Lee County Iowa
Territory, Sept. 6 1840
Oct. 6th
My Dear Companion
Today I came down to the Hardy settlement and there I
received a letter from you which I have long looked for, it afforded the
pleasing if your healthintelligence of your health and prosperity in the
gospel and many kind words to the children & the former I was much pleased
to hear but the latter even those to Sarah Emma were like daggers to my
heart thinking She was torn from my embrace and laid in the silent grave when
she could not receive a kiss for her pa or a fathers blessing but just previous
to the departure of her spirit from her body, she left a kiss with me for her
pa/ pa, whome ^she^ called many times in day the little dear was not permitted
to see you after you left her in her little carriage at brother hardy’s door. I
often think of her traveling from Maine with us through that toilsome journey
and of her suffering with me in my cold house in Lovely street when we were
both sick, and suffered much for want of wood & fire I could not sit up all
day and was very feeble and alone she was sick & had to crawl about on the
cold floor alone these things grieve me, but she has gone, her deposition was
to lovely to long remaine long on the earth her spirit to pure to
mingle with the spirits of the earth a more affectionate kind and lovely
disposition never inhabited a human brest that she possessed & I was
anxious for the time to come that I could teach her the things of the Kingdom
of God.
[On the right hand side of the
letter] On the 15th I received another letter dated July 8, which
also gave pleasing inteligence of your health and prosperity and also of the
brethren you are with. The friends flock around to hear your letters and seam
much interested in them. I send them to
Joseph to read, as he wants to see them. Perhaps you may think that I
have forgotten to tell you anything about our little Willford Owen, O no, for
he is now in my lap pulling & scratching round so that I can hardly write.
He has just torn up the almanac before I saw what he was doing, he grows finely
considering the sickness he has had, has been sick much of the time since he
was born, he has the chills & fever now. He is now reaching and trying to
get my pen I will give it him and see what he will write. [In Wilford Jr.’s
handwriting] Dear pa pa do come home and
see me I want to see you Dear wants to you to, she after cries about it. W. O.
Woodruff. Thus he has written some to his pa pa himself theythe it
is said that fools and children tell the truth – enough of this – I have thought of not writing to you any
more for two reasons one is I fear that you will not get them and another is I
heard that our letters were opened before you get them by a set of men, but I
trust your good sense will cause you not to have my weak letters exposed for
they are designed for no eye but yours. I have received all the letters you
mentioned haveing written and they have afforded me much satisfaction, &
some times I get quite lonely and disconsolate then this reception of a letter
cheers me up and I live hopeing that the time will come that you may be
returned home once more, this is the 8th letter I have sent you
since you have been in Eng paid the postage on them to N.Y. I regret verry much
that you do not get more of them. My health is comfortably good – I was verry
glad yours was so good; We hear that brother P. P. Pratt has taken his family
to Eng. But brother Joseph does not approve of it, I hear. When I commenced this letter I thought I
would keep a little kind of a journal until after the conference on the 2nd
of Oct. I attended the conference though from the beginning I will give you
some items of it as my memory serves me and in my next letter will coppy the
minutes as you do not get the papers should have done so now but Brother R. J.
Thompson had not got them made out yet – The (---) conference commence
was appointed the 2nd of Oct but in consequence of bad weather they
did not meet 3rd to-day there was a large assembly many brethren
[Separated on page 1]
Ah! Sarah’s gone – Dear Babe –
Her Journey’s one!
She breathed –she wept- but she
shall weep no more
How short her time by providence
assigned!
About 2 years she was on earth
confined!
Angelic hands her spirit did
convey,
To happier realms in the
everlasting day.
Our lovely child has first
arrived at home,
to see the splendor of the eternal
throne.
And shout us welcome to the
Promised Land.
Our Sarah-Lovely Babe – Her
infant frame,
no more shall feel the smart of
mortal pains.
