JOHN MORRIS MISSIONARY
JOURNAL...WALES 1846-1850
Arrived in Carmarthen
on Guth, visited the Saints and was received with
welcome on the 25th I preached to a small congregation on ________
Rode down the river to Ferryside. Confirmed
an old sister by the laying on of hands. Returned to Carmarthen, preached in Welsh and English at night.
Brother Evans administered the ordinances of baptism to three, after held a
meeting with the Saints and administered the ordinance of confirmation and
confirmed the three previously baptized. On the 30th set out for
Pembroke and arrived the same night and was kindly received by the Saints.
December 1st went to Pater and visited the Saints with
Price and Davies and found all well. On the 2nd I preached at Caravenny. On the 3rd I preached at Pembroke on
________. I held a prayer meeting in the morning with some of the Saints. In
the afternoon met and spoke of the necessity of union and faithfulness in
keeping the commandments of the Lord and administered the Ordinance of the Lord's
Supper. And the Saints bore testimony of the work of the Lord which He had
commenced in these the last days. On the 7th paid a visit to Tenby and couldn't get a place to preach and returned to
Pembroke the following day. I preached once or twice during the week. On the 12th
went to Marloes and was received kindly by Brother
Ormond. On the 13th preached twice and administered of the Lord's
Supper and confirmed three by the laying on of hands. Continued
preaching. On Sunday, 20th , met
with the Saints in Pater and administered the ordinance of Baptism and
confirmed 5 by the laying of hands. On the 21st I left Pater and
arrived in Merthyr on the 24th and went
into Monmouthshire and visited the Branches of the Monmouthshire Conference.
Jan. 3, 1847 attended a conference in Methyr Tydfil, when Brother John Taylor one of the Twelve
was present and presided over the Conference and we had a glorious time during
the conference which lasted two days and many were called to the Priesthood.
And we had some glorious teachings from Elder Taylor and Elder Dan Jones, and
the hearts of the Saints rejoiced there in.
On the 20th January 1847 I
started on a mission to Pembroke. I arrived in Swansea and stayed with the Saints a few
days. On the 26th I left on board the "Troubadour" and
arrived in Milford Haven on the 27th and arrived in Pater the same
night. Remained in Pembrokeshire preaching in
different places and baptized some there.
April 14th , I left Pembroke and arrived in Carmarthen
the same night. Attended a meeting with the Saints and exhorted on the
necessity of Union and keeping the commandments of the Lord and attending the
teaching of His Servants, and two were confirmed by the laying on of hands, and
the Saints bore testimony of the work of the Lord. On the 15th April
left and arrived in Merthyr on the 17th
. On the 18th we held a conference in Merthyr
in the White Lion Hall, when Pres. Franklin D. Richards, late from America, with Brothers Halliday,
Kendal and Webb from England.
There was represented Branches...18 Elders, 36 Priests, 48 Teachers
Number baptized since January 3rd , 220. Cap. Dan Jones presided over the
conference and there was some glorious principles taught both by Brother Jones
and Richards, and the hearts of the saints seemed to rejoice, and every
countenance was beaming with joy.
On the 19th April we met again
at half past 10 o'clock when F.D. Richards and
Brother Jones spoke on the duty of the different officers and the necessity of
them being in the Church, and 6 were called to the office of Elder, priests 28,
teachers 10, deacons 5. The meeting was closed by Brother Richards by prayer.
At half past two we met again when there was some good teachings by Brothers Halliday, Kendall, Jones, and Richards were given on the
union and brotherly love that the Saints may be filled with knowledge and
wisdom and understanding in the things of God and upon the necessity of
Gathering. And truly it was a time of rejoicing and the hearts of the Saints
were made glad. And Brothers Webb and Kendall sung a piece on the memory of
Brother Joseph the Prophet, and meeting was closed with prayer by Brother Henshaw. At half past ? we met when Brother Pugh preached in Welsh and Brother
Richards in English and President Jones closed in Welsh.
On the 20th April 1847 I left Merthyr and arrived in Penycae
the same night and met in counsel with some of the officers of the Monmouthshire Conference. The next day I visited the Saints
in Blaina and Stayed during the week to prepare
things in order for the conference On Sunday the 25th April at 10
o'clock we met in Conference at Nantyglo. The meeting
was called order when it was moved, seconded and carried that Bro. Cap. Dan
Jones preside over the conference, when the President arose and acknowledged
his thankfulness that he has been considered worthy to fill so great and
important an office and desired an interest in the prayers and faith of the
conference that he may do all things in order. The meeting was then opened by
singing a hymn in Welsh and a prayer was offered by the President. The account of the Branches were then called for when 8 Branches
were represented containing: Elders 8, Priests 16, Teachers 10, Deacons 5,
Members 2,007. Total 236 baptized, since last conference 114, after which the
presiding Elders gave an account of the state of the Branches, that the Saints
were all in union and were increasing in number in all the Branches, and the
gifts and blessings of the Spirit of the Lord were in their midst though they
had to suffer much persecution. At half past 2 we met again, the meeting was
opened by singing and prayer by the President, when the ordinance of the Lord's
Supper was administered, after which there was 2 called to the office of
Elders, priests 7, teachers 4, deacons 4. Some children were blessed by Elder
David Jones and myself. When the President spoke in
Welsh and English on the duties of the several officers and the importance of
the office that they were called to fill, after which Brother F.D. Richards, one of the Presidents of Europe, addressed
the meeting in short but beautiful principles upon the knowledge that was
before us and the certainty of receiving it and so on. When
the meeting was postponed. At 6 o'clock we met again when Elder William
Davis preached on the first principles of the Gospel. Elder Richards arose and
in a brief manner showed the omnipresence of the Lord, that his eyes are on all
our ways by the ministering of His Heavenly messengers unto man, after which
Capt. Dan Jones spoke a little in Welsh, when the Conference was closed by
singing and prayer by the President. I still remained in Monmouthshire
Conference, traveling around the Branches and preaching at intervals and
administering the ordinances of the Lord. Some of the Saints were re-baptized.
On July 11th I attended
a conference in Merthyr when President Capt. Dan
Jones presided over the conference and there were some good teachings from the
President and the hearts of the Saints seemed to rejoice therein and there was
some hundreds assembled together. Elder Mitchell from Camp was present and he
spoke some good things in the course of the day. On the 12th we met
again when there was several ordained to the Priesthood, and in the afternoon,
held a tea meeting when there was about 800 sat down to tea. At night the
meeting was addressed by the President and others and truly it was a time of
rejoicing. On the 14th I left for Monmouthshire
and arrived in Victoria.
On the 15th I went to Blackwood and Flower De Luce and visited the
Saints in those parts. On the 16th I went to Abersychan
and stayed with Saints that night and on the 17th went to Abergavenny.
On the 18th went to Garway where I attended a conference where Brother Henshaw presided. Met in the morning, when the account of
the Branches was received and the meeting was addressed by the President and myself. In the afternoon we met again when the President and
myself spoke on the principles of the Gospel, after which we sat down to tea
and sung some songs of Zion.
At 7 o'clock we met again when the meeting was addressed by Elder Davis from Rhymney on the principles of the Gospel and by the
President on the Redemption of the Dead, after which we administered the
ordinance of the Lord's Supper and the Saints voted to support and sustain Bro.
Brigham Young as the President of the whole Church and the Quorum of the Twelve
as his Counselors, and Orson Spencer as President of the British Isles and
Franklin D. Richards as his counselor and Bro. Dan Jones as Pres. of the Welsh
nation. We exhorted the Saints on the necessity of being re-baptized that they
may be restored to union. On the 20th I arrived back to Penycae and met in council, visited the branches in the
course of the week.
