Zina D. H. Young
Born: 31 January 1821
Called as First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 19 June 1880
Called as Relief Society General President: 8 April 1888
Died: 28 August 1901
Called as First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency: 19 June 1880
Called as Relief Society General President: 8 April 1888
Died: 28 August 1901
Conference TalksImage source: Relief Society Magazine, August 1915
Image source: Juvenile Instructor, July 1901
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Image source: Relief Society Magazine, March 1921
Image source: Relief Society Magazine, March 1920
Image source: Young Women's Journal, June 1901
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Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Juvenile Instructor, 1 June 1885, An Incident of Early Days
Young Woman's Journal, April 1893, Sketch of Sister Zina D. Young
Young Woman's Journal, April 1893, How I Gained My Testimony of the Truth
Young Woman's Journal, June 1901, Zina D. H. Young
Young Woman's Journal, June 1901, Past Three Score Years and Ten
Juvenile Instructor, 15 September 1901, Aunt Zina
Young Woman's Journal, October 1901, Aunt Zina
Young Woman's Journal, October 1901, Aunt Zina D. H. Young
Improvement Era, November 1901, Zina D. H. Young - A Character Sketch
Relief Society Magazine, March 1920, The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society
Relief Society Magazine, March 1921, Centennial of President Zina D. Huntington Young
Young Woman's Journal, July 1926, A Tribute to Love
Ensign, March 1984, Great-Grandmother Zina: A More Personal Portrait
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Juvenile Instructor, 1 June 1885, An Incident of Early Days
Young Woman's Journal, April 1893, Sketch of Sister Zina D. Young
Young Woman's Journal, April 1893, How I Gained My Testimony of the Truth
Young Woman's Journal, June 1901, Zina D. H. Young
Young Woman's Journal, June 1901, Past Three Score Years and Ten
Juvenile Instructor, 15 September 1901, Aunt Zina
Young Woman's Journal, October 1901, Aunt Zina
Young Woman's Journal, October 1901, Aunt Zina D. H. Young
Improvement Era, November 1901, Zina D. H. Young - A Character Sketch
Relief Society Magazine, March 1920, The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society
Relief Society Magazine, March 1921, Centennial of President Zina D. Huntington Young
Young Woman's Journal, July 1926, A Tribute to Love
Ensign, March 1984, Great-Grandmother Zina: A More Personal Portrait
Jenson, Andrew. "Young, Zina Diantha Huntington." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 697-699.
YOUNG, Zina Diantha Huntington, third president of all the Relief Societies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born Jan. 31, 1821, in Watertown, Jefferson county. New York, the daughter of William Huntington and Zina Baker. Her father's family was a direct descendant from Simon Huntington, the Puritan immigrant who sailed for America in 1633. He died at sea, but left three sons and his widow, Margaret. The church records of Roxbury, Mass., contain the earliest record of the Huntington name known in New England, and in the hand-writing of the Rev. John Elliot himself, the pastor of that ancient church. Sister Zina's grandfather, Wm. Huntington, the revolutionary soldier, married Prescinda Lathrop, and was one of the first settlers in the Black River valley, northern New York. The Huntingtons and Lathrops intermarried. The Huntingtons embraced the fulness of the gospel at- Watertown, New York, and Zina D., when only fifteen years old, was baptized by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Aug. 1, 1835, and soon after went to Kirtland with her father's family. In this year she received the gift of tongues. On one occasion in the Kirtland Temple she heard a whole invisible choir of angels singing, till the house seemed filled with numberless voices. At Kirtland she received the gift of interpretation. She was also at the memorable Pentecost when the spirit of God filled the house like a mighty, rushing wind. Zina was a member of the Kirtland Temple choir. She experienced the persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and her mother died from fatigue and privation in Nauvoo, July 8, 1839. Only two of the family were able to follow her remains to their resting place. Sister Zina was married in Nauvoo, and had two sons, but this not proving a happy union, she subsequently separated from her husband. Joseph Smith taught her the principle of marriage for eternity, and she accepted it as a divine revelation, and was sealed to the Prophet, after the order of the new and everlasting covenant. Oct. 27, 1841, her brother Dimick officiating. Sister Zina was a member of the first organization of the Relief Society at Nauvoo, and when the Temple was ready for the ordinances to be performed, received there her blessings and endowments. After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, she was united in marriage for time to Brigham Young, and with others of the Saints left Nauvoo Feb. 9, 1846, crossing the Mississippi on the ice. Arriving at Mt. Pisgah, a resting place for the exiles, Father Huntington was called to preside and Zina D., with her two little boys, remained with him temporarily. Sickness visited the camp, and deaths were so frequent that help could not be obtained to make coffins. Many were buried with split logs at the bottom of the grave and brush at the sides, that being all that could be done by mourning friends. Her father was taken sick, and in eighteen days he died. After these days of trial she went to Winter Quarters, and was welcomed into the family by Brigham Young. With them, she in May, 1848, began the journey to Great Salt Lake valley, walking, driving team and cooking beside camp-fires. After her arrival in the Valley, in September, she lived in tents and wagons until log houses could be built. Here, April 3, 1850, was born Zina, daughter of Brigham Young and Zina D. H. Young. When the Relief Society was organized in Utah by Pres. Brigham Young, Sister Zina was one of the first identified with that work, as treasurer, and when a central organization of the Relief Societies in the Church was effected. June 19, 18S0, and Sister Eliza was called to preside over the same. Sister Zina was chosen as her first counselor, which position she occupied until the death of Sister Snow, in 1887, when she was appointed to fill the former's place as president of the society— a position which she held until her death. When in 1891 the local body became connected with the National Council of Women, Sister Young became vice president of the great national organization. One of the most useful fields of her labor was serial culture. She raised cocoons, attending to them with her own hands, and had charge of a large cocoonery and mulberry orchard belonging to Pres. Young. When the Silk Association was organized, June 15, 1876, she was chosen president. Great good was accomplished, mulberry trees were planted and cocoons raised in every part of the Territory where the climate would permit. A good article of silk was manufactured with home machinery. Sister Zina also took a course of medical studies, being one of the first to adopt the wish of Pres. Brigham Young, for as many of the sisters as would be useful for the practice in the many settlements, among their own sex, to qualify themselves. Ladies came from different settlements, stimulated by her example. In all departments of woman's labor for the public good. Sister Zina was found at her post doing her share of active work in the best manner possible. She traveled among the different settlements, visiting, organized societies or assisting Sister Eliza R. Snow, or the local authorities in organizing. .\t a mass meeting of ladies held in Salt Lake City. Nov. 16, 1878. Sister Zina delivered a very eloquent impromptu address. Sister Augusta J. Crocheron. one of the reporters on that occasion, noting the increasing earnestness in her voice and words, writes: "I raised my eyes to her standing just before the table we were using. Suddenly, as though her words struck home like an electric shock, several gentlemen sitting at my right hand, clutching the arms of the chairs, started as though they would rise to their feet; their faces burning with the truths they heard, their eyes fixed upon her fearless face and uplifted hands. I can never forget that moment. It was more than eloquence, it was inspiration. Following is a portion of her address: 'The principle of our religion that is assailed is one that lies deep in my heart. Could I ask the heavens to listen; could I beseech the earth to be still, and the brave men who possess the spirit of a Washington to hear what I am about to say. I am the daughter of a master mason! I am the widow of a master mason, who, when leaping from the window of Carthage jail pierced with bullets, made the masonic sign of distress; but. gentlemen (addressing the representatives of the press that were present), those signs were not heeded except by the God of heaven. That man, the Prophet of the Almighty, was massacred without mercy! Sisters, this is. the first time in my life that I have dared to give utterance to this fact, but I thought I could trust my soul to say it on this occasion; and I say it now in the fear of Israel's God, and I say it in the presence of these gentlemen, and I wish my voice could be heard by the whole brotherhood of masons through out our proud land. That institution I honor. If its principles were practiced and strictly adhered to, would there be a trespass upon virtues? No. indeed. Would the honorable wife or daughter be intruded upon with impunity? Nay. verily. Would that the ladies of America, with the honorable Mrs. Hayes at their head; would that the Congress of the United States, the law makers of our nation, could produce a balm for the many evils which exist in our land through the abuse of virtue, or could so legislate that virtue could be protected and cherished as the life which the heaven has given us. We in common with many women throughout our broad land, would hail with joy the approach of such deliverance. for such is the deliverance that woman needs. The principle of plural marriage is honorable. It is a principle of the Gods, it is heaven born. God revealed it to us as a saving principle; we have accepted it as such, and we know it is of him, for the fruits of it are holy. Even the Savior, himself, traces his lineage back to polygamic parents. We are proud of the principle, because we know its true worth, and we want our children to practice it, that through us a race of men and women may grow up possessing sound minds in sound bodies, who shall live to the age of a tree." During the summer of 1879 Sister Zina decided to take a trip to the Sandwich Islands for her health, and was accompanied by Miss Susa Young. She had the opportunity of meeting many persons of note to whom she imparted correct information regarding our people, distributing tracts and books. Great respect was paid her and many ovations. She assisted the native members of the Church in getting an organ for their meetings, and contributed liberally for other benevolent purposes. On her return she spent most of her time attending meetings of the various organizations. Sericulture was not forgotten or neglected. She also continued her labors in the House of the Lord. In the fall of 1880, Sisters Zina and Eliza R. Snow went to St. George, to labor in the Temple, and visited the organizations of the women and children, wherever practicable. They held meetings by the way, often camped out over night, and traveled thus over one thousand miles. Returning March 31, 1881, they were met at the depot by a party of thirty ladies, in carriages, who escorted them to the Lion House where a reception of welcome home awaited them. Aug. 20, 1881, accompanied by her foster son, Lieut. Willard Young, she started for New York to gather up the records of her relatives. Dr. E. B. Ferguson was going to purchase her medical studies further in some branches, to be of greater service among the people. Previous to their going they were blessed and set apart by the First Presidency of the Church, to speak upon the principles of the gospel if opportunity presented. Sister Zina was cordially received by her relatives, and invited to speak in Sunday school and temperance meetings. She visited New York city, and listened to many celebrated divines, attended the Woman's Congress at Buffalo, N. Y., but was refused five minutes to represent the women of Utah, visited Watertown, N. Y., then to Vermont, and thence to Albany county, and spoke in several meetings. Sister Zina returned to New York to attend the N. W. S. A. convention, without opportunity of addressing them. She, however, assisted the brethren in organizing a Relief Society in New York. With Lieut. Willard Young she visited West Point, and returned home March 7, 1881, received by her daughters and many friends, the return being the occasion for a most delightful party. Sister Young died at her home in Salt Lake City, Aug. 28, 1901. Sister Augusta J. Crocheron describes Sister Zina in the following language in her book, entitled "Representative Women of Deseret," published in 1884: "Picture and words are alike powerless to convey the beauty of her face, her spirit and her life. Each succeeding year adds a tenderer line to her face, a sweeter, gentler intonation to her voice, a more perceptible power to her spirit from the celestial fountains of faith, widens the circle of her friends, strengthens and deepens their love for her, and brings a richer harvest of noble labors to her name."
YOUNG, Zina Diantha Huntington, third president of all the Relief Societies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born Jan. 31, 1821, in Watertown, Jefferson county. New York, the daughter of William Huntington and Zina Baker. Her father's family was a direct descendant from Simon Huntington, the Puritan immigrant who sailed for America in 1633. He died at sea, but left three sons and his widow, Margaret. The church records of Roxbury, Mass., contain the earliest record of the Huntington name known in New England, and in the hand-writing of the Rev. John Elliot himself, the pastor of that ancient church. Sister Zina's grandfather, Wm. Huntington, the revolutionary soldier, married Prescinda Lathrop, and was one of the first settlers in the Black River valley, northern New York. The Huntingtons and Lathrops intermarried. The Huntingtons embraced the fulness of the gospel at- Watertown, New York, and Zina D., when only fifteen years old, was baptized by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Aug. 1, 1835, and soon after went to Kirtland with her father's family. In this year she received the gift of tongues. On one occasion in the Kirtland Temple she heard a whole invisible choir of angels singing, till the house seemed filled with numberless voices. At Kirtland she received the gift of interpretation. She was also at the memorable Pentecost when the spirit of God filled the house like a mighty, rushing wind. Zina was a member of the Kirtland Temple choir. She experienced the persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and her mother died from fatigue and privation in Nauvoo, July 8, 1839. Only two of the family were able to follow her remains to their resting place. Sister Zina was married in Nauvoo, and had two sons, but this not proving a happy union, she subsequently separated from her husband. Joseph Smith taught her the principle of marriage for eternity, and she accepted it as a divine revelation, and was sealed to the Prophet, after the order of the new and everlasting covenant. Oct. 27, 1841, her brother Dimick officiating. Sister Zina was a member of the first organization of the Relief Society at Nauvoo, and when the Temple was ready for the ordinances to be performed, received there her blessings and endowments. After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, she was united in marriage for time to Brigham Young, and with others of the Saints left Nauvoo Feb. 9, 1846, crossing the Mississippi on the ice. Arriving at Mt. Pisgah, a resting place for the exiles, Father Huntington was called to preside and Zina D., with her two little boys, remained with him temporarily. Sickness visited the camp, and deaths were so frequent that help could not be obtained to make coffins. Many were buried with split logs at the bottom of the grave and brush at the sides, that being all that could be done by mourning friends. Her father was taken sick, and in eighteen days he died. After these days of trial she went to Winter Quarters, and was welcomed into the family by Brigham Young. With them, she in May, 1848, began the journey to Great Salt Lake valley, walking, driving team and cooking beside camp-fires. After her arrival in the Valley, in September, she lived in tents and wagons until log houses could be built. Here, April 3, 1850, was born Zina, daughter of Brigham Young and Zina D. H. Young. When the Relief Society was organized in Utah by Pres. Brigham Young, Sister Zina was one of the first identified with that work, as treasurer, and when a central organization of the Relief Societies in the Church was effected. June 19, 18S0, and Sister Eliza was called to preside over the same. Sister Zina was chosen as her first counselor, which position she occupied until the death of Sister Snow, in 1887, when she was appointed to fill the former's place as president of the society— a position which she held until her death. When in 1891 the local body became connected with the National Council of Women, Sister Young became vice president of the great national organization. One of the most useful fields of her labor was serial culture. She raised cocoons, attending to them with her own hands, and had charge of a large cocoonery and mulberry orchard belonging to Pres. Young. When the Silk Association was organized, June 15, 1876, she was chosen president. Great good was accomplished, mulberry trees were planted and cocoons raised in every part of the Territory where the climate would permit. A good article of silk was manufactured with home machinery. Sister Zina also took a course of medical studies, being one of the first to adopt the wish of Pres. Brigham Young, for as many of the sisters as would be useful for the practice in the many settlements, among their own sex, to qualify themselves. Ladies came from different settlements, stimulated by her example. In all departments of woman's labor for the public good. Sister Zina was found at her post doing her share of active work in the best manner possible. She traveled among the different settlements, visiting, organized societies or assisting Sister Eliza R. Snow, or the local authorities in organizing. .\t a mass meeting of ladies held in Salt Lake City. Nov. 16, 1878. Sister Zina delivered a very eloquent impromptu address. Sister Augusta J. Crocheron. one of the reporters on that occasion, noting the increasing earnestness in her voice and words, writes: "I raised my eyes to her standing just before the table we were using. Suddenly, as though her words struck home like an electric shock, several gentlemen sitting at my right hand, clutching the arms of the chairs, started as though they would rise to their feet; their faces burning with the truths they heard, their eyes fixed upon her fearless face and uplifted hands. I can never forget that moment. It was more than eloquence, it was inspiration. Following is a portion of her address: 'The principle of our religion that is assailed is one that lies deep in my heart. Could I ask the heavens to listen; could I beseech the earth to be still, and the brave men who possess the spirit of a Washington to hear what I am about to say. I am the daughter of a master mason! I am the widow of a master mason, who, when leaping from the window of Carthage jail pierced with bullets, made the masonic sign of distress; but. gentlemen (addressing the representatives of the press that were present), those signs were not heeded except by the God of heaven. That man, the Prophet of the Almighty, was massacred without mercy! Sisters, this is. the first time in my life that I have dared to give utterance to this fact, but I thought I could trust my soul to say it on this occasion; and I say it now in the fear of Israel's God, and I say it in the presence of these gentlemen, and I wish my voice could be heard by the whole brotherhood of masons through out our proud land. That institution I honor. If its principles were practiced and strictly adhered to, would there be a trespass upon virtues? No. indeed. Would the honorable wife or daughter be intruded upon with impunity? Nay. verily. Would that the ladies of America, with the honorable Mrs. Hayes at their head; would that the Congress of the United States, the law makers of our nation, could produce a balm for the many evils which exist in our land through the abuse of virtue, or could so legislate that virtue could be protected and cherished as the life which the heaven has given us. We in common with many women throughout our broad land, would hail with joy the approach of such deliverance. for such is the deliverance that woman needs. The principle of plural marriage is honorable. It is a principle of the Gods, it is heaven born. God revealed it to us as a saving principle; we have accepted it as such, and we know it is of him, for the fruits of it are holy. Even the Savior, himself, traces his lineage back to polygamic parents. We are proud of the principle, because we know its true worth, and we want our children to practice it, that through us a race of men and women may grow up possessing sound minds in sound bodies, who shall live to the age of a tree." During the summer of 1879 Sister Zina decided to take a trip to the Sandwich Islands for her health, and was accompanied by Miss Susa Young. She had the opportunity of meeting many persons of note to whom she imparted correct information regarding our people, distributing tracts and books. Great respect was paid her and many ovations. She assisted the native members of the Church in getting an organ for their meetings, and contributed liberally for other benevolent purposes. On her return she spent most of her time attending meetings of the various organizations. Sericulture was not forgotten or neglected. She also continued her labors in the House of the Lord. In the fall of 1880, Sisters Zina and Eliza R. Snow went to St. George, to labor in the Temple, and visited the organizations of the women and children, wherever practicable. They held meetings by the way, often camped out over night, and traveled thus over one thousand miles. Returning March 31, 1881, they were met at the depot by a party of thirty ladies, in carriages, who escorted them to the Lion House where a reception of welcome home awaited them. Aug. 20, 1881, accompanied by her foster son, Lieut. Willard Young, she started for New York to gather up the records of her relatives. Dr. E. B. Ferguson was going to purchase her medical studies further in some branches, to be of greater service among the people. Previous to their going they were blessed and set apart by the First Presidency of the Church, to speak upon the principles of the gospel if opportunity presented. Sister Zina was cordially received by her relatives, and invited to speak in Sunday school and temperance meetings. She visited New York city, and listened to many celebrated divines, attended the Woman's Congress at Buffalo, N. Y., but was refused five minutes to represent the women of Utah, visited Watertown, N. Y., then to Vermont, and thence to Albany county, and spoke in several meetings. Sister Zina returned to New York to attend the N. W. S. A. convention, without opportunity of addressing them. She, however, assisted the brethren in organizing a Relief Society in New York. With Lieut. Willard Young she visited West Point, and returned home March 7, 1881, received by her daughters and many friends, the return being the occasion for a most delightful party. Sister Young died at her home in Salt Lake City, Aug. 28, 1901. Sister Augusta J. Crocheron describes Sister Zina in the following language in her book, entitled "Representative Women of Deseret," published in 1884: "Picture and words are alike powerless to convey the beauty of her face, her spirit and her life. Each succeeding year adds a tenderer line to her face, a sweeter, gentler intonation to her voice, a more perceptible power to her spirit from the celestial fountains of faith, widens the circle of her friends, strengthens and deepens their love for her, and brings a richer harvest of noble labors to her name."
Jenson, Andrew. "Young, Zina Diantha." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 201.
YOUNG, Zina Diantha, a member of the Relief Society in Nauvoo and third general president of the National Woman's Relief Society (1888 to 1901), was born Jan. 31, 1821, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., a daughter of William Huntington and Zina Baker. "Aunt Zina," as she was affectionately known, was baptized by Elder Hyrum Smith in New York in August, 1835. She was a member of the temple choir at Kirtland, Ohio, and came to Utah in September, 1848. She was a wife of Pres. Brigham Young and was noted for her deep spirituality and pleasing personality. She was especially active in caring for the sick and prepared herself for this work by taking a course in nursing and midwifery under Dr. Willard Richards. She later established a school for nursing in the old Social Hall. Being a practical woman she made her own candles, soap, starch, etc., before such things were obtainable except at a very high price. She was a carder, spinner and weaver of cloth and chairman of the sericulture project for the State of Utah. Before becoming general president of Relief Society she had served as first counselor in the presidency of the Central Board of Relief Society from 1866 to 1888. During her presidency, annual dues were established, and the Relief Society became affiliated with the National Council of Women (1891). She presided over the women in the Salt Lake Temple for a number of years. Sister Young represented the Relief Society at meetings of the National Council of Women, National Woman's Suffrage Association and at the World Congress of Women at Chicago in 1893. Besides being the mother of three children she reared four other children as her own. She died Aug. 28, 1901. (See also Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 697.)
YOUNG, Zina Diantha, a member of the Relief Society in Nauvoo and third general president of the National Woman's Relief Society (1888 to 1901), was born Jan. 31, 1821, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., a daughter of William Huntington and Zina Baker. "Aunt Zina," as she was affectionately known, was baptized by Elder Hyrum Smith in New York in August, 1835. She was a member of the temple choir at Kirtland, Ohio, and came to Utah in September, 1848. She was a wife of Pres. Brigham Young and was noted for her deep spirituality and pleasing personality. She was especially active in caring for the sick and prepared herself for this work by taking a course in nursing and midwifery under Dr. Willard Richards. She later established a school for nursing in the old Social Hall. Being a practical woman she made her own candles, soap, starch, etc., before such things were obtainable except at a very high price. She was a carder, spinner and weaver of cloth and chairman of the sericulture project for the State of Utah. Before becoming general president of Relief Society she had served as first counselor in the presidency of the Central Board of Relief Society from 1866 to 1888. During her presidency, annual dues were established, and the Relief Society became affiliated with the National Council of Women (1891). She presided over the women in the Salt Lake Temple for a number of years. Sister Young represented the Relief Society at meetings of the National Council of Women, National Woman's Suffrage Association and at the World Congress of Women at Chicago in 1893. Besides being the mother of three children she reared four other children as her own. She died Aug. 28, 1901. (See also Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 697.)
"An Incident of Early Days." Juvenile Instructor. 1 June 1885. pg. 164.
AN INCIDENT OF EARLY DAYS.
Years ago, when the Saints first came to these valleys, there was a good sister who was very poor, just as all the people were. She had two little children and her heart ached many times because she had no bread to give them. One day they were very hungry and their mother said to them: "Go into the loft, children, and ask God to bless us and send us some bread."
Up the ladder they climbed and the little girl, being the oldest, prayed first, telling her little brother that he must pray when she said "Amen." After an earnest prayer from the dear child she paused, and the little brother said, in a solemn voice:
"O, Lord; we are hungry, and ma's hungry! Please send us some bread—and some sweet-cake, too—for Jesus' sake. Amen."
Then they went down to their mother, who sat at the foot of the ladder with tearful eyes, but a heart full of faith that the prayers of her innocent little ones would be answered.
In an hour after, a neighbor entered with two loaves of bread and a big cake baked in a pan. It was only a molasses cake, but, oh, how good it tasted to those hungry souls! Thus, you see, God heard and answered their prayers.
Zina.
AN INCIDENT OF EARLY DAYS.
Years ago, when the Saints first came to these valleys, there was a good sister who was very poor, just as all the people were. She had two little children and her heart ached many times because she had no bread to give them. One day they were very hungry and their mother said to them: "Go into the loft, children, and ask God to bless us and send us some bread."
Up the ladder they climbed and the little girl, being the oldest, prayed first, telling her little brother that he must pray when she said "Amen." After an earnest prayer from the dear child she paused, and the little brother said, in a solemn voice:
"O, Lord; we are hungry, and ma's hungry! Please send us some bread—and some sweet-cake, too—for Jesus' sake. Amen."
Then they went down to their mother, who sat at the foot of the ladder with tearful eyes, but a heart full of faith that the prayers of her innocent little ones would be answered.
In an hour after, a neighbor entered with two loaves of bread and a big cake baked in a pan. It was only a molasses cake, but, oh, how good it tasted to those hungry souls! Thus, you see, God heard and answered their prayers.
Zina.
"Sketch of Sister Zina D. Young." Young Woman's Journal. April 1893. pg. 292-294.
SKETCH OF SISTER ZINA D. YOUNG.
WORKER IN THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE.
The life and labors of this noble woman are almost as familiar to the dweller in Zion as are the sweet, mild features now before us in the central figure of the group. But so crowded with incidents and experiences has been her life, that pages might be filled of new and interesting material which has never been told.
The few outline details are well known, but I will repeat them. Sister Zina D. Young was born in Watterton, Jefferson Co., New York. Her parents were raised in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, and were devout, faithful members of that Church. Her childhood was a life of pleasantness and peace. The incidents of her hearing and receiving the gospel will be related in a subsequent number of this Journal.
Her life in Nauvoo was one of work, care and anxiety. Yet so deeply had she drank of the fountain of all truth that joy and blessed content filled her soul with an infinite peace. She was among God’s people, and what mattered the rest?
Her brother Oliver drove the team with which she crossed the plains, and on arriving here her wagon box was set off on the spot now occupied by the old school house built by President Young. A few days passed, and seeing so many children running about with no chance for even the rudiments of an education, she could not content herself until she had called them in from their idle play and started a school, which work, with the care of her children and the housework, closely occupied her time. There was another and most laudable object. The burdens upon the shoulders of President Brigham Young in the care and support of his large and growing family were exceedingly heavy. If this loyal, loving wife could do aught to assist in bearing that financial burden by earning a little herself her heart and her hands were only too anxious to assume that labor. How loyally and how lovingly Aunt Zina refers again and still again in telling these incidents to the noble, generous care extended by Brigham Young to his family, and even to his friends and acquaintances was stretched out the pavilion of his thoughtful care.
The little room in the fort occupied by Aunt Zina, secured for her by her brother, Dimick Huntington, was not only school room through the day to the children of the fort; it served as a place of night meeting, being used nearly every night for many of the minor priesthood meetings. Here occasionally the young men were called together by Elder Jedediah M. Grant, and here they listened to the wise and stirring admonitions of that powerful speaker. Always a “Mary” at heart, with a hungry love for the sweet, spiritual things of the kingdom, Aunt Zina sat in happy silence at all these various meetings convened in her room, proudly content that she could be thus honored. It was no trouble for her to prepare for their coming, nor to clean after they were gone. That work was not work, it was pleasure. She speaks of the sermons of Elder Grant to these young men with enthusiasm. “Aim high, young men,” was one of his frequent admonitions. Again, “You all make an atmosphere for yourselves.”
When the log row’ was built by President Young she moved into the part assigned to her. She was always a tender-hearted girl and woman, and no one in sickness or trouble came for her assistance in vain. I asked her when she began to go about nursing the sick. She replied smilingly, she did not know, it was so long ago. Certainly from her early girlhood she never ceased in that labor: teaching school, going about nights if called on by the sick, taking good care of her own children as well as mothering Indian girls or others placed under her charge for temporary care, washing, ironing, spinning, weaving, cooking and cleaning, this queen among women still found time to attend to all her meetings. She was treasurer of the Eighteenth Ward Relief Society during the years of the Johnston episode, when the sisters wove and spun and clothed the defenders of themselves and the right. Notwithstanding all her duties, nothing but sickness kept her from Sabbath and other meetings. Do you say it was impossible to do all this and give little children proper care? Her children and step-children, except one, are all alive, and will bear testimony in no uncertain tones of the tender, watchful love which provided creature comforts for the body while never neglecting the far more important food and drink for the spiritual needs. Aun Zina was a member of the first board of health ever organized in this Territory.
After moving into the Lion House, in 1856, Aunt Zina began to make caps, besides spinning, weaving and knitting. Here, too, began the afterwards heavy labor which she was given of becoming a practical midwife. And until recent years this labor, with every sort of nursing and watching with the sick and dying, has been most arduously carried out by Aunt Zina. And still she went to meetings. The organization of Relief Societies, Retrenchment Associations, and Primaries has always found her active and willing to work in any and all fields.
In 1869 or ’70, President Young called upon her to assist in the work in the Endowment House, and to that labor she was most faithful until the house was finally closed. She too bears a faithful testimony to the wonderful gifts and healings made manifest in that holy house. Many, oh many, have said to Aunt Zina that after blessing in the Endowment House they have been entirely healed. She has been to the temple at St. George three times, each time having the privilege of assisting in the [ordinance work. While there she was seriously afflicted with the rheumatism, being severely crippled therefrom. Going into the baptismal font for her health, she came out perfectly sound and well. She has been thus healed many times, not being physically a strong constitutioned woman. But God and her own indomitable faith has kept her alive and actively engaged in good works until the present day.
