Mary Ann Maughan Converted Through Witnessing Wilford Woodruff's Peaceful Spirit

When Mary Ann Weston was seeking an apprenticeship as a dressmaker in 1839 near Gloucester, England, she took residence with Mr. and Mrs. William Jenkins through whom she first heard of the Latter-day Saints. In the spring of 1840, Mr. Jenkins was baptized into the Church by Wilford Woodruff while visiting friends in Herefordshire. Jenkins returned home and told Mary Ann and the household about the Church. Soon Brother Woodruff came to their house. As Mary Ann recalled: 'There was no one at home but me. He sat by the fire and soon commenced singing, "Shall I for fear of feeble Man the Spirits course in me restrain." Br Jenkins had told us that he had left his home in America crossed the sea and come to preach this gospel to the people in England. While he was singing I looked at him. He looked so peaceful and happy I thought he must be a good Man and the Gospel he preached must be true.' This witness of the Spirit through observing Wilford Woodruff's peaceful demeanor and the power of the Spirit conveyed through his singing converted Mary Ann to desire baptism. She and others in the area were baptized by Wilford Woodruff at midnight in a pond in the center of the village, as they could not be baptized in the daytime due to persecution.