ST. GEORGE TEMPLE DEDICATED.
Visit to Randolph.--Governor Axtell.--Visit of President Grant.--Visit
of Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil.--Dedication of St. George Temple.--A
Grand Birthday Celebration.
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 mountains for the use of his
family. He records that on the 17th of the month three men, while on
their way from Evanston to Woodruff, had their feet badly frozen. With
Bishop Lee he went to visit them and did all he could to save the
unfortunate persons from the necessity of having their feet amputated.
While in that section of the country he visited the Saints in Bear
Lake as far north as Paris. On his return to Salt Lake City he met on
the train, and became acquainted with the new Governor of Utah, Samuel
B. Axtell. "I was much pleased with his sentiment and spirit," writes
Elder Woodruff in his journal. Axtell was so honest and fair with all
parties that the anti-Mormon element, whose tool he refused to become,
by their opposition succeeded in obtaining his removal in about one
month after he reached Utah. He was then made Governor of one of the
southern territories. While in Utah, he spoke one night in the Liberal
Institute, and related some of the iron-clad laws of the Medes and
Persians. "God grant," he said, "that such a rule may never come to
Utah." He was a man of good education and of refinement, and was fairly
opposed to the corrupt methods of Judge McKean, as well as to those of
other Federal officials.
On the 19th of February he went to York, terminus of the Utah Southern,
where he met President Young and George A. Smith on their return from
St. George. On the anniversary of Washington's birthday, February 22,
that year he records the fact that he sealed for time and eternity
the first Lamanite receiving the celestial marriage ceremony in this
dispensation.
It was during this year that President Young was subjected {486} by
Judge McKean to the latter's court indignities in consequence of Ann
Eliza's divorce suit; and on the eleventh day of March 1875, President
Young was sent to the penitentiary for contempt of court for one day
because of his refusal to pay her alimony. Elder Woodruff went to the
penitentiary with President Young and asked the privilege of spending
the night with him, but was denied his request. However, D. H. Wells
and Doctor S. B. Young were allowed to remain with the President. "This
was the first time," says Elder Woodruff, "that President Young was
ever confined in prison by order of any court." A few days later, March
17th, word came that Judge McKean had been removed and his successor
appointed. "Glory Hallelujah, the Lord has answered our prayers and
Judge McKean is removed out of his place!" Elder Woodruff wrote.
Some time before this Elder Woodruff had written in his journal a
prophecy of his in the name of the Lord, that Judge McKean would have
his downfall and his disgrace. His words were literally fulfilled;
the Judge became almost a cipher in the community. His health was
shattered and he died of typhoid fever a little less than four years
later in Salt Lake City. There is, perhaps, no more interesting study
in Mormonism than the fate of those who have been conspicuous in the
oppression of the Saints. Since the days of Joseph Smith men have
sought popularity and honors by their bigoted efforts to solve the
Mormon problem. To one of these so-called reformers has come obscurity,
to another misfortune, to another disgrace, some have been handed over
to the buffetings of Satan, and others have died in obscurity and
unmourned.
Going back in the early history of the Church we find such names as
Boggs, Hinckle, Bennett, Law, Foster. They are remembered only in
association with Church history. To more than three hundred thousand
people they have become a hiss and a by-word. Those not of the Mormon
faith have no reason as they have no desire to do them honor. They are
therefore left to the judgment of the Mormon people.
On the 6th of April, conference convened in the midst of a heavy
snow-storm. The Church had grown from its membership of six to
something like one hundred and fifty thousand souls. This conference
was full of interest and lasted six days. At one of these sessions
a Hawaiian brother spoke. After conference {487} Elder Woodruff and
Erastus Snow went to Provo, where they held meetings and visited Provo
Woolen Mills.
On his return from Provo he took up his work again on the farm; and
on the 31st of May he recorded the return of his brother, Azmon, and
wife to the body of the Church. The two brothers had not met for
thirty-eight years, they therefore hardly knew each other. The light so
long dimmed within him left him blind to the most important progress
of the Church; although he had returned to the fold, there was a
striking difference in the character of the two brothers. However,
Wilford Woodruff was happy to receive Azmon and cheerfully assisted
him in building a house in his own field, where now, Waterloo is
located. In his journal of June 25th that year he wrote, that with
Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, and Albert Carrington he assisted in
laying the corner-stone of the new Z. C. M. I. building, and offered
the dedicatory prayer. The co-operative movement, then inaugurated
throughout the Church, received a great impetus from the establishment
of this wholesale mercantile house, which has given a large measure of
stability to all the mercantile institutions of the state.