On the 24th I left for Pembrokeshire on a mission. Called at Carmarthen
and met with the Saints and arrived in Pembroke on the 28th and was
kindly received by the Saints. On the 29th visited the Saints in
Pater and had the pleasure of seeing the Laurde of
the Lion, one of Her Majesty's ships of Eighty Guns.
On the 31st of July accompanied
Elder Mitchell to Haverfordwest and on Sunday, August
1st I preached in the open air and Elder Mitchell bore
testimony. In the afternoon I preached again in the open air and Elder Mitchell
bore testimony, and at night Elder Mitchell preached in the Bridgestreet
Chapel and I bore testimony. On the 2nd of August I returned to
Pater and from there to Pembroke. On the 5th August I accompanied
Elder Mitchell to Pater and preached in the open air and Elder Mitchell bore
testimony and returned to Pembroke the same night.
On the 7th I went to Haverfordwest. On the 8th preached in the open
air in the morning and in the afternoon, and at night in the Chapel in Bridgestreet. On the 9th I preached at Skerryford
Bridge, and the 10th
returned to Pembroke. On 11th went to Tenby
and preached at night and returned to Pembroke on the 12th
. On the 13th accompanied Elder Mitchell to Pater and held a
meeting with the Saints. On the 15th went to Lawrenny
and preached in the morning in the open air. In the afternoon, met with the
saints and administered the ordinance of the Lord's supper.
At night went to Pater and met with the Saints and administered the ordinance
of the Lord's Supper. On the 19th I preached in the open air in
Pater, and on the 21st went to Haverfordwest
and preached on the 22nd in the open air in the morning and
afternoon, and in the chapel at night. On the 23rd preached in the
open air and on the 24th went to Landshipping
and preached in the open air. On the 25th returned to Pembroke. On
the 29th went to Lawrenny and preached in
the open air in the morning and met with the Saints in the afternoon and
administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. I went to Pater at night and
administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to the Saints there. On the 31st
went to Landshipping and preached in the open air and
returned to Pembroke, on the next day, Sept 1st .
On the 4th went to Wintern and stayed at the Ormonds.
On the 5th went to Haverfordwest and
preached in the morning in the open air and afternoon, and in the Chapel in Bridge street
at night and returned to Wintern on 6th
Sept. and preached at night. On the 7th went to Landshipping
and preached at night. On the 8th preached at Lawrenny
and returned to Pembroke the same night. On the 9th went to Tenby but had no congregation and returned to Pembroke on
the 10th. On the 11th stayed in Pembroke and on the 12th
went to Haverfordwest and held a prayer meeting in
the morning, preached in the afternoon and administered the ordinance of the
Lord's Supper and preached in the Chapel at night.
On the 13th went to Skerryford and baptized one and met with much persecution.
Returned to Haverfordwest at night and was again
persecuted. On the 14th went to Landshipping
and preached at night. On the 15th preached at Lawrenny
and administered the sacrament. On the 16th went to Pembroke. On the
17th to Pater and visited the Saints there and on the 18th
went to Haverfordwest and had a prayer meeting in the
morning and preached in the afternoon and administered the sacrament and
preached at night in the Chapel. On the 19th preached at Skerryford. On the 20th preached at Landshipping and on the 21st preached at Lawrenny. On the 22nd went to Pater and held a
meeting with the Saints and spoke a little on the principles of the Gospel to
some strangers present and returned to Pembroke the same night. On the 23rd
stayed in Pembroke and on the 25th went to Haverfordwest.
On the 26th held a meeting in the morning with the Saints and
administered the Sacrament. Elder Price was present and we both exhorted the
saints and bore testimony of the truth of the work, in the afternoon we both
preached out in the open air and in the Chapel at night. On the 27th
went to Skerryford and held a prayer meeting with
some of the Saints and on the 28th went to Landshipping
and preached at night. On the 29th preached at Lawrenny
and went to Pembroke on the 20th Sept.
On Oct. 1st and 2nd
I stayed in Pembroke and on the 3rd went to Haverfordwest
and held a prayer meeting and preached in the open air in the afternoon and in
the Chapel at night. On the 4th returned to Pembroke and on the 5th
went to Lawrenny and preached there on the 6th and 7th
returned to Pembroke where I met Elder Mitchell who had just returned from England. On the
8th and 9th I stayed in Pembroke. On the 10th
went to Pater and held a meeting with the Saints and administered the
sacrament. Elder Price was present and we both exhorted the Saints on the
necessity of Union, and the Saints bore their
testimony of the truth of the work. I stayed in Pembroke on the 11th
and 12th.
On the 13th went to Lawrenny and met Elder Mitchell, we held a meeting. Elder
Mitchell preached and I bore testimony of the same, after which it was moved by
Elder Mitchell and seconded by me that Brother James Eynon
be ordained to the office of a priest. Moved by Elder Mitchell and seconded by
me that Brother John Griffiths be ordained to the office of a teacher. The
proposition being carried, the ordinations then took place under the hands of
Elder Mitchell and myself. It was then moved by Elder
Mitchell and seconded by me that Brother Eynon preside over the Saints in Lawrenny.
On the 14th I went to Pembroke and stayed there on the 15th . On the 16th went to Haverfordwest. On the 17th preached in the
morning in the Chapel, and in the afternoon in the open air, and in the chapel
at night. On the 18th went to Skerryford.
On the 19th went to Pembroke and on the 20th went to Lawrenny and preached at night. On the 21st went
to Pater and visited the Saints and returned to Pembroke that night. On the 22nd
I visited some Saints in News
Island and enjoined with
them in prayer. On the 23rd remained in Pembroke.
On the 24th went to Haverfordwest and met with some of the Saints in the Chapel
and united with them in prayer, in the afternoon met in the house of Brother
Thomas and preached a little and exhorted the Saints to union and administered
the Sacrament, at night preached in the Chapel. On the 25th went to
Pater and visited the saints there and went to Pembroke that night, stayed
there on the 26th and 27th and on the 28th
went to Lawrenny and preached that night and returned
to Pembroke on the 29th where I stayed on the 30th.
On the 30st
Oct. was united in marriage to Sister Mary Ormond. I remained in Pembroke Nov.
1st and 2nd . On the 3rd went to Lawrenny
and preached that night and administered the ordinance of baptism to one. On
the 4th returned to Pembroke stayed there the 5th and 6th
(November) being ill and on the 7th went to Haverfordwest
and preached in the morning in the Chapel
Bridge Street in the after noon administered ......)
(Notes inserted
in diary)
Twelewary rec'd. from John
Morris 6
Abel Evans
Thomas Morris slater
Poplar Street under 17 Hulme
near the gas house Manchester
William Davies
Irving
St.
New Castle St.
Hunbeckz 222
Lewis Lewis tin
plate worker
near the hamp
Apr 17th 1847
A special counsel was called at Penzance fach
to look into the nature of those things that had crept in amongst the saints. Brother Morris President who explained the object of the meeting.
Testimony of Wm. Williams, priest is that Evan Evans said that the Saints are
bad men. Edward Bennett heard him speaking against the Giles. Brother Henshaw heard him say at the conference they ordained a
monkey meaning one of the priests. Brother Morris heard him say the officers
were not called by the spirit of God. Brother Morris moved that he is not fit
to be a member in the Church, seconded by Brother Henshaw,
and that he be cut off Sunday next unless he shows the spirit of repentance. He
will have time till Thurs. night.
Brother Skayks
and Brother Gunter gave testimony that Joseph Williams is speaking against the
authority of the Church, likewise Henry Goulden, Daniel Goulden Moved by Brother
Morris seconded by Brother Giles that they be dis-fellowshipped
on Sunday next if they do not confess their fault. Moved by Brother Morris,
seconded by Brother Henshaw that William Lewis priest
be suspended from his office and to appear at the next
council meeting in Penycae to answer the charge
against him. No. Officers 12
{Dairy
Continued}
.....the ordinance of baptism to one and
at night preached in the chapel. On the 8th Nov, 1847, went to Skerryford and visited sister Page and returned to Haverford
West and held a meeting with the saints and confirmed the one baptized the day
before. On the 9th went to Pater from there to Pembroke. On the 10th
went to Lawrenny and preached and confirmed one
previously baptized and returned to Pembroke same night. On the 11th
stayed in Pembroke. On the 12th I preached in the Parish of Cosheston and on the 13th stayed in Pembroke. On
the 14th went to Haverfordwest and met
with some of the Saints and held a prayer meeting in the Chapel in the morning
and in the afternoon met in the house of Brother John Thomas and administered
of the Lord's Supper and some of the Saints bore testimony of the work of the
Lord, and at night preached in the chapel. On the 15th went and
settled for the rent of the Chapel and went out to Skerryford
and visited Sister Page and at night met in the house of sister
Rodgers and conversed with them on some of the principles of the Gospel. On the
16th went to Lawrenny and on the 17th
preached there at night.
On the 18th returned home to
Pembroke and went to Pater and visited the saints there and returned home same
night where I remained. On the 19th 20th , and 21st
went to Pater met with the saints and administered the Lord's Supper and
exhorted them to union and returned home that night and remained there on the
22nd and 23rd . On the 24th went to Lawrenny and preached at night and returned home on the 25th
where I stayed on the 26th . On the 27th
went to Haverfordwest in company with Elder Mitchell
and at night I administered the ordinance of Baptism to a man and his wife by
the name of John and Rose Hannah. Elder Griffiths and Elder
Mitchell Baptized two young girls the same night at Skerryford.
On Sunday 28th in the morning I preached in the Chapel on the
necessity of the obedience to the commands of God and Elder Mitchell bore
testimony. In the afternoon we met with the Saints in the house of Brother John
Thomas and held a meeting it was opened by singing when I engaged in prayer and
the four previously baptized were confirmed by the laying on of hands by Elder
Mitchell and myself after which the meeting was addressed by Elder Mitchell and
it was then moved by Elder Mitchell and seconded by me that John Thomas be
ordained to the office of a Priest, unanimously carried. It was then moved by
Elder Mitchell that John Griffiths be ordained to the office of a Priest,
unanimously carried. Brother Thomas and Griffiths were then ordained under the
hands of Elder Mitchell and myself. Elder Mitchell then spoke on the necessity
of the Saints upholding the officers by their faith and prayers and also
dwelling in union, and of the officers magnifying their offices and putting
their trust in the Lord for the guidance of His Holy Spirit and not to trust in
the wisdom of man, after which I spoke myself to the same effect. At night
Elder Mitchell preached in the Chapel.
On the 29th I left Haverfordwest in company with Elder Mitchell and arrived in
Pembroke that night where I remained on the 30th .
On the 1st of Dec. went
to Pater to see Elder Mitchell off in the boat to Milford. He was leaving on a mission to Yorkshire. I went to Lawrenny
and preached that night. On the 2nd I went to Pater to look for the
Stars but could not find them, and from there to Pembroke. On the 3rd
remained at home in Pembroke. On the 4th went to Pater in search of
the Stars and returned home to Pembroke.
On the 5th I went to Haverfordw est and held a meeting
with Saints and administered the Lord's Supper and at night preached in the
Chapel and met with opposition and the candles were blown out by the opposing
party and they told me I should not preach unless I would work a miracle but I
bore a faithful testimony unto them and they told me I should not preach there
anymore and that they would drive me out of the town. On the 6th and
7th I remained in Haverfordwest and sought
redress from the authority but did not get any. On the evening of the 7th
I left Haverfordest and arrived in Pembroke that
night.
On the 8th I went to Milford to settle a
mistake about the carriage of the books and returned to Pembroke that night. On
the 9th I went to Lawrenny and took the Stars and
went from there to Haverfordwest and remained there
on the 10th and 11th and again tried some of the
authorities to get protection for the Chapel, but they told me it would cost me
20 pounds and one of them asked me if I was a Mormon and if I belonged to the
same Sect as Joseph Smith and if we were Christians. I told him that we
believed the Bible and that our doctrines were Bible doctrines. Well, he said,
it will cost you 20 pounds. His name was Mr. Smith. On the 12th we met in the
chapel in the morning when Brother Griffiths and Thomas spoke a little on the
principles of the gospel and I spoke after them. In the afternoon we met at
Brother Griffiths house where several strangers were
present. I spoke on the principles of the Gospel and the Order of the Primitive Church and of the Angel appearing to
Joseph in the last days and the necessity of the signs following believers and
bore testimony of the same after which I administered the ordinance of the
Lord's Supper. At night we met in the Chapel and I preached on the restoration
of all things and the necessity of the Gift of the Holy Ghost and of having
Apostles and Prophets in the Church to bring man to unity of the faith and to
the knowledge of the Son of God and bore testimony of the same.
On the 13th I returned to
Pembroke and stayed there on the 14th and spent a great part of the
day in writing. On the 15th I went to Lawrenny
and preached. On the 16th I went to Pater and preached and visited
the saints there and came to Pembroke that night. On the 17th I
stayed in Pembroke and on the 18th baptized a boy of the name of
Thomas James, son of Joseph and Sarah James, both saints in Lawrenny
Branch, after which I went to Haverford West.
On the 19th met in the morning
in the Chapel with the Saints and held a prayer meeting and I spoke on the
necessity of prayer. In the afternoon we met in the house of Brother Thomas and
spoke a little on the principles of the Gospel to some strangers present,
afterwards administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. At night I preached
in the Chapel to an attentive congregation.
On the 20th I left Haverfordwest and went to Carmarthen
a distance of 30 miles where I stayed next day and preached at night. On the 22nd
I left Carmarthen and went to Cum Mammon where I stayed that night with the
Saints and met with Elders Abel and Robert Evans from North Wales and Elder
Benjamin Jones from Carmarthen. They were on
their way to Merthyr Conference. On the 23rd
I went in company with Abel Evans to Onllwn Iron
Works where Brother Able preached in Welsh. On the 24th left in
company with Elders Able and Robert Evans and Benjamin Jones and arrived in Merthyr that night and went to the house of Capt. Dan Jones
where I met with President Orson Spencer and had some little conversation with
him and Capt. Jones. On the 25th being Christmas Day I stayed among
the saints in Merthyr and Penydarren.
On the 26th I met in conference
in Merthyr, where the whole account of the Church in Wales was given
and the increase from July the 13th was baptized 753. Total number
in Wales
1933, and some glorious teachings were given by Elders
O. Spencer and D. Jones.
On the 27th we met again where
many were called to the Priesthood and truly it was a day of rejoicing and the
hearts of the saints were made glad with the noble principles that were taught.
