My Geneology

Wilford Woodruff

“Born March 1, 1807, and raised in Connecticut, 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. He died in San Francisco on September 2, 1898”.

- LDS church history

Family Tree

This is a diagram to show a little bit of my family tree. It starts with my Grand-Father Lynn White and ends with my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Wilford Woodruff.

When I was young I felt that this lineage made me have some sort of special connection to the religion - especially since I believed that my family (both living and dead) would know what was in my heart and be proud of me for living my life for the gospel.

It is easy to look back and see the irony of my situation now. I have realised that being born and raised in Utah there is a greater chance of being related to one of the LDS prophets, especially with the polygamy in the early days of the church.