On the 10th of July he went to Ogden and escorted some seventy eastern
editors to Salt Lake City. Elder Woodruff's frequent selection by
President Young to receive the strangers was largely due to the fact
that he was a man of social instincts and friendly feelings towards
all. Again, he was so sincere and so devoted to his faith that his
words always created a strong impression of his integrity. Strangers
liked him. There was nothing affected in his demeanor, or unnatural in
his address.
The party on this occasion was escorted to the Tabernacle, where
about three thousand children were assembled in a singing practice,
preparatory to Pioneer Day of that year. He also escorted the editors
to Clinton's Hotel on Salt Lake. Here a steamboat ride was given them.
On the 13th of July, in the evening, according to his journal, there
was a priesthood meeting held in the old Tabernacle, where the subject
of renewing covenants by baptism was discussed. The whole assembly
voted to renew their covenants, and later the Presidency, the Twelve,
the Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric were baptized and entered
into a special covenant to observe the rules of the United Order. Among
them was this: "We will {488} sustain home industry and patronize our
brethren who are in the Order, as far as possible." This movement
became general throughout the Church.
On the 24th of the month there was a celebration in which twelve
thousand people, mostly children, took part in the Tabernacle. "It was
the grandest sight I ever witnessed in my life. The Tabernacle was
adorned with one hundred and fifty thousand artificial flowers, and
roses strung upon some three miles of cord. Mr. McCornick, late member
of Congress, and wife, and other strangers were present. They were much
astonished at what they saw." The Saturday and Sunday following, Elder
Woodruff visited Provo, where a two days conference was held. At that
time, August 1st L. John Nuttall was ordained the bishop of Kanab;
George Halliday, bishop of Santaquin; Harvey H. Cluff, of the fourth
ward, Provo; and John B. Maiben, of Manti, Sanpete.
On September 1st, 1875 Elder Woodruff recorded at some length the death
of President George A. Smith. Concerning this counselor of President
Young, Elder Woodruff, in his journal, wrote: "Time and death are
thinning the ranks of the First Presidency, and the Twelve Apostles,
and first elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No
man has ever lived in this Church who has left a cleaner and brighter
record for both time and eternity than the Apostle George A. Smith. No
man has been more diligent, virtuous or valiant in the testimony of
Jesus Christ than he has been. He was an apostle foreordained before
the foundation of the world to come forth in the last dispensation and
fullness of times. He has well and faithfully filled his mission. He
drew the first load of stone for the erection of the first Temple ever
built by command of God in the last days, the one in Kirtland, Ohio.
In all the trials of life, like Caleb and Joshua, he never murmured,
he labored diligently to build up the work of the Lord to the day
of his death. We were together in Zion's Camp; we traveled together
on missions in the United States; we were ordained apostles on the
same occasion on the corner-stone of the temple in Far West, Caldwell
County, Missouri, in 1839. We traveled together in England, built up a
church in London with Brother Heber C. Kimball. We returned together
in the same ship, sleeping in the same berth. We have labored together
for fifteen years as historians of the Church in {489} the same office.
For many years we labored as members of the legislature. I can bear
testimony that in all these labors and associations with Brother George
A. Smith, under all these circumstances, an unpleasant word never
passed between us."
On the 3rd of October that year he wrote: "President Grant is
expected in this city, at 10 a. m. to-day. The city council appointed
a committee to meet him. President Young and several of the Twelve
Apostles went to Ogden in President Young's car to meet President
Grant. Governor Emery and several non-Mormons went ahead as far as Echo
to meet the President. When he arrived in Ogden the Utah Central Engine
was attached to President Grant's cars. At this place President Young
was introduced to President Grant by George Q. Cannon. As they shook
hands Brigham Young said: 'President Grant, this is the first time
in my life that I ever had the pleasure of seeing a President of the
United States and of shaking hands with him.'" This was also the first
time Apostle Woodruff had ever seen a President of the United States.
"Upon reaching Salt Lake City, the distinguished visitors were taken
to the Walker House. Thousands of people lined the streets. Among
them were several thousands of children. As they rode up the street,
President Grant said to Governor Emery: 'Whose children are these?'
