Insight from the Letters

by Natalie Hancock, Senior Editorial Assistant

In 1878 Wilford Woodruff received a letter from John D. T. McAllister, who was the St. George Utah Stake President. In this letter President McAllister wrote, “Shortly after 3, the Temple was struck by lightning.” The temple suffered damage to the dome and tower. Although the temple was struck, the damage was not beyond repair. Less than a year earlier, when Wilford Woodruff dedicated the temple, he said, “This foundation has been created through much labor and diligence of thy servants, and we pray, Oh God, that thy blessing may rest upon it, that it may remain as firm as the foundation of the everlasting hills, that it may not be moved to the injury of this Temple which is built thereon.” Even after being struck by lightning this temple was protected. 

At the close of the letter, President McAllister wrote, “We gratefully recognize the providence of the Almighty in the comparatively slight damage done, in consideration of the severity of the shock.” It most certainly was an act of providence that the St. George Temple was protected. Even 145 years later the St. George Temple was still standing strong. Now it is being renovated to ensure it will stand for many more years to come.  

Insight from the Journals

by Mackenzie Jaggi, Assistant Editor

When Abraham Owen Woodruff, or “Owen,” as he was called by his family, left to serve a mission in Switzerland and Germany, his parents felt emotions similar to parents who send their children to serve missions today. Owen was 22 years old and the second of Wilford and Emma Woodruff’s children to serve, following the example of his older brother Asahel. Wilford and Emma waited anxiously for his correspondence—letters that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean by ship and took weeks to arrive. Frequently, when a new letter was received, it was the main subject in Wilford’s journal entry for that day. Wilford and Emma wrote many letters in return, often containing numerous pages, and mailed them alongside letters from his siblings Asahel, Winnifred Blanche, and others. 

Their beloved son was on their minds constantly. Emma even had a dream in which she met and spoke with Owen, then nearly five thousand miles away and living among the Swiss-German Saints. On more than one occasion, Wilford wrote in his journal, “[Owen] manifests a Noble spirit . . . I never saw a Better spirit in a young missionary in my life.” It is clear that young Owen was a strength to all who read his missionary letters. Similar to missionaries who serve today, he blessed the lives of those in his mission and his faith and dedication in sharing the gospel blessed his family and friends at home.

Insight from the Discourses

by McKenzie Wood, Senior Research Assistant

“We have no right to walk in the dark.” The line struck me when I was reading over one of Wilford Woodruff’s discourses, given October 13, 1877. In it Wilford described how the Saints of the Church of Jesus Christ have been given immense responsibility and privilege to live in a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ is fully on the earth, never to be taken away again. The pioneers built up their own place in the mountains and valleys of the West despite the growing opposition toward them and their religion. Wilford often preached about the need for the Saints to wake up and arise to their responsibility of spreading the word of God. In this particular discourse, he recalled that the entire membership of the Church could fit into a small room when Joseph Smith, Jr. reorganized it. Now the Church is a worldwide organization.

What does that mean? To me, it means that there is growing light in the world as the word of God spreads to people who are willing to listen. We as a people have been given the great opportunity to witness miracles and see God’s work course throughout the world and grow to immense numbers. No other generations of the world have had that opportunity. As that light grows, so do we. We grow in knowledge, talents, strength, and relationships. As we come to learn more, I realize the meaning of having no right to walk in the dark. We know where the light is now; we know the power that is around and in us. It’s comical to think that someone would refuse to turn on a light in a dark room. Why risk stumbling into something? Why risk hurting ourselves when the light is available? Why would we want to keep the light off when we have experienced what it brings us? God has given us light, and our right and responsibility becomes spreading and sharing it.

Insight from the Additional Documents

by Jason Godfrey, General Editor

Not long before my paternal grandmother passed away, I asked for a copy of a book she had co-written with my grandfather and Jill Mulvay Derr titled Women’s Voices: An Untold History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830–1900. On the front cover my grandmother wrote, “You have wonderful women in your life & there will be more in the future. Enjoy them.” This message proved to be prophetic as I would soon become engaged and married to my wonderful wife. This message also proved to be more meaningful as my grandmother neared passing to the other side of the veil. Even though my grandmother is no longer nearby physically, I often feel her spiritual presence. This is especially true when I am involved in many of the things we both enjoyed—reading, writing, and doing family history. 

