annointing and administering to the sick. Hundreds have asked for her
presence at their bedside--the name, Prescendia--has been almost like
that sweet word, _mother_. I reflect upon the lonely, trial path that
she has trod, the wounds her heart has borne; and listening to the
tender pathos of her voice, the sublimity of her words; the nobility of
her life commanding my love and reverence.
If I could choose the picture which should be historical, it should
be as I have seen her; standing, her grand figure becomingly wrapped
in a large, circular cloak, a handsome, large black bonnet shielding
her venerable and beloved face from the falling flakes of snow.
Looking upon her I thought her the very picture of a Puritan exile, a
revolutionary ancestress, and a Latter-Day Saint veteran and pioneer.
I shall always remember her thus, it is an ineffaceable picture in my
memory.
Since writing the above, the following appears in the _Deseret News_ of
September 11th:
"MANIFESTATION OF RESPECT.
"Yesterday being the anniversary of the birthday of Sister Prescendia
L. Kimball, a party of ladies numbering about thirty, of her personal
friends, mostly of very long standing, assembled at her residence.
A lunch was partaken of about noon, and subsequently the gathering
took the form of a meeting, at which all present expressed themselves
appropriately to the occasion. The sisters also presented the venerable
and respected lady, a handsome black satin cloak, trimmed with fur and
lined with crimson plush, for winter wear. We are pleased to be able to
state that Sister Kimball's health has considerably improved during the
last few days."
PHOEBE W. CARTER WOODRUFF.
WIFE OF WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES, OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
"I, Phoebe W. Carter, wife of Apostle Wilford Woodruff, was born
in Scarboro, in the State of Maine, March 8th, 1807. My father was
of English descent, coming to America at about the close of the
seventeenth century. My mother, Sarah Fabyan, was also of England, and
of the third generation from England. The name of Fabyan is ancient,
and of a noble family. My father's family, also, much of the old
Puritan stamp.
"In the year 1834, I embraced the Gospel, as revealed through the
Prophet Joseph Smith, and, about a year after, I left my parents and
kindred, and journeyed to Kirtland, Ohio, a distance of one thousand
miles, a lone maid, sustained only by my faith and trust in Israel's
God. My friends marvelled at my course, as did I, but something within
impelled me on. My mother's grief at my leaving home was almost more
than I could bear; and had it not been for the spirit within I should
have faltered at the last. My mother told me she would rather see me
buried than going thus alone into the heartless world, and especially
was she concerned about my leaving home to cast my lot among the
Mormons. 'Phoebe,' she said, impressively, 'will you come back to me if
you find Mormonism false?' I answered thrice, 'Yes, mother, I will.'
These were my words well remembered to this day; she knew I would keep
my promise. My answer relieved her trouble; but it cost us all much
sorrow to part. When the time came for my departure I dared not trust
myself to say farewell, so I wrote my good-bye to each, and leaving
them on my table, ran down stairs and jumped into the carriage. Thus I
left my beloved home of childhood to link my life with the Saints of
God.'
"When I arrived in Kirtland I became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and received more evidence of his divine mission. There in
Kirtland I formed the acquaintance of Elder Wilford Woodruff, to whom
I was married in 1836. With him I went to the 'Islands of the Sea' and
to England, on missions. Here I will bear my testimony to the power of
God which I have often seen manifested among the Latter-Day Saints. The
following is one notable instance:
"When the Saints were settling Nauvoo, the unhealthy labor of breaking
new land on the banks of the Mississippi for the founding of the city,
invited pestilence. Nearly everyone was attacked with fever and ague.