The Governor replied: 'They are Mormon children.' The President, in a
tone of serious meditation, said: 'Then I have been deceived respecting
these people.' On the 4th President Grant, wife, and son visited the
Temple Block where they went through the Tabernacle. Mrs. Grant and
son remained in the building and listened to the organ while President
Grant rode on to the hill above the City where he could view the
valley. While the organ was playing, Mrs. Grant prayed for the people."
At the October conference that year, President Young presented in
printed form his sermon on the resurrection, which was read by Elder
George Q. Cannon. On the 9th of the month Elder Taylor offered the
dedicatory prayer for the new Tabernacle. On the evening of that
day twenty-five hundred men bearing the priesthood met in the old
Tabernacle, where there was read to them the rules of the United Order.
On this occasion Elder Woodruff in his talk to the priesthood said:
"I see in my mind's {490} eye forty thousand men in these mountains
bearing the Holy Priesthood, foreordained to come forth in this
dispensation. Then I see in the vision of my mind's eye forty million
devils gathered to make war against these forty thousand priests of
the Lord. We have many bishops and elders who have but one wife. They
are abundantly qualified to enter the higher law and take more, but
their wives will not let them. Any man who will permit a woman to lead
him and bind him down is but little account in the Church and Kingdom
of God. The law of Patriarchal marriage and plurality of wives is a
revelation and commandment of God to us, and we should obey it; but one
says, 'If you do, Judge McKean will be after you.' What has given us a
future in these Valleys of the Mountains? It is because we have obeyed
this part of the Celestial Law of God."
On the 11th of October Elder Woodruff assisted in setting apart
seventy-five missionaries. At that time eleven Lamanites were ordained
to the priesthood. Closing his journal for that year, he said: "The
future is before us and great events await us in this generation.
The redemption and establishment of Zion, the fall of Babylon, the
gathering of Judea and all the tribes of Israel, and the second coming
of Christ, are all near at hand.
"This is the commencement of the Centennial year of the American
Independence. One hundred years ago the nation was composed of an
honest, industrious, Christian people, and the chief men of the nation
were poor, honest statesmen, who lived to promote the welfare of the
whole people. They established a constitution and laws, which were a
glorious legacy to their descendants. By January 1st, 1876, a great
change has come over the American government. To a great extent,
virtue has departed from the land, and honesty has been driven from
the various departments of government. Men seek office to aggrandize
themselves rather than to serve the interests of the people. Death and
destruction are sown in the land which is ripening for the harvest."
On the 22nd of April, Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil arrived in Salt Lake
City. He was the first emperor to visit the Saints. In the evening he
went to the theatre, and on the 23rd attended a meeting in the 14th
ward meeting-house, but left before the close of the services to take
the train.
During the summer of the year 1876, Elder Woodruff traveled {491}
through the various stakes of the Church. In Provo he wrote that he
blessed Father Samuel Vincent, one hundred and one years old, and his
wife ninety-nine. He also assisted in blessing Vienna Jacques, who is
spoken of in the Doctrine and Covenants. At that time she was ninety
years old. Much of the summer was also occupied in Temple work, a work
in which Elder Woodruff always took a supreme delight, it was so in
harmony with his spiritual nature.
In the early part of November that year, President Young and a large
number of elder of the Church left for Saint George, whither they went
to dedicate the Temple. This was the first Temple erected in Utah.
During their stay in Saint George, preparatory to the completion of
the Temple, President Young was in poor health, as he was nearing the
last months of his life. The completion and dedication of the House of
God in Saint George was to Wilford Woodruff a most joyful event. He
saw in it opportunities which the Saints in earlier days had not been
permitted to enjoy. In later days it became to him a haven of rest and
spiritual strength.
There was perhaps no duty or labor in the Church more pleasing to him
than the ordinances performed in the Temple of God. Its completion was
a matter not only of special pleasure but of great pride to him. He had
looked forward to its dedication and prepared his mind to participate,
on that solemn occasion. He writes: "This is a very important day to
the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth. President Brigham Young and
members of the Twelve, with some two thousand Saints assembled within
the walls of the Temple in St. George to dedicate certain portions
thereof, that we might commence to administer the ordinances ordained
of the Lord for the salvation of the living and the dead. President
Young was ill and could not stand upon his feet."
