BRITISH MISSION, 1840-41.
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 Heavenly Visitors.--First
Placard of the Church Posted in London.--Death of Wilford's
Daughter.--Difficult Missionary Work in and around London.--Arrival
of Lorenzo Snow To Take Charge of the British Mission.--All of the
Twelve Called Home.--Attending Various Conferences.--Springing of
the Spaulding Story.--Wilford Bids Farewell to the Saints in Fields
Where He Had Labored.--General Conference of the British Mission, and
Only Occasion of the Twelve Apostles Acting as a Quorum in a Foreign
Land.--Wilford's Departure for Home, and Arrival at Nauvoo.--Made a
Member of the Nauvoo City Council.
A general conference of the British Mission was held at Manchester,
England, on the 6th of October, 1840, at which there were present
six of the Twelve Apostles--Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard
Richards, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, and Wilford Woodruff. The
presiding officers in the mission represented twenty-seven conferences,
besides other churches or branches not yet included in organized
conferences. The Church membership in Great Britain was given as 3,621,
being an increase of 1,113 members since the conference held the April
previous. On the evening of October 7th, the first discussion of any
note of Mormonism, held in Great Britain, took place at Manchester,
between Elder Alfred Cordon and a minister of one of the denominations
whom Elder Woodruff does not name. It was attended by the members of
the Twelve then in England. The subject under discussion was the Book
of Mormon; and although the view of the Latter-day Saints was upheld
therein by an elder of less prominence than one of the Apostles, the
result evidently was very satisfactory to the Saints, and their cause
received further favorable impression in the minds of a great majority
of the fifteen hundred persons present on the occasion.
"I left Manchester on the 14th of October," writes Wilford {130}
Woodruff, "to return to my labors in London; and on my way, with Elder
Alfred Cordon, I visited the Staffordshire Potteries and Birmingham.
On the 17th I arrived in London, where I found Elder George A. Smith,
and we were glad to meet each other again. We hired lodgings, board,
and sitting-room at No. 40 Ironmonger Row, St. Luke's. Everything
was costly, and we found that with the greatest economy we could not
do with much less than a pound per week each. What few Saints there
were in London were very poor, and unable to assist us. Most of the
means used in my labors in London was supplied by my converts in
Herefordshire.
"The prospect in London at that time was the darkest it had ever been
in since entering the vineyard; but the Lord was with us, and we were
not discouraged. On Sunday we met with the Saints three times at
Brother Corner's, read the Book of Mormon, gave instruction, and broke
bread unto them. We had a good time, though there were only about half
a dozen present. I felt the spirit bear testimony that there would be a
work done in London.
"Having retired to rest in good season, I fell asleep and slept until
midnight, when I awoke and meditated upon the things of God until 3
o'clock in the morning; and, while forming a determination to warn
the people in London and by the assistance and inspiration of God
to overcome the power of darkness, a person appeared to me, whom I
consider was the prince of darkness. He made war upon me, and attempted
to take my life. As he was about to overcome me I prayed to the Father,
in the name of Jesus Christ, for help. I then had power over him and he
left me, though I was much wounded. Afterwards three persons dressed in
white came to me and prayed with me, and I was healed immediately of
all my wounds, and delivered of all my troubles.
"During the following week we visited the British Museum and other
notable places, also attended a Wesleyan mission meeting over which
the Lord Mayor of London presided. While in the performance of our
missionary labors we circulated and posted handbills. The following is
a copy of the first placard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints posted in England's great metropolis: '"He that judgeth a matter
before he {131} heareth it is not wise." The Latter-day Saints meet
for public worship at Mr. J. Barrett's Academy, 57 King's Square,
Goswell Road (entrance door in President Street) every Sabbath at 3,
and half-past 6 o'clock p. m.; also on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
each week, at 8 o'clock. Lectures will be delivered by Elders Woodruff
and Smith (late from America), who respectfully invite the citizens
of London to attend. The first principles of the Everlasting Gospel
in its fulness; the gathering of Israel; the second coming of the
Savior; and "the restitution of all things" spoken of by all the holy
prophets, will be among the subjects discussed. The Latter-day Saints'
Millennial Star, published monthly, and other publications, can be had
at 52 Ironmonger Row, St. Luke's. (City Press, Long Lane, Doudney &
Scryngour.)'
