THIRD BOOK OF THEFAITH-PROMOTING SERIES
By President W. Woodruff
DESIGNED FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF YOUNG LATTER-DAYSAINTS
SECOND EDITION.
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,Salt Lake City, Utah.1882.
About nine months have elapsed since the first edition of this workwas published, and now the whole number issued—over 4,000 copies—areexhausted, and there is a demand for more.
We, therefore, have much pleasure in offering the Second Edition ofLEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL for public consideration, and trust that theyoung people who pursue it will be inspired to emulate in their livesthe faith, perseverance and integrity that so distinguish its author.
Brother Woodruff is a remarkable man. Few men now living, who havefollowed the quiet and peaceful pursuits of life, have had such aninteresting and eventful experience as he has. Few, if any in thisage, have spent a more active and useful life. Certainly no man livinghas been more particular about recording with his own hand, in a dailyjournal, during half a century, the events of his own career and thethings that have come under his observation. His elaborate journal hasalways been one of the principal sources from which the Church historyhas been compiled.
Possessed of wonderful energy and determination, and mighty faith,Brother Woodruff has labored long and with great success in the Church.He has ever had a definite object in view—to know the will of theAlmighty and to do it. No amount of self-denial has been too great forhim to cheerfully endure for the advancement of the cause of God. Nolabor required of the Saints has been considered by him too onerous toengage in with his own hands.
Satan, knowing the power for good that Brother Woodruff would be, ifpermitted to live, has often sought to effect his destruction.
The adventures, accidents and hair-breath escapes that he has met with,are scarcely equalled by the record that the former apostle, Paul, hasleft us of his life.
The power of God has been manifested in a most remarkable manner inpreserving Brother Woodruff's life. Considering the number of boneshe has had broken, and the other bodily injuries he has received, itis certainly wonderful that now, at the age of seventy-five years, heis such a sound, well-preserved man. God grant that his health andusefulness may continue for many years to come.
Of course, this volume contains but a small portion of the interestingexperience of Brother Woodruff's life, but very many profitable lessonsmay be learned from it, and we trust at some future time to be favoredwith other sketches from his pen.
THE PUBLISHER
Strictness of the "Blue Laws" of Connecticut—The Old ProphetMason—His Vision—His Prophecy—Hear the Gospel, and Embrace it—VisitKirtland, and see Joseph Smith—A Work for the Old Prophet.
Preparing to go up to Zion—First Meeting with President Young-Camp ofZion Starts—Numbers Magnified in the Eyes of Beholders—RemarkableDeliverance-Selfishness, and its Reward.
Advised to Remain in Missouri—A Desire to Preach—Pray to the Lord fora Mission—Prayer Answered—Sent on a Mission to Arkansas—DangerousJourney through Jackson County—Living on Raw Corn, and Sleeping on theGround—My First Sermon—Refused Food and Shelter by a PresbyterianPreacher—Wander through Swamps—Entertained by Indians.