President John W. Woolley

Testimony of Bishop Fred M. Jessop, Second Counselor to the President of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Concerning the Keyholders Under Whom He Has Served

I did not have the privilege of having a personal acquaintance with Uncle John W Woolley, but my Father and brother Richard brought me many stories of his remarkable character and instructions; and knowing them to be honest and that they did not lie, I was privileged to believe what they related to me. We lived in Millville, Utah, at this time, and in the early 1920 's, my father and older brothers worked in Salt Lake City, at the Baldwin Radio Plant, where Uncle' Lorin Woolley worked also.
My father related that Uncle John Woolley said that the Church authorities were about to cut President Joseph F Smith off the Church. President Smith reported to his senior, John W Woolley, who said, "No, Joseph, let them cut me off the Church." Later, members of the Twelve required President Smith to recant his position before the people. He asked by phone if he should do so, and John W. Woolley said, "If you do, that will be the last speech the Lord will let you make. " Uncle Lorin told us that President Smith sweat blood on his garments, who explained, "I would rather do this than have my blood on my brethren's hands. "
I remember hearing the news of Uncle John Woolley's passing and I felt very sad. He died December 13, 1928, at the age of 97, when I was eighteen years old.