"On Sunday, March 1, 1840, Elder Wilford Woodruff was holding a meeting in Hanley, Staffordshire, England. During the meeting, Woodruff heard the Spirit tell him that, “This is the last meeting that you will hold with this people for many days.” Persuaded by an English colleague, William Benbow, to preach to his family, Woodruff set off for Herefordshire in the South.
William’s brother John Benbow was a wealthy landowner and invited Woodruff to stay with him. On the evenings of March 5 and 6, the Benbows invited their neighbours to hear the American missionary preach. Within a few days, Woodruff converted 13 people, six of whom were baptised in a pond on the Benbow farm. “Benbow Pond” is now owned by the Church."
William’s brother John Benbow was a wealthy landowner and invited Woodruff to stay with him. On the evenings of March 5 and 6, the Benbows invited their neighbours to hear the American missionary preach. Within a few days, Woodruff converted 13 people, six of whom were baptised in a pond on the Benbow farm. “Benbow Pond” is now owned by the Church."
More than 600 people would be baptized in Benbow Pond including many preachers and clerks.
Wilford Woodruff had to clear land in order for baptisms to take place in the pond. Can you imagine being newly converted to the gospel and stepping into that green murk?
I am thankful to those early Saints, both the missionaries and the investigators, who had so much faith. The Church has grown and will continue to spread forth because of their sacrifice.
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