Temple Raised.--Ind...

Sidney Rigdon's Claim to Guardianship.--Rigdon's Spiritual Condition.--Comparison of Sidney Rigdon and Frederick Williams.--Remarks of Brigham Young.--Meeting on Aug. 8, 1844.--...

New Year's Greetings.--Evil Spirits Rebuked.--Love for Little Ones.--Drawings in His Journal.--Mrs. Godbe's Dream.--Brigham Young's Remarks on the Atonement.--Sept. 5, 1867, Jos...

Elder Woodruff was a messenger of peace, a man by temperament and faith pre-eminently fitted to be a missionary of the word of God to the nations of the earth. As one studies hi...

Troubles at Kirtland.--Mission to Fox Islands.--Evil Spirits Cast Out.--Healing the Sick.--Visits his Home Enroute.--From Connecticut to Maine.--Description of Fox Islands.--Beg...

Discourse of Brigham Young on Sin.--The Descendants of Cain.--Edward Hunter Chosen Presiding Bishop.--Parowan Stake Organized.--David Patten.--Talk on Dancing.--Death of Willard...

Some Enjoyments.--He Visits a Condemned Man in Prison.--Troubles Made by Gibson on Hawaiian Islands.--Lorenzo Snow's Escape from Watery Grave.--Visit to Bear Lake Valley.--Remar...

Deposit of Church Records in Temple Foundation.--Approach of the Army.--Present of a Team.--John D. Lee.--Visit of Captain Van Vliet.--Lot Smith.--Col. Alexander Writes Presiden...

The Political Situation.--Visit to California.--The Manifesto.--Its Effects.--Sugar Industry.--Henry M. Stanley.--Deaths of Prominent Men.--Earthquake in Southern Utah.--Address...

Embarks in Sheep Industry.--Adventures of One Gibson.--Lectures to Young Men in Police Court.--Counsel to Missionaries.--Visit to Cache Valley.--Schools Investigated.--Celebrati...

Arrest of George Q. Cannon.--Governor Murray's Dismissal.--Death of President Taylor.--President Woodruff Appears in the Tabernacle.--Change in Federal Officers.--April, 1889, W...

Leonard Hardy's Birthday Party.--Prophecy Concerning Joseph F. Smith.--Death of Orson Pratt.--Visit to St. George.--The Edmunds Law.--Oscar Wilde.--Conditions at St. Johns, Ariz...

Judge McKean.--Journalizing.--Early Church Historians.--Holy Ghost.--Visit to San Francisco.--Funerals of Pitt and Player.--Thomas L. Kane.--Garden of Eden.--Paralysis.--Earl Ro...

The New Leadership.--Second Call to Great Britain.--Warning Against Leading Companies from Nauvoo.--Instructions To Finish the Temple and To Build up the City.--W. W. Visits Emm...

Arrival of Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor at Winter Quarters.--Organization of the Pioneers.--Manner of Forming Camp.--Horse Feed Enroute.--Pawnee Indians.--A Practical Joke.--...

His First Call.--Leaves for Kirtland.--His Neighbors' Warning.--First Meeting with Prophet.--A Remarkable Prophetic Gift.--Zion's Camp.--Zelph.--Escape Mob at Fishing River.--Ep...

In Winter Quarters.--Battle of Nauvoo Commemorated.--Organization of Pottowatamie County.--Bids President Young and Saints Good-by.--Journey from Winter Quarters to Nauvoo.--Fro...

Hard Times Were Difficult for Some To Endure.--Recording Church History.--Dedication of Historian's Office.--First Hand-cart Company.--The Reformation Inaugurated.--Death of Jed...

Education Promoted.--Adventurers.--Endowment House.--President Young Speaks of the Resurrection.--Death of Judge Schafer.--Provo.--Work in Educational Societies.--In the Legisla...

The journal of Wilford Woodruff contains a chapter which he designates as a "chapter of accidents." It is given thus early in his biography as it reveals the purposes of an over...