She was once called to assist in starting the work in the Logan Temple. While there she received many manifestations of healing and the power of God. She speaks of a Sister Devinish who was a cripple and who threw away her crutches on entering the water, never to need them since, eight years ago. Also of a Sister Moffitt, of Ogden, who was healed of cancer in the breast at the Logan Temple.
She heard the angels sing in the Kirtland Temple, and while working in the Logan Temple her sister, Prescenda Kimball, and four others heard the singing of angels in that beautiful edifice.
She was in Canada on duty at the dedication of the Manti Temple, and on her first visit to that temple she felt a great yearning for some visible manifestation of the power of God. It was given her. As the services were beginning she beheld a most radiant and beautiful light, which shone with surpassing brilliancy even into her own eyes, and then gradually melted away. She was so happy to know that her own labors were thus accepted and her longing not deemed unworthy of gratification.
It would not be possible to detail all the thousands of cases of marvelous manifestations- and healings of which the long experience of Aunt Zina has made her a participant in or of which she has received a knowledge. Like the rest of her sisters, she is striving to prepare herself, body and mind, for the labor and blessing soon to begin in our latest and most glorious Temple at Salt Lake City.
SKETCH OF SISTER ZINA D. YOUNG.
WORKER IN THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE.
The life and labors of this noble woman are almost as familiar to the dweller in Zion as are the sweet, mild features now before us in the central figure of the group. But so crowded with incidents and experiences has been her life, that pages might be filled of new and interesting material which has never been told.
The few outline details are well known, but I will repeat them. Sister Zina D. Young was born in Watterton, Jefferson Co., New York. Her parents were raised in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, and were devout, faithful members of that Church. Her childhood was a life of pleasantness and peace. The incidents of her hearing and receiving the gospel will be related in a subsequent number of this Journal.
Her life in Nauvoo was one of work, care and anxiety. Yet so deeply had she drank of the fountain of all truth that joy and blessed content filled her soul with an infinite peace. She was among God’s people, and what mattered the rest?
Her brother Oliver drove the team with which she crossed the plains, and on arriving here her wagon box was set off on the spot now occupied by the old school house built by President Young. A few days passed, and seeing so many children running about with no chance for even the rudiments of an education, she could not content herself until she had called them in from their idle play and started a school, which work, with the care of her children and the housework, closely occupied her time. There was another and most laudable object. The burdens upon the shoulders of President Brigham Young in the care and support of his large and growing family were exceedingly heavy. If this loyal, loving wife could do aught to assist in bearing that financial burden by earning a little herself her heart and her hands were only too anxious to assume that labor. How loyally and how lovingly Aunt Zina refers again and still again in telling these incidents to the noble, generous care extended by Brigham Young to his family, and even to his friends and acquaintances was stretched out the pavilion of his thoughtful care.
The little room in the fort occupied by Aunt Zina, secured for her by her brother, Dimick Huntington, was not only school room through the day to the children of the fort; it served as a place of night meeting, being used nearly every night for many of the minor priesthood meetings. Here occasionally the young men were called together by Elder Jedediah M. Grant, and here they listened to the wise and stirring admonitions of that powerful speaker. Always a “Mary” at heart, with a hungry love for the sweet, spiritual things of the kingdom, Aunt Zina sat in happy silence at all these various meetings convened in her room, proudly content that she could be thus honored. It was no trouble for her to prepare for their coming, nor to clean after they were gone. That work was not work, it was pleasure. She speaks of the sermons of Elder Grant to these young men with enthusiasm. “Aim high, young men,” was one of his frequent admonitions. Again, “You all make an atmosphere for yourselves.”
When the log row’ was built by President Young she moved into the part assigned to her. She was always a tender-hearted girl and woman, and no one in sickness or trouble came for her assistance in vain. I asked her when she began to go about nursing the sick. She replied smilingly, she did not know, it was so long ago. Certainly from her early girlhood she never ceased in that labor: teaching school, going about nights if called on by the sick, taking good care of her own children as well as mothering Indian girls or others placed under her charge for temporary care, washing, ironing, spinning, weaving, cooking and cleaning, this queen among women still found time to attend to all her meetings. She was treasurer of the Eighteenth Ward Relief Society during the years of the Johnston episode, when the sisters wove and spun and clothed the defenders of themselves and the right. Notwithstanding all her duties, nothing but sickness kept her from Sabbath and other meetings. Do you say it was impossible to do all this and give little children proper care? Her children and step-children, except one, are all alive, and will bear testimony in no uncertain tones of the tender, watchful love which provided creature comforts for the body while never neglecting the far more important food and drink for the spiritual needs. Aun Zina was a member of the first board of health ever organized in this Territory.
After moving into the Lion House, in 1856, Aunt Zina began to make caps, besides spinning, weaving and knitting. Here, too, began the afterwards heavy labor which she was given of becoming a practical midwife. And until recent years this labor, with every sort of nursing and watching with the sick and dying, has been most arduously carried out by Aunt Zina. And still she went to meetings. The organization of Relief Societies, Retrenchment Associations, and Primaries has always found her active and willing to work in any and all fields.
In 1869 or ’70, President Young called upon her to assist in the work in the Endowment House, and to that labor she was most faithful until the house was finally closed. She too bears a faithful testimony to the wonderful gifts and healings made manifest in that holy house. Many, oh many, have said to Aunt Zina that after blessing in the Endowment House they have been entirely healed. She has been to the temple at St. George three times, each time having the privilege of assisting in the [ordinance work. While there she was seriously afflicted with the rheumatism, being severely crippled therefrom. Going into the baptismal font for her health, she came out perfectly sound and well. She has been thus healed many times, not being physically a strong constitutioned woman. But God and her own indomitable faith has kept her alive and actively engaged in good works until the present day.
She was once called to assist in starting the work in the Logan Temple. While there she received many manifestations of healing and the power of God. She speaks of a Sister Devinish who was a cripple and who threw away her crutches on entering the water, never to need them since, eight years ago. Also of a Sister Moffitt, of Ogden, who was healed of cancer in the breast at the Logan Temple.
She heard the angels sing in the Kirtland Temple, and while working in the Logan Temple her sister, Prescenda Kimball, and four others heard the singing of angels in that beautiful edifice.
She was in Canada on duty at the dedication of the Manti Temple, and on her first visit to that temple she felt a great yearning for some visible manifestation of the power of God. It was given her. As the services were beginning she beheld a most radiant and beautiful light, which shone with surpassing brilliancy even into her own eyes, and then gradually melted away. She was so happy to know that her own labors were thus accepted and her longing not deemed unworthy of gratification.
It would not be possible to detail all the thousands of cases of marvelous manifestations- and healings of which the long experience of Aunt Zina has made her a participant in or of which she has received a knowledge. Like the rest of her sisters, she is striving to prepare herself, body and mind, for the labor and blessing soon to begin in our latest and most glorious Temple at Salt Lake City.
"How I Gained My Testimony of the Truth." Young Woman's Journal. April 1893. pg. 317-319.
HOW I GAINED MY TESTIMONY OF THE TRUTH.
