BIOGRAPHY: Phebe W. Carter Woodruff; state of Utah

Transcribed by W. David Samuelsen 
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EXPIRED COPYRIGHT (1884)

REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF DESERET

A BOOK OF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES TO ACCOMPANY THE PICTURE BEARING THE SAME
TITLE.

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY AUGUSTA JOYCE CROCHERON
PHEBE W. CARTER WOODRUFF
WIFE OF WILFORD WOODRUFF, PRESIDENT OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES, OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY 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 Sai nts 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 misisons.
Here I will bear my testimony to the power of God which I have often seen
manifested among the LatterDay 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 wieked 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 ft 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 oi 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 Fourteeth 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. \Voodruff 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."