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Women of Faith in the Latter Days: Volume One, 1775-1820
Although roughly half the people in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been women, their lives of faith and dedication haven t always received the attention they deserve. This new, seven-volume series aims to enhance awareness of these women through inspirational vignettes. Each volume will contain approximately 50 ten-page chapters on women from all walks of life and from different periods in Church history. Each chapter will contain a photograph or portrait of the woman (if available), a brief biography, and an uplifting experience from her life. Today s women will feel connected to their spiritual heritage as they read about choices made by faithful women in Church history who came from many different backgrounds. As they come to know and love these women of faith, readers will feel that they are not alone in the challenges they face.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
31 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Richard E. Turley Jr.
32 books25 followersRichard E. Turley Jr. retired in March 2020 as Managing Director of the Church Communication Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served previously as Managing Director of the Public Affairs Department, the Church Historical Department, the Family History Department, and the combined Family and Church History Department. He also served as Assistant Church Historian and Recorder. An innovator by nature, he helped oversee the creation of the four-volume history Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, the launch of FamilySearch and FamilySearch Indexing, the building of the new Church History Library, the development of the Joseph Smith Papers, and the formation of the Church Historian’s Press. He acquired key books, documents, and artifacts for the Church’s historical collections, including the 1829 Printer’s Manuscript of the Book of Mormon. He also served for many years on the Church’s Historic Sites Committee.
He has authored or edited numerous books and articles on Latter-day Saint and Western U.S. history, including Massacre at Mountain Meadows: An American Tragedy; Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case; How We Got the Book of Mormon; and How We Got the Doctrine and Covenants. He was the general editor for The Journals of George Q. Cannon print volumes, as well as coeditor of the series Women of Faith in the Latter Days.
Mr. Turley is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Historical Association's Herbert Feis award and the Historic Preservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mr. Turley received a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University, where he was a Spencer W. Kimball Scholar. He later graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU, where he served as executive editor of the law review, was elected to the Order of the Coif, and received the Hugh B. Brown Barrister’s Award, given to the student who demonstrates the highest standards of classroom performance.
In September 2023, the First Presidency announced that it had commissioned a new biography of the Prophet Joseph Smith to be written by Mr. Turley.
He has authored or edited numerous books and articles on Latter-day Saint and Western U.S. history, including Massacre at Mountain Meadows: An American Tragedy; Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case; How We Got the Book of Mormon; and How We Got the Doctrine and Covenants. He was the general editor for The Journals of George Q. Cannon print volumes, as well as coeditor of the series Women of Faith in the Latter Days.
Mr. Turley is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Historical Association's Herbert Feis award and the Historic Preservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mr. Turley received a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University, where he was a Spencer W. Kimball Scholar. He later graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU, where he served as executive editor of the law review, was elected to the Order of the Coif, and received the Hugh B. Brown Barrister’s Award, given to the student who demonstrates the highest standards of classroom performance.
In September 2023, the First Presidency announced that it had commissioned a new biography of the Prophet Joseph Smith to be written by Mr. Turley.
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April 23, 2015
When I first started reading I was a little disappointed in the format. I was expecting a little more of a narrative and the "biographical sketch" and then "life experiences" that each chapter was sectioned out, I thought, at first, was a little redundant. Once I got over it, I was swept away by these women's lives.
It was truly amazing.
You would expect that reading about husbands being murdered, children freezing to death after being driven from their homes, sickness, lack of food, lack of money, just general poverty would wear you down as a reader. I felt so strangely uplifted after each chapter and I can only attribute it to these powerful and stalwart women who lead their families often with little or no help. There is a happy determination in accomplishing what needs to be done, and these women's recordings of their trials are always written with a fervent testimony of how God has so obviously not forsaken them. To a mother in the 21st century, its mind boggling. Frequently I would set it down and say, "That's ridiculous. How can they be so grateful for one bag of cornmeal when their whole life is crumbling around them? This reaction does not make sense!" I was inspired over and over by their complete faith and.... gratitude.
They were all just so grateful for the most meager of mercies.
I should feel rebuked at my own selfish and "murmuring" ways, but instead I feel renewed and have found a sincere desire to be better. This wasn't a guilt trip book---look, see? they had it a whole lot worse then you--- it was a powerful testimony of the resiliency of women who put their faith in God. These women can be found today. It was hopeful.
Here are a few quotes that I loved. There were honestly too many to write out....
I see the little birds with ease
Fly over the hills and lofty trees.
Could I but fly as well as they
I [would] quickly come and talk with thee.
-Melissa Dodge pg 28
[Ann Marsh Abbott] wrote, "I consider it one of the greatest blessings that the Lord ever bestowed upon me that I have the privilege of imbracing the true and everlasting gospel the Mormon doctrine." Despite the adversity that came with life in the Church, the restored gospel was nonetheless one of her "greatest blessings."
Difficult things did not negate blessings; perhaps they illuminated them. Ann saw purpose in affliction, believing that we must "be tried and proved in all things.". The testing, trying, and proving of mortality never come easily, but Ann understood they had meaning. Those experiences continued to strengthen her, and she remained faithful to the end.
-pg 18
And I verily believe that George thought as he said that it would kill Mother. I told him if our joining the Mormons would kill her she would have to die, that I was fully convinced that the doctrine of the Latter Day Saints was the truth and that it was my duty to embrace it, that I should do so and leave Mother in the hands of God.
...
My trouble and anxiety in regard to Mother and all else swallowed up in Heavenly Peace. Soon after this Mother returned home and was taken sick. I was somewhat fearful that brother's prediction would be verified. She was confined to her bed for two or three weeks; but the Lord raised her up for a better end. When she began to recover she began searching the bible for scripture to confound our faith, but instead of that she converted herself to the truth and the ensuring summer she obeyed the gospel herself.
-Eliza Dana Gibbs pg 34-35
There are times when it seems as though every power were exerted to discourage me in what I believe to be the path of duty. And were it not that my confidence is in God and my faith firmly stayed upon the Mighty One of Jacob, I am sure I would shrink and fall beneath the burden that is upon me. I embraced the religion of the Latter-day Saints because my judgment was convinced that it was necessary for my salvation, and for this reason I now cling to it...Yet amid my trials I am happy and feel assured that my Maker will provide for me, and in his own due time gather me with His people...I trust that you, my dear parents, will at some future time be induced to cast your lot with the Saints. If this desire of my heart could be fulfilled I would experience a joy which words would fail to express. I still trust in God, knowing that He will do all things for the best.
-Lydia Goldthwaite Knight pg 154
I do not wonder that a beautiful flower garden should remind you of heaven--every perfection of beauty is heavenly. Those who have by the power of vision, beheld the flowers in the upper state of existence, tell us, that the flowers here, however beautiful they seem to us, will hardly bear comparison with the exceedingly beautiful, and exquisitely fragrant blossoms in that more perfect world. The thought of a perfect state of existence where every thing is clothed with perfect beauty and perfect beings enjoy it, is, of itself, almost enchanting; and the tangible reality of all this is certainly before us--it is what we are living for, and it is surely worth all the toil, privation, suffering and sacrifice to which mortality is subject. When you stroll among flowers and admire them. Just say to yourself, 'if I am faithful I shall inherit a kingdom and mansion of greater beauty and liveliness than can be represented in this fallen state.'
-Eliza Roxcy Snow pg 399
You say Mr. Lightner is gone. We do not know what is for the best, but Father does; and what we have no power to control, we have only to submit into His hands, and He is sure to manage in that way that will result in the most possible good. The saying that "the darkest hour is just before day" is frequently a truthful one when applied to human life. The more we cultivate a trust and confidence in God, the more we shall divest ourselves of corroding anxiety. To review our past lives and refresh our recollections with the many times when the Lord in tender mercy has protected, and guided us to our salvation, has a tendency to inspire unshaken confidence in His special care.
His love in times past, forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last, in trouble to sink;
Each sweet ebenezer I have in review,
Confirms His good pleasure, to help me quite through.
-Eliza Roxcy Snow pg 403-404
It was truly amazing.
You would expect that reading about husbands being murdered, children freezing to death after being driven from their homes, sickness, lack of food, lack of money, just general poverty would wear you down as a reader. I felt so strangely uplifted after each chapter and I can only attribute it to these powerful and stalwart women who lead their families often with little or no help. There is a happy determination in accomplishing what needs to be done, and these women's recordings of their trials are always written with a fervent testimony of how God has so obviously not forsaken them. To a mother in the 21st century, its mind boggling. Frequently I would set it down and say, "That's ridiculous. How can they be so grateful for one bag of cornmeal when their whole life is crumbling around them? This reaction does not make sense!" I was inspired over and over by their complete faith and.... gratitude.
