Apr 10, 2023

Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to be in the ancient Apostles’ shoes, having the Savior there before me and witnessing the miracles He performed. Despite seeing all these things, each of the Apostles still had to come to know the Savior and gain a witness of who He is. In Matthew 16:15, Christ asks Simon Peter, “But whom say ye that I am?” He replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and Christ told him, “Blessed art thou . . . for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”¹

As I began this year, one of the goals I made was to work on developing a closer relationship with my Savior through better scripture study. I had found that I needed to change up the way I was studying so I could make it more meaningful with the purpose to come to know Him just a bit more. As I have done this, I have noticed that my ability to recognize and receive revelation has increased. I find answers to questions I have everywhere—in my classes, in the scriptures, in college devotionals, and in Wilford Woodruff’s writings.

Wilford Woodruff has said, “We are all dependent upon the Lord, upon his holy Spirit, and upon the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ for instruction, for light and knowledge, such as is calculated to edify, encourage, sustain and aid us in magnifying our callings in this life.”² Much like Peter and the other Apostles had to come to know Christ as He is, we also need to learn who He is and learn to rely on Him. As we truly seek to know who Christ is by reading our scriptures, praying, and seeking personal revelation, we will come to know Him individually, and we will invite His guidance, power, and protection into our lives.

Ashlin Malcolm has been working with the Wilford Woodruff Papers since September 2022 as an Editorial Assistant. She recently graduated from BYU–Idaho with a BA in English. She enjoys finding inspiration in Wilford Woodruff’s writings and learning more about Church history.