8 June 1882


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.

[. . .]

Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith felt delighted to see the faces of her sisters in this stake of Zion again. Felt that they were all daughters of the one great Father, and coworkers in the great movement in these the last days. Thought our hearts should be lifted up to God in thankfulness for His goodness unto us; we ought always to have faith in God; If we seek seek the Lord our spirits will certainly be refreshed, [p. 99] while they remain in these frail bodies, which feel drawn down to earth, being earthy. They need spiritual food that they may partake of a portion of the same food as those in the royal courts above.

We also need to eradicate from our hearts all feelings but of good will and love unto all mankind. Love casteth out fear, love is such a giant power that it seems to gather strength from obstructions and at every difficulty rises to higher might. It is the light of life—that principle to which, after all our strugling and twisting, all things must be resolved. Tak[e] it away and the world would, indeed, seem a barren wilderness.

In the noble heart as in the heart of any one that is a saint, it imparts a portion of that heavenly flame which is their element, refining them and expelling all that is mean or debasing to mankind. Therefore let us all cultivate love among us, which can fill the earth with the glory of the Lord, and make glad the city of Zion. This love would, indeed be heaven upon earth.

Spoke of those who were against us; felt that the hand of God would guide all things right, and all would be well with us in the end. She loved freedom, who does not?—It was bequeathed to us by our forefathers. The prophet Joseph [Smith] once said that the constitution would hang by a single thread, but our enemies can go no farther than the Lord sees fit to let them. They are no more satisfied with some of the laws which they make than we are. Shakspear [Shakespeare] says, the Lord make mad those whom he would destroy.

She spoke at some length on various subjects, and the duties devolving upon the women of Zion. They had much to do, hoped they would hold on with a firm grip to the rod of iron, ever trusting in the goodness and love of their heavenly Father to help them through every difficulty.

[. . .] [p. 100] [. . .] [p. 101] [. . .]

Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith next addressed the conference; Spoke of the disasters that are taking place in the world, and the blessings which have attended [p. 102] our people since they have been living in these vallies. She spoke of the establishment of a hospital at Salt Lake City, called the Deseret Hospital; Spoke also of home industry and many other useful subjects.

[. . .] [p. 103]

Source Note

Weber Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1867–1968), vol. 6 (1877–1900), pp. 99–103, CHL (LR 9970 14); Monta Harris, Secretary.

See also “R. S., Y. L. M. I. A. and Primary Reports: Weber Stake,” Woman’s Exponent 11, no. 3 (1 July 1882): 23–24; and "Quarterly Conference of the Ladies' Relief Societies of Weber Stake of Zion in Ogden Tabernacle,” Ogden Daily Herald 2, no. 33 (8 June 1882): [3].

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8 June 1882, Weber Stake Relief Society; Ogden Tabernacle, Ogden, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed October 8, 2024 https://chpress-web.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1880s/1882/06/1882-06-08