15 September 1887


Salt Lake Stake Relief Society; Fourteenth Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory

White building with wood trim

Salt Lake City Fourteenth Ward meetinghouse and assembly hall, circa 1890. (Courtesy Church History Library.)

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

I. From the Stake Relief Society Record Book

[. . .]

Sister E. R. S. Smith said, “I have learned to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things.

Before Zion is redeemed every heart will be tried to the core; the Lord will have a tried people. We have Jesus for our brother. let us draw near to God, and put from us everything that is low; let us overcome all fault-[p. 107]finding; let us lay aside fear and have faith in God our Father; God has a programme and He will carry it out; let us be thankful1 all the time. I will say to my sister who go out to visit to set a good example, keep the word of wisdom There is a glorious time in store for us if we are faithful.[”]

[. . .] [p. 108]

Source Note

Salt Lake Stake, Relief Society Record Book (1868–1903), pp. 107–108, CHL (LR 604 70).

II. From the Woman’s Exponent

[. . .]

Prest. [Mary Isabella Hales] Horne said, “I am thankful to see so many of my sisters out to conference. Sister Eliza had a feeling that the Relief Society should be pruned and dead branches cut off. [. . .]

Sister E. R. S. Smith said, “I have learned to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things; in sickness, in trials, in pain, and in everything. God rules and over-rules in all things for the welfare of His people. Do we keep in view that God sent us here to hold high and responsible positions? We? Yes, we! the daughters of the Most High God. Where are we going to? Just where we prepare ourselves to go! He has revealed the three glories; we can reach the highest if we will. Are we thinking more of the things of this world, or are we doing our duty? Are we living so as to have revelations for our own benefit and welfare? We can secure the right to an eternal increase if we are true and faithful and live as children of God. We cannot comprehend all the glory that pertains to this great work. Before Zion is redeemed every heart will be tried to the core; the Lord will have a tried people; all will have to be one in everything, even to making our own clothing, and being independent of our enemies. I stand before you as a witness of God’s mercy and love. I can sympathize with the weakest Saint; to be able to do Father’s will is what I wish to live for; no matter what our enemies call us, what does it matter? We have Jesus for our brother, let us draw near to God, and put from us everything that is low; let us be awake; let us overcome all fault-finding; we will have darkness before we have light; let us have no fear; fear and faith do not dwell in the same bosom; let us lay aside fear and have faith in God our Father; God has a programme and He will carry it out; let us be thankful all the time. I will say to my sisters who go out to visit, set a good example, keep the word of wisdom. I pray God to bless you all; do His will; draw near unto Him; there is a glorious time in store for us if we are faithful.”

Mrs. Minerva W. Snow said, “I am very much pleased to meet with you all. I rejoice to see Sister Eliza with us again; I feel God’s hand has been over her for good.” [. . .] [p. 70] [. . .]

Mrs. B. [Bathsheba] W. Smith said, “I have been blest in hearing Sister E. R. S. Smith talk to us. [. . .] [p. 71]

Source Note

E. Howard, “R. S., Y. L. M. I. A. & P. A. Reports: Salt Lake Stake,” Woman’s Exponent 16, no. 9 (1 Oct. 1887): 70–71.

Cite this page

15 September 1887, Salt Lake Stake Relief Society; Fourteenth Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, accessed March 19, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/eliza-r-snow/1880s/1887/09/1887-09-15