Wilford Woodruff Papers Wilford Woodruff Papers
About About Wilford Woodruff Volunteer Meet the Team Partners Impact Editorial Method
2023 Conference Articles Photos Podcasts Updates Videos Newsroom

Timeline

1800
Wilford is born in Farmington Township (Avon) Connecticut to Bulah Thompson and Aphek Woodruff.
Individual
March 1, 1807
Wilford is baptized in the Northington Connecticut (Congregational) Church by Reverend Rufus Hawley.
Personal Religious
June 7, 1807
Wilford's mother, Bulah Thompson Woodruff, dies at age 26 of spotted fever.
Family
June 11, 1808
Thomas Jefferson is third President of 16 United States.
Historical Context
1801 - 1809
James Madison is inaugurated as fourth President of 17 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1809
1810
Wilford's father Aphek marries Azubah Hart; only two of their six children live to adulthood.
Family
November 9, 1810
James Monroe inaugurated as fifth President of 17 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1817
1820
Joseph Smith's First Vision in a grove near his home in Palmyra, New York. Joseph Smith—History 1:14-20
LDS Church Context
Spring 1820
Wilford completes general education at age 14; lives with George Cowles in Farmington, Connecticut for two years to learn miller's trade.
LDS Church Context
May 1, 1821
Wilford works summers, continues schooling at Farmington Academy during the winters.
LDS Church Context
1821 - 1826
Joseph Smith's second vision: instruction about the Book of Mormon and mission of Elijah. Joseph Smith—History 1:30-54
LDS Church Context
September 21, 1823
John Quincy Adams is inaugurated as sixth President of 24 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1825
Wilford manages flour mill in East Avon, Connecticut for his Aunt Helen Wheeler.
Individual
1827 - 1830
Joseph Smith receives records to begin translation of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith—History 1:59
LDS Church Context
September 22, 1827
Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as seventh President of 24 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1829
Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods are restored.: Joseph Smith—History 1:68-72; Doctrine and Covenants 27:8, 12
LDS Church Context
May - June 1829
Joseph Smith finishes translating the Book of Mormon.
LDS Church Context
June 1829
1830
Church membership reaches 200; the population of the 24 United States is 12,866,000.
LDS Church Context
1830
First copies of the Book of Mormon are available for sale in Palmyra, New York.
LDS Church Context
March 26, 1830
Wilford is 23 years old when Robert Mason prophesies of the restoration of the gospel and Wilford's place in it.
LDS Church Context
Spring 1830
Joseph Smith officially organizes the Church in Fayette Township, New York.
Personal Religious
April 6, 1830
Wilford hired by Collins Axe Company to run their mill in Collinsville (South Canton), Connecticut.
Individual
May 1830
God instructs Joseph Smith to move the Church to Kirtland, Ohio to receive endowment; Doctrine and Covenants 37; Doctrine and Covenants 38:32
LDS Church Context
Dec 1830 - Jan 1831
Wilford works in Cowles mill in Farmington, Connecticut.
Individual
1831 - 1832
Wilford is baptized by immersion by George Phippen, a Baptist minister; but does not join the Baptist Church.
Personal Religious
May 5, 1831
Joseph Smith receives revelation regarding the three degrees of glory. Doctrine and Covenants 76
LDS Church Context
February 16, 1832
First Presidency of the High Priesthood organized with Joseph Smith, Jesse Gause, and Sidney Rigdon.
LDS Church Context
March 8, 1832
Wilford reads newspaper article about the Mormons; intrigued by similarities to New Testament church.
Personal Religious
Spring 1832
Wilford feels inspired to go to Rhode Island, but does not follow prompting.
Individual
Spring 1832
Wilford and his brothers purchase a farm, sawmill, and orchard in Richland, Oswego County, New York.
Individual
May 1832
Joseph Smith commanded to build a temple in order to receive priesthood keys. Doctrine and Covenants 88:119-120
LDS Church Context
December 1832
Construction of the Kirtland Temple begins.
LDS Church Context
June 5, 1833
Cornerstones laid for the Kirtland Temple.
LDS Church Context
July 23, 1833
Wilford hears the restored gospel for the first time from Zerah Pulsipher and Elijah Cheney.
Personal Religious
December 29, 1833
Wilford is baptized and confirmed by Zerah Pulsipher; Wilford's brother Azmon is also baptized.
Personal Religious
December 31, 1833
Wilford begins preaching with Harry Brown (father of future wife Sarah) and James Blakesly.
Personal Religious
January 1834
Richland Branch of Church organized by Zerah Pulsipher; Azmon is ordained a Priest and Wilford is ordained a Teacher.
Personal Religious
January 2, 1834
Wilford is directed by Parley P. Pratt and Harry Brown to join Zion's Camp.
LDS Church Context
April 1, 1834
Wilford leaves New York to join Church members in Kirtland, Ohio.
Individual
April 11, 1834
Wilford arrives in Kirtland, Ohio, where he meets Joseph Smith and stays at his house for the week.
Individual
April 25, 1834
Wilford travels with Zion's Camp to Missouri to help protect and defend persecuted Saints there.
LDS Church Context
May - June 1834
Wilford works in Clay County, Missouri, making brick to build the home of Michael Arthur.
Individual
July - Dec 1834
Wilford ordained a priest by Simeon Carter at Adam-ondi-Ahman in Clay County, Missouri.
Personal Religious
November 5, 1834
Wilford licensed by Edward Partridge as a representative of the Church in order to serve a mission.
Personal Religious
November 13, 1834
Wilford consecrates himself and all his earthly possessions to the Lord.
Personal Religious
December 31, 1834
Wilford leaves for his first mission in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee with Harry Brown.
Personal Religious
January 13, 1835
The first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is organized in Kirtland, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 101:23-24
LDS Church Context
February 14, 1835
Wilford ordained an Elder by Warren Parrish at Eagle Creek, Tennessee.
Personal Religious
June 28, 1835
First washings and anointings administered; vision of celestial kingdom in Kirtland Temple. Doctrine and Covenants 137
LDS Church Context
January 21, 1836
Kirtland Temple is dedicated. Doctrine and Covenants 109
LDS Church Context
March 27, 1836
Jesus Christ appears in Kirtland Temple; Moses, Elias, Elijah confer priesthood keys. Doctrine and Covenants 110; Doctrine and Covenants 1:67
LDS Church Context
April 3, 1836
Wilford called to be a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy at age 29.
Personal Religious
April 19, 1836
Wilford stays in Samuel Smith's home (father of future wife Emma Smith).
Individual
April 22, 1836
Wilford ordained a Seventy in Second Quorum of Seventy by David Patten and Warren Parrish.
Personal Religious
May 31, 1836
Wilford leaves mission in Kentucky to return to Ohio.
Personal Religious
October 25, 1836
Wilford votes in national elections for Martin Van Buren (President) and Richard Johnson (Vice President).
Individual
November 7, 1836
Wilford returns to Kirtland from mission to Southern states and tours Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Geauga County, OhiKirtland Temple.
