@Steve Donegan
Thank you for commenting on the sentence regarding Wilford's revelation about who could help him complete the proxy ordinances for his ancestors. It is difficult to provide the complete story in a short article, and this is a very brief overview of four decades that led up to Wilford's service in the St. George Temple. To ease the mind of any reader about whether or not Wilford, as President of the St. George Temple, was acting with the approval of and under the direction of Brigham Young, as President of the Church, I would like to add another quote from Wilford Woodruff's March 1, 1877 journal: "I have never taken this Course without consulting President Young. When this thing was manifest to me I said to some of the sisters that I would like to have them Come on my Birthday and make me a present by getting Endowments for some of my dead, and as a testimony to me all were willing. When I saw the magnitude of this I spoke to President Young about it." Thank you again for your comment and the opportunity to clarify that sentence in the article!
Jennifer MackleyJune 2, 2021
@Marie H.
I am not a descendant of Wilford Woodruff. My best connection is my 3rd great grandfather Theodore Turley who served as one of Wilford Woodruff's mission companions in England in 1840.
Jennifer MackleyJune 2, 2021
Thank you @Steve Donegan for your comment. You are absolutely correct in pointing out that "only the president of the Church can set down prophecy for the Church." That sentence could be misconstrued out of context. The entry in his journal for March 1, 1877 includes this explanation: "I have never taken this Course without consulting President Young. When this thing was manifest to me I said to some of the sisters that I would like to have them Come on my Birth day and make me a present by getting Endowments for some of my dead, and as a testimony to me all were willing. When I saw the magnitude of this I spoke to President Young about it." Brigham Young, as President of the Church, and Wilford Woodruff, as President of the St. George Temple, worked together almost every day to record the temple ceremonies and refine the temple practices from January to April 1877. There is much more of the story to share!
Blake GarsideJune 1, 2021
Jennifer, I can't thank you enough for this incredible and insightful look into HOW Temple doctrine developed and is realized for us today. Some of this information I knew about but so much that I didn't. I NOW have a great love and a greater appreciation for Wilford Woodruff's immense work for the dead and for us living today. As was the pattern in the early days of the Restoration, the NEED came about by INQUIRING of the Lord, PONDERING with FAITH then the Revelation was given. As we are pushed out of our Comfort Zones we are thankfully thrust into Growth Zones. For there is little comfort in growth zones and very little growth in comfort zones !! Looking forward to your Parts 2 & 3 for further light and knowledge.
Steve DoneganJune 1, 2021
I’m concerned about this sentence, “ It is noteworthy that this revelation came to Wilford – one of the apostles – rather than Brigham Young, who was the Prophet and President of the Church.” The statement could remove from the mind of a reader the earlier statement that this was done with Brigham Young’s approval. The Bible Dictionary definition of “prophet” includes the idea that all of us can be prophets, but ... Only the president of the Church can set down prophecy for the Church. I would hate for someone to misconstrue the one sentence to believe Woodruff could set policy.
Marie HJune 1, 2021
How interesting. Is the author also a descendant of the Prophet Wilford Woodruff.
Harold RustJune 1, 2021
A most revealing historical account that connects each phase of restoring the Lord's way of uniting families through all generations. This story should be told more frequently by families to their children and by ward members to each other. A very unifying message regarding the fundamental purpose of life: prepare of to live eternally with our Father in Heaven. Thank you.
Ronald BarnesJune 1, 2021
I have been a temple worker for 24 years. During that time, I have witnessed several adjustments to the ordinances and to temple procedures. I recently informed our Temple President that I will not be returning when our temple reopens. My wife’s health is declining and I felt inspired that I need to stay home with her. Not only do I encourage members to attend the temple, I also encourage them to become temple workers themselves..
Michael ColleyJune 1, 2021
Looking forward to reading more about this servant of God. Very inspiring.
Comments | Return to Story
Jennifer MackleyJune 7, 2021
@Steve Donegan Thank you for commenting on the sentence regarding Wilford's revelation about who could help him complete the proxy ordinances for his ancestors. It is difficult to provide the complete story in a short article, and this is a very brief overview of four decades that led up to Wilford's service in the St. George Temple. To ease the mind of any reader about whether or not Wilford, as President of the St. George Temple, was acting with the approval of and under the direction of Brigham Young, as President of the Church, I would like to add another quote from Wilford Woodruff's March 1, 1877 journal: "I have never taken this Course without consulting President Young. When this thing was manifest to me I said to some of the sisters that I would like to have them Come on my Birthday and make me a present by getting Endowments for some of my dead, and as a testimony to me all were willing. When I saw the magnitude of this I spoke to President Young about it." Thank you again for your comment and the opportunity to clarify that sentence in the article!
Jennifer MackleyJune 2, 2021
@Marie H. I am not a descendant of Wilford Woodruff. My best connection is my 3rd great grandfather Theodore Turley who served as one of Wilford Woodruff's mission companions in England in 1840.
Jennifer MackleyJune 2, 2021
Thank you @Steve Donegan for your comment. You are absolutely correct in pointing out that "only the president of the Church can set down prophecy for the Church." That sentence could be misconstrued out of context. The entry in his journal for March 1, 1877 includes this explanation: "I have never taken this Course without consulting President Young. When this thing was manifest to me I said to some of the sisters that I would like to have them Come on my Birth day and make me a present by getting Endowments for some of my dead, and as a testimony to me all were willing. When I saw the magnitude of this I spoke to President Young about it." Brigham Young, as President of the Church, and Wilford Woodruff, as President of the St. George Temple, worked together almost every day to record the temple ceremonies and refine the temple practices from January to April 1877. There is much more of the story to share!
Blake GarsideJune 1, 2021
Jennifer, I can't thank you enough for this incredible and insightful look into HOW Temple doctrine developed and is realized for us today. Some of this information I knew about but so much that I didn't. I NOW have a great love and a greater appreciation for Wilford Woodruff's immense work for the dead and for us living today. As was the pattern in the early days of the Restoration, the NEED came about by INQUIRING of the Lord, PONDERING with FAITH then the Revelation was given. As we are pushed out of our Comfort Zones we are thankfully thrust into Growth Zones. For there is little comfort in growth zones and very little growth in comfort zones !! Looking forward to your Parts 2 & 3 for further light and knowledge.
Steve DoneganJune 1, 2021
I’m concerned about this sentence, “ It is noteworthy that this revelation came to Wilford – one of the apostles – rather than Brigham Young, who was the Prophet and President of the Church.” The statement could remove from the mind of a reader the earlier statement that this was done with Brigham Young’s approval. The Bible Dictionary definition of “prophet” includes the idea that all of us can be prophets, but ... Only the president of the Church can set down prophecy for the Church. I would hate for someone to misconstrue the one sentence to believe Woodruff could set policy.
Marie HJune 1, 2021
How interesting. Is the author also a descendant of the Prophet Wilford Woodruff.
Harold RustJune 1, 2021
A most revealing historical account that connects each phase of restoring the Lord's way of uniting families through all generations. This story should be told more frequently by families to their children and by ward members to each other. A very unifying message regarding the fundamental purpose of life: prepare of to live eternally with our Father in Heaven. Thank you.
Ronald BarnesJune 1, 2021
I have been a temple worker for 24 years. During that time, I have witnessed several adjustments to the ordinances and to temple procedures. I recently informed our Temple President that I will not be returning when our temple reopens. My wife’s health is declining and I felt inspired that I need to stay home with her. Not only do I encourage members to attend the temple, I also encourage them to become temple workers themselves..
Michael ColleyJune 1, 2021
Looking forward to reading more about this servant of God. Very inspiring.
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