As Sisters In Zion: The Story Behind the Song

by Debbie J. Christensen

In 1852, two sisters from a small village in England responded to the message of Mormon missionaries and joined the Church. Julia Hill was nineteen years old, and her sister, Emily Hill, was only sixteen. Together they endured enormous hardships as they made their way to America and joined the Willie Handcart Company. The sisters also took upon themselves to help a new widow, Martha Campkin, and her five young children on the arduous trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Faced with exhaustion, starvation, exposure, and even death, they strengthened one another and intensified their resolve. Alone, they would fail; together, they could succeed and live. Emily later wrote a poem about her experience that has been set to music and sung by Relief Society sisters all over the world. But the story of that hymn, As Sisters in Zion, is more than the experience of two sisters. As the greatgreat- granddaughter of Julia Hill, author Debbie J. Christensen reveals the fascinating, untold story behind this beloved song and the call to comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Inspirational, Lds, Biography Memoir, Biography

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Susan Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit that I'm biased about this book because one of the women mentioned in this book is my GGG Grandmother. (Martha WEBB Campkin Young). So this story is all the more interesting to me. The book left me wanting to know more...so I will enjoy searching for more information about Martha and her daughter Francesca (my direct line) who walked all the way across the plains. I appreciate the author bringing these courageous women to life.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the hymn "As Sisters In Zion". This is the story of how the words to that hymn came to be. After surviving the harrowing experience of the Willie Handcart experience, Emily Hill wrote the words to this beloved hymn. She and her sister demonstrated such faith. It is an inspiration to read their story. Just a side note: I loved the cover of the book. Beautiful..and inspiring. I thought it was too short and wished for something more in depth...especially about the two sisters.

Some quotes by the author I especially liked:
"As we pass through our own journeys here in life and climb our own Rocky Ridges, as we suffer, and we grow, and we learn, we must look beyond ourselves and help others."

"Those who were faithful previously on this earth prepare the way for their brothers and sisters who are coming along later, that these latter-day Saints might be lifted and strengthened in their journey through life. The story of their struggle can also strengthen and encourage sisters across the world today to reach beyond themselves and serve their sisters in needs."

[Lee Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha Young is my Great-Great-Grandmother. I was so interested to learn of the connection with our family and the author of the verse for the hymn "As Sisters in Zion". I'm guessing the book is short because those handcart pioneers didn't have much time for writing, so there is probably not a lot of detail available. Nicely done!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This interesting little book details the experiences of two sisters (Julia and Emily Hill) who emigrated from England and worked together to make the trek the Salt Lake Valley, as part of the infamous Willie Handcart Company of Mormon Pioneers. The Willie Company left too late in the season (August) to make the trip across the midwestern plains and Rocky Mountains to the Salt Lake Valley. Early snows caused arduous hardship and many deaths among those in the party. Faced with exhaustion, starvation and exposure, the Hill sisters helped and strengthened each other, and together, they resolved to complete the journey. Eventually, the sisters did reach Utah, and lived to marry, raise large families, and become successful in their own rights. The book is a quick read and very interesting. It also includes many of the beautiful poems and hymns written by Emily Hill, the younger of the two sisters.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, informational read about the life of the author of the song, "As Sisters in Zion." While the song is inspirational, the story is far more inspirational. Though it doesn't cover a lot of information and quickly passes through much of the pioneer trek to America, it is easy to fill in the blanks and Christensen gives enough information to understand the hardships. I enjoyed learning more about everything the story and will always think of it when I read the hymn.

[Deseret Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I had gotten this book for my mother but thought I'd take a glance at it before she read it. Of course I read the whole thing. I was very touched by this story. It never dawned on me that single sisters braved the trek west. What I loved is that they bonded together and helped each other. It makes singing the song all the sweeter." --Customer Review

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet biography of Emily Woodmansee and her sister and their trek with the Willie handcart company. For some reason I hadn't realized she was part of that company. It reminds me I have a lot to be grateful for.

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard wanting to read this knowing the impressive Saints series exists. A short read during a car trip though the story behind the song felt like misplaced advertising.

[AnnMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don't want to read this whole review skip to the last paragraph. It's my favorite from the whole book.