The Prophet had the sick borne into his house and dooryard until the
place was like a hospital. At length even he succumbed to the deadly
contagion and for several days was as helpless as the rest of our
people, who were all nearly exhausted by their extermination from
Missouri. But the spirit of the Lord came down upon Joseph, commanding
him to arise and stay the pestilence. The Prophet arose from his bed
and the power of God rested upon him. He commenced in his own house
and dooryard, commanding the sick in the name of Jesus Christ to arise
and be made whole; and they were healed according to his word. He then
continued to travel from house to house, and from tent to tent, upon
the bank of the river, healing the sick as he went, until he arrived at
the upper stone house, where he crossed the river in a boat accompanied
by several of the Quorum of the Twelve, whom he had bade to follow him,
and landed in Montrose. He walked into the cabin of Brigham Young, who
was lying sick, and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise
and be made whole, and follow him, which he did. They came to our house
next, and Joseph bade Mr. Woodruff, also, to follow, and then they went
to the house of Brother Elijah Fordham, who was supposed by his family
and friends to have been dying, for two weeks. The Prophet stepped to
his bedside, took him by the hand, and commanded him in the name of
Jesus Christ to arise from his bed and be made whole. His voice, Joseph
Smith's, was as the voice of God. Brother Fordham instantly leaped from
his bed, called for his clothing and dressed himself, and followed
the Apostles into the street. They then went into the house of Joseph
B. Nobles, who lay very sick, and he was healed in like manner. And
when by the power of God granted unto him, Joseph had healed all the
sick, he recrossed the river and returned to his own house. Thousands
of witnesses bear testimony of the miracle. It was a day never to be
forgotten. Hearing of the case of Brother Fordham, whom I with the rest
had believed to be dying, I thought I would go and see with my own
eyes. I found him very happy, sitting in his chair. He told me he had
been out to work in his garden. This was only a few hours after the
miracle. From that day I never doubted that this was the work of God.
"It will be expected that I should say something on polygamy. I have
this to say. When the principle of plural marriage was first taught,
I thought it was the most wicked thing I ever heard of; consequently
I opposed it to the best of my ability, until I became sick and
wretched. As soon, however, as I became convinced that it originated as
a revelation from God through Joseph, knowing him to be a prophet, I
wrestled with my Heavenly Father in fervent prayer, to be guided aright
at that all-important moment of my life. The answer came. Peace was
given to my mind. I knew it was the will of God; and from that time to
the present I have sought to faithfully honor the patriarchal law.
"Of Joseph, my testimony is that he was one of the greatest prophets
the Lord ever called, that he lived for the redemption of mankind and
died a martyr for the truth. The love of the Saints for him will never
die.
"It was after the martyrdom of Joseph that I accompanied my husband to
England in 1845. On our return the advance companies of the Saints had
left Nauvoo under President Young and others of the Twelve. We followed
immediately and journeyed to Winter Quarters. The next year my husband
went with the pioneers to the mountains while the care of the family
rested on me. After his return and the re-organization of the First
Presidency, I accompanied my husband on his mission to the Eastern
States. In 1850 we arrived in the Valley and since that time Salt Lake
City has been my home.
"Of my husband, I can truly say I have found him a worthy man with
scarcely his superior on earth. He has built up a branch of the Church
wherever he has labored. He has been faithful to God and his family,
every day of his life. My respect for him has increased with our years,
and my desire for an eternal union with him will be the last wish of my
mortal life."
At the first organization of the Relief Society in the Fourteenth
Ward, in the spring of 1857, Mrs. Woodruff was chosen by Bishop A.
Hoagland as President, which position she held until by the "move"
south, the society was discontinued. After their return she was invited
to resume her position, but so much of the family care and management
of business devolved upon her as her husband's faithful partner, that
she felt she could not do justice to that object, and Bishop Hoagland
asked her to nominate her successor. She chose her first counselor,
Mary Isabella Horne. Mrs. Woodruff is also one of the presiding board
of six, over the General Retrenchment Meetings, held semi-monthly in
the Fourteenth Ward. In May, 1882, Mrs. Woodruff was elected one of
the Executive Board of the Deseret Hospital. She often accompanies
Apostle Wilford Woodruff on his visits among the settlements, holding
meetings with the sisters, who look upon her as one of the wisest
women in the knowledge of the Scriptures and in her counsels among her
sisters in the _Church_. The record of her life and labors would make
a deeply interesting volume which could not fail to inspire the youth
of Zion with a desire to emulate her worthy example, and the hearts of
older ones with admiration and reverence. The eighteen years of our
acquaintance have served to strengthen and beautify my friendship for
Phoebe W. Woodruff, as wife, mother and Saint. It seems but fitting, to
record here that the mother and father of Sister Woodruff were baptized
by Apostle Wilford Woodruff. Thus ended all the fears of the Puritan
mother.