Personal Religious
November 25, 1836
Wilford spends his first day in the Kirtland Temple.
Personal Religious
November 27, 1836
Wilford studies Latin and Greek in the Kirtland School (held in the attic of the Kirtland Temple).
LDS Church Context
December 1836
Wilford attends School of the Prophets.
Personal Religious
Jan - April 1837
Wilford called to be a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
Personal Religious
January 3, 1837
Wilford introduced to Phebe Whittemore Carter, a recent convert from Maine.
Individual
January 28, 1837
Martin Van Buren inaugurated as the eighth president of 26 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1837
Wilford attends Solemn Assembly and receives washings and anointings in Kirtland Temple.
Personal Religious
April 1837
Wilford and Phebe married by Frederick G. Williams in Joseph Smith's home in Kirtland, Ohio.
Individual
April 13, 1837
Wilford and Phebe live with Warren and Martha Parrish; Wilford works for Heber C. Kimball.
Individual
April - May 1837
Wilford receives his patriarchal blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr.
Personal Religious
April 15, 1837
Woodruffs live with Jonathan and Olive Hale; Wilford records patriarchal blessings for Joseph Smith Sr.
Individual
May 1837
Phebe stays with Olive Hale while Jonathan Hale and Wilford leave on a mission to Canada, Maine and Connecticut.
Family
May - July 1837
Wilford visits childhood homes in Connecticut and shares the gospel with with his extended family.
Individual
June - July 1837
Wilford baptizes his Uncle Ozem, Aunt Hannah, and cousin John Woodruff.
Personal Religious
July 12, 1837
Wilford meets Phebe's family for the first time while visiting Scarborough, Maine.
Individual
August 8, 1837
Wilford arrives in the Fox Islands, Maine to preach the gospel.
Personal Religious
August 19, 1837
Wilford stays with Charles Brown (father of future wife Sarah Elinor Brown).
Individual
December 29, 1837
Joseph Smith moves Church to Far West, Missouri, to escape persecution in Ohio.
LDS Church Context
January 12, 1838
Wilford reads Parley P. Pratt's pamphlet "Mormonism Unveiled."
Personal Religious
May 14, 1838
Joseph Smith explains the need for all living and dead to receive saving ordinances.
LDS Church Context
July 1838
Wilford baptizes father Aphek, stepmother Azubah, and half-sister Eunice in Farmington, Connecticut.
Personal Religious
July 1, 1838
Wilford called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Doctrine and Covenants 118
Personal Religious
July 8, 1838
Wilford present for birth of his first child, Sarah Emma, in Scarborough, Maine.
Individual
July 14, 1838
Wilford returns to his mission in the Fox Islands.
Personal Religious
August 7, 1838
Wilford receives news of his calling as an apostle; and call to go on mission to England with apostles.
Personal Religious
August 9, 1838
Woodruffs begin trek from Maine to Missouri with group of converts to gather with the Saints.
Individual
October 4, 1838
Wilford's half-brother Asahel dies in Indiana at the age of 24 (last living of 5 half-brothers).
Family
October 18, 1838
Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issues order expelling Church members from Missouri under threat of extermination.
LDS Church Context
October 27, 1838
Haun's Mill massacre in Caldwell County, Missouri; surrender of Church leaders in Far West, Missouri demanded.
LDS Church Context
October 30, 1838
Joseph and Hyrum Smith and other Church leaders surrender; General Samuel Lucas orders their execution.
LDS Church Context
November 1, 1838
Court hearings to determine Church leaders' fate; Joseph, Hyrum and others are incarcerated in Liberty Jail.
LDS Church Context
November 1838
Phebe deathly ill with brain fever; after her spirit leaves her body Wilford restores her to life.
Individual
Nov 1838 - Dec 1838
While Church leaders remain in Liberty Jail, Church members are forced from Missouri and relocate in Illinois.
LDS Church Context
Dec 1838 - April 1839
Woodruffs winter in Rochester, Illinois with the family of Charles and Mary Brown.
Individual
Dec 1838 - April 1839
Wilford, Phebe, and Sarah Emma finally arrive in Quincy, Illinois six months after leaving Maine.
Individual
March 16, 1839
Church leaders escape while being transported for trial with the help of their guards; Church members move to Commerce, Illinois and establish Nauvoo.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1839
At age 32 Wilford is ordained an Apostle at the temple site in Far West, Missouri.
Personal Religious
April 26, 1839
Wilford receives the official call to serve his third mission.
Personal Religious
May 4, 1839
Woodruffs move to Montrose, Iowa; live in abandoned barracks with Brigham Young's family.
Individual
May 18, 1839
Joseph Smith begins dictating history to scribe James Mulholland; used in Manuscript History of the Church.
LDS Church Context
June 11, 1839
Wilford leaves Nauvoo with John Taylor for a two-year mission to the British Isles.
Personal Religious
August 8, 1839
Times and Seasons, official Church newspaper, first published in Nauvoo, Illinois (continuously published until February 1846).
LDS Church Context
November 1839
Joseph Smith travels to Washington, D.C. to deliver Missouri redress petition to President Van Buren.
LDS Church Context
November 29, 1839
1840
Church membership is 16,800; population of the 26 United States is 17,100,000.
LDS Church Context
1840
Wilford arrives in Liverpool, England; helps convert 1,800 people during his 17 months of missionary service.
Personal Religious
January 11, 1840
Wilford celebrates Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert by preaching the gospel.
Historical Context
February 10, 1840
Wilford arrives at John Benbow's home in Herefordshire, England; begins preaching to United Brethren and over 600 people baptized in 35 days.
Personal Religious
March 4, 1840
Phebe's second child Wilford Jr. is born in Montrose, Iowa in Wilford's absence.
Family
March 22, 1840
The Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star first published in Manchester, England by Parley P. Pratt.
LDS Church Context
May 1840
Phebe's first child Sarah Emma dies at age two in Montrose, Iowa.
Family
July 17, 1840
Joseph Smith's first explanation of doctrine on baptism for the dead by living relatives.
LDS Church Context
August 14, 1840
First baptisms for the dead performed in the Mississippi River.
LDS Church Context
August 15, 1840
Joseph Smith announces the need to build a temple in Nauvoo.
LDS Church Context
September 1840
Revelation to Joseph Smith on building Nauvoo Temple; place for baptisms and endowment. Doctrine and Covenants 124:28-42
LDS Church Context
January 19, 1841
William Henry Harrison inaugurated as ninth President of 26 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1841
John Tyler inaugurated as tenth President of 26 United States after death of President Harrison.
Historical Context
April 6, 1841
Cornerstones are laid for the Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1841
Wilford leaves England for America with other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
LDS Church Context
April 20, 1841
Wilford arrives in New York from his mission to England.
Individual
May 20, 1841
Wilford reunited with Phebe after 2 years; meets his 15-month-old son Wilford Jr.
Individual
June 2, 1841
Wilford spends time with family; officiates in marriage of sister Eunice to Dwight Webster on August 4.
Individual
July - August 1841
Joseph Smith directs Church members to stop proxy baptisms in Mississippi River, wait for completion of Nauvoo Temple font.
