Bathsheba W. Smith
Born: 3 May 1822
Called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 11 October 1888
Called as Relief Society General President: 10 November 1901
Died: 20 September 1910
Called as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 11 October 1888
Called as Relief Society General President: 10 November 1901
Died: 20 September 1910
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, April 1893, Sketch of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith
Young Woman's Journal, October 1901, Past Three Score Years and Ten
Improvement Era, October 1910, Death of Bathsheba W. Smith
Young Woman's Journal, November 1910, A Tribute to Bathsheba W. Smith
Young Woman's Journal, November 1910, Bathsheba W. Smith, Lucy W. Kimball
Relief Society Magazine, March 1920, The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Bathsheba Wilson Smith
Young Woman's Journal, July 1926, A Tribute of Love
Relief Society Magazine, June 1930, Presentation of Bathsheba W. Smith Portrait
Instructor, March 1948, Bathsheba W. Smith
Relief Society Magazine, June 1962, She Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith - Bathsheba W. Smith
Ensign, July 2005, Bathsheba W. Smith: Witness to History
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, April 1893, Sketch of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith
Young Woman's Journal, October 1901, Past Three Score Years and Ten
Improvement Era, October 1910, Death of Bathsheba W. Smith
Young Woman's Journal, November 1910, A Tribute to Bathsheba W. Smith
Young Woman's Journal, November 1910, Bathsheba W. Smith, Lucy W. Kimball
Relief Society Magazine, March 1920, The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Bathsheba Wilson Smith
Young Woman's Journal, July 1926, A Tribute of Love
Relief Society Magazine, June 1930, Presentation of Bathsheba W. Smith Portrait
Instructor, March 1948, Bathsheba W. Smith
Relief Society Magazine, June 1962, She Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith - Bathsheba W. Smith
Ensign, July 2005, Bathsheba W. Smith: Witness to History
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, Bathsheba W." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 699-702.
SMITH, Bathsheba Wilson, fourth president of the Relief Societies in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born May 3, 1822, in Shinnsten, Harrison county, West Virginia, daughter of Mark Bigler and Susannah Ogden. Her father was from Pennsylvania, her mother from Maryland. The school facilities in her vicinity were limited. The county of Harrison was hilly, and the roads of primitive character; the mode of travel was chiefly on horseback riding, in which few could excel her. In her girlhood she was religiously inclined, loved virtue, honesty, truthfulness and integrity; attended secret prayers, studied to be cheerful, industrious and happy, and was always opposed to rudeness. During her fifteenth year some Latter-day Saints visited the neighborhood; she heard them preach and believed what they taught She knew by the spirit of the Lord, in answer to her prayer, that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord, and that the Book of Mormon was a divine record. Aug. 21, 1837, she was baptized; and most of her father's family joined the Church about the same time. They soon felt a desire to gather with the rest of the Saints in Missouri; her sister. Nancy, and family sold their property, intending to go in the fall, and Bathsheba was very anxious to go with them. Her father having not yet sold out his property, she was told she could not go. This caused her to retire very early, feeling very sorrowful. While weeping, a voice said to her, "Weep not, you will go this fall." She was comforted and perfectly satisfied, and the next morning testified to what the voice had said to her. Soon after, her father sold his home, and they all went to Missouri, to her great joy, but, on their arrival there, they found the State preparing to war against the Saints. A few nights before they reached Far West, they camped with a company of Eastern Saints, but separated on account of each company choosing different ferries. The company that Sister Bathsheba and her family were members of arrived safely at their destination, but the others were overtaken by an armed mob at Haun's mill; seventeen were killed, others were wounded, and some maimed for life. In a few days after their arrival in Missouri, a battle was fought between the Saints and the mob, in which David W. Patten (one of the first Twelve Apostles) was wounded, and he was brought to the house where they were stopping. Sister Bathsheba witnessed his death the same day, and saw thousands of mobbers arrayed against the Saints, and heard their dreadful threats and savage yells, when the Prophet Josph and his brethren were taken into their camp. The Prophet. Patriarch and many others were taken to prison; and the Saints had to leave the State. In the spring they had the joy of having the Prophet and his brethren restored to them at Quincy. Illinois. In the spring of 1840 the family of Sister Bathsheba moved to Nauvoo, where she had many opportunities of hearing the Prophet Joseph preach, and tried to profit by his instruction, and also received many testimonies of the truths which he taught. July 2r>. 1841, Bathsheba was married to George A. Smith, the then youngest member of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Don Carlos Smith (brother of the Prophet) officiating. George A. Smith was first cousin to the Prophet Joseph. When Sister Bathsheba first became acquainted with George A. Smith, he was the junior member of the first quorum of Seventies. June 26, 1838, he was ordained a member of the High Council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, in Daviess county, Missouri. Just about the break of day on the 26th of April, 1839, while kneeling on the corner stone of the foundation of the Lord's House at Far West, Caldwell county, Missouri, he was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles, and then started on a mission to Europe, from which he returned in July, 1841, ten days previous to their marriage. July 7, 1842, a son was born to them; they named him George Albert. Two months afterward George A., as the Saints loved to call him, went on a mission to the Eastern States. On his previous mission (to England), he injured his left lung, causing hemorrhage. In the fall of 1843, George A. and Bathsheba received their endowments and were united under the holy order of celestial marriage. Sister Bathsheba heard the Prophet Joseph charge the Twelve with the duty and responsibility of the ordinances of endowments and sealing for the living and the dead. She met often with her husband, Joseph and others who had received their endowments, in an upper room dedicated for the purpose, and prayed with them repeatedly in those meetings. In the spring of 1844, Elder Smith went on another mission, and soon after he left, persecution began in the city of Nauvoo, which ended in the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch. Geo. A. Smith returned to Nauvoo in August, 1844, and on the 14th a daughter was born, whom they named Bathsheba. Having become thoroughly convinced that the doctrine of plurality of wives was from God. and firmly believing that she should participate with her husband in all his blessings, glory and honor, Sister Bathsheba gave to him several wives during the year of his return home. She says of this: "Being proud of my husband and loving him very much, knowing him to be a man of God, and having a testimony that what I had done was acceptable to my Father in heaven, I was as happy as I knew how to be." In 1846, Geo. A. Smith and family left Nauvoo for the unknown west, as exiles for the gospel's sake. "It would be vain," writes Sister Smith, "to describe how we traveled through snow, wind and rain, how roads had to be made, bridges built and rafts constructed, how our poor animals had to drag on day after day with scanty food; nor how we suffered from poverty, sickness and deaths, but the Lord was with us, His power was made manifest dally. "We arrived in Great Salt Lake valley in October, 1849, after traveling over sterile deserts and plains, over high mountains and through deep canyons, ferrying some streams and fording others, but all was joy now." Sister Bathsheba went to her sister's house, and oh! how delightful it did seem to be once more in a comfortable room with a blazing fire in the hearth, where the mountain's rude blasts nor the desert's wild winds could not reach them. In March, 1850, Sister Bathsheba moved into their own house. In December, 1850, George A. Smith was called to go south to found a settlement in Little Salt Lake valley, two hundred and fifty miles from Salt Lake City. In 1851, he returned, having been elected a member of the Utah legislature from Iron county. In 1856 he was sent to Washington, D. C, to ask for the admission of Utah as a State. In May, 1857, he returned to Utah, and in 1858 he went south with his family. In leaving their homes the Saints felt as they did when they left Nauvoo, that they should never see them again, as they were fleeing before the approaching army. However. President Buchanan sent out his peace commissioners with his proclamation which declared a general amnesty to "all offenders." Peace being restored, the Saints returned to Salt Lake City in July, having been gone three months. When Geo. A. Smith and family entered the city, it was almost sundown; all was quiet, every door was boarded up. From only two or three chimneys smoke was rising. How still and lonely, yet the breath of peace wafted over the silent city, and it was home. They had left a partly finished house, and they now resumed work upon it; by October it was finished. Sister Bathsheba says: "It was so comfortable and we were so happy. We had plenty of room. My son and daughter took great pleasure in having their associates come and visit them frequently. They would have a room full of company, and would engage in reading useful books, singing, playing music, dancing, etc. My son played the flute, flutina and was a good drummer. My son and daughter were good singers; they made our home Joyous with song and jest." In 1860 this son was sent on a mission to the Moqui Indians. He was interested in this and apt in learning the new language. After being set apart by the authorities for that mission, he started Sept. 4, 1860, and had traveled about seven hundred miles, when on Nov. 2, 1860, he was killed by Navajo Indians. In 1873, Sister Bathsheba made a tour with her husband and Pres. Brigham Young and party to the Colorado and up the Rio Virgen as far as Shonesburg. In 1872, they made another tour with Pres. Young and party, visiting at St. George, Virgen City, Long "Valley and Kanab. In 1873, she went again with her husband, Pres. Young, and company and spent the winter in St. George, going by way of Sanpete and Sevier counties. During this journey Sister Bathsheba attended several meetings with the sisters, returning home in April, 1874. She has visited the Saints as far south as the junction of the Rio Virgen with the Colorado, has visited the settlements on the Muddy and also the Saints as far north as Bear Lake and Soda Springs. On their travels they were often met by bands of music, and thousands of children bearing banners and flags, and singing songs of welcome. Sister Bathsheba enjoyed these tours very much. She accompanied many explorations down into deep gulches to see the water pockets, over beautiful plains in carriages or cars, and over mountains and deserts. In reference to her position in duties of a public and spiritual character, we find the following recorded: "Returning from a tour, Feb. 19, 1876, they arrived in Salt Lake City, finding all safe at home. Her husband was not well; she thought she could soon nurse him up to health, but her efforts were all in vain; he expired Sept. 1, 1876, after a long sickness. The departure was a shock to many. For many months prayers had been offered up through all parts of the Territory, for his restoration to health. Seated in his chair, his faithful wife beside him. he turned from his conversation with Dr. Seymour B. Young and others who constantly attended him, and leaning upon her devoted heart breathed his last." Sister Bathsheba W. Smith belonged to the first Relief Society which was organized at Nauvoo, March 17, 1842, and was present when it was organized, the Prophet Joseph presiding. She officiated as Priestess in the Nauvoo Temple, acted as first counselor to Pres. Rachel Grant in the Relief Society of the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, for many years: was a counselor to Mary I. Home in the General Retrenchment Association in the Fourteenth Ward, and acted as treasurer of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake Stake. She also officiated in the holy ordinances of the Endowment House in Salt Lake City for many years, and was one of the board of directors in the Deseret Hospital. In the Seventeenth Ward, where she located several years ago, she acted for a long time as treasurer of the Ward Relief Society and subsequently as president of the organization. In 1887, when Sister Zina D. H. Young became president of all the Relief Societies in the Church, Sister Bathsheba was chosen as her second counselor, which position she filled until Sister Young's death. At a meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles held in the Temple, Salt Lake City, Oct. 31, 1901, Sister Bathsheba W. Smith was chosen to act as president of the Relief Societies in all the world. This action was ratified by the unanimous vote of 10,000 Saints in conference assembled Nov. 10, 1901. Sister Bathsheba was an ordinance worker in the Logan Temple for several years, and when the Salt Lake Temple was completed in 1893, she was chosen as one of the workers in that sacred edifice. June 30. 1893^ Pres. Lorenzo Snow and his assistants appointed and set apart Sister Zina D. H. Young to take charge of the woman's department in the Salt Lake Temple with Bathsheba W. Smith as her first and Minnie J. Snow as her second assistant. Owing to the illness of Sister Young it soon fell to the lot of Sister Bathsheba to preside over the sisters in the Temple, —a position which she still occupies. Sister Bathsheba is often reverently spoken of as "the beloved wife of George A. Smith." To her, in one sense, this would be the dearest praise that could be spoken, But yet a loftier, holier, and even the earth-love seems to hover around her very presence. A little child once said, "When I look at Sister Bathsheba, I do not see her with her bonnet on; I see her as she will look when she wears that crown that is waiting for her." Such is the impression her face, her gentle voice and manner convey.
