"Presidents Office,
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah, .
To the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors.
Dear Brethren:
There never was a time probably in our history, when the Latter-
day Saints needed more than they do at present the assistance which God
has promised to render to us. He has made precious promises to His
Church; among them He has said that no weapon that is formed
against Zion shall prosper. This will be fulfilled to the very letter. The
Lord's word cannot fail. But it is for us, as a people, to place ourselves
in such a condition that we can ask the Lord in faith for these bless-
ings, and receive them at His hand. We should so live that He will
feel bound by His promises to come to our aid and to fulfil His
words to us. We have never appealed to Him in vain. He has always
listened to our supplications when we have approached Him aright.
The knowledge of this encourages us to cry unto Him as an entire
people, with united voice. And that we may do this in a proper
manner we have felt led to set apart the next anniversary of the
birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith—December 23rd,—as a day
of fasting and of solemn prayer unto the Lord.
It is for this end that we address this circular to you, that all the Latter-
day Saints throughout these mountains may be informed that the day
mentioned is designated and set apart as a day of general fasting and
prayer for the whole Church, and that the Saints may assemble at their
various meeting houses and devote the day to prayer to Almighty
God in behalf of Zion.
We need not describe at any length the reasons there are for making
in this united appeal to our Great Creator. They are familiar to you
and to all the people. It is easy to perceive that we are menaced
with a total deprivation of our rights as free men and as citizens,
because we are members of the Church of the Lamb of God. Look
which way we will and there appears no earthly help of which
we can avail ourselves. But we can turn to the Lord in per-
fect confidence that he will hear and help us.
^*Circulars
[beginning]
at were furn
ished the Bish
ops, Presidents
of Prayer Circles,
and a few other
brethren^
*We think the fast should be from sundown on Sunday, the
22nd, to sundown on Monday, the 23rd, covering a period of
twenty-four hours.
^Was not in
the Bishop's
Etc Circulars^
We desire you to take immediate steps to notify the Bishops
and their Counselors, and other presiding officers in your Stakes, of
the appointment of this Fast Day, that it may be known to all
the Saints of your Stakes.
^In Cirular^
All labor that can be dispensed with should be suspended on that
day, and the people should assemble themselves—men, women
and children—and humble themselves before the Lord, and
call upon Him in mighty prayer to look with mercy and
tender compassion upon the people of His Church.
Among other subjects for which we should pray on the Fast Day,
now set apart, the following should not be forgotten:
We should pray for the plots and the schemes which are being
framed for the purpose of robbing us of our civil and political rights
and of obtaining control of our cities, counties and Territory, to be
confounded, and their authors to be thwarted in their evil designs.
We should pray for all who conspire, in any manner, to injure or
destroy the work of God, or take from the people their rights and lib-
erties, to be defeated in their wicked purposes.
We should pray for the unfavorable action of courts and officials
to be overruled in such a manner that no injury will be done to Zion.
We should pray for the Executive of our nation, for the Cabinet, the
Senate, the House of Representatives, the Judiciary and the people of
our nation to be so influence and controlled that their hearts will
be softened towards the people of God, and that they may not
be inclined to listen to the slanderous reports and falsehoods which are circu
lated concerning us, and which may be brought before them; and that all
the officers of our nation may be inspired with such wisdom, justice and mer-
cy that they will fill their stations so as to gain the love and esteem of the people
and the approbation of the Lord.
In the event of the decision of the Supreme Court not being rendered before
the Fast Day concerning our property which has been seized, we should
pray to the Lord to so move upon the hearts of the Judges that they will be
strengthened and filled with courage, so as to render a righteous decision.
We should pray for the Lord to soften the hearts of the people of our nation,
and to open their eyes that they may see us in our true light and be in-
clined to treat us with that kindness and consideration which are due to
fellow citizens who are loyal and true in upholding the Constitution of
our great country.
We should pray for the Lord to come to our help and to deliver us from
the many snares that are spread around us for our overthrow and des-
truction; to make our path plain before us; to lead us so that we may es-
cape from the pits that are dug for our feet.
We should pray that the Lord will pour out in great power His Holy
Spirit and the gifts thereof upon His servants, that every man may be
filled with the qualifications and power which are necessary to enable
him to magnify his office acceptably before the Lord; and that He will
fill the hearts of His Saints with comfort and peace, and witness unto them
that He has not forgotten and does not neglect Zion.
Of course, there are many other blessings that can be prayed for. But
we feel to mention these as being subjects that are prominent in our
minds, and to which our attention is called at the present time, and
for which we ourselves exercise faith before the Lord.
In closing, we suggest to yourselves and the Saints that however
much we may feel aggrieved at the acts of men towards us, we
should not pray for their condemnation. Let us confess our
own sins and pray that we may be forgiven for them, and leave
other sinners to the Lord, who has said that judgment is His, and
He will repay.
-[End of Circular furnished the Bishops Etc Etc]-
Praying to the Lord that He will fill you and the Saints un-
der your presidency with His Holy Spirit and give unto you the
spirit of faith and prayer.
We remain, your Brethren,
Wilford Woodruff
Geo. Q. Cannon
Jos. F. Smith
First Presidency of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints."