Curriculum Vitae

Academic PositionProfessional Track

Education

Honors & Awards

Authored Books24

• 2026Susan Easton Black, Mary Jane Searle, and Kenneth L. Alford. The Spirit of '76: Latter-day Saints Who Shaped America. Sandy, Utah: History of the Saints, Inc.
• 2025Mary Jane Woodger. Prophetic Counsel for America: Daily Sermons & Inspired Thoughts. Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Inc.
• 2023Casey Paul Griffiths and Mary Jane Woodger. Search, Ponder, and Pray: A Guide to Church History Sites in New England. Cedar Fort Inc.
• 2023Casey Paul Griffiths and Mary Jane Woodger. Search, Ponder, and Pray: A Guide to Church History Sites in Missouri. Cedar Fort Inc.
• 2023Casey Paul Griffiths, Bryan Ready, and Mary Jane Woodger. Search, Ponder, and Pray: A Guide to Church History Sites in Illinois. Cedar Fort Inc.
• 2022Casey Griffiths and Mary Jane Woodger. 50 More Relics of the Restoration. Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Press.
• 2020Casey Griffiths and Mary Jane Woodger. 50 Relics of the Restoration. Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Press.
• 2020Lloyd D. Newell and Mary Jane Woodger. Spiritual Gifts and the Christlike Life. Salt Lake City: Walnut Springs Press.
• 2019Mary Jane Woodger, Kenneth L. Alford, and Craig K. Manscill. Dreams as Revelation. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book.
• 2018Mary Jane Woodger. Mission President or Spy? The True Story of Wallace F. Toronto, the Czech Mission, and World War II. Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center.
• 2018Lloyd D. Newell and Mary Jane Woodger. The Beatitudes and the Christlike Life. American Fork: Covenant Communications.
• 2017Casey Griffiths, Mary Jane Woodger, and Susan Easton Black. What You Didn't Know About The 100 Most Important Events in Church History. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book.
• 2016Mary Jane Woodger, Riley Moffat, and Fred E. Woods. Sacred and Historical Places: Hawaii. Laie, Hawaii: Jonathan Napela Society.
• 2016Susan Easton Black and Mary Jane Woodger. In Their Own Words: Inspiring Autobiographical Stories from the Lives of the Prophets. American Fork: Covenant Publications.
• 2015Mary Jane Woodger and Paulette Preston Yates. Courtships of the Prophets. American Fork: Covenant Publications.
• 2015Lloyd Newell, Susan Easton Black, and Mary Jane Woodger. Men of Character: Profiles of 100 Prominent LDS Men. Covenant Publications.
• 2012Mary Jane Woodger. The Essential Doctrine and Covenants Companion. American Fork: Covenant Publications.
• 2011Mary Jane Woodger. Against the Odds: The Life of George Albert Smith. American Fork: Covenant Publications.
• 2011Susan Easton Black and Mary Jane Woodger. Women of Character: Profiles of 100 Prominent LDS Women. Covenant Publications.
• 2010Mary Jane Woodger and Joseph I. Groberg. From the Muddy River to the Ivory Tower: The Journey of George H. Brimhall. Provo: Brigham Young University.
• 2009Mary Jane Woodger. Delivered by Christ. Brigham City, Utah: Walnut Springs Press.
• 2007Mary Jane Woodger. The Gifts of Self Esteem. Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Press.
• 2005The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• 2004Mary Jane Woodger. David O. McKay: Beloved Prophet. American Fork: Covenant Communications.