It was motioned and carried that Marloes, Pembrokeshire be organized into a branch and Brother Ormond
be ordained the office of an Elder and preside over that branch under the
direction of Elder Morris. The conference closed at nearly eleven o'clock at
night and it was a glorious time. On the 28th I remained in Merthyr and Penydarren and on the
29th went to Rhymney where I met with the
saints in meeting and bore testimony of the work of the Lord with them. On the
30th I went to Victoria, Monmouthshire and
met with the Saints in prayer meeting. On the 31st went to Penycae to see the saints there and stayed with them all
night.
January 1st 1848 I went to Flowerde
Luce and was kindly received by Brother Brain and stopped with him all night
and on the 2nd went to Abersychan where I
was kindly received by the saints and on the 3rd I preached there on
the principles of the Gospel. On the 4th I left there and went to Nantyglo and called upon the Saints and stayed there a
little while and went from there to Penycae and from
there to Victoria
where I stayed all night. On the 5th I went to Tredegar where I met
with Elder Henshaw and came with him over the
mountain and went to Beaufort to see Brother and Sister Probent
and returned to Victoria and met with the Saints in their meeting and spoke a
little on the necessity of holding up the Priesthood and harkening to their
counsel and teaching.
On the 6th I left with my
little girl ( note: Sarah Ann, a child by his first wife, Sarah Bray) who had been staying with the Saints in
that place during my mission to Pembrokeshire, and arrived in Rhymney
that night and met with the Saints and Elder Robert Evans was there. I spoke a
little and bore testimony of the work. I stayed there the 7th and 8th
and on the 9th I went with my little girl to Penydarren
and met with the saints in Penydarren and administered
the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and exhorted the Saints to union and Charity
and the Saints bore testimony of the work and I preached at night.
On the 10th I left for Pembrokeshire and stayed in Hirwaun
that night and met in prayer meeting with the saints there and united them in
prayer and laid hands on some that were sick with Elder John Jones. On the 11th
I went to Treboeth and was kindly received by the
Saints there and stayed there all night. On the 12th I went to Kidwelly and was kindly received there and met with them in
prayer meeting and united in prayer and stayed there all night. On the 13th
went to Carmarthen and met with the Saints there and spoke on the necessity of
revelation in the last days as in all dispensations and Elder Benjamin Jones
exhorted the saints in the Welsh language and some of the saints bore testimony
of the work.
. On the 14th I arrived in Pembroke where
I stayed on the 15th . On the 16th went to
Pater and preached on the principles of the Gospel and returned home to
Pembroke the same night where I stayed on the 17th and 18th
and spent part of those days in writing. On the 19th I went to Lawrenny and preached there and visited Brother and Sister
James who were sick and administered unto them ,in anointing with oil in the
name of the Lord and laid on hands. On the 20th I went to Pater and
visited the Saints and returned to Pembroke where I stayed. On the 21st
I visited some saints in News
Island and engaged in
prayer with them.
On the 22nd I went to Haverfordwest and found the Saints there rejoicing in the
truth and the power of God had been made manifest among them during my absence
at Conference, in the power and gift of healing by the laying on of hands and
prayer and faith in the name of the Lord. On the 23rd being Sunday
we met in the Chapel in the morning and held a prayer meeting and in the
afternoon met at the house of Brother John Griffiths and spoke a little on the
principles of the Gospel, a stranger being present, after which I administered
the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. At night I preached in the Chapel on the
necessity of God being a God of revelation in all ages when he had a people on
the earth. On the 24th went to Brother John Thomas to Skerryford and visited some saints there and held a prayer
meeting and administered to one that was sick by laying on of hands and prayer
in the name of the Lord and she was healed, after which I returned to Haverfordwest and went to the house of Brother Griffiths
where we held a prayer meeting and I spoke a little on the necessity of prayer.
On the 25th I went to Lawrenny and preached on the coming of Christ and on the 26th
held a meeting with the saints at the house of Brother James and exhorted them
to union and to assemble themselves together often. On the 27th I went to Pater
and from there to Pembroke where I stayed on the 28th and 29th
and visited the saints in News
Island. On the 30th
I went to Haverford west held a meeting with the Saints in the house of Brother
Griffiths and administered the ordinance of the Lord's supper
after which the saints bore testimony of the work. At night I preached in the
chapel on the principles of the Gospel.
On the 31st I went to Marloes and held a meeting with the Saints there and
ordained Brother John Ormond Sr. to the office of an Elder and the first day
of February I went to Lawrenny and administered
the ordinance of baptism to two women, names of Charlotte and Maria Enyon, after which I preached on the necessity of obedience
to the commands of God. I went to Pembroke that same night. On the four
following days I remained in Pembroke attending to my own private business and
on Sunday the 6th I went to Carew and preached to a large
congregation on the principles of the Gospel and returned to Pembroke that
night where I remained the two following days. On the 9th I went to Lawrenny and preached on the necessity of the Gospel being
restored in these last days after which I confirmed two by the laying on of
hands and returned to Pembroke where I remained the three following days. On
Sunday the 13th I went to Haverfordwest
and preached at night in the Chapel on the faith of immediate revelation and
had some opposition.
On the 14th I went to Skerryford and visited Sister Page and returned to Haverfordwest and held a meeting in the house of Brother
Griffiths and addressed the Saints on the necessity of watchfulness and prayer
and the Priesthood magnifying their offices. On the 15th I went to Lawrenny, where I baptized two and afterwards preached on
the principles of the Gospel. On the 16th went to see about
preaching at Carew but the door was closed and I could not preach there again
and I returned to Pembroke that night. On the 17th I went to Pater
to look for the Stars and spent the day with the saints there and returned to
Pembroke. On the 18th went to News Island
and visited with the Saints and engaged in prayer with them and remained in
Pembroke on the 19th.
On the 20th went to Haverford
west and met with the saints in the house of Brother John Griffiths and
administered the sacrament and settled some things that had been out of order
and at night preached in the Chapel. On the 21st went to Skerryford and held a prayer meeting with the saints. On
the 22nd went to Lawrenny and preached
after which I confirmed the two baptized the week before. On the 23rd
returned to Pembroke where I remained the three following days. On the 27th
went to Haverford west and preached in the house of Brother Griffiths in the
afternoon the principles of the Gospel, and in the
Chapel at night on the dealings of God with His saints in all ages. On the 28th
went to Skerryford and held a prayer meeting with
some of the saints, after which I spoke on the duty of man hearing the words of
Jesus, in doing them that they may be built on a sure foundation. Some
strangers were present. On the 29th I went to Lawrenny
and preached.
On March 1st I went to Neyland and preached to a large congregation on the first
principles of the Gospel and returned to Pembroke that night. On the 2nd
I went to Pater and visited the saints there and returned to Pembroke where I
remained the two following days.
On the 5th I went to Haverfordwest and preached in the afternoon at the house of
Brother John Griffiths on the principles of the gospel to some strangers
present after which I administered the sacrament. At night I preached in the
Chapel and they mauled me up some. On the 6th I went out to Skerryford and visited Sister Page and at night went to the
Chapel to preach but after commencing was prevented by a mob they came into the
Chapel and Brother Thomas was abused and his face was covered with blood and
dirt.
On the 7th I went to Wintern to Brother Ormonds and
spent some time that night conversing with some of the saints on different
subjects connected with the gospel. On the 8th I went to Lawrenny and preached there that night. On the 9th
I went to Pembroke and remained there the two following days.
