Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation

"They Were Steadfast and Immovable”

by Michelle Pack

Jun 2, 2024

Alma the Younger Preaching by Gary L. Kapp

When Alma’s people began to “wax proud” (Alma 4:6), he was saddened. “There began to be great contentions among the people” (Alma 4:9), and the wickedness of the members of the Church had become a “great stumbling block to those who did not belong to the church” (Alma 4:10). As a way to combat this wickedness, Alma appointed a chief judge to take over the temporal affairs of the people, but he kept the office of high priest for himself. He then began preaching, using his testimony to dispel the false doctrines which had been circulating and to teach the people to come unto Christ (Alma 4:16–20). Alma could see no other way “that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them” (Alma 4:19). Pure testimony can touch hearts and help us feel the Spirit of the Lord. The spirit of pure testimony can inspire people to change. 

Wilford Woodruff felt this spirit of pure testimony while in Clithero, England, for a conference among the Saints. On May 11, 1845, he recorded, “I blessed the bread and wine and it was administered to the Saints after which the time was tak[en] up by the Brethren and Sisters in bearing testimony of the work of God, and the power of God rested upon the congregation until it melted us into tears. . . . I was so overwhelmed with the spirit and power of God and simplicity of the people I could scarcely speak.” That is the power of the Spirit when righteous Saints bear pure testimony. Pure testimony has the strength to inspire us to be better.

Have you ever felt sadness at someone else’s choices and wondered what you could do to help? In my experience, lecturing people on their unwise choices does little to change their behavior and could lead to hard feelings. But there is something we can do that will make a difference: we can bear our testimony in words and in action.

A testimony, as taught by Elder Gary E. Stevenson, is “your belief or knowledge of truth given as a spiritual witness through the influence of the Holy Ghost. Acquiring this witness will change what you say and how you act.” We bear testimony when we “share spiritual feelings with others.” However, as Elder Stevenson explains, “Another way you share your testimony is through righteous behavior.” Each time we act in accordance with our beliefs, we are an example to others and give them a guide to follow. When we bear our testimony through our actions, we can strengthen the testimony of others, give them strength to do what is right, and stand out as a guide to follow.

Let’s follow Alma’s and Wilford Woodruff’s examples and accept the invitation given by Elder Stevenson: “I invite you to seek opportunities to bear your testimony in word and in deed.”

Endnotes: 

1. Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, May 11, 1845, p. 79, The Wilford Woodruff Papers, 

   https://wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/documents/d79049d1-19c5-4968-92f0-1f9e33aaab4b/page/cfc8d4a5-a05b-434e-a5d3-f4377a137643?utm_source=Article%206/2&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=CFM6/2.  

2.  Gary E. Stevenson, “Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony,” October 2022 general conference, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

3.  “Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Daily Universe

Ethan has an internship with the Daily Universe that will last through Fall of 2024. He is a desk editor. He will continue to write articles for the Daily Universe through his internship so I will post those here.

BYU professor shares similarities between temples, BYU learning spaces

universe.byu.edu/2024/05/21/byu-professor-shares-similarities-between-temples-byu-learning-spaces/
By Ethan PackMay 21, 2024

Professor Rick Jellen gives the forum address on May 21, 2024. Jellen was awarded the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award in 2023. (Ethan Pack)

Plant and wildlife science professor Rick Jellen shared insights from his research and how he views the connection between temples and BYU campus learning spaces in a forum given on May 21 in the Marriott Center.

“Nearly 150 years ago, BYU’s first president, Karl G. Maeser, had a remarkable vision that convinced him of this institution’s divine mission. (President Maeser) stated, ‘I have seen Temple Hill filled with buildings — great temples of learning, and I have decided to remain and do my part,’” Jellen said. “Just like the Orem Temple, there is a light that emanates from the BYU campus atop what was known to Brother Maeser as ‘Temple Hill.’”

Jellen echoed President Maeser’s words when comparing BYU campus buildings to temples and said they are “sacred precincts where the BYU community engages in the discovery and transmission of light and knowledge.”

“All of us on this campus are teachers — faculty, staff, administrators, as well as students — who approach our subjects ‘bathed in the light of the restored gospel’ of Jesus Christ,” Jellen said.

Students, faculty and staff on BYU campus receive endowments of light and knowledge that enable them to magnify their talents and personal missions, he said. Jellen noted this is similar to the blessings received when serving in the temple.

“If we recognize and retain in remembrance the sacred nature of this university, I believe it will impact the way we view our work here at BYU,” he said. 

Jellen also spoke of his research, for which he was awarded the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award in 2023. He focused his research on uncovering the genetic behavior of quinoa and oats and then using genetic strategies to improve crops.

Through his research, Jellen discovered certain genes in oats that make it easier for them to grow, as well as where they come from. Jellen’s research on quinoa began in the early 2000s and has grown significantly since then, he said. Very little research on quinoa genetics had been done before Jellen began work with other BYU plant genetics faculty.

Jellen also spoke of truth, both temporal and spiritual. 

Truth from one discipline will never contradict truths from another, and when it seems to do so, it is often a matter of gaining faith and continuing the search for more information, he said.

“Sometimes there may appear to be conflicts between spiritual and secular truths. When these arise, we can have faith that we are missing critical information,” he said.

Jellen closed with his testimony. The diligent pursuit of knowledge with the Lord’s help “will enrich our lives, enhance our happiness, glorify God and magnify our talents and abilities to provide consecrated service to the blessing of His children and the edification of His Kingdom,” he said.

Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation

 

“He Worketh in Me to Do According to His Will”

by Michelle Pack

Apr 14, 2024

Jacob and Enos by Scott Snow

On April 22, 1860, Wilford Woodruff spoke in the Tabernacle. He began his discourse by saying, “I always feel much pleasure in addressing a congregation of Saints when I am inspired by the Holy Ghost, for then I can be of benefit to those who hear. . . . We are all dependent upon the Lord, upon his holy Spirit, and upon the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ for instruction . . . to edify, encourage, sustain and aid us in magnifying our callings in this life.” Wilford knew that God would work through him if he followed the guidance of the Spirit.

The ancient prophet Mormon did not know why the Lord had inspired him to include the small plates of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. He wrote, “And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will” (Words of Mormon 1:7).

Are we allowing the Lord to work through us for the benefit of others? Are we standing boldly, as Wilford Woodruff and Mormon, to declare that we want to be inspired by the Holy Ghost so we can be a benefit to others?

Years ago, I decided to ask God for daily promptings to serve. Everything went fine until the third day. A family in our ward was struggling. The mother had just had their third child, money was tight, and the father was gone a lot for work. This woman’s name came to mind, but I didn’t know her very well, so I ignored the prompting. By the afternoon, I knew I was supposed to do something. I felt prompted to make a loaf of bread so I would have an excuse to go to their home. I made the bread, went to their house, and knocked on the door.

When she answered the door, she was surprised to see me. She invited me in, and we sat at her kitchen table to visit. From there, I could see into her overflowing laundry room. I suddenly had a prompting to ask if I could help with her laundry. I didn’t know how she would react to that request. After struggling for a few minutes, I asked her if I could take a few laundry baskets home to wash and dry for her. With tears in her eyes, she told me that her biggest stress right then was the laundry, and she would appreciate the help.

I learned that day that the Spirit knows better than we do what someone needs. We need to be like Wilford Woodruff and depend on the Lord to “aid us in magnifying our callings in this life.” We need to be brave and act.

Endnotes:

 1. https://wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/p/7D3Q

Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation

Each time an article is written for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation, the article is linked on their Instagram and also a video is made using the article as the script. Here are some of the screenshots of those Instagram entries.

I have more articles coming out in the summer.

Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation - Volunteer Spotlight

I was spotlighted in April as a volunteer for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation. They wrote an article about me and sent me a thank you card and a medal. 

This is the article about me from their website.

Giving Time, Gaining Testimony

by Lyndie Jackson

Apr 11, 2024

“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 before, but I haven't gotten into his life,” Michelle said. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to go through his Papers and journals to find experiences to include in the articles I am writing.”

Currently a grad student at Utah Tech University working on a master’s degree in technical writing and digital rhetoric, Michelle is well suited to the task of article writing. She also worked with co-founder of the Wilford Woodruff Papers, Jennifer Ann Mackley, to update a new digital edition of Wilford Woodruff’s Witness: The Development of Temple Doctrine that includes direct links to the online documents now available at wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.

Michelle noted that her work for the Project has allowed her to express her testimony of the gospel through writing. “This was an opportunity to combine two things I love—the gospel and writing—and maybe make a difference by helping others learn more about President Woodruff’s exemplary life,” Michelle said. “I was drawn to the opportunity to express my testimony using his experiences and words.”

In addition to expressing her testimony, she has also strengthened it. She said, “In writing the Come, Follow Me articles, my testimony has been strengthened. Writing these articles has given me another time in my day when I can think of the gospel with a focused purpose and with others in mind.”

Michelle has had special experiences while researching for her articles that have strengthened her faith. For example, she recently found a story from one of Wilford Woodruff’s missions in England in which he and the entire congregation were moved to tears. Michelle was touched to see the Spirit work on Wilford Woodruff and to read his record of that day.

When asked what she would share with someone who was considering volunteering for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project, Michelle said, “It’s a great Foundation full of individuals who know the value of connecting the lessons learned in history. They want others to gain a testimony of the gospel through the teachings of Wilford Woodruff.”

If you are interested in strengthening your own testimony of the restored gospel and helping others gain a better understanding of the Restoration, consider volunteering with or exploring the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. Send an email to contact@wilfordwoodruffpapers.org or visit wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/get-involved to learn more.

Ivins City Attorney

Guess what happened in Bryan's life! Bryan saw the job opening for the Ivins City Attorney on their website. This has been the goal all along but Mesquite was settled and he wasn't sure if he should make the move. Bryan applied for it and, after an interview and a lot of prayer, he was offered the job and took it. On April 4th at the City Council meeting, Bryan was presented for vote of the City Council. They approved his appointment unanimously, which wasn't a surprise. I didn't go up with Bryan because we didn't know how long the meeting was going to be, but I watched it online. 

Now Bryan begins a transition from Mesquite to Ivins. The City of Mesquite is without a City Manager right now so this is tough for them to lose a City Manager and City Attorney at the same time. Bryan talked to them and told them he would be happy to continue on, remotely, until the end of July. They took him up on the offer so he will begin at Ivins on April 8th and continue with Mesquite until July 26. It will be crazy but Bryan has Mesquite automated so well that he thinks it won't be too difficult, just some long nights when he has both Ivins and Mesquite work to do. But Ivins has been very accommodating and will allow him to go to Mesquite when he needs to.

We are excited for this new adventure and I'm excited that he will be able to come home for lunch and is only 5 minutes away!

Funeral

The wife of one of Bryan's good friends growing up passed away so we had a funeral in California. It was really sad because she passed from pancreatic cancer but she fought hard and lived longer than the odds for her type of cancer. The funeral was beautiful and focused on her legacy and the remarkable person she was. 

Many of the San Ramon people came so Bryan was able to see many friends and parents of friends. It was good for all of them to be there for Jason and his kids. It was a sad trip but it was good to see everyone and be able to support Jason.