3 March 1875


Salt Lake City Thirteenth Ward Young Ladies; Charles J. Thomas Residence, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory

[. . .]

By request of the Pres. [Elizabeth F. Thomas] Miss E. R. Snow followed: Spoke of her surprise at meeting so many on this occasion, said she felt quite at home with the young, as she had been much associated with them, not only in Salt Lake City but in many of the settlements where they had been organized.

She referred to the young ladies Association in Ogden, under the superintendance of Mrs. [Jane S.] Richards, consisting of one hundred and sixty-six numbers, spoke of their enjoyment in their meetings which many testified was greater than they realized at balls and Theaters. She told the sisters they were forming characters for eternity, that in uniting together and combining their influence, they can accomplish a great work—spoke of the young Ladies of Farmington that the Bishop [John W. Hess] acknowledged their assistance in putting down the “round dances” by taking a unanimous vote that they [p. 1] would not indulge in them. Miss Snow also referred to resolutions of the Young ladies of Farmington, wherein they resolved not to associate with young men that presisted in bad habits Said she almost trembled for them least [lest] they should break their noble resolves but was most happy to learn that they had been true to them, so much so, that in the holidays when they had a short spell of sleighing, and a few rowdy young men rode through the town, calling on the girls, and proposed to give them a sleigh-ride, the girls stannch [staunch] to their purpose, withstood the temptation and refused the invitation from young men who did not respect themselves by knowing <honoring> their religion, and the rules of decorum.

After reading to the Meeting a sett of Resolutions gotten up and subscribed to by the Association of young ladies of Tooele, Sister Snow continued her remarks and exhorted those present to be firm in their endeavors in improving, and cultivating themselves for usefulness in the kingdom of God in seeking after that good which will never perish, that they may become noble women of God, and competant Mothers of the coming generation, said it was the privilege of each, to attain to a higher position <than> that now occupied by Queen Victoria, but to obtain it they must live for it, they never will obtain honorable positions and have their names held in honor if they trifle away their time in frivolities that perish with their using, spoke of our preexistance that we came here on missions and should be energetic in fulfilling them, and prepare to become princesses and godess [goddesses] &c.

[. . .] [p. 2] [. . .]

Mrs. G. S. [Jane S.] Richards of Ogden [. . .] [p. 3] [. . .] referred to the many visits of sister’s [sisters] Snow and [Zina D. H.] Young and the care they had manifested for the welfare of the rising generation &c. with much good and interesting instruction.

[. . .]

Miss Snow, said her soul was satisfied so far as that meeting was concerned. Exhorted the girls not to be ashamed of their meetings but rather show to those who felt to ridicule that they were proud of them, and thus close the lips of those who would wish to oppose them.

[. . .]

Dismissed by prayer by E. R. Snow. [. . .] [p. 4]

Source Note

Thirteenth Ward, Ensign Stake, Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association Minutes and Records (1875), pp. 1–4, CHL (LR 6133 17); Louise A. Ashby, Secretary.

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3 March 1875, Salt Lake City Thirteenth Ward Young Ladies; Charles J. Thomas Residence, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed March 19, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1870s/1875/03/1875-03-03