10 May 1879


Weber Stake Young Ladies and Primary; Ogden Tabernacle, Ogden, Utah Territory

A long, rectangular building with triangle roof, a single chimney, and three arched, front-facing windows.

Original Ogden Stake Tabernacle. (Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.)

[Editorial Note: This discourse was reported in several sources. Two versions are transcribed below. For more information, see the source note following each transcript.]

I. From the Weber Stake Young Ladies Minutes

[. . .] There were present on the stand, officers of the Relief Society, Sister Eliza R. Snow, Apostle F. [Franklin] D. Richards, and other brethren and sisters. [. . .]

Prest. Eliza R. Snow expressed pleasure in hearing the reports; advised the young ladies to cultivate humility, discard pride and vanity, and fit themselves to become wise counselors to good men, & mothers to noble children. Do not associate with men who will not honor God, and His holy ordinances. It is important that marriages should be consummated in holy places and then the covenants will be recorded in Heaven, and the family relations will be eternal. She then gave good advise in regard to reading stories, and what the young should study. Said it is good to treasure up some [p. 7] truth every day. Our minds can be employed when our hands are. She reminded the young ladies of the advantages they enjoyed, and assured them the more good they could do, the more their faculties would become developed. Politeness is always comely; cultivate it in your every day deportment, and ever remember to seek unto God for wisdom.

Apostle F. D. Richards said [. . .] We ought to appreciate sister Snow and the other sisters who labor in this school of the Gospel. [. . .] Sister Snow has desired the principles of God, but in some there is no love of the truth.

[. . .]

[. . .] Prest. E. R. Snow addressed the children, and called for primary reports, which were read. She also asked the children some questions, and gave excellent instruction. [. . .] [p. 8]

[. . .]

Sister E. R. Snow said there are always incidental expenses attending every organization. Thought we needed a treasurer in this Society. Sister Eliza Melissa Hall was then elected to fill this office. [. . .]

Prest. J. [Jane] S. Richards made a few remarks upon position, and responsibility the work it involved, and the impossibility of giving satisfaction to all. Remarked that in her transaction of Relief Society affairs, at large, she relied upon Sister Snow. [. . .]

Sister Snow exhorted the young ladies to respect their organizations, and go to their presiding officers for counsel. [. . .] [p. 9]

Source Note

Weber Stake, Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association Minutes and Records (1879–1966), vol. 1 (1879–1885), pp. 7–9, CHL (LR 9970 17); Amelia M. Frodsham, Secretary.

II. From the Weber Stake Relief Society Minutes

The officers of the Stake Relief Society were on the stand. Pres. E. R. Snow, Apostle F. [Franklin] D. Richards and other brethren. [. . .] [p. 56] [. . .]

Pres. E. R. Snow, expressed her pleasure in hearing the reports; advised the young ladies to cultivate humility, discard pride and vanity, and fit themselves to be wise counselors to good men, and mothers of noble children. Do not associate with men who will not honor God and his holy ordinances. It is important that marriages should be consummated in holy places and then the covenants will be recorded in heaven, and the family relations will be eternal.

She then gave good advise in regard to the reading of stories, and study of the young. Said it is good to treasure up some truth every day. Our minds can be employed when our hands are employed, we need not cumber our minds. She reminded the young of the great advantages they enjoyed, said the more good they could do, the more their faculties would become developed. Politeness is always comely, cultivate it in your every day deportment. Seek unto God for wisdom.

Apostle F. D. Richards said [. . .] We ought to appreciate Sister Snow and those sisters who labor in this school of the Gospel, all ought to take an interest in this work for the young. [. . .] [p. 57] [. . .] Sister Snow has desired the principles of God, and cultivated sacred principles, but in some there is no love of the truth. [. . .]

[. . .] Apostle F. D. Richards, Pres. E. R. Snow, Pres. Sarah M. Kimball and many others were on the stand. [. . .]

Pres. E. R. Snow addressed some remarks to the children and called for reports of the Primary Associations—which were then read. She also asked the children so [some] questions and gave some instructions. [. . .]

Sister E. R. Snow said, there are always incidental expenses attending every organization for the interest of the societies in different wards and settlements. [. . .] the sisters were urged by Sister Snow to be energetic in [p. 58] promoting the interest of silk culture. [. . .]

Pres. Jane S. Richards made a few remarks upon position and responsibility, the work it involved and the impossibility of giving satisfaction to all. Remarked that in her transaction of Relief Society affairs at large she relied upon Sister Snow. [. . .]

The names of the officers of the Relief Society of Weber Stake were then brought before the people to be voted upon. Sister Eliza R. Snow was sustained as General President. [. . .]

Sister Snow exhorted the young ladies to respect their organizations and go to their presiding officers for counsel. [. . .] [p. 59]

Source Note

Weber Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1867–1968), vol. 6 (1877–1900), pp. 56–59, CHL (LR 9970 14); Amelia M. Frodsham, Secretary.

See also Weber Stake, Relief Society Conference Minute Book (1855–1899), pp. 57–59, CHL (LR 9970 29); Amelia M. Frodsham, Secretary; and “Relief Society Conference: Weber Stake of Zion,” Woman’s Exponent 8, no. 1 (1 June 1879): 252–253.

Cite this page

10 May 1879, Weber Stake Young Ladies and Primary; Ogden Tabernacle, Ogden, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed March 19, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1870s/1879/05/1879-05-10