17 June 1880


Weber Stake Relief Society; 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 Relief Society Minutes

[. . .]

Sister E. R. Snow, said, she would like all the sisters to use their faith and lift up their hearts to God, in prayer that she might be able to say something, for of herself she could say nothing, and felt that she could not edify the saints of God. Said that we should use the faculties that God has blessed us with, and ask Him for His spirit to enable us to speak our feelings and thoughts one to another from time to time

The religon of the Gospel should be applied to every day life. She prayed every morning that the spirit of God would be with her, and bless her during the day, and enable her to do her duty We must not be drowsey nor dilitory, but be diligent. The Lord requires it. We want to know that the Lord wants us to work and carry out his will, as near as we can, while we remain on this earth.

And in regard to the sick, we must be prayerful and put our whole faith in God. He will not forsake us in the day of trial. Let us continue to administer untill we have gained the victory. Let us continue in our efforts untill we have the enemy out of our homes.

Spoke of the Primary Organization and meetings. These meetings was <were> to her the most important and interresting of all meetings, and she would like every mother and sister to take an interest in them. Some, yes, many will say we have not the time to attend them. But sisters we loose no time while we are engaged in instructing [p. 74] our children in the principals of the Gospel of Christ. They cannot know too much of this Gospel, that we believe and know to be the true work of God.

And it is now while they are young and pure with their minds uncontaminated with evil influences of any kind, that we should strive to teach them correct principals; teach them to walk in the fear of God. By being trained in regard to things both spiritually and temporaly, while young, will leave impressions on their minds that they will never forget, and in years to come they will thank and bless you, for the time that you spent in training them in their youth.

Said she had a hymn book just completed called The Children’s Hymn Book. Children love to sing, and it is good for them; it imspires them with good thoughts and feelings. Let there be no pains spared to implant in them the spirit of God, and we will never repent having done so. Let us be whole hearted saints and put our whole trust in God.

Have we that faith in God that we should have? We ought to have great faith. Let us seek him so that when trouble comes, we will feel that all is well. What is worse then fear? Let us prepare for what is coming. In the time of peace, is the time to prepare for war.

Let us be kind, and help those who are careless and indifferent; let us reform in all things that will help and prepare us for the coming of our Saviour, which time is not far distant, it is nearly here. Asked God to bless and help us to perform the duties required of us.

[. . .] The (Afternoon Session) [. . .] [p. 75]

[. . .]

Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith, again addressed us for a few moments. She thought it would be a good idea to have a committie of brother’s and Sisters organized, so that when the saints arived here from various places, to go and visit, and be ready to meet and do any thing in their power to help and assist them. We are not on the alert as our enimies are; they are ready at all times to poison the minds of those who will believe and listen to them.

If the saints had the spirit of God they would not listen to them, but it has often been said that when the saints emigrate they loose the spirit of God to a great extent. Let us all be live members in the Church of God and do something while we are clothing and feeding the body, to save souls.

Infidelity is growing in our midst; it can be noticed in our young people, as soon as they get a good mental education, they many of them, get puffed up, and high minded, and neglect the things of God. We have some who are born heirs, to all the gifts and blessings in this church, who are perfect infidels [p. 76] we want to teach them differant.

Let us love one another fervently, and as members of the Church of God, let us be faithful, and live near to God. Let us be cheerful & acknoweledge the hand of God in all things. It is a great priveledge to know that we have a Father in Heaven who will listen to our prayers and although he sometimes sees fit to afflict us in some way, it is for our good, if we could but see it and understand, all things in a proper light, if we could see the ways of the Lord in every thing, we would not be tried.

How shall we be drawn nearer to Him? by living near to Him. He is good and kind; Never come together sisters without thanking Him and praising Him. Let us keep our covenants sacred, those that love God keep His commandments. Said she would like the President of each society to remember and try to have this committie for the sake of the young, those that come here want us to act like Sisters and Saints. Asked God to Bless and keep us faithful.

Sister Sarah [S.] Richards, thought we should not only listen, but treasure up what we hear in our minds, and remember and put it into practice evry day. she endorsed all that Sr. <Sister> Snow and Sr, <Sister> [Emmeline B.] Wells had said in regard to the young people. [. . .] [p. 77] [. . .]

Sister Jane S. Richards [. . .] was glad to have Sister Snow and Wells with us, it done her good to see them in our midst and hear them speak of the goodness of God. [. . .]

Sister Eliza R. Snow said that the Primary Association had not been properly organized, and they were going to ellect a President of <over> all the Stakes of Zion, and also for each Stake and County. Sister L. Pratt [Louie B. Felt], was <to> preside over all the Stakes of Zion, and Sister Josephine R. West over Weber Stake of Zion. Both were unamously [unanimously] voted in. [. . .] [p. 78]

Source Note

Weber Stake, Relief Society Conference Minute Book (1855–1899), pp. 74–78, CHL (LR 9970 29); Hannah M. W. Poulter, Secretary.

See also Weber Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1867–1968), vol. 6 (1877–1900), pp. 75–78, CHL (LR 9970 14).

II. From the Woman’s Exponent

[. . .]

[. . .] On the stand were [. . .] visitors, Sisters Eliza R. Snow Smith and E. [Emmeline] B. Wells, from Salt Lake City [. . .]

Sister E. R. Snow next addressed the meeting. She said that if the sisters would lift their hearts in prayer to God she had no fear of saying anything that would be hurtful. We were too apt to get drowsy and should always be awake to the fulness of our holy duties. She then took up the parable of the woman and the unjust judge, spoken of by Christ. After this she pointed out the necessity of administering to the sick in the way pointed out by revelation, until they were restored to health and well-being. The mothers of Israel should realize this important fact. Something greatly needed was a hymn book for the young, and she was occupied in getting up one for this purpose. The books would be sold at 12½ cents per copy, as she did all her own work free in the interest of the kingdom. Thus the books could be sold at cost. We should have prophets and prophetesses among the young. The fear of infidelity was [p. 22] the greatest danger of contagion existing. Sister Snow had also seen the young sisters at Bear Lake, and had been highly pleased by their innocent and primitive dress, which was far superior to the expensive fashionable follies of the Gentile world. We should be prepared for the troubles coming, and get the fulness of the spirit by attending the meetings where the inspired servants of the Almighty poured out the words of life.

In the afternoon the meeting was very numerously attended [. . .] Prest. E. R. Snow then spoke at some length upon the need of sustaining home industries and primary associations, urged the parents to encourage these institutions by their presence and influence, etc. [. . .] [p. 23]

Source Note

Relief Society Reports,” Woman’s Exponent 9, no. 3 (1 July 1880): 22–23.

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17 June 1880, Weber Stake Relief Society; Ogden Tabernacle, Ogden, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed December 9, 2024 https://chpress-web.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1880s/1880/06/1880-06-17