16 September 1887
Salt Lake Stake Young Ladies; Salt Lake City, Utah Territory
[. . .]
Prest. E. [Elmina] S. Taylor said that as we have with us to-day Sister E. R. Snow Smith and Prest. A. [Angus] M. Cannon, she would not occupy the time [. . .]
Mrs. E. R. Snow Smith said, “It has been a long time since I met with my young sisters in this capacity, and I am thankful to God for this privilege. The instructions we have received will do us no good unless we put them in practice. The Lord has a great work for the daughters of Zion—to raise up a healthy generation. A mighty God is with us, if we adhere to Him. You young ladies want to cultivate health in your bodies; it is to be lamented that so many have inherited weaknesses of body, but in a measure you can overcome them, by living the laws of life and health.” Said the young could not expect healthy bodies when they are out night after night exposed to the cold. “These may seem small matters, but a healthy spirit cannot prosper in an unhealthy body. Early impressions form the character of the child, and often the mother in little things sets examples of dishonesty. Establish firmly the principle of strict honesty, and have a foundation as high as the heavens and as broad as eternity. Our God condescends to notice small things; we should not desecrate the Sabbath day; we should be exemplary Latter-day Saints; we should gain knowledge. What is education? The training of the human mind; but if we could not educate in everything without disloyalty to the Gospel, I would rather have the love of God than all the knowledge of seminaries.” She urged the young ladies to learn housekeeping, as good health and happiness depends on it. She closed her remarks by saying, “I ask God to bless you and pour out His Spirit upon you; do nothing to grieve it away. You can’t consider too important the mission God has for you; if we cleave unto God, seek to do His will in all things, we shall be able to stand whatever the Lord suffers to come.”
[. . .] [p. 71]