Wilford Woodruff Journal 3: Brigham Young's Prophetic Vision — 'This Is the Right Place' — Recorded by Woodruff (July 24, 1847)

On July 24, 1847, Wilford Woodruff personally drove the carriage in which Brigham Young rode into the Salt Lake Valley — one of the most pivotal moments in LDS pioneer history, and one of the most important entries in Woodruff's entire journal.

Brigham Young was gravely ill with Rocky Mountain fever. He could not ride on horseback. Woodruff drove him in his personal carriage, the only president with a carriage in the pioneer company. At the summit of the benchland east of the valley, Woodruff stopped and turned the carriage so that the ailing President could look out over the Great Basin below.

Woodruff recorded what happened next: Brigham Young was for a time 'enwrapped in vision.' He lay still, eyes open, seeing. Then he said: 'This is the right place. Drive on.'

Woodruff later explained that Young had seen this valley before in a vision shown him by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo — had been shown the very place where the Saints would settle. When the valley came into view, Brigham recognized it from the vision. His confirmation was prophetic, not merely practical.

Woodruff wrote in his journal of his own impressions upon seeing the valley: 'Thoughts of pleasant meditation ran in rapid succession through our minds at the anticipation that not many years hence the House of God would be established in the mountains and exalted above the hills, while the valleys would be converted into orchards, vineyards, fields, etc., planted with cities, and the standard of Zion be unfurled into which the nations would gather.'

This prophecy was exact. By 1869, over 70,000 Saints had gathered into the Great Basin. The Salt Lake Temple was dedicated in 1893. The nations continue to gather to this day.

Woodruff's carriage — the vehicle in which the President entered the valley — is preserved as a historical artifact. The July 24, 1847 journal entry is among the most photographed documents in LDS history.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

JULY 24 th 1847 This is an important day in the History of my life and the History of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. Zion of GOD will be built. glorious valley abounding with the best fresh water springs rivlets creeks & Brooks & rivers of various sizes all of which gave animation to the sporting trout & other fish while the waters were wending there way into the great salt lake; our hearts were surely made glad after A Hard Journey from Winter Quarters of 1200 miles through flats of President Young expressed his full satisfaction in the Appearanc of the valley as A resting place for the Saints & was Amply repayed for his Journey.