On the 12th went to Haverfordwest and preached in the Chapel that night and the
Chapel was filled with men and boys who commenced shouting and hurrahing,, and
some of them shut the, door to prevent us ,from coming
out and a crowd of people assembled in the street and when we came out some of
them threw dirt at me. On the 13th I preached at night at the house
of Brother John Griffiths. On the 14th I appeared before the
Magistrate with Brother Thomas against the one who had abused him at the
Chapel, when Brother Thomas had to pay all the expenses. I inquired of them if
they would protect me and they told me I must ascertain from the Clerk of Peace
whether the Chapel is registered and one of them asked me what Brother Spencer
meant by the words, Being Commissioned by Jesus Christ. I told him it was
receiving authority from God. He said he should not like anyone belonging to
him to hear such Doctrine. I told him I should like him and all others to hear
our Doctrine (His name was Parry). One of them by the name of Smith ordered me
and told me they did not want my preaching any doctrines there. Then I went to
the Clerk of Peace to try to ascertain the registration of the Chapel but could
not. I went to Lawrenny and preached that night after
which I went to Pembroke. On the 15th I went to Neyland
and preached on the restoration of all things and afterward returned to
Pembroke where I remained the three following days. On the 19th I
went to Haverford west and returned the same night to Pembroke where I remained
on the 20th . On the 21st went
to Lawrenny and preached. On the 22nd went
to the pier head in Pater with the intention of going to Neyland
to preach but could not get a boat to cross the ferry, owing to bad weather
after which I returned to Pembroke where I stayed on the 23rd
.
On the 24th went to Pater and
preached in the house of sister Obrey on the
principles of the Gospel. On the 25th remained in Pembroke. On the
26th went to Haverfordwest and preached in
the afternoon at Skerryford and at night at the house
of Brother John Griffiths and stayed there the following day and had prayer
meeting at night. On the 28th went to Lawrenny
and preached at night on the Restoration. On the 29th went down the
river in a boat in company with some of the saints to Neyland
and preached there and returned to Pembroke that night where I remained on the
30th. On the 31st went to Pater with the intention of
preaching but could not get any congregation.
April 1st I remained in Pembroke. On the 2nd
went to Lawrenny and preached there in the afternoon
and returned to Pembroke where I remained the following day. On the 4th
went again to Lawrenny and preached that night. On
the 5th went to Neyland and preached there
that night and returned to Pembroke where I remained the three following days.
On the 9th I went to Haverfordwest and
preached in the afternoon and at night and administered to some that were sick
by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil in the name of the Lord. On
the 10th went to Marloes and met with the
saints there. Three were cut off by the orders of the council in Merthyr. Their names were Isaac Matthews, William Ormond, Betsy Ormond.
On the 11th I went to Lawrenny and preached that night after which I administered
the ordinance of Baptism to a man by the name of Francis Purlow.
On the 12th I went to Neyland and preached
and returned to Pembroke that night where I remained the three following days.
On the 16thwent to Haverfordwest and met
with the saints in the afternoon and administered the ordinance of the Lords
supper and exhorted the saints to diligence and union and at night held a
prayer meeting, no one coming to hear preaching. On the 18th went to
Lawrenny preached and confirmed the one previously
baptized. On the 19th went to Neyland and
preached. On the 20th stayed in Pembroke. On the 21st went and
preached at Lawrenny. On the 22nd stayed at Pembroke.
On the 22nd and 23rd
met with the saints and administered the ordinance of the Lords Supper and the
saints bore testimony of the work of the Lord. At night I preached at Skerryford and on the 24th returned to Pembroke.
On the 25th went to Lawrenny and preached
there. On the 26th went to Neyland and
preached and returned to Pembroke that night where I remained the three
following days. On the 30th I went to Lawrenny
and held meetings with the saints and administered the Ordinance of the Lords
supper and exhorted the saints and some of them bore testimony of the work and
I preached at night.
May 1st stayed in Pembroke. On the 2nd
preached again in Lawrenny. On the 3rd
preached at Neyland returned to Pembroke..On the 7th went to Haverfordwest
and administered the ordinance of the Lords Supper and preached at night on the
necessity of the angel coming with the Everlasting Gospel, in the last days. I
administered with oil unto Brother Thomas. On the 8th I preached at Skerryford. On the 9th I went to Lawrenny and preached there that night.
On the 10th I administered the
ordinance of baptism to a young woman by the name of Esther Eynon.
She was carried out of bed to be baptized and I afterward confirmed her by the
laying on of hands after which I returned to Pembroke where I remained on the
11th and 12th On the 13th went to Lawrenny and administered to the young sister previously
baptized by the anointing with oil in the name of the Lord and the laying on of
hands after which I went to Haverfordwest. On the 14th
I preached there three times and had some opposition. I administered the Lords
Supper and took my leave of the saints.
On the 15th left on my way for Merthyr in accordance to the counsel of President Dan Jones
and arrived in Carmarthen that night. On the
16th I left Carmarthen and arrived
in Kidwelly where I stayed that night and met with
the saints in prayer meeting. On the 17th I left Kidwelly
and arrived in Llanelli where I met Elder Abel Evans
and some more of the brethren and we sent the Town Cryer
out to publish a meeting that night at seven o'clock when I preached to a large
congregation in English and Elder Abel Evans in the Welsh language and I spoke
a little in English.
On 19th I left on my way back
to Pembrokeshire in accordance with the council of
President Jones and arrived in Llanelli that night
and met in a meeting with some of the saints and bore testimony with them of
the work of the Lord. On the 20th I left and arrived in Pembroke
that night. On the 21st I went to Lawrenny
and was received kindly by the saints there and administered the ordinance of
the Lords Supper and some of the saints bore testimony of the work after which
I returned to Pembroke where I stayed the following day. On the 23rd
went again to Lawrenny and preached there that night.
On the 24th I stayed in Pembroke. On the 25th went to
Carew and preached in the open air. On the two following days I remained in
Pembroke. On the 28th went to Haverfordwest
and met with the saints and preached that night remained there the following
day and met with some of the Brethren and held a prayer meeting. On the 30th
went to Lawrenny and preached. On the 31st
went to Carew and preached in the open air.
June 1st one of her Majesties ships of Eighty guns The Colossos by name
was launched in Pembroke Dock yard. Tues 14th I went to Stepaside and preached on the first principles of the
gospel in the open air to a large and attentive Congregation and in the
afternoon preached in the open air at Saundersfoot
and returned to Pembroke that night where I remained the following day. On the
6th I went to Lawrenny and administered to
a young sister and went to Carew and preached in the open air. On the 8th
went to Neyland and preached in the open air and came
to Pembroke where I remained the two following days. On the 11th I
went to Haverfordwest and administered the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper in the afternoon and preached at night.
On the 12th I went to Skerryford with the intention of baptizing a man but was
prevented by a Blackguard Mob who assembled and some stones were thrown at him
while returning home and stones were also thrown at the door his house after he
went home and I was reviled and shouted at. On the 13th I went to Skerryford and baptized the one I had been prevented from
baptizing the night before. The mans name was Thomas Noot. That afternoon I went to Lawrenny
and preached that night. On the 14th I preached in the open air at
Carew. On the 15th I stayed in Pembroke
On the 16th went to Stepaside and preached in the open air and returned to
Pembroke where I had to stay the following week owing to my feet being so bad
that I could not travel. On the 26th I went again to Stepaside and preached in the open air and returned to
Pembroke where I had to stay the following week owing to the badness of my
feet.
July 2nd I went to Haverfordwest
and administered the sacrament and confirmed Thomas Noot
and preached at night. On the 3rd held a prayer meeting at night. On
the 4th went to Lawrenny and preached that
night. On the 5th went to Pembroke.
