19 August 1878

We were favored with a visit from Sisters E. R. Snow, M. I. [Mary Isabella Hales] Horne and E. [Elizabeth A.] Davis [. . .]

Miss E. Snow said, when we first came to these valleys we had not the chance for education that we have now; the first thing to be thought of then was the bread and butter, and after we had got that, the next thing was a schoolhouse wherein to educate our children. In early days of the church, the children were taught to believe the Gospel fully; they then had faith; said now some young men were called to go on missions before they had opened their mouths in prayer at home; true, they were honest in their hearts. And when they first spoke in public it was very brief, because their minds were not trained as they ought to be. Spoke to the girls concerning the fashions of Babylon that are introduced in our midst, and have been drank into by our young girls. Said instead of meeting together to praise their God, their minds were lured away with fashion. Said she, with other sisters, was appointed to organize the young ladies of Zion, that there might be a mutual improvement among the young; that there had already been a great change, and this was only a beginning. She encouraged education, but the most important thing to obtain for our young people was spiritual knowledge. Asked the mothers if they wanted to have their children grow up in honesty; if they did to beware themselves, and practice the principles of honesty and truth. Encouraged the young in their associations, showing the path they should walk if they took the right course. Asked the sisters if they realized the sacredness of these societies; said we had our own souls to save, and have we time to look at each other’s failings? No, we have not. Man never knew, ear never heard of the blessings the Lord has in store for those that love Him. Spoke to quite a length on home affairs, touching upon a good many different subjects, including home manufacture. Requested all those who had on homemade hats or bonnets to stand up; said she felt proud to see so many.

Mrs. Davis said: “Sister Eliza has been instructing us on home manufacture, and she wished us to sustain the EXPONENT, as it is all made at home.” [. . .] [p. 66]