Wilford Woodruff

Wilford Woodruff was a miller by trade. He joined the Church in 1833 and served two missions before being ordained an Apostle in 1839. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, he completed four additional missions, presided over the temple in St. George, Utah, and served six years as Church Historian. He was sustained as Church President on April 7, 1889. As President of the Church, he dedicated temples in Salt Lake City and Manti, Utah, oversaw the organization of the Genealogical Society, and reemphasized the value of historical record keeping. After much pondering and prayer, he received a revelation that the Latter-day Saints should cease the practice of plural marriage. In 1890, he wrote the Manifesto, testifying that the Church had ceased teaching the practice of plural marriage. In addition to being the Lord’s mouthpiece for that revelation, President Woodruff also left a legacy that emphasized missionary and temple work. (Church History, Prophets of the Restoration)

He sailed to America in 1841 on the ship The Rochester.

Wilford’s first trip to the Salt Lake Valley was in the Brigham Young Pioneer Company in 1847.  He was a captain of ten. On 6 August 1847 he was re-baptized and re-confirmed by Brigham Young

In 1850, Wilford traveled again with the rest of the Woodruff family to the Salt Lake Valley, as Captain of the Wilford Woodruff Company in 1850.  On the company rosters found in Journal history, the family is listed as Wilford Woodruff and Phebe Whittemore Carter traveling with their children, Wilford, Phebe Amelia, and Susan.

His travel to Utah is also mentioned in the obituary of his son, Wilford.