Wilford Renders Aid to the Persecuted Saints.--His Care in Recording the Events, also Sermons and Sayings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.--Elder Woodruff's Humility, and Appreciati...

Death of His Son, Brigham Young Woodruff.--Prophetic Utterances.--Baptisms for the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.--Death of Brigham Young Changes His Plans.--Funera...

Conduct of the Laws and the Marks.--Discourse on Elijah by the Prophet.--The Celestial Law.--Prophet's Candidacy for President of U. S.--Exploring Expedition to California Plann...

By the opening of the year 1892 President Woodruff had well in hand, not only the routine duties of his office, but the general administrative needs of the Church. He was in goo...

Wilford Woodruff belonged to a group of men whose advent into the world characterized the first two decades of the nineteenth century. Though in their own day, humble and obscur...

Words of Brigham Young.--Talk by the Indian Chief, Aropene.--Assassination of Parley P. Pratt.--Return of Thomas B. Marsh to the Church.--Celebration of the Twenty-forth in Big...

Wilford's First Attendance at Meeting in the Temple.--Called to Speak.--Church's Attitude Toward the Use of Liquor.--Wilford in the First Quorum of Seventy.--Receives Temple End...

There was a contest on between the Federal and the Territorial officers respecting the control of the penitentiary, which had been constructed in part by the Territory, and in p...

Electric Power Plant in Ogden Canyon.--Saltair.--Death of His Brother, Thompson.--Temple Work for Benjamin Franklin.--An Optimist.--Death of A. O. Smoot of Provo.--Utah Stake Or...

Mission of the Apostles to the East.--A Warning to W. W.--A Sad Parting.--Political News of the Prophet Published.--W. W. Arrives in Boston, June 26.--The Martyrdom.--Its Announ...

The movement westward when Wilford Woodruff located in Richland, New York was in full accord with the restless energy and ambitious purposes of a new and active generation. The...

New Year's Day, 1880, found Apostle Woodruff at the home of a Brother Greer at the Little Colorado meadows, Apache County, Arizona. He says he passed much of the day in reading...

Wilford Woodruff was the fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He belonged to that class of men of whom the Lord said to Abraham, "These will I ma...

The life of Wilford Woodruff is a remarkable example of the manner in which those who are pre-eminently qualified as preachers of the gospel are required to fill out a well roun...

On July 18th, meeting was held in a hall on Washington Street, opposite Boylston Hall. Elder Hyde spoke on the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, and was followed by Brigham Young,...

Rapid Increase of the Church in Great Britain.--Mysterious Spirit Personage Attempts to Strangle Wilford Woodruff, and Wounds Him Severely.--He Is Relieved and Healed by Three H...

Mobocrats Seek To Prevent the Fulfillment of a Revelation Given Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, but Are Disappointed.--Temple Corner-stone at Far West Laid.--Wilford Returns t...

Admission of Utah into the Union.--The Occasion Celebrated.--Political Struggles.--Birthday of Geo. Q. Cannon Celebrated.--April Conference, 1896.--Pronunciamento Regarding Poli...

Letter to Orson Pratt.--Baptism of His Father-in-law, Ezra Carter.--Labors in New England.--Meets Dr. John M. Bernhisel.--Healing the Sick.--Interview with Col. Kane.--Hears Ind...

Wilford's Arrival in England.--Missionary Work Begun.--Casting Out a Devil.--Directed by the Spirit of the Lord to Another Field of Labor.--Meets with the United Brethren.--Many...

New Year's Greetings.--Evil Spirits Rebuked.--Love for Little Ones.--Drawings in His Journal.--Mrs. Godbe's Dream.--Brigham Young's Remarks on the Atonement.--Sept. 5, 1867, Jos...

Again on the Fox Islands.--Opposition Increases.--Manifestation of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.--Sign of the Prophet Jonas.--Wilford Visits A. P. Rockwood in Prison.--Baptizes H...

