In 1839, while the Saints were still suffering from severe persecution in Far West, the Lord called the Twelve Apostles on missions to England. It was the next year before they were able to leave and when they did, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball were so sick they started their missions laying down in the back of a wagon. They traveled without purse or script and trusted in the promise of the Lord that their families, many of whom were sick and without adequate shelter, would be cared for. (Lund, p.242)

John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff were the first apostles to reach Liverpool, England. They arrived on January 11, 1840 and traveled by train to Preston, England where they were met by Willard Richards. On January 17, 1840, a council was held and assignments given. Wilford Woodruff was assigned to the Staffordshire Potteries area about 30 miles south of Manchester. There he found a rich harvest. Forty people were baptized into the church during the first few weeks. Among the new converts were William and Ann Benbow. (Lund, pp.305-308)

Then, with the missionary work going well and a promise of future success, Apostle Woodruff suddenly surprised everyone when he announced that the Spirit had whispered to him to leave and go farther south to Herefordshire. William Benbow had a brother living in Herefordshire so he offered to go with Elder Woodruff and introduce him to his brother, John Benbow. (Kenison, p.1; Lund p.309-310)

John Benbow and his wife Jane were members of a religious group who had broken off from the Wesleyan Methodists and called themselves The United Brethren. “This group was earnestly seeking for a restoration of the gospel as it was taught and practiced anciently.” (Lund, p.314) They wanted to teach and live the gospel as the Savior had taught it and they prayed for guidance from the Lord as to how they should proceed. (Richins, p.5)

Within a few days, the conversions began. Elder Woodruff cleared a pool of water on the John Benbow property to facilitate the baptisms. In a short time, he baptized all of the 600 members of the United Brethren (except one). (Kenison, p.1; Lund, pp.309-310)

From the journal of Apostle Wilford Woodruff we read:

“The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission...The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them. I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them.” (Kenison, p.2)