From the Life of President Wilford Woodruff

Adapted from Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant (2002), 71–73.

Inspired Prophet

Illustrated by Sal Velluto and Eugenio Mattozzi

When Wilford Woodruff became the prophet, many Church members did not have enough money. Wilford especially worried about some of the farmers.

President Woodruff: What can the Church do to help the people?

After hearing a report on sugar, President Woodruff felt the Church should begin growing sugar beets. He appointed a committee to learn more.

President Woodruff: The Church needs to know if sugar beets would be a good business.

Committee member: We will find out for you, President.

When the committee decided that growing sugar would not be a good idea, President Woodruff asked a second group to look into it again.

Committee member: This group agrees with the first. We do not think sugar beet manufacturing would be a good business for the Church.

President Woodruff: Never mind this report. I feel inspired to start the sugar beet industry.

Just as the new company began planning to build a factory, Utah began to have serious money trouble. It was not a good time to begin a business.

Committee member: President Woodruff, it is just as we feared. The Utah Sugar Company will never survive!

Committee member: We recommend that you get out of the business while you still can.

President Woodruff would not agree.

President Woodruff: The Lord has inspired me to have us work with sugar beets, and we will. Every time I think of abandoning it, there is darkness; and every time I think of building it, there is light.
We will build the factory even if it busts the Church!

As the prophet, President Woodruff always tried to lead the Church through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. The sugar company eventually helped many struggling farmers.