In addition to the foregoing, he mentioned in his diary that during the year he had dedicated a number of newly erected homes and settled differences between several of the brethren.
In January, 1906, Thomas records in his diary that his eyes were very bad, and he made it a subject of fervent prayer to the Lord that his eyes might be strengthened and his sight preserved for a few more years. He arose the next morning with his eyesight greatly improved, and was grateful beyond his power to express therefor.
On the 24th of May, 1906, Thomas recorded in his diary that he was called to administer to Sister Mark Waddoups, whom he found to be suffering from intense pain. He earnestly besought the Lord to ease her pain, and He did so; but while his hands were still upon her head the Spirit made it known to him that she would die that day. He confidentially informed the nurse of the fact, and when he called later in the day he found she had passed away. This was in contradistinction to the positive impression he frequently received, when administering to a sick person, that he would recover.
In the latter part of September, 1906, according to a casual entry in his diary, he and a number of other brethren were called to the home of Sister McNiel, in Bountiful, to administer to a very sick child who seemed to be dying. The doctor who had been treating the case was present, and afterwards admitted that he really supposed every breath the child drew, before it was administered to, would be its last, but, to his great surprise, the child immediately afterwards fell asleep, and the next morning was well. The doctor declared it the greatest manifestation of the power of God he had ever witnessed.
Several entries in his diary in the early part of 1909 indicate that about that time Brother Briggs suffered an unusual amount of pain in the stump of his severed limb, due, as the doctors said, to the first operation not having been performed properly. It was accordingly deemed necessary to make a second amputation, but grave fears were expressed lest he might not be able to stand it, as he was in his 77th year. However, he felt himself that he would rather submit to it, notwithstanding the risk, than to continue to suffer indefinitely, and on the 6th of April, 1909, he underwent the operation. He rallied in a manner that surprised his friends, and six weeks later walked to meeting and back without a crutch.
In November, 1909, while Sister Briggs was absent on her second trip to England, her husband had a stroke of paralysis, which has somewhat affected his speech ever since, and greatly interfered with his activity. His tongue throughout his life had been to him a specially useful member. It has been well guarded, and never had brought him into trouble. He had, by his wise counsel and fatherly advice, been able to comfort and bring peace to many of his fellows. He had for many years filled the office of a patriarch and blessed and brought solace and hope to many others besides his own posterity, but his service to others during the past five years has been very much curtailed. His mind is unusually clear and strong for one who is eighty-two years of age, his eyesight good enough for him to read without glasses, and his body fairly strong; he suffers less pain than he formerly did, and is able to walk about to a limited extent.
He still works in his garden, which, however is greatly reduced. He has sold off his property, including the house he lives in (with a proviso for the support of himself and wife while they live, and their burial when they die,) and invested all the surplus in the work which he has had done for the dead.
The enormous number of five thousand dead persons have been officiated for by Thomas, or by persons whom he has employed, in all the ordinances necessary for their salvation, and he still has the names of hundreds of his dead kindred to officiate for. Thus has the prediction uttered by President Brigham Young, when Thomas had but seven names, and didn't know where to obtain any more, been fulfilled. His father's charge uttered on his dying bed, to "never forget the dead," has been so faithfully obeyed that it is safe to say that Thomas will have no shame in meeting that father when he passes from mortality.
The memoir and diary which Thomas compiled, and which was brought down only to the date when he was stricken with paralysis, ends with the following address to his posterity:
To My Dear Children:—