They were all just so grateful for the most meager of mercies.
I should feel rebuked at my own selfish and "murmuring" ways, but instead I feel renewed and have found a sincere desire to be better. This wasn't a guilt trip book---look, see? they had it a whole lot worse then you--- it was a powerful testimony of the resiliency of women who put their faith in God. These women can be found today. It was hopeful.
Here are a few quotes that I loved. There were honestly too many to write out....
I see the little birds with ease
Fly over the hills and lofty trees.
Could I but fly as well as they
I [would] quickly come and talk with thee.
-Melissa Dodge pg 28
[Ann Marsh Abbott] wrote, "I consider it one of the greatest blessings that the Lord ever bestowed upon me that I have the privilege of imbracing the true and everlasting gospel the Mormon doctrine." Despite the adversity that came with life in the Church, the restored gospel was nonetheless one of her "greatest blessings."
Difficult things did not negate blessings; perhaps they illuminated them. Ann saw purpose in affliction, believing that we must "be tried and proved in all things.". The testing, trying, and proving of mortality never come easily, but Ann understood they had meaning. Those experiences continued to strengthen her, and she remained faithful to the end.
-pg 18
And I verily believe that George thought as he said that it would kill Mother. I told him if our joining the Mormons would kill her she would have to die, that I was fully convinced that the doctrine of the Latter Day Saints was the truth and that it was my duty to embrace it, that I should do so and leave Mother in the hands of God.
...
My trouble and anxiety in regard to Mother and all else swallowed up in Heavenly Peace. Soon after this Mother returned home and was taken sick. I was somewhat fearful that brother's prediction would be verified. She was confined to her bed for two or three weeks; but the Lord raised her up for a better end. When she began to recover she began searching the bible for scripture to confound our faith, but instead of that she converted herself to the truth and the ensuring summer she obeyed the gospel herself.
-Eliza Dana Gibbs pg 34-35
There are times when it seems as though every power were exerted to discourage me in what I believe to be the path of duty. And were it not that my confidence is in God and my faith firmly stayed upon the Mighty One of Jacob, I am sure I would shrink and fall beneath the burden that is upon me. I embraced the religion of the Latter-day Saints because my judgment was convinced that it was necessary for my salvation, and for this reason I now cling to it...Yet amid my trials I am happy and feel assured that my Maker will provide for me, and in his own due time gather me with His people...I trust that you, my dear parents, will at some future time be induced to cast your lot with the Saints. If this desire of my heart could be fulfilled I would experience a joy which words would fail to express. I still trust in God, knowing that He will do all things for the best.
-Lydia Goldthwaite Knight pg 154
I do not wonder that a beautiful flower garden should remind you of heaven--every perfection of beauty is heavenly. Those who have by the power of vision, beheld the flowers in the upper state of existence, tell us, that the flowers here, however beautiful they seem to us, will hardly bear comparison with the exceedingly beautiful, and exquisitely fragrant blossoms in that more perfect world. The thought of a perfect state of existence where every thing is clothed with perfect beauty and perfect beings enjoy it, is, of itself, almost enchanting; and the tangible reality of all this is certainly before us--it is what we are living for, and it is surely worth all the toil, privation, suffering and sacrifice to which mortality is subject. When you stroll among flowers and admire them. Just say to yourself, 'if I am faithful I shall inherit a kingdom and mansion of greater beauty and liveliness than can be represented in this fallen state.'
-Eliza Roxcy Snow pg 399
You say Mr. Lightner is gone. We do not know what is for the best, but Father does; and what we have no power to control, we have only to submit into His hands, and He is sure to manage in that way that will result in the most possible good. The saying that "the darkest hour is just before day" is frequently a truthful one when applied to human life. The more we cultivate a trust and confidence in God, the more we shall divest ourselves of corroding anxiety. To review our past lives and refresh our recollections with the many times when the Lord in tender mercy has protected, and guided us to our salvation, has a tendency to inspire unshaken confidence in His special care.
His love in times past, forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last, in trouble to sink;
Each sweet ebenezer I have in review,
Confirms His good pleasure, to help me quite through.
-Eliza Roxcy Snow pg 403-404
April 11, 2020
I need to finish....
December 16, 2024
These are stories of a number of faithful women in the early 1800s. Here are some good quotes:
"[Abigail Smith Abbott's] letter was a reminder that the work of the battalion would not have been possible without the sacrifices of their families (p. 10)."
"'The way to be happy is to have a conscience void of offence. Do not do any thing that will bring you into bondage under sin; for whoso ever you list to obey his servant you are whether the Lord or the devil' (Joseph Smith, p. 14)."
"In 1845, Ann and Lewis [Abbott] prepared to move west. They built their wagons by day and worked on the Nauvoo Temple by night. Ann and Lewis were sealed in the Nauvoo Temple on January 20, 1846 (p. 17)."
"[Ann Marsh Abbott] lamented the loss of connections with her extended family after her baptism, but she saw her gospel knowledge as of primary importance and tried to share it with her friends and family (p. 18)."
"Difficult things did not negate blessings; perhaps they illuminated them (p. 18)."
"Melissa [Morgan Dodge]'s eldest son, Augustus, described the healing of his mother's eyes by apostle David W. Patten and Warren Parrish at the time of her baptism. According to her son's account, she was immediately able to work and to experience the sights of the world around her (p. 23)."
"'We are still determined to maintain the faith which once was delivered to the Saints and not fall away like some have and deny the gospel of Christ... I praise my Maker while I breathe. If I am drove from place to place and serve the Lord for this, I know he has no other Church. I do feel to rejoice that it is as well with us as it is, for God has been our shield and buckler' (Melissa Morgan Dodge, p. 26)."
"In 1845 the family escaped the growing persecution in the Nauvoo area by traveling to Bonaparte, Iowa (p. 30)."
"'We were blest... which we must ascribe to the loving kindness of our Heavenly Father, who had included the hearts of strangers to be kind to us. In times of need, according to His promise that those who leave all for the gospel sake, shall receive a hundred fold in this life and eternal life in that which is to come' (Elizabeth Harrison Goddard, p. 47)."
"Elizabeth enjoyed her associations with the women in the Thirteenth Ward Relief Society, particularly Emmeline B. Wells, her assistant secretary... Elizabeth involved herself in the lives of many people in Salt Lake City, going to surprise birthday parties, attending concerts at the Assembly Hall, and visiting family members. She loved her husband dearly and supported him in his many callings (p. 52)."
"Family and historians alike would view her first and foremost as a Latter-day Saint woman who courageously held fast to the truths of the gospel when her circumstances in life were difficult to extreme (p. 55)."
"'I was willing for him to go, as I always was, until he fell in the defense of the kingdom of God.' On Thursday, October 25, 1838, in the Battle of Crooked River, James was shot in the neck (p. 60)."
"These trials made Drusilla pause to reflect on her religious stance and wonder aloud if she were sorry for the decision she made to become a Latter-day Saint. 'I am not... I did what was right, if I die I am glad I was baptized for the remission of my sins, for I have an answer of a good conscience.' She heard a still, small voice say, 'Hold on for the Lord will provide' (p. 61)."
"Drusilla [Dorris Hendricks] chose to remain true to her faith. She later testified to seeing the mantle of Joseph fall upon Brigham Young in August 1844. She wrote, 'President Brigham Young began to speak. I jumped up to look and see if it was not Brother Joseph, for surely it was his voice and gestures. Every Latter-day Saint could easily see upon whom the Priesthood descended, for Brigham Young held the keys' (p. 63)."
"James regained more of his strength and was able to serve as an associate judge for the county and as the first bishop of the Salt Lake Nineteenth Ward (p. 65)."
"'Immediately after I was baptized I conceived the necessity of being where the Church was, and at once decided that I would get there as quick as possible... I enjoy day by day my sweet babe and find that in possessing him my cup is full, such as it has not been before and I am willing to bear some little difficulties in the possession of him... My child is the consummation of all my earthly wishes' (Martha Spence Heywood, p. 69)."
"'Joseph came as far as Provo and did not send me one single word which hurt my feelings and taught me to think that I was not much cared for' (p. 79)."
"The Hornes accepted the principle of plural marriage, and Mary Isabella's husband took two other wives. Mary Isabella bore fifteen children, including three sets of twins. Twelve of her children survived to adulthood and became faithful Church and community leaders (p. 85)."
"Mary Isabella [Hales Horne] became a skilled and thoughtful speaker for Mormon women, suffrage, retrenchment, and other issues that demanded her knowledge and experience (p. 86)."
"'My father was so delighted with the sermon that he left the Methodist Church and attended the 'Mormon meetings' altogether; and in a short time every member of his family had received and obeyed the gospel (p. 89)."
