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Every time Jed Woodworth speaks, hungry readers ask him for the release date of Volume 4 of “Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days.”
The managing historian of “Saints” preempted that question Tuesday during a presentation at BYU Education Week.
When will ‘Saints’ Volume 4 be released?
“When are we going to see Volume 4? I have an answer for you.” He said it will be released at the end of October. “The book is at press now.”
The actual release date Oct. 29, he told the Deseret News.
Volume 4 will be titled, “Saints: Sounded in Every Ear, 1955–2020.” It will narrate the church’s globalization since the dedication of the Bern Switzerland Temple in 1955 and show how temples now dot the earth.
Woodworth also shared the new cover art for Volume 4, an update of the initial concept released in 2018. The changes are the result of committee work, including counseling with the First Presidency of the church.
The Volume 4 cover features temples in Accra, Ghana; Hong Kong; Mexico City; Nuku’alofa, Tonga; and São Paulo, Brazil.
Previous volume covers featured the Nauvoo Temple in Illinois, the Salt Lake Temple and the Bern temple.
“I believe revelation was at work,” Woodworth said. “Where we ended up was (across the four volumes), we have two North American temples, a European temple, a Central American temple, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and South America. In other words, we ended up with every region of the world save the Middle East, because we don’t have a temple there.”
Woodworth’s presentation also focused on the way the history’s writers used temples and temple covenants as tent poles for the arc and structure of the four volumes, which the Deseret News will cover in another story.
Will there be a ‘Saints’ Volume 5?
Despite preempting and answering the Volume 4 question, Woodworth wound up answering a new one: Will there be a Volume 5?
“Well,” he said, “Saints 4 ends in 2020, so we’re at 2024, and you have to have at least 20 years of history to be made before you can have a Volume 5.”
Woodworth’s hope is that future Latter-day Saint leaders and historians will decide to add to “Saints,” but they may find it necessary to change direction.
“Writing styles change over time,” Woodworth said. “Historians can clearly see this. So it could be that by 2040 or 2045, a different style will resonate (with readers). So ‘Saints’ may have to be shelved. I hope not.”
My recent stories
Latter-day Saint missionary dies in accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Aug. 20)
What being sacked by Reggie White taught Steve Young about love (Aug. 19)
This year’s Education Week theme is ‘Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind’ (Aug. 16)
BYU declined tens of millions in COVID relief; other schools struggle as federal funds dry up (Aug. 15)
Church releases images from the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple as open house begins (Aug. 14)
About the church
- President Jeffrey R. Holland taught again about the garment and symbolism of the Savior.
- A new General Handbook update included direction on ministering to transgender individuals, care of sacred clothing and opportunities for young women.
- The Church of Jesus Christ released a statement that called Hollywood portrayals “gross misrepresentations.”
- Elder David A. Bednar reiterated the value of social media as a way to share light and truth.
- Elder Neil L. Andersen delivered BYU Education Week devotional on a “profoundly important” topic: “The educating of our righteous desires.”
- The Primary general presidency spoke at BYU Education Week on developing lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
- The Relief Society general president spoke at BYU Education Week on how Relief Society members are engaged in the sacred work of bringing the Savior’s relief to the world.
- The open house began at the Salvador Brazil Temple. The same happened for the Mendoza Argentina Temple.
- Groundbreakings for temples in Texas, Brazil and Chile were held on Saturday. Has that happened before?
- The church continues to expand resources for those with gospel questions.
- Latter-day Saints joined other religious leaders in a prayer ceremony in Peru.
- The church donated funds for an ambulance stationed at the 2024 Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti.
What I’m reading
In a small rural town, Latter-day Saints and Methodists share a church. The arrangement keeps the building from closing.
The role of prayer and the Bible at the Democratic National Convention.