Quoting an historian of note (himself an occupant of part of the
Woodruff residence for a long period): "Sister Phoebe W. Woodruff is
one of the noblest examples of her sex,--truly a mother in Israel; and
in her strength of character, consistency and devotion, she has but few
peers in the Church."
BATHSHEBA W. SMITH.
WIFE OF APOSTLE GEORGE A. SMITH, OF REVERED MEMORY, WHO WAS ONE OF THE
FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Bathsheba W. Smith is the daughter of Mark and Susannah Bigler, and
was born at Shirnsten, Harrison Co., West Virginia, on May 3rd, 1822.
Her father was from Pennsylvania, her mother from Maryland. The school
facilities in her vicinity were limited. The county of Harrison was
hilly, and the roads of primitive character; the mode of travel was
chiefly on horseback riding, in which few could excel her.
In her girlhood she was religiously inclined, loved virtue, honesty,
truthfulness and integrity; attended secret prayers, studied to be
cheerful, industrious and happy, and was always opposed to rudeness.
During her fifteenth year some Latter-Day Saints visited the
neighborhood, she heard them preach and believed what they taught. She
knew by the spirit of the Lord, in answer to her prayer, that Joseph
Smith was a prophet of the Lord, and that the Book of Mormon was a
divine record. On the 21st of August, 1837, Bathsheba W. Bigler was
baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ, and the most of her father's
family also, about the same time. They soon felt a desire to gather
with the rest of the Saints in Missouri, her sister, Nancy, and family
sold their property, intending to go in the fall, and Bathsheba was
very anxious to go with them. Her father having not yet sold out his
property, she was told she could not go. This caused her to retire very
early, feeling very sorrowful. While weeping, a voice said to her,
"Weep not, you will go this fall." She was comforted and perfectly
satisfied, and the next morning testified to what the voice had said to
her.
Soon after, her father sold his home and they all went to Missouri, to
her great joy, but on their arrival there found the State preparing to
war against the Saints. A few nights before they reached Far West, they
camped with a company of eastern Saints, but separated on account of
each company choosing different ferries. The company Sister Bathsheba
and her family were in, arrived safely at their destination, but the
others were overtaken by an armed mob; seventeen were killed, others
were wounded, and some maimed for life. In a few days after their
arrival there was a battle between the Saints and the mob, in which
David W. Patten (one of the first Twelve Apostles,) was wounded, and
he was brought to the house where they were stopping. Sister Bathsheba
witnessed his death a few days after, and saw thousands of mobbers
arrayed against the Saints, and heard their dreadful threats and savage
yells, when our Prophet Joseph and his brethren were taken into their
camp. The Prophet, Patriarch and many others were taken to prison;
and the Saints had to leave the State. In the spring they had the joy
of having the prophet and his brethren restored to them at Quincy,
Illinois.
In the spring of 1840, the family of Sister Bathsheba moved to Nauvoo,
where she had many opportunities of hearing the Prophet Joseph preach,
and tried to profit by his instructions, and also received many
testimonies of the truths which he taught.
On the 25th of July, 1841, Bathsheba W. Bigler was married to George
A. Smith, the then youngest member of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Don
Carlos Smith (brother of the prophet) officiating. George A. Smith
was own cousin to the Prophet Joseph. When Sister Bathsheba first
became acquainted with George A. Smith he was the junior member of the
First Quorum of Seventies. On the 26th of June, 1838, he was ordained
a member of the High Council of Adam Ondi Ahman, in Davis County,
Missouri. Just about the break of day on the 26th of April, 1834, while
kneeling on the corner stone of the foundation of the Lord's House at
Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri, he was ordained one of the Twelve
Apostles, and from thence started on a mission to Europe, from which he
returned ten days previous to their marriage.
As the 4th of July, 1842, came on the Sabbath day, they celebrated the
anniversary on Monday the 5th. There was a military display of the
Nauvoo Legion, and a sham battle fought. George A. Smith was in the
general's staff in the uniform of a chaplain. Sister Bathsheba watched
the proceedings with great interest. On the 7th of July a son was born
to them; they named him George Albert. Two months after, George A., as
the Saints loved to call him, went on a mission to the Eastern States.
