'Go ye into all the world. . .'
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At a time of difficulty in the Church, with some of the Saints faltering in their faith, the Lord called the Quorum of the Twelve to leave Kirtland, Ohio, and to go preach the gospel in England. He promised them, "In whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word." (Doctrine and Covenants 112:19) Within eight months, hundreds of converts had joined the Church in England.
Two years later, Elder Wilford Woodruff, a newly ordained apostle, traveled to England with other members of the Quorum of the Twelve. A recollection of Elder Woodruff from this period reflects the faith and dedication of the Brethren to do what the Lord required, even if they did not immediately understand the reason for it. He said:
"When we were sent to England, we were sent by revelation. I went into the Staffordshire potteries with Brother Alfred Cordon. We were doing a splendid work, baptizing almost every night, and I thought it was the finest mission I ever was on. I went into the town of Hanley one night, and attended meeting in a large hall, which was filled to overflowing. The Spirit of the Lord came upon me and said that that was the last meeting I should hold with that people for many days. I told the people that that was the last meeting I should be with them. After the meeting, they asked me where I was going. I told them I did not know. In the morning I asked the Lord what He wanted of me. He merely said, 'Go to the south.' I got into the stage and rode 80 miles. The first man's house I stopped at was John Benbow's in Herefordshire. In half an hour after I entered the house I knew exactly why the Lord had sent me. There was a people there who had been praying for the ancient order of things. They were waiting for the gospel as it was taught by Christ and his apostles. The consequence was, for the first 30 days after I got there I baptized 600 of those people. In eight month's labor in that country I brought eighteen hundred into the Church. Why? Because there was a people prepared for the gospel, and the Lord sent me there to do that work. I have always had to give God the glory for everything good that has happened to me; for I have realized by what power it came." (Deseret Weekly, Nov. 7, 1896, p. 643; quoted by Elder Howard W. Hunter at April 1979 general conference.)
