What Can We Learn From Wilford Woodruff’s Mission Years?

Wilford Woodruff’s missionary years offer a powerful example of devotion and sacrifice. He served over half a dozen major missions, often at significant personal cost. On one occasion, he left his wife in an unfinished home. On another, he was away in the eastern United States when Joseph Smith was martyred. He even attempted to secure a copyright for the Doctrine and Covenants during a mission to England. In this interview, Kristy Wheelwright Taylor explores how Woodruff’s mission experiences deepen our understanding of his life and legacy. . .

By Michelle Pack

Time is at a premium these days. Between school, homework, sports, jobs, and so much more, it seems like there isn’t extra time to do something like family history work. But what if doing family history work were easy or came with a blessing? Well, it can be, and it does. . .

From Loss to Light

By Lexie Kay Rynearson Bailey

My time at the Wilford Woodruff Papers has been far more than a timely blessing—it has transformed me. Spiritually and emotionally, it has been a lifeline. . .

By Erin Hills and BethAnne Dinerstein

Enjoy poetry and artwork inspired by Wilford Woodruff's July 3, 1846 journal entry after he had traveled for many days to reach Council Bluffs in Iowa.

Blessings from Genealogy 

By Bailee Shaw

 “I feel like anytime you work on some type of genealogy work, you are blessed, and my family has truly been blessed in so many ways,” said Kara. . . 

Volunteers Needed

The Project is looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about the work and would like to help. If you are interested in applying your talents to any of the following areas, please let us know!

1. Transcribing: Transcribe Wilford Woodruff’s handwritten documents from your computer.
2. Translators: Translate letters in Swedish, Turkish, Armenian, Maori, Hawaiian, or Tahitian.
3. Content Research: Review the Papers and media content on our website to find quotes on Come, Follow Me topics and other projects.
4. Social Media Manager: Post completed content to Facebook and Instagram platforms and help build awareness of the resources available in the Wilford Woodruff Papers.
5. Writer: Write press releases, opinion articles, or feature articles based on the history and doctrine in the Papers.

Discount Code for Friends of the Wilford Woodruff Papers to the FAIR Latter-day Saints Conference

Join us at the FAIR 2025 Conference!

Faith is under fire like never before—but truth has never been stronger.

Come be part of a powerful, spirit-filled gathering of scholars, storytellers, and everyday disciples working to defend faith, answer hard questions, and strengthen testimonies. Whether you’re seeking answers, standing with loved ones in a faith struggle, or simply want to deepen your understanding of the restored gospel, FAIR 2025 is for you.

In the Media

Join the Third Hour podcast as they discuss Wilford Woodruff's miracles, his close calls, and his unshakable faith with author Kristy Wheelwright Taylor.

Insights from the Letters

In a letter to Wilford Woodruff, George Terry reflected on his missionary service: “I should be pleased to come home this summer but I don’t want to give up my mission. . . . I cannot see that I have accomplished anything . . . but . . . knowing this I do not feel altogether disheartened but feel to press onward and to do all I can for my downtrodden brethren.” His words show Christlike humility and devotion to the gospel. . .

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