"The following Sunday, at 3 o'clock, we preached for the first time
in Barrett's Academy. There were present about fifty persons to whom
I preached, and to whom Elder Smith preached in the evening; but it
was the most difficult task I had ever found to awaken in the people
an interest on the subject. There was so much going on in this great
modern Babylon to draw the attention of the people, that it seemed to
require almost the trumpet blast from heaven to awaken the attention of
the inhabitants to our proclamation of the restoration of the fulness
of the gospel. We were there like the apostles of old, without purse or
scrip, to warn the city of London, where we had to pay high prices for
everything we required, and to pay for a place to preach in; we were at
this time about out of money, but still we felt to trust in God. Next
day after this meeting, I received a package of letters from America,
one from my wife announcing the death of my little daughter Sarah Emma.
"November 1st I preached at the Academy in the afternoon to about
thirty, and in the evening to about fifty. We broke bread unto the
Saints, and this evening there seemed to be some interest manifested
by inquiry about the work. We preached again on the following Sunday.
During the week we received counsel from our brethren of the Twelve for
George A. Smith to go immediately to the Potteries, and spend his time
with the churches there. After his departure I felt very lonely for
several days, but Elder William Pitt came from Dymock {132} and labored
with me a short time, after which he took a mission to Ipswich.
"Brother Hulme, a captain of one of the 'Pickford's Boats' on the
London Canal, was present at my next preaching after the departure of
Elder Pitt, and with him were two of his hands whom he had baptized. On
the following day I dined with him and with the two brethren on board
their boat.
"On the afternoon and evening of Sunday, the 22nd of October, I held
a public meeting at the Academy, when four offered themselves for
baptism; and on the following Sunday I again preached twice, and
baptized three more applicants. These were the first fruits of my
labors in London. Next day I took a very interesting walk with Dr. Wm.
Copeland, through every part of the College of Surgeons at Lincoln's
Inn Fields, and on my return home was joined by Elders Brigham Young
and Heber C. Kimball, who had come to spend a week or two in London.
This was the first time President Brigham Young was in the metropolis
of England. We met for service on Wednesday evening, at the Academy,
when Brother Brigham preached, followed by Brother Heber. We had a good
time.
"In company with Presidents Young and Kimball, on the 3rd of December,
I visited the Tower of London, without seeing which, the traveler would
lose a capital page in the history of his travels in Europe. During the
week we also visited St. Paul's, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey,
the Queen's stables, and many other noted sights of London.
"Sunday we held a public meeting at the Academy, at which there were
about fifty present. Brother Kimball preached. An Independent minister
invited me home to take tea with him. I accepted his invitation, had
an interesting time, and preached the gospel to him. He received my
testimony and offered me his chapel, which held eight hundred people.
He said he thought he would be baptized, and would try and get his
society to do the same. We met again in the evening, and had more at
our meeting than ever before. Brother Brigham Young preached, and was
followed by Brothers Kimball, Williams, Corner, Hulme, and myself.
We had a very interesting time, and one person offered himself for
baptism. There were present some of the Aitkenites, one of whom
purchased a hymn book. They wished {133} us to call upon them, and
thought they would be baptized. We then met at Father Corner's, and
communed with the Saints and had a good time. I rejoiced at the
prospect which was opening before us, for we had labored a long time
and the work had gone slow; but now a wide opening was being made to
roll on the work of the Lord in the metropolis of England.
"Having spent about ten days in London, President Young left for
Cheltenham. On the same day I visited Mr. James Albion, a minister of
the Independent order, who, with his household, believed our doctrine,
and on the Sunday we found more than ever an interest being awakened
in London; our prayer meeting the next evening was attended by the
Reverend James Albion, who received our testimony. We walked home with
him, and found his household growing in the faith and ready for the
work of the Lord.
"Two days after, in the evening, we baptized four persons--Mr. and Mrs.
Morgan, with whom we lodged, Christopher Smith, their apprentice, and
Henry Corner, Jun. Dr. Copeland spent the afternoon of the following
day with us; he received our testimony, and in the evening we preached
at our meeting place.
