Dr. Mary Jane Woodger was a professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University when this was written. Born in American Fork and and raised in American Fork and Salt Lake City, Utah, she has always had a great love for teaching. After obtaining a BS in home economics education, she taught home economics and American history in Salt Lake City, where she received the Vocational Teacher of the Year Award from Jordan School District.

In 1992, she completed her EdM at Utah State University. In 1997, she received an EdD in educational leadership from BYU with a minor in Church history and doctrine. The author of many books and articles, she received the Best Article of the Year Award from the Utah Historical Society, as well as the BYU Faculty Women’s Association Teaching Award.