Elder's Divine Deliverance from Mob Violence in Mississippi

“Randolph, Miss., Feb. 12, 1887. Dear Brother—I take my pen in hand to inform you of the treatment I have received at the hands of a mob. On the night of the 11th inst., at 2:30 a.m., I was awakened by a mob of ten masked men. They forced me out of the house at the muzzle of their guns, and marched me to a steam mill, where they had a fire built. They then told me they were going to hang or whip me. I felt within myself a house divided against itself could not stand, and while some of the mob were off to one side contending, one of their number called me to one side privately, and said there were some bad men in the crowd, and he advised me to run, but thinking it very strange for him to be so good all at once, I looked around to see the situation, and saw several with their guns ready to shoot me. I then told them I would not run, but would stand my ground. They then held a vote to see what they would do with me. The vote was divided. They then told me I must leave the country. I then said I would shake off the dust of my feet for a testimony against them. They tried to stop me. I told them they knew what it meant, and they would have to meet it some day to their sorrow. At this every one dropped his head, and I left them looking at the fire. I walked back to the house where I was staying, and felt perfectly calm, and acknowledged the hand of God in my behalf. Out of them all I was delivered without an injury, which is in accordance with the promises made by the servants of God in a blessing pronounced upon my head before leaving home. Thus far it has been fulfilled to the very letter, and I have no doubts as to the future. Your brother in the Gospel, W. O. Benson.”

— W. O. Benson, The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 49, No. 15