This is one of my most favorite songs in my hymnal. I choke up nearly everytime I sing it. I was thrilled to know the story of the woman behind the verses. What's most amazing to me is that this songs publication in the 1985 edition of the Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a fulfillment of a blessing this dear woman received before she even joined the church. "In this blessing, Emily was told that if she would remain faithful to her testimony of Jesus Christ thoughout her life, she would "write in prose and in verse and thereby comfort the hearts of thousands."" (pg 5)

This book contains many bits and pieces of poems that Emily Hill Woodmansee wrote, the song that this book is titled after is my fovorite but another few lines I love are:

"Oh! this has been one bitter cup
Of many, I have had to drain." (pg 7)

The poem entitled Hunger and Cold
A reminiscence of life on the plains with a Handcart Company (pg 32-34)

The poem entitled Oh, Blest Was the Day When the Prophet and Seer (pg 76)

Other great quotes from the book:

"If Saints do right and have performed all required of them in this probation, they are under no more obligation, and then it is no matter whether they live or die, for their work here is finished. This is a doctrine I believe." (pg 46) Brigham Young

"We are under an obligation now, as the Saints were then, to become as one by serving each other in an hour of need...This is not just a general obligation...we are to "lift where we stand"...
As we pass through our own journeys here in life and climb our own Rocky Ridges, as we suffer, and we grow, and we learn, we must look beyond ourselves and help other." (pg 67)

"the more we [serve], the greater the love we [feel] for each other: tall and short, young and old, single and married, widowed and divorced--different, yet exactly the same..." (pg 71)

"Why was Emily's song preserved for us in our day? As sisters in our noisy, confusing and almost overwhelming world, I believe we need this message more than ever to survive and even thrive. We are not an island alone, and we need each other to become our best selves. We stand on our own feet and carry our own burdens, but we lift our sisters as we lift ourselves. And most important of all, we know from whence comes our strength as sisters of the latter days: in our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and in His Atonement." (pg 72)

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Than's sweet sister has researched and worked on this book for years because she wanted to tell the story behind the LDS hymn "As Sisters in Zion." She tells the inspiring story of her second great grandmother, Julia, and her sister, Emily, as well as another woman who came across the plains with the Willie handcart company. Debbie's artistic eye shows up in all the details of the book--the end pages, the chapter titles being phrases from the song, the "journal page" quotes at the beginning of each chapter--love it all!

From Emily's journal after listening to the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: "'The way' was open before me, and simple and young as I was I instinctively knew that 'I could not err therein.'" p.4

"A family journal states that 'Julia, worn out by the rigors of the journey, had all but succumbed to the onslaught of storm and exposure.' When Julia collapsed near the summit of Rocky Ridge, her face gray and her eyes lifeless, Emily stopped her handcart and came to her sister. She bent down and tenderly lifted Julia from the snow and helped her to the handcart. Together they moved forward to a camp at Rock Creek Hollow to survive yet another day." p.40

"As we pass through our own journeys here in life and climb our own Rocky Ridges, as we suffer, and we grow, and we learn, we must look beyond ourselves and help others." p.67

"If we truly love our God and love and serve our sisters as well, we are destined to become of one heart and therefore to become His. We have the capacity to save others, and they will echo Emily's profound expression of gratitude for those who came to alleviate her need and hopelessness in her poems "Hunger and Cold": 'They sought us, and found us, thank God for their pains.'" p.69

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not overly impressed by this book because it was so small but it carried a punch! I love learning about the pioneers and these women were truly warriors of the westward movement. I think the thing that I liked most about it was the poetry of Emily Hill. I liked when she said-

"And sometimes I think the provisions most wise
That troubles ahead are of hid from our eyes
Unless our foreknowledge the evil could cure
'Tis best not to know all we have to endure."

I liked that perspective of it's probably a good thing we don't see our trials in advance because we would run from them when they are there to make us stronger. I also love Francis Webster's retelling of his story.

"Mistake to send the handcart company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it...We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but...every one of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives, for we became acquainted with Him in our extremities. I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. I have gone to that sand, and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there. Was I sorry I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay..."

Ancestors are awesome! :)

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure the author wanted this book to be a quick read, or perhaps she didn't have any more information on the sisters, but I personally felt the coverage was too brief. I think she tried too hard to organize the chapters to relate to the lyrics of the song, when she should have simply told the story of the lyricist. One part of the book that was glaringly lacking was the story of writing the poem/song! She tells of the lyricist's back story (getting baptized to the LDS faith, emmigrating to the US, and then crossing the plains), but she doesn't say when she wrote the poem, what her feelings were, etc. It's almost like (and quite possible that) the lyricist's journal stopped once she reached Salt Lake, requiring the author to stop her narrative.

So, overall, I would give it 2.5 stars. It kept my attention and was a quick read, but after I read it I felt like I really didn't know any more about the background to this hymn, or the sister who wrote it, other than where she was baptized and that she was part of a handcart company.

[Tori Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Hill is my great great great grandmother (her daughter Margaret is my great great grandmother). I learned a lot about Julia and Emily while preparing to go to Trek with my stake as a Ma with my husband last summer. I was so excited when I found out about this book. There are stories in the book I hadn't found yet and I loved that she talked about so much about Martha Campkin in this book. When I was researching I read that they had helped a widow named Martha but I couldn't find much more information. Debbie has done a wonderful job! I highly recommend this beautiful book. I'm not sure if it's possible to buy a print of the painting of Julia and Emily by William Whitaker in the book but I would LOVE to own it!

