150 years ago today - Jan 1, 1871

[Wilford Woodruff]

I refered to the various periods & years which we had looked forward to with interest. I refered to 1831, the great Eclips upon the Sun, Also 1860, the great division in the United States the 4 years war the Earth deluged in Blood Before 1866. This war was Prophesied of By Joseph Smith some 25 years before it took place. I spoke of 1870, and we had now approached a period when Evry year was big with Events. The fullfillment of Prophesy & Revelation was at our doors. Zion was destined to arise, the Kingdom of God to be Esstablished, Great Babylon to Fall, the Plagues & Judgmets of God to be poured out upon the Christian world, the Jews to be gathered home to Zion Jerusalem to rebuild their City & Temple The Ten tribes to return from the North Country & the rivers to be turned to Blood as John the Revelator saw them & the way prepared for the Coming of the Son of Man. I Bore my Testimony of the Calling of Joseph Smith & Brigham Young & the Prophets & Apostles in the latter days. The spirit of God rested upon me.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]