She only sleeps! Though
motionless she lies,
Her sacred dust, refined, again
shall rise,
to shine in bliss most
exquisitely bright,
Surpassing far the sun’s
refulgent light.
And is she dead? O no! She
entered life
the moment she escaped this world
of strife:
She’s now from earth removed, her
soul expands,
And by the throne in holy rapture
stands;
Expanding still she drinks the
blissful streames,
And basks unusually
delighted, in unsully’d beames;
Now hears with wonder the
melodious strain,
And joins to celebrate Messiah’s
name;
Her mind illumined now with glad
surprise,
Sees happier worlds, unseen by
mortal eyes
She now perhaps from Zion’s hight
sublime
Looks down and views the simple
things of time;
Or if permited, to the earth
descends,
And gladly mingles with her
earthly friends;
Although unsee her happy spirit
near
May hear the sigh, and see the
falling tear,
May with concern behold maternal
grief,
And fondly wish to sooth and give
relief.
Page 2
Came from a distance we had an
address from our prophet after which it was voted that Kirtland should be built up and Three ^one^
man was appointed to preside over it I think they it was brother Almon
Babbitt father Grange and brother Higby --- then it was motioned
that a committee be appointed and
commissioned to appoint & lay up stakes for the gathering _^from Commerce
to Kirtland^ – Hiram Smith and Lyman Wight and Judge Higby were chosen – Then
they proposed building the Lords House by tytheing [tithing] the people they
commence to collect materials this fall and begin build next spring - the
people meet together and work every tenth day br. R. Cayhoon H. Smith & one
more were appointed for the committee – the House is to 100 feet by 120 and
much other busines was done the meeting closed by address from Dr. Bennet (a
quarter master general who has lately been baptised) upon the subject of war. and
by this talk you would conclude they that the brethren expected war with
Missouri sometime – he is a great orator. 4 (Oct) Sun. meeting commenced to day
at 9’ o’clock and it was judged that there was 5000 people on the ground. I
shall not particularise the business of this day on the morrow for my babe was
quite troublesome which took my attention much, 5th brother Joseph
was expected to preach today on the Priesthood but his health would not admit of
it so A. Babbitt took the stand and delivered an interesting discourse upon the
same subject – yesterday brother Joseph
spake a short time from 29th verse of the 15 chap of first Corr. Of
which I will here after speak & this afternoon brother L White spoke on the
same subject, which was very interesting. Today we hear that brother Turley and
his company are within 2 or three days journey of here, and I stopped a week,
to see them expecting to hear from you by them spent most of the time with
sister Kimbal she sends her respects to you -
she and family are well likewise sister Pratt & child. I went to see
sister Young she was not very well but was getting better, Elizabeth and Vilate
have been sick, but are better – Sister Taylor & family are comfortably
well – Likewise sister Clark & Turleys family’s also sister Woodruff is
comfortably as to health, but her babe is not well. It has got now to be the 15th
of the month and brother Turley has not yet arrived here – I see my subjects
and sentences are verry broken but if you know how I have to write you would
not think it strange for I often have to leave my pen every minute and take the
babe and but have to write with him in my lap so that I make but poor
headway about this business – although my sentences are more broken &
disconnected than they otherwise would by reason of my little son, I do not
consider it any task to take care of him and presume you will excuse me for
these reasons and to ask the Lord to spare him for future usefulness and for a
comfort to his parents. – I feel that without my babe I should be miserable
indeed – yes much more lonely than now. You cannot think how much I miss my
little Sarah Emma her death has disarmed me of all courage faith and fortitude.
I have had almost one scene of trouble since you left me by sickness &c but
I ^feel^ as though they were all light afflictions when compared with that – O
pray for me Willford that I may have grace and strength equal to my day for I
feel like a lonely child on the earth now but I endure it as for Christ sake
knowing that nothing but a sense of duty to our heavenly ^father^ would cause
us to part with the enjoyment of each of each others society. But I will try to
be patient and take as good care of our little lad as I can untill you return,
which I pray God may be soon, for it seames that you have been gone an age,
only think most 15 months, do tell me something about when you think of Comeing
HOME- Well I have wandered far from m subject the conference it held 3 days and
closed on the 5th (Monday) and I returned home after spending a week
in Commerce. We had a verry interesting conference and after did I wish that
the you and your quorum could have the privilege of being there. 16th
today. I hear that the brethren have commenced to draw stone for the
meetinghouse. Now a few words from Brother Joseph sermon on the living’s being
baptized for the dead that they may be judged according to men in the flesh; he
has learned by revelation that those in this church may be baptised for any of
their relatives who are dead and had not a privalge privaledge of hearing ofit? this
Gospel even for their children, parents, b[r]others, sisters, grandparents,
uncles & aunts, – but not for acquaintances unless they send a ministering
spirit to their friends on earth – as soon as they are baptized for their –
friends they are released from prison and they can claim them in the resurrection
and bring them into the celestial kingdom – this doctrin is accordingly
received by the Church and they are going forward in multitudes, some are going
to be baptized as many as 16 times they have to be baptized and confirmed
separately for every friend – once in one day – How many can a spirit be
baptized put– why not deputize a friend on earth to do it for them - John Wesly can receive this work but how can
his spirit be baptize in water – It is privilege of the oldest one in the
family to be baptizs?ed for their friends if they desire it but they can give
it to another if they choose Brother Joseph makes this doctrin look very plain
and consisten – he has been bringing strange things forward to the church this
season – strong meat – he has delivered? a course of lectures this season which
were very interesting – I could not attend only a part of the time but often
wished you could be present - he says
that the throne of God stands on the earth like this earth only it tis
cleansed etc etc & says that this earth is the wickedest planate that ever
God made and that its inhabitants wilt have the greatest glory if they overcome
eveil and that it was the largest when made but at different times there has
been parts taken from it, for instance when the ten tribes were lost and says
they will
Page 3
all be restored again. – Paul
says I die daily [see 1 Corinthians 15:31] brother Joseph says that he actually
died and was revived to live again – says the beasts that he fought with at
Epesus often killed him and he came to life again – if so Willford why may not
our little Sarah be raised to life again.
– He brother Joseph has brought forth many new things this season –
There has been quite a number of deaths in Commerce the past season. I believe that I mentioned some of them in my
last letter to you Seymour Brunson, he was buried under armes – Bishop
he said that brother D. Patten was calling him and desired brother Joseph to
let him go for he needed him – likewise Bishop Partridge is dead and his wife
is married again to father Huntingdon who lost his wife last fall – mother Beaman
– father John Joseph Smith the patriarch a little previous to his death he
called all his children around him and blessed them and appointed Hiram
Patriarch in his stead – There are many things I have mentioned in my other
letters to you which would be interesting to you which I could mention if you
have not received them. such as some of the brethren’s going among the Indians,
I saw two of them on the 2nd of this month and they said the
prospects never good - last April there was an Indian his wife and daughter
baptised in Commerce. I have not heard from Main or Connecticut since I wrote
you last. Did you know that brother Ilus in N. Y. was married Brother Dwite Webster
came here in june and went to the south with brother Smoot & expects to
spend the winter in Ten. Brother Smoot has ordained him an elder and given him
charge over the churches there, he makes great proficiency in the ministry –
brother Smoot has got home and with his wife sends his respects to you Sister
Smoot says to tell brother Woodruff not to forget my hymn book and while you
are thinking of hers remember that I have no hymn book or bible.