IT was in the year 1831, and I was then but ten years old. There was some religious controversy in our neighborhood between the Presbyterians and the Congregationalists; the Presbyterians wanted to have their clergymen chosen and appointed by the clergymen themselves, and the Congregationalists wanted to have these appointments made by the people by vote themselves. My father was a deeply religious man, and he was anxious to know which would be the right way to proceed in this matter. If he discovered which was right then he would join the sect which held the proper form of worship procedure in this delicate matter. So he said he would get out his own Bible and see for himself what was there said.
I can remember my father sitting quietly perusing the Bible, determined to find the right way, his firm lips closed with the determination to succeed if success was possible. After many hours of study and reading, aided no doubt with hours of anxious prayer, father one day declared that none of the churches were right according to the way he read the Bible, for none of them had the organization peculiar to the primitive church. There were no prophets, no apostles, no spiritual gifts as were possessed by the ancient saints.
Nothing could shake him from this belief, and the more he thought and conversed upon the matter, the plainer and simpler it seemed to be presented to his understanding. While his mind was in this unsettled state the rumor reached us that there was a prophet in a distant country, who had found a new and golden Bible. The very word "prophet” caught my father’s ear and arrested his attention. He was anxious at once to go to this so- called "prophet" and test the strength of his claim.
A neighbor by the name of Joseph Wakefield, cooper by trade, was a companion of my father, and together they had discussed the matter of true and false religions for many an hour. When this rumor about the prophet reached us father and Mr. Wakefield had an earnest consultation as to which should go and see the man. That one should go was an accepted decision. After some talk, Mr. Wakefield thought he would be the better one to go, as he was not at work in the winter season, and my father, who was a wealthy farmer, always had stock to attend to even in the winter.
Mr. Wakefield, went at once to Seneca County, saw the boy prophet, received a convincing testimony of the truth, and returned with a heart full of zeal, bearing with him a copy of the new Bible, or as it is properly called, the Book of Mormon.
I was going to school that winter, and so did not hear all the talk that was carried on at home after the return of Mr. Wakefield, but I knew in substance what report he had brought with him. One day on my return from school I saw the Book of Mormon, that strange, new book, lying on the window sill of our sitting-room. I went up to the window, picked it up, and the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit accompanied it to such an extent that I pressed it to my bosom in a rapture of delight, murmuring as I did so, “This is the truth, truth, truth!”
In the following summer Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer came to our house and stayed several days. Father and mother had been baptized in the April of that same year, but neither myself nor my sister were baptized.
David Whitmer persuaded me to be baptized while they were at our home, but some way I did not accept his offer. I had told my sister-in-law, Fanny Huntingdon, that when she was baptized I would go with her.
The morning for the departure of these men from our house arrived, and I had not as yet become a member of the Church. That morning, a short time before they were to start, Hyrum Smith’s cousin rode up with a message that they could not leave that day, as my brother Dimick and his wife Fanny, my dear sister-in- law, were desirous of being baptized.
That morning at prayers I had presented to me a heavenly vision of a man going down into the water and baptizing someone. So when this message came I felt it was a testimony that the time had come for me to receive baptism. Brother Hyrum Smith was mouth in prayer, and in my secret soul I had a wish that he should baptize me. I had refused the coaxing of Brother Whitmer, as I told myself, because mother and father were going away from home, and I had all the home cares on me, and I feared I would be tempted to speak crossly or say something I ought not to after so sacred an ordinance as that; but this strong testimony that the proper time had arrived I did not dare treat lightly.
As soon as I consented to go with my brother and sister-in-law David Whitmer began talking about performing the office for us. Happily for me, however, Brother Hyrum was chosen by the others to be the proper one and I added my preference to their words. Accordingly, we all went down to the water and were baptized by Hyrum Smith, and confirmed under the hands of Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer.
Soon after this, the gift of tongues rested upon me with overwhelming force. I was somewhat alarmed at this strange manifestation, and so checked its utterance. What was my alarm, however, to discover that upon this action upon my part, the gift left me entirely, and I felt that I had offended that Holy Spirit by whose influence I had been so richly blessed.
I suffered a great deal in my feelings over this matter, and one day while mother and I were spinning together, I took courage and told her of the gift I had once possessed, and how, by checking it I had lost it entirely.
Mother appreciated my feelings, and told me to make it a matter of earnest prayer, that the gift might once more be given to me.
I walked down to a little spring in one of the meadows, and as I walked along I mused on my blessing and how I had turned away the Spirit of God. When I reached the spring, I knelt down and offered up a prayer to God and told Him if He could forgive my transgression, and give me back the lost gift, I would promise never to check it again, no matter where or when I felt its promptings.
I have kept this vow. but it has been a heavy cross at times, for I know that this gift is the least of all gifts, and it is oftentimes misunderstood and even treated lightly by those who should know better. Yet it is a gift of God, and should not be despised by him who receives it, but magnified to its extent, even as the lowest grade of the priesthood is the least of all, and yet it needs be magnified as earnestly as are the higher and greater offices.
From the day I received the sweet testimony of the Spirit, when grasping the precious Book of Mormon in my hands to my breast, I have never doubted nor faltered in my faith. I know this is the Church and Kingdom of God, and I rejoice in putting my testimony before the daughters of Zion, that their faith may be strengthened, and that the good work may roll on. Seek for a testimony, as you would, my dear sisters, for a diamond concealed. If someone told you by digging long enough in a certain spot you would find a diamond of unmeasured wealth, do you think you would begrudge time or strength, or means spent to obtain that treasure? Then I will tell you that if you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find, with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of the truth of this work. Zina D. H. Young.
HOW I GAINED MY TESTIMONY OF THE TRUTH.
IT was in the year 1831, and I was then but ten years old. There was some religious controversy in our neighborhood between the Presbyterians and the Congregationalists; the Presbyterians wanted to have their clergymen chosen and appointed by the clergymen themselves, and the Congregationalists wanted to have these appointments made by the people by vote themselves. My father was a deeply religious man, and he was anxious to know which would be the right way to proceed in this matter. If he discovered which was right then he would join the sect which held the proper form of worship procedure in this delicate matter. So he said he would get out his own Bible and see for himself what was there said.
I can remember my father sitting quietly perusing the Bible, determined to find the right way, his firm lips closed with the determination to succeed if success was possible. After many hours of study and reading, aided no doubt with hours of anxious prayer, father one day declared that none of the churches were right according to the way he read the Bible, for none of them had the organization peculiar to the primitive church. There were no prophets, no apostles, no spiritual gifts as were possessed by the ancient saints.
Nothing could shake him from this belief, and the more he thought and conversed upon the matter, the plainer and simpler it seemed to be presented to his understanding. While his mind was in this unsettled state the rumor reached us that there was a prophet in a distant country, who had found a new and golden Bible. The very word "prophet” caught my father’s ear and arrested his attention. He was anxious at once to go to this so- called "prophet" and test the strength of his claim.
A neighbor by the name of Joseph Wakefield, cooper by trade, was a companion of my father, and together they had discussed the matter of true and false religions for many an hour. When this rumor about the prophet reached us father and Mr. Wakefield had an earnest consultation as to which should go and see the man. That one should go was an accepted decision. After some talk, Mr. Wakefield thought he would be the better one to go, as he was not at work in the winter season, and my father, who was a wealthy farmer, always had stock to attend to even in the winter.
Mr. Wakefield, went at once to Seneca County, saw the boy prophet, received a convincing testimony of the truth, and returned with a heart full of zeal, bearing with him a copy of the new Bible, or as it is properly called, the Book of Mormon.
