Mar 30, 2023

“My testimony is that we need each other,” says Rachel Huntsman Baldwin. “We need to lift up and bear one another's burdens. And in God's work, we need each other's time and talents.”

Rachel’s testimony is particularly powerful as one who personally dedicates her own time and talents to the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. She currently transcribes Wilford’s letters and daybooks to be sure that the technical and digital quality of the text corresponds to the original nineteenth-century handwriting. Rachel notes, “It's hard work and a blast!”

Rachel Huntsman Baldwin

Jason Godfrey, Transcription Team Lead, says, “Rachel has been enthusiastic and optimistic about learning how the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project goes about editing the documents in all of its various stages.”

Rachel found out about the Project through an article highlighting a “treasure box” found by descendants of Wilford Woodruff. This large chest was filled with Wilford’s journals and other writings.

“My heart was inclined toward the work! I knew I wanted to be a part of it!” she says.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories of faith through tribulation, and their fight for religious freedom,” Rachel continues. “Each letter or story has applicable meaning to our lives.”  

Recently, Rachel was reading a letter to Wilford Woodruff from W. W. Phelps, a member of the Church who fell away more than once but came back. She testifies that we cannot give up on ourselves or each other, and we are blessed by one another’s talents. 

“Phelps's story is a story of missionary work,” Rachel comments. “It is a story of not giving up!”

Rachel says that blessings that come through the talents of others can be seen in the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project through the sense of community. 

“As we draw together as truth seekers, we witness the Lord's majesty and love through these powerful texts. As a community, we seek to share this public good to benefit all of God's children,” she says.

Working on the Project has helped Rachel feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

She relates, “As I have transcribed different documents, the historical context of the documents has been so rich and personally meaningful for me that I cannot deny God is aware of me, He loves me, and His Spirit is nearby.”

Jason Godfrey has noticed that Rachel’s experiences in the Papers have impacted her life.

“It is hearing stories and testimonies like hers that help me to know the depth of significance that this Project really has,” Jason said. “The writings of Wilford Woodruff have the potential to touch the lives of all who read his words.”

A wonderful way to let the words of Wilford Woodruff impact your life and testimony is to become a volunteer on the Project. To anyone considering volunteering, Rachel says, “My advice to anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer with the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation to do it! It will bless your life, and subsequently your family's life too!” To learn more about volunteering, please visit wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/volunteer or reach out to us at contact@wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.