SMITH, Bathsheba Wilson, fourth president of the Relief Societies in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born May 3, 1822, in Shinnsten, Harrison county, West Virginia, daughter of Mark Bigler and Susannah Ogden. Her father was from Pennsylvania, her mother from Maryland. The school facilities in her vicinity were limited. The county of Harrison was hilly, and the roads of primitive character; the mode of travel was chiefly on horseback riding, in which few could excel her. In her girlhood she was religiously inclined, loved virtue, honesty, truthfulness and integrity; attended secret prayers, studied to be cheerful, industrious and happy, and was always opposed to rudeness. During her fifteenth year some Latter-day Saints visited the neighborhood; she heard them preach and believed what they taught She knew by the spirit of the Lord, in answer to her prayer, that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord, and that the Book of Mormon was a divine record. Aug. 21, 1837, she was baptized; and most of her father's family joined the Church about the same time. They soon felt a desire to gather with the rest of the Saints in Missouri; her sister. Nancy, and family sold their property, intending to go in the fall, and Bathsheba was very anxious to go with them. Her father having not yet sold out his property, she was told she could not go. This caused her to retire very early, feeling very sorrowful. While weeping, a voice said to her, "Weep not, you will go this fall." She was comforted and perfectly satisfied, and the next morning testified to what the voice had said to her. Soon after, her father sold his home, and they all went to Missouri, to her great joy, but, on their arrival there, they found the State preparing to war against the Saints. A few nights before they reached Far West, they camped with a company of Eastern Saints, but separated on account of each company choosing different ferries. The company that Sister Bathsheba and her family were members of arrived safely at their destination, but the others were overtaken by an armed mob at Haun's mill; seventeen were killed, others were wounded, and some maimed for life. In a few days after their arrival in Missouri, a battle was fought between the Saints and the mob, in which David W. Patten (one of the first Twelve Apostles) was wounded, and he was brought to the house where they were stopping. Sister Bathsheba witnessed his death the same day, and saw thousands of mobbers arrayed against the Saints, and heard their dreadful threats and savage yells, when the Prophet Josph and his brethren were taken into their camp. The Prophet. Patriarch and many others were taken to prison; and the Saints had to leave the State. In the spring they had the joy of having the Prophet and his brethren restored to them at Quincy. Illinois. In the spring of 1840 the family of Sister Bathsheba moved to Nauvoo, where she had many opportunities of hearing the Prophet Joseph preach, and tried to profit by his instruction, and also received many testimonies of the truths which he taught. July 2r>. 1841, Bathsheba was married to George A. Smith, the then youngest member of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Don Carlos Smith (brother of the Prophet) officiating. George A. Smith was first cousin to the Prophet Joseph. When Sister Bathsheba first became acquainted with George A. Smith, he was the junior member of the first quorum of Seventies. June 26, 1838, he was ordained a member of the High Council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, in Daviess county, Missouri. Just about the break of day on the 26th of April, 1839, while kneeling on the corner stone of the foundation of the Lord's House at Far West, Caldwell county, Missouri, he was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles, and then started on a mission to Europe, from which he returned in July, 1841, ten days previous to their marriage. July 7, 1842, a son was born to them; they named him George Albert. Two months afterward George A., as the Saints loved to call him, went on a mission to the Eastern States. On his previous mission (to England), he injured his left lung, causing hemorrhage. In the fall of 1843, George A. and Bathsheba received their endowments and were united under the holy order of celestial marriage. Sister Bathsheba heard the Prophet Joseph charge the Twelve with the duty and responsibility of the ordinances of endowments and sealing for the living and the dead. She met often with her husband, Joseph and others who had received their endowments, in an upper room dedicated for the purpose, and prayed with them repeatedly in those meetings. In the spring of 1844, Elder Smith went on another mission, and soon after he left, persecution began in the city of Nauvoo, which ended in the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch. Geo. A. Smith returned to Nauvoo in August, 1844, and on the 14th a daughter was born, whom they named Bathsheba. Having become thoroughly convinced that the doctrine of plurality of wives was from God. and firmly believing that she should participate with her husband in all his blessings, glory and honor, Sister Bathsheba gave to him several wives during the year of his return home. She says of this: "Being proud of my husband and loving him very much, knowing him to be a man of God, and having a testimony that what I had done was acceptable to my Father in heaven, I was as happy as I knew how to be." In 1846, Geo. A. Smith and family left Nauvoo for the unknown west, as exiles for the gospel's sake. "It would be vain," writes Sister Smith, "to describe how we traveled through snow, wind and rain, how roads had to be made, bridges built and rafts constructed, how our poor animals had to drag on day after day with scanty food; nor how we suffered from poverty, sickness and deaths, but the Lord was with us, His power was made manifest dally. "We arrived in Great Salt Lake valley in October, 1849, after traveling over sterile deserts and plains, over high mountains and through deep canyons, ferrying some streams and fording others, but all was joy now." Sister Bathsheba went to her sister's house, and oh! how delightful it did seem to be once more in a comfortable room with a blazing fire in the hearth, where the mountain's rude blasts nor the desert's wild winds could not reach them. In March, 1850, Sister Bathsheba moved into their own house. In December, 1850, George A. Smith was called to go south to found a settlement in Little Salt Lake valley, two hundred and fifty miles from Salt Lake City. In 1851, he returned, having been elected a member of the Utah legislature from Iron county. In 1856 he was sent to Washington, D. C, to ask for the admission of Utah as a State. In May, 1857, he returned to Utah, and in 1858 he went south with his family. In leaving their homes the Saints felt as they did when they left Nauvoo, that they should never see them again, as they were fleeing before the approaching army. However. President Buchanan sent out his peace commissioners with his proclamation which declared a general amnesty to "all offenders." Peace being restored, the Saints returned to Salt Lake City in July, having been gone three months. When Geo. A. Smith and family entered the city, it was almost sundown; all was quiet, every door was boarded up. From only two or three chimneys smoke was rising. How still and lonely, yet the breath of peace wafted over the silent city, and it was home. They had left a partly finished house, and they now resumed work upon it; by October it was finished. Sister Bathsheba says: "It was so comfortable and we were so happy. We had plenty of room. My son and daughter took great pleasure in having their associates come and visit them frequently. They would have a room full of company, and would engage in reading useful books, singing, playing music, dancing, etc. My son played the flute, flutina and was a good drummer. My son and daughter were good singers; they made our home Joyous with song and jest." In 1860 this son was sent on a mission to the Moqui Indians. He was interested in this and apt in learning the new language. After being set apart by the authorities for that mission, he started Sept. 4, 1860, and had traveled about seven hundred miles, when on Nov. 2, 1860, he was killed by Navajo Indians. In 1873, Sister Bathsheba made a tour with her husband and Pres. Brigham Young and party to the Colorado and up the Rio Virgen as far as Shonesburg. In 1872, they made another tour with Pres. Young and party, visiting at St. George, Virgen City, Long "Valley and Kanab. In 1873, she went again with her husband, Pres. Young, and company and spent the winter in St. George, going by way of Sanpete and Sevier counties. During this journey Sister Bathsheba attended several meetings with the sisters, returning home in April, 1874. She has visited the Saints as far south as the junction of the Rio Virgen with the Colorado, has visited the settlements on the Muddy and also the Saints as far north as Bear Lake and Soda Springs. On their travels they were often met by bands of music, and thousands of children bearing banners and flags, and singing songs of welcome. Sister Bathsheba enjoyed these tours very much. She accompanied many explorations down into deep gulches to see the water pockets, over beautiful plains in carriages or cars, and over mountains and deserts. In reference to her position in duties of a public and spiritual character, we find the following recorded: "Returning from a tour, Feb. 19, 1876, they arrived in Salt Lake City, finding all safe at home. Her husband was not well; she thought she could soon nurse him up to health, but her efforts were all in vain; he expired Sept. 1, 1876, after a long sickness. The departure was a shock to many. For many months prayers had been offered up through all parts of the Territory, for his restoration to health. Seated in his chair, his faithful wife beside him. he turned from his conversation with Dr. Seymour B. Young and others who constantly attended him, and leaning upon her devoted heart breathed his last." Sister Bathsheba W. Smith belonged to the first Relief Society which was organized at Nauvoo, March 17, 1842, and was present when it was organized, the Prophet Joseph presiding. She officiated as Priestess in the Nauvoo Temple, acted as first counselor to Pres. Rachel Grant in the Relief Society of the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, for many years: was a counselor to Mary I. Home in the General Retrenchment Association in the Fourteenth Ward, and acted as treasurer of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake Stake. She also officiated in the holy ordinances of the Endowment House in Salt Lake City for many years, and was one of the board of directors in the Deseret Hospital. In the Seventeenth Ward, where she located several years ago, she acted for a long time as treasurer of the Ward Relief Society and subsequently as president of the organization. In 1887, when Sister Zina D. H. Young became president of all the Relief Societies in the Church, Sister Bathsheba was chosen as her second counselor, which position she filled until Sister Young's death. At a meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles held in the Temple, Salt Lake City, Oct. 31, 1901, Sister Bathsheba W. Smith was chosen to act as president of the Relief Societies in all the world. This action was ratified by the unanimous vote of 10,000 Saints in conference assembled Nov. 10, 1901. Sister Bathsheba was an ordinance worker in the Logan Temple for several years, and when the Salt Lake Temple was completed in 1893, she was chosen as one of the workers in that sacred edifice. June 30. 1893^ Pres. Lorenzo Snow and his assistants appointed and set apart Sister Zina D. H. Young to take charge of the woman's department in the Salt Lake Temple with Bathsheba W. Smith as her first and Minnie J. Snow as her second assistant. Owing to the illness of Sister Young it soon fell to the lot of Sister Bathsheba to preside over the sisters in the Temple, —a position which she still occupies. Sister Bathsheba is often reverently spoken of as "the beloved wife of George A. Smith." To her, in one sense, this would be the dearest praise that could be spoken, But yet a loftier, holier, and even the earth-love seems to hover around her very presence. A little child once said, "When I look at Sister Bathsheba, I do not see her with her bonnet on; I see her as she will look when she wears that crown that is waiting for her." Such is the impression her face, her gentle voice and manner convey.
