day, , at 10 a.m., were exer- cises in the Tabernacle in honor of the ninetieth anniversary of the birth of Elder Wilford Woodroff, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, and one of the first com- pany of Utah Pioneers that entered the valley of the Great Salt Lake. For this occasion the Tabernacle has been beautifully decorated. The speakers' stands are ornamented in white and old gold, with numerous flowers and potted ferns and other plants and around the organ. The table at the foot of the stands is covered with flowers, and in front of this seats are raised above the floor for President Woodruff and wife to occupy during the reception on Monday. Over this is a canopy draped with the Stars and Stripes, with electric lights in the top to throw light upon the couple. This canopy will remain thrown back upon the table until the time of the recep- tion. The upper stand, which will be occupied by the President and his wife during the rendering of the pro- gram, has been raised about sixteen inches higher than its usual posi- tion so that a full view can be had of them from every part of the building. In front of and near the top of the organ is a beautiful star com- posed of sixty-one electric lights; over this and extending from south to north across the building is a white streamer bearing the inscriptions "Glory be to God," "Honor to His Prophet," and the three dates, 1807, 1847, 1897. Around the gallery boot- ing is stretched, with a star over each post, and at the rear of the building is the inscription, "We honor the man so honored of God." Above the rear of the gallery is a banner on which is painted 1847-1897. Below this is a Union flag which passed through the war. Herewith is a brief sketch of Presi- dent Woodruff's long and eventful life, furnished by himself:

Emery Utah Emery Prest Wilford Woodruff Esq Salt Lake City Sir, Will you pardon mi for Addris- ing you conserning a Secreet betwin myself and my own Mother The Case My MotherZoharnre Christensen Houne now Living at Ephraim San Pete Co and Wife of A. C. Hune there, be came a Morman in 1852. then the Wife of and Niels Pedersen. Living in Flensted, she beloning to Farre Green Aarhuus Conferense Denmark said Niels Pedersen bing no Morman they Quarrelt she went off Married andother mand wendt back to said Niels Pedersen again (she then bing in the Famlinday) and I was then born as in Weedlock with andother man my rigth Father over

Prest. Wilford Woodruff Salt Lake City Dear Brother I received the call of Feb. 23, and in reply will say that I will, by the help of the Lord, be on hand, at the appointed time (viz) April 16th1897 to take my mission. Your Brother in the gospel Chas. S. Green J. F. Wright Bp

Kanosh, . President Wilford Woodruff Dear Brother I received your letter stating that my name had been accepted as a missionary to the Southern States; In reply I will say that I am proud to be honored with such a call. And if nothing happens to prevent me, I will be prepared to go at the time apponited. I remain Your Brother in the Gospel Edwin. T. Rappleye. Jesse Hopkinson Bishop

Pine Valley Pres. Wilford Woodruff Dear Brother Our answer to the call made of me to take a mission to the Southern States I know of nothing at present to hinder ^me^ from going and I am willing to go and do what I can in the spreading of the Gospel and will be there May 20. Frank Snow Jeter Snow Bp

Santaquin Pres Wilford Woodruff Salt Lake City Dear Brother I recieved a call to go to the Southern States on a Mission to start April 15th I am willing to go and do my best. Will be ready with the help of the Lord to start at set time Your Brother in the Gosple John. H. Wall Bp. J. M. Holladay

Franklin Pres. W. Woodruff Dear Bro I rec a call from you for a mission to the Southern States & was to leave Salt Lake Jan. 14 1897 In consideration of circumstances which have been Submitted for your consideration by Pres. Geo. C. Parkinson. I was honorable released for the time being. But I am now pleased to State that circumstances is Such with me that I am now prepaired to go on my mission at your earlyest call. Waiting your reply I remain your Bro in the Gosple Robert. Lowe

Harrisville, . Pres. Wilford Woodruff, Dear Sir: In answer to your letter of Feb. 15 asking me to take a mission to the Indian Territory Mission I will say that I am willing to go and will try to be on hand at the appointed time. Your Bro in the Gospel, Levi J. Taylor Jr. L. J. Taylor Bp.

