He Can Make Us "Rejoice from Our Sorrow"

By Erin B. 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.”

While the sacrifice of being separated was difficult, Phebe was supportive of her husband’s desire to serve the Lord. In an earlier letter to Wilford she had written ...

Historian Peter Fagg, onsite at Hill Farm in Castle Frome with Louise Manning,

shares a story from Wilford Woodruff's mission in England.

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.

In a journal entry dated April 7, 1844, Wilford Woodruff recorded ...

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.”

Like many volunteers, Alisa felt drawn to the Project and has seen how it has ...

Giving Tuesday is November 29

This "global generosity movement" is all about giving back to organizations that you feel serve a greater purpose, and the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation needs your help! Any donation, big or small, money or time, is so valued. We are so grateful for our donors and volunteers, as well as for those who have given wholeheartedly to the Foundation in the past to help us discover more about Wilford Woodruff and share his words with the world.

Mark your calendars to join the movement on November 29th!

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for volunteers who would enjoy reading the words of Wilford Woodruff to find and tag inspiring and faith-promoting quotes. If you would like to work at your own pace on your home computer, please respond to this email or click below for details!

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.” Among the first people to welcome Wilford to the Fox Islands was Malatiah Luce. He and his children were immediately friendly toward ...