leaders, and generally oversee the operations of the church." Woodruff traveled throughout Utah, Wyoming, Canada, and Mexico in his capacity as apostle. He attended multiple stake conferences throughout the Intermountain West. He spoke at a stake conference held in Price, Utah, and, according to the Deseret Evening News, told the audience that "the Saints in general [were] on the improve." He then motioned for all the bishops and high councilors to stand up; and when it became obvious that only half of them were in attendance, Woodruff told the crowd that he "wished they [the absent bishops and high councilors] would hand in their resignations." At another stake conference in Brigham City, Utah, held in the Box Elder Stake Tabernacle, Woodruff spoke on the importance of the Second Coming, preaching the gospel, and marriage. At a stake conference in St. George, Utah, he told attendees of the importance of "improving [their] horses, cattle, sheep and fowls in general." At a conference of the Granite Stake in 1903, Woodruff quoted Theodore Roosevelt on the value of labor. Woodruff also took part in various additional functions as an apostle: he was present for the celebration of the thirteenth anniversary of the establishment of LDS College and, in 1901, he took part in planning the Brigham Young anniversary celebration. He was also a member of the general board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. His wife Helen Woodruff was on the general board of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, so she and her husband often traveled together on church assignments. Of him, Woodruff's fellow LDS apostle Matthias F. Cowley wrote: "When appointed to any labor, he works with all his might, mind, and strength, coupled with implicit faith in our eternal Father. He is young, healthy, active and faithful in his high calling and will doubtless accomplish a mighty work in the earth, and live to see the redemption of Zion." During this time, Woodruff developed a close relationship with his father, Wilford Woodruff, whose health had waned over time. After Wilford Woodruff died in 1898, Owen Woodruff inherited from him two shares in the Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Co. Woodruff's father also appointed him, along with Asahel Hart, David Patten, Newton Woodruff, and Wilford Woodruff Jr., to compile and publish his biography. He focused much of his efforts as apostle on establishing new LDS settlements outside of Utah Territory.