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, Bathsheba W." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 178, 196.
SMITH, Bathsheba Wilson, was a charter member of the Female Relief Society organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Ill., on March 17, 1842, and became fourth general president of the General Board of Relief Society. She was born May 3, 1822, at Shinnston, Harrison Co., West Virginia, a daughter of Mark Bigler and Susannah Ogden. In 1837 she was baptized and located in Nauvoo where she became well acquainted with Joseph Smith's family and was married to George A. Smith, the Prophet's cousin, July 25, 1841, and became the mother of two children. She officiated as an ordinance worker in the Nauvoo Temple, in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City and in the Logan and Salt Lake temples in Utah, and presided over the women's department in the Salt Lake Temple from the late nineties until her death. Sister Smith was a counselor in the presidency of the Central Board of Relief Society from 1888 to 1892 and in the presidency of the General Board from 1892 to 1901, when she became general president of the Relief Society. During her presidency the headquarters of the General Board were established in the Bishop's Building. Sister Smith died Sept. 20, 1910, in Salt Lake City. (For further details see Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 699.)
SMITH, Bathsheba Wilson, was a charter member of the Female Relief Society organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Ill., on March 17, 1842, and became fourth general president of the General Board of Relief Society. She was born May 3, 1822, at Shinnston, Harrison Co., West Virginia, a daughter of Mark Bigler and Susannah Ogden. In 1837 she was baptized and located in Nauvoo where she became well acquainted with Joseph Smith's family and was married to George A. Smith, the Prophet's cousin, July 25, 1841, and became the mother of two children. She officiated as an ordinance worker in the Nauvoo Temple, in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City and in the Logan and Salt Lake temples in Utah, and presided over the women's department in the Salt Lake Temple from the late nineties until her death. Sister Smith was a counselor in the presidency of the Central Board of Relief Society from 1888 to 1892 and in the presidency of the General Board from 1892 to 1901, when she became general president of the Relief Society. During her presidency the headquarters of the General Board were established in the Bishop's Building. Sister Smith died Sept. 20, 1910, in Salt Lake City. (For further details see Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 699.)
"Sketch of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith." Young Woman's Journal. April 1893. pg. 294-296.
SKETCH OF SISTER BATHSHEBA W. SMITH,
WORKER IN THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE.
Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, who was born May 3rd, 1822, was married on July 25th, 1841, to Brother George A. Smith, a cousin of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She came to the valleys in 1849. She was closely associated with the Prophet and his family for some years before the martyrdom, and since that time has had the most intimate friendship with the later prophets and apostles and their families. Her memory is very good, and it is highly entertaining to listen to her experiences in this Church. She was one of the very few who had their endowments in the prophet’s life-time, and it is worthy of mention here that her testimony is that the ordinances in our temples today are exactly the same as was that of the first ordinances given under the Prophet’s direction. She had her blessings in 1843 in Nauvoo. The services were held in a large room over the store. Here was given those initial blessings to the Apostles then in Nauvoo, and here began the mighty work which is now of such magnitude. She remembers the names of the first couples who received endowments, and these were: The Prophet and wife, the Patriarch and wife, Brigham Young and wife, Heber C. Kimball and wife. Dr. Willard Richards and wife, Father Smith and wife and Father Joseph Smith and wife, Bishop Whitney and wife and Amasa Lyman and wife. Sister E. R. Snow acted as a secretary in the Nauvoo Temple for some time.
Sister Smith worked about fourteen years in the Endowment House, which was erected in Salt Lake City for the accommodation of the Saints until a Temple could be built. President Young came over to her house one day and asked Sister Bathsheba if she would go and work in the Endowment House. She said yes, if her husband was willing. He had already given willing assent to the President, and thus her labors began. As long as work was done in the House Sister Smith was a faithful and constant worker in that House.
Sister Bathsheba speaks of many and marvelous healings wrought by the power of God and the faith of the Latter-day Saints in this holy House. So many, indeed, that memory will not retain one-tenth of the number.
One instance of a sister who came a cripple, lifted out of a wagon, and who went out at the close of the day entirely healed. Another case, she says, she was reminded of when listening to some physicians talking the other day, who asserted that faith could not perform surgical operations. She wondered what it was that caused a circumstance of which she knew. A young girl from Payson came to the House with a knot of protruding veins or a swelling on one of her wrists. Sister Smith told her in blessing her that some day she should wake up and the swelling would all be gone. In prophesying this Sister Smith felt almost frightened at her own words. But it came to pass just as she had predicted. The girl afterwards told her that it was just as she said. If the cure was not a miracle, surely the prophecy was a very singular circumstance.
At another time a sister came who was blind in one eye, had been so since her childhood. She had been struck with a ruler by her teacher when a child, and the eye had been blind ever since. On coming into the House this sister gazed continually upon Sister Snow, and when asked at last what caused her deep attention, she told Sister Snow that she had seen her in a dream a little time before, and that she was to receive through her a great blessing. Sister Snow anointed the blind eye, and pronounced the healing of the Holy Spirit upon it. A few weeks afterwards the sister returned to show her once blind eye, which was now bright and perfectly sound. These are only a small number of the many and wonderful manifestations given in this place.
Sister Smith had the honor of assisting in starting the work in the Logan Temple, and looks with great hopes and joy towards the completion of another sacred Temple, where the living and the dead can receive blessings for Time and for all Eternity.
SKETCH OF SISTER BATHSHEBA W. SMITH,
WORKER IN THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE.
Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, who was born May 3rd, 1822, was married on July 25th, 1841, to Brother George A. Smith, a cousin of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She came to the valleys in 1849. She was closely associated with the Prophet and his family for some years before the martyrdom, and since that time has had the most intimate friendship with the later prophets and apostles and their families. Her memory is very good, and it is highly entertaining to listen to her experiences in this Church. She was one of the very few who had their endowments in the prophet’s life-time, and it is worthy of mention here that her testimony is that the ordinances in our temples today are exactly the same as was that of the first ordinances given under the Prophet’s direction. She had her blessings in 1843 in Nauvoo. The services were held in a large room over the store. Here was given those initial blessings to the Apostles then in Nauvoo, and here began the mighty work which is now of such magnitude. She remembers the names of the first couples who received endowments, and these were: The Prophet and wife, the Patriarch and wife, Brigham Young and wife, Heber C. Kimball and wife. Dr. Willard Richards and wife, Father Smith and wife and Father Joseph Smith and wife, Bishop Whitney and wife and Amasa Lyman and wife. Sister E. R. Snow acted as a secretary in the Nauvoo Temple for some time.
Sister Smith worked about fourteen years in the Endowment House, which was erected in Salt Lake City for the accommodation of the Saints until a Temple could be built. President Young came over to her house one day and asked Sister Bathsheba if she would go and work in the Endowment House. She said yes, if her husband was willing. He had already given willing assent to the President, and thus her labors began. As long as work was done in the House Sister Smith was a faithful and constant worker in that House.
Sister Bathsheba speaks of many and marvelous healings wrought by the power of God and the faith of the Latter-day Saints in this holy House. So many, indeed, that memory will not retain one-tenth of the number.
One instance of a sister who came a cripple, lifted out of a wagon, and who went out at the close of the day entirely healed. Another case, she says, she was reminded of when listening to some physicians talking the other day, who asserted that faith could not perform surgical operations. She wondered what it was that caused a circumstance of which she knew. A young girl from Payson came to the House with a knot of protruding veins or a swelling on one of her wrists. Sister Smith told her in blessing her that some day she should wake up and the swelling would all be gone. In prophesying this Sister Smith felt almost frightened at her own words. But it came to pass just as she had predicted. The girl afterwards told her that it was just as she said. If the cure was not a miracle, surely the prophecy was a very singular circumstance.
At another time a sister came who was blind in one eye, had been so since her childhood. She had been struck with a ruler by her teacher when a child, and the eye had been blind ever since. On coming into the House this sister gazed continually upon Sister Snow, and when asked at last what caused her deep attention, she told Sister Snow that she had seen her in a dream a little time before, and that she was to receive through her a great blessing. Sister Snow anointed the blind eye, and pronounced the healing of the Holy Spirit upon it. A few weeks afterwards the sister returned to show her once blind eye, which was now bright and perfectly sound. These are only a small number of the many and wonderful manifestations given in this place.
Sister Smith had the honor of assisting in starting the work in the Logan Temple, and looks with great hopes and joy towards the completion of another sacred Temple, where the living and the dead can receive blessings for Time and for all Eternity.
Smith, Lucy Woodruff. "Past Three Score Years and Ten." Young Woman's Journal. October 1901. pg. 440-442.
Past Three Score Years and Ten
Lucy Woodruff Smith.
One has but to look into the kind gentle features of Aunt Bathsheba to realize that he is face to face with a mother in Israel. We have but to spend a few hours in her company to realize that the Spirit of God dwells in her being; the impress of which lovingly lingers with us when we leave her.
Near Shinston in Harrison county, West Virginia, fifteen years after her birth, Bathsheba W. Bigler first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ; but it was not until two years later that she, in connection with her father's family was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church. During her early girlhood her father from conscientious motives released all the slaves in his possession, and taught his children the nobility of labor, the result of which teaching was of untold benefit to Bathsheba in her after life.
Six other children claimed and shared the love and protection given by the liberal-minded parents, who secured for them whatever educational advantages possible, and al-ways taught them to pray to, and have a reverence for, their Heavenly Father, although the family was united with no church or de-nomination of the day. Under the influence of this good home training, the child Bathsheba grew and blossomed into womanhood.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ac-cursed,” was the text selected by
Elder who first opened the doors of salvation to her father's family* She says: “When I heard the Gospel I knew it was true; when I first read the Book of Mormon, 1 knew it was inspired of God; when I first beheld Joseph Smith I knew I stood face to face with a prophet of the living God, and I had no doubt in my mind about his authority.” .