Mission of the Apostles to the East.--A Warning to W. W.--A Sad Parting.--Political News of the Prophet Published.--W. W. Arrives in Boston, June 26.--The Martyrdom.--Its Announ...

President and Congress of the U. S. Memorialized.--Words of Brigham Young.--Arrival of Col. Kane.--Governor Cumming Reaches Salt Lake City.--Migration Southward.--Delegates from...

Exemplary Deacons.--Adam-ondi-Ahman.--Visit to Colorado.--The Patriarchal Order of Marriage.--Andrew Burt.--Farm Life.--The Crusade Opens.--The Family Celebration of His Birthda...

Ferrying the Missourians over the River.--Construction of Rafts.--Obtaining Provisions.--Ten Men Left at the Ferry.--Independence Rock.--Devil's Gate.--175 Miles from Fort Laram...

Address of the Prophet on Constitutional Rights.--Orson Hyde's Call to Russia.--Prophet Explains His Position with Respect to Missouri.--Origin of Nauvoo Legion.--Political Expl...

Some Enjoyments.--He Visits a Condemned Man in Prison.--Troubles Made by Gibson on Hawaiian Islands.--Lorenzo Snow's Escape from Watery Grave.--Visit to Bear Lake Valley.--Remar...

Discourse of Brigham Young on Sin.--The Descendants of Cain.--Edward Hunter Chosen Presiding Bishop.--Parowan Stake Organized.--David Patten.--Talk on Dancing.--Death of Willard...

Wilford Renders Aid to the Persecuted Saints.--His Care in Recording the Events, also Sermons and Sayings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.--Elder Woodruff's Humility, and Appreciati...

Deposit of Church Records in Temple Foundation.--Approach of the Army.--Present of a Team.--John D. Lee.--Visit of Captain Van Vliet.--Lot Smith.--Col. Alexander Writes Presiden...

In Retrospect.--First Crop of Potatoes Planted.--The Beginning of Irrigation.--First Sunday.--Explorations South to Utah Lake.--Choice of Temple Block.--Address by Brigham Young...

Arrest of George Q. Cannon.--Governor Murray's Dismissal.--Death of President Taylor.--President Woodruff Appears in the Tabernacle.--Change in Federal Officers.--April, 1889, W...

Dedication of the Temple in Nauvoo.--The Exodus to Council Bluffs.--Accident to His father.--Reaches Mt. Pisgah.--Meets Brigham Young.--Recruiting of the Mormon Battalion.--Colo...

Killing of Thieves.--John Baptiste, the Grave Digger.--Value of a Daily Journal.--Erection of the Salt Lake Theatre.--State of Deseret.--Foundation Stones of Temple Raised.--Ind...

Change in Governors of Missouri and Illinois.--Prophet's Release. --Discourse on Authority.--Signs in the Heavens.--New Arrivals of Saints.--Death of Lorenzo Barnes.--Discourse...

Embarks in Sheep Industry.--Adventures of One Gibson.--Lectures to Young Men in Police Court.--Counsel to Missionaries.--Visit to Cache Valley.--Schools Investigated.--Celebrati...

In the Red Man's Country.--Indian Customs.--Hunting Became Excessive.--Description of the Bluffs.--Guide Board 409 Miles from Winter Quarters.--Chimney Rock.--Brigham Young Rebu...

Co-operative Movement.--Cove Fort.--Pronouncement Against Use of Wine.--Organization of Bear Lake Stake.--Visit of Schuyler Colfax.--The Godbe Movement.--Descendants of Cain.--U...

Leonard Hardy's Birthday Party.--Prophecy Concerning Joseph F. Smith.--Death of Orson Pratt--Visit to St. George.--The Edmunds Law.--Oscar Wilde.--Conditions at St. Johns, Arizo...

Elijah Newman Healed.--Indians Attempt Theft.--Antelopes Killed.--Encounter with Indians.--A Buffalo Hunt.--Meet Traders from Laramie.--A Decision To Keep the North Bank of the...