"In 1837 while still living in Canada, Mary Isabella met the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was the first of many interactions... She recorded her experiences with him and her testimony of his prophetic mission... 'O Lord, I thank thee for granting the desire of my girlish heart, in permitting me to associate with prophets and apostles' (p. 90)."
"As an example of Brother Joseph's humility, as well as his respect for authority, I mention the following: As soon as he reached Toronto, Canada, he inquired who the Presiding Officer was. On learning that it was the late President John Taylor, the Prophet said, 'Send for him, as I desire to hold a meeting with the people.' When President Taylor arrived, Brother Joseph said, 'Brother Taylor, I am the Prophet Joseph. I want you to call a meeting, as I would like to talk to the Saints' (p. 92)."
"'I testify that Joseph Smith was the greatest prophet that ever lived on this earth, the Savior, only, excepted. There was a personal magnetism about him which drew all people who became acquainted with him, to him' (Mary Isabella Hales Horne, p. 95)."
"Like other converts to the new faith in the 1830s, Mary Isabella was empowered by the doctrine that spiritual gifts are granted to those who believe in Christ. Soon after her conversion, she received the gift of speaking in tongues... Mary Isabella embraced the power of divine healing and vowed that 'she never should employ a doctor again,' and would instead 'exercise faith in the ordinances of the church.' Nevertheless, she did not completely reject modern medical science, which she later put to use with her work at the Deseret Hospital (p. 97)."
"'No one can feel the full weight of the curse till she enters into polygamy; it is a great trial of feelings, but not of faith'... With the added faith and determination that came from this experience, Mary Isabella lived the law of plural marriage without public complaint (p. 98)."
"In 1831, Julia [Hills Johnson] received a copy of the Book of Mormon from her eldest son, who was residing near Kirtland, Ohio. He, his wife, and another of Julia's sons had joined the controversial new faith that accepted this book as scripture. Julia immediately began to read, concerned for her loved ones, to discern how to counsel and protect them. To her surprise, she recognized truth within the book's pages (p. 101)."
"Julia, independent by nature, with few means and an alcoholic husband, worked diligently to create a stable, organized, and refined home (p. 104)."
"She found simplicity and purity in the newly restored gospel (p. 107)."
"In Kirtland, severe trials and inspiring miracles continued to deepen and illuminate Julia's character (p. 110)."
"In her late teens, Sarah [Melissa Granger Kimball], with her bright, eager mind, attended the Hebrew school with Joseph Smith and others to Kirtland (p. 116)."
"In 1868 the Relief Society was formally reorganized in Utah under the direction of Brigham Young and Eliza R. Snow. Sarah was called as the first president of the Salt Lake Fifteenth Ward Relief Society (p. 117)."
"'I was delegated to call on Sister Eliza R. Snow and ask her to write for us a Constitution and bylaws, and submit them to President Joseph Smith... He said... 'Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and he has something better for them than a written Constitution' (Sarah Kimball, p. 118)."
"Because of the business interests of Sarah's husband, the Kimballs remained in Nauvoo when the main body of Saints left for the West (p. 119)."
"'The marriage of Mrs Emma Smith is the all absorbing topic of conversation. She was married last Thursday eve. The groom, Mr. Bidimen, is I believe looked upon with universal contempt. He was a widower, wears a wig, has two daughters' (p. 120)."
"Sarah left Nauvoo for the West, arriving in Salt Lake City in September 1851 with her two sons, widowed mother, two brothers, and a girl who lived with her for nine years (p. 122)."
"In 1863 Sarah's husband, Hiram, was drowned 'in the Pacific Ocean by the wreck of the steamer, Ada Hancock, off the coast of San Pedro, on his way to the Sandwich Island [to fulfill a mission] (p. 122)."
"Sarah wanted Relief Society to be about much more than good works (p. 125)."
"The Kimballs gathered with the Saints to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1833; moved to Far West, Missouri, in 1838; and were driven out with the rest of their people in 1839 to Quincy, Illinois, and later Nauvoo. Within this time period, Heber was called to be an apostle and served three missions, two of them to England; Vilate bore three more children; and the Kimballs were introduced to the principle of plural marriage (p. 130)."
"It is impossible to speak of Vilate Kimball separate from her husband. They were united in mind and soul, and their lives were thoroughly intertwined, even when separated by an ocean... She could not have anticipated that her marriage would lead her into a new religion requiring everything of her, including a significant portion of her husband's life... Vilate often showed rare courage in her determination to do the Lord's will... Vilate's loving heart expanded to include her sister wives and their children, and their love for her bore witness of it... Vilate may have drawn much of her strength from her temple covenants. She was one of the earliest recipients of the ordinances, and she delighted in providing them to others... To those who knew and loved her, Vilate's nobility of character and Christlike qualities shone even brighter (p. 131, 138, 140, 141, 142)."
"Following McClellan's death in 1880, Lydia [Goldthwaite Knight] moved to St. George, Utah, where she worked diligently in the temple, performing ordinances for over seven hundred people, including many of her own relatives (p. 144)."
"On November 23, 1835, Lydia and Newel Knight became the first couple married by Joseph Smith... Newel died during the winter of 1847, probably from pneumonia. When his body was carried past Lydia for burial, she whispered, 'God rules!'... On October 3, 1850, more than four years after she left Nauvoo, Lydia Knight reached Salt Lake City... Throughout her life, Lydia Knight relied on her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. The belief in the Savior that she displayed when a young girl grew as she met Joseph Smith and became a member of the Church (p. 147, 150, 151, 153)."
"Like many early Mormon converts, [Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt] was seeking out the true church described in the New Testament... 'It came to my mind in a moment that this was the message that was behind that cloud for me and not for me only but for the whole world and I considered it of more importance than any thing I had ever heard before for it brought back the ancient order of things and laid foundation that could be built upon that was permanent, a foundation made by him that laid the foundations of the earth even the Almighty God' (p. 155, 157)."
"At the age of thirteen, Eliza Maria Partridge saw her father return home after being tarred and feathered by a mob of Missourians. Soon thereafter, her family was driven from the county along with the other Jackson County Saints (p. 168)."
"Eliza married Apostle Amasa Lyman, with whom she had five children... As a plural wife, she took on much of the responsibility of supporting herself and her children... Eliza's own friendship with Deity had been forged in the fire of experience (p. 169, 170)."
"Living close to Kirtland, Ohio, a major center of the early Church, as a young woman [Cyrena Dustin Merrill] embraced its teachings, the only member of her immediate family to do so (p. 181)."
"Brigham's blessing seemed to strengthen [Laura Farnsworth Owen]. She ached, 'I knew where my place was for eternity but for time I knew not. I wanted some good faithful man to stand with me in the ordinances of the house of God. I had been faithful and true to my husbands, both of them, and suffered much; why was it that my lot was so hard? I knew not, but one thing I did know. This was the true Church of God and he knew my heart and the integrity of it, and I had confidence in his overruling providence for I had proved him from my youth up and I felt still to trust him... Through a long series of disappointments and trials, I had learned to put my trust in an overruling providence and felt that he would cause every thing to work for my good' (p. 196, 202)."
"I beseech you to come to Jesus in a child-like manner and earnestly continue in prayer to God, that your understanding may be opened to search the scriptures (p. 205)."
"'What had we done to be thus treated by our fellow-countrymen? My husband's father suffered untold hardships all through the Revolutionary War; and had fought and bled to establish American freedom; so had my grandfather. They had labored and suffered that all men might enjoy religious liberty in this land, and there we were, fleeing before a relentless and blood-thirsty mob, composed of American citizens sent out by the Governor to compel us to leave the state, and all this because we believed that God was the same unchangeable being, that he was now as he ever had been, a God of revelation, that He had spoken from the heavens once more and restored the gospel as it was revealed by Jesus Christ when he was on the earth, through His chosen servant Joseph Smith, the prophet' (Patience Delila Pierce Palmer, p. 215)."
"Maria's courage and determination persisted. She pulled her handcart until her feet were frozen so painfully she could walk no further (p. 229)."
"'While I was continually ambitious to find the right kind of religion, never feeling assured that those I was acquainted with were right. In the winter of 1843 we were attracted by a handbill stating that a Mormon preacher would hold three meetings in the Boylston Hall' (p. 235)."
"[Louisa Barnes Pratt] demonstrated courage and faith as she prepared to leave Nauvoo without Addison... 'At length the time came that we must leave our beloved temple, our city, and our homes' (p. 247, 255)."
"Sarah De Armon Pea Rich witnessed many major events in the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was part of the Church's blossoming in Missouri and Nauvoo, she endured dark hours of treachery and persecution at the hands of mobs and the arduous trek to the arid Salt Lake Valley, and she worked to transform the new land into a prosperous community (p. 271)."