LDS Church Context
October 3, 1841
Wilford, Phebe, and Wilford Jr. arrive in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Individual
October 6, 1841
Wilford and Phebe move into their own home for the first time in their married life.
Individual
October 19, 1841
Wilford is appointed to Nauvoo City Council.
Individual
October 30, 1841
Wooden font dedicated in the unfinished basement of Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
November 8, 1841
Wilford witnesses first baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo Temple.
Personal Religious
November 21, 1841
Wilford sees Urim and Thummim.
Personal Religious
December 27, 1841
Wilford helps haul stone for the Nauvoo House and Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
January 1842
Wilford appointed manager of the Church's official newspaper Times and Seasons.
LDS Church Context
February 3, 1842
Wilford sets type for printing/publishing the Book of Abraham in Times and Seasons.
LDS Church Context
February 19, 1842
Phebe's third child Phebe Amelia is born in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Family
March 4, 1842
Serial publication of Manuscript History of the Church in Times and Seasons as "History of Joseph Smith."
LDS Church Context
March 15, 1842
Church Reformation in Nauvoo includes rebaptisms; Wilford rebaptized for the first time.
LDS Church Context
March 27, 1842
Wilford baptized for mother Bulah; half-brothers Philo and Asahel; Phebe for grandparents.
Personal Religious
April 21, 1842
Joseph Smith administers first endowment to 8 men in room above the Red Brick Store in Nauvoo.
LDS Church Context
May 4, 1842
Wilford baptized by proxy for great-grandparents Josiah and Sarah Woodford Woodruff.
Personal Religious
May 7, 1842
Wilford baptized by proxy for more great-grandparents.
Personal Religious
May 15, 1842
Wilford and Phebe baptized by proxy for six family members.
Personal Religious
May 29, 1842
Millennial Star begins serial publication of Manuscript History of the Church in England.
LDS Church Context
June 1842
Wilford is confined to his bed with illness for 40 days.
Individual
August - Sept 1842
Joseph Smith's letter states baptism for the dead is welding link between fathers and children. Doctrine and Covenants 128
LDS Church Context
September 6, 1842
3,000 gather in unfinished Nauvoo Temple for the first official meeting (the walls are only 4 feet high).
LDS Church Context
October 30, 1842
Wilford assists in publication of the Nauvoo Neighbor (published until Saints leave Nauvoo in 1846).
LDS Church Context
May 1843
Revelation received by Joseph Smith explaining the necessity of eternal marriage for exaltation Doctrine and Covenants 131
LDS Church Context
May 15-16, 1843
Wilford serves fourth mission in Eastern United States (with other apostles) to raise funds for temple.
Personal Religious
July - Nov 1843
Revelation regarding new and everlasting covenant of marriage for eternity dictated. Doctrine and Covenants 132:15-20
LDS Church Context
July 12, 1843
Phebe's fourth child Susan Cornelia born in Nauvoo, Illinois, in Wilford's absence.
Family
July 25, 1843
Wilford arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Individual
August 5, 1843
Wilford returns to Nauvoo from mission to New England.
Individual
November 4, 1843
Wilford's marriage to Phebe sealed for eternity by Hyrum Smith.
Personal Religious
November 11, 1843
Wilford receives his washings, anointings, and endowment.
Personal Religious
December 2, 1843
Phebe receives her washings, anointings, and endowment.
Family
December 23, 1843
Publication of "The History of Joseph Smith" in the Times and Seasons covering period up to January 7, 1832.
LDS Church Context
1844
Wilford and Phebe receive their second anointings.
Personal Religious
January 28, 1844
Wilford attends meeting when Joseph Smith confers priesthood keys on Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Personal Religious
March 26, 1844
Wilford records Joseph Smith's discourse on important doctrines at funeral of King Follett.
Personal Religious
April 7, 1844
Wilford serves fifth mission in the Northeastern United States; holds conferences, campaigns for Joseph Smith.
Personal Religious
May - August 1844
Wilford completes brick home in Nauvoo; over the next 2 years he lives in it for less than 6 weeks.
Individual
May 4, 1844
Wilford arrives in Boston to attend convention; nominate Joseph Smith for President of the United States.
LDS Church Context
June 26, 1844
Joseph and Hyrum Smith are murdered while in Carthage Jail.
LDS Church Context
June 27, 1844
Wilford attends Jeffersonian Democracy Convention in Boston to nominate Joseph Smith.
LDS Church Context
July 1, 1844
Work on the Nauvoo Temple resumes.
LDS Church Context
July 7, 1844
Wilford learns of Joseph and Hyrum's death through newspaper article in Boston Times.
LDS Church Context
July 9, 1844
Wilford returns to Nauvoo with other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
LDS Church Context
August 6, 1844
Meeting where majority of Church members sustain the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as governing body of the Church.
LDS Church Context
August 8, 1844
Wilford accepts call to preside over the European Mission for one year.
Personal Religious
August 12, 1844
Wilford and Phebe baptized in Mississippi River for deceased relatives.
Personal Religious
August 26, 1844
Wilford and Phebe and their children leave Nauvoo for England; Wilford's sixth mission.
Individual
August 28, 1844
Woodruffs board ship to sail from New York City to Liverpool, England.
Individual
December 6, 1844
Woodruffs arrive in Liverpool.
Individual
January 3, 1845
James K. Polk inaugurated as eleventh President of 27 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1845
First Thursday of the month designated for fasting and prayer (later changed to first Sunday by Wilford).
LDS Church Context
May 1845
First stone laid for the new baptismal font in the Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
June 25, 1845
Phebe's fifth child, Joseph, is born in Liverpool, England.
Family
July 18, 1845
Church Conference is held in the Nauvoo Temple; pulpits are complete and windows installed.
LDS Church Context
October 5, 1845
First endowments for the living administered in the Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
December 10, 1845
Population of Nauvoo 14,000 - 15,000; population of Illinois 500,000 - 600,000.
LDS Church Context
1846
First priesthood adoptions administered in the Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
January 8, 1846
First sealings of children to parents administered in the Nauvoo Temple.
LDS Church Context
January 11, 1846
Phebe and 40 other Church members (including Wilford's future wife Mary Ann Jackson) leave England.
Family
January 16, 1846
Wilford leaves England for New York; experiences terrible Atlantic storm enroute.
Individual
January 22, 1846
Main exodus of Church members from Nauvoo. Brigham Young's family leaves February 15. Temperature -12 F on February 24.
LDS Church Context
Feb - March 1846
First Church members leave Nauvoo for Iowa.
LDS Church Context
February 4, 1846
On final day of work in temple, 600 received ordinances; total of 5,615 received endowments in Nauvoo.
LDS Church Context
February 7, 1846
Times and Seasons stops serial publication of the Manuscript History of the Church (history ends with events on August 11, 1834).
LDS Church Context
February 15, 1846
Wilforn returns to his parents' house in Farmington, Connecticut.
Individual
March 11, 1846
Wilford retrieves daughter from sister-in-law's where she lived during his mission to England.
