|
The women
who knew Joseph Smith -
Author Unknown
Emma H. Smith
I am Emma Smith. At the first meeting of the Female Relief
Society of Nauvoo, my husband, the Prophet Joseph, conducted. He proposed that
the sisters elect a presiding officer. Elizabeth Ann Whitney nominated me as
president and I was elected by those present. Joseph read from Doctrine &
Covenants and declared me “an elect lady”, whom the Lord had called. I was also
“chosen and set apart… to be a comfort to Joseph with consoling words, in the
spirit of meekness.” He told the sisters that “elect” meant to be elected to a
certain work… and that the revelation was then fulfilled by my election to the
Presidency of the Relief Society.” He also read from the first chapter of
Second John suggesting that a similar organization for women existed in New
Testament times.
At our first meeting I expressed my enthusiasm for the possibilities of
the new society. “We are going to do something extraordinary. The object of
the society is to seek out and relieve the distressed. Each member should
be ambitious to do good.”
We all endured personal sufferings, but I tried to reach out to serve
others. Visiting neighbors to ascertain who was in need was a service that was
essential to the work. We organized ward visiting teaching committees of four
sisters in each ward “to search out the poor and suffering, to call upon the
rich for aid, and thus, as far as possible, relieve the wants of all.”
In 1830 I was instructed by the Lord to make a selection of sacred hymns
for the church. I compiled a book of 90 hymns, more than a third of which were
written by Latter-day Saints. Although I did not go west with the saints,
I continued to bear testimony, even in my 74th year of my husband’s prophetic
calling: “I believe he was
everything he professed to be.”
 MUSICAL NUMBER: Come, All Ye Saints of Zion, #38; Gently Raise the Sacred
Strain, #146; The Happy Day at Last Has Come, #32
Sarah Cleveland
My name is Sarah Cleveland. At the age of 54, I was the oldest woman at
the first meeting of the society. One night in 1835 my daughter and
I had separate similar visions where a man of large stature in white robes
showed us a parchment which read, “Behold I bring you glad tidings of great
joy.” The first Mormon preacher we heard made that same statement. We took it
as a sign and were soon baptized. I am married to Judge John Cleveland. My
husband does not share membership in the church with me.
In Nauvoo, I lived across the street from Emma Smith and she is like a
sister to me. When the Saints were driven out of Missouri in 1839, I took Emma
and her children into my home until Joseph was released. I am grateful I could
serve as first counselor to my friend, Emma, until I moved from Nauvoo the next
year.
Elizabeth Ann Whitney
My name is Elizabeth Ann Whitney. I was second counselor
to Emma Smith. I am married to Newel K. Whitney, the Presiding Bishop of the
church.
At the second meeting I admonished the sisters: “We must pray much for
each other that we may succeed in
the work before us and have wisdom given us in all our pursuits.” Some of
us were set apart by the Prophet Joseph Smith to go among the sick and afflicted
in Nauvoo and minister to their wants. We continued to serve as midwives and
nurses as the saints moved westward. “The Lord confirms it again and again. He
is delighted with our acts of charity.” In 1867, I became a counselor to
Eliza R. Snow in the General Relief Society presidency. I served with Sister
Eliza for 15 years in Utah territory. I enjoy singing with Zina Huntington and Partridge sisters in Relief
Society meetings.
MUSICAL NUMBERS: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken, #46; Adam-ondi-Ahman,
#49; God is Love, #87; Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise, #41
Elvira Cowles (Coles)
I am Elvira Cowles, the treasurer of the Relief Society. I
am single and have lived in the Prophet’s home assisting Emma in household
duties. My father is a counselor in the Nauvoo Stake presidency. When we
discussed how we could alleviate the needs of others or work on the temple, we
told the sisters, “I’m strong; I can carry water for the masons.” They said it
was refreshing to hear someone boast of health as there had been so much
sickness.
Leonora C. Taylor
My name is Leonora Taylor. I was born in England. I felt prompted to
come to Canada because of a dream. There I met my husband, John Taylor. I
refused his first offer of marriage because I am ten years older than him.
