18 August 1878


Richville Relief Society; Richville, Utah Territory

[. . .] Prest Sister [Fanny P.] Taggart said she was very thankful to have Sisters, <Eliza R.> Snow, <Mary I.> Horn [Mary Isabella Horne], & <Emily> [Elizabeth A.] Davis with us and hoped we should receive a blessing [. . .] [n.p.] [. . .]

Sister M. I. Horn. being called upon Said she felt pleased to meet with the Sisters, She was one with the Saints, instructed the Sisters pertaining to their duties in temporal matters, told how to use our means for the best general good. [. . .]

Sister E. R. Snow. Sister Horn has given good instructions and if the Lord will help me with his holy spirit I will instruct you pertaining to your duties ◊n [in] the Society. The Sisters <have> important work to preform. The R. S. was not only to relieve the wants of the poor, but to save souls and correct the morals of Society. that [n.p.] much depends on us, and God requires much at our hands. The Secty [Secretary] should keep correctly the full names of all that donate, and the amount donated, and it should be in the minutes of the minutes of the meeting at the time it was donated. That in disbursing quilts to the temple, or otherwise it should be proposed in the society meeting and voted on by the Sisters, and the majority decides it. The Treasurer should keep correctly ev[e]ry thing disbursed, and to whom, but not read the names in open meeting of the poor that receive help. but keep the name in her book and the amount given.

Sisters keep yourselves neat, keep your husbands and children neat and clean for the Lord does not love a dirty saint. Always come to meeting and your work will slide through your fingers. after you get home twice as fast, keep the light of the spirit in your hearts, so that you may be able to commune with the Lord. [n.p.]

Do not fear troubles and trials, if we are not tried we are not worthy of being Saints. Let us be ambitious to build up Zion. But let us seek for wisdom to guide us in our ambitions, So that we may be as clay in the hands of the potter and keep the spirit of the comforter with us The President with her counsellors, should preside over the Society with dignity, not with tyranny but with love and kindness, and the sisters should be one with her. Societies should never act or move in opposition to the Bishop, but be one with the Priesthood, and help the Bishop. The office of a teacher is quite as responsble as the office of a President, It is necessary to be humble and willing, Seek the spirit of God that that you may magnify your office, Sisters do not realize the good they can do by improving society. My young Sisters. do not keep company with a young man that uses tobacco, or, whiskey but be kind and give them time to correct their evil habits. Sister Snow asked the young Sisters if they wished to be organized [n.p.] Told them if they did to rise to their feet. Also told the sisters to prepare themselves to vote inteligently, and never neglect it. Prayed God to bless her Sisters with every choice blessing he has to bestow on his Saints.

[. . .] [n.p.]

Source Note

Richville Ward, Morgan Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1871–1962), vol. 1s (1871–1879), n.p., CHL (LR 7484 14); Elizabeth A. Davis, Secretary.

See also “Returned,” Deseret News 27, no. 31 (4 Sept. 1878): 489; “Visit to Relief Societies,” Woman’s Exponent 7, no. 7 (1 Sept. 1878): 51; and Elizabeth A. Davis, “Report of Trip North,” Woman’s Exponent 7, no. 9 (1 Oct. 1878): 70.

Cite this page

18 August 1878, Richville Relief Society; Richville, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed March 19, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1870s/1878/08/1878-08-18