Edited Books10

• 2026Quiet Disciples: How Everyday Acts of Faith Shape God's Work. Eds. Mary Jane Woodger and Casey Paul Griffiths. Salt Lake City: Covenant Communications.
• 2025Celebrating the Newly Renovated Salt Lake Temple. Eds. Mary Jane Woodger and Mark D. Ogletree. Springville: Cedar Fort, Inc.
• 2025Doctrine and Covenants Insights: Capstone of Doctrinal Understanding. Eds. Kenneth A. Alford, Mark A. Mathews, and Mary Jane Woodger. Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center.
• 2024Book of Mormon Insights. Eds. Kenneth A. Alford, Krystal Pierce, and Mary Jane Woodger. Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center.
• 2021Old Testament Insights: A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit. Eds. Ken A. Alford, Gaye Strathearn, and Mary Jane Woodger. American Fork: Covenant Communications.
• 2009Champion of Liberty: John Taylor. Ed. Mary Jane Woodger. Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center.
• 2008Regional Studies in LDS Church History, South Pacific. Eds. Reid L. Neilson, Steven Harper, Craig Manscill, and Mary Jane Woodger. Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center.
• 2007Latter-day Saint Courtship Patterns. Eds. Mary Jane Woodger, Thomas B. Holman, and Kristi A. Young. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
• 2005David O. McKay. Heart Petals: The Personal Correspondence of David Oman McKay to Emma Ray McKay. Ed. Mary Jane Woodger. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press.
• 2004David O. McKay. The Teachings of David O. McKay. Ed. Mary Jane Woodger. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book.

Book Chapters, Published51

• 2026Woodger, Mary Jane. "Leah Dunford Widtsoe." BYU Women at 150 Years. Ed. Valerie Hegstrom. Provo: Brigham Young University.
• 2026Brown, Jolyn and Mary Jane Woodger. "Margaret Vilate Green Clarke: Through Deep Waters." Quiet Disciples. Eds. Woodger and Griffiths. Salt Lake City: Covenant Communications.
• 2026Woodger, Mary Jane and Afton Beard. "Kam-Tim Kwok: Teaching with Love and Caring for Others." Quiet Disciples. Covenant Communications.
• 2026Brown, Jolyn and Mary Jane Woodger. "Joseph Samuel Park: Look to the Future." Quiet Disciples. Covenant Communications.
• 2026Woodger, Mary Jane and Patricia Evans. "Janet Chidester: Not Many People Can Do This." Quiet Disciples. Covenant Communications.
• 2025Woodger, Mary Jane and Emily Lambert. "The Revelation on the Priesthood Received in the Temple." Celebrating the Newly Renovated Salt Lake Temple. Eds. Woodger and Ogletree. Cedar Fort, 67–76.
• 2025Woodger, Mary Jane. "You Have Never Been Alone." Celebrating the Newly Renovated Salt Lake Temple. Cedar Fort, 126–128.
• 2025Woodger, Mary Jane and Kenneth L. Alford. "The Restoration of Dreams as Revelation." Joseph Smith as a Visionary. Eds. Gaskill et al. BYU RSC, 197–209.
• 2025Woodger, Mary Jane. "The Doctrine and Covenants: A Guidebook Receiving Revelation." Doctrine and Covenants Insights. BYU RSC, 1–15.
• 2024Woodger, Mary Jane. "From Obscurity to Scripture: The Historical Process of Joseph F. Smith's Vision of the Redemption of the Dead (D&C 138)." Hearing the Voice of the Lord. Ed. Alex Baugh. BYU RSC, 310–328.
• 2024Woodger, Mary Jane and Patricia Evans. "Lilia Wahapaa: Pioneer of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kauai." Voices of Latter-day Saint Women in the Pacific and Asia. BYU RSC, 57–76.
• 2023Woodger, Mary Jane. "Lifting the Condemnation of Treating the Book of Mormon Lightly." Book of Mormon Insights. BYU RSC, 1–14.
• 2023Woodger, Mary Jane and Sarah Romney. "The London Missionary Society in the Cook Islands: Restricting Religious Freedom for the Church." Latter-day Saints and Religious Liberty. RSC, 367–398.
• 2023Woodger, Mary Jane. "The Shiblon Syndrome Testimony." Be It Known: Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Ed. Samantha Millburn. Covenant Communications, 71–76.
• 2023Woodger, Mary Jane. "Commandment, Covenant, and Joy: The Development of Sabbath Day Counsel." Sacred Time. Ed. Gaye Strathearn. BYU RSC, 243–265.
• 2022Woodger, Mary Jane. "She Knew My Name." In Black, Susan Easton. His Mighty Miracles. Covenant Communications, 55.
• 2021Woodger, Mary Jane. "General Conference Insights: Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit." Old Testament Insights. Covenant Communications, 1–14.
• 2021Woodger, Mary Jane. "Beverly Campbell: Church Public and International Affairs Director." Regional Studies in LDS Church History. BYU, 302–317.
• 2021Woodger, Mary Jane. "Joseph Smith as a Husband." Know Brother Joseph. Eds. Godfrey et al. Deseret Book, 144–148.
• 2020Perkins, Eric and Mary Jane Woodger. "Administration in the Underground: John Taylor's Administration from Hiding." Raising the Standard of Truth. BYU RSC, 379–394.
• 2019Woodger, Mary Jane and Kiersten Robertson. "This Great Cause: The Economics Behind Construction of the General Relief Society Building." Finding Faith, the Intersection of Business and Religion. Deseret Book, 355–394.
• 2017Woodger, Mary Jane. "Two Hearts That Beat As One: Emma Ray Riggs McKay (1877–1970)." [Volume details in vita]

