--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Thomas Hull collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 4 number: 2 published: 1900-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Thomas Hull, "The Woodruff Monument," *Improvement Era* 4, no. 2 (December 1900): 138–145.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0402unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0402unse start_page: 138 end_page: 145 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1900-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0402unse publication_year: 1900 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1900, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Woodruff Monument THE WOODRUFF MONUMENT. A DESCRIPTION OF THE HANDSOME MEMENTO, AND AN ACCOUNT OF ITS DEDICATION. BY THOMAS HULL, GENERAL SECRETARY OF Y. M. M. I. A. Shortly after the death of President Wilf ord Woodruff, in September, 1898, the General Board of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations adopted the following resolution: As an expression of the love and reverence of the young men of Zion for President Wilford Woodruff, it is the desire of the Associations to participate, as an organization, in the construction of a lasting monument to his memory, taking such part as may be assigned to us by the general Church authorities and his family. On March 7, 1900, at the meeting of the General Board, Elders Rudger Clawson, Nephi L. Morris and Thomas Hull were appointed a committee to arrange the details of the part to be taken in this matter by the associations, since the initial steps were then being taken, by the family, towards erecting a monument over the grave of President Woodruff. On March 10, this committee sent a circular letter, which President Joseph F. Smith joined them in signing, to all the associations, asking for donations, not to exceed five dollars from any association, for the purpose of assisting in the erection of a suitable monument in memory of our beloved superintendent. The response to this request was most cheerful, and far exceeded the expectations of the Board. Every stake of Zion participated, some three hundred and fifty ward associations being represented. The total amount collected was $775.75. Many ex- THE WOODRUFF MONUMENT. 139 pressions of pleasure at being permitted to take part were received by the committee, from the associations. It was decided by the family of President Woodruff to erect a plain substantial monument upon the family lot in the cemetery in Salt Lake City, and a contract was awarded to the firm of Elias Morris & Sons Co., who imported and erected the handsome memento which now adorns the resting place of that beloved leader of the youth of Israel. The Era takes pleasure in presenting to its readers, in this number, a portrait of the monument, showing the east front. The monument is of rich gray granite, taken from the famous quarries of Barre, Vermont. The bottom base is made of Cottonwood granite quarried from the mountains which overshadowed the homestead of the president. The monument stands eight feet six inches high, and the base is seven feet six inches long, and four feet eight inches wide. The general finish of the monument is fine axed, with the exception of the four panels of the die which are highly polished. On the plinth, immediately below the cap, is carved, in bold relief, graceful festoons which appear on the four sides. The initial "W" on the face of the cap is encircled by two olive branches which are emblematical, in a strong degree, of the most prominent characteristic of Brother Woodruff, which was peace. On both sides of the first base in square block letters, well relieved, is cut the family name. On the east face of the die, in plain, bold type, is to be read the following inscription: WILFORD WOODRUFF BORN MARCH 1ST, 1807 DIED SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1898. On the north end of the die is carved: FOURTH PRESIDENT CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 1889-1898. 140 IMPROVEMENT ERA. On the west panel is carved the names of his two wives who have died, space being left to receive the inscriptions of the wives who survive him when they shall have passed away. The monument occupies the center of a large lot two rods square, which is covered with a beautiful lawn. At the head of the president's grave is a plain but heavy granite marker, across the top of which the word "Father" is deeply inscribed. Altogether the monument is one of the most finished pieces of work to be found in the State. Its durability will only be outlived by the memory of the man whom it commemorates. On Thursday, November 8, 1900, the base was set, into which was inserted by President Woodruff's daughter, Beulah A. Beatie, a metallic box containing the following articles: Deseret News of July 24, 1897; September 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, 1898; June 16, 1900; with fac simile of Deseret News Vol- 1, No. 1., dated June 15, 1850; November 6 and 7, 1900. Salt Lake Tribune (semi-weekly) September 6 and 9, 1898; daily November 7 and 8, 1900. Photograph of President Woodruff in his ninety-first year, with his wife Emma, in her sixtieth year. Birthday reception card, ninetieth birthday, at Salt Lake Tabernacle, March 1, 1897, bearing autograph signature of President Woodruff. Tullidge's Quarterly Magazine, Vol. 3, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, containing autobiography and portrait. Contributor Vol. 13, No. 11, September, 1892, containing illustrated sketch of birthplace, by Junius F. Wells. Improvement Era, Vol. 1, No. 12, October, 1898, with portrait and life sketch by the Church Historian, Franklin D. Richards. Genealogy of President Woodruff from Matthew Woodruff, 1653. Genealogical chart of descendants of Wilford Woodruff. San Francisco Wave, Vol. 18, No. 2, September 10, 1898, with cut of First Presidency and Salt Lake "Mormon" views. List of names of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations subscribing to fund for the monument. On Saturday, November 10, 1900, at 1 o'clock p. m., a number of relatives and friends of the late President Wilford Woodruff THE WOODRUFF MONUMENT. 