During the early years of her investigation of the truth, there came, among other Elders, to her home, Geo. A. Smith, a cousin of the Prophet Joseph, who, after teaching her the Gospel, taught her the old sweet story of love. In this as in other things, she was an apt pupil, and it soon became apparent to her that his love would be the best part of whatever prosperity and the sufficient shield of whatever adversity life had in store for them. In the city of Nauvoo on July 25, 1841, she became his wife. Two days later they started, carpet bag in hand, to go to his father's in Zarahemla. After walking a mile and a half they reached the river side; a man took them across in his skiff free of charge. Then they were conveyed to Father John Smith's home, where he pronounced upon them the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
From this time on her life's history has been a part of the history of the Church.
Few women have had more opportunities or have been blessed with so many privileges of hearing the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. We never weary in listening to her recitals of these meetings. She has been permitted to officiate in the temples at Nauvoo, Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake City. She is today the only living person who received her temple blessings under the personal direction of Joseph Smith. At the opening of the Salt Lake Temple, Aunt Zina Young, Aunt Bathsheba, and Sister Minnie J. Snow were set apart to preside over the women's department, and there Aunt Bathsheba will be found daily administering to the wants of her sisters with all humility, kindness and love.
She has shared in the early persecutions, trials, triumphs and successes of the Church. She was numbered with the Saints who were expelled from Nauvoo in February 1846. She states that in the fall of 1845 the city of Nauvoo was like a vast machine shop and that her parlor was used as a paint-shop in connection with the work of preparing the wagons afterwards used by the Saints in crossing the plains.
In speaking of her journey west-ward, she says: "I shall never forget how we traveled through storms of snow, wind and rain ; how roads had to be made, bridges built, rafts constructed; how our poor animals had to drag on day after day with scanty feed; nor how our camps suffered from poverty, sick-ness, and death; how we were con-soled in the midst of our hardships by having our meetings in peace, praying and singing the songs of Zion; witnessing the power of God in healing the sick, restoring the wounded and preserving us from wild beasts and savage red men.”
After her arrival in the Valley of Salt Lake, October, 1849, she, in connection with her husband's other wives, spun and wove flax and wool from which they made flannel, linsey, jeans, kerseys, carpets, towels, bed-ticks, sewing thread, bed spreads, table linen, candle-wicks, neck-wraps, mittens, and, in face, did everything they could to be self-sustaining.
For many years she lived in what is now known as the Historian's Office, where she was called upon to part with her husband, Apostle Geo. A. Smith, who has preceded her into the life beyond. She is the mother of two sons and one daughter. Her sons are now dwelling on the other side, and her daughter Bathsheba alone remains here to perpetuate her name in the earth.
Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, and Emily Partridge Young were companions of her early womanhood in the city of Nauvoo. Their love and friendship for one another were always like the golden links of a chain.
Aunt Bathsheba attended and be-came a member of the first Relief Society organization, which was held on March 20, 1842, at Nauvoo, and was presided over by Joseph Smith. She has ever since been a faithful member of the same and at present is second counselor of that organization in all the world.
She is now nearing her eightieth birthday, and we all pray that in the sunset of her life, her days may be full of joy; her Sabbaths filled with peace, and her life with thankfulness to God for permitting her to live in the dispensation of the fullness of times.
When asked at this writing what her greatest ambition was, she replied: “That I may never lose my testimony of the truth; I can think of nothing greater now than a future meeting with mv husband and the privilege of dwelling with him through all eternity.”
Past Three Score Years and Ten
Lucy Woodruff Smith.
One has but to look into the kind gentle features of Aunt Bathsheba to realize that he is face to face with a mother in Israel. We have but to spend a few hours in her company to realize that the Spirit of God dwells in her being; the impress of which lovingly lingers with us when we leave her.
Near Shinston in Harrison county, West Virginia, fifteen years after her birth, Bathsheba W. Bigler first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ; but it was not until two years later that she, in connection with her father's family was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church. During her early girlhood her father from conscientious motives released all the slaves in his possession, and taught his children the nobility of labor, the result of which teaching was of untold benefit to Bathsheba in her after life.
Six other children claimed and shared the love and protection given by the liberal-minded parents, who secured for them whatever educational advantages possible, and al-ways taught them to pray to, and have a reverence for, their Heavenly Father, although the family was united with no church or de-nomination of the day. Under the influence of this good home training, the child Bathsheba grew and blossomed into womanhood.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ac-cursed,” was the text selected by
Elder who first opened the doors of salvation to her father's family* She says: “When I heard the Gospel I knew it was true; when I first read the Book of Mormon, 1 knew it was inspired of God; when I first beheld Joseph Smith I knew I stood face to face with a prophet of the living God, and I had no doubt in my mind about his authority.” .
During the early years of her investigation of the truth, there came, among other Elders, to her home, Geo. A. Smith, a cousin of the Prophet Joseph, who, after teaching her the Gospel, taught her the old sweet story of love. In this as in other things, she was an apt pupil, and it soon became apparent to her that his love would be the best part of whatever prosperity and the sufficient shield of whatever adversity life had in store for them. In the city of Nauvoo on July 25, 1841, she became his wife. Two days later they started, carpet bag in hand, to go to his father's in Zarahemla. After walking a mile and a half they reached the river side; a man took them across in his skiff free of charge. Then they were conveyed to Father John Smith's home, where he pronounced upon them the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
From this time on her life's history has been a part of the history of the Church.
Few women have had more opportunities or have been blessed with so many privileges of hearing the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. We never weary in listening to her recitals of these meetings. She has been permitted to officiate in the temples at Nauvoo, Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake City. She is today the only living person who received her temple blessings under the personal direction of Joseph Smith. At the opening of the Salt Lake Temple, Aunt Zina Young, Aunt Bathsheba, and Sister Minnie J. Snow were set apart to preside over the women's department, and there Aunt Bathsheba will be found daily administering to the wants of her sisters with all humility, kindness and love.
She has shared in the early persecutions, trials, triumphs and successes of the Church. She was numbered with the Saints who were expelled from Nauvoo in February 1846. She states that in the fall of 1845 the city of Nauvoo was like a vast machine shop and that her parlor was used as a paint-shop in connection with the work of preparing the wagons afterwards used by the Saints in crossing the plains.
In speaking of her journey west-ward, she says: "I shall never forget how we traveled through storms of snow, wind and rain ; how roads had to be made, bridges built, rafts constructed; how our poor animals had to drag on day after day with scanty feed; nor how our camps suffered from poverty, sick-ness, and death; how we were con-soled in the midst of our hardships by having our meetings in peace, praying and singing the songs of Zion; witnessing the power of God in healing the sick, restoring the wounded and preserving us from wild beasts and savage red men.”
After her arrival in the Valley of Salt Lake, October, 1849, she, in connection with her husband's other wives, spun and wove flax and wool from which they made flannel, linsey, jeans, kerseys, carpets, towels, bed-ticks, sewing thread, bed spreads, table linen, candle-wicks, neck-wraps, mittens, and, in face, did everything they could to be self-sustaining.
For many years she lived in what is now known as the Historian's Office, where she was called upon to part with her husband, Apostle Geo. A. Smith, who has preceded her into the life beyond. She is the mother of two sons and one daughter. Her sons are now dwelling on the other side, and her daughter Bathsheba alone remains here to perpetuate her name in the earth.
Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, and Emily Partridge Young were companions of her early womanhood in the city of Nauvoo. Their love and friendship for one another were always like the golden links of a chain.
Aunt Bathsheba attended and be-came a member of the first Relief Society organization, which was held on March 20, 1842, at Nauvoo, and was presided over by Joseph Smith. She has ever since been a faithful member of the same and at present is second counselor of that organization in all the world.
She is now nearing her eightieth birthday, and we all pray that in the sunset of her life, her days may be full of joy; her Sabbaths filled with peace, and her life with thankfulness to God for permitting her to live in the dispensation of the fullness of times.
When asked at this writing what her greatest ambition was, she replied: “That I may never lose my testimony of the truth; I can think of nothing greater now than a future meeting with mv husband and the privilege of dwelling with him through all eternity.”
"Death of Bathsheba Wilson Smith." Improvement Era. October 1910. pg. 1133.
Death of Bathsheba Wilson Smith.
Bathsheba Wilson Smith, president of the Relief Societies of the Church in all the world, and widow of George Albert Smith, who was counselor to Brigham Young and a cousin to Joseph Smith the prophet, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence Merrill, in Salt Lake City, September 20, 1910. She was born at Shinnston, Harrison county, West Virginia, May 3, 1822, and was the daughter of Mark Bigler and Susannah Ogden. She was a member of the first Relief Society organized by the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo, March 17, 1842, since which time she has been prominently connected in various capacities with that splendid organization. On October 3, 1901, she was chosen president of the societies in all the world, and the general conference of the Church ratified the choice November 10, of that year. She continued to act in that office until death. She was a loveable, true and faithful character, and a prominent worker in the temple for many years. Always, her life was devoted to the mission of the Church and the cause of God.
Death of Bathsheba Wilson Smith.
Bathsheba Wilson Smith, president of the Relief Societies of the Church in all the world, and widow of George Albert Smith, who was counselor to Brigham Young and a cousin to Joseph Smith the prophet, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence Merrill, in Salt Lake City, September 20, 1910. She was born at Shinnston, Harrison county, West Virginia, May 3, 1822, and was the daughter of Mark Bigler and Susannah Ogden. She was a member of the first Relief Society organized by the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo, March 17, 1842, since which time she has been prominently connected in various capacities with that splendid organization. On October 3, 1901, she was chosen president of the societies in all the world, and the general conference of the Church ratified the choice November 10, of that year. She continued to act in that office until death. She was a loveable, true and faithful character, and a prominent worker in the temple for many years. Always, her life was devoted to the mission of the Church and the cause of God.
Farnsworth, Julia P. M. "A Tribute to Bathsheba W. Smith." Young Woman's Journal. November 1910. pg. 608-610.
A Tribute to Bathsheba W. Smith.
By Julia P. M. Farnsworth.
She was a native daughter of ‘Old Virginia,’* the state that produced Washington, our first president, Richard Henry Lee, or as his soldiers lovingly called him, “Light Horse Harry,” one of the most gallant generals of the Revolution; John Marshall, first chief justice; Thomas Jefferson, the drafter of the Declaration of Independence, James Madison and James Monroe, our fourth and fifth presidents; Patrick Henry, the brilliant orator of the South, and many other noted men and women, who have figured so largely in the development, colonization, and advancement of America, and in making our country the greatest on earth.
We believe our wise Creator understood perfectly the need of selecting the men and women to bring forth on the continent of the New World for the great latter-day work. No weaklings, no inferior people, no one but strong, honest, intellectual, virtuous, brave men and women could have introduced and maintained it. Of this type were our ancestors, the fathers and mothers of our Utah Pioneers. Many were among the first settlers of the “thirteen colonies,” as were those of Aunt Bathsheba; on one line hers came from Holland and on the other from England.