[Erma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last summer I went on a pioneer trek and was asked to tell a story of a pioneer from one of the handcart companies. I used the story of Emily and Julia Hill, who were just teenagers when they joined the Mormon Church in England against their parents' wishes. In 1852, the sisters made the journey to America and joined the Willie Handcart Company. They helped a widow and her five young children on the trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Confronted by exhaustion, sickness, starvation, and exposure, they did not give up, but reached out to those in need. The beloved hymn, As Sisters in Zion, is a poem written by Emily Hill relating to their experiences. The story is fascinating and the book is beautiful, however, I was hoping for a more complete story of their lives.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting ready for pioneer trek. I feel like I won't be able to make fun of this song anymore after I read the book! This was a very quick read. It is short and not really vey detailed. If you want a synopsis then this book is grat, if you want details in the Willie Martin companies the book "the price we paid" is much better. I think this would be a great book for young women though, to pique their interest in pioneers.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, especially since my husband is a descendant of Julia Hill. I learned a few new things I had never known before about Julia and her sister Emily. I have a huge admiration for these pioneer women. However, I did feel like the book was a bit short--I wanted more. The whole book is a mere 80 pages long--easily read in an hour or so--and thus some parts of the history seemed too rushed for me.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brief history of Emily and Julia Wood and their trek with the Willie handcart company. I really enjoyed it and a couple of things struck me:
1. Women need each other.
2. Pioneer women started their own businesses to support their family. Emily did really well in real estate after her first husband left her. That just made me think that maybe some are too hard on women in the church who work to support their families.
3. God is a God of miracles!

[Lanelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I wish there had been information about the actual journey, but maybe that wasn't available.

My favorite quote from the book is: "It is interesting how truth is preserved by the faithful for the faithful to find in future years...Those who were faithful previously on this earth prepare the way for their brothers and sisters who are coming along later, that these latter-day Saints might be lifted and strengthened in their journey through life." page 69

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved this hymn so I was excited to see that someone had written a book about how it came to be. The story of the Hill sisters crossing the plains is very inspiring. What faith they must have had in order to leave their family behind and not only cross an ocean but then cross the plains in order to be able to join the Saints in Zion. It makes the hymn even more meaningful when you know the background story.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think Christensen had developed enough content to justify book treatment of her research, but still, I recognize not everyone wants the depth and thoroughness I prefer, & anything that encourages Mormon women to learn their history is a victory in my book. I hadn't realized Woodmansee had been a part of the Willie Handcart company, & I will think about "As Sisters in Zion" differently now that I know her original opening line was "As sisters in Zion we'll all pull together."

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very interesting and informative. As Sisters in Zion is one of my favorite hymns, so I enjoyed getting to know about the lady who wrote the hymn. She also wrote others that I didn't know about which were really wonderful. She definitely had a hard life, but she was faithful throughout it. She is an excellent example of enduring faithfully to the end.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and inspirational story. I love the hymn, “As Sister’s In Zion” and I enjoyed learning about how it came to be written. However, I would have liked to have read more in depth about these two sisters and their extraordinary faith and experience. This was brief and felt more like a summary.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of Emily Hill Woodmansee, the author of the poem that became the LDS hymn, "As Sisters in Zion". She joined the Church in England, was disowned by her family, came to America with her sister, and they were members of the Willie Handcart Company that was caught in early snows in Wyoming. Short but well-told.

[Daryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet small book. It is a true story of two sisters crossing the plains in the Willie Handcart Company. It tells how the poem "As Sisters in Zion" was written by one of the sisters, which later is set to music by Janice Kapp Perry (with a few minor changes in the words). I had never heard this story before and enjoyed very much learning about it. I love the song and the book.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little book about Mormon pioneer women, the trials they went through and the things they achieved. I read this the day before I heard the author speak. It was fun reading about these women and what they were able to accomplish in their lives, relying on each other for strength and motivation.

[Jenny's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story behind the Relief Society anthem, As Sisters In Zion. A moving tribute to the sisters who sacrificed so much for their faith. I loved the way Debbie tied her life today to the story, and made us all feel part of the grand saga of faith in Jesus Christ, and the gospel.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily is a many times great aunt to me (my maiden name is Woodmansee) and I am honored to be related to her. Her story, and that of her sister, Julia, deserves to be told and can stand as a witness to the power that lies in serving every woman as a sister.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was short. Possibly the shortest $16 book I've ever read. And I was a little disappointed. Maybe because I read "The Price We Paid," which was a highly detailed account of the Martin & Willie Handcart Companies. I expected so much more than this book gave.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have sung the song...
Now you can read about the woman who wrote the song...
A pioneer with the Willie-Martin handcart company she truly believe that "as sisters in Zion we all (must) work together."
A beautiful book that will touch your heart and make the song even more meaningful!

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the bits of poetry throughout the book, but thought that it rushed through the story and didn't focus as much on Julia and Emily Hill as it did on the general experiences of the handcart company.