Wilford Woodruff — Visions and Proxy Baptisms for 'Eminent Men' (St. George Temple, August 21, 1877)

In August 1877, while serving as president of the St. George Temple, Wilford Woodruff recorded a series of visions in which the spirits of deceased 'eminent men' appeared to him over two consecutive nights. According to Woodruff's journal (recorded specifically as August 21, 1877), the spirits—including members of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and notable historical figures such as John Calvin, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John C. Calhoun—gathered around him and asked why their vicarious temple work had not been performed despite their faithfulness. In response, Woodruff, assisted by J.D.T. McAllister and others (some contemporary accounts also name Lucy Bigelow Young among those connected with the event), immediately performed proxy baptisms in the St. George Temple. Accounts report that baptisms were performed for about 100 of these individuals; Woodruff's journal specifically records the proxy baptism of John Calvin on August 21, 1877. The combined accounts describe the same single occurrence: the two-night visitation and the ensuing proxy baptisms carried out in the St. George Temple.