5 May 1878

Minutes of a meeting held in Samaria may th[e] 5 1878 by sisters Eliza R. Snow and Elizabeth Davis for the purpose of reorganizing the sisters

[. . .]

[. . .] Sister E R Snow said that in the year 1842 Joseph Simith [Smith] organized the the first organization of Women in this dispensation but would have done it earlier only he was so crowded with businiss It was not given by Revelation but decided by ballot the first time that I ever heard the Prophet alluding to his short life was in the womens meeting saying this world cannot contain me long for I have a mission elsewhere which I must accomplish and if they did not repent that they would be taken by the destroyer He met many times with the Organization gave council and many times donated towards it. he also said that he would give a house to the poor that the Relief Society could come and see them and that Kings and queens would come and visit them which has been fulfilled. Sister E R Snow then said that it was the duty of the members to make the Orgn [Organization] to be what it ought to be. It has done a great deal and will in the future if they would be faithful to their covenant, and become a mighty power to assist the Priesthood of God to carry out His purpose here upon the earth She then exhorted them to devote their whole life to God with humility of soul and an eternal purpose she then instructed the Officers and members of the Relief Society upon the importance of their diffrent duties telling them never to [p. 24] shirk from any duty and above all to ask God to pour down his Holy Spirit upon them that they may be enabled to what kind of Spirit prevailed in a house and be able to give consolation in case of need for that they had no time to waste in foolish conversation and fault finding But must work out their salvation and prepare themselves for the bosom of Abram [Abraham] Isacc [Isaac] & Jacob and converse and sit with them She gave special instructions to the secatary that she should be careful always in case of donation to write the full names of the Donators and how much donated strictly that it may be referred to at any time. moved and sec [seconded] that sister Mary D Price be released from being Prest of the YLMIA [Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association] motion carried [. . .]

[. . .] Sister E R Snow then said that those who have voted for the Young Ladies are exspected faithfully to aid and sustain those sisters for it is not an individual Interest but the Interest of Zion let the members also try and be punctual and make some suggestion every time that will be for the good of the asson [association] Let the Mothers realize the good of the asson and so order their work that their daughters [p. 25] may be able to attend Begin punctual even if only a few present [. . .] Sister Elizabeth Davis that she was glad of the association stated she could testify to the truth of all that sister Eliza R Snow had said [. . .] Bishop [George] Dunford said that he was proud to have a visit from these sisters he had long looked for it [. . .] [p. 26] [. . .]

Benediction by Sister Eliza R. Snow [p. 27]