Things in Heaven and Earth: The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff

Things in Heaven and Earth examines the life of Wilford Woodruff, fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The biography traces Woodruff's path from his Connecticut origins through his conversion to Mormonism and his rise in church leadership during the 19th century. The book draws extensively from Woodruff's detailed personal journals, which he kept throughout his adult life. Alexander contextualizes Woodruff's experiences within the larger historical framework of American religious movements, westward expansion, and the development of Utah Territory. This biography addresses Woodruff's roles as missionary, apostle, and church president during pivotal moments in Mormon history. The narrative covers both his public leadership and private life, including his relationships with family members and fellow church leaders. The work presents Woodruff as a figure who bridged multiple eras in Mormon history, from the church's early restoration period through its transition into the modern age. Through Woodruff's story, Alexander explores themes of religious conviction, institutional adaptation, and the intersection of spiritual and temporal leadership in 19th-century America.

Readers note this biography provides deep historical context and draws extensively from Wilford Woodruff's journals and primary sources. Many find Alexander balances Woodruff's spiritual experiences with historical analysis. Likes: - Detailed coverage of Woodruff's role in temple work and doctrine development - Treatment of complex topics like the Manifesto and post-Manifesto marriages - Insights into daily life and agriculture in early Utah - Academic rigor while remaining readable Dislikes: - Some readers find portions too academic or dense - A few note it can get bogged down in minutiae - Mormon readers occasionally question interpretations of spiritual experiences Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (124 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (21 ratings) Sample review: "Alexander does an excellent job of placing Woodruff in his historical context while taking his religious experiences seriously. The agricultural details were fascinating." - Goodreads reviewer The book won the Mormon History Association Best Book Award and the Evans Biography Award.

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🌟 This biography won the Mormon History Association's Best Biography Award and the Evans Handcart Award in 1991 📖 Wilford Woodruff kept one of the most detailed and extensive journals in Mormon history, writing nearly every day for 63 years and filling more than 7,000 pages 🏛️ Author Thomas G. Alexander served as president of the Mormon History Association and is the Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr. Professor Emeritus of Western American History at Brigham Young University 🌿 Woodruff was known as "Wilford the Faithful" and was an avid fisherman who often combined his missionary work with his love of fishing, particularly during his missions in England 📜 The book explores how Woodruff, as fourth president of the LDS Church, made the crucial decision to issue the 1890 Manifesto that officially ended the practice of plural marriage, fundamentally changing the church's trajectory