Prompted by another dream, I accepted his second proposal and we were married in
1833.
We were taught the gospel by Parley P. Pratt and baptized in 1836. We
traveled with our two children to Kirtland, only to find that the body of the
Church had moved on to Far West. We waited until I gave birth to our third
child then made our way to Far West.
My husband, John Taylor, offered the opening prayer at the first Relief
Society meeting and set apart all three members of the presidency. While my
husband was serving his first mission, we lived in “miserable old log barracks”
where a skunk came in at night to sleep among us. I didn’t get much sleep on
those nights.
We underwent many trials. One of the most demanding challenges was the
principle of plural marriage. But our devotion, faith and obedience led us to
follow the Prophet. We arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in October of 1847
and tried to be a refining influence in frontier Utah with our manners, modesty
and concern for others.
Desdemona Fullmer
My name is Desdemona Fullmer, one of twenty women called by the Prophet to
help establish the Relief Society. I was born in Pennsylvania and brought up by
godly parents who taught me to pray, and who raised me very strictly. When I
was 13 years old I prayed alone and in secret to the Lord. One night I dreamt
that I saw myself and a small company of people that lived pure before the Lord
moving into the wilderness. From that time I became very serious of mind.
I joined the church with my brother, David, who is a Nauvoo city
councilman, and we have wandered in the wilderness with the saints. I am 32
years old and reside in the Nauvoo 4th Ward.
MUSICAL NUMBER: (String trio) He Died! The Great Redeemer Died, #192; Guide
Us, O Thou Great Jehovah, #83; I Know That My Redeemer Lives, #136
Philinda C. Myrick (Merrick)
I am Philinda Clark Myrick. My husband, Levi, and our 8 year old son,
Charles, were killed at Haun’s Mill. I remember “the mob came upon us in the
after part of the day… and commenced firing on helpless men, women and
children. There were 15 killed and buried in one hole the next day. Others
were wounded, some mortally, among whom was my husband, Levi N. Myrick.”
We also lost a child who was wounded and died 4 weeks later. Though my life has
known tragedy, I am grateful to be in Nauvoo with my four children. I am also
grateful to Sister Emma for urging the sisters to give me sewing and to pay me
promptly so I can continue to care for my children.
Sophia B. Packard
My name is Sophia Packard. I am originally from Massachusetts. My
husband is Noah Packard whom I married in 1820. He calls me his “helpmate
indeed” and tells everyone we have lived “an agreeable life together.”
We were converted by Mrs. William Jolley who believed in a gold Bible
which turned out to be the Book of Mormon. I was baptized in 1832. My husband
is a counselor in the High Priest’s Quorum. While he served a mission to the
Eastern States, I took care of our seven children, the youngest being 5 years
old.
Eliza R. Snow
I am Eliza R. Snow. At the age of 38, I was one
of 6 unmarried women present at the organization of the Relief Society. As
secretary, I carefully kept the “Record of the Organization and Proceedings of
the Female Relief Society.”
I grew up in the Western Reserve of Ohio. As a child I sometimes wrote my
school lessons in rhyme. Joseph Smith visited our home and baptized my mother
and sister. I hesitated, deliberated, then became fully committed and was
baptized in April, 1835. I moved to Kirtland, Ohio where I lived with Joseph
and Emma, taught in their family school and composed two hymns for Emma’s new
hymnal.
In Winter Quarters during the winter of 1846, we discovered new bonds of
sisterhood and “the spirit of the Lord was pour’d out” upon us. I arrived in
the Salt Lake Valley in October 1847, bringing the precious records of the first
Relief Society meetings.
I was called by President Brigham Young to assist in reorganizing the
Relief Society in 1866. He called upon the sisters to “enter into [Relief
Society], not only for the relief of the poor, but for the accomplishment of
every good and noble work.”