"I visited Rev. James Albion several times, and gave him an account
of the rise and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. He believed in our mission and offered me his chapel, which
would seat about a thousand persons. On Sunday morning we accompanied
our reverend friend and convert to his chapel, and were introduced
to the committee, one of whom was a preacher who had traveled much
in Russia and other parts of the world. At the close of the meeting
the Rev. James Albion gave out an appointment for us to preach on
the next Sabbath evening. In the afternoon we met with the Saints,
had a full house, and confirmed four new members; in the evening we
preached again, and a good feeling prevailed. After meeting, the Rev.
James Albion called upon us at our room and told us that he had given
out our appointment to preach in his chapel; he also had informed his
congregation that he was a Latter-day Saint, and would be baptized and
join our Church, and that they need not longer consider him a member of
their body unless they joined the Saints with him. He told us this made
a division among the {134} committee; some were for going with him, and
some were against following their pastor into the true fold, which he
had found.
"On the following Sunday evening we preached, by the appointment of its
minister, in the Independent chapel, to the largest congregation we had
ever before addressed in London. There were present priests and people
of many denominations. I addressed them for the space of about one
hour. A Wesleyan minister arose and opposed me; this had a good effect,
for the congregation, seeing the spirit he was of, turned against
him, and the committee refused him permission to speak there again. I
was much bound by the opposing spirit; still the conduct of the enemy
gave us friends. The next evening we attended what was said to be the
largest temperance meeting ever held in London; and the next two days
brought us to the close of the year.
"I give here a synopsis of my travels and labors in 1840: places
visited or labored in--Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, Newcastle,
Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Longton, Stafford, Wolverhampton,
Birmingham, Worcester, Hereford, Ledbury, Malvern Hill, Gloucester,
Cheltenham, Oxford, London. I traveled 4,469 miles, held 230 meetings,
established 53 places for preaching, and planted 47 churches and
jointly organized them. These churches chiefly comprised the two
conferences raised up in Herefordshire, consisting of about 1,500
Saints, 28 elders, 110 priests, 24 teachers, and 10 deacons. The
baptisms of the year were 336 persons under my own hands, and I
assisted at the baptism of 86 others. I baptized 57 preachers, mostly
those connected with the United Brethren, also two clerks of the Church
of England. I confirmed 420 members, and assisted in confirming 50
others; ordained 18 elders, 97 priests, 34 teachers, and one deacon;
blessed 120 children, and administered to 120 sick, by prayer,
anointing and the laying on of hands, and in many instances the sick
were healed, and devils cast out. I assisted in procuring £1,000 for
the publication of 3,000 copies of the Hymn Book, 5,000 copies of the
Book of Mormon, for the printing of the Millennial Star, and to assist
200 Saints to emigrate to Nauvoo. I wrote 200 letters, and received 112.
"The new year, 1841," continues Wilford Woodruff, "found Elder Kimball
and myself in the metropolis of England, in the enjoyment {135} of good
health. We celebrated New Year's day by baptizing two persons into the
fold of Christ. The Church in London now numbered 21 members. The next
Sunday we held a meeting in the Academy, confirmed two, and partook
of the Sacrament. During the week I baptized the daughter of the Rev.
James Albion; the day after this, Elder Kimball started for Woolwich
to break new ground. On Sunday he preached there for the first time,
when four persons offered themselves for baptism. Next day they came to
London, and we immediately repaired to our private bath in Tabernacle
Square, where Elder Kimball baptized five persons, one of whom was
Dr. Wm. Copeland. This was indeed an interesting occasion, and we
felt thankful to God to see the cloud beginning to break; for we had
struggled hard to do the little which had been done.
"On the 15th of the month we baptized three more of Brother Morgan's
household, and on the following Sunday I preached to a full house and
to many new hearers. Several offered themselves for baptism; during the
week there had been seven souls added to the Church.
"Next day Elder Kimball received a letter from President Young, who
wished us to be ready early in April to set sail for home. Several days
later, I baptized the Rev. James Albion and Mr. Hender, and before the
close of January I baptized three others into the Church. I visited
Greenwich and Woodwich, where Elder Kimball had raised up a small
branch of the Church, then I returned to London with Elder Kimball. On
Sunday we communed with the Saints, and in the evening we both preached
to a large congregation.