Individual
March 17, 1846
Wilford's parents and cousin Betsey Cossett accompany him to Nauvoo, Illinois.
Individual
March 23, 1846
Wilford arrives in Nauvoo, Illinois with daughter, cousin, and parents; Phebe arrived a few days before.
Individual
April 13, 1846
Woodruffs tour Nauvoo Temple with others.
Personal Religious
April 15, 1846
Private dedication of Nauvoo Temple by Joseph Young.
LDS Church Context
April 30, 1846
Public dedication of Nauvoo Temple by Orson Hyde; Wilford attends with his parents, wife Phebe, and Mary Ann Jackson.
LDS Church Context
May 1, 1846 - May 3, 1846
United States Congress declares war on Mexico based on territorial disputes over Texas.
Historical Context
May 13, 1846
Woodruffs leave Nauvoo to join Church members in Iowa.
Individual
May 22, 1846
Wilford at Mt. Pisgah, Iowa when Captain Allen arrives to recruit Mormon Battalion.
Individual
June 26, 1846
Woodruffs reach Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Individual
July 9, 1846
Mormon Battalion recruited by United States Army.
LDS Church Context
July 16, 1846 - July 17, 1846
Woodruffs cross Missouri River to Cutler's Park, Nebraska.
Individual
July 26, 1846
Wilford sealed to Mary Ann Jackson, Sarah Elinor Brown, Mary Caroline Barton.
Personal Religious
August 2, 1846
Wilford rebaptized second time; rebaptizes Phebe, Sarah E. Brown, Mary C. Barton, Mary Ann Jackson, and Rosetta King.
Personal Religious
August 8, 1846
Wilford expels Sarah Elinor Brown and Mary Caroline Barton from his family for misconduct.
Family
August 29, 1846
Wilford severely injured by falling tree while cutting logs to build his family a cabin: breaks breastbone, three ribs, suffers internal injuries.
Individual
October 15, 1846
Phebe's fifth child Joseph dies at age 16 months in Winter Quarters, Nebraska.
Family
November 12, 1846
Wilford recovers enough to resume work on cabin for his family.
Individual
November 17, 1846
Phebe's sixth child Ezra born in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, and dies 2 days later.
Family
December 8, 1846 - December 10, 1846
Of 483 people living in Winter Quarters, 334 are sick, 53 are wives of Mormon Battalion soldiers, and 75 are widows.
LDS Church Context
December 20, 1846
Church membership is 34,694.
LDS Church Context
1847
Wilford organizes "adopted" family (40 heads of households) under covenant to abide rules.
Personal Religious
January 19, 1847
Wilford leaves for the Salt Lake Valley with the first company of pioneers.
LDS Church Context
April 14, 1847
James Jackson Woodruff born (only child of Mary Ann Jackson and Wilford).
Family
May 25, 1847
Mary Ann Jackson and her 19-day-old son James start journey to Salt Lake Valley with Wilford's father Aphek.
Family
June 14, 1847
Advance company arrives in Salt Lake Valley (still Mexican territory at the time); sets up camp.
LDS Church Context
July 22, 1847
Wilford arrives in Salt Lake Valley with Brigham Young and plants potatoes.
LDS Church Context
July 24, 1847
Wilford first to climb Ensign Peak.
Individual
July 26, 1847
Location for Salt Lake Temple Block designated by Brigham Young (originally 40 acres).
LDS Church Context
July 28, 1847
First bowery built on Temple Block by Mormon Battalion.
LDS Church Context
July 1847
Wilford, Brigham Young, and other apostles are rebaptized (Wilford's third rebaptism).
Personal Religious
August 6, 1847
After planting crops and building cabins, Wilford leaves Salt Lake Valley to return to Winter Quarters.
Individual
August 26, 1847
Wilford and first pioneer company meets companies heading west including his father Aphek, wife Mary Ann, and son James.
Individual
September 3, 1847 - September 5, 1847
Phebe's seventh child Shuah Carter born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in Wilford's absence.
Family
October 28, 1847
Wilford arrives in Council Bluffs/Kanesville, Iowa.
Individual
October 31, 1847
Log tabernacle built in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
LDS Church Context
December 1847
First Presidency reorganized with Brigham Young as President of the Church.
LDS Church Context
December 5, 1847
Brigham Young sustained as President of the Church by Church membership.
LDS Church Context
December 27, 1847
Treaty signed ending Mexican-American War. Mexico cedes to United States: present day California, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona, and Colorado.
Historical Context
February 2, 1848
Wilford baptizes 8-year-old son Wilford Jr.
Personal Religious
March 18, 1848
Mary Ann Jackson divorces Wilford.
Family
May 11, 1848
Wilford leaves Iowa with Phebe and their children to preside over Church in Eastern United States and Canada.
Personal Religious
June 21, 1848
Phebe's seventh child Shuah Carter dies in LaMoille, Illinois at age 9 months.
Family
July 22, 1848
Woodruffs arrive in Boston, Massachusetts to begin presiding over gathering of Saints.
Personal Religious
August 12, 1848
Zachary Taylor inaugurated as twelfth President of 30 United States.
Historical Context
March 5, 1849
Constitutional convention held to form the State of Deseret. (to encompass present day Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and parts of California, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Idaho.
Historical Context
March 8, 1849
Wilford baptizes father-in-law Ezra Carter.
Personal Religious
March 22, 1849
Second bowery built on Temple Block in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
April 1849
1850
Church membership 51,839; population of Utah Territory 11,380; population of United States 23,192,000.
LDS Church Context
1850
Woodruffs leave Boston with a group of 209 converts to join the main body of the Church in Utah.
Personal Religious
April 9, 1850
Woodruffs return to Kanesville, Iowa.
Individual
May 16, 1850
Woodruffs leave for Salt Lake Valley from Kanesville, Iowa.
Individual
June 15, 1850
Millard Fillmore inaugurated as 13th President of 30 United States.
Historical Context
July 10, 1850
Under Compromise of 1850, Congress created the Utah Territory; Brigham Young appointed as Governor.
Historical Context
September 9, 1850
Woodruffs arrive in Salt Lake Valley and live in cabins Wilford built in 1847.
Individual
October 14, 1850
Wilford appointed to the Council (Legislature) of the State of Deseret (serves a total of 21 terms).
Individual
December 5, 1850
Wilford moves his cabins from Old Fort to construct home on the corner of South Temple and West Temple.
Individual
1851
Marriage sealings and endowments administered in the Utah Territorial Council House in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
1851 - 1854
Wilford begins serving as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
January 6, 1851
Wilford's stepmother Azubah Hart dies in Burlington, Vermont.
Family
March 20, 1851
Plans announced for construction of adobe Tabernacle on Temple Block in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
Spring 1851
Phebe's eighth child Beulah Augusta born in Salt Lake City.
Family
July 19, 1851
Groundbreaking for adobe Tabernacle on Temple Block in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
August 2, 1851
Publication of the Manuscript History of the Church begins in the Deseret News.
LDS Church Context
November 15, 1851
Wilford serves second term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
Jan - March 1852
Wilford sealed to plural wife Mary Meek Giles Webster by Brigham Young in Woodruff's home.