"'We helped in the house of the Lord to give endowments for four months, until the house was closed; and we as a people commenced to prepare ourselves to depart for the Rocky Mountains. Many were the blessings we had received in the house of the Lord' (Sarah Rich, p. 279)."
"'Could you only have been acquainted with those two men [Joseph and Hyrum] I know you would say with me they were men of God. They never taught me anything but what was the most virtuous principles. How many times have I heard Joseph entreat of us to watch and pray, never take God's name in vain, never using light and vain conversation, but to prove to all by our lives and conversations that we were born of God' (Jennetta Richards, p. 294)."
"'I have often felt that the only reason for my being in the presiding councils of the Chruch is the devotion of Willard Richards to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I believe there are councils on the other side. We have had testimonies of them, and while I cannot understand, I can believe that the Prophet, out of consideration for his friend, has had a voice in bringing me into the Council of the Twelve' (Stephen L. Richards, p. 298)."
"About 1828, Amanda [Barnes Smith] joined the Campbellites and was baptized by Sidney Rigdon (p. 330)."
"'The entire hip joint of my wounded boy had been shot away. Flesh, hip bone, joint and all had been ploughed out from the muzzle of the gun which the ruffian placed to the child's hip through the logs of the shop and deliberately fired... On my Heavenly Father, I cried, what shall I do? Thou seest my poor wounded boy and knowest my inexperience. Oh Heavenly Father direct me what to do!... Having done as directed I again prayed to the Lord and was again instructed as distinctly as though a physician had been standing by speaking to me' (Amanda Smith, p. 334)."
"[Emma] was among the first to make a personal sacrifice to support Joseph when she married him on January 18, 1827 (p. 351)."
"'Taking his wife'... Joseph 'went to the place where the plates were concealed, and while he was obtaining them, she kneeled down and prayed' (Martin Harris, p. 353)."
"Lucy [Mack Smith]'s leadership skills were not only organizational but also motivational (p. 367)."
"Mary [Fielding Smith] joined the Church in Canada in 1836 and then moved to Kirtland... Later that year she married Hyrum Smith (p. 377)."
"Brigham Young in 1855 appointed [Eliza R. Snow] to preside over women's temple ordinances in the Endowment House (p. 391)."
"'I know that the Lord hears and answers me' (Leonora Cannon Taylor, p. 415)."
"'I have seen the Prophet under a great variety of circumstances, in public, in domestic and social life and in sacred places' (Mercy Thompson, p. 433)."
"Some times I felt that I could not endure any more. Then my Heavenly Father would strengthen me, and I felt to be humble and resigned, knowing that God's people have always had to suffer persecution (Nancy Tracy, p. 449)."
"Long before she met Wilford Woodruff [Phebe Carter] had developed a personal knowledge of and commitment to the gospel (p. 452)."
"[Abigail Smith Abbott's] letter was a reminder that the work of the battalion would not have been possible without the sacrifices of their families (p. 10)."
"'The way to be happy is to have a conscience void of offence. Do not do any thing that will bring you into bondage under sin; for whoso ever you list to obey his servant you are whether the Lord or the devil' (Joseph Smith, p. 14)."
"In 1845, Ann and Lewis [Abbott] prepared to move west. They built their wagons by day and worked on the Nauvoo Temple by night. Ann and Lewis were sealed in the Nauvoo Temple on January 20, 1846 (p. 17)."
"[Ann Marsh Abbott] lamented the loss of connections with her extended family after her baptism, but she saw her gospel knowledge as of primary importance and tried to share it with her friends and family (p. 18)."
"Difficult things did not negate blessings; perhaps they illuminated them (p. 18)."
"Melissa [Morgan Dodge]'s eldest son, Augustus, described the healing of his mother's eyes by apostle David W. Patten and Warren Parrish at the time of her baptism. According to her son's account, she was immediately able to work and to experience the sights of the world around her (p. 23)."
"'We are still determined to maintain the faith which once was delivered to the Saints and not fall away like some have and deny the gospel of Christ... I praise my Maker while I breathe. If I am drove from place to place and serve the Lord for this, I know he has no other Church. I do feel to rejoice that it is as well with us as it is, for God has been our shield and buckler' (Melissa Morgan Dodge, p. 26)."
"In 1845 the family escaped the growing persecution in the Nauvoo area by traveling to Bonaparte, Iowa (p. 30)."
"'We were blest... which we must ascribe to the loving kindness of our Heavenly Father, who had included the hearts of strangers to be kind to us. In times of need, according to His promise that those who leave all for the gospel sake, shall receive a hundred fold in this life and eternal life in that which is to come' (Elizabeth Harrison Goddard, p. 47)."
"Elizabeth enjoyed her associations with the women in the Thirteenth Ward Relief Society, particularly Emmeline B. Wells, her assistant secretary... Elizabeth involved herself in the lives of many people in Salt Lake City, going to surprise birthday parties, attending concerts at the Assembly Hall, and visiting family members. She loved her husband dearly and supported him in his many callings (p. 52)."
"Family and historians alike would view her first and foremost as a Latter-day Saint woman who courageously held fast to the truths of the gospel when her circumstances in life were difficult to extreme (p. 55)."
"'I was willing for him to go, as I always was, until he fell in the defense of the kingdom of God.' On Thursday, October 25, 1838, in the Battle of Crooked River, James was shot in the neck (p. 60)."
"These trials made Drusilla pause to reflect on her religious stance and wonder aloud if she were sorry for the decision she made to become a Latter-day Saint. 'I am not... I did what was right, if I die I am glad I was baptized for the remission of my sins, for I have an answer of a good conscience.' She heard a still, small voice say, 'Hold on for the Lord will provide' (p. 61)."
"Drusilla [Dorris Hendricks] chose to remain true to her faith. She later testified to seeing the mantle of Joseph fall upon Brigham Young in August 1844. She wrote, 'President Brigham Young began to speak. I jumped up to look and see if it was not Brother Joseph, for surely it was his voice and gestures. Every Latter-day Saint could easily see upon whom the Priesthood descended, for Brigham Young held the keys' (p. 63)."
"James regained more of his strength and was able to serve as an associate judge for the county and as the first bishop of the Salt Lake Nineteenth Ward (p. 65)."
"'Immediately after I was baptized I conceived the necessity of being where the Church was, and at once decided that I would get there as quick as possible... I enjoy day by day my sweet babe and find that in possessing him my cup is full, such as it has not been before and I am willing to bear some little difficulties in the possession of him... My child is the consummation of all my earthly wishes' (Martha Spence Heywood, p. 69)."
"'Joseph came as far as Provo and did not send me one single word which hurt my feelings and taught me to think that I was not much cared for' (p. 79)."
"The Hornes accepted the principle of plural marriage, and Mary Isabella's husband took two other wives. Mary Isabella bore fifteen children, including three sets of twins. Twelve of her children survived to adulthood and became faithful Church and community leaders (p. 85)."
"Mary Isabella [Hales Horne] became a skilled and thoughtful speaker for Mormon women, suffrage, retrenchment, and other issues that demanded her knowledge and experience (p. 86)."
"'My father was so delighted with the sermon that he left the Methodist Church and attended the 'Mormon meetings' altogether; and in a short time every member of his family had received and obeyed the gospel (p. 89)."
"In 1837 while still living in Canada, Mary Isabella met the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was the first of many interactions... She recorded her experiences with him and her testimony of his prophetic mission... 'O Lord, I thank thee for granting the desire of my girlish heart, in permitting me to associate with prophets and apostles' (p. 90)."
"As an example of Brother Joseph's humility, as well as his respect for authority, I mention the following: As soon as he reached Toronto, Canada, he inquired who the Presiding Officer was. On learning that it was the late President John Taylor, the Prophet said, 'Send for him, as I desire to hold a meeting with the people.' When President Taylor arrived, Brother Joseph said, 'Brother Taylor, I am the Prophet Joseph. I want you to call a meeting, as I would like to talk to the Saints' (p. 92)."
"'I testify that Joseph Smith was the greatest prophet that ever lived on this earth, the Savior, only, excepted. There was a personal magnetism about him which drew all people who became acquainted with him, to him' (Mary Isabella Hales Horne, p. 95)."
"Like other converts to the new faith in the 1830s, Mary Isabella was empowered by the doctrine that spiritual gifts are granted to those who believe in Christ. Soon after her conversion, she received the gift of speaking in tongues... Mary Isabella embraced the power of divine healing and vowed that 'she never should employ a doctor again,' and would instead 'exercise faith in the ordinances of the church.' Nevertheless, she did not completely reject modern medical science, which she later put to use with her work at the Deseret Hospital (p. 97)."