At 12:30 on the 1st of January, 1877, Wilford Woodruff stood upon the
upper step of the font and called the attention of the people to whom
he spoke as follows: "We are this day blessed with the privilege which
very few since the days of Adam have enjoyed. We assemble in a Temple
built by the commandment of the Lord for the salvation of the human
family. We have met to dedicate certain portions of this building. I
realize that {492} this assembly is too large and too crowded to bow
upon their knees, but all are asked to bow their heads and hearts unto
God. All who are here are Saints, or should be, for none others ought
to be in this holy Temple. I want the Saints assembled to repeat the
words in secret that our prayers may ascend to the Lord of Sabbaoth,
that they may be answered upon our heads."
Mrs. Susa Young Gates, daughter of President Young, was requested to
take in short-hand the proceedings of the dedication. The room was so
thickly packed that there was no place for a table. She, therefore,
laid her book upon the back of one standing in front of her while
she made a stenographic report of the proceedings, which included
the dedicatory prayer that was offered by Apostle Wilford Woodruff.
After placing in remembrance before the Lord the Temple grounds, the
building with its furnishings, and the organization of the Church, he
concluded his prayer as follows: "May the blessings of God rest upon
all the elders of Israel in all the world. We pray Thee to remember in
mercy the Aaronic Priesthood, with its bishops, priests, teachers, and
deacons, who are appointed to be standing ministers unto the Church.
Bless their wives and their children. Bless, we ask Thee, Thy aged
servant, Edward Hunter, who is called to preside over the Bishopric of
Thy Church. Thou hast seen his labors and Thou knowest the integrity of
his heart. Clothe him with Thy Holy Spirit; fill him with the spirit
of counsel and with consolation for his brethren. Preserve him in the
flesh, as long as he shall desire life; and when he shall sleep with
his fathers, may he rest in peace and may the works of righteousness
follow him. Bless all the organizations of Thy Church and Kingdom. May
Thy people accomplish the work unto which they are ordained, build
up the Zion of God, and prepare the earth for the second coming of
the Son of Man. Bless the female Relief Society throughout the land
of Zion. May that organization accomplish fully the object of its
organization, which was effected through the Prophet Joseph. May the
society influence the daughters of Zion to deeds of virtue, holiness,
righteousness, and truth. May the blessings of Sarah, Huldah, Hannah,
Anna, and Mary, the ancient prophetess, and of the holy women rest
upon them. O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, remember, we pray Thee,
the covenants which Thou hast made with all the house of Israel:
{493} remember them in their abidings in these last days. We pray
that in this Temple of our Lord Thou wilt make bare Thine arm in the
preservation and salvation of the small remnants of the Lamanites
that are left in the land. Deliver them, we pray Thee, from the hands
of the Gentiles who are bringing about their threatened annihilation
from off the earth. Inspire their hearts with Thy spirit, that they
may receive the Gospel of the Son of God, that they may be prepared to
build up Zion, and to fulfill the covenants and promises made to them
by their forefathers who inherited this land. Remember, O Lord, Thy
covenant people in the north country; hasten the day when they shall
come in remembrance before Thee, when their prophets shall smite the
rocks and the mountains of ice shall flow down before them. May the
highways speedily be cast up in the midst of the great deep, that they
may come over dry shod. May the everlasting hills tremble at their
presence and their enemies disappear before them. May they come forth
unto Zion and bow the knee, that they may be crowned under the hands of
Ephraim, Thy servant. We hold in remembrance before Thee the sons of
Judah; wilt thou show unto them mercy, since the blood of Jesus Christ
has rested upon them for more than eighteen hundred years. They have
been trampled under foot of the Gentiles and have been made a hiss and
a byword in the fulfillment of the words of Moses, their law giver, and
of Jesus of Nazareth. We pray Thee, O Thou great Eloheim, that their
past sufferings may suffice. Inspire their hearts to return home to
Jerusalem, the land of their fathers, and to rebuild their city and
temple. Prepare them for the coming of Shiloh, their king.
"O hear, O hear us Lord in these our petitions and answer us from
heaven, Thy holy habitation, and we will ascribe all honor, glory, and
thanksgiving unto God and the Lamb both now and forever, amen and amen."