Grantsville, Mar. 1, 1897. Prest. Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Dear Brother: Your letter of the 23rd ult., calling my son Albert on a mission to the Southern States was duly received here. I forwarded it to him at Provo. Today I received his reply, obtained the Bishop's endorsement thereon, and en- close is herewith. In the above you will perceive the reason for the little delay in replying. And now I have a convenient opportu- nity to attend to a little matter which of- ten comes to my mind. It is this: In May, 1895, I sent you, for your endorsement, Prest. Gowans's recommend, furnished by Brother Lyman's suggestion, for me and my wife to get our second endowments. At the same

H E H 52 Collect 1.07 C. B. Received at 73 Main St., next Deseret Bank, Salt Lake City, at 9:23 Am Dated, Manti Utah 1 To President Wilford Woodruff The Saints of Manti send you kindly greetings and congradulate you on the attainement of your ninetieth anniversary and your wife Emma on her fifty ninth. We greatly desire that your lives may be presevr prolonged and crowned with increasing blessings from the Lord and the happy consumation of your best wishes. John B. Maiben. BE SURE YOU ANSWER BY THIS LINE. [sideways text] QUICK SERVICE. SEE OFFICE ADDRESS ON THIS MESSAGE. [end of sideways text]

15 paid 11:49am SC. Philadelphia, Pa. March 1st. President Wilford Woodruff, God bless and keep you. May the coming kyears continue to reflect your noble work. Morton B. Hirsch.

Recieved at 73 Main St., next Deseret Bank, Salt Lake City, at 11:37 Am Dated, Logan Ut 1 To Prest. W. Woodruff. The faculty and Students of the Brigham Young College greet you on this the ninetieth anniversary of your birth, and invoke God's choicest blessings, spiritual and temporal, upon you and yours. May your life be spared for many years, that you may continue to comfort and bless mankind. Wm. J. Kerr. [figure] BE SURE YOU ANSWER BY THIS LINE. [sideways text] SEE OFFICE ADDRESS ON THIS MESSAGE. QUICK SERVICE. [end of sideways text]

[FIGURE] PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF. An address of welcome was then made by President Woodruff. He spoke as follows: I feel highly honored this morning in meeting with so many of my friends upon this important occasion. Yester- day those who were present might have observed my condition. I was perfectly overwhelmed in consequence of the scene before me. It was not what was said particularly, but it brought to my mind in overwhelming power my boyhood and early manhood and my desires that I might live upon the earth to find a people who would receive the Gos- pel of Jesus Christ as taught by Christ and the Apostles. I[n] meeting with thousands of the children of the Latter-day Saints, it brought to my mind those scenes and the fulfillment of my prayers and desires before the Lord. I hope this morning I may be able to make a few remarks. I will say this, it has been a desire of my life, from my boyhood up, never to ad- dress any assembly of people whom I could not make hear what I had to say. I feel the same this morning; I do not know whether I can make this as- sembly hear me or not; but I will do the best I can. As I can hardly expect to ever have the opportunity of addressing the people of this State and my friends in days to come I have a few reflections upon my mind that I wish to lay before you. And I will say they are different from any of my public speeches that I have been in the habit of presenting to the people. I have consulted no man with regard to the course I should pursue in my remarks here this morning, and I do not know that I shall satisfy my friends in the remarks that I may make. First, I want to say a few words upon politics. I hope that will not astonish you. I have not been in the habit of this heretofore. But I feel desirous to say a few things that are upon my mind. In the first place, there is not one item, not one sentence in the Constitution of the United States, nor in the laws of the United States, or of the State of Utah, that de- prives any citizen, of any name, nature, religion or politics in the land, from joining any political party he wishes or voting for whomsoever he wishes. This is the right of every man without hindrance. We have been accused at times of using Church influence to guide and direct the State. This is occasionally presented to the public as our action. I feel it my right and duty to say here today that I was acquainted with Joseph Smith and associated with him from 1833 until his martyr- dom. I have been acquainted with Brigham Young and associated with him for forty years of my life, at home and abroad, under many circum- stances. I have also been acquainted with John Taylor and labored with him in every capacity in which he was called to act. I have also been a mem- ber of the quorum of the Twelve Apos- tles for upwards of fifty-six years of my life. And I have been presiding over the Church itself for a few years. I have been associated with my coun- selors and with the present Twelve Apostles. And I want to say upon this occasion, before God, angels and all men that are before me, that I never in one instance have ever known any leader of this Church ever attempt to dictate and direct the affairs of the State as member of the Church. At the same time, when any man, no matter who he is—Mor- mon, Jew or Gentile—goes forth and uses money or any means to hire men to vote for him, I think he steps out- [s]ide of his right, and stands in a measure responsible. I want to say so much to my friends this morning. I have officiated for twenty sessions in the Legislative Council of the Territory of Utah, and one session as a member of the House, and it never cost me one farthing for any office I ever held in the Church or in the State or Territory. And I never asked any mortal man on the face of the earth to cast a vote for me that I have any recollection of. As an ensample, perhaps I may be permitted to say, I am the father of fourteen sons and have a number of sons-in-law, and I believe they are pretty nearly evenly divided on political party lines—Demo- crats and Republica[n]s. I will give any man five dollars if in con- versing with them he can get any one of them to say that his father ever told him who to vote for. Some of you may try to make a little money perhaps at that. (Laughter.) I con- sider everybody is responsible for him- self, and he has a right to vote for whom he pleases. Again, I never asked any office at the hands of any being in heaven or on earth, not even of my heavenly Father, except upon one instance, which I will relate here. In my boy- hood, as you have heard me testify, I went to the Sabbath schools. I read the New Testament. I saw the doc- trine there portrayed in plainness, as taught by Jesus Christ and His Apos- tles, and it was a glorious doctrine. I