"'No one can feel the full weight of the curse till she enters into polygamy; it is a great trial of feelings, but not of faith'... With the added faith and determination that came from this experience, Mary Isabella lived the law of plural marriage without public complaint (p. 98)."
"In 1831, Julia [Hills Johnson] received a copy of the Book of Mormon from her eldest son, who was residing near Kirtland, Ohio. He, his wife, and another of Julia's sons had joined the controversial new faith that accepted this book as scripture. Julia immediately began to read, concerned for her loved ones, to discern how to counsel and protect them. To her surprise, she recognized truth within the book's pages (p. 101)."
"Julia, independent by nature, with few means and an alcoholic husband, worked diligently to create a stable, organized, and refined home (p. 104)."
"She found simplicity and purity in the newly restored gospel (p. 107)."
"In Kirtland, severe trials and inspiring miracles continued to deepen and illuminate Julia's character (p. 110)."
"In her late teens, Sarah [Melissa Granger Kimball], with her bright, eager mind, attended the Hebrew school with Joseph Smith and others to Kirtland (p. 116)."
"In 1868 the Relief Society was formally reorganized in Utah under the direction of Brigham Young and Eliza R. Snow. Sarah was called as the first president of the Salt Lake Fifteenth Ward Relief Society (p. 117)."
"'I was delegated to call on Sister Eliza R. Snow and ask her to write for us a Constitution and bylaws, and submit them to President Joseph Smith... He said... 'Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and he has something better for them than a written Constitution' (Sarah Kimball, p. 118)."
"Because of the business interests of Sarah's husband, the Kimballs remained in Nauvoo when the main body of Saints left for the West (p. 119)."
"'The marriage of Mrs Emma Smith is the all absorbing topic of conversation. She was married last Thursday eve. The groom, Mr. Bidimen, is I believe looked upon with universal contempt. He was a widower, wears a wig, has two daughters' (p. 120)."
"Sarah left Nauvoo for the West, arriving in Salt Lake City in September 1851 with her two sons, widowed mother, two brothers, and a girl who lived with her for nine years (p. 122)."
"In 1863 Sarah's husband, Hiram, was drowned 'in the Pacific Ocean by the wreck of the steamer, Ada Hancock, off the coast of San Pedro, on his way to the Sandwich Island [to fulfill a mission] (p. 122)."
"Sarah wanted Relief Society to be about much more than good works (p. 125)."
"The Kimballs gathered with the Saints to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1833; moved to Far West, Missouri, in 1838; and were driven out with the rest of their people in 1839 to Quincy, Illinois, and later Nauvoo. Within this time period, Heber was called to be an apostle and served three missions, two of them to England; Vilate bore three more children; and the Kimballs were introduced to the principle of plural marriage (p. 130)."
"It is impossible to speak of Vilate Kimball separate from her husband. They were united in mind and soul, and their lives were thoroughly intertwined, even when separated by an ocean... She could not have anticipated that her marriage would lead her into a new religion requiring everything of her, including a significant portion of her husband's life... Vilate often showed rare courage in her determination to do the Lord's will... Vilate's loving heart expanded to include her sister wives and their children, and their love for her bore witness of it... Vilate may have drawn much of her strength from her temple covenants. She was one of the earliest recipients of the ordinances, and she delighted in providing them to others... To those who knew and loved her, Vilate's nobility of character and Christlike qualities shone even brighter (p. 131, 138, 140, 141, 142)."
"Following McClellan's death in 1880, Lydia [Goldthwaite Knight] moved to St. George, Utah, where she worked diligently in the temple, performing ordinances for over seven hundred people, including many of her own relatives (p. 144)."
"On November 23, 1835, Lydia and Newel Knight became the first couple married by Joseph Smith... Newel died during the winter of 1847, probably from pneumonia. When his body was carried past Lydia for burial, she whispered, 'God rules!'... On October 3, 1850, more than four years after she left Nauvoo, Lydia Knight reached Salt Lake City... Throughout her life, Lydia Knight relied on her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. The belief in the Savior that she displayed when a young girl grew as she met Joseph Smith and became a member of the Church (p. 147, 150, 151, 153)."
"Like many early Mormon converts, [Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt] was seeking out the true church described in the New Testament... 'It came to my mind in a moment that this was the message that was behind that cloud for me and not for me only but for the whole world and I considered it of more importance than any thing I had ever heard before for it brought back the ancient order of things and laid foundation that could be built upon that was permanent, a foundation made by him that laid the foundations of the earth even the Almighty God' (p. 155, 157)."
"At the age of thirteen, Eliza Maria Partridge saw her father return home after being tarred and feathered by a mob of Missourians. Soon thereafter, her family was driven from the county along with the other Jackson County Saints (p. 168)."
"Eliza married Apostle Amasa Lyman, with whom she had five children... As a plural wife, she took on much of the responsibility of supporting herself and her children... Eliza's own friendship with Deity had been forged in the fire of experience (p. 169, 170)."
"Living close to Kirtland, Ohio, a major center of the early Church, as a young woman [Cyrena Dustin Merrill] embraced its teachings, the only member of her immediate family to do so (p. 181)."
"Brigham's blessing seemed to strengthen [Laura Farnsworth Owen]. She ached, 'I knew where my place was for eternity but for time I knew not. I wanted some good faithful man to stand with me in the ordinances of the house of God. I had been faithful and true to my husbands, both of them, and suffered much; why was it that my lot was so hard? I knew not, but one thing I did know. This was the true Church of God and he knew my heart and the integrity of it, and I had confidence in his overruling providence for I had proved him from my youth up and I felt still to trust him... Through a long series of disappointments and trials, I had learned to put my trust in an overruling providence and felt that he would cause every thing to work for my good' (p. 196, 202)."
"I beseech you to come to Jesus in a child-like manner and earnestly continue in prayer to God, that your understanding may be opened to search the scriptures (p. 205)."
"'What had we done to be thus treated by our fellow-countrymen? My husband's father suffered untold hardships all through the Revolutionary War; and had fought and bled to establish American freedom; so had my grandfather. They had labored and suffered that all men might enjoy religious liberty in this land, and there we were, fleeing before a relentless and blood-thirsty mob, composed of American citizens sent out by the Governor to compel us to leave the state, and all this because we believed that God was the same unchangeable being, that he was now as he ever had been, a God of revelation, that He had spoken from the heavens once more and restored the gospel as it was revealed by Jesus Christ when he was on the earth, through His chosen servant Joseph Smith, the prophet' (Patience Delila Pierce Palmer, p. 215)."
"Maria's courage and determination persisted. She pulled her handcart until her feet were frozen so painfully she could walk no further (p. 229)."
"'While I was continually ambitious to find the right kind of religion, never feeling assured that those I was acquainted with were right. In the winter of 1843 we were attracted by a handbill stating that a Mormon preacher would hold three meetings in the Boylston Hall' (p. 235)."
"[Louisa Barnes Pratt] demonstrated courage and faith as she prepared to leave Nauvoo without Addison... 'At length the time came that we must leave our beloved temple, our city, and our homes' (p. 247, 255)."
"Sarah De Armon Pea Rich witnessed many major events in the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was part of the Church's blossoming in Missouri and Nauvoo, she endured dark hours of treachery and persecution at the hands of mobs and the arduous trek to the arid Salt Lake Valley, and she worked to transform the new land into a prosperous community (p. 271)."
"'We helped in the house of the Lord to give endowments for four months, until the house was closed; and we as a people commenced to prepare ourselves to depart for the Rocky Mountains. Many were the blessings we had received in the house of the Lord' (Sarah Rich, p. 279)."
"'Could you only have been acquainted with those two men [Joseph and Hyrum] I know you would say with me they were men of God. They never taught me anything but what was the most virtuous principles. How many times have I heard Joseph entreat of us to watch and pray, never take God's name in vain, never using light and vain conversation, but to prove to all by our lives and conversations that we were born of God' (Jennetta Richards, p. 294)."
"'I have often felt that the only reason for my being in the presiding councils of the Chruch is the devotion of Willard Richards to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I believe there are councils on the other side. We have had testimonies of them, and while I cannot understand, I can believe that the Prophet, out of consideration for his friend, has had a voice in bringing me into the Council of the Twelve' (Stephen L. Richards, p. 298)."
"About 1828, Amanda [Barnes Smith] joined the Campbellites and was baptized by Sidney Rigdon (p. 330)."
