Wilford's Missionary Journal

Margaret Iva Richards Cook>Wilford Woodruff Richards

The following is copied in full from Elder Richards’ missionary journal while he served in Virginia. It shows his faith, obedience, and bravery.

“After dinner we were down by the stable talking when along came seventy-five men on horses.  Two of them came down and one said to the other, ‘That’s them. You stay here,’ while he rode his horse on a run to tell the crowd.  Up went a yell and here they came and surrounded us, some screaming, ‘Bring them out.  Whip them,’ while we stood there unconnected and asked them what was wrong.  All was silent till their noble (?) leader, Page, came up and asked why we did not leave when they notified us and I told them our president told us to remain.

“’Well,’ said Mr. Page, ‘we are able to run our own county.  This is ours and you must leave and never come back again or we will string you up.  Now mark this.’  They then ordered us to march out in front while they sent in for our satchels.  I asked them what law they had for the action they were taking and several of them shouted, ‘We are the law, and if you want any more we will send and get a rope.’

“After marching us to Mitchel’s corner, about a quarter of a mile from John W. Harris’, they called a halt to determine where they should take us west over the line between Hanover and Louisa counties, the president and secretary, John Page and John Moody, left the mob giving them orders to drive us out of the county.  We were ordered to march and while going along, they said they were going to whip Elder Cardon for insulting Page a few days previously when he came with the order for us to leave.

“One man said there were only two in the crowd who had heard us preach, so I asked the privilege of preaching them a farewell sermon, which was denied.  When we reached the line they called another halt and one man did the talking.  His speech was as follows:  ‘Gentlemen, we have now put you over the line and we are determined you shall not preach any more in our county.  We turn you loose unhurt, but if you ever come back we will hang you to the first tree, and we want you to promise not to come back.’

“I then, full of good wishes for all said, ‘Gentlemen, we make this promise on condition that you take a solemn oath to take all responsibility of driving us out,’ and asked God to be witness of it, which they did.  And nearly all came up and shook hands.

“I then asked God to forgive them as they knew not what they were doing, but commanded them to repent.  They then ordered us to start, and they went back, giving one loud whoop, reminding us of reading of the Indians’ war whoop.  We then retired to the woods and offered up thanks and gratitude to God for softening the hearts of the mob insomuch that we received no injury from them.”

You can read more from his mission journal, and more about his life Click Here