After this a dedicatory hymn, composed by Elder Charles L. Walker,
was sung. The vast audience then moved on to the main room above the
font, where a prayer of dedication was offered by Apostle Erastus Snow.
The sealing room was dedicated by Apostle Brigham Young, Jr. In the
assembly room President Young, who had been carried from one apartment
to another because of rheumatism, now arose before the vast assembly
and spoke in part {494} as follows: "I cannot consent in my feelings
to retire from this house without speaking to this people. Perhaps
it would not be prudent to say all I have it in my heart to say to
those assembled. I will say a few encouraging things to the Latter-day
Saints. We are enjoying to-day a privilege which but few have enjoyed
since the days of Adam. Solomon built a temple for the performance
of certain ordinances, but through apostasy little was accomplished
therein. I will not say that Enoch had not temples in which he
officiated. His people became so perfect that the Lord took them to
another place that removed them from the presence of the wicked.
"The Latter-day Saints have been laboring for over forty years in
accordance with the revelations of the Lord to Joseph Smith, who was
commanded to establish the kingdom by gathering the Saints, by building
temples, by organizing the people as a heavenly family upon the earth.
We built a temple at Kirtland and one in Nauvoo. Joseph located the
site for one in Jackson County and for another in Far West, Missouri.
From these we were driven by ruthless mobs; now we have a Temple
which will be completely finished in a few days. There is enough now
completed to commence work. Those who can see the spiritual atmosphere
can see that many are still glued to the earth. They are lusting and
longing for the things of this world, in which there is no profit.
While we ought to look after temporal things, we should devote them all
to the Kingdom of God. Where are the hearts of this people; where are
their forefathers? What are they doing for their own salvation and for
that of their forefathers? If we were awake to this great truth, this
house would be crowded from Monday morning until Saturday night. This
Temple has been built in a warm climate, where the people, including
the Lamanites, can come in the winter and labor for their salvation and
that of their progenitors. What do you suppose the fathers would say
if they could speak from the dead? Would they not say: 'We have lain
here thousands of years in this prison house, bound and fettered in the
association of the filthy and corrupt.' If they had the power the very
thunders of heaven would resound in our ears. All the angels in heaven
are looking to this little handful of people. When I think upon this
subject {495} I want the tongue of seven thunders to awaken the people
to action. When we closed the Endowment House many of the people of the
north came to us crying. They begged the privilege to be baptized for
their dead. They can now come here, do the work and bid the prisoners
go free. I shall never be satisfied until Satan is conquered and driven
from the face of the earth." When he made this last remark, he struck
the pulpit with a hickory cane and drove the knots of it into the wood.
The indentations of the cane still remain upon the pulpit.
Upon the close of the dedication, Wilford Woodruff was appointed to
preside over the work in the Temple. This appointment was a most
fitting one in view of the spirit of Elijah which had always rested
upon him. He worked for many years in the Endowment House in Salt Lake.
He was familiar with the ordinances and instructions which belong to
the House of God. His whole soul was wrapped up in the temple work for
both the living and the dead. Within the walls of a sacred edifice,
such as a temple, he found comfort, joy, and consolation. Such work
was more important in his mind than public honors, and the station and
honors that come from the world. The first to be baptized and confirmed
in the new Temple was Sister Susa Young Gates, who preserved for the
pages of history in stenographic report a voluminous record of the
dedication.
The opening day, two hundred and twenty-four baptisms were performed.
Those whose services as administrators in the Temple were given, were
Elders John D. T. McAllister, Alonzo Raleigh, and Henry W. Bigler.
March 1st of that year witnessed his seventieth anniversary. On that
occasion one hundred and fifty-four maidens and mothers in Israel
assembled in the Temple to receive endowments for the dead female
relatives of Wilford Woodruff. The address delivered to those gathered
on that occasion is given in his journal as follows: "My beloved
sisters, I present myself before you this morning, not only with prayer
and fasting, but with a heart filled with praise and thanksgiving to
my Heavenly Father, for His many mercies and for His kindness to me
this day. I am thankful to you also, my sisters, for a blessing of such
magnitude as you are bestowing upon me. I do not suppose such a {496}
scene as this was ever before enacted upon the earth. Ever since I have
been working in this Temple, my mind has been exercised in behalf of
the dead. I have a great desire to see my dead redeemed before I pass
away.
