Chapter 1—An Appeal for Burden Bearers
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
I feel compelled at this time to fulfill a long-neglected duty.
For years previous to my husband’s dangerous and protracted
illness he performed more labor than two men should have done in
the same time. He saw no time when he could be relieved from the
pressure of care and obtain mental and physical rest. Through the
testimonies he was warned of his danger. I was shown that he was
doing too much brain labor. I will here copy a written testimony, given
as far back as August 26, 1855:
“While at Paris, Maine, I was shown that my husband’s health was
in a critical condition, that his anxiety of mind had been too much for
his strength. When the present truth was first published, he put forth
great exertion and labored with but little encouragement or help from
his brethren. From the first he has taken burdens upon him which were
too taxing for his physical strength.
“These burdens, if equally shared, need not have been so wearing.
While my husband took much responsibility, some of his brethren in
the ministry were not willing to take any. And those who shunned
burdens and responsibilities did not realize his burdens, and were not
as interested in the advancement of the work and cause of God as
they should have been. My husband felt this lack and laid his shoulder
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under burdens that were too heavy and which nearly crushed him.
As the result of these extra efforts more souls will be saved, but it is
these efforts that have told upon his constitution and deprived him
of strength. I have been shown that he should in a great measure lay
aside his anxiety; God is willing that he should be released from such
wearing labor, and that he should spend more time in the study of the
Scriptures and in the society of his children, seeking to cultivate their
minds.
“I saw that it is not our duty to perplex ourselves with individual
trials. Such mental labor endured for others’ wrongs should be avoided.
My husband can continue to labor with all his energies, as he has done,
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