Personal Religious
March 28, 1852
General Conference held in new adobe Tabernacle on Temple Block in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1852
Brigham Young sustained as Governor of the State of Deseret.
LDS Church Context
April 7, 1852
Endowments for the living resumed in Council House by Heber C. Kimball at the direction of Brigham Young.
LDS Church Context
July 7, 1852
Wilford rebaptizes plural wife Mary Meek Giles Webster and baptizes 8-year-old daughter Susan.
Personal Religious
July 25, 1852
Workers began laying foundation stones for the wall around the Temple Block.
LDS Church Context
August 3, 1852
Revelation on patriarchal marriage first made public by Brigham Young.
LDS Church Context
August 8, 1852
Wilford's plural wife Mary Meek Giles Webster dies.
Family
October 3, 1852
Wilford appointed clerk and historian of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at age 45.
Personal Religious
December 21, 1852
Wilford serves third term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
January 1853
Phebe's ninth child Aphek born in Salt Lake City and only lives two hours.
Family
January 26, 1853
Wilford attends groundbreaking ceremony and dedication of Salt Lake Temple site.
LDS Church Context
February 14, 1853
Wilford assigned to supervise construction of temple foundation; started digging February 23.
LDS Church Context
Feb - April 1853
Franklin Pierce inaugurated as 14th President of 31 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1853
Wilford sealed to Emma Smith and Sarah Brown in Council House; resealed to Phebe.
Personal Religious
March 13, 1853
Cornerstones laid for the Salt Lake Temple.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1853
Eunice, Wilford's only sister, dies in Burlington, Vermont.
Family
June 14, 1853
Wilford's sealing to Mary Ann Jackson is cancelled at her request.
Family
December 13, 1853
Wilford serves fourth term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
January 1854
Sarah Brown's first child David Patten Woodruff is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
April 4, 1854
Third bowery built on Temple Block, north of adobe Tabernacle.
LDS Church Context
Summer 1854
Wilford serves fifth term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
Dec 1854 - Jan 1855
Wilford elected president of the Universal Scientific Society established in the Territory.
Individual
February 3, 1855
Wilford attends dedication of Endowment House in Salt Lake City.
Personal Religious
May 5, 1855
First endowments for the living administered in the Endowment House.
LDS Church Context
May 5, 1855
Wilford tours southern Utah settlements with Brigham and apostles.
LDS Church Context
May 9, 1855 - May 27, 1855
Wilford helps establish the Deseret Horticultural Society.
Individual
September 13, 1855
Wilford serves sixth term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
Dec 1855 - Jan 1856
Wilford serves on Board of Directors of Deseret Agriculture and Manufacturing Society.
Individual
1856 - 1861
Second Constitutional Convention held and petition for State of Deseret delivered to Washington, D.C.
Historical Context
March 17, 1856
Wilford rebaptizes family members over the age of 8 (3 wives, 3 children, and "Lamanite" boy Moroni).
Personal Religious
March 17, 1856
Wilford appointed Assistant Church Historian (serves in Historian's Office from 1856 to 1883).
Personal Religious
April 7, 1856
Wilford poisoned while skinning livestock; life saved through priesthood blessings.
Individual
April 28, 1856
Church-wide reformation includes rebaptizing, restructuring and recommitment to principles and covenants. First "home missionaries" introduced (precursor to ministering program).
LDS Church Context
Sep 1856 - April 1857
Wilford helps dedicate baptismal font beside unfinished Salt Lake City Temple in Salt Lake City.
Personal Religious
October 2, 1856
First baptisms administered in baptismal font; members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rebaptized (4th rebaptism for Wilford).
LDS Church Context
October 2, 1856
Wilford serves seventh term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
Dec 1856 - Jan 1857
Members of Territorial Legislature rebaptized (Wilford for the fifth time).
LDS Church Context
December 30, 1856
Church membership is 55,236.
LDS Church Context
1857
Wilford and George A. Smith complete Manuscript History of the Church up to Joseph Smith's death in 1844.
LDS Church Context
January 1857
Sarah's second child Brigham Young Woodruff is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
January 18, 1857
James Buchanan inaugurated as 15th President of 31 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1857
President Buchanan removes Brigham Young as Governor; sends army to escort new Governor Cumming.
Historical Context
July 13, 1857
Saints receive news that 2,500 United States Army troops are coming to Utah.
Historical Context
July 24, 1857
Wilford sealed to plural wife Sarah Delight Stocking ("Delight") by Brigham Young.
Personal Religious
July 31, 1857
Attack on wagon train of emigrants and massacre at Mountain Meadows.
Historical Context
September 7, 1857 - September 11, 1857
John D. Lee gives false report of Mountain Meadows massacre to Wilford and Brigham Young.
LDS Church Context
September 29, 1857
Emma's first child Hyrum Smith Woodruff is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
October 4, 1857
United States Army Colonel Alexander's letter threatens Church members with extermination if they oppose Army.
Historical Context
October 16, 1857
United States Army winters at Camp Scott, Wyoming, 100 miles from Salt Lake City.
Historical Context
Nov 1857 - April 1858
Alfred Cumming charges Brigham Young with treason; declares Utah citizens in rebellion against the United States.
Historical Context
November 21, 1857
Wilford serves eighth term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
Dec 1857 - Jan 1858
President Buchanan asks for four more regiments to help quell "rebellion."
Historical Context
February 3, 1858
Third bowery on Temple Block in Salt Lake City dismantled before arrival of Johnston's Army.
LDS Church Context
Spring 1858
Wilford moves families to Provo; 30,000 Church members prepare to abandon/burn Salt Lake City ahead of army.
Individual
April 8, 1858
Governor Cumming enters Salt Lake City without army escort under terms negotiated by Thomas Kane.
Historical Context
April 1858
United States Army peacefully enters abandoned Salt Lake Valley under the command of Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston.
Historical Context
June 1858
Church members begin returning to their homes in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
July - August 1858
Emma's first child Hyrum Smith Woodruff dies at age 13 months.
Family
November 24, 1858
Wilford serves ninth term as member of Territorial Legislature.
Individual
December 1858
Wilford performs marriage of daughter Susan to Robert Scholes (first child to marry).
Family
January 30, 1859
Wilford's daughter Phoebe Amelia is sealed to Lorenzo Snow as his eighth wife.
Family
April 4, 1859
Sarah's third child Phebe Arabell is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
May 30, 1859
Wilford is dying; gives family final instructions on funeral and disposition of belongings.
Individual
October 16, 1859 - October 29, 1859
1860
Church membership 61,000; population of Utah Territory 40,273, population of 33 United States 31,443,000.
LDS Church Context
1860
First grandchild born, Robert and Susan's daughter; four generations living in Wilford's home.
Family
May 21, 1860
Emma's second child Emma Manella is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
July 4, 1860
Seven Southern states secede from Union. (Confederacy includes 15 states and territories by 1862.)
Historical Context
Dec 1860 - Jan 1861
Abraham Lincoln inaugurated as 16th President of 26 states.