On the 9th I went to Milford where I went on board the Troubadour Steam Packet
and arrived in Bristol
on the 10th. On the 11th I went on board the Severn Steam
Packet to Newport
in Monmouthshire and arrived in Abersychan
where I was kindly received by Elder Prothers and his
wife. On the 12th I met with the saints in meeting and exhorted them
to union and the teachings of the priesthood and some of them administered to
my needs. On the 13th I went to Penycae
where I met with the saints there and heard them bear their testimony of the
work of the Lord and to the knowledge they had received of it through obedience
to the commands of the gospel and I spoke a little on the blessings to be
received.
On the 14th I went to Victoria and visited the
saints there and returned to Penycae and preached on
the first principles of the gospel. On the 15th went to Merthyr where I met with President Dan Jones. On the 16th
met in conference in the White Lion Room in Merthyr
where Brother Jones presided over the conference and a great number of saints
and officers were present and some good teachings were given by the President
during the day and the accounts were cheering from all parts, of the prosperity
of the work and there were nine hundred and thirty two (932) baptized in the
last six months. On the 17th we met again when many were called to
the priesthood and the President calling the weak and foolish things of the
earth to confound the wisdom of the wise after which several hundred sat down
to tea and the day closed with rejoicing.
On the 18th met with several of
the Elders at the house of Elder Jones to settle some affairs of the church. On
the 19th went to Penycae and returned to Merthyr on the 20th when I took my leave of
President Jones and the 21st I took my departure, in company with my
daughter and arrived in Treboeth that night and
lodged in the house of Brother Elder Joseph Matthews.
On the 22nd I went to Kidwelly and lodged at the house of Sister Lewis and On 23rd
met with the saints of Pont Yates Branch in Carmarthen and partook of the
sacrament with them and spoke a little to them and the saints bore testimony of
the work and the power of the Spirit was made manifest in gifts of tongues and
interpretation of tongues. At night I preached in Kidwelly.
On the 24th I went to Carmarthen
and met with some of the saints in prayer meeting and lodged that night at the
house of Brother Davies.
On the 25th I left by the
Phoenix Steam Packet for Tenby and arrived in
Pembroke the same night. On the 27th I went to Lawrenny
and attended the funeral of sister Esther Eynon who died on the 24th and I preached that
night on the resurrection and returned to Pembroke where I remained the two
following days. On the 30th I went again to Lawrenny
and administered the ordinance of the Lords Supper and ordained Brother John
Griffiths to the office of a priest. On the 31st I went to Haverfordwest and held a meeting with the saints and
ordained Brother Thomas Noot to the office of a
priest.
August 1st went to Lawrenny
and preached there that night. On the 3rd went to Pater and visited
the saints there and returned to Pembroke. On the 6th I started to
go to Stoppers side and went as far as Carew when I found it had not been
published. I then returned and went to Lawrenny met
with the saints and administered the sacrament in the afternoon and the saints
bore testimony of the work and at night I preached on the order of the kingdom of God. On the 8th I preached
there again and on the 9th returned to Pembroke. On the 10th
I went to Stoppers side but did not have anyone to preach to and on the 11th
returned home.
On the 13th I went to Haverfordwest and met with the saints in the afternoon in
the house of Brother John Thomas and administered the sacrament and blessed
Brother Thomas' child and the saints bore testimony of the work. At night I
preached in a house at Key Street
on the principles of the gospel and On the 14th
I preached again in the same house. I spoke on the Angel bringing the Gospel in
the last days. On the 15th went to Lawrenny
and preached there on the same subject. On the 16th went to Neyland and preached on the principals of the gospel and
returned home.
On the 20th I went to Stepaside and preached on the Order of the Kingdom and the
necessity of apostles and prophets being in the church with the Gifts of the
Spirit. At night I preached at Burows on the first
Principals. On the 21st preached again at Stepaside
on the necessity of faith and obedience to the commands of God. On the 22nd
I went to Narberth and preached in the open air on the principals of the
Gospel. On the 23rd went to Lawrenny and
preached there on the principles of the gospel. On the 24th went to Neyland and preached on the same and returned home where I
remained on the 25th. On the 26th I went to Lawrenny and administered unto Sister Martha Eynon by anointing with oil in the name of the Lord and by
the laying on of hands for a pain in the legs and the pain abated according to
her own testimony after which I went to Haverfordwest.
On the 27th I went to Broadway
and preached on the principals of the gospel in the morning at Nowlton, and in the afternoon and at night at Suton on the necessity of the angel bringing the gospel to
the earth in these last days. On the 23rd I preached in Haverfordwest. On the 29th went to Narberth and
could not get up a meeting. On the 30th I went to Burows and preached on the principals of the Gospel. On the
31st returned home and went to Neyland and
preached that night.
On Sunday Sept. 3rd I
went to Freystrop where I met Brother Noot and he spoke a little after which I commenced to
preach on the principles of the gospel but was opposed or interrupted and was
obliged to close after which I went to Lawrenny and
met with the saints and administered the sacrament of the Lords Supper and
exhorted the saints on the necessity of union and administered to a sister by
the name of Fanny Eynon by the anointing with oil in
the name of the Lord and by the laying on of hands. She was laboring under a
burning fever and she was instantly healed according to her own testimony,
after which I returned home. On the 5th went again to Lawrenny and preached. On the 6th went to the Burows and could not preach that night. On the 7th
I went to Narberth and I sent the town crier to publish preaching for the
following Sunday and returned to the Burows and
preached that night on the necessity of the Angel bringing the Gospel Message
to the earth in these last days. On the 8th I returned home.
On the 9th I went to try to
have a copy of a license signed by the Magistrate of Pembroke for protection
according to the laws of the land but was rejected by a clergyman because I was
a Mormon after which I went to Lawrenny to prepare to
go to Narbeth on the 10th. I was prevented
owing to the weather. I met with the Lawrenny saints
in the afternoon and administered the sacrament and the saints bore testimony
of the work and at night we held a prayer meeting. On the 11th went
to Pater and from there to Pembroke where I remained the two following days. On
the 14th went to Neyland. On the 15th
went to Haverfordwest. On the 17th went to
Narberth and preached in the afternoon in English and Brother Thomas Hughes in
Welsh and at night went to a small village called Egypt where we preached to a large
congregation. Brother Hughes in Welsh and myself in English.
On the 18th I returned to Haverfordwest
and preached that night and on the 19th went to Lawrenny
and preached. On the 20th returned home. On the 21st went
to Neyland and preached and returned home the same
night where I remained the two following days. On the 24th went to
Narberth and preached twice in the open air in English and Brother Hughes in
Welsh. On the 25th I went to Haverfordwest
and On the 26th to Lawrenny
and preached. On the 27th went to Egypt and couldn't preach owing to
it not being published. I went to the Burows that
night to sleep and on the 28th I returned home where I remained the
four following days owing to my feet being bad from traveling.
Oct. 3rd went to Lawrenny
and On the 5th to Neyland
but did not preach and returned home that night. On the 7th went to Haverfordwest and On the 8th met with the saints
and administered the sacrament in the afternoon and at night preached in Key street on the
restoration and returned home on the 9th .
On the 11th went to Lawrenny. On the 12th
to Neyland and preached and returned home where I
stayed on the 13th . On the 14th
I went to Haverfordwest. On the 15th went
in company with brother Noot to Nolton
and preached in the morning and at Broadway in the afternoon after which we
returned to Haverfordwest. On the 16th I
administered the ordinance of Baptism to William Thomas of Broadway and
confirmed him afterward.