"On the 8th of February, having a package of twenty Books of Mormon and
two dozen Hymn Books, Heber C. Kimball and I went to Stationer's Hall
and secured the copyright of the Book of Mormon in the name of Joseph
Smith, Jun. We left five copies of the book, and paid three shillings
for the copyright. In the evening we baptized four persons, one of whom
was the wife of the Rev. James Albion, who already had received the
gospel.
"Elder Brigham Young, per letter, informed us of the large emigration
of that season. There were to go on one ship 235, and on another
100. To the reader acquainted with the immense emigration {136} of
the Saints in later years, the fact that we considered three or four
hundred as a large emigration will be noteworthy.
"Elder Lorenzo Snow arrived in London on February 11, to take charge
of the Church after our departure. I was truly glad once more to greet
him, for I had not seen him since 1837. On the same day Elder William
Pitt also arrived at our lodgings, and we had an interesting meeting
in the evening. Brother Snow preached, and Elder Kimball and myself
followed him; the next day Brothers Heber and Lorenzo went to Woolwich
to give impetus to the work of God in that important town.
"I give here the minutes of the first London conference, held at the
Academy, 57 King's Square, Goswell Road, February 14, 1841: 'There
were present of officers of the Church, Elders H. C. Kimball, Wilford
Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, and Wm. Pitt, besides four priests. The meeting
was called to order by Elder H. C. Kimball, at 2 o'clock p. m., Sunday,
the 14th of February, 1841, when it was moved by Elder Kimball and
seconded by Elder Pitt that Wilford Woodruff be the president of the
conference. Moved by Elder Kimball and seconded by Elder Woodruff,
that Dr. Wm. Copeland be the clerk. Carried unanimously. The meeting
was then opened by singing, and prayer by Elder Kimball. The president
then called for the representation of the branches of the London
conference. The church at Bedford was represented by Priest Robert
Williams, containing 42 members and one priest; seven removed, and two
dead. The church at Ipswich, represented by Elder Wm. Pitt, consisted
of 12 members, one elder, one priest, and one teacher. The church at
Woolwich, represented by Priest John Griffith, consisted of six members
and one priest. The church at London, represented by H. C. Kimball,
consisted of 46 members, one elder and two priests; excellent prospect
of continued increase. Moved and seconded by Elders Kimball and
Woodruff, that James Albion be ordained an Elder; moved and seconded
by Elders Kimball and Snow, that Thomas Barnes be ordained a teacher;
moved and seconded by Elders Kimball {137} and Pitt, that Robert
Williams be ordained an elder to oversee the church at Bedford; moved
and seconded by Elders Robert Williams and Wm. Pitt that Wm. Smith, at
Bedford, be ordained a priest; moved and seconded by Elders Kimball
and Pitt that Richard Bates be ordained a priest in the Woolwich
branch; moved and seconded by Elders Robert Williams and Pitt that John
Sheffield be ordained a teacher at Bedford; moved and seconded by Elder
Kimball and Brother Griffith that Brother A. Painter be ordained a
teacher at Woolwich. These motions were carried unanimously, and those
present were ordained under the hands of Elders Kimball, Woodruff, and
Snow. Afterward, Elder Kimball moved, and Elder Woodruff seconded,
that Elder Lorenzo Snow be appointed president of this conference, and
to take the superintendency of the Church in London. Much valuable
instruction was given by Elders Kimball and Woodruff in relation to the
duties of official members, after which it was moved by Elder Kimball
and seconded by Elder Snow that this conference be adjourned till
Sunday, the 16th day of May, 1841; after which the conference closed.
Wilford Woodruff, president; Dr. Wm. Copeland, clerk.'
"During this conference meeting, we also broke bread with the Saints,
and confirmed four new members. At half past six in the evening we
met again, and had the largest congregation which had assembled at
our preaching place. One person came forward for baptism. This was a
day which we had desired long to see; for we had labored exceedingly
hard to establish a church in London, and at times it seemed as though
we would have to give it up; but by holding on to the work of our
Divine Master and claiming the promises of God we were now to leave an
established London conference with a prosperous church planted in the
metropolis, under the care of our beloved brother, Lorenzo Snow.
