After graduating from law school and after three years in the military, Ray Wood and his wife, Ann, were content to make their contribution in life in the familiar confines of Utah's Wasatch Front, where both had been reared.
But accepting advice that ran contrary to their wishes, they moved to Colorado, then California, and along the way gained experience that would one day quietly benefit the Church.Elder Wood, 67, was sustained in general conference April 4 to serve in the Second Quorum of the Seventy. "Salt Lake City was the center of our universe and we didn't want to leave," Elder Wood said. "But we were offered a position in Denver, Colo., with Peat Marwick Mitchell, an international accounting firm. We initially turned them down."
Elder Wood's father, however, was good friends with Ernest L. Wilkinson, then president of BYU, and was having lunch with him one day. "He mentioned our dilemma.
"Pres. Wilkinson said, `You tell him to go. Let him go out into the world. Let him learn and grow from the experience with this firm in the big cities of the world. Some day the Lord will call him back and use that knowledge.'
"With that, and my father's encouragement, we went." Elder Wood reflected.
"From these and other experiences, we came to learn that there are no coincidences in the lives of righteous people," he continued.
Many years ago, Elder Wood read a quote by Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve that encapsulates the feelings that guided him and his wife during their lives.
" In my life's adventure,' " said Elder Wood, quoting Elder Widtsoe, "there has been no chance. Indeed, I doubt if chance has any place in a world supervised by a divine intelligence. Therefore, I have felt that the power from the unseen world has ever been over me and directing my life's course. That faith has removed both fear and dissatisfaction, enemies of mankind. Certainty comes to dwell when chance is removed. It has been easy to approach God in all my work.' "
Proof that the Lord orchestrates the affairs of people trying to do what's right became more evident to Elder Wood in 1982 when he retired as a partner in his accounting firm. At that time, he and Sister Wood were reviewing the many rich experiences in their lives, experiences that came as a result of decisions made early in life.
On retrospect, those decisions proved to be the hinges on which the door of their lives has swung open to greater service in the kingdom.
Elder Wood's rise in the firm was swift. After two years he and his family were transferred from Denver to San Jose, Calif., where he would soon become a partner.
"I had some of the most unique experiences any tax man could ever have," said Elder Wood of his 18 years with Peat Marwick Mitchell.
"I became exposed to the broadcast industry, becoming a specialist in the tax aspects of television and radio.
"I also acquired an expertise in corporate reorganization, and I had three clients who were ministers in their respective faiths.
"In addition, I had a number of agriculture and ranching clients that included large row crop farms and vineyards.
Each of these fields required specific tax knowledge and offered exposure to unique understanding.
In 1982, after years of working 60-hour weeks, Elder Wood and his wife felt he should retire. "I just worked constantly," he said. Over the years, the Woods had grown fond of the area where they lived in California. Here they had reared their children and here Elder Wood had served as bishop and in stake presidencies, and Sister Wood in many Primary callings.
But when the Church called and invited him to move to Utah to direct its tax department, Elder Wood realized, by the aid of the Spirit, it was the Lord calling him and his family back. "It was not a calling, but I knew the Lord wanted Ann and the family and me back. So we came."
The wealth of his experience soon proved valuable. Because of his background with religious entities he was able to provide guidance in preserving the Church's tax exempt status and initiate beneficial programs within the tax law.
His expertise in corporate reorganization, agriculture and ranching enabled him to contribute to the current needs of the Church.
With his broadcasting background he became associated with Bonneville International Corp., and was able to implement worthwhile programs.
Elder Wood recognizes the unique experience he gained at Peat Marwick Mitchell as a blessing from the Lord. This experience benefited the Church at a time when it could be used.
Still, he is quick to note that these accomplishments were a team effort, the result of coordinating the talents and resources of many people.
Elder and Sister Wood met during a radio broadcast as students at the University of Utah while singing in their respective musical groups.
"In those days," said Sister Wood, "we only had radio shows. His Sigma Chi fraternity and my sorority were asked to sing together on the radio."
Both were members of the Church, but Sister Wood had been raised in an inactive home in Midvale, while Elder Wood grew up across the street from the state Capitol in a ward where his father had been his bishop during most of his youth.
"I had good parents," said Sister Wood, "but they didn't take part in Church. I was baptized at age 12, largely by the efforts of good ward teachers. As I grew older, I knew something was missing. But without the foundation of the gospel, I didn't understand the longing.
"The Lord moved me around until I finally met Ray. There is a quality about a good, strong man that can be sensed, even when uneducated in the gospel as I was."
"It was only a couple of dates before we knew," said Elder Wood.
One day, many years after being married in the Logan Temple and living in California, they made another move.
They considered their children who were starting to treasure the things money can buy and felt they needed to simplify their lives. So they left their affluent neighborhood and bought a farm in a farming community.
Every morning the children arose to care for the cows and pigs and chickens, then attended seminary before school.
"Two of the children still credit the farm with saving their testimonies," Elder Wood said.
"I have never doubted the truthfulness of the gospel," Elder Wood said. "I remember as a deacon hearing a departing mission president bear his testimony that he always knew the Church was true. That hit me. I could identify with him. I, too, have always known the Church and gospel were true."
Additional Information
Elder Ray H. Wood
Family: Born July 11, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ray G. and Mary Hunter Wood. Married Ann Aylett on Aug. 8, 1955, in the Logan Temple. Six children: Laurie Ruben, Lizabeth Walton, Lisa, Heather Remund, Ray G. and Bradley P.
Education: Earned bachelor's degree in accounting in 1954 and juris doctorate in 1957, both from the University of Utah.
Military: Served in Air Force from 1958-61 as an officer in the Judge Advocate Corps.
Employment: Retired in 1997 as director of tax administration for the Church; retired in 1982 as a partner of Peat Marwick Mitchell in San Jose, Calif.
Church Service: President of Salt Lake Eagle Gate Stake at time of calling; former high councilor, counselor in stake presidency, bishop and counselor in bishopric; served mission in England, 1950-52.