On the 17th went to Lawrenny and preached that night and on the 18th
went to Pater and returned home owing to bad weather until the 24th
when I went to Lawrenny where I was taken sick and
returned on the 25th where I remained laboring under disease of the
body having no Elder to administer unto me until Nov 3 when Elder Ormond
came and administered unto me by anointing with oil in the name of the Lord and
by laying on of hands and prayer and the disease was rebuked and I again began
to recover strength.
Nov 5th I went to Cold Blow and
preached in English and Brother Thomas Hughes in Welsh after which I went to Saundersfoot and from there to the Burows
and slept that night. On the 6th went to Haverfordwest
and administered the ordinance of Baptism to Lettitia
Thomas wife of Brother William Thomas of Broadway after which we held a meeting
with the saints and confirmed her by the laying on of hands. On the 7th
went to Lawrenny and preached there and on the 8th
returned home. On the 9th went to Neyland
and preached in the house of Brother Enyon went home
after where I stayed on the 10th. On the 11th.
went to Haverfordwest. On the 12th. went in company with
Brother Griffiths to Broadway and preached in the afternoon on the order of the
Kingdom of God. At night we went to Broad Haven and
Brother Griffiths administered the ordinance of Baptism to Thomas Reese of
Broadway after which I confirmed him by the laying on of hands and we returned
to Haverfordwest that night. On the 13th I
preached at Skerryford and on the 14th
went to Lawrenny and preached there.
On the 15th went to Neyland preached on the Kingdom of God
to an attentive Congregation after which I administered the ordinance of
baptism to Robert Obrey and then returned home where
I remained the three following days. On the 19th went to Lawrenny and met with the saints confirmed Robert Obrey and administered the ordinance of the Lords Supper
and the saints bore testimony of the work. On the 21st I preached
again at Lawrenny and on the 22nd at Neyland and the 24th went to Haverfordwest.
On the 26th to Broadway and preached in the afternoon, and at night
went to Broad Haven and administered the ordinance of baptism to John Reese of
Broadway and confirmed him the same night. On the 27th met with the
saints in Haverfordwest when John Thomas priest was
cut off by vote of the church and by order of the Merthyr
Council for rebelling against the authority. On the 28th went to Stepaside held a prayer meeting at night at the Burows. On the 29th preached there and held a meeting with
the saints after wards.
(Continued in
the White Leather Book on film in the Genealogical Library, Salt Lake City, Utah)
....and administered to brother
Hugh Merriman by the laying on of hands in the name of the Lord and he was
healed. On the 30th I went to Saundersfoot
and preached on the principles of the Gospel.
December 1st I returned to Pembroke and on the 3rd
went to Haverfordwest and met with the Saints and
administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper in the afternoon, and at night
preached. On the 4th went to Broadway and administered to a child of
Brother William Thomas who was laboring under a violent fever. I anointed it
with oil in the name of Jesus and prayed over it and laid hands on it and the
fever left it immediately.
On the 5th I returned by Haverfordwest and from there to Lawrenny
and preached at night. On the 6th I returned home and on the 9th
I went to Haverfordwest. On the 10th to
Broadway and preached in the afternoon and at night met with the Saints and
administered the ordinance of the Lord's supper and
some of the brethren bore testimony of the work. On the 11th I
administered the ordinance of baptism to Rebecca Rees wife of Brother Thomas
Rees and confirmed her afterwards. On the 12th I returned to
Haverford West and on the 13th went to see about getting the house
of Bro. Thomas Reese of Broadway Licensed for preaching after which I went to Neyland and administered the ordinance of baptism to
Elizabeth Eynon wife of Brother James Eynon and confirmed her afterwards. On the 14th
I went to Pater and from there home.
On the 16th I went to the
Burrows and on the 17th met with the saints in the morning and
administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and the Saints bore Testimony
of the work. In the afternoon I went in company with Elder Thomas Hughs to Cold Blow where Elder Hughs
preached in Welsh and I in English on the authority of the Kingdom, after which
we returned to the Burrows where Elder Daniel Williams preached on the
Principles of the Gospel and I bore testimony. On the 18th went to Saundersfoot where I commenced the meeting by singing and
prayer and Elder Williams preached. On the 19th I went to Lawrenny and preached there and on the 20th
returned home. On the 24th went to Broadway and preached in the
afternoon and went to Haverford West and on the 25th returned home.
On the 27th went to the Burrows. On the 28th went to Llanelli, and arrived in Merthyr
on the 30th.
On the 31st met in conference and on the 1st
of January 1849 Pembrokeshire was organized a
conference and me to .............
(Here the diary
leaves off and nothing more is recorded until 1850)
I was rebaptized
by Elder C.H. Wheelock in the house of Elder William Henshaw, no. 15 Queens
parade, Newport Monmouthshire on the 19th
day of August 1850 and re-confirmed on the 20th Aug under the hands
of Elder Wheelock and Dr. Levi Richards.
August the 14th I went to Lawrenny and preached. On the 15th went to Step
side where I met with the Saints. Elder John Price and myself
addressed them on the necessity of receiving the word of the Lord as given
through his servants in these last days. On the 16th I went to Tenby and from there to Llanelli
on bard the Steam Packet Atlas and from there to Swansea by coach where I met
with Dr. Levi Richards and took supper with him and Sister Richards and slept
at the house of Elder John Rees Roberts and of the 17th I went by
third class train to Newport Monmouthshire in company
with Brother and Sister Richards and Brother Roberts of Swansea. On the 18th
I met in conference with Elders Wheelock, Dr. Levi Richards, Haden Church
and Wm. Henshaw and a number of other Elders and some
glorious principles were taught by Elder Richards and Wheelock to a large and
attentive congregation in town hall.
On the 19th I attended a tea party in the
Sunderland Rooms when a large and respectable company sat down to tea, after
which the audience was addressed by Elders Roberts of Swansea, Giles, President
of the Monmouthshire conference, myself and Dr.
Richards, Elder George Halliday from Bristol and C.H. Wheelock, and we had a time of rejoicing. On the 20th
in the evening I met with the Saints and spoke a little on the necessity of
obedience and Dr. Levi Richards spoke on the Missouri Persecutions and the
necessity of the Saints making an effort on sacrifice to assist in bringing
about their own salvation in contributing to the perpetual immigrating fund and
in paying their tithing, and Brother C.H. Wheelock spoke
to the same effect and some of the saints bore testimony to the truth.
On the 21st I went in company with Elders
Haden Church and George Adams through to Pontypool to
Abersychan and slept in the house of Elder George
Jones and on the 22nd I visited some of the saints and preached at
night in the Long Room at Duffields Brewery and slept
at the house of Elder Christopher Arthur and on the 23rd I went to Blaina and stayed at the house of Elder Thomas Parry. On
the 24th I visited Elder Charles Taylor formerly of Ceniarly hill ____, Staffordshire.
On Sunday the 25th I met with
some of the officers and Saints in the morning in their school and in the
afternoon we partook of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and the saints were
addressed by Elders Parry, Taylor and myself on the necessity of union and
obedience to the word of the Lord as given through His servants in these last
days and at night Elder Parry and myself preached to an attentive congregation
on the foolishness of sign-seeking and the necessity of Faith and obedience to
the commands of Jesus and signs follow them that believe. On the 26th
I went to Penycae and Victoria and met in council
that night in the house of ________ with a number of the officers belonging to
the Monmouthshire Conference.
