26 May 1877
Retrenchment Association; Fourteenth Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory
[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 Woman’s Exponent, 1 June 1877
Miss E. R. Snow spoke upon home-industry and said it was THE mission of the sisters at the present day. It was essential to the best interests of Zion that the sisters should be energetic and persevering in this noble enterprise. [. . .] [p. 4]
II. From the Woman’s Exponent, 15 June 1877
[. . .] Counselor E. R. Snow laid before the sisters the necessity of providing labor here at home for the thousands who emigrate to Zion every year; that they may have means to obtain a livelihood; that this portion of the work was as necessary as spiritual work, or the work of building Temples, for if the people did not become self-sustaining they would not have the privilege of remaining here to minister in those temples and receive the ordinances and blessings pertaining thereto; that while the gathering was still being preached, it was essential that those who gather here should be furnished with suitable employment, that this had been preached to the saints from the commencement of settling these valleys. It was necessary now to do, and do with and for a purpose, to take measures that would be carried out by the people, everything was being so arranged so as to make these things possible, and the sisters could lend efficient aid in these matters; she hoped and desired to see them step forward and show that they were really for Zion and her interests. [. . .] [p. 10]