Mr. Akeman Falls Dead After Wilford Woodruff Warns Him to Repent

During Wilford Woodruff's missionary labors in the United States, he encountered a man named Mr. Akeman who had apostatized from the faith and was opposing the work of God. As Wilford documented: 'Find Mr. Akeman a Rank Apostate—He Raises a Mob—Threatened with Tar, Feathers, etc.—I Warn Mr. Akeman to Repent—He Falls Dead at my Feet.' Despite the danger of being mobbed, Wilford boldly warned Akeman of the consequences of his apostasy and opposition to God's work. Remarkably, immediately after this warning, Mr. Akeman fell dead at Wilford's feet. This sudden death, following directly upon the apostle's warning to repent, was understood by the Saints as a manifestation of divine justice and God's protection of His servants. Wilford then 'Preach[ed] his Funeral Sermon,' turning this tragic event into a powerful testimony to the reality of divine judgment and the seriousness of apostatizing from the true Church.