7 August 1878
Mendon Relief Society; Mendon Meetinghouse, Mendon, Utah Territory
[. . .] Sister E R Snow then said her request was that we lift our hearts to God that she may be permitted to speak by His spirit felt a good influence in our midts [midst] said how thankful we should all be that we have been permitted to live in those days; the duties of the Sisters are conti[n]ually increasing. The Prophet Joseph [Smith] said that whenever the Church was fully organized the Releif Society would be a prominent branch. therein our mission is not only to help the poor and needy; but to save souls and do all the good that lays in our power the Lord requires us to excert ourselves in every sphear where we can be useful how nessary [necessary] it is that we should rouse from Lethargy; we are called by the Priesthood of God to support home industry that Zion may become free we are slaves to Babylon as long as we are depende[n]t on it for the clothes we wear spoke of the straw hat and the silk manufactory said her necktie was made of home spun silk the ribbon on her bonnet was home made also [n.p.] She entreated the Sisters to read the newspapers, and learn the condition and needs of the country, what was goin[g] on in the world and keep posted on all affairs of public interest; spoke earenstly on the subject of storing grain and white beans and prepairing for a day of need said our motto should be “make hay while the sun shines and lay up our stores now there is an abundant harvest advised the Sisters to take out naturalizaition papers those who are not citizens. Womans cause in [is] man’s cause there is no seperating the two, but womans work and mans work are different. God is at the helm, and He chooses such instruments as He sees fit to do His work it is all one with us it is a universal interest we can see the sphere of man is extending and womans place is at the side of her husband as his counselor not dicthatore [dictator]. Said there is a move being made to organice the little girls and boys into societies and rais[e] them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord teach them the principals of the Gospel in their infancy; urged upon the Sisters the necesity of liveing in the enjoyment of the spirit of God at all times, spoke of the trials the saints have passed th[r]ough, said we should alway try to comfort and strengthen those that are cast down encourag[e] us to be faithful and endure to the end. <said> These meetings are of great benifit to the Sisters; they obtain through this medium much spiritual strength as well as knowlege on a variety of subjects which if properly applied will aid them in every day life, as well as help them to attain to an exaltation in the future
Sister E [Elizabeth A.] Davis said [. . .] She felt there had been a great deal of instruction given in the propper course of improvement [. . .] [n.p.]
[. . .] Sister E Davis read an address to parents written by Sister E R Snow [. . .] [n.p.]