On the 27th I visited some of
the saints in Victoria
and slept that night and the night previous in the house of one Matthew
Griffiths in Penycae in company with Elder John
Griffiths who was married to my wifes sister and was
lodging in said house.
On the 28th I went in company
with Elder David Jones to Tredegar and visited some of the saints there and
slept at the house of Brother William Davis and on the 29th I went
to Merthyr where I met with President William
Phillips and received a letter from my wife to inform me of the death of my
youngest child, Hyrum Smith Morris, I attended a meeting that night among the
Welsh Saints in the Large Room, White Lion, and the meeting was addressed by
Elders Thomas, Harris,______, Edwards and myself on the necessity of obeying
the Priesthood. Elder John Davis sang a song on the testimony of the Saints and
President Phillips spoke on the different glorys and
exhorted the saints to faithfulness in order to receive a Celestial glory.
On the 30th I spent the day in Penydarren and wrote a letter to Council Bluffs to my Father-in-law and went
to Merthyr in the evening and posted it and returned
to Penydarren and slept at the house of Sister Mary
Ann Davis. On the 31st I went to Merthyr
to Pres. William Phillips and spent some of the next day in conversation with
Dr. Levi Richards and wife and returned to Penydarren
at night and slept at the afore mentioned house.
On Sunday morning I _______ I met
with the saints in Penydarren where Elder John Davis
spoke a little and afterwards I spoke on the necessity of obedience to the word
and commands of the Lord and the evils resulting from disobedience in all ages.
In the afternoon we met again, when the saints were exhorted by their Pres.
Elder John Jones on the necessity of walking orderly and uprightly and of
living in union and administered the sacrament. Afterwards I spoke on the order
of the Priesthood and the necessity of receiving and obeying its councils.
At night I went to Merthyr
where Elder James Williams spoke a little on the necessity of being built on a
sure foundation and I preached after him on the same subject showing that
foundation to be the word of the Lord as it is revealed to man and the
necessity of receiving the word as it is written in the Book of Mormon, D.
& C. or any other book written by an inspired man in these last days as
well as believing that which was written by inspiration in the Bible and also
the necessity of obeying the commands of the Gospel that they may be made
partakers of the gift of the Holy Ghost that they may know the truth of the
word and enjoy its promises after which I went to the house of Pres. Wm.
Phillips, where I got a blessing under the hands of Dr. Levi Richards, Pres.
William Phillips and Elder John Davis, counselor to Pres. Phillips, when I took
my leave of them and returned to Penydarren and slept
at the same house.
On the 2nd I took my leave of
the saints there and went in company with Elder David Williams, President of
the Carmarthenshire Conference and Elder Eliser
Edwards and we walked together to Hirwaun, and
Brother Williams and myself afterwards rode together in a cart nearly to Neath, we then walked to Morriston
from where we rode in a van to Swansea where we met her, Elder Williams wife.
We then went to the house of Elder John R. Roberts and met with him and Elder
Evan Williams, Pres. of the Swansea Conference, where we took tea and
afterwards went by coach to Llanelli where we arrived
that night and slept at Brother ______ house.
On the 3rd I left Llanelli and walked to Pendelo a
distance of 26 miles and arrived that night at Elder John Thains
fathers house where I was kindly received by Elder Thain
and slept there that night and on the morning of the 6th I left for Pembroke
and arrived home to my family that night after walking a distance of 16 miles
that day and was very much fatigued.
(On the bottom
half of this page on the film, it looked like a paper had been placed over
it...The following entry in the diary was made by Mary Ormond Morris George,
his wife.
North Ogden, Aug. the 27 1856
I, Mary George, Daughter of John and
Elizabeth Ormond was born on Friday night and half past 10 o'clock on the 2 Feb
1821 in the Parish of Dale, County of Pembroke, South Wales, Old England, was
baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Wednesday
night of the last day of May 1843, was married to Elder John Morris, native of
England on the 31st day of October 1847. First child born on Fri. morning at a
quarter after 5 o'clock on the 6th day of January 1849 in the Parish of St. Marystown , Co. of Pembroke, South Wales, Old England. Called his Name Joseph Smith Morris. Second
child born on the Thursday night at half after 11 o'clock on the 19th day of
July 1850 in the Parish of Monkton, Co. of Pembroke, So. Wales, Old England. Called his name Hyrum
Smith Morris, and he died August the 27th and was
buried in the same parish. Set sail from Liverpool to America on the
17th day of October 1850. We were on the sea 5 weeks and 1 day arrived at New Orleans and from thence to St. Louis. Buried my husband at the Gravoy's, near St.
Louis. He died on the 6th of Sept. 1851. I soon after
left St. Louis
with my Step-daughter Sarah Ann Morris and my son Joseph Smith Morris and
arrived at Kanesville on the day 6 weeks that I
buried their father, both children very sick but in the course of the winter
both recovered. Stayed that winter with my father who had
lived for some time near Kanesville and started with
him on the 6th of June for the Valley and arrived in the Valley on the 6th of
Sept. 1852.
Was married to William
George on the 31 day of October 1852. Third child born at Brigham City on Friday night at half after 10
o'clock on the 13 of January 1854. Called his name George
Alma.
4th Child....John William born 16 Jan.
1855 died 11 Aug. 1855
5th Child....James Mosiah
born 29 Aug. 1856
6th Child.....Harriet Ellen
born 18 Mar 1858
7th Child.....Mary Ann born 6
Apr 1859
8th Child....Elizabeth Lucy born 13 Apr.
1862 died 25 Feb. 1863
I was on the 16th of Nov. 1870, baptized
for my grandmother, Dorothy Morgan Lewis, daughter of David and Sarah Morgan;
she was born in the County
of Pembroke 1776. Also for my Aunt Caroline Lewis daughter of David and Dorothy
Lewis, born in Co. of Pembroke in 1816, also for my Great Grandmother Sarah
Edwards Morgan, born in the Co. of Pembroke in 1723. Also
for my Great Grandmother Mary Goff Ormond born in Co. of Pembroke in 1730.
Also for my Great Grandmother Mary Ormond, born in Co. of
Pembroke in 1690. Also for my Great Aunt Elizabeth
Butler born in Co. of Pembroke in 1764. Also for my First husbands first
wife Sarah Bray Morris, died in 1840 in Monmouthshire
South Wales. Father's name John Bray.
On the same day, my Father was baptized
for his Father Richard Ormond, born 1769. Also for his grandfather John Ormond born 1730 also for his Great grandfather John Ormond
born 1690. Also for his grandfather David Morgan born 1723, also for his step
father David Lewis born 1794. Also for his cousin Esex
James born 1787. Also for his Uncle
John Butler born 1766 also for his cousin Peter Butler born in East India in 1801.
My Father and I was
sealed on the 16th of Nov. 1870 for his Father and Mother, Richard Ormond and
Dorothy Morgan Lewis, also for his grandfather and grandmother David and Sarah
Edwards Morgan, also his grandfather and grandmother John and Mary Goff Ormond.
Also his grandfather and grandmother John and Mary
Ormond.
My Father John Ormond was on the 9th April
1877 baptized. for
Uncles: Uncles-in-law:
John Morgan born 1756 Thomas Williams born
1758
James Morgan " 1759
Esex Martin " 1757
Thomas Morgan "
1758 Joseph Picton " 1758
Peter Butler " 1758
I was baptized same day for my grand
aunts:
Elizabeth Martin born 1756
Sarah Williams "
1752
Jane Butler " 1756
Jane Morgan " 1756