Brother John Hennett has been
walking in your steps even on the fox islands with some other elders and there
has been quite a stir among the people there again and there has about as many
come into the Church lately us when you was there – Sister Hennett say give my
respects to br. Woodruff I have lately had a letter from her – I have lately
seen sister Bently she that was sister Pattin she says give my love to brother
Woodruff and tell him he knows that I love him with all my hart, her health is
poor and she desires the prayers of all that quorum that it may not turn with
her as it did with brother Pratt’s first wife in her last day but that she may
be spared through it and do good on the writt__? [this part of the letter has damage due to a
broken seal] she wants that little portrait of brother Pattin's which you have
as she has n[one?] I hope you to get your portrait painted if you can
conveniently and if you can get me a wrought black lace veil I should like it
much and an eapie and collar I should be much pleased as they come much cheaper
there than here. The families of the 12 have rather snug times to get along
here – brother Kimball was a wise man to build his house and get his family
into it before he left them. I have seen sister moon sister Sutton and another
sister from Eng I have forgotten her name they were from Preston they have seen
you all. I was glad to see them. I read some of your letters to them they were
much pleased with them. Please give my respects to brother Kimball and all the
quorum that are there likewise all the saints around you.
19th Yesterday,
Sunday, we had an interesting sermon we had an interesting subject upon
the living being baptized for the dead it was made so plain that none could
dispute it reasonably and I should be glad to be baptized for my grandparents
and some others but want to wait for you to do it would it not be best, I had rather
you would do it than any person living. – Sister Swasey one of my good
neighbors sends her respects to you and says tell brother Woodruff that she
wants him to come home for my sake - I am now at father Clarks and think I
shall stay here until you come home. I am comfortable here and if I want
anything can call on brother William Clark who wrote to you in my other letter
making a covenant with you that he would supply my needs and wants until you
come home, He is a fine young man – belongs to the 70’s and is father Clarks
oldest son at home he knows you and says he is some acquainted with you –
Therefore give yourself no uneasiness about my temporal wants but give me and
our babe an interest in your prayers. I fell anxious to see my presents you spoke
of in your last letter – Ah! what shall I do when those little shoes come for
Sarah I don’t know sometimes how to bear her loss it seams as though I cannot
endure it, but I must stop for it seems line a never-ending subject for me to speak
or write on. Sister Young and Kimball received some very pretty presents I saw
them when I was there they (like me) thought much of them, more on account of
this coming from their husbands – If you could get some articles of clothing
for your family it would be quite acceptable – the sister who gave you the bed
in N. Y. apostatized in about 2 weeks after so sister Stone told me from N. Y,
Sarah Milliken is not married yet but expects to be to a man out of the Church
she is in Commerce – Aphica Woodman has sent a letter to Sarah Milliken asking
her advice and mine about coming west with Milton she is about 60 miles east of
father Carter with her brother Milton has lately sent here to know who of the
brethren are going to Eng. this fall and when they will be in N.Y. so it appears
there he is thinking of going but there are none who are thinking of going from
here this fall, I learned that brother Joseph don’t think it is best for them
to go. Brother Jonathan
Page 4
Homes has lost his wife, and babe
about 3 months old, The Church have bought a steamboat and have got it running
on the river they gave 4000 dolls. for
it. Brother Vanosdel has been appointed chief magistrate this season – Brother
Rigdon’s health is very poor. I am weighting for you to come home before Sarah
Emma’s funeral sermon is preached or Willford W is blessed. Please tell Brother G. A. Smith that his
mother and sister have been sick but are now quite smart likewise his father and
brother. Brother Hanley sends his respects to you likewise Brother A. Smith.
Brother Joseph has received a letter from you and brother G. A. Smith. May the
Lord bless preserve and keep you from all harm is the desire and prayer of your
companion
Phebe
W. Woodruff,
Willford Woodruff
[Note on the reverse side of page] If you could get me a
good brass kettle when you come through N. Y. I should like it if is not
convenient let It go I suppose they are much cheaper there than here – I should
like to have it hold 8 or ten gall. I can get it boiled and hooped but don’t
deprive your self of the comforts of life for any of these things for I had
rather do without them – I have not got the paper you spoke of now any one here
has received any one of them. The elders Journal is sent to you.