It is many years since I first met and loved Sister Smith—who ever knew her intimately and failed to love her? She was very’ hospitable, and was at all times an optimist, possessing a genial, cheerful, hopeful nature, which never failed in its good influence. Her personality always impressed one agreeably. Much has been written and said of her great spirituality . I am sure she possessed this to a large degree. and she ever sought companionship that would strengthen and advance this attribute. She appreciated her association with our revered Prophet and his family in early times, as the wife of his cousin. Brother George A. Smith, she was often at the “Mansion House” with Sister Emma, Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. H. Young, and other eminent people.
I have heard her say she was privileged to have read to her the first manuscript of the famous poem, “O my Father,” by Sister E. R. Snow. In referring to it she has on a number of occasions minutely described the room in which the poet wrote, even to the furniture therein.
Sister Smith was at the home of Apostle David Patten when he was brought there mortally wounded from the Battle of Crooked River. She helped and comforted his wife in her great bereavement. There are many other things she has told us which testify of her close intimacy and the confidence those good men and women reposed in her.
She was the last one of the original eighteen members who composed the Relief Society in Nauvoo, organized by the Prophet in 1842, sixty-eight years ago the 17th of March. She has been president of the General Board and all the Relief Societies throughout the world, nine years next November. We have been in close touch and sincere comradeship during this period and a strong bond of affection has developed.
My first memory of dear Aunt Bathsheba goes back forty-five years. She was then a tall, stately woman, with an abundance of beautiful brown hair, dark eyes, smooth fair complexion, and was traveling in the company of her husband in President Young's party from this city to St. George. They staid at my father’s home in Beaver. At that time I noted her superiority, her dignity of carriage, yet, with all that, she was easy to approach, lovable in manner, for she ever gave a sweet smile and a word of encouragement to little children and young people, also care and tenderness to the sick or aged. She was artistic in temperament, loved the beautiful, appreciated refinement, and always dressed in good taste.
Sister Smith’s whole long life work was one that needed decision. As a girl of fifteen, she showed strength, courage, and independence of character.
Aunt Bathsheba was ever a modest, humble woman in the fullest sense, and as Brother J. E. Taylor said at her funeral, ‘‘There were no shadows, no dark spots in her long eighty-eight years of life,” nothing that would reflect aught but credit and goodness of character. There were no pages to hold back or keep locked—her life was as an open book.
As wife she was indeed a helpmate, a true companion. As a mother she was earnest, sincere, and devoted, not only to her own, but to her husband’s families. As a friend she was constant and genuine. As our president she was capable, just, and considerate. As a Latter-day Saint she was humble, faithful, steadfast and untiring in doing good to others.
The world has given us heroes and heroines in all ages, but none that will shine with purer lustre than women like our late president. Her labors have ever been devoted to the uplifting of God’s children, and to the saving of souls.
She tasted deep of the cup of sorrow in having her son cruelly murdered, while on a mission, by the Navajo Indians. His body was never returned to her. Her husband was called by death a number of years later. She met trials in almost every form, as all the Pioneer women have done. She suffered privation and poverty, yet she was able to rise above trouble and give aid and comfort to others.
To have known and associated with one like our beloved leader was to have been greatly blessed. All through her administration she was punctual and never absent from her meetings. She taught us lessons of humility and goodness every day. She was honest, patient, generous, and loyal to what she thought right. She had no tolerance for wrong-doers, neither could she be deceived in people’s motives. She was firm in her convictions, and unswerving where right principles were involved. I honor her for her integrity and all other noble traits of character, but I truly love her for her humanity, for her sweet, pure womanliness, for she was indeed a mother in Israel. She has left a great void, a vacancy in our circle, a sadness in our hearts, an indelible record for us to emulate. May we prove worthy of again meeting and associating with our beloved president when we cross the "Great Divide."
A Tribute to Bathsheba W. Smith.
By Julia P. M. Farnsworth.
She was a native daughter of ‘Old Virginia,’* the state that produced Washington, our first president, Richard Henry Lee, or as his soldiers lovingly called him, “Light Horse Harry,” one of the most gallant generals of the Revolution; John Marshall, first chief justice; Thomas Jefferson, the drafter of the Declaration of Independence, James Madison and James Monroe, our fourth and fifth presidents; Patrick Henry, the brilliant orator of the South, and many other noted men and women, who have figured so largely in the development, colonization, and advancement of America, and in making our country the greatest on earth.
We believe our wise Creator understood perfectly the need of selecting the men and women to bring forth on the continent of the New World for the great latter-day work. No weaklings, no inferior people, no one but strong, honest, intellectual, virtuous, brave men and women could have introduced and maintained it. Of this type were our ancestors, the fathers and mothers of our Utah Pioneers. Many were among the first settlers of the “thirteen colonies,” as were those of Aunt Bathsheba; on one line hers came from Holland and on the other from England.
It is many years since I first met and loved Sister Smith—who ever knew her intimately and failed to love her? She was very’ hospitable, and was at all times an optimist, possessing a genial, cheerful, hopeful nature, which never failed in its good influence. Her personality always impressed one agreeably. Much has been written and said of her great spirituality . I am sure she possessed this to a large degree. and she ever sought companionship that would strengthen and advance this attribute. She appreciated her association with our revered Prophet and his family in early times, as the wife of his cousin. Brother George A. Smith, she was often at the “Mansion House” with Sister Emma, Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. H. Young, and other eminent people.
I have heard her say she was privileged to have read to her the first manuscript of the famous poem, “O my Father,” by Sister E. R. Snow. In referring to it she has on a number of occasions minutely described the room in which the poet wrote, even to the furniture therein.
Sister Smith was at the home of Apostle David Patten when he was brought there mortally wounded from the Battle of Crooked River. She helped and comforted his wife in her great bereavement. There are many other things she has told us which testify of her close intimacy and the confidence those good men and women reposed in her.
She was the last one of the original eighteen members who composed the Relief Society in Nauvoo, organized by the Prophet in 1842, sixty-eight years ago the 17th of March. She has been president of the General Board and all the Relief Societies throughout the world, nine years next November. We have been in close touch and sincere comradeship during this period and a strong bond of affection has developed.
My first memory of dear Aunt Bathsheba goes back forty-five years. She was then a tall, stately woman, with an abundance of beautiful brown hair, dark eyes, smooth fair complexion, and was traveling in the company of her husband in President Young's party from this city to St. George. They staid at my father’s home in Beaver. At that time I noted her superiority, her dignity of carriage, yet, with all that, she was easy to approach, lovable in manner, for she ever gave a sweet smile and a word of encouragement to little children and young people, also care and tenderness to the sick or aged. She was artistic in temperament, loved the beautiful, appreciated refinement, and always dressed in good taste.
Sister Smith’s whole long life work was one that needed decision. As a girl of fifteen, she showed strength, courage, and independence of character.
Aunt Bathsheba was ever a modest, humble woman in the fullest sense, and as Brother J. E. Taylor said at her funeral, ‘‘There were no shadows, no dark spots in her long eighty-eight years of life,” nothing that would reflect aught but credit and goodness of character. There were no pages to hold back or keep locked—her life was as an open book.
As wife she was indeed a helpmate, a true companion. As a mother she was earnest, sincere, and devoted, not only to her own, but to her husband’s families. As a friend she was constant and genuine. As our president she was capable, just, and considerate. As a Latter-day Saint she was humble, faithful, steadfast and untiring in doing good to others.
The world has given us heroes and heroines in all ages, but none that will shine with purer lustre than women like our late president. Her labors have ever been devoted to the uplifting of God’s children, and to the saving of souls.
She tasted deep of the cup of sorrow in having her son cruelly murdered, while on a mission, by the Navajo Indians. His body was never returned to her. Her husband was called by death a number of years later. She met trials in almost every form, as all the Pioneer women have done. She suffered privation and poverty, yet she was able to rise above trouble and give aid and comfort to others.
To have known and associated with one like our beloved leader was to have been greatly blessed. All through her administration she was punctual and never absent from her meetings. She taught us lessons of humility and goodness every day. She was honest, patient, generous, and loyal to what she thought right. She had no tolerance for wrong-doers, neither could she be deceived in people’s motives. She was firm in her convictions, and unswerving where right principles were involved. I honor her for her integrity and all other noble traits of character, but I truly love her for her humanity, for her sweet, pure womanliness, for she was indeed a mother in Israel. She has left a great void, a vacancy in our circle, a sadness in our hearts, an indelible record for us to emulate. May we prove worthy of again meeting and associating with our beloved president when we cross the "Great Divide."
"Bathsheba W. Smith, Lucy W. Kimball." Young Woman's Journal. November 1910. pg. 629-630.
Bathsheba W. Smith, Lucy W. Kimball.
Of those who embraced the Gospel in early days few are left to tell of their experiences. The number has recently been diminished by two in the death of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith and of Sister Lucy W. Kimball. Many lessons may be learned from the humble, loving, devoted lives of these women. They appreciated the privilege they enjoyed of knowing intimately the Prophet Joseph Smith (Sister Kimball was his wife,) and they were constant in testifying of the divinity of his mission. Both worked in the temples. Sister Smith had the distinction of having served the longest period of time in thus working for the salvation of the living and the dead of any woman in the Church.
Their devotion and integrity were unquestioned. Whether in prosperity or in adversity, whether in times of persecution or of peace, they stood faithful. In the days of hardship and privation as in the days of ease and plenty they were gentle women. Their ministry has been beautiful, their example, worthy of emulation. Pure in thought, word, and act their influence has been one of uplift. Blessed be their memory.
Bathsheba W. Smith, Lucy W. Kimball.
Of those who embraced the Gospel in early days few are left to tell of their experiences. The number has recently been diminished by two in the death of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith and of Sister Lucy W. Kimball. Many lessons may be learned from the humble, loving, devoted lives of these women. They appreciated the privilege they enjoyed of knowing intimately the Prophet Joseph Smith (Sister Kimball was his wife,) and they were constant in testifying of the divinity of his mission. Both worked in the temples. Sister Smith had the distinction of having served the longest period of time in thus working for the salvation of the living and the dead of any woman in the Church.
Their devotion and integrity were unquestioned. Whether in prosperity or in adversity, whether in times of persecution or of peace, they stood faithful. In the days of hardship and privation as in the days of ease and plenty they were gentle women. Their ministry has been beautiful, their example, worthy of emulation. Pure in thought, word, and act their influence has been one of uplift. Blessed be their memory.
"The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Bathsheba Wilson Smith." Relief Society Magazine. March 1920. pg. 133-135.