"'The entire hip joint of my wounded boy had been shot away. Flesh, hip bone, joint and all had been ploughed out from the muzzle of the gun which the ruffian placed to the child's hip through the logs of the shop and deliberately fired... On my Heavenly Father, I cried, what shall I do? Thou seest my poor wounded boy and knowest my inexperience. Oh Heavenly Father direct me what to do!... Having done as directed I again prayed to the Lord and was again instructed as distinctly as though a physician had been standing by speaking to me' (Amanda Smith, p. 334)."
"[Emma] was among the first to make a personal sacrifice to support Joseph when she married him on January 18, 1827 (p. 351)."
"'Taking his wife'... Joseph 'went to the place where the plates were concealed, and while he was obtaining them, she kneeled down and prayed' (Martin Harris, p. 353)."
"Lucy [Mack Smith]'s leadership skills were not only organizational but also motivational (p. 367)."
"Mary [Fielding Smith] joined the Church in Canada in 1836 and then moved to Kirtland... Later that year she married Hyrum Smith (p. 377)."
"Brigham Young in 1855 appointed [Eliza R. Snow] to preside over women's temple ordinances in the Endowment House (p. 391)."
"'I know that the Lord hears and answers me' (Leonora Cannon Taylor, p. 415)."
"'I have seen the Prophet under a great variety of circumstances, in public, in domestic and social life and in sacred places' (Mercy Thompson, p. 433)."
"Some times I felt that I could not endure any more. Then my Heavenly Father would strengthen me, and I felt to be humble and resigned, knowing that God's people have always had to suffer persecution (Nancy Tracy, p. 449)."
"Long before she met Wilford Woodruff [Phebe Carter] had developed a personal knowledge of and commitment to the gospel (p. 452)."
September 14, 2020
I loved reading the vignettes of these 35 women. One of the women featured was my 2x great aunt, Leonora Cannon Taylor. I really had not read much about her before this. I learned she was very beautiful, and after her father passed away, became almost a lady in waiting to a granddaughter of Lady Manering -- and was presented at court. Who knew? That was just one of the things among many I learned of these women.
One of the things I especially appreciated is that other than a brief biographical sketch, much of the history presented was taken from the writings of the women being profiled, whether it was from letters they had written, or their own journals or personal histories. I loved reading directly from their own pens, without the cloudy lens of modern perspective, how they viewed their own lives and the choices they had made to join with the Church of Christ (as it was called then), colloquially The Mormons -- and about the impact that choice had on their lives.
The unifying thing about these 35 women is that they were born prior to 1820, the date of Joseph Smith's first vision. These women were pioneers within their families at a time when that meant they made tremendous personal sacrifice to follow their convictions. This book is the first in a proposed 7-book history, of which I believe 4 have been published. I am excited to read the next volume.
One of the things I especially appreciated is that other than a brief biographical sketch, much of the history presented was taken from the writings of the women being profiled, whether it was from letters they had written, or their own journals or personal histories. I loved reading directly from their own pens, without the cloudy lens of modern perspective, how they viewed their own lives and the choices they had made to join with the Church of Christ (as it was called then), colloquially The Mormons -- and about the impact that choice had on their lives.
The unifying thing about these 35 women is that they were born prior to 1820, the date of Joseph Smith's first vision. These women were pioneers within their families at a time when that meant they made tremendous personal sacrifice to follow their convictions. This book is the first in a proposed 7-book history, of which I believe 4 have been published. I am excited to read the next volume.
July 31, 2017
This book reflects my family heritage as well as my spiritual heritage. I had heard these types of stories all my life, but have never before internalized the magnitude of these women's sacrifices and trials. I am in awe. They went through so much suffering and yet retained their trust and faith in the Lord. I love how many of these chapters were written by descendants of these women.
Many lessons can be learned from these women's lives. This book is more than historical. These women are worth emulating.
Will women today, who have such relatively easy lives, who so quickly and easily leave the church and abandon eternal truths and the fellowship of members and sometimes family over uncomfortable issues, with a lack of faith, patience, and trust, feel comfortable in the eternities with these stalwart women? I wonder. It isn't easy, and maybe isn't supposed to be easy, but I want to endure and be like these faithful women.
I read the longer, e-version of this book which includes the bonus chapters. It was a little exhausting to read all at once, but it was my choice to keep reading. I might have been content with the shorter version or at least taking more time to read it. The perfect book to read near Pioneer Day.
Many lessons can be learned from these women's lives. This book is more than historical. These women are worth emulating.
Will women today, who have such relatively easy lives, who so quickly and easily leave the church and abandon eternal truths and the fellowship of members and sometimes family over uncomfortable issues, with a lack of faith, patience, and trust, feel comfortable in the eternities with these stalwart women? I wonder. It isn't easy, and maybe isn't supposed to be easy, but I want to endure and be like these faithful women.
I read the longer, e-version of this book which includes the bonus chapters. It was a little exhausting to read all at once, but it was my choice to keep reading. I might have been content with the shorter version or at least taking more time to read it. The perfect book to read near Pioneer Day.
May 2, 2012
We currently seem to be in a Church history renaissance with the advent of the amazing Joseph Smith Papers Project (josephsmithpapers.org), the growing popularity of various websites focused on Mormon history (check out keepapitchinin.org and juvenileinstructor.org for a start), and the Church's publication and wide distribution of the new Daughters in My Kingdom book. The Women of Faith in the Latter Days series is an important and valuable addition to this drive to flesh out a fuller history of the Church in this dispensation.
I grew up in the Church, graduated from four years of seminary, took college-level courses on Church history and attended Institute classes, and unfortunately came away with an impression of the history of the Church that was mostly male-centric. Aside from Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow's music, or a few oft-repeated, faith-promoting stories (you know the ones: Mary Fielding Smith crossing the plains shortly after Hyrum's death, Amanda Smith acting on revelation to know how to heal her son's hip which had been destroyed at the Haun's Mill Massacre, young Caroline and Mary Elizabeth Rollins risking their lives to save some of the printed pages for the Book of Commandments from the mob) I didn't have a strong picture of the faithful women who made up approximately half of the members of the Church in its early days, and to my shame, I didn't even notice how much was missing. This book, the first in a projected series of seven, opened my eyes to many strong, faithful women from the early 1800s, and I can't wait to learn more.
Each chapter is devoted to an individual woman who was born between 1775 and 1820 and begins with a brief biographical sketch covering the basic outline of her life. The bulk of each chapter describes that woman's “life experiences,” often in her own words from letters or journals. I was struck over and over by the heart-wrenching devastation of children's deaths. Elizabeth Harrison Goddard, for example, saw eight of her thirteen children die before they reached adulthood. While crossing the plains, she recorded: “In July the Cholera broke out in our Camp when our daughter Eliza was seised [sic] with it afterwards our eldest son George was attacked and then our little Henry about 3 years old who did not live many hours. The others lingered, George seemed to improve and would be dressed to go and see some children baptized, but I think he took cold and had a relapse and we had to part with him...” Describing the death of a daughter, Elizabeth said, “My dear little girl Betsy took sick and died. She was about 4 years old. She wanted to live and said Mama make me well I want to go to the Valley, but she went into convulsions and died. Thus I had to lay another of my dear ones away. My husband would not allow me to go and see her consigned to Mother Earth, For I was not well and the weather very cold.” Similar sad stories are told by many of these women.
I was intrigued by the women's reactions to plural marriage. Many of them talked of “giving [their] husband” another wife and were frank about the difficulties of living a polygamous life. Polygamy was described as “the great test of Mary Isabella Horne's spiritual persistence.” She wrote of this trial in the third-person: “Plural marriage destroys the oneness [of marriage] of course. Mrs. Horne had lived for 28 years with her husband, before he entered into polygamy; she said and re-iterated; no one can ever feel the full weight of the curse till she enters into polygamy; it is a great trial of feelings, but not of faith.' It is a great trial, no one would deny that; but she was willing because it was a duty her religion demanded.” Patty Bartlett Sessions chronicles the difficulties a second wife, Rosilla, caused in her family, turning her husband against Patty and refusing to contribute to the household work until finally leaving the Saints, obtaining a divorce and marrying outside the Church. Eliza Roxcy Snow was sealed as a plural wife to both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
While I enjoyed learning more about women whose names I knew, like Eliza Roxcy Snow and Lucy Mack Smith, I was thrilled to learn about women I'd never heard of before. Maria Jackson Normington Parker was a survivor of the Martin Handcart Company. Belinda Marden Pratt was Parley P. Pratt's sixth wife. Sarah Melissa Granger Kimball was a staunch suffragist acquainted with Susan B. Anthony and other women's rights activists of the time. Mercy Rachel Fielding Thompson was sister to Mary Fielding Smith and was also sealed to Hyrum Smith as a plural wife becoming her sister's sister-wife as well. At the age of sixty-six, Desideria Quintanar de Yanez was the first Mexican woman baptized into the Church and maintained her faith until her death with only minimal contact with other members of the Church.
