Aug 21, 2023

“It has been a blessing to me to be a very small part of such a great work,” shares Donna Turlington, one of the amazing volunteers for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. 

Donna first heard about the Project after following the Joseph Smith Papers on BYUtv. She heard Steven Harper, Executive Editor, discussing the Wilford Woodruff Papers’ importance to Church history. Donna visited wilfordwoodruffpapers.org, signed up for the newsletter, and became involved after receiving an email about the need for volunteers. 

Donna works on finding gems within the documents that can be highlighted in our topical index and especially loves reading letters from individuals responding to mission calls they received. She says, “The different responses of the men to their mission call has touched me. Most were really in dire circumstances when they received their call but were still willing and thankful to serve a mission. There were a few who had circumstances that were such that they had to ask to be excused from serving.”

Wilford Woodruff's record and journal keeping is a source of great inspiration to Donna. She shares, “It is wonderful to see so many gifted historians and volunteers working together to bring the treasure of these records to the world as so many did that worked on the Joseph Smith Papers.” 

Donna’s hard work as a volunteer has not gone unnoticed. Shauna Horne, Donna’s supervisor shares, “Donna is a delightful volunteer. She is very thorough and observant. She works hard and has a love for the Papers. We are so grateful for her hard work and dedication.” 

If you are interested in being part of this great work, visit https://wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/volunteer.