Visions of Freedom: Wilford Woodruff and the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

by Michael De Groote, Ronald L. Fox

Visions of Freedom will bring readers face to face with the signers of the Declaration of Independence, where they can look at the lives of the eminent men and remember not just the things they achieved in life but also their final request for true freedom as they came to a sleeping Apostle in a white temple among red rocks.

Genres: History, Religion, Lds

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty cool book for a couple of reasons. The first part of the book is about Wilford Woodruff and the chronicling of his dreams where he was visited by the Founding Fathers of the United States of America and asked to perform their vicarious baptisms so they could benefit from blessings of the Restored Gospel. After that (maybe 20% of the way into the book), it begins to chronicle the lives and deaths all of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in alphabetical order. Some sections – like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, etc. – are quite long, while others are brief, but all of the lives are interesting, and many fascinated me. The last 15% or so is appendices, and each of them is also quite interesting.

This is also the type of book that I will read again to appreciate each of the biographies more, and I’m sure it will lead to further reading and research on many of them.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice look book. It documents Wilford Woodruff's vision and experience performing baptisms for the signers of the Declaration of Independence and other "eminent men and women." This experience taught him more about the Lord's work and the importance of the ordinances of salvation for all of God's children.

Most of this book is a short biographical sketch of each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It's neat to think about these individuals who came from different backgrounds and places and even ages. They performed an important and inspired work that helped to establish liberty and freedom and a place for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored so that temples could be built and ordinances could be performed. I enjoyed learning about them and thinking about their lives and actions. While they couldn't have known what their signature on this important document would mean for their future, this book helped me see that one great blessing to each of them for their courage in standing up for liberty was the eternal blessings of the gospel!

This book also includes an appendix listing all the people whos temple work was done at this time, as well as a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Here are some favorite quotes:

"They had triggered a revolution of freedom a century earlier--and now, in a gleaming white temple among red, stony cliffs in an isolated town in the West, the Signers of the Declaration of Independence were coming to a seventy-year-old man... They needed his help, these men who were the 'best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth (p. xiii).'"

"In 1841, when Wilford Woodruff first heard the Prophet Joseph Smith speak about doing vicarious work for the dead, one for the first thing he thought was, 'I have a mother in the spirit world.'... Death surrounded Woodruff as he grew, and it shaped his life (p. 1)."

"The first time Joseph Smith publicly mentioned baptism for the dead was in an August 15, 1840 funeral sermon for Seymour Brunson, a member of Nauvoo's high council (p. 4)."

"One reason they performed ['friend'] baptisms was because genealogical work was still a difficult and expensive proposition, so it was hard to find their own family members. It was much easier to gather readily accessible information for famous people. Another reason had to do with early members' admiration and respect for heroes, people they probably thought would have accepted the gospel had they known about it or been alive after the Restoration (p. 4)."

"Before the St. George Temple was built, the Endowment House was not a center of ongoing worship for most members of the Church. People rarely returned after receiving their endowment and being married... Woodruff bucked the trend, and whenever he was in Salt Lake Valley, he spent more and more of his time officiating in the Endowment House (p. 11)."

"Historian Brian H. Stuy did yeoman's work investigating what proxy temple ordinances were performed in the Endowment House for prominent men and women. He found that Signers of the Declaration of Independence and former presidents of the United States had baptisms done on their behalf in the 1870s before the St. George Temple was completed (p. 12)."

"The year 1876 was the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Bernhisel celebrated... by being baptized on behalf of many of the Founding Fathers and other political leaders... There is no indication Bernhisel knew of Church's 1871 and 1872 baptisms of many of the Signers (p. 13)."

"'What do you suppose the fathers would say if they could speak from the dead?... All the angels in heaven are looking at this little handful of people (p. 16).'"

"'This is a very important day to the Church and Kingdom of God on the Earth (p. 17).'"

"'It will take all the ordinances of the gospel of Christ to save one soul as much as another (p. 17).'"

"Woodruff often looked to dreams for guidance from the Lord, and when he felt a dream had come from God, he would speak about it in the same way the ancient prophet Lehi did (p. 23)."

"When Woodruff experienced his vision of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, he said it occurred on 'two consecutive nights... in the Temple at St. George.' His journal recorded him doing endowment work on Wednesday, August 15; Thursday, August 16; and Friday, August 17... Woodruff gave five known accounts of his encounter with the Signers... Curiously, Woodruff did not directly mention the vision in his journal. But he did write about preparing the list of Signers and other eminent men and women to be baptized for the dead and the exact day the work was done (p. 24)."

"The Signers wanted redemption as well. In life they argued for independence; now they were appealing for the binding and connecting ordinances of the house of the Lord. In his 1898 account, Woodruff said they 'demanded at my hands that I should go forth and attend to the ordinances of the House of God for them (p. 27).'"

"The Signers did not come to bring new wisdom. They came for help. But in a deeper sense, they brought the beginnings of a new understanding of temple work (p. 27)."

"Woodruff also compiled a list of seventy eminent women. Many were wives of the Signers, presidents or eminent men, but several stood on their own (p. 30)."

