Research Team

On his second mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wilford Woodruff wanted to visit the islands of the sea to preach the gospel. So, in August of 1837, he set out for the Fox Islands in Maine. When he landed, he found that the "inhabitants [were] generally wealthy, healthy, intelligent, industrious, generous, and hospitable to strangers” (Journal, August 20, 1837). Among the first people to welcome Wilford to the Fox Islands was Malatiah Luce. He and his children were immediately friendly toward Wilford and his companion, Elder Jonathan Hale. After hosting and attending several meetings held by the Latter-day Saint missionaries, Malatiah, his wife, Ruth, and several of their children accepted the gospel, and were baptized in the frigid waters of Maine in January 1838 (Journal, January 13, 1838). This month we began research on the family of Malatiah Luce. Their commitment and faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ, often in the face of great persecution and trial, is inspiring. We hope you will read more about what we have discovered by searching “Luce” on the People Mentioned in Wilford Woodruff's Papers tab at wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.

— Erin Hills, Senior Research Assistant

Transcription Team

One letter written to the Editor of The Mormon on July 1, 1857 really stood out to me this week. Wilford Woodruff was discussing some of the events that were happening in the Church. He mentioned that the work of building the Salt Lake Temple had to stop for a time because of some of the debts the Church had. The Church had to sell all their cattle. However, the members gave the Church cattle, so much so that there was no loss and all were blessed. It is amazing to me how dedicated the Saints were to building the temple and to the Church. They freely gave and the Lord blessed them for it. He provided a way for the work to continue and, because of their sacrifice, we are able to be greatly blessed today as well.

— Ashlin Malcolm, Editorial Assistant

Verification Team

A joy of being on the verification team is witnessing the fire of faith within so many Saints who are willing to “leave their nets” to seek God’s work. Recently, while reading through a letter from Andrew Wallwork, sent on June 28, 1891, I was touched not only by this man’s faith and willingness, but also by his family’s inclusion in Andrew’s decision to serve. Most of those who responded to mission calls included statements of ability or disability to labor, often in reference to the health or financial situation of their immediate families. This letter is no different. However, one line separates it from the rest of the letters I have read. After detailing the financial state of his family, including incumbent debts from loss of employment, he states, “My feelings are good and I disire to labor for the cause of Zion, and so do my family too.” Despite difficult circumstances, Andrew was willing to serve the Lord—with the full support of his family that he would be leaving. After reading so many personal letters from young fathers to the First Presidency, this is the first time I remember when a father presented the willingness of his family to support him in his service. 

Despite their willingness and support, Joseph Fielding Smith responded saying, “Let him take time to straighten out his affairs & when he is ready report to us.” At times, we are not ready to take on challenges we wish we could surmount. For Andrew, despite a desire to serve the Lord in the mission field, his calling and responsibility as a father superseded any other purpose the Lord blessed him with at that time and the Wallsworth family was blessed to have more time to set affairs in order so they could better enjoy God’s promised blessings without the strain of debt or unemployment.

— Braeden Dyer, Editorial Assistant

Stylization Team

In October, the Stylization Team completed the final preparation for publication of another 200 pages. As we worked in the journals, we were reminded of several precious truths from the pen of Wilford Woodruff. In one such account from September 13, 1860, Wilford wrote this about President Brigham Young: "It is a Blessing to us that we have a leader who has Eyes to see for us when we are in danger ourselves, and if we had not someone to warn us and reprove us when we do wrong, we would not be safe." This message is as true today, under the leadership of President Russell M. Nelson, as it was in 1860. We are grateful for the teachings of prophets, past and present, who help us understand how to stay out of danger personally and who guide us as a Church in troubling times.

— Ashlyn Pells, Associate Editor

Documents Team

The Documents Team has been making great progress in finding more documents pertaining to Wilford Woodruff's life and testimony, including unpublished discourses and previously untranscribed letters. Some recently discovered letters are from the time when Wilford Woodruff was part of the “underground,” a network that allowed Church members to remain safe and avoid being imprisoned for practicing polygamy. Part of the time that Wilford was in the underground, he hid with William Atkin and his family in Southern Utah. Later, Wilford corresponded with William Atkin and family using the pseudonym “Lewis Allen,” the name of a former childhood friend. The addition of these letters will help increase our knowledge and understanding of the faith and sacrifices the Saints were willing to make during this period in Church history. 

We have published 1,900 letters and transcribed almost 6,000, and we're excited to continue searching for more so we can expand the vast collection that is being made available on the Project’s website.

— Ellie Hancock, Historian

Content Team

The volunteers that comprise the Content Team have been working in Wilford Woodruff’s journals this month. We found 327 new faith-promoting quotes among the 423 journal pages we reviewed. One gem was especially reassuring in these last days: “According to the Testimony of the scriptures in all ages of the world whenever God was abo[u]t to Bring a Judgment upon the world or accomplish any great work, the first thing the Lord has done has been to raise up a Prophet & reveal unto him his secrets & send him to warn the people, that they may be left without excuse”

(Journal, September 10, 1843). It is a blessing for us to be reminded in the scriptures and from all the prophets that the Lord loves us and will always send a prophet to warn us, teach us, and encourage us. It is up to us to heed their counsel.

— Shauna Horne, Content Team Lead