The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society
BATHSHEBA WILSON SMITH.
The fourth general president of the Relief Society was Mrs. Bathsheba Wilson Smith, born of right and by inheritance, to the group of leading heroines and heroic leaders, who blazed the way and who marked the path for later generations of their sex to follow after. Sister Smith was born in Shinnsten, Harrison county, West Virginia. As a girl Mrs. Smith was famous for her love of outside pastimes. She was a noted horseback rider. She was always religiously inclined, not only showing the virtues of a Christian character, but domestic duties appealed greatly to her from her earliest youth. The needle and loom, the bake-skillet, and later the cook stove, were the primitive tools with which she fashioned beauty or wrought homely volumes of domestic lore.
She was an early convert to the Church and was baptized August 21, 1837. in her own home town. She emigrated with her family to Missouri, but found herself a part of that fleeing people who were driven from Missouri and who finally met partial extinction at the Haun's mill massacre. Her shrinking eyes beheld the violent death of David W. Patten, slain by the mob, and saw on that same day thousands of mobbers, screaming dreadful threats against the Prophet Joseph and yelling with savage glee when he and his brother Hyrum were taken into their camp. What an introduction for an innocent, refined girl to the Church.
In the spring of 1840 Sister Bathsheba removed with her family to Nauvoo, and on July 25. 1841, she was married to the cousin of the Prophet Joseph, George A. Smith, who was then the youngest member of the Twelve Apostles.
On July 7, 1842, Sister Smith gave birth to her only son, George Albert. In the fall of 1843. Apostle George A. Smith and his wife Bathsheba received their endowments under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith and were united in the bonds of celestial marriage.
Naturally, Sister Smith was intimately acquainted with the prophet and his whole family. She often remarked in later years, that when her husband died she told him she wanted to go with him, but he replied, "No, you must stay here and bear testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith." which mission she certainly fulfilled.
Just a few days after the martyrdom, on the 14th of August, 1844, a daughter was born, whom they named Bathsheba; and shortly after this Sister Bathsheba gave to her husband several wives with the following beautiful expression of her feelings on that occasion: "Being proud of my husband and loving him very much, knowing him to be a man of God, and having a testimony that what I had done was acceptable to my Father in heaven, I was as happy as I knew how to be."
In 1846, Sister Smith left Nauvoo with the people and reached the valley in 1849. March, 1850, Sister Bathsheba moved into her own home. In 1860 occurred the greatest tragedy in the home-life of this noble woman. Her only son was sent on a mission to the Moqui Indians. On his way to the Navajo Reservation, on November 2, 1860, after he had traveled about seven hundred miles he was killed by the savage Navajo Indians. His bones were brought home but his loving mother never became quite reconciled to his loss. The death of her husband, in 1876, was a great shock to Sister Smith, but the natural poise and calm deliberation of her character, permitted her to recover and take up again the shattered threads of her life.
Sister Smith was one of the charter members of the Relief Society, organized March 17, 1842. She was present on the historic occasion and was among the first to take up active work in Utah, in the new movement made during the 60's She officiated as priestess in the Nauvoo temple; acted as first counselor to President Rachel Grant in the Relief Society of the Thirteenth ward. Salt Lake City, for many years; was a counselor to Mary I. Home in the General Retrenchment Association in the Fourteenth ward, and acted as treasurer of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake stake. She also officiated in the holy ordinances of the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, for many years, and was one of the board of directors in the Deseret Hospital. In the Seventeenth ward, where she was located several years later, she acted for a long time as treasurer of the ward Relief Society and subsequently as president of the organization. In 1887, when Sister Zina D. H. Young became president of all the Relief Societies in the Church, Sister Bathsheba was chosen as her second counselor, which position she filled until Sister Young's death. At a meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles, held in the Temple, Salt Lake City, October 31, 1901, Sister Bathsheba W. Smith was chosen to act as president of the Relief Societies in all the world.
Sister Bathsheba was an ordinance worker in the Logan temple for several years, and when the Salt Lake temple was completed, in 1893, she was chosen as one of the workers in that sacred edifice. June 30, 1893, Pres. Lorenzo Snow and his assistants appointed and set apart Sister Zina D. H. Young to take charge of the woman's department in the Salt Lake temple, with Bathsheba W. Smith as her first and Minnie J. Snow as her second assistant. Owing to the death of Sister Young in 1901, it fell to the lot of Sister Bathsheba to preside over the sisters in the temple, a position which she occupied until her death in 1910.
President Bathsheba W. Smith was a remarkable woman in many ways. Her mien was so calm, was so deliberate, her speech was so pleasant and her manner so genial, that some thought her weak; on the contrary, she had a powerful will and a determined spirit. Few are there who could surpass her in prudence, sanity or purpose. A fine loyalty to the priesthood, with a whimsical humor, which permitted her to see things in their true relation without much bias and certainly without personal resentment, kept her spirit sweet and her mind sound. She moved on her way with lovely dignity that marked her as one of the greatest women of the Church, of the period, and of the world.
The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society
BATHSHEBA WILSON SMITH.
The fourth general president of the Relief Society was Mrs. Bathsheba Wilson Smith, born of right and by inheritance, to the group of leading heroines and heroic leaders, who blazed the way and who marked the path for later generations of their sex to follow after. Sister Smith was born in Shinnsten, Harrison county, West Virginia. As a girl Mrs. Smith was famous for her love of outside pastimes. She was a noted horseback rider. She was always religiously inclined, not only showing the virtues of a Christian character, but domestic duties appealed greatly to her from her earliest youth. The needle and loom, the bake-skillet, and later the cook stove, were the primitive tools with which she fashioned beauty or wrought homely volumes of domestic lore.
She was an early convert to the Church and was baptized August 21, 1837. in her own home town. She emigrated with her family to Missouri, but found herself a part of that fleeing people who were driven from Missouri and who finally met partial extinction at the Haun's mill massacre. Her shrinking eyes beheld the violent death of David W. Patten, slain by the mob, and saw on that same day thousands of mobbers, screaming dreadful threats against the Prophet Joseph and yelling with savage glee when he and his brother Hyrum were taken into their camp. What an introduction for an innocent, refined girl to the Church.
In the spring of 1840 Sister Bathsheba removed with her family to Nauvoo, and on July 25. 1841, she was married to the cousin of the Prophet Joseph, George A. Smith, who was then the youngest member of the Twelve Apostles.
On July 7, 1842, Sister Smith gave birth to her only son, George Albert. In the fall of 1843. Apostle George A. Smith and his wife Bathsheba received their endowments under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith and were united in the bonds of celestial marriage.
Naturally, Sister Smith was intimately acquainted with the prophet and his whole family. She often remarked in later years, that when her husband died she told him she wanted to go with him, but he replied, "No, you must stay here and bear testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith." which mission she certainly fulfilled.
Just a few days after the martyrdom, on the 14th of August, 1844, a daughter was born, whom they named Bathsheba; and shortly after this Sister Bathsheba gave to her husband several wives with the following beautiful expression of her feelings on that occasion: "Being proud of my husband and loving him very much, knowing him to be a man of God, and having a testimony that what I had done was acceptable to my Father in heaven, I was as happy as I knew how to be."
In 1846, Sister Smith left Nauvoo with the people and reached the valley in 1849. March, 1850, Sister Bathsheba moved into her own home. In 1860 occurred the greatest tragedy in the home-life of this noble woman. Her only son was sent on a mission to the Moqui Indians. On his way to the Navajo Reservation, on November 2, 1860, after he had traveled about seven hundred miles he was killed by the savage Navajo Indians. His bones were brought home but his loving mother never became quite reconciled to his loss. The death of her husband, in 1876, was a great shock to Sister Smith, but the natural poise and calm deliberation of her character, permitted her to recover and take up again the shattered threads of her life.
Sister Smith was one of the charter members of the Relief Society, organized March 17, 1842. She was present on the historic occasion and was among the first to take up active work in Utah, in the new movement made during the 60's She officiated as priestess in the Nauvoo temple; acted as first counselor to President Rachel Grant in the Relief Society of the Thirteenth ward. Salt Lake City, for many years; was a counselor to Mary I. Home in the General Retrenchment Association in the Fourteenth ward, and acted as treasurer of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake stake. She also officiated in the holy ordinances of the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, for many years, and was one of the board of directors in the Deseret Hospital. In the Seventeenth ward, where she was located several years later, she acted for a long time as treasurer of the ward Relief Society and subsequently as president of the organization. In 1887, when Sister Zina D. H. Young became president of all the Relief Societies in the Church, Sister Bathsheba was chosen as her second counselor, which position she filled until Sister Young's death. At a meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles, held in the Temple, Salt Lake City, October 31, 1901, Sister Bathsheba W. Smith was chosen to act as president of the Relief Societies in all the world.
Sister Bathsheba was an ordinance worker in the Logan temple for several years, and when the Salt Lake temple was completed, in 1893, she was chosen as one of the workers in that sacred edifice. June 30, 1893, Pres. Lorenzo Snow and his assistants appointed and set apart Sister Zina D. H. Young to take charge of the woman's department in the Salt Lake temple, with Bathsheba W. Smith as her first and Minnie J. Snow as her second assistant. Owing to the death of Sister Young in 1901, it fell to the lot of Sister Bathsheba to preside over the sisters in the temple, a position which she occupied until her death in 1910.
President Bathsheba W. Smith was a remarkable woman in many ways. Her mien was so calm, was so deliberate, her speech was so pleasant and her manner so genial, that some thought her weak; on the contrary, she had a powerful will and a determined spirit. Few are there who could surpass her in prudence, sanity or purpose. A fine loyalty to the priesthood, with a whimsical humor, which permitted her to see things in their true relation without much bias and certainly without personal resentment, kept her spirit sweet and her mind sound. She moved on her way with lovely dignity that marked her as one of the greatest women of the Church, of the period, and of the world.
Tingey, Martha H. "A Tribute of Love." Young Woman's Journal. July 1926. pg. 419-421.
A Tribute of Love
By President Martha H. Tingey
OUR Pioneer Mothers! God bless their memory! It has been my valued privilege to be in the company of many of the leading women of the Church since my early childhood. They were close friends and associates of my mother and I have accompanied her to their homes many times and she has entertained them in her home on many occasions, so that I had a good opportunity to become well acquainted with them and learn to love and revere them.
Let us remember that those women were not only Utah Pioneers, but may well be called the Pioneer mothers of Mormonism. They joined the Church in early days and passed through the trials and persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and were among those who were forced to leave their beloved Nauvoo with their husbands and little children and seek a home in the great unknown west.
