This week in Church history: Dec. 31, 1833
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175 years ago
Wilford Woodruff, the fourth president of the Church, was baptized at age 26 on Dec. 31, 1833, two days after hearing a sermon preached by Elder Zera Pulsipher. Then living in Richland, Oswego County, New York, it was the first time he had heard about the restored gospel.
According to his biographical sketch in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, young Wilford Woodruff had been searching for the true church for some time when he heard Elder Pulsipher's sermon. He wrote in his journal: "When [Elder Pulsipher] had finished his discourse I truly felt that it was the first gospel sermon that I had ever heard. I thought it was what I had long been looking for. I could not feel it my duty to leave the house without bearing witness to the truth before the people. I opened my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my heart to understand, and my doors to entertain him who had administered unto us."
The priesthood and Relief Society study manual continues its report: "Wilford Woodruff invited Elder Pulsipher and his companion, Elijah Cheney, to stay in the Woodruff home. Two days later, having spent some time reading the Book of Mormon and meeting with the missionaries, Brother Woodruff was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From that day his life changed. Having found the truth, he dedicated himself to bringing it to others."
He was ordained an apostle on April 26, 1839, and became president of the Church on April 7, 1889, following the death of President John Taylor.