141 assembled at his grave to witness the dedication of the monument erected thereon to his memory. There were present: Of the First Presidency, Presidents George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; and of the council of Apostles, Elders Heber J. Grant and Anthon H. Lund. There were also present of the General Board of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, in addition to President Smith and Apostle Grant, already mentioned, Elders Joseph W. McMurrin, Frank Y. Taylor' Nephi L. Morris, Junius F. Wells; Music Director Evan Stephens' and General Secretary Thomas Hull. The Whitney quartet, composed of Elders H. G. Whitney, John D. Spencer, George D. Pyper and William G. Patrick sang most feelingly the beautiful hymn, "Lord, we come before thee now." Elder Heber J. Grant briefly referred to the part taken by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the erection of the monument. He said: Some time ago, a request was made of the Associations to subscribe small amounts to assist in erecting a monument over the grave of our beloved General Superintendent, President Wilford Woodruff. The limit of the amount to be donated by any association was placed at five dollars. We expected to obtain about five hundred dollars, but so great was the pleasure felt by the young men in being permitted to take part in this tribute to their friend that, with the greatest ease, seven hundred and fifty were realized. We take pleasure in informing the family of President Woodruff that the General Board felt it an honor, as well as a labor of love, to be permitted to assist in this work. I pray God to bless the family of President Woodruff, and help them to emulate their father's example, who lived in such a manner as to bring to him the love and respect of all who knew him. Elder James J. Woodruff, a son of President Woodruff, said: My brothers and sisters, it is with pleasure that I meet with you. As a member of my father's family, I desire to tender to you my heartfelt gratitude for your presence here this afternoon. We appreciate the efforts of our beloved brethren of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations. We desire, as his sons and daughters, to emulate the example of our father. We desire to walk so that he will never have cause to 142 IMPROVEMENT ERA. blush for any of his posterity. As one of his sons, I am thankful that the Lord has seen fit to open the heavens and commune with man. I feel honored that my father was called to do a work, and that he nobly performed that work which was required of him. That God's peace and blessing may be with us, and with all who are here, that the mind and will of God may be made known to the Prophet Lorenzo Snow and his counselors and the Twelve, and that we all may stand true to the covenants of the everlasting Gospel until the end, is my prayer, in the name Jesus Christ. Amen. Elder Anthon H. Lund said: Brethren and sisters, I came up with you to witness the dedication of Brother Woodruff's monument. I am pleased with it — so plain — no ostentation, but substantial and good. It seems to indicate the character of the man to whose memory it is erected. We love Brother Woodruff. He was to us everything that was good and noble. He faithfully fulfilled his mission here. He gained the love and esteem of all who knew him. I am pleased that this monument has been erected and that the family allowed the young men of Israel to assist in its erection. The young men loved him, but the old people loved him also, and his memory will ever be dear to us. God bless the family of President Woodruff, and may they ever live worthy of their noble husband and father. President Joseph F. Smith said: I have been requested to say a few words. I desire to say, in addition to what Brother Heber J. Grant has said, that it was thought by some of the members of the General Board that there might be some hesitation on the part of the young men to donate to this monument on account of the difficulty which had been experienced in collecting funds for the Brigham Young monument. Others of the Board felt that the young men would be only too glad to be permitted to express their love for the man who for nearly twenty years had stood at their head; and we found this to be the case. The response to the call exceeded our expectations, and all was voluntary, and many were the expressions of gratitude and pleasure at having the privilege of contributing. I feel grateful and proud that, in the spirit of love for one whom we held so dear, this monument has been completed; and yet, when I look at the facts, I can see there has been already a monument erected by the life and labors of President Woodruff that will long outlive this monument of granite. While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shall exist in this world, and in the world to come, and when this THE WOODRUFF MONUMENT. 143 granite shall have mouldered away to dust, it will be remembered by untold millions that Wilford Woodruff stood at the head of The Church as a prophet, seer and revelator. That is an imperishable monument. I congratulate the family, and also those who have contributed, upon the completion of this monument so pleasantly. May God bless the family of President Woodruff, his wives, and his children, and his children's children to the latest generation. And we hope that his family will ever follow in his footsteps. Let it be remembered that he was a stalwart, unflinching believer in the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and in the destiny of this latter-day work, and in the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; and it was this inspiration, and his great faith in that man, that built for him that monument of renown that can never fade away. Let his sons cherish the faith which he possessed, and never depart from it, but teach it to their children, and in this way they can honor their father more than in any other. President George Q. Cannon then addressed the assembly, saying in part: I do not feel that I can allow this occasion to pass without saying a few words. I am sure that what has been said concerning President Woodruff finds an echo in all our hearts, and expresses, in some degree, our wishes concerning his children. There has been a peculiar providence in the selection, by the Lord, of the men who have been called to occupy the leading places in this great work. We look at Joseph; he filled a sphere that was exceptional among the sons of men. He was perfectly adapted for the work he was called to do. Probably few prophets ever were so endowed with gifts and graces as was he. Everything connected with his history gives evidence of the fact that he was inspired far beyond many of the prophets of whom we have read, and that he was specially fitted for the performance of his great mission. The Lord permitted his enemies to take his life. He fell a martyr; and, at the time, it seemed that no one could be found to fill his place. But the Lord raised up another — Brigham Young. He had his peculiar gifts and endowments, and he filled his sphere and accomplished a mighty work. He was a man remarkable for his talents, and the Lord sustained him. He passed away, and then President Taylor succeeded to the Presidency. A man who had been a martyr, it may be said, for he bore to his grave wounds received when the Prophet Joseph was killed; but he was spared to become a champion of liberty. A man who was always full of integrity and zeal, and who carried on the work, while he lived, in such