A document that parallels this example is one that Wilford Woodruff wrote to his granddaughter, Phebe Augusta Florence Snow Critchlow. Born in 1870, Florence would have been around 28 when her maternal grandfather passed away. On March 1, 1897, just a little over a year before Wilford’s passing, Wilford gave Florence his autograph and blessing. He said, “May God Bless You and Make you the Mother of Many children who May be righteous and your Posterity remain on the Earth untill the coming of the Son of Man.” Not knowing that Wilford would pass from this life the following year, I’m sure that Florence treasured this message and memory. As I continue to work with the documents that Wilford Woodruff either wrote or received, I am grateful for the lessons I learn and the connections I am able to make. 

Insight from People and Places Research

by Erin Hills, Senior Editorial Assistant

The Research Team is constantly working to identify the many individuals who hosted Wilford Woodruff throughout his life. Sometimes this task is very difficult as Wilford often referred to his hosts by their surname only. Even with a first name, it can be impossible to correctly identify the individual who offered Wilford food and shelter. But all these hosts are important because of the impact they may have had on Wilford’s life, or sometimes more importantly, the impact Wilford had on theirs.

One of these hosts, Thomas Tapley of Belfast, Maine, was included in our research this month. His story is best told in Wilford’s own words from an account of February 22, 1838.

We walked fifteen miles through deep snow to Belfast, and, after being refused lodging for the night by eight families, we were kindly entertained by a Mr. Thomas Teppley. There was an interesting incident connected with our stay at his house. After eating our supper, it being late in the evening, Mr. Teppley placed a stand before me with a Bible upon it, asking me to read a chapter and have prayers with them, he being a religious man.

I opened the Bible mechanically, when, the 25th chapter of Matthew being the first to catch my eye, I read it, and as I closed the book Mr. Teppley turned to his wife and said, “Is not this a strange thing?” Then he explained to us that he had just read that chapter and closed the book when we rapped at the door, and he felt impressed to say, “Walk in, gentlemen.”

There is probably no other chapter in the whole book that would have the same influence in causing any one to feed a person who professed to be a servant of God, and asked for bread.

After becoming acquainted with his circumstances I thought it providential that we were led to his house, for although he was a professor of religion and a Methodist, he was in a state of despair, believing that he had committed the unpardonable sin.

However, I told him what the unpardonable sin was, and that he had not committed it; but that it was a trick of the devil to make him think so, in order to torment him. He then acknowledged that he went down to the wharf a few evenings before, with the intention of drowning himself, but when he looked into the cold, dark water he desisted and returned home, and had said nothing previous to anyone about it.

I taught him the principles of the gospel, which proved a comfort to him. (Leaves From My Journal entry, and corresponding entry from Wilford Woodruff's Journal).

God was keenly aware of Thomas Tapley, and in His mercy and love, He sent a humble servant to rescue him. Thomas, and many others just like him, are the reason why Wilford was willing to sacrifice and endure the trials of a missionary of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

After leaving Belfast, Wilford Woodruff never met with Thomas Tapley again. But, Thomas, enlightened with the basic principles of the gospel, lived a full life. And at the age of 95 years and 9 months, he was the oldest man in Belfast when he died in 1889. 

Source: The Portland Daily Press, “Obituary” (Portland, Maine), 28 Dec. 1889, vol. 28, p. 1; database with images, Newspapers.com (https://newspapers.com, accessed 4 Apr. 2023).

Insight from Content

by Shauna Horne, Content Team Lead

April and October are two of my favorite months because of General Conference. Listening to the words of our prophet and apostles brings comfort and solace to my life. It is wonderful to know that they are sharing the messages that are most important for us today. I agree with Wilford Woodruff when he said, “I have been acquainted with Prophets and have heard them prophecy, and I have not yet seen their words fall to the ground unfulfilled; and when they speak Israel should hear and obey.” Wilford Woodruff's December 21, 1856 Discourse

How amazing it is to know that the prophecies of today’s prophet, Russell M. Nelson, will and have come to fruition. This helps me to remember that I need to listen and act on the invitations, warnings, and counsel he gives. Just like the primary song, I always want to “follow the Prophet, [for] he knows the way!”