The women I met in these pages are inspiring. They suffered trials and persecution and adversity that is all but beyond my imagination and maintained their faith with grace and strength. I look forward to meeting more women like them in the subsequent volumes, which can't be published fast enough for me!
Don't miss the 17 bonus chapters that are available with the ebook version or online here (http://deseretbook.com/Women-Faith-La...). And make sure you check out the website for the series: www.ldswomenoffaith.com. You can even submit proposals for women you'd like to see covered in upcoming editions. The deadline for Volume Two (1821-1845) has already passed, but you have until June to submit a chapter for Volume Three (1846-1870)!
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
I grew up in the Church, graduated from four years of seminary, took college-level courses on Church history and attended Institute classes, and unfortunately came away with an impression of the history of the Church that was mostly male-centric. Aside from Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow's music, or a few oft-repeated, faith-promoting stories (you know the ones: Mary Fielding Smith crossing the plains shortly after Hyrum's death, Amanda Smith acting on revelation to know how to heal her son's hip which had been destroyed at the Haun's Mill Massacre, young Caroline and Mary Elizabeth Rollins risking their lives to save some of the printed pages for the Book of Commandments from the mob) I didn't have a strong picture of the faithful women who made up approximately half of the members of the Church in its early days, and to my shame, I didn't even notice how much was missing. This book, the first in a projected series of seven, opened my eyes to many strong, faithful women from the early 1800s, and I can't wait to learn more.
Each chapter is devoted to an individual woman who was born between 1775 and 1820 and begins with a brief biographical sketch covering the basic outline of her life. The bulk of each chapter describes that woman's “life experiences,” often in her own words from letters or journals. I was struck over and over by the heart-wrenching devastation of children's deaths. Elizabeth Harrison Goddard, for example, saw eight of her thirteen children die before they reached adulthood. While crossing the plains, she recorded: “In July the Cholera broke out in our Camp when our daughter Eliza was seised [sic] with it afterwards our eldest son George was attacked and then our little Henry about 3 years old who did not live many hours. The others lingered, George seemed to improve and would be dressed to go and see some children baptized, but I think he took cold and had a relapse and we had to part with him...” Describing the death of a daughter, Elizabeth said, “My dear little girl Betsy took sick and died. She was about 4 years old. She wanted to live and said Mama make me well I want to go to the Valley, but she went into convulsions and died. Thus I had to lay another of my dear ones away. My husband would not allow me to go and see her consigned to Mother Earth, For I was not well and the weather very cold.” Similar sad stories are told by many of these women.
I was intrigued by the women's reactions to plural marriage. Many of them talked of “giving [their] husband” another wife and were frank about the difficulties of living a polygamous life. Polygamy was described as “the great test of Mary Isabella Horne's spiritual persistence.” She wrote of this trial in the third-person: “Plural marriage destroys the oneness [of marriage] of course. Mrs. Horne had lived for 28 years with her husband, before he entered into polygamy; she said and re-iterated; no one can ever feel the full weight of the curse till she enters into polygamy; it is a great trial of feelings, but not of faith.' It is a great trial, no one would deny that; but she was willing because it was a duty her religion demanded.” Patty Bartlett Sessions chronicles the difficulties a second wife, Rosilla, caused in her family, turning her husband against Patty and refusing to contribute to the household work until finally leaving the Saints, obtaining a divorce and marrying outside the Church. Eliza Roxcy Snow was sealed as a plural wife to both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
While I enjoyed learning more about women whose names I knew, like Eliza Roxcy Snow and Lucy Mack Smith, I was thrilled to learn about women I'd never heard of before. Maria Jackson Normington Parker was a survivor of the Martin Handcart Company. Belinda Marden Pratt was Parley P. Pratt's sixth wife. Sarah Melissa Granger Kimball was a staunch suffragist acquainted with Susan B. Anthony and other women's rights activists of the time. Mercy Rachel Fielding Thompson was sister to Mary Fielding Smith and was also sealed to Hyrum Smith as a plural wife becoming her sister's sister-wife as well. At the age of sixty-six, Desideria Quintanar de Yanez was the first Mexican woman baptized into the Church and maintained her faith until her death with only minimal contact with other members of the Church.
The women I met in these pages are inspiring. They suffered trials and persecution and adversity that is all but beyond my imagination and maintained their faith with grace and strength. I look forward to meeting more women like them in the subsequent volumes, which can't be published fast enough for me!
Don't miss the 17 bonus chapters that are available with the ebook version or online here (http://deseretbook.com/Women-Faith-La...). And make sure you check out the website for the series: www.ldswomenoffaith.com. You can even submit proposals for women you'd like to see covered in upcoming editions. The deadline for Volume Two (1821-1845) has already passed, but you have until June to submit a chapter for Volume Three (1846-1870)!
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
November 28, 2021
The women in the book were amazing, so my lack of a 5 start rating has more to do with the formatting of the book than the stories. I didn't really like the way it was set up -- it started with a brief life sketch of each person, and then went into more details about her life -- sometimes covering the exact same things that were in the life sketch. I think it could have been done more effectively. Other than that, it was a good read.
June 26, 2017
I had originally gotten this book because of a reference in the book "The Beginning of Better Days." What I expected to get from this book was not what I ended up getting. I got so much more, and I realized that despite the different times and circumstances, the women faced the same things we are facing. So grateful for their examples and I hope I can learn from them.
November 14, 2024
This book changed me. The lives of these women were unimaginably challenging, but I have a feeling they look down on what we women face now and say the same thing. To see how these women faced their trials, fears, doubts, and hardship with faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father was so inspiring to me. Their testimonies have strengthened mine, and their courage has given me courage.
May 16, 2017
I learned many great things while reading this book. My favorite is this little poem, written by Melissa Morgan Dodge, who is a distant relative of mine:
I see the little birds with ease
Fly over the hills and lofty trees.
Could I but fly as well as they
I'd quickly come and talk with thee.
I see the little birds with ease
Fly over the hills and lofty trees.
Could I but fly as well as they
I'd quickly come and talk with thee.
April 14, 2025
Valiant women!
July 27, 2014
This book is a full-throated effort to bring greater equality to the telling of Mormon history. Each chapter essay in the book tells the story of a woman who joined the Latter-day Saint movement. The book touches on a number of sensitive topics including plural marriage (polygamy) and the performance of blessings by women. It is heartening to see such historical transparency in a book published by Deseret Book.
At the same time, a number of contributors take an overly-devotional approach, flattening some of the women represented here into one-dimensional reflections of contemporary LDS concerns. This is partly due to some of the contributors being amateur historians as opposed to trained practitioners.
It remains to be seen how many of the stories told here will be integrated into the Church's official manuals and instructional materials, but there is much here that could enrich the understanding of contemporary practicing Mormons. At the same time, scholars of religion can learn much about the views of past Mormon women here, but they might learn just as much about the concerns and perspectives of the present-day Mormon women and men who wrote pieces for the collection, selecting and interpreting the experiences of past Latter-day Saint women.
At the same time, a number of contributors take an overly-devotional approach, flattening some of the women represented here into one-dimensional reflections of contemporary LDS concerns. This is partly due to some of the contributors being amateur historians as opposed to trained practitioners.
It remains to be seen how many of the stories told here will be integrated into the Church's official manuals and instructional materials, but there is much here that could enrich the understanding of contemporary practicing Mormons. At the same time, scholars of religion can learn much about the views of past Mormon women here, but they might learn just as much about the concerns and perspectives of the present-day Mormon women and men who wrote pieces for the collection, selecting and interpreting the experiences of past Latter-day Saint women.
October 2, 2013
For a condensed version of this forthcoming series I would also suggest Women of Character:Profiles of 100 Prominent LDS Women but if you're looking for more details into the fascinating lives of such women as Eliza R. Snow, Emma Smith and Mary Fielding Smith, I'd recommend these books. Filled with detailed information, including rare letters and journal entries, you'll come to know these women like members of your own family.
How refreshing to see certain facts in church history, so long obscured, brought forth and made clear. For example, who knew that Eliza R. Snow, famous poetess and second Relief Society President, was a plural wife to the Prophet Joseph? Born in 1804 her sealing date is recorded for June 1842 which puts her at age 38. Imagine having to wait that long for the opportunity to marry!
As a fan of the series A Banner is Unfurled I was delighted find a chapter on Julia Hills Johnson-the courageous woman who birthed sixteen children and joined the church against her husband's wishes.
These are just a few of the many examples of inspiring stores to be found in this first volume. Like other revewers, I too look forward to next book in this series.