"A few days ago I went before the Lord in this holy Temple, where I
often go to pray. There is no more acceptable spot on this earth to
the Lord than this Temple. While in humble prayer, with the subject of
temple ordinances resting upon my mind, I prayed the Lord to open the
way for the redemption of my dead. The spirit of the Lord rested upon
me and gave me the following testimony: 'Let My servant Wilford call
upon the daughters and mothers in Zion, and let them enter into My holy
Temple on the 1st day of March, the day that My servant Wilford shall
see the time allotted to man, three score years and ten. There let
them receive their endowments for his dead kindred, and this shall be
acceptable unto me, saith the Lord. The dead relatives of My servant
shall be redeemed in the spirit world and be prepared to meet My
servant at the time of his coming, which shall be at the time appointed
unto him, yet not revealed to man in the flesh. Now, go to and perform
this work and all shall be accomplished according to the desires of thy
heart.'
"This was merely a key to me, a light burst upon my understanding, and
I saw an effectual door opened to me for the redemption of my dead.
When I beheld this I felt like shouting, 'Glory hallelujah to God and
the Lamb.' I did not pursue this course, however, without first making
known my testimony to President Young. Upon consulting him, he said
that my course was proper; what I did was right; and what I received
came from the Lord. He offered to provide several persons himself. In
the assembly on this occasion were three of his wives and five of his
daughters. I feel thankful to you, my sisters, for this manifestation
of your kindness to me. Had you sought the world over you could not
have found a birthday present so precious to me as this. If I can
redeem my dead and save myself and family I shall be highly gratified.
I feel that when we get into the spirit world, we shall see the
importance of this day. I pray that we may meet with our kindred dead
in the Celestial Kingdom of our God."
{497} Late in the afternoon, at the close of the Temple services,
Apostle Woodruff was escorted to St. George Hall, where he was greeted
by the large assembly of more than one hundred, who were to join with
him around the tables spread with the luxuries of life. The chief
ornament of the tables was a three story cake adorned with suitable
trimmings. On it were pieces of satin, containing poems composed for
the occasion by home talent, Mrs. A. Randall, and Mrs. Emily B. Spencer.
Those were truly his brothers and sisters who in common with him
enjoyed the spiritual life within the sacred precincts of God's house.
Such manifestations of their love and confidence naturally touched
him deeply and awakened within him the joys and satisfactions of the
sincerest friendship.
Henceforth his temple work took on new pleasures and brighter hopes. He
gave to the work his undiminished and undivided love. He felt the honor
of his new calling and nothing that ever came to him in life gave him
more supreme satisfaction.
During his life time three other temples were finished, in the
dedication of which he took a leading part. As the April conference
of 1877 approached, he looked forward to the occasion as something
out of the usual. It was convened that year in the St. George Temple.
There were present, President Young, Daniel H. Wells, John Taylor,
Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Erastus Snow, F. D. Richards, and
Brigham Young, Jr. Following this conference April 6th, President
Young left for Salt Lake City. Elder Woodruff recorded in his journal
that this was the last time that he and President Young ever met in
the flesh. They had long been closely associated in the ministry. They
had traveled thousands of miles; they had rejoiced and had suffered
persecution together. President Woodruff, after the parting continued
his labors in the Temple. President Young and party, on their way home,
stopped at Manti, on the 25th of April, where they dedicated the ground
for another Temple. On the 18th of the following month, ground in Logan
was dedicated for a similar purpose. There was thus brought about the
fulfillment of God's purposes wherein He declared, "I always command My
people to build a temple."
{498} On the first day of June, that year, Brigham Young reached his
76th birthday. Apostle Woodruff, in behalf of himself and associate
Temple workers, wired President Young, as follows: "Dear Brother: All
officiating in the Temple join with me on this your 76th birthday,
in wishing you health and happiness, and that you may live to see
wickedness swept from the earth and righteousness triumph. Wilford
Woodruff."
President Young's response read as follows: "Salt Lake City, June 1st,
1877. Wilford Woodruff. My thanks and blessing for the words of kindly
greeting contained in your dispatch. I desire nothing more anxiously
than to see wickedness swept away and righteousness prevail. My health
is good. I leave at six o'clock for Provo, where we hold a local
conference, commencing to-morrow. May peace, abundant blessings, and
great joy attend your lives and labors. Brigham Young."
{499}