On his previous mission (to England,) he injured his left lung, causing
hemorrhage. In the fall of 1843, George A. and Bathsheba received their
endowments and were united under the holy order of celestial marriage.
Sister Bathsheba heard the Prophet Joseph charge the Twelve with the
duty and responsibility of the ordinances of endowments and sealing,
for the living and the dead. Sister Bathsheba met many times with her
husband, Joseph and others who had received their endowments, in an
upper room dedicated for the purpose, and prayed with them repeatedly
in those meetings. In the spring of 1844, Mr. Smith went on another
mission, and soon after he left persecution began in the city of Nauvoo
which ended in the martyrdom of our beloved prophet and patriarch. Mr.
Smith returned about the 1st of August, and on the 14th a daughter was
born, and they named her Bathsheba.
Having become thoroughly convinced that the doctrine of plurality of
wives was from God, and firmly believing that she should participate
with him in all his blessings, glory and honor, Sister Bathsheba gave
to her husband different wives during the year of his return home. She
says of this; "Being proud of my husband and loving him very much,
knowing him to be a man of God, and having a testimony that what I had
done was acceptable to my Father in heaven, I was as happy as I knew
how to be."
It would be in vain to describe how they traveled through snow,
wind and rain, how roads had to be made, bridges built and rafts
constructed, how our poor animals had to drag on day after day with
scanty food; nor how we suffered from poverty, sickness and deaths, but
the Lord was with us, His power was made manifest daily. Quoting from
her, "My dear mother died on the 11th of March, 1844, and on the 4th of
April I had a son born who lived but four hours." They arrived in Salt
Lake Valley (now city) in October, 1849, after traveling over sterile
deserts and plains, over high mountains and through deep canyons,
ferrying some streams and fording others, but all was joy now. Sister
Bathsheba went to her sister's house, and O, how delightful it did
seem to be once more in a comfortable room with a blazing fire on the
hearth, where the mountain's rude blasts nor the desert's wild winds
could not reach them.
In March, 1850, Sister Bathsheba moved into their own house. In
December, 1850, George A. Smith was called to go south to found a
settlement in Little Salt Lake Valley, two hundred and fifty miles
from home. In 1851, he returned, having been elected a member of the
Legislature from Iron Co. In 1856, he was sent to Washington to ask for
the admission of Utah as a State. In May, 1857, he returned to Utah. In
1858, they went south, bidding farewell to their home, feeling as they
did on leaving Nauvoo; that they should never see it again, fleeing as
they were, before the approaching army.
However, President Buchanan sent out his Peace Commissioners who
brought his Proclamation, declaring a general amnesty to all offenders.
Peace being restored, they returned to Salt Lake City in July, having
been gone three months. When they entered the city it was almost
sundown; all was quiet, every door was boarded up. From only two or
three chimneys smoke was rising. How still and lonely, yet the breath
of peace wafted over the silent city, and it was home! They had left
a partly finished house, and resuming work upon it, by October it was
finished. Sister Bathsheba says: "It was so comfortable and we were so
happy! We had plenty of room. My son and daughter took great pleasure
in having their associates come and visit them frequently. They would
have a room full of company, and would engage in reading useful books,
singing, playing music, dancing, &c. My son played the flute, flutina
and was a good drummer. My son and daughter were good singers, they
made our home joyous with song and jest." In 1860, this son was sent
on a mission to the Moquois Indians. He was interested in this and apt
in learning the language. After being set apart by the authorities for
that mission, he started on the 4th of September, and had traveled
about seven hundred miles, when on the 2nd of November he was killed by
Navajo Indians. On the 3rd of January the daughter was married.