Death of His Son, Brigham Young Woodruff.--Prophetic Utterances.--Baptisms for the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.--Death of Brigham Young Changes His Plans.--Funera...

A Prayerful Ambition to Preach.--Departure on Mission to Southern States.--Traveling without Purse or Scrip.--Treatment Received from Minister.--Tribulations.--A Remarkable Drea...

A Fisherman.--Early Employment.--Noble Reflections.--Lessons in Reading.--Interest in the Bible.--Philo Woodruff's Strange Dream.--Mocking Deity.--Its Effects.--Peace of Mind.--...

Troubles at Kirtland.--Mission to Fox Islands.--Evil Spirits Cast Out.--Healing the Sick.--Visits His Home Enroute.--From Connecticut to Maine.--Description of Fox Islands.--Beg...

Sidney Rigdon's Claim to Guardianship.--Rigdon's Spiritual Condition.--Comparison of Sidney Rigdon and Frederick Williams.--Remarks of Brigham Young.--Meeting on Aug. 8, 1844.--...

Conduct of the Laws and Marks.--Discourse on Elijah by the Prophet.--The Celestial Law.--Prophet's Candidacy for President of U. S.--Exploring Expedition to California Planned.-...

In Winter Quarters.--Battle of Nauvoo Commemorated.--Organization of Pottowatamie County.--Bids President Young and Saints Good-by.--Journey from Winter Quarters to Nauvoo.--Fro...

Wilford's First Attendance at Meeting in the Temple.--Called to Speak.--Church's Attitude Toward the Use of Liquor.--Wilford in the First Quorum of Seventy.--Receives Temple End...

The New Leadership.--Second Call to Great Britain.--Warning Against Leading Companies from Nauvoo.--Instructions To Finish the Temple and To Build up the City.--W. W. Visits Emm...

The Political Situation.--Visit to California.--The Manifesto.--Its Effects.--Sugar Industry.--Henry M. Stanley.--Deaths of Prominent Men.--Earthquake in Southern Utah.--Address...

Education Promoted.--Adventurers.--Endowment House.--President Young Speaks of the Resurrection.--Death of Judge Schafer.--Provo.--Work in Educational Societies.--In the Legisla...

Words of Brigham Young.--Talk by the Indian Chief, Aropene.--Assassination of Parley P. Pratt--Return of Thomas B. Marsh to the Church.--Celebration of the Twenty-fourth in Big...

Departure.--Route.--Visits Home of Solomon Mack.--A Peculiar Dream.--On the Ocean.--Copyright of Doctrine and Covenants.--Visit to Scotland.--Lemington.--Troubles in Nauvoo.--Co...

Arrival of Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor at Winter Quarters.--Organization of the Pioneers.--Manner of Forming Camp.--Horse Feed Enroute.--Pawnee Indians.--A Practical Joke.--...

Hard Times Were Difficult for Some To Endure.--Recording Church History.--Dedication of Historian's Office.--First Hand-cart Company.--The Reformation Inaugurated--Death of Jede...

His First Call.--Leaves for Kirtland.--His Neighbors' Warning.--First Meeting with Prophet.--A Remarkable Prophetic Gift.--Zion's Camp.--Zelph.--Escape Mob at Fishing River.--Ep...

In Arizona.--An Epistle to the World.--Birthday Celebrated in St. George.--Travels in Arizona.--Hunt with Pelone, the Apache Chief.--A Visit to the Zunies.--Travels with Lot Smi...

Electric Power Plant in Ogden Canyon.--Saltair,--Death of His Brother, Thompson.--Temple Work for Benjamin Franklin.--An Optimist.--Death of A. O. Smoot of Provo.--Utah Stake Or...

Judge McKean.--Journalizing.--Early Church Historians.--Holy Ghost.--Visit to San Francisco.--Funerals of Pitt and Player.--Thomas L. Kane.--Garden of Eden.--Paralysis.--Earl Ro...