During my 21 year ministry, I worked to help Latter-day Saint women
recognize their temporal and spiritual responsibilities. “In your lives seek to
refine and elevate, that you may be prepared to come into the presence of holy
beings, and associate with Gods. WE do not know our own abilities until they
are brought into exercise.”
“Let your first business be to perform your duties at home. But inasmuch
as you are wise stewards, you will find time for social duties because these are
incumbent upon us as daughters and mothers in Zion. By seeking to perform
every duty you will find that your capacity will increase, and you will be
astonished at what you can accomplish.
Don’t you see that our sphere is increasing? Our sphere of action will
continually widen, and no woman in Zion needs to mourn because her sphere is too
narrow. God bless you, my sisters, and encourage you, that you may be filled
with light.”
MUSICAL NUMBER: Great is the Lord, #7; Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn, #16;
Now We’ll Sing with One Accord, #25
Sarah G. Kimball
My name is Sarah Kimball, wife of Hiram Kimball. It was in my house that
the idea of the Relief Society organization took place. Sister Margaret Cook,
“a maiden lady," was seamstress for me and the subject of combing our efforts
for assisting the Temple hands came up in conversation. She desired to be
helpful, but had no means to furnish. I told her I would furnish material if
she would make some shirts for the workmen. It was then suggested that some of
the neighbors might wish to combine means and efforts with ours, and we decided
to invite a few to come and consult with us on the subject of forming a Ladies’
Society.”
After telling the Prophet our plans, he called us together with other
leading Nauvoo women to organize a society which we named “The Female Relief
Society of Nauvoo.” From this beginning our numbers grow stronger each day and
we are making a difference, not only seeing that the brethren have warm clothes
to wear as they work, but assisting the new converts as they arrive in Nauvoo.
After moving west, I continued to be involved in the Relief Society,
serving as a ward Relief Society president and as the General Secretary to
Presidents Eliza R. Snow and to Zina Young. I had an active role in directing
the suffrage movement in the Territory.
I was a champion of women’s rights. For many years I worked to create
opportunities for women to expand their abilities. I introduced reading and
instruction during Relief Society work meetings. We would “sew carpet rages and
talk on suffrage.”
Bathsheba W. Smith
I am Bathsheba Smith. At the age of 19, I was
the youngest of the married women at the founding of the Relief Society. I
lived to see the membership grow from 20 to over forty thousand. At age 15, I
was baptized with my family in West Virginia. “I felt to rejoice and firmly
believed that I was accepted as a member of Christ’s Kingdom.” I married George
A. Smith, the missionary who brought my family the gospel. During our first
year of marriage I set up housekeeping in five successive homes in the Nauvoo
area. George and I were among the first to receive our temple ordinances and I
was an officiator in the Nauvoo Temple until the saints were forced to leave. In the Salt Lake Valley I lived near the temple in a white cottage with
green shutters. I enjoyed my garden of lilacs, roses, hollyhocks and larkspur.
I served as a counselor to Zina Young. Then I became the 4th General
Relief Society President in 1901. I served as president until my death in 1910
– the last of the original sisters present at the first Relief Society meeting.
My sisters in the Relief Society: “I bless you with the blessing of a
mother in Israel; and I pray that your work may seem light and not burdensome,
and that the rich outpourings of the Holy Spirit may buoy you up.”
Lucy M. Smith
My name is Lucy Mack Smith. I am known as “Mother Smith” among the
saints. I admire my daughter-in-law, Emma’s fortitude: “I have never seen
a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from
month to
month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience,
which she has ever done….”
Although I was not present at the first meeting, I spoke at the second
meeting, reminding the sisters “this institution is a good one…we must cherish
one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction,
that we may all sit down in heaven together.”
Sources:
Jill M. Derr, “Women of Covenant”
“History of Relief Society”, published by the church, 1966
Susan Easton Black, “Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants”
The musical numbers are hymns from the first LDS hymnal that Emma compiled in
1835
“The Spirit of God”, #2 was sung as the opening hymn at the first RS meeting
“Now Let Us Rejoice”, #3 was also sung at that meeting
|