In 1873, Sister Bathsheba made a tour with her husband and President
Young and party, to the Colorado and up the Rio Virgin as far as
Shonesberg. In 1872, they made another tour with President Young and
party, visiting at St. George, Virgen City, Long Valley and Kanab. In
1873, went again with her husband, President Young and company and
spent the winter in St. George, going by way of San Pete and Sevier
counties. During this journey Sister Bathsheba attended several
meetings with the sisters, returning home April, 1874. She has visited
the Saints as far south as the junction of the Rio Virgen with the
Colorado, has visited the settlements on the Muddy River, and also the
Saints as far north as Bear Lake and Soda Springs. On their travels
they have often been met by bands of music, and thousands of children
bearing banners and flags; and singing songs of welcome. Sister
Bathsheba has enjoyed these tours very much. She has accompanied many
explorations down into deep gulches to see the water pockets, over
beautiful plains in carriages or cars, and over mountains and deserts.
In reference to her position in duties of a public and spiritual
character, we find the following: Returning from a tour, February 19th,
1878, they arrived in Salt Lake City, finding all safe at home. I quote
again from Sister Bathsheba's journal, written in her own hand:
"My dear husband was not well; I thought I could soon nurse him up to
health, but my efforts were all in vain, he expired on the first of
September after a long sickness." The departure was a shock to many.
For many months prayers had been offered up through all parts of the
Territory, for the restoration to health of this great and good man.
Seated in his chair, his faithful wife beside him, he turned from his
conversation with President Young and others who constantly attended
him, and leaning upon her devoted heart breathed his last.
Sister Bathsheba W. Smith belonged to the first Relief Society which
was organized at Nauvoo, and was present when it was organized, the
Prophet Joseph presiding. Officiated as Priestess in the Nauvoo Temple.
Was Secretary in the Seventeenth Ward Relief Society, Salt Lake City;
had been First Counselor to President Rachel Grant in the Relief
Society of the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, for many years. Is
a Counselor to M. I. Horne in the General Retrenchment Association,
Fourteenth Ward, and is also Treasurer of the Relief Society of the
Salt Lake Stake. Has officiated in the holy ordinances of the House of
the Lord in Salt Lake City for many years. Is also one of the Board
of Directors in the Deseret Hospital. She says, "I have attended many
meetings of the sisters and had many seasons of rejoicing."
Sister Bathsheba is often reverently spoken of as "the beloved wife
of George A. Smith." To her, in one sense, this would be the dearest
praise that could be spoken. But yet a loftier, holier, than even the
earth-love seems to hover around her very presence. A little child
once said, "When I look at Sister Bathsheba, I do not see her with her
bonnet on, I see her as she will look when she wears that crown that is
waiting for her." Such is the impression her face, her gentle voice and
manner convey. To the record of her life, and this, I could add nothing.
ELIZABETH HOWARD.
SECRETARY OF THE RELIEF SOCIETIES OF THE SALT LAKE STAKE OF ZION.
Mrs. Howard furnishes a very brief sketch for one whose life and labors
among the people and faith of her adoption, have been so extended,
important and interesting, to all who have ever come within the
influence of her noble, generous spirit; who have received the stimulus
to failing spirits and energy which emanated from her animated face, so
good and motherly, her voice so cheerful and sympathetic, and her every
movement like an inspiration of strength, happiness and life.
She writes she was "descended from Scotch parentage on her father's
side, Irish on her mother's, Websters and Wards. Was born on July
12th, 1823, at Carlow, Carlow County, Ireland." Was the first child
of her parents and says she "had a glorious childhood and girlhood,"
which can be easily believed, judging by her ever buoyant spirits. She
was "married to William Howard, the eldest son of Stott and Catherine
Howard, June 9th, 1841. Heard the Gospel in 1851, and came to America
in 1853, with husband, two sons, four daughters, two hired girls and
two hired men." They arrived in Utah, September, 1853.
At the organizations of the Relief Society in 1867-68, she was
appointed Secretary of the Big Cottonwood Ward, which office she filled
until she accompanied her husband to England in 1868, returned in 1869
and resumed the same office. During their mission in England, Mrs.
Howard was often called upon to explain the principles of our doctrines
and answer many questions regarding our people, etc. Divines and others
found Mrs. Howard quite ready and able to meet and answer them on
every point. In fact her part of the mission has often been referred
to as something exceptionally creditable and important. It was at a
time, too, when woman had scarcely been heard to speak upon our faith,
outside the home circle.