I was going to school that winter, and so did not hear all the talk that was carried on at home after the return of Mr. Wakefield, but I knew in substance what report he had brought with him. One day on my return from school I saw the Book of Mormon, that strange, new book, lying on the window sill of our sitting-room. I went up to the window, picked it up, and the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit accompanied it to such an extent that I pressed it to my bosom in a rapture of delight, murmuring as I did so, “This is the truth, truth, truth!”
In the following summer Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer came to our house and stayed several days. Father and mother had been baptized in the April of that same year, but neither myself nor my sister were baptized.
David Whitmer persuaded me to be baptized while they were at our home, but some way I did not accept his offer. I had told my sister-in-law, Fanny Huntingdon, that when she was baptized I would go with her.
The morning for the departure of these men from our house arrived, and I had not as yet become a member of the Church. That morning, a short time before they were to start, Hyrum Smith’s cousin rode up with a message that they could not leave that day, as my brother Dimick and his wife Fanny, my dear sister-in- law, were desirous of being baptized.
That morning at prayers I had presented to me a heavenly vision of a man going down into the water and baptizing someone. So when this message came I felt it was a testimony that the time had come for me to receive baptism. Brother Hyrum Smith was mouth in prayer, and in my secret soul I had a wish that he should baptize me. I had refused the coaxing of Brother Whitmer, as I told myself, because mother and father were going away from home, and I had all the home cares on me, and I feared I would be tempted to speak crossly or say something I ought not to after so sacred an ordinance as that; but this strong testimony that the proper time had arrived I did not dare treat lightly.
As soon as I consented to go with my brother and sister-in-law David Whitmer began talking about performing the office for us. Happily for me, however, Brother Hyrum was chosen by the others to be the proper one and I added my preference to their words. Accordingly, we all went down to the water and were baptized by Hyrum Smith, and confirmed under the hands of Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer.
Soon after this, the gift of tongues rested upon me with overwhelming force. I was somewhat alarmed at this strange manifestation, and so checked its utterance. What was my alarm, however, to discover that upon this action upon my part, the gift left me entirely, and I felt that I had offended that Holy Spirit by whose influence I had been so richly blessed.
I suffered a great deal in my feelings over this matter, and one day while mother and I were spinning together, I took courage and told her of the gift I had once possessed, and how, by checking it I had lost it entirely.
Mother appreciated my feelings, and told me to make it a matter of earnest prayer, that the gift might once more be given to me.
I walked down to a little spring in one of the meadows, and as I walked along I mused on my blessing and how I had turned away the Spirit of God. When I reached the spring, I knelt down and offered up a prayer to God and told Him if He could forgive my transgression, and give me back the lost gift, I would promise never to check it again, no matter where or when I felt its promptings.
I have kept this vow. but it has been a heavy cross at times, for I know that this gift is the least of all gifts, and it is oftentimes misunderstood and even treated lightly by those who should know better. Yet it is a gift of God, and should not be despised by him who receives it, but magnified to its extent, even as the lowest grade of the priesthood is the least of all, and yet it needs be magnified as earnestly as are the higher and greater offices.
From the day I received the sweet testimony of the Spirit, when grasping the precious Book of Mormon in my hands to my breast, I have never doubted nor faltered in my faith. I know this is the Church and Kingdom of God, and I rejoice in putting my testimony before the daughters of Zion, that their faith may be strengthened, and that the good work may roll on. Seek for a testimony, as you would, my dear sisters, for a diamond concealed. If someone told you by digging long enough in a certain spot you would find a diamond of unmeasured wealth, do you think you would begrudge time or strength, or means spent to obtain that treasure? Then I will tell you that if you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find, with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of the truth of this work. Zina D. H. Young.
"Zina D. H. Young." Young Woman's Journal. June 1901. pg. 254.
ZINA D. H. YOUNG.
From Photograph taken on Her Seventieth Birthday.
“A saintly face and a great mother-heart--
So rich in grace and charity thou art.
That evermore our reverence shall be
A loving tribute to thy memory.
E’en poets yet unborn shall sing thy fame.
And future generations bless thy name.”
—E. B. Wells.
ZINA D. H. YOUNG.
From Photograph taken on Her Seventieth Birthday.
“A saintly face and a great mother-heart--
So rich in grace and charity thou art.
That evermore our reverence shall be
A loving tribute to thy memory.
E’en poets yet unborn shall sing thy fame.
And future generations bless thy name.”
—E. B. Wells.
Talmage, May Booth. "Past Three Score Years and Ten." Young Woman's Journal. June 1901. pg. 255-257.
Past Three Score Years and Ten.
May Booth Talmage.
Foremost among the honored mothers in Israel is our beloved Aunt Zina D. H. Young. One among at least half a score of those who are now enjoying the fruits of a well spent life, she has ever been to the writer a source of inspiration and a subject for reverent homage. With the thought that our Mutual girls would enjoy a glimpse into the inner lives of these noble ones who are still writing in strong characters the word ‘‘success” in life's great record, a visit was recently made to Aunt Zina's home. Though the snows of eighty winters have left a crown of white above her brow, and though, too, she has but recently recovered from an illness which it was feared might prove fatal, yet she met us at the door with a kindly smile, insisted we should take some easy chairs, saying that she would rather sit by “Uncle Oliver,” as she affectionately called her brother, who was visiting at her home; and adding. “You see there were ten of us, and we are the only two left.” Her only daughter, Zina,'(Mrs. Card) who had been summoned to the mothers bedside, had not yet returned to her home in Canada, and a more perfect picture of a mother's affection and a daughter's devotion than is furnished by these two is seldom seen.
We explained the purpose of our visit and with, her characteristic kindness Aunt Zina responded cheer-fully to the request that she tell us something of her life's experience.
Settling herself comfortably among the sofa pillows, she seemed at once to enter the realms of reminiscence, and for more than two hours she led us in fancy whither she would.
Back at the comfortable old farm house in Watertown, Jefferson Co.. New York, we found ourselves. After an introduction to the well-to-do, highly respected farmer, Father William Huntington—who, by the way. traces his genealogy to the Earl of Huntington—and to the dignified mother whose line of ancestry was not less worthy—we proceeded with our hostess to wander through the large stone house in which she first saw the light. Through hall and sitting room, chambers and kitchen, she took us, and even out to the dairy, built at the back. In the kitchen we found no modern stove or range, but the typical old fireplace with its iron crane, upon which the kettles were hung, and a brick oven, built at the side for baking purposes
We learned of the religious spirit which always pervaded the home, and of how the practice of reading a chapter from the scriptures before morning prayers, was strictly observed.
Outside the house a profusion of lilac blossoms scented the air, and everywhere was evidence of comfort and thrift. From that well- kept farm came almost everything the family used in the way of food and clothing. In addition to the regular farm crops, there were, fruits from the orchard, sugar and syrup from the maples, meat and poultry more than sufficient, milk, butter and cheese in abundance; while from the wool and flax did the mother and daughters reel and spin and weave the material for their clothing, as well as for their bed and table linen, some of which is still in Aunt Zina's possession. The child Zina was always delicate, and could attend school at intervals only, nor was she equal to the heavier household duties; but a wise mother saw to it that she was taught how the work should be done.