"Brother Kimball, on the 15th, received a letter from his wife,
informing us that the Prophet Joseph had written for the Twelve to come
home immediately. At this time there was a prospect of war between
America and England, over the imprisonment of McCloud, a British
officer, by the state of New York, and also over the northeastern
boundary question. In consequence of this prospect, the Prophet Joseph
wrote for the Twelve to come home, after first thoroughly organizing
the British mission and calling out a number of native elders to send
in every direction throughout Great Britain.
"I spent the 25th of February in visiting the Saints previous {138} to
my departure, and in the evening preached in London for the last time
before my return to Nauvoo. Next day I parted from Lorenzo Snow and the
London Saints, and took train for Bristol, to visit the branch which
had been raised up there by my convert, Elder Thomas Kington, who, it
will be remembered, was the superintendent of the Frome's Hill circuit
of United Brethren. Leaving Bristol, I visited the churches which I
had raised up, holding conferences and bidding farewell to the Saints,
hundreds of whom I myself had baptized.
"When I arrived at Monmouth I found that Elder James Morgan awaited
my coming, and had given out an appointment for me to preach in the
town at 7 o'clock, at the house of Robert Davis. There was a crowded
meeting, and many were unable to get into the house. Four offered
themselves for baptism. The spirit witnessed to me that there would
be many embrace the gospel in Monmouthshire, and I said, 'the harvest
is great and the laborers few.' I arose in the morning, refreshed by
sleep, and having taken breakfast with Mr. Matton, I walked ten miles
through mud and water, in a driving March rainstorm, to Sister Mary
Morgan's, at Little Garway, where I found a pleasant family of the
Saints. We were drenched with rain, but found a good fire, spent the
day comfortably, and in the evening I had an interesting interview with
Elder Littlewood; the next day I remained at Sister Morgan's, reading
with much interest the history of Rome, and in the evening I met the
officers of the Church there in council, and had a good time. Sunday
morning I preached at the house of Brother Thomas Rood, and in the
evening at the Kitchen, upon the Book of Mormon, and had the place full.
"On March 8, 1841, I met with the Garway conference, at the Kitchen.
Elder Levi Richards was chosen president, and Elder James Morgan,
clerk. There were present one of the quorum of the Twelve, one high
priest, seven elders, eleven priests, two teachers, and one deacon.
The meeting opened with prayer by Elder Woodruff, after which the
churches were represented as follows: members 134, elders 4, priests 5,
teachers 3, deacons 1. After the representation, it was moved that John
Needham be ordained an elder, William Morris, priest, and Thomas Rough,
teacher. These were ordained under the hands of Elders Woodruff {139}
and Richards. The meeting adjourned till 3 o'clock, and one person was
baptized. In the afternoon, Elder Levi Richards spoke and I followed
him. After meeting, the Saints contributed one pound sterling to help
me, and I sold them three Books of Mormon and fifty addresses to the
citizens of London. I then walked five miles with Brother Richards, to
Brother Holley's, and spent the night. This was the first time I had
seen Brother Levi for about two years.
"Next day, in company of Elders Levi Richards and Thomas Pitt, I walked
to the city of Hereford, where Elder Ray and others had been preaching.
On Sunday a preacher arose before two or three thousand people in the
market house and informed the multitude that he had a fresh letter
direct from America, showing the origin of the Book of Mormon. So he
read the old Spaulding story. When he got through, Elder Levi Richards
arose and informed the people that instead of its being a new story it
had been published for seven years throughout the United States and
England. This caused a great uproar, for while some were for driving
the man out of the place for lying, others were crowding around Elders
Richards and Ray to hear them preach. The crowd, however, was so
excited that the elders left the ground with hundreds following them.
There never was a time when the people were so much stirred up and
so eager to hear the Latter-day Saints as at the present, and it was
expected that we should not get through the city without having crowds
around us. We did, however, and had a view of Hereford cathedral as we
passed along and reached Sister Bufton's.