Historical Context
March 4, 1861
News arrives in Utah of firing on Fort Sumter and the beginning of the Civil War.
Historical Context
April 21, 1861
Wilford's father Aphek Woodruff dies.
Family
May 28, 1861
Delight's first child Marion is born in Salt Lake City; Wilford learns of father's death.
Family
June 1, 1861
Governor John Dawson arrives on 7th departs on 31st; vetoes 3rd Constitutional Convention.
Historical Context
December 1861
Council (Legislature) of the State of Deseret meets simultaneously with Utah Territorial Legislature.
Historical Context
1862–1870
Sarah's fourth child Sylvia Melvina is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
January 14, 1862
Wilford helps draft constitution for State of Deseret; Brigham Young elected first governor.
Individual
January 20, 1862
Congress rejects fourth petition for formation of State of Deseret; Brigham Young still serves as Governor.
Historical Context
June 9, 1862
Salt Lake Temple foundation razed and top stones removed.
LDS Church Context
June 10, 1862
Wilford moves plural wife Delight to Fort Herriman to be near her family.
Family
July 6, 1862
Wilford baptizes son David Patten Woodruff.
Personal Religious
July 6, 1862
Morrill Anti-Bigamy Law signed by Abraham Lincoln.
Historical Context
July 8, 1862
Wilford serves as President of Deseret Agriculture and Manufacturing Society for 15 years.
Individual
1862 - 1877
Wilford records Brigham Young's plans for a 15,000-seat tabernacle on Temple Square.
LDS Church Context
August 23, 1862
Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln.
Historical Context
January 1, 1863
Emma's third child Asahel Hart is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
February 3, 1863
Plans announced for construction of Great Tabernacle on Temple Block in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1863
Wilford Jr. called to serve a mission in England.
Family
April 7, 1863
James Jackson Woodruff leaves his mother's home and returns to live with Wilford.
Family
May 29, 1863
Delight's second child Emeline is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
July 25, 1863
Sarah's fifth child Newton is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
November 3, 1863
Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration.
Historical Context
March 4, 1865
Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate troops to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox (official end of Civil War declared on August 20, 1866).
Historical Context
April 9, 1865
Abraham Lincoln assassinated.
Historical Context
April 14, 1865
Andrew Johnson inaugurated as 17th President of 36 United States.
Historical Context
April 15, 1865
Delight's third child Ensign is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
December 23, 1865
Brigham Young reintroduces second anointings.
LDS Church Context
December 26, 1866
Emma receives her second anointing.
Family
February 12, 1867
Delight receives her second anointing.
Family
February 14, 1867
Emma's fourth child Ann Thompson is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
April 10, 1867
Emma's child Ann Thompson dies.
Family
April 11, 1867
First meeting held in the Great Tabernacle on Temple Block in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
October 6, 1867
Sarah's sixth child Mary is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
October 26, 1867
Wilford participates in reestablishment of the School of the Prophets.
LDS Church Context
December 2, 1867
Emma's fifth child Clara Martisha is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
July 23, 1868
Delight's fourth child Jeremiah is born in Fort Herriman, Utah.
Family
August 29, 1868
Ulysses S. Grant inaugurated as 18th President of 37 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1869
Transcontinental Railroad completed at Promontory Point, Utah, effectively ending the Church's isolation in Utah.
Historical Context
May 10, 1869
Delight's fourth child Jeremiah dies at age 15 months in Salt Lake City.
Family
December 16, 1869
1870
Church membership 90,130; population of Utah Territory 86,336; population of 38 United States 39,820,000.
LDS Church Context
1870
Utah women given the right to vote; Liberal (non-Mormon) Party formed opposing People's (Mormon) Party.
Historical Context
February 1870
Wilford comforts Emma through her miscarriage.
Family
December 3, 1870
Sarah's seventh child Charles Henry is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
December 5, 1870
Brigham Young proposes idea of building a temple in St. George.
LDS Church Context
January 31, 1871
Sarah's seventh child Charles Henry dies at age two months in Salt Lake City.
Family
February 2, 1871
Delight's fifth child Rosannah is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
April 7, 1871
Wilford moves wife Sarah Brown and her children to Randolph, Utah along with Wilford Jr. and his family.
Family
April 18, 1871
Priesthood members vote in favor of building temple in St. George.
LDS Church Context
October 6, 1871
Groundbreaking ceremony for St. George Temple.
LDS Church Context
November 9, 1871
Wilford travels to California to attend California State Fair.
Individual
September 9, 1872 - September 27, 1872
Delight's fifth child Rosannah dies at age 18 months in Salt Lake City.
Family
October 22, 1872
Emma's sixth child Abraham Owen is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
November 23, 1872
Sarah's eighth child Edward Randolph is born in Randolph, Utah.
Family
February 2, 1873
Sarah's eighth child Edward Randolph dies in Randolph.
Family
February 8, 1873
Delight's sixth child John Jay is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
August 14, 1873
Poland Act passed by Congress becomes legal basis for the prosecution of polygamists in the 1870s and 1880s.
Historical Context
June 23, 1874
Seniority of apostles adjusted according to ordination date, placing John Taylor ahead of Wilford.
Historical Context
April 10, 1875
Wilford rebaptized (for the sixth time) along with other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Personal Religious
July 17, 1875
St. George Temple baptismal font dedicated; used to rebaptize individuals entering the United Order in St. George.
LDS Church Context
August 11, 1875
President Ulysses S. Grant visits Salt Lake City with his wife Julia, son Frederick and daughter-in-law Ida.
Historical Context
October 3, 1875 - October 4, 1875
Great Tabernacle on Temple Block dedicated by President John Taylor.
LDS Church Context
October 9, 1875
Wilford moves Delight into her new house in Salt Lake City.
Family
January 3, 1876
Emma's seventh child Winnifred Blanche is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
April 9, 1876
Wilford moves to St. George to assist in readying temple for dedication.
Personal Religious
November 1, 1876
National election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden (outcome determined after the Compromise of 1877).
Historical Context
November 7, 1876
Wilford, L. John Nuttall and John D. T. McAllister begin writing down the temple ceremony.
Personal Religious
November 13, 1876
Church membership reaches 115,065.
LDS Church Context
1877
Wilford, Brigham Young Jr., and Erastus Snow dedicate portions of St. George Temple.
LDS Church Context
January 1, 1877
First baptism for the dead administered in St. George Temple font.
LDS Church Context
January 9, 1877
First proxy endowments administered in this dispensation in St. George Temple.
LDS Church Context
January 11, 1877
First proxy sealings and first sealings and endowments for the living in St. George Temple.
LDS Church Context
January 11, 1877
Brigham Young asks Wilford and others to write out the temple ceremonies.
Personal Religious
January 14, 1877
Wilford administers second anointing to the first couple in the St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
January 16, 1877
Wilford administers second anointing by proxy for the first time in the St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
February 7, 1877
Wilford receives revelation authorizing proxy ordinances for his family by non-relatives.