"Although modern Church practice prohibits baptism for celebrities... at the time, Woodruff had nowhere else to turn to expand temple work (p. 30)."

"It was a new understanding of the priesthood structure of heaven. While Church members had performed temple ordinances for their ancestors, there was no emphasis on performing proxy sealings. The change gave Latter-day Saints a new emphasis on family history (p. 35)."

"When Woodruff inaugurated the work for the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, part of the legacy of their visit was the deep desire they expressed to have work done for them--all of it (p. 36)."

"In the reunions and greetings on the other side of the veil, one can imagine Woodruff embracing those whose souls he brought to Christ in mortality. Though he saved many people through countless different missions he fulfilled in life, it was, perhaps, within the temple that his greatest impact on the Church took place (p. 37)."

"The principles of the Declaration of Independence belonged to all humanity (p. 39)."

"Adams knew the colonies needed to unite to decide how to respond to this and other crises and attacks on their liberty (p. 44)."

"'Without he character of Samuel Adams, the true history of the American Revolution can never be written (p. 46).'"

"Jefferson provided the words for the Declaration, and though Adams made some changes, his role was to get the Declaration passed (p. 49)."

"Maryland's anti-Catholic laws prevented Carroll from holding any political office, but this didn't mean he couldn't voice political opinions--he gained popularity in letters to the newspapers against overreaching royal authority... Carroll was the only Roman Catholic among the Signers... He was the last surviving Signer of the Declaration of Independence (p. 59)."

"As he was dying in Baltimore on June 19, 1811, Chase appeared calm and resigned. Earlier, he had taken the bread and wine of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper and said he was at peace with all mankind (p. 63)."

"George Clymer put his money where his mouth was when it came to the revolution against Britain. He was one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia, yet he exchanged his hard cash for Continental currency. He persuaded other wealthy people to do the same... if the Revolution failed, he would lose everything (p. 66)."

"The personal price Franklin paid to help forge a new and united nation was division in his family and the loss of his closest companion and friend, his own flesh and blood, his son. Benjamin Franklin has become a symbol of the possible--an embodiment of the American spirit of ingenuity, boldness, and freedom (p. 73)."

"When the vote for independence was put forward on July 2, 1776, Congress met as a Committee of the Whole--meaning the committee's chairman, Benjamin Harrison, presided. However, Hancock presided when the Declaration was approved on July 4, 1776. Hancock, as president of Congress, and Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Congress, were the only two to sign the document that day (p. 92)."

"They never saw Huntington angry... he never spoke a word to wound anyone's feelings... he never spoke negatively about people behind their backs (p. 109)."

"Jefferson wrote the Declaration at his apartment on the second floor of a home on Market Street and Seventh Street. He used a portable writing desk he had invented--a sort of eighteenth-century laptop (p. 112)."

"Lewis... was buried on Wall Street in New York City in the graveyard of Trinity Church, where he was a vestryman (p. 124)."

"Middleton replaced his father at the Continental Congress just in time to sign the Declaration of Independence (p. 132)."

"'There is no question that, of all the signers, Morris was the most reluctant (p. 137).'"

"Pennsylvania delegate John Morton knew how many of his constituents wanted him to vote. They were Quakers who didn't want war. There were also Loyalists who wanted reconciliation with Britain... Earlier on July 1, 1776, Morton voted against independence... By nightfall, he had changed his mind (p. 140)."

"In the spring of 1776, Paca was frustrated because he was unable to vote for independence. The Maryland legislature forbade it (p. 145)."

"'If the States remain, the representatives of the large ones will stick together and carry everything before them... These jealousies are inseparable from the scheme of leaving the States in existence. They must be done away (p. 153).'"

"Ross was sent to the Continental Congress in mid-1776--too late for the vote on independence but in time to sign the document in early August. His niece, Betsy Ross, did her own part for independence by sewing flags for the new nation (p. 160)."

"Rush supported the new Constitution in 1787 and was a member of the state convention to ratify it. After it was ratified, he helped Wilson write Pennsylvania's new constitution... One of Rush's greatest accomplishments was bringing Adams and Jefferson back into a friendship that had been lost over political wrangling during their presidencies. He repeatedly encouraged the two to bury the hatchet. They finally did so and struck up a correspondence that enriched their lives and illuminated their history (p. 164)."

"Smith took a copy of the Declaration of Independence to York, Pennsylvania, on July 6 and enthusiastically read it and defended it to any hearers (p. 173)."

"Stockton was the first and the only person who was specifically targeted, captured, and basically tortured because he was part of the group of men who signed the Declaration of Independence (p. 174)."

"When George Taylor came to America in 1736, he couldn't afford the passage from Ireland. He was about twenty years old and started his new life in Pennsylvania as an indentured servant (p. 183)."

"Coming to America did not solve their religious persecution. The family settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they were part of a Presbyterian minority in a Puritan community. His religious roots shaped his view of the significance of what the colonies would attempt when he was in sixties. To him, the call of independence was the voice of God (p. 186)."

