Wilford Woodruff Confronted by a Bear - Passed by Unharmed
Published March 25, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
During a particularly dangerous missionary journey, Wilford Woodruff encountered a wild bear in the forest. As documented in his autobiography: 'A Journey of Sixty Miles without Food—Confronted by a Bear—Pass by Unharmed.' Despite the immediate danger of a bear encounter during a journey already marked by hunger and hardship, the animal passed by without harming Wilford. This preservation from a dangerous wild animal demonstrated to Wilford the constant watchfulness of divine Providence over his life. Many frontier travelers were killed or severely injured by bears, making this encounter a remarkable deliverance. Wilford attributed his preservation to the mercy of God, which became a recurring theme in his testimonies about the importance of faith and obedience.
In Their Own Words
“I started on my journey to the South, in company with Elder Henry Brown. We traveled through Kentucky and Tennessee, and preached the Gospel in many places. We had many interesting meetings, and baptized several persons. In the month of June, 1834, I was traveling through the woods in Tennessee, and I felt a strong impression to turn out of the road. I did so, and traveled a short distance, when I saw a large bear coming towards me. He was a monster. I had no weapon of any kind, not even a pocket knife. I felt that my life was in danger, and I looked to the Lord for protection. The bear came within a few rods of me, and then turned and went into the woods. I felt that the Lord had turned him away, and I thanked Him for my preservation. I continued my journey, and arrived at the place where I was to preach. I felt that the Lord was with me, and I had great liberty in speaking to the people. I felt that I was in the path of duty, and that the Lord would protect me in all my travels.”
— Wilford Woodruff, Leaves from My Journal, Chapter IV
Sources & References
Wilford Woodruff, Leaves from My Journal (1882), Chapter IV Full first-person account: Wilford Woodruff, Leaves from My Journal (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881), 26-27. https://archive.org/details/leavesfrommyjour00wood/page/26/mode/2up
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