"In Every Death There Is a Birth"

by Ashlyn Pells

Come, Follow Me

I have long felt that the most important verse in all scripture, and in fact the most important sentence in any record, is found in Luke 24:6: “He is not here, but is risen.” Without a knowledge of Christ and His Resurrection, as Wilford Woodruff said, “The separation by death is one of the most gloomy subjects it is possible to contemplate.” But, he continued, “As quick as we obtain the gospel, as soon as the spirit of man is enlightened by the inspiration of the Almighty, he can exclaim with one of old—‘Oh grave, where is thy victory, Oh death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin, and the gift of God is eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ ”

Sacrifices of Those Called To Serve

by Hovan Lawton

During Wilford Woodruff’s ten-year administration as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he and his counselors in the First Presidency issued many mission calls. In turn, these men responded by letter to explain whether or not they could accept the call to serve. Although one might assume that their responses would be rather businesslike and uninteresting, they are actually full of vivid details about the lives of nineteenth-century Latter-day Saints and how their mission calls impacted their lives. These men faced various obstacles to missionary service, and the letters explained their circumstances as well as some of the special requests made to help mitigate their challenges. A close study of just 135 of the responses written to Wilford Woodruff in 1889 allows for a greater appreciation for the sacrifices and faith of those called to serve missions during this time.

Because of His Loving Kindness

by Emma Hadfield

Come, Follow Me

“It is a startling idea to think we are worshiping a God that once was in the situation that we are in ourselves,” Brigham Young stated in June of 1851. In this sermon recorded by Wilford Woodruff, President Young continued, “[He] had to pass through a probation of pain, suffering and the fall like ourselves.”

Strength to Submit

by Megan Hutchings

Come, Follow Me

Have you ever found it difficult to align your will with God’s and humbly submit to His plan for you? We can learn how to better submit to the will of our Heavenly Father by looking at the example of Jesus Christ and some of the early Saints.

Bringing History to Life through Art

by Maddie Christensen

Julie Rogers, professional artist and illustrator, has focused on painting pioneers, missionaries, and the early Saints for the last thirty years of her career. She shares that with Wilford Woodruff being one of her all-time favorites, she was thrilled to be commissioned to create two paintings of him for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation Conference, “Building Latter-day Faith.” This conference was held on March 4, 2023, where seekers of the truth were instructed, inspired, and motivated by Wilford Woodruff’s insights through speakers, presentations, musical performances, and art. The two pieces Julie created are titled “The Dawning of a Brighter Day” and “Language of Inspiration.” Her paintings were displayed at the conference and were a part of an art auction fundraiser for the Foundation.

Asking Big Questions: How Can I Find Answers to Gospel Questions on the Internet?

by Maddie Christensen

Big Questions

In today’s digital age, the Internet has become an indispensable tool for accessing information on any topic imaginable. With just a few keystrokes and a click of a button, one can easily find answers to any question that comes to mind. Googling questions has become a ubiquitous activity that many of us engage in on a daily basis.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

by Krystyna Hales

Come, Follow Me

Who is the Holy Ghost to you?

In John 16:13, Christ said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

More Than a Name on a Page

by Maddie Christensen

Volunteer Spotlights

“One of my favorite things about working on the Project is finding my ancestors’ names mentioned,” shares Rose Bowen, a volunteer for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation. “I love to see how they were involved in building up the Church in their own ways. Just as President Woodruff had a calling to fulfill, we each have callings and opportunities to build up the Church and make the world a better place.”

"In Remembrance"

by Jason Godfrey

Come, Follow Me

Serving as an Apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1861, Elder Wilford Woodruff began a discourse with the following: “It is truly good to sit and hear the word of the Lord, and it is truly a good thing to believe in it; but it is still better to practice it.” This brief yet powerful message was not only for the Saints living in Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, but it was truly a mantra that Wilford Woodruff believed in—beginning with his conversion in 1833 through to his death in 1898.