"At his funeral sermon, the reverend praised [Thornton] for... 'his constancy in attending the public worship, where he trod the courts of the house of God with steps tottering with age and infirmity.' On his original gravestone was engraved 'An Honest Man (p. 188).'"

"'The demon, discord, yet presides in this country, and God only knows when his reign will be at an end. I have strove so hard to do good with so poor a return, that, were the liberties of America secure, I would bid adieu to all public employment, to politics, and to strife; for even virtue itself will meet with enemies (p. 192).'"

"[Williams'] last seven years were devoted to reading, meditation, and prayer (p. 197)."

"Wilson argued for a popular election of Congress and president so people would have more confidence in their officials. He argued for checks and balances and the idea that power resided in the people. He also wrote a draft of the Constitution, which drafting committee chairman John Rutledge edited heavily. Wilson polished it and presented it to the delegates on August 6, 1787. The Constitution of the United States of America was approved and signed on September 17, 1787 (p. 200)."

"John Witherspoon was born near Edinburgh, Scotland on February 5, 1723. His father was a Presbyterian clergyman, and Witherspoon followed in his footsteps (p. 202)."

"When the Signers of the Declaration of Independence appeared to Woodruff in recurring dreams in 1877, they appeared as individuals without, for the most part, any familial connection to any Mormons. What bound them to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a love for liberty. From those visits, Woodruff learned two things: First, he learned the Signers were good men. Second, he learned the ordinances of the salvation were meant for everybody (p. 210)."

"Tuesday, August 21, 1877... I was baptized for the following names: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, Edward Rutledge, George Walton, Thomas Heywood Jr, Thomas Lynch Jr, Arthur Myddleton, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilsol, George Ross, Ceazar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M Kean, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark, Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery, Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, Mathew Thornton... It was a very interesting day. I felt thankful that we had the privilege and the power to administer for the worthy dead especially for the signers of the declaration of Independence, that inasmuch as they had laid the foundation of our government that we could do as much for them as they had done for us (p. 211)."

"It takes just as much to save a dead man as a living man (p. 215)."

"They called upon us, knowing that we held the keys and power to redeem them... I have felt to rejoice exceedingly in this work of redeeming the dead (p. 216)."

"There never was a soul anywhere that could do this until God organized His Church upon the earth... This is a duty resting upon all Israel, and one that we should comprehend (p. 219)."

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, which tells the story of the vision of the signers of the Declaration of Independence coming to Wilford Woodruff in the St. George temple. Then the rest of the book shares mini biographies and stories of the signers. There is a list of the other prominent people who had their work done as well.

Here are two stories:

Samuel Huntington
One person who lived with Huntington’s family for 24 years said,
He never saw Huntington angry. He never spoken word to wound anyone’s feelings. And he never spoke negative about people behind their backs.

Benjamin Franklin:
He admitted there were parts of the Constitution that he didn’t prove of. Opinions change, he said, and for that reason, I am to doubt my own judgment. He told the members of Congress that they should doubt a little of their own infallibility and out their signatures on it.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars! Excellent book! Not only shares the history behind how the Signers of the Declaration and all but 2 US Presidents requested their Temple Work be done, but it also spends a short, detailed chapter on each of these men and their biography. Fascinating - especially if you enjoy history, American history, and biographies of important people. Make sure to read (or listen to) the appendices at the end for a list of many other famous people whose Temple Work has also been done, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, Benito Juarez, Martha Washington, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and many more.

[Wayne Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m left with a gnawing question, but otherwise enjoyed it. Two of the women who had their work done for them in 1877 weren’t dead yet according to the Appendix. They were still alive when this work was being done. I must admit, I’m not a scholar on this stuff but I’m wondering how proxy work can be done for two living souls. Otherwise, book is well-researched and well-written.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book is really cool. The first part of the book is about Wilford Woodruff and his dream about the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The rest of the book gives a short biography of each of the signers. While this is neat, I got a little bored. The book was well researched and a great resource.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know much about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, this book helped fix that. All these men were accomplished and in some cases gave up everything to give us a free country and spell out our God given rights.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I was hoping for. It was dry and clinical. It will sit on the shelf as a reference manual.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

well done

[Fábio Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. Heart-warming content, mixing both a spiritual and historical perspective on the fathers of independence.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book with short bio's of all the signers of the Declaration of Indpendence. Also Wilford Woodruff's experience in doing their Temple work. It's a type of "bathroom book" meaning that it's good for reading a little each day. I listened to it in my car and since it's just facts and information rather than a story it can get a little dry.

[Tenille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really read history books, but though I'd give this a try. I liked the history of the temple and how the work was brought to pass. I didn't like as much the histories of the signers, it was a bit boring to me...history buffs would like it.

[Douglas Fugate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful descriptions of the visions, background, testimonies of President Woodruff. The mini-biographies of all of the signers are easy to read and provide bibliography for more reading if desired.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was very interesting I had never known anything about the signers. Many sacrificed so much for us. We are so blessed because of their actions.

[Darin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mini-histories of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.