Personal Religious
February 23, 1877
In honor of Wilford's 70th birthday, 154 women serve as proxies in ordinances for his deceased female relatives.
Personal Religious
March 1, 1877
Rutherford B. Hayes inaugurated as 19th President of 38 United States.
Historical Context
March 3, 1877
Wilford sealed to Eudora Lovina Young by her father Brigham Young.
Personal Religious
March 10, 1877
Wilford and others finished writing down the ceremonies and temple procedures.
Personal Religious
March 21, 1877
Wilford administered first adoptions (two couples to Brigham Young) in St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
March 22, 1877
Wilford's wife Phebe, and children Wilford Jr., Beulah and Phoebe Amelia arrive in St. George to serve in temple.
Family
March 27, 1877
First time Wilford ever served as proxy in endowment when he completed endowment for "Prophet" Robert Mason.
Personal Religious
March 30, 1877
General Conference held in completed St. George Temple, dedication of entire temple.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1877
Wilford called to preside over the St. George Temple at age 70 (served until June 26, 1884).
Personal Religious
April 8, 1877
First time anyone adopted (sealed) by ordinance to Wilford: Josiah G. Hardy, Samuel B. Hardy and their wives.
Personal Religious
April 11, 1877
Wilford's family leaves St. George to return to Salt Lake City.
Family
April 14, 1877
Wilford resigns as President of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society after 15 years.
Individual
April 16, 1877
Site for Manti Temple dedicated by Brigham Young.
LDS Church Context
April 25, 1877
Site for Logan Temple dedicated by Brigham Young.
LDS Church Context
May 18, 1877
Wilford's son Brigham drowns in Bear River at age 20.
Family
June 16, 1877
Church-wide priesthood reorganization directed by Brigham Young includes rebaptism.
LDS Church Context
July 1877
Wilford's vision of Signers of Declaration of Independence; proxy baptisms for 100 Eminent Men and 68 Eminent Women under Wilford's direction.
Personal Religious
August 19-21, 1877
Majority of endowments completed for Eminent Men and Women; some sealings also completed.
LDS Church Context
August 22-24, 1877
Brigham Young dies in Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
August 29, 1877
Wilford accompanies Lucy Bigelow Young to Salt Lake City for Brigham Young's funeral.
Individual
August 30, 1877 - September 1, 1877
Funeral service for Brigham Young held in Tabernacle.
LDS Church Context
September 2, 1877
Wilford dedicates Brigham Young's grave.
Personal Religious
September 2, 1877
Apostles meet and agree that John Taylor will be President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
LDS Church Context
September 4, 1877
Wilford publicly shares his vision of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Personal Religious
September 16, 1877
Wilford participates in the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Logan Temple.
Personal Religious
September 17, 1877
Solemn Assembly to sustain Quorum of Twelve as leading body; John Taylor as Quorum president.
LDS Church Context
October 6, 1877
Endowments resume in Endowment House in Salt Lake City for those too ill or elderly to travel to St. George.
LDS Church Context
November 29, 1877
Wilford spends two months working in St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
Jan 1878 - March 1878
Wilford and Eudora's son Brigham Young Woodruff is born and dies nine hours later. He is buried in the St. George City Cemetery.
Family
April 1, 1878
Delight's seventh child Julia Delight Stocking is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
June 28, 1878
Wilford is divorced from Eudora Young ("sent bill" on November 25; "signed bill" on November 28).
Family
November 1878
Wilford asks Mary Ann Jackson to be resealed to him. (Note written in shorthand in journal margin.)
Individual
December 2, 1878
Wilford and Phebe move from Valley House into house next door; lease Valley House to be used as a hotel.
Individual
January 1, 1879
Emma's eighth child, Wilford's 34th and last child, Mary Alice is born in Salt Lake City.
Family
January 2, 1879
Supreme Court denies George Reynolds' challenge to Morrill Law; plural marriage a criminal offense.
Historical Context
January 6, 1879
Wilford goes into hiding to avoid arrest for polygamy.
Individual
February 7, 1879
Wilford spends a year in Arizona "on the underground" serving a mission among the Native Americans.
Personal Religious
March 1879 - April 1880
1880
Church membership 135,000; Utah Territory 143,963; population of 38 United States 50,190,000.
LDS Church Context
1880
Wilford receives Wilderness Revelation regarding God's defense of the patriarchal law of marriage.
Personal Religious
January 26, 1880
Wilford returns to Salt Lake City from voluntary exile "on the underground" in Arizona.
Individual
April 2, 1880
First Presidency reorganized with John Taylor as President of the Church; Wilford called as President of Quorum of Twelve.
LDS Church Context
October 10, 1880
Pearl of Great Price officially accepted as scripture by the membership of the Church.
LDS Church Context
October 10, 1880
Wilford appointed General President of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association.
Personal Religious
January 16, 1881
Wilford works for a month in the St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
Feb 1881 - March 1881
James A. Garfield inaugurated as 20th President of 38 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1881
Apostles wash feet against enemies as directed in Wilford's Wilderness Revelation.
LDS Church Context
March 5, 1881
Chester A. Arthur inaugurated as 21st President of 38 United States after assassination of James A. Garfield.
Historical Context
September 20, 1881
Wilford serves 7.5 years as Church Historian (until becoming President of the Church).
Personal Religious
Oct 1881 - April 1889
Wilford works in St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
Nov - Dec 1881
Assembly Hall on Temple Block in Salt Lake City dedicated by Joseph F. Smith.
LDS Church Context
January 8, 1882
Edmunds Act passed: plural marriage a felony, cohabitation a misdemeanor.
Historical Context
March 14, 1882
First Presidency counsels men to live with "only one wife under the same roof."
LDS Church Context
March 24, 1882
Sixth Constitutional Convention for Utah held; Congress rejects petition for statehood on February 23, 1883.
Historical Context
April 1882
Wilford sustained in General Conference as Church Historian and recorder.
Personal Religious
October 5, 1883
Majority of proxy endowments completed for Eminent Men and Women; some proxy sealings also completed.
LDS Church Context
October 12, 1883
Wilford works in St. George Temple.
Personal Religious
Dec 1883 - Jan 1884
Wilford helps dedicate Logan Temple.
Personal Religious
May 17, 1884
Wilford tours Idaho settlements with wife Sarah and Heber J. Grant.
Individual
May 29, 1884 - June 19, 1884
Wilford goes into hiding again to avoid arrest; lives in St. George area from January 20 to November 5, 1885.
Individual
Jan 1885 - Oct 1887
Grover Cleveland inaugurated as 22nd President of 38 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1885
Wilford called back to Salt Lake City for a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
LDS Church Context
November 1, 1885
Wilford sees his wife Phebe for the last time and gives her a blessing.
Individual
November 9, 1885
Phebe Woodruff dies; Wilford watches funeral from Church office to avoid arrest.
Family
November 10, 1885
Edmunds-Tucker Act passed by Congress: disincorporated the Church and Perpetual Emigration Fund; authorized confiscation of Church property.
Historical Context
January 13, 1887
John D. T. McAllister becomes St. George Temple President.