* 51 chapters total. Representative entries shown above. Full list available upon request.

Journal Articles

• 2022Woodger, Mary Jane. "Journal of Mormon History, January 2022, vol. 48, no. 1, 124–143.
• 2020Woodger, Mary Jane. "The Hong Kong Temple: A Temple for Every Corner of the World." Mormon Historical Studies, Spring 2020, vol. 21, no. 1, 57–89.
• 2020Woodger, Mary Jane. "Alice Louise Reynolds: A Woman." Pioneer Magazine, vol. 67, no. 1 (2020), 35–36.
• 2020Woodger, Mary Jane. "David O. McKay, Progressive Education Implementer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday School." The Religious Educator, vol. 21, no. 1 (2020), 133–154.
• 2019Woodger, Mary Jane. "David O. McKay's Educational Model for Mormon Schools in the Pacific, 1906–1940." International Journal of Education and Social Science, vol. 6, no. 3, March 2019, 24–35.
• 2018Woodger, Mary Jane. "Laying the Foundation of the Church in Hong Kong: Seminary and Institute Programs." Mormon Historical Studies, vol. 19, no. 1, 57–82.
• 2017Woodger, Mary Jane and Carrie Taylor Anguiano. "Too Broad, Too Vague: The Essential Barbara B. Smith in Defining the Role of Women in the LDS Church." Journal of Mormon History, vol. 43, no. 3 (2017), 122–144.
• 2017Woodger, Mary Jane, Tyler Smith, and Kiersten Robertson. "Praying a Mission Into Existence: Frantiska Vesela Brodilova." The Religious Educator, vol. 18, no. 2 (2017), 131–148.
• 2016Woodger, Mary Jane. "Interaction with New Testament Women." Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, vol. 18 (2016), 15–32.
• 2014Woodger, Mary Jane. "Elaine Anderson Cannon, Young Women President: Innovations, Inspiration and Implementations." Journal of Mormon History, vol. 40, no. 4 (Fall 2014), 171–207.
• 2012Woodger, Mary Jane. "The Daily Routine of a Mormon Prophet, George Albert Smith." Deseret News (3 January 2012): 4.
• 2010Woodger, Mary Jane and Wendy V. White. "The Sangamo Journal: Abraham Lincoln's Interaction with Mormonism." Journal of Mormon History, vol. 36, no. 4 (Fall 2010), 96–128.
• 2010Woodger, Mary Jane and Jessica Wainwright Christensen. "Lincoln and the Brethren: Abraham Lincoln as Presented by LDS Leadership." The Religious Educator, vol. 11, no. 1 (2010), 103–134.
• 2008Woodger, Mary Jane. "'Cheat the Asylum of a Victim': George Albert Smith's Nervous Breakdown, 1909–1912." Journal of Mormon History, vol. 34, no. 4 (Fall 2008), 113–153.
• 2006Woodger, Mary Jane. "What I Have Learned About Praying Mightily." Ensign (December 2006), 54–57.
• 2005Woodger, Mary Jane. "Twenty Years Ago Today: David O. McKay's Heart Petals Revisited." BYU Studies, vol. 44, no. 2 (2005), 2–9.
• 2004Woodger, Mary Jane. "David O. McKay's Progressive Educational Ideas and Practices, 1899–1922." Journal of Mormon History, vol. 30, no. 2 (Fall 2004), 208–248.
• 2004Woodger, Mary Jane and Joseph I. Groberg. "George H. Brimhall's Legacy of Service to BYU." BYU Studies, vol. 43, no. 2 (2004), 5–46.
• 2001Woodger, Mary Jane. "Bittersweet: John Taylor's Introduction of the Sugar Beet Industry in Deseret." Utah Historical Quarterly, vol. 69, no. 3 (Summer 2001), 247–263.
• 2001Woodger, Mary Jane. "Latter-day Saint Servicemen's Response to Church Leaders' Council During the Vietnam War." Viet Nam War Generation Journal, vol. 1, no. 2 (August 2001), 27–43.
• 2000Woodger, Mary Jane. "How the English Pronunciation of Book of Mormon Names Came About." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, 2000, 52–57.
• 1998Woodger, Mary Jane. "David O. McKay, Professional Educator 1902–1908." Journal of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, vol. 75, 207–220.
• 1997Woodger, Mary Jane. "Early Social Influences on the Formation of David McKay's Educational Ideas and Practices, 1870–1880." Encyclia: Journal of the Utah Academy, vol. 74, 209–229.

