6 November 1873


Salt Lake City Thirteenth Ward Relief Society; Salt Lake City, Utah Territory

Sister Snow arose and said she wished to correct her omission in giving the names in full which sought to be done. She wished to make a few remarks in behalf of the Exponent, hoped the Sisters would take an interest in it, said there were some of the Sisters in the first and second wards who did not think it any trouble to send the paper to any part of the ward. Spoke of the few that do the work, and they are the few who take an interest in the cause of Zion. How true it was, that we had to have every thing regarding our duties preached into us. It was desirable that the Sister should take an interest in the Exponent. Felt that it was the desire of many to do right, but required waking up from their lethargy. Some manifest so much stupidity that they will not read that that is placed before them Remarked that when she embraced this work and since she always considered herself a worker. The Gospel was a labour, and to work out our own salvation we must work for others. Having to look after the dead, as well as the living there was no time to be idle. The danger was in having our minds engaged in things of minor importance. Spoke of the necessity of forming an association for young ladies for there was nothing more needed. We do not attach as much importance to cultivating the minds of our youth, as Stockraisers do in cultivating and training that, that is under their care. said that early in this Church the children took part in the religious exercises, which kept them from evil influences. Related a circumstance of some children, in their innocence, attempting to keep meeting themselves The Lord was pleased with their simplicity and poured out His Spirit abundantly upon them, and the gifts of the Gospel [p. 159] were manifest among them. Did not believe in enthusiasm for our religion was a matter of fact religion, as for herself she wanted to understand what her duty was. Said children ought to be instructed to pray from the heart and not as a matter of form. With regard to the Sisters she felt assured, that by degrees they would be led to talk to eachother, and rise to speak, we were quite apt to talk while upon our seats, and the powers of darkness would try and bind us there, that we might not use the precious gifts of speech to edify others. Would be glad to hear of the organisation of Young Men, and that they feel their responsibilities, and realise that the vain and foolish things of the world, are not for them to spend their time in. You could never find a Young lady, with the Spirit of God in her conform to marrying a Gentile. Realised that a Young Lady blessed with the spirit of the Lord would be able to overcome her diffidence in speaking or reading, and will not refer to novels to acquire any ideas, nor yet take pleasure in reading such, but would seek to read something of worth. Spoke of visiting the young ladies association of Farmington, and of the ignorance of some of the brethren with regard to the organisation, supposing it to be merely to retrench in dress. In her remarks she did not name dress, realising that the Spirit of God would influence their minds, and would controle them in this respect and would know how to dress to please God, and the Spirit of the Lord would make them beautiful.

[. . .] [p. 160]

Source Note

Thirteenth Ward, Ensign Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1868–1906), vol. 1 (1868–1898), pp. 157–160, CHL (LR 6133 14); Elizabeth H. Goddard, Secretary.

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6 November 1873, Salt Lake City Thirteenth Ward Relief Society; Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed March 19, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1870s/1873/11/1873-11-06