Those men and women were all comparatively young people in the full strength and vigor of mind and body, with refined tastes and high ideals. All the drivings and mobbings they experienced could not rob them of those sterling qualities. The character and qualifications of the Pioneers of 1847 have always impressed me strongly. There were college men, tradesmen of all kinds, carpenters, masons, shoemakers and farmers, all of whom were necessary to the building up of a new and isolated community. The women were skilled in domestic duties, needlework, spinning, weaving, etc; and above all they loved God and had the courage to maintain their ideals and be true to the faith even in the face of poverty and severe trials. This has always been a testimony to me that the hand of the Lord was in the settling of the valleys of the Rocky Mountains.
1 wish to introduce to our Mutual girls the eight women who were first called to organize the Young Ladies’ Retrenchment . Association (the name being changed later to Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association), so that they may become somewhat acquainted with them and learn to appreciate and honor them.
Sister Eliza R. Snow was the eldest in years and experience in public work. She was dignified, refined, cultured, and possessed fine executive ability. She was an inspired poet and able writer, two volumes of her poems having been published. Her faith in God was unwavering and though she was not blessed with children she assisted many mothers in rearing their children, to many of whom she was very dear. She was eminently fitted to stand at the head of the Relief Society when it was reorganized about the year 1859.
Sister Zina D. H. Young, the third General President of the Relief Society was a different type, but a capable leader. She was a sweet, motherly, spiritual-minded woman. She never tired of ministering to the sick and afflicted, comforting, cheering and sustaining those in sorrow and trouble. She not only possessed those beautiful qualities which endeared her to all, but she also had faith, courage and will-power to a marked degree. I will relate one incident:
Aunt Zina, as we were all happy to call her, had a more than usual aversion to worms of all kinds. She said she thought it was born in her. When President Young became convinced that the silk industry could be made a success in Utah he started a cocoonery in the attic of his farm house, with thousands of silk worms. He then asked Aunt Zina to take charge of the work. She felt at first it would be impossible. But, anxious to do anything asked of her to help advance the interest of the community, she accepted the appointment and with determined effort so far overcame her aversion to the worms that she was able to make a success of the undertaking.
Such was the character of all of those pioneer women. They would never shrink from trying to perform any duty, however hard or disagreeable.
Aunt Zina was the mother of three children, all of whom do her honor. She also took the place of mother to four children of a deceased wife of President Young, who loved her as their own mother.
Sister M. Isabella Horne was another woman who deserves special mention. She was naturally a homemaker, the devoted mother of a large family. She brought three little sons with her when she left Nauvoo, and nine other children were born to her after that time. She had the satisfaction of seeing eleven of them married in the House of the Lord. One died in infancy.
It was quite a trial to Sister Horne to be called into public life, and especially to be asked to address a congregation. But she did not shirk when requested to take her part, and her faith in God and her strong will-power carried her through the ordeal and she became in time a very fluent speaker. She was a woman of strong character, good executive ability and excellent judgment. She was a lover of books from her childhood, and was a great reader with a splendid memory, so that her mind was well-stored with useful knowledge. In her youthful days books were not easily obtained so the Bible became almost her constant companion. So well versed was she in the scriptures that she was often referred to as the woman scriptorian.
Sister Horne was Treasurer of the General Board of the Relief Society for several years and was President of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake Stake for twenty-five years.
Sister Bathsheba W. Smith was another of the faithful, sterling characters of the early days, and became the fourth General President of the Relief Society. Sister Smith had a great sorrow come to her during the troublesome time of the settlement in the valley. Her only son was killed by Indians when far from home in the Southern part of Utah, leaving her with only one child—a daughter who lived to be a comfort to her and who reared a large family.
Sister Smith was especially qualified for Temple work and was appointed to take charge of the women’s work in the Salt Lake Temple when it was opened in 1893.
Sister Margaret Smoot, Marinda Hyde, Phebe Woodruff and Sarah M. Kimball were also strong, intelligent, capable women and devoted mothers. They with the four above mentioned were selected to organize the Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Association in the various wards and stakes. Sister Horne was chosen President of this special committee and the other seven sisters were Counselors and Secretary. It was quite a responsibility placed upon their shoulders when they were past middle age, and had reared their families under very trying conditions, in comparative poverty, with few of the comforts of life, to be called upon to go forth and assist in educating and training the young women throughout the Church in principles of the Gospel. But with characteristic courage and exceeding great faith that their Heavenly Father would bless their efforts and assist them in the mission to which they had been called, they cheerfully went forth in the performance of that duty, and we today have cause to “rise up and call them blessed.”
These sisters traveled from Idaho to St. George to effect the organizations, most of the journeys being made with teams and light or heavy wagons as the case might be, in all kinds of weather, as carriages were not plentiful in those early days.
Many other women were called to assist in this pioneer movement, but space will not permit of special mention in this article. In the Y. L. M. I. A. History will be found sketches of these noble women.
A Tribute of Love
By President Martha H. Tingey
OUR Pioneer Mothers! God bless their memory! It has been my valued privilege to be in the company of many of the leading women of the Church since my early childhood. They were close friends and associates of my mother and I have accompanied her to their homes many times and she has entertained them in her home on many occasions, so that I had a good opportunity to become well acquainted with them and learn to love and revere them.
Let us remember that those women were not only Utah Pioneers, but may well be called the Pioneer mothers of Mormonism. They joined the Church in early days and passed through the trials and persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and were among those who were forced to leave their beloved Nauvoo with their husbands and little children and seek a home in the great unknown west.
Those men and women were all comparatively young people in the full strength and vigor of mind and body, with refined tastes and high ideals. All the drivings and mobbings they experienced could not rob them of those sterling qualities. The character and qualifications of the Pioneers of 1847 have always impressed me strongly. There were college men, tradesmen of all kinds, carpenters, masons, shoemakers and farmers, all of whom were necessary to the building up of a new and isolated community. The women were skilled in domestic duties, needlework, spinning, weaving, etc; and above all they loved God and had the courage to maintain their ideals and be true to the faith even in the face of poverty and severe trials. This has always been a testimony to me that the hand of the Lord was in the settling of the valleys of the Rocky Mountains.
1 wish to introduce to our Mutual girls the eight women who were first called to organize the Young Ladies’ Retrenchment . Association (the name being changed later to Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association), so that they may become somewhat acquainted with them and learn to appreciate and honor them.
Sister Eliza R. Snow was the eldest in years and experience in public work. She was dignified, refined, cultured, and possessed fine executive ability. She was an inspired poet and able writer, two volumes of her poems having been published. Her faith in God was unwavering and though she was not blessed with children she assisted many mothers in rearing their children, to many of whom she was very dear. She was eminently fitted to stand at the head of the Relief Society when it was reorganized about the year 1859.
Sister Zina D. H. Young, the third General President of the Relief Society was a different type, but a capable leader. She was a sweet, motherly, spiritual-minded woman. She never tired of ministering to the sick and afflicted, comforting, cheering and sustaining those in sorrow and trouble. She not only possessed those beautiful qualities which endeared her to all, but she also had faith, courage and will-power to a marked degree. I will relate one incident:
Aunt Zina, as we were all happy to call her, had a more than usual aversion to worms of all kinds. She said she thought it was born in her. When President Young became convinced that the silk industry could be made a success in Utah he started a cocoonery in the attic of his farm house, with thousands of silk worms. He then asked Aunt Zina to take charge of the work. She felt at first it would be impossible. But, anxious to do anything asked of her to help advance the interest of the community, she accepted the appointment and with determined effort so far overcame her aversion to the worms that she was able to make a success of the undertaking.
Such was the character of all of those pioneer women. They would never shrink from trying to perform any duty, however hard or disagreeable.
Aunt Zina was the mother of three children, all of whom do her honor. She also took the place of mother to four children of a deceased wife of President Young, who loved her as their own mother.
Sister M. Isabella Horne was another woman who deserves special mention. She was naturally a homemaker, the devoted mother of a large family. She brought three little sons with her when she left Nauvoo, and nine other children were born to her after that time. She had the satisfaction of seeing eleven of them married in the House of the Lord. One died in infancy.
It was quite a trial to Sister Horne to be called into public life, and especially to be asked to address a congregation. But she did not shirk when requested to take her part, and her faith in God and her strong will-power carried her through the ordeal and she became in time a very fluent speaker. She was a woman of strong character, good executive ability and excellent judgment. She was a lover of books from her childhood, and was a great reader with a splendid memory, so that her mind was well-stored with useful knowledge. In her youthful days books were not easily obtained so the Bible became almost her constant companion. So well versed was she in the scriptures that she was often referred to as the woman scriptorian.
Sister Horne was Treasurer of the General Board of the Relief Society for several years and was President of the Relief Society of the Salt Lake Stake for twenty-five years.
Sister Bathsheba W. Smith was another of the faithful, sterling characters of the early days, and became the fourth General President of the Relief Society. Sister Smith had a great sorrow come to her during the troublesome time of the settlement in the valley. Her only son was killed by Indians when far from home in the Southern part of Utah, leaving her with only one child—a daughter who lived to be a comfort to her and who reared a large family.
Sister Smith was especially qualified for Temple work and was appointed to take charge of the women’s work in the Salt Lake Temple when it was opened in 1893.
Sister Margaret Smoot, Marinda Hyde, Phebe Woodruff and Sarah M. Kimball were also strong, intelligent, capable women and devoted mothers. They with the four above mentioned were selected to organize the Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Association in the various wards and stakes. Sister Horne was chosen President of this special committee and the other seven sisters were Counselors and Secretary. It was quite a responsibility placed upon their shoulders when they were past middle age, and had reared their families under very trying conditions, in comparative poverty, with few of the comforts of life, to be called upon to go forth and assist in educating and training the young women throughout the Church in principles of the Gospel. But with characteristic courage and exceeding great faith that their Heavenly Father would bless their efforts and assist them in the mission to which they had been called, they cheerfully went forth in the performance of that duty, and we today have cause to “rise up and call them blessed.”
These sisters traveled from Idaho to St. George to effect the organizations, most of the journeys being made with teams and light or heavy wagons as the case might be, in all kinds of weather, as carriages were not plentiful in those early days.
Many other women were called to assist in this pioneer movement, but space will not permit of special mention in this article. In the Y. L. M. I. A. History will be found sketches of these noble women.
Barker, Kate M. "Presentation of Bathsheba W. Smith Portrait." Relief Society Magazine. June 1930. pg. 338.
Presentation of Bathsheba W. Smith Portrait
By Kate M. Barker
ON April 3, 1930, the painting of Bathsheba W. Smith took a permanent place in the Alice Art Collection in the State Capitol. Mrs. Julia A. F. Lund, General Secretary of the Relief Society, presided at the ceremonies and introduced Mrs. Louise Y. Robison, who presented the portrait to the state. The picture was unveiled by Mary Shepherd Home Winder, a daughter of Mrs. Alice Merrill Home, and great-granddaughter of Bathsheba W. Smith. It was accepted in behalf of the state by Joseph A. Everett, a member of the Utah Art Institute.
