Insights from the Papers: Ashlyn Pells

Ashlyn Pells shares her discoveries in one of Wilford Woodruff’s autobiographies and the power of insights and testimonies, both vocal and through the written word. She echoes the testimony that these records, now published online, continue to preach the eternal truths of the gospel “night and day to rich and poor” throughout the world.

By Maddie Christensen

In today’s tumultuous world it can be difficult to make decisions and know what is right. As Latter-day Saints, we have the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us. Through the Holy Ghost, we can know the truth of all things.

Wilford Woodruff was a great example of recognizing spiritual promptings and acting on them. He once shared . . .

Giving Time, Gaining Testimony

By Lyndie Jackson

“It’s amazing the experiences Wilford Woodruff had and the Spirit I can feel just by reading his journals,” said Michelle Pack, a volunteer on the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. She continued, “I have enjoyed having that Spirit with me.”

Michelle found out about the Wilford Woodruff Papers through a Missionary Moms Facebook group, and after submitting a list of her talents, she was put to work writing articles, including finding quotes and stories from Wilford Woodruff’s writings.

“I have known who Wilford Woodruff was and I have studied his teachings . . .

While working in the journals recently, I was struck by how in tune Wilford Woodruff was to his family’s needs while he served as a missionary in England in 1840. Even though he was across the sea, his wife and children were often on his mind, especially, it seems, when they were going through trials that he was not even aware of. 

On July 17, 1840, Wilford and Phebe’s daughter, Sarah Emma, died. However, Wilford did not hear news of her death until October 22—more than three months later. In that intervening time and even a few days before her death, he wrote about his family several times. In one entry, he pled, “May the Lord preserve my wife & children from sickness & Death until my return O Lord I commit them into thy hands. Feed clothe, & comfort them & thine shall be the glory.” A month later, he wrote, “I pray the Lord to give good health to my wife & children.” 



Wilford also wrote multiple letters to Phebe during those months, one of which he wrote (unbeknownst to him) on the day of his daughter’s death. In this letter, he felt prompted to . . .

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