Kanarra . President Wilford Woodruff, Dear Brother: Having re- ceived a call from you to go on a mission, I write for further information as I do not know how long it takes to go from Salt Lake City ^to Sanfrancisco^ and would like to know some wheres near the price of fair. Am sorry to say I have but little means, but do not feel to shrink from duty, when called by those whose right it is to call. Under my circumstances in life I have been unable to work to gain the comforts of

Denver, Colo. Pres't's. Wilford Woodruff, Geo. Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Brethern: Answering your favor of 25th ins't. will say: I will take pleasure in carefully following your suggestions. The brethern are all well and we have appointments for the present week, and we feel that our Heavenly Father is blessing us in our labors. Asking a kind remembrance to all the brethern and trusting to be favored with your council and blessing at all times. I remain Your brother, John W. Taylor

Monday, , at 10 o'clock, a.m. Wilford Woodruff

Monday, , at 10 o'clock, a.m. Wilford Woodruff

First Presidency Ch. L. D. Saints Salt Lake City, Utah Beloved elder Brethren:- The Historical Record office will afford you some knowledge of us should you wish to investigate. In short we (myself & wife & two baby boys) are here as life missionaries. We are endeavoring as best we can in our imperfect way to break down the predju- dices of the people here against us as a church and have we believe, made many friends for our people. My object in writing to you is this - There is land here (160 acres) to be taken as a homestead besides other places of 40 & 80 acres where any in- dustrious family can make a

President Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Brother; With a desire to let you know the presant condition of the Mission I write. On the 9th of January I started on a tour South and visited that part of the State. I found that the Elders were all traveling in the Lords appointed way, traveling without purse or scrip, except such as had their Wives with them, who ofcourse we were keeping house. I visited all the Elders, and examined their mode of presenting the Gospel, and gave them such instructions as seemed to be necessary, that they might be able to handle the Scrip tures into the best advantage in teaching the doctrines of the Church, all now testify that it has helped them much and that a more effect- ual work will be performed in the future. At Los Angeles the Branch is in a good condition. Agood spirit prevails. The Saints meet together in testimony meetings, & rejoice in the Gosplel. They expect to lead six or eight down into the waters of Baptism dureing the coming week. They have been hold- ing outdoor meetings on the Streets when the weather would admit, and have good sized congregations and fairly good attention. Two of those about to be Baptized, a Lady and a Gentleman will be added to our numbers as a direct result of Street preaching: this is quit an incouragement to the Elders in that line of labor. A similar satate- ment may be made of the situation in San Diego only that the Bran- ch is not so strong. At Sacramento the Branch is about to receive an increase of several new members by Baptism, and a goodytly numbere of strangers are attending our meetings trhere, and the spirit of in- vestigation seems to nbe growing. The Elders who went out into new ground, as shown in my last report, have met with all the incouragement that was hoped for. One report from the southern part of the State says among other things, "If one wants to get well fed, travel without purse or scrip, Itel I tell you, they will nearly cram you to death". The report from Napa County says, they get three meals a day and a good bed at nigh night; and are generally invited to retursn. From San Benito and Monteray Counties a similar voice is heard. I havejust returned from Salinas in Monteray County, where we preached in a Hall and on the streets last Sunday; a good feeling prevails towards the elders and the prospects are good for a bright for a good work to be done there. At San Jose the Elders have been laboring for some time with a nu number of investigators and they expect to Baptize 7 or 8 in the n near furture. As soon as the weather woill admit I sahall go out there and heplp the Eldesrs in their outdoor preaching and make things as lively as I can posable possible. Here in San Francicsco the work is steadily moving along;