“Keep the Commandments of God Regardless of the Consequences”

by Maddie Barzee

“Keep on the covenant path” was President Russell M. Nelson’s first message to the Church after he was sustained as the prophet, and it has been his continued anthem ever since. In the short term, it may feel difficult to fully obey the commandments and keep our covenants, but in the long run we will be blessed both spiritually and physically by obeying the word of God. This principle of obedience is prevalent in Daniel 1–6.

“His Love for Us Is Constant”

by Anna Buis

Despite our best efforts, we will inevitably fall short because we are human. This human experience teaches us that we need the Savior and His atoning sacrifice. His invitation to us is always to return to Him; His love for us is constant. Hosea 14:4 says, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from Israel.” We can find comfort in Christ taking action to forgive, heal, and love us individually.

Volunteer Spotlight: Alisa Webster

by Lyndie Jackson

“I love this project because I get to help others benefit from the extensive records Wilford Woodruff kept. It is meaningful and fulfilling, and I am often struck with gratitude for the opportunity I have to be involved.”

Alisa Webster first discovered the opportunity to volunteer for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project from a Facebook post. She said, “It almost jumped off the screen at me, and I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved.”

“Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?”

by McKenzie Wood

In Ezekiel 34, the Lord commands His people to be shepherds and feed His sheep. If we do so, the Lord promises, “[I] shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live.” Wilford Woodruff acted as a shepherd for members of the Church and for those who did not know of it.

He Can Make Us “Rejoice from Our Sorrow”

by Erin Hills

On July 18, 1840, Phebe Woodruff sat down to write one of the most heart-wrenching letters of her life. Since August of the previous year, Phebe had been living on her own near the banks of the Mississippi. Meanwhile, her husband, Wilford Woodruff, was serving a mission in England. During Wilford’s absence, Phebe had given birth to their son Wilford Jr., cared for their young daughter Sarah Emma, and relied heavily on the charity of the Saints in Montrose, Iowa. Yet, she was blessed with “that fortitude that becometh a saint realizing the call & responsibility of her companion.”

“Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee”

by Krystyna Hales

I know who I am. I know God’s plan. 

In Jeremiah 1:5, the Lord explains to Jeremiah, “Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Wilford Woodruff wrote in his journal on September 1, 1875, regarding the death of President George Albert Smith, a modern day prophet (then First Counselor in the First Presidency), and recorded what a great servant of the Lord President Smith had been in his life.

"The Redeemer Shall Come to Zion"

by Allison Andrews

The Second Coming. This is an event that is on many minds today. It was also a common point of interest during the early years of the Church when people were learning more about the signs and watching for the day that it would happen.

"He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows”: A Savior Who Succors in “Great Distress”

by Mackenzie Jaggi

About seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah received a revelation from the Lord. “Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?” These eloquent words are as much a rebuke as they are an appeal: an appeal to trust God’s ability to redeem and deliver beyond the bounds of human understanding. Isaiah further spoke of a Savior so “acquainted with grief” that He knew how to succor a people to whom grief would be a common companion.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Pollmann

by Madelyn Barzee

Mark Pollmann, one of our most dedicated volunteers, started as our CTO but quickly stepped forward to serve as interim President. He spent countless volunteer hours mentoring our Leadership Team, advising our Editorial Team, launching our “Decoding a Prophet” project, and helping us transition from spreadsheet-based organization to a database system. With the recent hiring of our full-time president, we are extremely grateful that Mark will continue to accelerate our progress by p ...

Wilford Woodruff and the Joy of Keeping Covenants

by Kristy Wheelwright Taylor

Our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, tells us often that faithful members of this Church are “covenant Israel,” “children of the covenant,” and on the “covenant path.” We read about this path in Isaiah as we learn of the children of Israel making covenants with the Lord—not just making covenants, but rejoicing in those covenants.