Wilford Woodruff Journal 2: Poisoned from a Dead Cow — Brigham Young Rebuked the Disease and He Was Made Whole (1856)

In the spring of 1856, Wilford Woodruff was living in Utah when several members of the community died from skinning diseased cattle. Woodruff himself was careless and skinned a cow that had died from disease. The poison entered his system.

He wrote on April 28, 1856: 'Several have died this spring by skinning cattle that have died. All should be more cautious than what I have been in this matter, and not run the risk of losing their lives by trying to save the skins of animals that die with disease. I was only saved through the power and mercy of God.'

The following day, April 29, 1856, he wrote more fully:

'The poison had so thoroughly penetrated my whole system, that my strength left me; I could not stand, I was led to my bed, my bowels and stomach ceased to act, my speech was like that of a drunken man. President Young called, in company with Dr. Sprague, and laid hands upon me, and rebuked the disease and the power of the destroyer which had seized my body, and promised me in the name of the Lord, that I should not die, but live to finish my work which was appointed me upon the earth. I soon began to recover. The poison and mortification left my system and in a few days I was well again.'

This healing was one of at least 27 occasions on record where Woodruff was preserved from death by what he described as divine intervention. He reflected at the end of his life: 'My life abounds in incidents which to me surely indicate the direct interposition of God whom I firmly believe has guided my every step. On 27 distinct occasions I have been saved from dangers which threatened my life.'

Brigham Young's blessing had promised him that he would not die but would 'live to finish my work which was appointed me upon the earth.' That work included serving as the fourth President of the Church, presiding over the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, and issuing the 1890 Manifesto that ended the federal persecution of the Saints.