Wilford Woodruff
I Wish We Could See and Know
the Things of God
"Oh, I wish many times that the veil were lifted off the
face of the Latter-day Saints. I wish we could see and know the things of God
as they do who are laboring for the salvation of the human family who are in
the spirit world; for if this were so, this whole people, with very few, if
any, exceptions, would lose all interest in the riches of the world, and
instead thereof their whole desires and labors would be directed to redeem
their dead, to perform faithfully the work and mission given us on earth; so
that when we ourselves should pass behind the veil and meet with Joseph and the
ancient apostles, and others who are watching over us and who are deeply
interested in our labors, we might feel satisfied in having done our
duty."
(The Discourses of Wilford
Woodruff, p. 152, Dedicatory services, Salt Lake Temple, 1893)
"Our mission is more extended and extensive than we realize... We
are bordering upon the millennium. We are living in the great and last
dispensation, in the which the God of Israel expects us, his servants, his sons
and daughters, to perform the work which has been left to our charge: It is our
duty to build these temples. It is our duty to enter into them and redeem our
dead. Joseph Smith is preaching to the spirits in prison; so are all the elders
who have died in the faith. There are millions of them there, and they must
have the Gospel offered to them. Joseph Smith and others cannot baptize the
spirits in water, it is not the law; but their posterity, their sons and
daughters who are living in the last dispensation, are expected to go into
these temples and there redeem their dead. This is a good work, and it is a
great blessing for men and women to have this privilege. . ."
(Journal of Discourses, Vol. 23, p. 331)