How refreshing to see certain facts in church history, so long obscured, brought forth and made clear. For example, who knew that Eliza R. Snow, famous poetess and second Relief Society President, was a plural wife to the Prophet Joseph? Born in 1804 her sealing date is recorded for June 1842 which puts her at age 38. Imagine having to wait that long for the opportunity to marry!
As a fan of the series A Banner is Unfurled I was delighted find a chapter on Julia Hills Johnson-the courageous woman who birthed sixteen children and joined the church against her husband's wishes.
These are just a few of the many examples of inspiring stores to be found in this first volume. Like other revewers, I too look forward to next book in this series.
April 23, 2012
A good documentation of the early pioneer women of the LDS faith! I was amazed at what these women went through! Having multiple children die and having babies in wagons. Some sold all they had just to buy oxen or pay off mobsters that were persecuting them! I can honestly say I would not have been a good pioneer woman! But I totally respect these women that pioneered this faith and this country! I loved the journal entries and the written letters in this book because it brought these ladies to life for me!
"Sunday Dec 22nd...My mind seems to have lost its peculiar enjoyment that it used to possess without an abiding pleasure. I feel in a measure to have lost the charm of existence for a season but I hope it is but for a season as I know that if this work is of God I have an important part to act if he spares my life, but for the present I breathe in an atmosphere of uncertainty as it were." -Martha Spence Heywood 1812-1873
See very relatable!
"Sunday Dec 22nd...My mind seems to have lost its peculiar enjoyment that it used to possess without an abiding pleasure. I feel in a measure to have lost the charm of existence for a season but I hope it is but for a season as I know that if this work is of God I have an important part to act if he spares my life, but for the present I breathe in an atmosphere of uncertainty as it were." -Martha Spence Heywood 1812-1873
See very relatable!
October 22, 2012
This book is a collection of stories about women who were pretty amazing! These women all have at least one thing in common, they were all faithful women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). There are small biographies and life stories of 35 women in this book, each written by a different author. Women such as Emma Smith, Amanda Barnes Smith, Patty Sessions, Eliza R Snow, and many more. There are quite a few women in this book that I have heard of, but still quite a lot that I never have heard of. As I've been reading this book, I have been truly amazed at the depth of their faith through their seriously trying circumstances. I love that they've tried to include an actual photo of every woman. I love that they are planning to do 7 volumes and include women of faith born up through 1970. That's quite an ambitious project. I think there is a lot of things we can learn from these amazing women, I truly hope that I am smart enough to learn from them myself!
April 2, 2015
3.5 stars. I read this little by little, over the course of many months. Each chapter gives an overview of the life of the woman of focus and then provides excerpts from her own words - diaries, letters, autobiographical sketches, etc. I especially enjoyed the candor of some of the profiles. All were women of faith but some complained, were unhappy in their marriages, disliked other women in their communities. I don't "like" any of these negative things, but it is refreshing to get a more nuanced, more real picture of life during the early days of the church.
While there were profiles of some very well-known women (Lucy Mack Smith, Mary Fielding Smith), I appreciated that most of these women are not the ones we hear about over and over. I would love for more of these stories to become better known as we talk about the women of the church.
While there were profiles of some very well-known women (Lucy Mack Smith, Mary Fielding Smith), I appreciated that most of these women are not the ones we hear about over and over. I would love for more of these stories to become better known as we talk about the women of the church.
January 17, 2012
Each chapter focuses on one woman, a woman born in or before 1820 that was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Inspiring, fascinating.
Each chapter was submitted by a different author and there were definitely some authors I preferred, but all in all, it was really interesting.
This will be a 7-volume set--each volume covering women born in a set period, ending with those born in 1970. Anyone can submit a proposal for a chapter, this is the website: http://www.ldswomenoffaith.org/
This was recommended to me as a good companion to Daughters in My Kingdom. I'm looking forward for the next volume to come out.
Each chapter was submitted by a different author and there were definitely some authors I preferred, but all in all, it was really interesting.
This will be a 7-volume set--each volume covering women born in a set period, ending with those born in 1970. Anyone can submit a proposal for a chapter, this is the website: http://www.ldswomenoffaith.org/
This was recommended to me as a good companion to Daughters in My Kingdom. I'm looking forward for the next volume to come out.
July 1, 2012
As a historian, student of Mormonism and a genealogist looking for clues about my family's past, this book was a treasure. Not only did it give me insight into the lives of women newly converted to the new faith of Mormonism, it also gave me a whole chapter on one of my ancestors---something that was almost painfully joyful for me to read. Very few of my female ancestors wrote down anything due to illiteracy or just because there were so many other tasks to be done. I am eagerly awaiting the next volume, and I have to say that I am glad that someone has finally realized how important these stories are to the telling of the complete story of the Mormons and their migrations.
December 27, 2013
I've read several of these stories multiple times, it never ceases to amaze me of the impact of ordinary lives and what I believe to be the power of ordinary faith. I loved the reflections of how these women could see the signatures of God in their lives. I believe that even more so women must be willing to recognize and act according to their faith. These inspirational stories teach us that we don't need to be "more than ourselves" to make a difference within our sphere of influence. Overwhelming gratitude for this volume of work.
January 9, 2014
This was a great book, though a little bit of a difficult read. Only because each chapter is a biography of a faithful woman, so it's very historical. Which is what I like, but I could only read one or two chapters at a time and then had to read something else. It is amazing to learn what early pioneer women went through and I did find it interesting as I read about each one of them. One of the chapters was one of my ancestors! The did have amazing faith and I remind myself many times that I know why I wasn't born a pioneer! I do look forward to reading vol. II one of these days...
November 5, 2016
I did enjoy this, but it wasn't the kind of book I could lose myself in. The format wasn't the best for me. Sometimes it was repetitive, going over the same events in both the"biographical sketch" and the "life experiences". So I would just read a chapter at a time, in between other books I was reading. I enjoyed the journal entries, letters, and autobiographies that gave us a glimpse into these women's lives. They weren't perfect, and that's good, because it helped me relate to them. Their faith was inspiring.
May 8, 2013
I wouldn't say that I enjoyed this book (because much of what the early Saints endured is difficult to read and contemplate), but it definitely gave me a greater appreciation for the legacy of faith, courage, and determination left by the noble women whose stories are told. This book is aptly named, and I felt a strengthening of my own faith as I studied the powerful, tested testimonies these women left in writing and in the examples of their very lives. I highly recommend it.
November 11, 2013
I think this book hit the target audience perfectly. I like that it had more historical depth than other biographical sketch compilations on the market, but it doesn't get too heavy for a mainstream audience. The best part of this book was the way it included the writings of the women themselves. Some essays are stronger than others, but as a whole, this is a great series, and I'm excited to get my hands on the next volume.
September 14, 2013
I enjoyed reading about the 30 faithful women in this book. I liked the letters and journal entries that gave it a personal feel. They were not just "righteous pioneers" they were real women, with doubts and fears, faith and joy. Some of them I wish had been more detailed other's didn't suck me in as much. If anyone ever reads the e-book it has 6 extra chapters and one is my ancestor Diantha Morley Billings.
January 16, 2012
The book tells the story of the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through the experiences of faithful women saints. I really enjoyed learning more about this period in American history, although it is sad that such religious intolerance was to be found so soon after the establishment of Federal Government under the Constitution.
May 17, 2012
I received this book for Mother's Day and I love it. Interesting, well-documented chapters about Latter-day Saint women born before 1820. I am happy to see a book about like this that includes more of the unknown or unheralded women of that time. I love women like Eliza R. Snow, but it is nice to see others included.
April 21, 2013
One of my cute piano students gave me this book as a gift. I have been slowly reading a chapter each Sunday that I am able. I have loved this book! It is well written and researched. I learned things about individual women that I had never heard about in church history. Just as the title states: Women of Faith--Great faith that strengthens mine!
March 24, 2013
I found these essays stunning, sad and joyous all at the same time. Women's history is often hard to find in Mormon studies, so this book is a refreshing treat for those of us who want to know the other side of the story. I learned a lot about what life and faith was like for these women and found common ground with many of them. Highly recommended for historical study and women's history.
February 24, 2014
Didn't finish it before I had to take it back to the library, but what I read was very compelling -- very interesting stories of women overcoming challenges, enduring hardships, and expressing their faith. The editing for each narrative is smooth, making it easy to read and follow these true stories of pioneer women.
Just ordered a copy on Amazon so I can finish it.
Just ordered a copy on Amazon so I can finish it.
June 17, 2014
I learned a lot about the early women of the church and the challenges they went through. They talked about polygamy and its challenges and blessings. Many of the stories were written by the women and some were a little hard to follow. The spelling was original. Reading about others challenges always reminds me to be grateful!
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