LDS Church Context
April 24, 1887
Seventh Constitutional Convention for Utah held; Congress rejects petition for statehood.
Historical Context
June - July 1887
John Taylor dies at the age of 80.
LDS Church Context
July 25, 1887
Wilford, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, becomes the leader of the Church.
Personal Religious
July 25, 1887
Wilford watches John Taylor's funeral procession from Church office to avoid arrest.
LDS Church Context
July 29, 1887
To enforce the Edmunds-Tucker Act, Frank H. Dyer is appointed receiver for the government and Church property is confiscated.
Historical Context
July 30, 1887
Wilford meets with Church members in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the first time in three years.
Personal Religious
October 9, 1887
Wilford's reorganization of First Presidency fails due to discord regarding George Q. Cannon.
LDS Church Context
March 1888
Wilford dedicates the Manti Temple in private services.
Personal Religious
May 17, 1888
Lorenzo Snow dedicates Manti Temple in public ceremony after Wilford returns to Salt Lake City.
LDS Church Context
May 21, 1888
When Erastus Snow dies Wilford is only living Apostle who served in the days of Joseph Smith.
LDS Church Context
May 27, 1888
Wilford directs all 32 stakes to establish Stake Academies to educate youth of the Church.
LDS Church Context
June 14, 1888
Church's attorneys obtain commitment from United States Solicitor that temples would not be confiscated.
LDS Church Context
July 9, 1888
Apostles refuse to sign document rejecting polygamy.
LDS Church Context
December 20, 1888
Benjamin Harrison inaugurated as 23rd President of 38 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1889
First Presidency reorganized: Wilford as President, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as counselors.
LDS Church Context
April 5, 1889
Solemn Assembly held in Tabernacle to sustain new First Presidency.
LDS Church Context
April 7, 1889
Wilford travels with wife Emma and Church leaders to Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Canada.
Individual
October 21, 1889 - November 16, 1889
Salt Lake Endowment House closed and demolished.
LDS Church Context
November 1889
Wilford receives revelation on politics and polygamy; will not trade religion for statehood.
Personal Religious
November 24, 1889
Judge Anderson denies immigrating Church members United States' citizenship.
LDS Church Context
November 30, 1889
Church-wide fast day on Joseph Smith's birthday asking for deliverance from persecution.
LDS Church Context
December 23, 1889
1890
Church membership 188,000; Utah Territory 210,779; population of 44 United States. 62,948,000.
LDS Church Context
1890
United States Supreme Court sustains Edmunds-Tucker Act and Congress's right to escheat Church property.
Historical Context
May 19, 1890
Secretary of State James G. Blaine drafts document renouncing polygamy which Church leaders refuse to sign.
Historical Context
June 1890
Frank H. Dyer resigns as receiver under accusations of malfeasance of Church property and is replaced by Henry W. Lawrence.
Historical Context
August 1890
Wilford visits Church members throughout Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
Individual
August 3, 1890
Wilford meets with three apostles regarding decision on polygamy.
Personal Religious
September 24, 1890
Wilford issues Manifesto on polygamy as a press release. Official Declaration 1
LDS Church Context
September 25, 1890
Majority of members of the Church attending General Conference sustain the Manifesto.
LDS Church Context
October 6, 1890
Wilford inaugurates weekday religious education classes for elementary school-aged children (precursor to seminary and institute programs).
LDS Church Context
October 25, 1890
Wilford meets President Benjamin Harrison when he visits Salt Lake City.
Historical Context
May 9, 1891
People's Party is disbanded; Church members advised to join Democrat/Republican parties.
Historical Context
May 29, 1891
Wilford testifies in court regarding practice of polygamy.
Individual
October 19, 1891
Wilford's testimony to Church members and defense of Manifesto.
LDS Church Context
October 25, 1891
Wilford decides temple recommends will be signed by Bishops and Stake leaders only, not by Church president.
LDS Church Context
November 6, 1891
President Harrison asks for the prayers of the First Presidency on behalf of his very ill wife.
Historical Context
October 13, 1892
Limited amnesty granted to former polygamists by President Harrison.
Historical Context
January 5, 1893
Grover Cleveland inaugurated as the 24th President of 44 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1893
Wilford dedicates the Salt Lake Temple at age 86.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1893
Wilford attends World's Columbian Exposition (World's Fair) in Chicago, Illinois.
Individual
August - September 1893
Wilford meets with temple presidents to harmonize the endowment ceremony in all four operating temples.
LDS Church Context
October 17, 1893
Money taken by government under Edmunds-Tucker Act returned to the Church.
LDS Church Context
January 12, 1894
Wilford records dream about Benjamin Franklin, who requests that additional temple work be done for him.
Personal Religious
March 19, 1894
Wilford receives revelation regarding sealing practices and the Law of Adoption.
Personal Religious
April 6, 1894
Wilford announces end to practice of adoption.
LDS Church Context
April 8, 1894
Wilford present at first endowment ceremony in Salt Lake Temple.
Personal Religious
April 18, 1894
President Cleveland signed the Utah Enabling Act which gave Utah admission into the Union.
Historical Context
July 17, 1894
Wilford establishes the Genealogical Society of Utah.
LDS Church Context
November 13, 1894
Eighth Constitutional Convention held; new Utah Constitution banning polygamy ratified November 5th.
Historical Context
March - May 1895
Wilford travels to Oregon, Washington, and Alaska for recuperating vacation.
Individual
June - July 1895
Utah admitted to the Union as the 45th state by President Grover Cleveland.
Historical Context
January 4, 1896
Wilford and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issue Political Manifesto about separation of church and state.
LDS Church Context
April 6, 1896
Wilford travels to Oregon and California for recuperating vacation with L. John Nuttall.
Individual
August - Sep 1896
Wilford changes fast day from the first Thursday to the first Sunday of each month.
LDS Church Context
November 5, 1896
Wilford attends the celebration of his 90th birthday in the Tabernacle.
Individual
March 1, 1897
William McKinley inaugurated as 25th President of 45 United States.
Historical Context
March 4, 1897
Wilford records his testimony (only known recording of his voice).
Personal Religious
March 12, 1897 - March 19, 1897
Publication of Conference Report begins (replaced by Ensign Conference issue starting in 1965).
LDS Church Context
April 1897
Wilford joins 50th anniversary celebration of first pioneer company arriving in Salt Lake.
Individual
July 20, 1897 - July 24, 1897
Wilford travels to Oregon and California for recuperating vacation.
Individual
September 9, 1897 - September 25, 1897
Wilford's Conference address on his 1877 vision of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
LDS Church Context
April 10, 1898
Wilford dedicates Pioneer Park (site of fort he helped build in 1847); last public appearance.
Individual
July 24, 1898
Wilford leaves Utah for vacation in California to recuperate.
Individual
August 13, 1898
Wilford dies from complications of a medical procedure in San Francisco at age 91.
Individual
September 2, 1898
1900
Church membership 283,000; population of State of Utah 276,749; population of 45 United States 76,212,000.
Historical Context
1900
View How Wilford Woodruff's Life Was Miraculously Preserved
Read More