Wilford and Phebe Woodruff Home

The restored Woodruff Home represents the family’s life in Nauvoo, a time that Wilford and his wife Phebe largely spent apart from one another due to his missionary service. The Woodruff family, like many other families of early missionaries, strengthened their faith as they relied more fully upon the Lord during the times they were separated.

Wilford Woodruff moved into this brick home with his family on May 4, 1844. Five days later, he left on a mission to campaign for Joseph Smith, who had declared his candidacy for President of the United States. The home was not finished—no rooms were completed and only part of the floor was laid—but it was a livable space for Phebe and their children. Wilford worked on the home when he could after he returned, but he was called away again a few months later to serve as President of the British Mission. The home was still unfinished in 1846 when the family left Nauvoo to journey westward with the Saints.

Wilford and Phebe Woodruff were both devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilford, who later became the fourth President of the Church, was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Kirtland, Ohio, in April 1839 by Brigham Young. Wilford served many missions, both in the United States and in England. These missions were as much a sacrifice for Phebe as they were for Wilford. During Wilford’s two-year mission in England before they moved into this home, Phebe not only gave birth to their son Wilford Jr., but she also endured the death of their two-year-old daughter, Sarah Emma, four months later. While neighbors cared for the Woodruff family during Wilford’s absence, Phebe still longed for her husband during these trying times. However, other missions also brought the couple together. Phebe served as a missionary with her husband as he presided over Latter-day Saints in Europe.

Read about Wilford and Phebe Woodruff’s mission to England in Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 45.

What to Expect

The Wilford and Phebe Woodruff Home is the concluding stop in the Homes of the Apostles tour, which begins at the Orson and Marinda Hyde Home. The Wilford and Phebe Woodruff Home is a six-room guided tour of the parlor, kitchen, dining room, work room, master bedroom, and children’s room. After the tour of the Woodruff Home, you are welcome to explore the rest of Nauvoo.

During the summer, you may encounter a missionary sharing more about the Woodruff family through the eyes of Phebe or Wilford’s sister, Eunice, who lived in the home in 1845.

360° Walkthrough