Other Publications

Major Papers Presented99

• 2026"Building a Global Zion: The Life and Vision of David O. McKay." 61st Annual Mormon History Association Conference, Las Vegas, June 6.
• 2026"More than a Footnote: The Wives of Heber J. Grant." 61st Annual Mormon History Association Conference, Las Vegas, June 6.
• 2025"The Resilience of the Kanak New Caledonian Community." 26th Pacific History Association Conference, National University of Samoa, December 2.
• 2025"Those that Were Left Behind: Twentieth Century Latter-day Saint Norwegians." Crossings and Crossroads Symposium, Provo, November 20.
• 2025"Emma Smith, First Woman of Faith in the Restoration." CES Religious Educators Conference, Provo, June 13.
• 2025Lyman, Reagan and Mary Jane Woodger. "Wartime and Resilience: Members of the Church in Ukraine." Mormon History Association, Ogden, June 7.
• 2025"The Second Harvest." Mormon History Association, Ogden, June 6.
• 2025"Cook Islands: The Orphan of the Pacific Finds a Home in the Church." Church History in the Pacific and Asia Association Conference, Laie, Hawaii, February 22.
• 2025Woodger, Mary Jane and Kenneth L. Alford. "The Restoration of Dreams as Revelation." 2024 Come, Follow Me Symposium, Provo, January 25.
• 2024Woodger, Mary Jane and Patricia Evans. "Architects of the 21st Century Young Women Organization." Church History Symposium, October 25.
• 2023"Encounters of the Cook Island Christian Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Pacific History Association Biennial Conference, Warrnambool, Australia, November 3.
• 2023"The Restoration of Dreams as Revelation by Joseph Smith." Mormon History Association 58th Annual Conference, Palmyra, New York, June 9.
• 2023"Lillia Wahapaa: Founding Mother of the Church in Kauai." Church History in the Pacific and Asia Association Conference, Laie, March 3–4.
• 2022Pommerening, Rob and Mary Jane Woodger. "Heber J. Grant: Patterns of Family Core Values." Mormon History Association, Logan, June 3.
• 2022"Latter-day Saint Historical Commitment to Religious Liberty in the Cook Islands." Church History Symposium, Provo, March 10.
• 2020"Joseph Smith and the Restoration of Dreams as Revelation." Church History Symposium: Visions and Visionaries, Provo, March 12.
• 2019"A Temple for Every Corner of the World: Hong Kong." Pacific History Conference, Laie, November 16.
• 2019"Beverly Campbell and the Church DC Public Relations." BYU Church History Symposium, Washington D.C., June 15.
• 2019"Dreams as Revelation as Defined by Church Leadership." Mormon History Association, Salt Lake City, June 6.
• 2018Woodger, Mary Jane and Kiersten Robertson. "This Great Cause: The Economics Behind Construction of the General Relief Society Building." Church History Symposium, Salt Lake City, March 2.
• 2017"David O. McKay: Innovator of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday School." Mormon History Association, St. Louis, June 3.
• 2016"The Restoration of the Perpetual Covenant to Hallow the Sabbath Day." 45th Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, Provo, October 28.
• 2016"The Vital Apostolic Visits of Elder David O. McKay and Elder George Albert Smith for Tonga." Pacific History Conference, Laie, October 21.
• 2016"David O. McKay: Educational Model for Mormon Schools in the Pacific 1906–1940." Pacific History Conference, Guam, May 17.
• 2016"Too Broad, Too Vague, and Too Non-Definitive: Barbara B. Smith and the Equal Rights Amendment." Church History Symposium, Salt Lake City, March 4.