"There was at this time a small branch of the Church at Hereford,
numbering seven members. We parted from Brother Pitt at Hereford, and
continued to Lugwardine, where I met with the church there for the
last time, and preached from the 24th chapter of Isaiah. On the morrow
I walked to Shucknell Hill and had an interesting meeting with the
Saints and preached upon the gathering to Zion and Jerusalem. It was
my last meeting with them, and I bade them farewell. Next day I walked
to Standley Hill and dined with Brother Ockey, whom I was truly glad
to see once more. We went together through Standley Hill and called
upon the Saints. Six months had passed since I had {140} parted from
the churches in this region, but now I was again in the field where the
Lord by His blessing and the power of the Holy Ghost had made my labors
so abundantly fruitful. Next day I went to Greenway and preached,
blessed a child, confirmed a member, and administered the ordinance of
the gospel to five sick persons; and on the morrow continued to Turkey
Hill. There, on the Sunday, I communed with the Saints and preached
to a large congregation upon the gathering. I found the Saints in the
region around very desirous to gather to the body of the Church, but
they were poor and had not the means to emigrate to America.
"On the 15th day of March, 1841, the Bran Green and Gadfield Elm
conference again assembled, this time at Gadfield Elm chapel, when the
meeting was called to order by Elder Woodruff. There were present,
one of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one high priest, ten
elders, twenty-one priests, six teachers, and one deacon, besides the
congregation of the Saints; there were represented, 19 churches, 367
members, 8 elders, 33 priests, 11 teachers, 1 deacon; removed, 41;
died, 1; expelled, 2. Wilford Woodruff was president, and John Hill,
clerk of the conference.
"We had a very interesting time at the conference. There was a large
assembly of the Saints. It was the last time that I could attend in
that part of my old and beloved field of labor during my present
mission in England; and whether or not I should ever again meet there
in a conference assembly of Saints was one of the secrets of my future
life for time to reveal. We had held our meeting without disturbance
from some mobocrats who were present, for these were kept quiet by
police in attendance, in disguise.
"No sooner had the meeting closed than multitudes of the Saints crowded
around me, and hands were presented on every side, to bid me farewell.
Many called for me to bless them before I departed; others cried out,
'Lay hands upon me and heal me before you go.' One came with, 'Brother
Woodruff. I am turned out of doors for my religion; what shall I do?'
Another with, 'I am ready to go to Zion, but my wife won't go with me;
shall I leave her, to gather with the Saints?' A wife in turn says, 'My
husband beat me and turned me out of doors because I was baptized. I
have money enough to carry me and the children to Zion; will you {141}
let me go without him?' 'Brother Woodruff, my mother is over eighty
years of age and has willed me sixty pounds at her death, but will not
emigrate with me; must I stay for her to die, or leave her now to go
with the Saints?' One said, 'I have sold my little place and shall have
thirty pounds tomorrow, but must go out into the street. I have not
enough to carry my family to America; can you help me to a few pounds,
or tell me what to do?' An elder cried out, 'How much longer must I
preach in England before you will let me go to America?' From others
of the Saints came such as this: 'Brother Woodruff, will you come and
preach in Cheltenham?' 'My head is in great pain, will you heal me?'
'I want you to consecrate this bottle of oil before you go.' 'Will
you write to me?' 'I have been waiting a long time to get a chance to
speak to you; good-bye, remember me to Mrs. Woodruff, good-bye; God
bless you!' Thus for more than an hour after the close of the meeting
I was hailed with the affectionate outbursts and adieus, and a host of
perplexities, of these Saints, who crowded around me as children around
their father.
"Many of the Saints parted from me in tears, and many followed me to
Turkey Hill, where I spent the night and they filled the house until
a late hour, begging counsel and instruction of me. One of these was
a Baptist minister who had just been baptized into the Church. On the
morrow, in company with Elder Needham, I walked to Keysend Street,
where I preached to a crowded congregation of Saints, and thence
continued to Colwall. There I met with a large congregation of Saints,
and preached to them upon the gathering.
"Next day, with Elder Levi Richards, I walked over to Malvern Hill
and called upon Elder Samuel Jones; thence through Great Malvern to
Crowcat; I held a meeting at Brother George Brooks's, and had an
interesting time with a large number of Saints whom I had baptized
about a year before. I went to Dunsclose the day after, visiting many
of the Saints by the way, laying hands upon the sick, and blessing and
counseling others of the flock. All were happy to see me; for I had
baptized most of them when I first opened that field of labor. Next day
we traveled to Frome's Hill, and visited the Saints by the way.
