One individual can make a difference in life.\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s because of a calling; more often than not it\u2019s through inspiration, i.e., being at the right place at the right time.\u00a0 So many women have made their mark in this world, but this time I\u2019m going to talk about a man.<\/p>\n
Wilford C. Wood was born in 1893.\u00a0 His grandfather, Daniel Wood, an early settler in Davis County, just north of Salt Lake City, founded Woods Cross.\u00a0 His other grandfather, Joseph Ridges, was the builder of the Tabernacle organ.<\/p>\n
Wilford served in the Northern States mission, where he could visit places where the Prophet lived and experienced such wondrous things.\u00a0 He lamented the sites didn\u2019t seem to be cared for or preserved in any way.<\/p>\n
When he returned home he married Lillian Woodbury and they lived in a log cabin while he began his career as a furrier (one who makes and sells fur coats).\u00a0 Because much of his training was in New York City, he crossed the nation many times, often stopping by these church historical places.\u00a0 He acquainted himself with various property owners, and in time, began purchasing buildings such as Liberty Jail, the Whitney Store, the Johnson home, the Times and Seasons building, and most of the Temple Block in Nauvoo. \u00a0\u00a0He informed the church that he was purchasing these properties and was willing to offer them to the church at minimal cost whenever they were interested.<\/p>\n
Eventually, the church did become interested, and Wilford generously kept his word, offering the buildings for whatever he had paid for them.\u00a0 At first, he was asked, by the church, to provide missionaries for Nauvoo, Liberty Jail and Carthage Jail. \u00a0As the overseer of these properties, he felt that High Priests and their wives ought to be called as missionaries to manage each place.\u00a0 In 1951, the first Senior Missionary Couples were called to supervise the various Church History Sites.<\/p>\n
A note to women:\u00a0 His wife, Lillian, was very supportive of his involvement, expense, and commitment in this lifetime venture.<\/p>\n
While Wilford was purchasing property, he was always on the lookout for items that could be purchased as well.\u00a0 He bought items owned by Joseph and Emma, original copies of scripture, including printing equipment.\u00a0 He collected so many items, the building that housed is fur business became the museum that housed all the memorabilia.\u00a0 He has given many items to BYU, as well as the Church Museum, and still has a large warehouse full of items.<\/p>\n
As insightful as this man was, and how grateful we are for him, it makes me think of each of us.\u00a0 What are we meant to do?\u00a0 Perhaps nothing as grand, but I am convinced that each one of us has a profound job to perform on this earth.\u00a0 This job will match our abilities and talents, and it is something only we can do.<\/p>\n
So many people are getting side tracked and caught up in the world; Satan is doing his job well.\u00a0 But we cannot let ourselves be overcome.\u00a0 \u00a0Go forth and seek out your niche in the kingdom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One individual can make a difference in life.\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s because of a calling; more often than not it\u2019s through inspiration, i.e., being at the right place at the right time.\u00a0 So many women have made their mark in this world, but this time I\u2019m going to talk about a man. Wilford C. Wood was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[472],"tags":[267],"class_list":["post-1377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","tag-contributions"],"yoast_head":"\n