The portrait of "Aunt Bathsheba" was painted by Lee Greene Richards soon after his return from studying in Paris. In the portrait Sister Smith is wearing a dress of white silk made in Utah and given to her by the General Board of the Relief Society.
A smaller painting of "Aunt Bathsheba" hangs in the Relief Society Offices, together with the other fine portraits of former Presidents of the Relief Society, all painted by Utah artists. The large portrait, now in the state capitol, was intended for this collection, but was found too large. Then for several years it hung in the Art Room of the University of Utah. The feeling that a permanent place should be found for it, led to its presentation to the Alice Art Collection. The Alice Art Collection, in which the picture has found a permanent place, was named in honor of Mrs. Alice Merrill Home, who was the author of the bill providing for the Utah Art Institute, and who has always been untiring in her efforts to foster art and encourage our Utah artists. The fact that Mrs. Home is a granddaughter of Bathsheba W. Smith and a former member of the General Board of the Relief Society makes the gift of the portrait to the Alice Art Collection particularly appropriate.
Presentation of Bathsheba W. Smith Portrait
By Kate M. Barker
ON April 3, 1930, the painting of Bathsheba W. Smith took a permanent place in the Alice Art Collection in the State Capitol. Mrs. Julia A. F. Lund, General Secretary of the Relief Society, presided at the ceremonies and introduced Mrs. Louise Y. Robison, who presented the portrait to the state. The picture was unveiled by Mary Shepherd Home Winder, a daughter of Mrs. Alice Merrill Home, and great-granddaughter of Bathsheba W. Smith. It was accepted in behalf of the state by Joseph A. Everett, a member of the Utah Art Institute.
The portrait of "Aunt Bathsheba" was painted by Lee Greene Richards soon after his return from studying in Paris. In the portrait Sister Smith is wearing a dress of white silk made in Utah and given to her by the General Board of the Relief Society.
A smaller painting of "Aunt Bathsheba" hangs in the Relief Society Offices, together with the other fine portraits of former Presidents of the Relief Society, all painted by Utah artists. The large portrait, now in the state capitol, was intended for this collection, but was found too large. Then for several years it hung in the Art Room of the University of Utah. The feeling that a permanent place should be found for it, led to its presentation to the Alice Art Collection. The Alice Art Collection, in which the picture has found a permanent place, was named in honor of Mrs. Alice Merrill Home, who was the author of the bill providing for the Utah Art Institute, and who has always been untiring in her efforts to foster art and encourage our Utah artists. The fact that Mrs. Home is a granddaughter of Bathsheba W. Smith and a former member of the General Board of the Relief Society makes the gift of the portrait to the Alice Art Collection particularly appropriate.
"Bathsheba W. Smith." Instructor. March 1948. pg. 105, 121.
Our Cover Picture
While residing on a farm in old Virginia, Bathsheba W. Bigler, then in her teens, and her family became converts and in August of 1837 joined the recently established Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly afterwards, the youthful George A. Smith, as a missionary in this region, became acquainted with the family and was especially well impressed with Bathsheba. In February, 1838, while doing missionary work elsewhere, he wrote to Bathsheba asking her consent to become his bride in about three years or as soon thereafter as circumstances would permit. She replied by quoting from the Book of Ruth, chapter 1, verse 16: "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Thus began a romance growing out of mutual admiration and a common and very sincere religious faith.
The marriage took place in Nauvoo in July, 1841. Through the more than three years of waiting George A. Smith was engaged chiefly in missionary work in America and in the British Isles where he was associated with other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, including Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards.
The married life of George A. and Bathsheba began under most humble circumstances — the first month they spent with relatives, then set up housekeeping in a small, mostly unfurnished cabin. The romance, however, was a never-ending one under the everlasting covenant and a most exalted religious purpose.
To them were born in Nauvoo in 1842 George Albert and in 1844 Bathsheba; later in Winter Quarters a second son was born who died in infancy. George Albert was killed by Indians in 1861 while he was laboring as a missionary under the leadership of Jacob Hamblin. The daughter, Bathsheba, became the mother of a large family.
George A. died in 1876, and Bathsheba was a widow for nearly 35 years. During this time she had an important part in the rearing of several of her grandchildren, in eluding Alice Merrill Home, Mrs. David R. Allen, and Mrs. Stephen L Richards. She was highly respected and trusted by all of her husband's large family, and was intensely interested in the educational and religious development of all of his children and his grandchildren. She was especially concerned with the educational work of her own grandchildren and joined some of them in their home studies while they were students in the University of Deseret (now University of Utah).
During her lifetime she spent much time as an ordinance worker in the Nauvoo Temple, the Salt Lake Endowment House, the Salt Lake Temple and the Logan Temple.
She became a member of the presidency of the L.D.S. Relief Societies of the Church in 1892; she became president in October, 1901. This office she held until her death in September, 1910.—M.B.
Our Cover Picture
While residing on a farm in old Virginia, Bathsheba W. Bigler, then in her teens, and her family became converts and in August of 1837 joined the recently established Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly afterwards, the youthful George A. Smith, as a missionary in this region, became acquainted with the family and was especially well impressed with Bathsheba. In February, 1838, while doing missionary work elsewhere, he wrote to Bathsheba asking her consent to become his bride in about three years or as soon thereafter as circumstances would permit. She replied by quoting from the Book of Ruth, chapter 1, verse 16: "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Thus began a romance growing out of mutual admiration and a common and very sincere religious faith.
The marriage took place in Nauvoo in July, 1841. Through the more than three years of waiting George A. Smith was engaged chiefly in missionary work in America and in the British Isles where he was associated with other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, including Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards.
The married life of George A. and Bathsheba began under most humble circumstances — the first month they spent with relatives, then set up housekeeping in a small, mostly unfurnished cabin. The romance, however, was a never-ending one under the everlasting covenant and a most exalted religious purpose.
To them were born in Nauvoo in 1842 George Albert and in 1844 Bathsheba; later in Winter Quarters a second son was born who died in infancy. George Albert was killed by Indians in 1861 while he was laboring as a missionary under the leadership of Jacob Hamblin. The daughter, Bathsheba, became the mother of a large family.
George A. died in 1876, and Bathsheba was a widow for nearly 35 years. During this time she had an important part in the rearing of several of her grandchildren, in eluding Alice Merrill Home, Mrs. David R. Allen, and Mrs. Stephen L Richards. She was highly respected and trusted by all of her husband's large family, and was intensely interested in the educational and religious development of all of his children and his grandchildren. She was especially concerned with the educational work of her own grandchildren and joined some of them in their home studies while they were students in the University of Deseret (now University of Utah).
During her lifetime she spent much time as an ordinance worker in the Nauvoo Temple, the Salt Lake Endowment House, the Salt Lake Temple and the Logan Temple.
She became a member of the presidency of the L.D.S. Relief Societies of the Church in 1892; she became president in October, 1901. This office she held until her death in September, 1910.—M.B.
Nibley, Preston. "She Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith - Bathsheba W. Smith." Relief Society Magazine. June 1962. pg. 410-411.
She Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith PART lll-BATHSHEBA W. SMITH Preston Nibley Assistant Church Historian MRS. Bathsheba W. Smith, who was General President of the Relief Societies of the Church from 1901 to 1910, was well acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was born at Shinnston, West Virginia, on May 3, 1822. She joined the Church in August 1837, when she was fifteen years of age. The year following her baptism she went with her parents to Missouri, and at Quincy, Illinois, in the spring of 1839, she saw the Prophet for the first time and heard him speak. In 1841 she was married to George A. Smith, a cousin of the Prophet, and at that time the youngest of the apostles. Sister Smith wrote the following in 1905. She died in Salt Lake City in 1910, the last one of those faithful sisters present at the first meeting of Relief Society in 1842. “I joined the Church in Harrison County, West Virginia, in 1837. Not long afterwards, in the fall of 1838, I was very anxious to go to Missouri. I told my sister I wanted to go with her. She said, 'Oh no'; and as there was only one wagon for the family to travel in, she could not take me. It hurt my feelings very much and I commenced to cry. When I went upstairs to bed a voice said to me, 'Weep not; you will go this fall.' I wiped my eyes and was as happy as anybody you ever saw. Next morning my sister said, Tou have got over feeling so badly, because you could not go to Missouri.' 'But I am going this fall’ was my reply. I felt just that sure about it. That was the first time I felt the whisperings of the voice of inspiration to me, but it has come to me since, in many of the worries and perplexities of life and given me assurance and peace. "Father sold his farm in West Virginia, and we moved to Missouri in 1838. We went to Illinois in February 1839, but did not see the Prophet Joseph until the spring, when he got out of prison and came to Illinois. A conference was called soon after Joseph and his brethren arrived at Quincy. My brother took my sisters and me and went to that conference, and there I saw Joseph for the first time and heard him speak. I knew he was a Prophet of God, when I joined the Church, before I saw him; my testimony was strengthened when I heard him preach, though at this time I did not get to speak to him. I do not remember when I did first speak to him and shake hands with him. “The Prophet was a handsome man—splendid looking, a large man, tall and fair. He had a very nice complexion, his eyes were blue, and his hair a golden brown. ''My first impressions were that he was an extraordinary man—a man of great penetration; he was different from any other man I ever saw; he had the most heavenly countenance, was genial, affable and kind, and looked the soul of honor and integrity. “I have heard the Prophet Joseph preach many a time. I have heard him prophesy, and I never knew but that everything came to pass that he said. "Joseph said we would come to the Rocky Mountains, and he had a company of young men selected to hunt a location for a home for the Saints. Samuel W. Richards was one of that company. I heard of it when we were in Illinois, and remember an old lady coming in and talking to my mother, about what Joseph the Prophet had said that we would be in the Rocky Mountains sometime. I said I would like to go soon; I would like to get away from our enemies. She gave me a right good scolding, saying it was terrible to think of going to the Rocky Mountains. "Joseph attended one of our Relief Society meetings in the lodge room. He opened the meeting by prayer. His voice trembled very much, after which he addressed us. He said: 'According to my prayer I will not be with you long to teach and instruct you, and the world will not be troubled with me much longer.' "My testimony today is, I know Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet, as well as I know anything; I know that he was just what he professed to be. I am the only one now living who had her endowments while he was alive, and I received them in Nauvoo before the Temple was built. I have seen many good men, but they had not the gift and blessing that Joseph had. He was truly a Prophet of God" (Young Woman's Journal, December 1905). |
The Prophet Joseph Smith
From a painting made by an unknown artist Bathsheba W. Smith
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