"At Frome's Hill I met with the Saints on Sunday morning, {142} and
had a crowded house; in the afternoon we held a meeting at Standley
Hill, where I communed with the Church. At the close of the meeting I
had a busy time shaking hands with the Saints, and parting from them.
Many of them wished me to bless them, and others to heal them. I spent
the night with Brother Levi Richards, at Elder Edward Ockey's, and on
the morrow we held the Frome's Hill conference at Standley Hill. There
were present one of the traveling high council, two high priests,
twenty elders, thirty priests, nine teachers, and two deacons. After
calling the meeting to order, I moved that Elder Levi Richards preside
over the conference, and he was sustained by the meeting. I was chosen
clerk. After singing and prayer, the president called upon the officers
for the representation of the various branches, which was given as
follows: branches, 33; members, 957; elders, 24; priests, 68; teachers,
27; deacons, 8. Robert Gunnery, Edward Phillips, and John Spires were
ordained to the office of elder under the hands of Elders Richards,
Kington, and myself; Thomas Bishop, to the office of priest; and Wm.
Rowley, to the office of deacon. In the afternoon, after speeches from
Elders Richards and Kington, I delievered my farewell address, and
pronounced the benediction on the conference.
"After the meeting was dismissed, I was almost three hours shaking
hands with the Saints, healing the sick, and giving counsel to the
multitude which surrounded me, many of whom were in tears when we
parted. Nearly fifty came to ask me to take them to Zion, when I had
not means to take myself. However, I gave Sister Foxal five pounds to
help her and her husband and children to the land of America. She had
made every exertion for six months, to save money to gather with the
Saints, and had raised thirty pounds. The five pounds I gave to her was
a donation from Elder Edward Ockey, who was parting with his substance
to help the poor of the Church to gather.
"After bidding the multitude of Saints farewell, I went to Elder Ockey's
to spend the night, accompanied by Elders Richards, Kington, and Ray.
We had been in the house but a short time when three of Edward Ockey's
brothers came in for the purpose of having a contest, because their
brother and sister had embraced the gospel and were about to gather
with the Saints. {143} They manifested much wrath against me, and,
after conversing with me about three hours, they left the house and
we were once more in peace. After conversing together until the third
watch of the night, we retired to rest, closing one of the busiest days
of my life.
"I arose in the morning, refreshed by sleep, and after conversing
several hours with Elders Richards, Kington, Ray, Ockey, and others,
I was under the necessity of parting with the Saints in this region.
In bidding them farewell, we found in the memories of our associations
many ties which bound us together. Among the faithful ones were the
Ockeys. Brother Edward Ockey and his sister Ann were of a good and
wealthy family. They had many trials to pass through to do the will of
God and to gather with the Saints, for their brothers were set against
them exceedingly. Brother Edward maintained his integrity like a man of
God and was making every preparation to gather with the Saints, but his
sister Ann had fears that her brothers would hinder her gathering.
"Having bidden farewell to the Saints of Standley Hill, I walked to
Frome's Hill and conversed with the Elders until two o'clock, when I
took the parting hand of Elders Richards, Kington, Ray, and others,
and, with my carpet bag with about twenty pounds weight in it, walked
fifteen miles to Worcester, in four hours. When I arrived there I was
so very lame and weary with my heavy load and fast walking that I could
scarcely walk at all. I then took rail and arrived in Birmingham at 10
o'clock at night, but was exceedingly lame and weary. I spent the night
with Elder James Riley, 24 Park Street.
"I had now fairly ended my Herefordshire mission, and bidden a last
farewell to that field of labor where the Lord had blessed me beyond
all my expectations. I now left three conferences in the region which I
opened one year before, on the 5th of the same month that I left this
vineyard, now planted all over with churches, numbering fifteen hundred
Saints. The minutes which I have recorded will show at a glance the
rise and progress of the churches in Herefordshire, and the regions
around.
"On Sunday, the 28th of March, the Staffordshire Conference met, and
there were present of the Twelve, George A. Smith and Wilford Woodruff,
with 1 high priest, 13 elders, 28 priests, 10 {144} teachers, and 8
deacons. The conference was held in the Magistrate's Assembly Room.
