Wilford Woodruff's Use of Symbols in His Journals

Wilford Woodruff used symbols in his journals to make it easier to review his prolific writings each year. The methodical approach not only preserves historical events related to Church history, but also emphasizes his personal reflections and broader interests. As a result, his journal is an invaluable resource for understanding the early Church. In this interview, Joshua Matson discusses the symbols used in Wilford Woodruff’s journals. . .

By Kamryn Maughan

Have you ever had a question about a topic in Church history? Because we were not there, some Church history events and topics can be hard for us to understand. . .

The Greatest Mission

By Katlyn Linville

After working as an intern for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation for about eight months, I filled out my mission papers and was called to serve in the Kentucky Louisville Mission. I was a little apprehensive, but I was also determined to serve the Lord for as long as He would have me. I told Him

By Erin Hills and BethAnne Dinerstein

Poetry and artwork derived from Wilford Woodruff's journal entry written near Laramie, unorganized U.S. Territory, on May 31, 1847.

Volunteer Spotlight: Laraine Swenson

By Aubrey Barzee

“The missionary work of Wilford Woodruff was legendary, and getting a look at some of the people who were baptized by him and others was inspiring. So many accepted the truth on first hearing, sold possessions, and emigrated with such courage and conviction.”. . . 

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In the Media

Author Kristy Wheelwright Taylor appears in last week's episode of the Sunday on Monday podcast on the Deseret Bookshelf app. If you have the subscription, sign in and listen to her share her experience with the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project and with writing Prepare Me for Thy Use: Lessons from Wilford Woodruff’s Mission Years.

EDITORIAL AND RESEARCH TEAM UPDATES

An example of why the critical step of verification is so important is our discovery that a 30-page document Wilford Woodruff created was split into two collections at the Church History Library and mislabeled. Wilford Woodruff’s cryptic journal entry on May 9, 1845, simply mentions “copying a work from an account of the 5 first degrees upon Masonery.” But we were able to find . . .

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