Manuscript Releases, vol. 5 [Nos. 260-346]

MR No. 285—The San Francisco Earthquake

As we approached San Jose Thursday morning, we began to notice some of the effects of the earthquake.... 5MR 110.1

The new post office and some of the largest stores in the town had been leveled to the ground—totally destroyed. Other buildings were badly wrecked. And when we saw the fallen walls of the Pacific Press, we were sad at heart; but we could not help rejoicing over the fact that no lives were lost.—Manuscript 45, 1906, 1, 2. (“A Visit to Mountain View, California,” May 6, 1906.) 5MR 110.2

We thought it right on our way home to drive through the city and see the ruin wrought by the earthquake and fire. We drove in an easy carriage through the ruined district. I have no language to describe the awful scene.... 5MR 110.3

I was pleased to see that church which your father, and a few who united with him, built, was untouched by the fire.... The fire came quite close to this section, but it also escaped injury.—Letter 141, 1906, pp. 1, 2. (To Elder J. E. White, May 10, 1906.) 5MR 110.4

These things make me feel very solemn, because I know that the judgment day is right upon us. The judgments that have already come are a warning, but not the finishing, of the punishment that will come on wicked cities.—Letter 154, 1906, p. 4. (To Elder J. E. White and wife, May 12, 1906.) 5MR 110.5

The great earthquake of San Francisco is to be followed by earthquakes in other places. We need not be surprised if after a time Oakland should become so wicked that calamities will fall on this city also.—Letter 10, 1907, p. 2. (To the members of the Oakland church, January 18, 1907.) 5MR 111.1

I trust that our brethren will build a humble house of worship in Oakland, for we have every reason to believe from the present record of San Francisco's crimes, and of the murders and robberies that are being committed in Oakland, that another visitation will come to San Francisco, and that calamity will fall on Oakland also.—Letter 90, 1907, p. 2. (To Edson and Emma White, March 10, 1907.) 5MR 111.2

The light given me is that the wickedness in the cities of San Francisco and Oakland is beyond all imagination. God's wrath is upon many of the inhabitants of these cities. San Francisco has been visited with heavy judgments, but Oakland has been thus far mercifully spared. The time will come when our labor in these places will be cut short, therefore it is important that earnest efforts be put forth now to proclaim to their inhabitants the message of the Lord for them.—Manuscript 25, 1908, 2. (“A Plea for Aggressive Work,” typed May 5, 1908.) 5MR 111.3

I feel sure that San Francisco and Oakland will again be visited with the judgments of God.—Letter 2, 1909, p. 3. (To Mrs. Josephine Gotzian, January 1, 1909.) 5MR 111.4

Released December 10, 1971.