22 August 1873
Provo Relief Societies; Provo Meetinghouse, Provo, Utah Territory
Provo meetinghouse, Provo, Utah Territory, circa 1865. (Courtesy B. Ashworth’s, Provo, Utah.)
Yesterday, according to appointment, Sister Eliza R. Snow, on a visit to the sisters of this city addressed a large and attentive audience of the members of the Relief Societies at the Meeting House. [. . .] Sister M. [Margaret] T. Smoot then introduced the speaker to the audience, who, after expressing her pleasure at meeting so many of her sisters, and her thankfulness to God for his protecting care during her Eastern tour, gave an interesting account of her travels. In her remarks, the speaker referred to the principle of plural marriage, urging mothers to teach it to their daughters; alluded to the instructions of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the Relief Societies were empowered to create any officers that were deemed necessary for the well being of their organizations. Therefore it was moved and seconded that Sister Margaret T. Smoot be sustained as President of the four Presidents of Provo City Relief Societies, which was unanimous by the vote of sisters present.
At the close of Sister Snow’s remarks, Sister Elizabeth [A.] Howard, of Salt Lake Co., read the following
ACROSTIC
Addressed to our beloved Sister
ELIZA R. SNOW.
On her first visit to Provo City after returning from Jersusalem.
Each faithful Saint, without a doubt
Love’s courtesies would fain extend,
In fact, although we may not shout,
Zion. would welcome Zion’s friend.
As such no sister that we know,
Ranks higher than dear Sister Snow.
Sincerely then, we wish her joy,
Nor, only wish but would employ.
Our means, or ought, that joy imparts.
Within our pow’r with all our hearts.
HENRY MAIDEN,
On behalf of the laidies of Provo City.
[. . .] [p. 58]
Source Note
“R. S. Reports,” Woman’s Exponent 2, no. 8 (15 Sept. 1873): 58.
See also Provo 2nd Ward, Utah Stake, Relief Society Minutes and Records (1869–1973), vol. 1 (1869–1882), p. 69, CHL (LR 7222 14); Paulina E. Brown, “R. S. Reports,” Woman’s Exponent 2, no. 7 (1 Sept. 1873): 56; and Emmeline B. Wells, “Pen Sketch of an Illustrious Woman,” Woman’s Exponent 10, no. 3 (1 July 1881): 17.