Transcript

Transcript for Missionary reports, 1831-1900, MS 6104, Church History Library

City Bountifull Feb 26th 1859 Elder Smith Dear Brother according to the request of Elder Wood ruff at last Conference I give you A short history of my mission to Europe I left home on the 10th of Sept 1856 crossed the plains in company Elder P.P. Pratt and about twenty other missionaries for different parts of the world. had A fine journey across the plains when we arived at the Missouri river (old winter quarters) all the mission aries except Brother Pratt and myself took boat for St. Louis I accompanied him as far as Oscalusa Iowa about two hundred miles from winter quarters when about leaving him he Said he wished he had as pleasant journey before him as I had but Says he this is my last mission. I supposed he had had A promise from the President that he need not travel any more but time soon found that it was his last mission in mortality. I then continued my journey by railway to Ontario Ca New York the land of my birth my relatives received me with much kindness (after being absent fourteen years) and helped me on my way my Mother gave me fifty three dollars said she believed she would not give it for any better cause for she believed I was A Servent of God I blessed her in the name of the Lord told her she never Should regret it for it Shoud be A consoling thought she had given it to me as A Servent of God and such should [page 2] be her reward (she was seventy four years old) I then proceded to New York City where I was received with much kindness by Pres. John Taylor who is the same at home and abroad. Dec 21st Set Sail for Liverpool in company with Elders J. G. Browning. T. Bullock . J.H. Tippetts D. Page. Harris and T. Pierce on the packet ship Guymannering on board this Ship the Sailors were treated with great cruelty by the officers one was beaten to Death there was blood on the deck every Day from the time we left New York till the Day before we landed at Liverpool many times I turned away that I might not behold the Sight. had A very rought voyage it Stormed every day while on the Ocean. lost pail of the bullwark the cargo was thrown to one Side till it was very difficult walking on Deck the water banked over Deck continually while near the coast of Ireland the Captain went to sleep and and the mate got intoxicated and run the Ship near Shore among the rocks. the Captain called to us said we were right ashore when I went out the moon shone bright the Shore was on one side the rocks on the other and rocks towering above the water in front the wind blowing tearing the Sails Distruction Seemed to be on every head many of the sailors had Deserted there posts Suffering all would be lost. just at this moment the words of my blessing rushed into my mind which was Though amid tempest and though wreck and ruin may seem to be in every hand you shall be [page 3] wafted Safely to the port of your Destination. The Spirit of God bore testimony that all was right my mind was calm as the Summer morning. we took hold of A rope to help the Captain but it broke nearly threw the Captain overboard. at the time the Ship Seemed to be turned abut by some invisible power and glided into open Sea. the power of God was made manifest in our Deliverence. the Captain came to us and said it was A providential escape Br Page told him he might thank the Lord he had mormons on board. Landed at Liverpool January 12th 1857 received my appointm ent the same eavening to labor in the South Porterah took train next morning before Day light for Bristol my labors were principally among the Saints in the Counties off Somerset. Devon. Dorsell. and Wellshire. I took great pleasure in preaching the word both in Hall Hearth and private houses also by the way sides preaching and traveling for fourteen months I only baptized fourteen but rebaptized many of the Saints in the South and Willshire Conferences in the time of the reformation The power of God attended me in my labors the Sick was healed the lame made to leap for joy. One case I will mention A woman forty years old by the name of Elizabeth Tucker who had not walked for nineteen years without the aid of crutches as soon as She was baptized she walked to the house alone after she was confirmed she walked about the house with ease and Said if she was only across the big pong she could walk to Zion. Thus is the goodness of God made manifest to his children [page 4] thrugh their faith in him I can bear testimony that the Gospel revealed things Joseph the Prohet had brought the same power and blessings enjoyed by the former Day Saints and I do know that the promises of God thrugh his Servents are sure and will never fail inasmuch as these unfurld upon are faithfull Left Liverpool on the 19th of Febuary 1858 in company with about fifty Elders who had been called home from different parts of the world had A good voyage was prospered on my way home where I arived on the 21st of June all well found my family on provo bottom in A Cane Wickeup all well. I can say I feel thankfull to God and his Servent for sending me upon this mission for is has been A school of experence and A great blessing to me and I trust A blessing to many others. Your Brother in the Gospel of Christ William Brown June 21 1858 Report of Elder William Brown’s mission