19 November 1880


Washington Primary; Washington, Utah Territory

Meeting Called to order for the purpose of organizing a primary Association, Sisters Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. [H.] Young being present

Sister E. R. Snow took charge of the meeting asked the children if they thought God <saw and> heard us? if so when could he see or hear us Answer all the time Gave the children to understand that this was their meeting and wished them to say how it shouldy be conducted.

[. . .] Sister Snow then asked the children if they wished to be organized into a Primary Association— Ans [Answer] —Yes— asked if they could choose their President. There being no respond she asked if they would sustain whom the Bishop would appoint which was answered in the affirmation. The name of Matilda [R.] Ford was presented. Moved and secon[d]ed that Sister Matilda Ford be sustained as President of the Washington Primary Association. caired [carried] unanimously.

[. . .] [p. 16] [. . .] [p. 17]

[. . .] Sister Snow then asked if the children knew the names of the first Presidend [Presidency] of the church [illegible] answered that they were John Taylor Geo Q. Cannon Joseph F. Smith. Told the children that Joseph Smith the prophet pr[e]sided over the church 14 years. Showed the congregation a watch that belonged to Joseph—

Told the children that if anybody said that Joseph Smith never had but one wife to tell them that they knowed better for they saw two of them at once namely Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. Young. Sister Snow said they were both his wives— Bore her testimony that the principle of plural marriage was as pure and holy as any principle that was ever revealed an that any one who raised their voice against it could not have the Spirit of God with them for God could not save the human family without it1 [. . .] [p. 18]

Source Note

Washington Branch, St. George Stake, Primary Association Minutes and Records (1880–1973), vol. 1 (1880–1887), pp. 16–18, CHL (LR 9947 18); P. H. McGuire, Secretary.

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19 November 1880, Washington Primary; Washington, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed March 19, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1880s/1880/11/1880-11-19