At the close of the conference it was voted that 'this conference
grant Elders Woodruff and George A. Smith a letter of recommendation
manifesting that the Church in this region accept of their labors and
consider that they have filled their mission with honor and dignity.'
"We had a very interesting time on this occasion. The conference was
held in a place which would contain 800, and it was crowded; but there
was perfect order and much good feeling manifested during the day.
There was prospect of a continued increase in the Potteries. George A.
Smith was the president of the conference, and T. J. Fitcher and O.
Shaw, clerks. Next day George A. Smith and myself met the officers in
council at the Hanley meeting rooms, and gave such advice as we deemed
wisdom; we then took our farewell. On the following day we also parted
from the Saints at Burslem, took coach to Manchester, and called upon
Parley P. Pratt, 47 Oxford Street; we found him and his family enjoying
good health.
"On the 6th of April, 1841, the General Conference of the British
Mission was held in Carpenter's Hall, Manchester, at which there
were present nine of the quorum of the Twelve; namely, President
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Orson
Pratt, Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and George A.
Smith. The total membership of the British mission at that time was
represented as 5,814, and 800 besides had emigrated to America under
the transportation arrangements of the Church. At this conference the
Twelve blessed and set apart Orson Hyde for his mission to Jerusalem,
to which he had been called by the Prophet Joseph. This was the first
and only time in this dispensation that the Twelve Apostles sat in
conference as a quorum in a foreign land.
"Immediately after the General Conference, those of the Twelve who were
about to return home hastened to Liverpool, and embarked for America on
the 20th of April, on board of the ship Rochester. Next day, the wind
being favorable, the ship weighed anchor. There were on board Brigham
Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith,
Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, and John Taylor, of the Twelve,
{145} with Elder Reuben Hedlock and 120 of the British Saints. On our
passage across the Atlantic we had some very tempestuous weather and
became familiar with 'a storm at sea.' On the 20th of May we landed
in New York, and on the next day George A. Smith and myself took up
our abode for a few days at Brother Foster's. While there I met my
brothers-in-law, Ezra and Ilus Carter, and also Dr. Charles Fabyan, my
wife's relative.
"On the 22nd of May, at the house of Brother Foster, in New York, and
in the presence of the quorum of the Twelve, I performed the service of
marriage between Mr. Edward Ockey and Miss Eliza Brewer, both of them
my converts of Castle Frome. This was the first marriage ceremony at
which I officiated.
"On the 2nd of June I arrived at Scarboro by stage, and was permitted
to embrace my wife, and also my first born son, Wilford, Jr., whom I
had not seen before. After two years of separation from my wife, it
was indeed a happy reunion. There I stayed with my father-in-law until
the 5th of July, and then left for my native place, Farmington, Conn.,
where I arrived the third day after. While tarrying at my father's
house I married my sister Eunice Woodruff to Mr. Dwight Webster. At my
sister's marriage there were present between forty and fifty persons,
mostly our relatives. This was on the 4th of August, 1841. A few days
afterwards my aunt Beulah Hart was baptized into the Church, and on the
18th of the month I bade farewell to my father's house, after a stay of
forty-one days. This was a longer visit than I had paid to any of my
friends for the past ten years.
"On the 9th September, a little company, consisting of myself, wife,
and son, and four others, started on board the boat Sandusky for
Albany. Our ultimate destination was Nauvoo, where we arrived on the
5th of the next month. When I left Nauvoo, two years before, there were
not more than a dozen houses in the place, but on my return to the city
there were several hundred. We passed by the Temple, then building,
and had a view of it; we then called at the house of Elder Brigham
Young, and there spent the night. Brother Brigham was sick, and Heber
C. Kimball and Willard Richards were with him. We laid hands upon him
and he soon recovered. I saw many of my old friends and acquaintances,
{146} and was informed that others of them were dead. I met with many
friends on the day after my return to Nauvoo, and also sat in council
with the Twelve, and was happy once more to meet with my quorum. I
moved my things to Elder Kimball's. My wife and child were sick. On
the 30th of October, 1841, the city council met, and in course of its
business I was appointed one of the city council of Nauvoo."
{147}