In October 1890, Wilford Woodruff declared at the General Conference he would never lead the Saints astray. His comment was in response to the Church’s official signing of the 1st Manifesto of 1890, declaring they had forsaken polygamy in lieu of gaining Utah’s statehood.
What isn’t seen in LDS canon is how he, and other members of the Church, decided to go into hiding in order to avoid being arrested by the Feds. A dream he had prompted his decision to go into hiding on January 27th, 1880. He lived life on the lam for the next decade and a half, but by the time Utah finally became a state in 1896, he was frequently seen at many public gatherings with no fear of arrest. See Prophet in Exile, p. 596.
Mr. Woodruff’s swan songs of persecution were a squalid attempt to garner sympathy from the unknowing. Any ‘persecution’ they encountered was purely self-inflicted, not to mention warranted, because of their violations in breaking the law.
One has to wonder why he wasn’t obeying the Church’s own edict found in the 12th Article of Faith, which says they believe in obeying the laws of the land.
When you run a search on Wilford Woodruff you’ll find a plethora of articles that focus on the heroic efforts of what this man gave up in his life all for the sake of ‘the gospel’. The truth, however, is far different from what they portray.
During the time Wilford was ‘underground’ his first wife died, and he refused to attend her funeral to keep himself safe from arrest. I just can’t imagine my husband abandoning me for any reason and then not be there for me in my dying days. This doesn’t sound like persecution at all!
For the record, those who live in Christ actually find life to be a joy! We celebrate the freedom we have in Christ, and find great comfort in knowing He is our peace!
Ephesians 2:14 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”.
Pray Mormons will see the truth in what their leaders are trying to push!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle