"I obeyed the revelation to me, and I did not go on board, but took another steamer.
"The first steamer started at dark, with two hundred passengers on board. When five miles down the Ohio river it took fire and burned the tiller ropes, so that the vessel could not reach the shore, and the lives of nearly all on board were lost either by fire or water. We arrived in safety at our destination, by obeying the revelation of the Spirit of God to us.
"In another instance, after attending a large annual conference in Salt Lake City, and, having a good deal of business to attend to, I was somewhat weary, and at the close of the conference I thought L would repair to my home and have a rest.
"As I went into the yard the Spirit said to me, 'Take your team and go to the farm,' which is some three miles south of the Tabernacle.
"As I was hitching the horse to the wagon Mrs. Woodruff asked where I was going.
"I said, 'To the farm.'
"'What for?' she asked.
"'I do not know,' I replied; but when I arrived there I found out.
"The creek had overflowed, broken through my ditch, surrounded my home, and filled my barnyard and pig pen. My wife was wading in the water, trying to turn it from the lot, to save the home and family.
"Through my own exertions I soon turned it and prevented much damage that might have occurred had I not obeyed the voice of the Spirit.