* 99 papers total through 2026. Representative entries shown. Full list available upon request.

Courses Taught at BYU

University & Professional Service

• Chair, College Rank and Status Committee, 2012–2016
• Committee Member, College Rank and Status Committee, 2011–2012
• Chair, Carrie Taylor Master's Thesis, 2010–2013
• Committee Member, Religious Education Curriculum Council, 2010–2011
• Committee Member, University Accreditation Review Committee, 2009–2012
• Chair, John Taylor Symposium, Church History and Doctrine, 2008–2009
• Chair, Teachings of the Living Prophets Area Specialist, 2006–present
• Committee Member, Church History and Doctrine Faculty Search Committee, 2008–2010
• Committee Member, Mormon Women's History Initiative, 2007–present
• Committee Member, ORCA Mentoring Grants Committee, 2006–2008
• Committee Member, Regional Studies Hawaii and South Pacific Committee, 2007–2008
• Committee Member, Casey Griffiths Master's Thesis, 2006–2007
• Committee Member, Department Rank Advancement Committee, 2005–2006
• Committee Member, Thirty-third Annual Sidney Sperry Symposium, 2002–2005
• Chair, Religious Education Awards Committee, 2002–2003
• Committee Member, LDS Church Curriculum Committee, 2001–2002
• Managing Editor, Home and Family Perspective: Journal of the Utah Association of Family and Consumer Science, 2000–2003
• Research Consultant, Video: David O. McKay, Prophet Educator, BYU Media Productions, 1996
• Panel Moderator, McKay Family Panel, College of Education, 1996
• Utah Family and Consumer Science, University Research Division, Chair, 2000–2002
• Republican Party State and County Delegate, 1990, 1996

Professional Certificates

• Utah State Certification: K–12, 2005–2010
• Utah State Certificate Endorsements: Occupational Foods and Nutrition, Occupational Child Development, Reading, American History, 2000–2005

Professional Memberships

• Pacific History Association, 2016–present
• Mormon History Association, 1995–present
• Mormon Social Science Association, 1999–present
• Utah Historical Society, 1998–present
• Alpha Tau Chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, 1998–present
• American & International Popular Culture Association, 1998–present
• BYU Faculty Women's Association, 1998–present
• American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1995–present
• Association of American Educators, 1996–present

Representative Church Service

• Gospel Doctrine Teacher, 2024–Present
• Relief Society Presidency, 2012–2023
• Primary Pianist, 2010–2012
• Family History Consultant, 2009–2010
• Stake Young Adult Gospel Doctrine Teacher, 2007–2009
• Ward Primary President, 2006
• Salt Lake City Single Adult Institute Instructor, 2005–present
• Relief Society Music Chair and Accompanist, 2001–present
• Family History Center Coordinator, 2003–2004
• LDS Church Curriculum Committee, 2000–2002
• Family History Teacher and Ward Consultant, 1998–2000
• Gospel Doctrine Teacher, 1988–1998
• Jordan River Temple Worker, 1990–1998
• Regional Single Adult Representative, 1989–1990
• Ward Relief Society Counselor, 1982–1983