21 January 1875


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

Large meetinghouse with a group of people entering

Salt Lake City Thirteenth Ward meetinghouse, circa 1890. (Courtesy Church History Library.)

[. . .]

Sister Eliza R Snow arose to speak on the subject of those presiding in the Society, and in the Teachers meeting. She thought there was a poor representation of the 13th Ward Relief Society. She considered the Teachers meeting ought to have its own authorities. Referred to Sister [Rachel R.] Grant having no authority, to preside in the Teachers meeting nor ought Sister [Elizabeth H.] Goddard to act as Secretary in said meeting unless duly appointed, therefore had been acting without authority having been appointed only to act in the regular Society meeting.

Thought we needed straightening out a little and act according to proper authority, did not realize until lately how few they were who were doing their duty. Felt we ought to bestir ourselves, and endeavour to awaken some of our Sisters, for they were in a worse state than if their house was on fire.—Joseph Smith said the Relief Society was to save souls as well as relieve the poor. [p. 211]

Sister Grant said she was not aware, we were acting wrongly with regard to the Teachers meeting, though she was glad to be put right and when she knew her duty she wished to do it. [. . .] [p. 212]

[. . .]

Sister Eliza. R Snow made a few more remarks, speaking of the crash about to come upon the nations, and urged upon the Sisters to use their energies in faith, to enlist those to take an interest in our meetings who were lukewarm and indifferent. [. . .] [p. 213]

Source Note

Thirteenth Ward, Ensign Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1868–1906), vol. 1 (1868–1898), pp. 211–213, CHL (LR 6133 14); Elizabeth H. Goddard, Secretary.

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21 January 1875, Salt Lake City Thirteenth Ward Relief Society; Thirteenth Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed September 29, 2024 https://chpress-web.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1870s/1875/01/1875-01-21