The Gospel was brought to her father's home in the year 1834, when Zina was about 13 years old. Living as they did within about sixty miles of the hill Cumorah, they were familiar with the current rumors concerning the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon. Her parents were soon converted to our faith, and the following year Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer visited their home bringing with them a copy of the first edition of the Book of Mormon. Aunt Zina says: “When I entered the room and read the title of the book that was lying on the window sill, my whole soul was filled with joy. Without opening it I clasped it to my heart and exclaimed, ‘O Truth, Truth, Truth!' I knew it had been brought forth by an angel's hand and the feeling that possessed me was one of supreme ecstasy. From that moment until the present I have never had a doubt of its divinity.”
Before these brethren left her home she received the ordinance of baptism at the hands of Hyrum Smith.
One day while in the woods she felt herself encompassed as with a flood of light; and suddenly she realized that there was resting upon her the gift of tongues. Later came the gift of interpretation and to these have been added the gifts of healing and of prophecy.
By some of her life-long friends she is thought to possess the two former gifts to a more perfect degree than any other living woman.
Leaving the old farm home we journeyed with her to Kirtland—the City of the Saints. Here as a maiden she sang in the Temple choir; here as a companion of her mother she began her ministrations to the sick, the needy and the poor, ministrations which since have been extended to thousands who now rise up and call her blessed. Here, too, it was that the friendship began between herself and that peerless woman. Eliza R. Snow, a friendship which for strength and beauty was almost as
remarkable as was that of David and Jonathan. Thousands of miles have these two noble women traveled together, organizing associations for women, giving counsel, encouragement and instruction for the betterment of their sex. 1n three temples they were privileged to labor together—the Nauvoo, the St. George and the Logan Temples, Aunt Zina continuing hers in the Salt Lake Temple, after the death of Sister Snow. They have each occupied the position of Relief Society President of the whole Church, and Aunt Zina continues in that office at the present time. But a volume were needed if we attempt to tell what she has accomplished in a public capacity; so let us return again to incidents of a more personal nature.
From Kirtland to Salt Lake her history runs parallel to that of the Church. The hardships, the trials the privations of those days were all shared by her in common with her co-religionists. The first year after her arrival in the valley she opened a private school in her little home and among her pupils were several who rank among our leading men today. She was a pioneer in the silk industry of our State. Though from earliest recollection she declares that to her the sight of a worm had been a cause of terror, yet when asked by President Young to take charge of the cocoons at the old farmhouse which still stands in Forest Dale, she determined to overcome her dread and respond. Many yards of beautiful silk were the result of her efforts, and that its quality was satisfactory was demonstrated to us by Mrs. Card, who showed us an underskirt made of this same silk and still in constant use, though it has done previous service for years as a dress. And. moreover, while we chatted this charming daughter of our hostess fashioned for her mother a dainty cap of silk and lace and ribbon, the foundation of which was from the material made in those early days.
Aunt Zina's record in the family of President Young is an enviable one. As mother, foster-mother, nurse, counselor or friend, she was equal to every need, and to the numerous members of that family not less than to all Israel she is “Aunt Zina” in very truth, honored, respected and beloved.
She has three children of her own; Zebulon and Sheridan Jacobs, and Zina Young Card. The last named, to whom frequent reference has been already made, is at present president of the Y. L. N. M. I. A. in Alberta Stake, Canada.
When, at the death of his wife Clara Ross Young, her husband asked her to take to her heart the four motherless little ones, she needed no second request, though she says, ‘I had always declared when a girl that there was one thing I never would do and that was become a stepmother, but,” she added, “the duty in this instance proved to be a perfect pleasure and the children be-came to me as though they were indeed my own.” That her trust was sacredly discharged and her affection reciprocated none will question who have known the tender solicitude be-stowed upon her by the three surviving foster-children who call her “mother.” They are Maria Y. Dou- gall, first counselor to our own dear Sister Taylor, Colonel Willard Young, late of the U. S. A., and Phebe Y. Beatie, a member of the General Board of the Relief Societies. The eldest daughter, Mary Y. Croxall, died in the days of her early motherhood.
Our pleasant interview was closed by the arrival of a messenger who was to convey our hostess to the home of a young matron in need of blessing and comfort. Before departing. however, she showed us the copy of the Book of Mormon which long years before had brought such unspeakable joy to her heart.
As she excused herself and was driven away we instinctively felt that we had been in the presence of a great woman, A woman who has had for her associates some of the greatest and grandest characters of modern times, and yet in her humility she seems in no wise to realize that among these she is one of the greatest. A woman who is inspirational to a remarkable degree; one whose spirituality is developed to so great an extent that turbulent spirits have been subdued thereby with but little seeming effort on her part. In public and in private she has ruled by the law of kindness and has been rewarded by the most loving obedience. Her life has been a realization of that charity which means not mere alms-giving, but which in its broadest, truest sense is expressed by one word—love; and in this the life of the first woman in our Church we see exemplified most fully the saying: “In blessing others, thou shalt thyself be blessed.”
Past Three Score Years and Ten.
May Booth Talmage.
Foremost among the honored mothers in Israel is our beloved Aunt Zina D. H. Young. One among at least half a score of those who are now enjoying the fruits of a well spent life, she has ever been to the writer a source of inspiration and a subject for reverent homage. With the thought that our Mutual girls would enjoy a glimpse into the inner lives of these noble ones who are still writing in strong characters the word ‘‘success” in life's great record, a visit was recently made to Aunt Zina's home. Though the snows of eighty winters have left a crown of white above her brow, and though, too, she has but recently recovered from an illness which it was feared might prove fatal, yet she met us at the door with a kindly smile, insisted we should take some easy chairs, saying that she would rather sit by “Uncle Oliver,” as she affectionately called her brother, who was visiting at her home; and adding. “You see there were ten of us, and we are the only two left.” Her only daughter, Zina,'(Mrs. Card) who had been summoned to the mothers bedside, had not yet returned to her home in Canada, and a more perfect picture of a mother's affection and a daughter's devotion than is furnished by these two is seldom seen.
We explained the purpose of our visit and with, her characteristic kindness Aunt Zina responded cheer-fully to the request that she tell us something of her life's experience.
Settling herself comfortably among the sofa pillows, she seemed at once to enter the realms of reminiscence, and for more than two hours she led us in fancy whither she would.
Back at the comfortable old farm house in Watertown, Jefferson Co.. New York, we found ourselves. After an introduction to the well-to-do, highly respected farmer, Father William Huntington—who, by the way. traces his genealogy to the Earl of Huntington—and to the dignified mother whose line of ancestry was not less worthy—we proceeded with our hostess to wander through the large stone house in which she first saw the light. Through hall and sitting room, chambers and kitchen, she took us, and even out to the dairy, built at the back. In the kitchen we found no modern stove or range, but the typical old fireplace with its iron crane, upon which the kettles were hung, and a brick oven, built at the side for baking purposes
We learned of the religious spirit which always pervaded the home, and of how the practice of reading a chapter from the scriptures before morning prayers, was strictly observed.
Outside the house a profusion of lilac blossoms scented the air, and everywhere was evidence of comfort and thrift. From that well- kept farm came almost everything the family used in the way of food and clothing. In addition to the regular farm crops, there were, fruits from the orchard, sugar and syrup from the maples, meat and poultry more than sufficient, milk, butter and cheese in abundance; while from the wool and flax did the mother and daughters reel and spin and weave the material for their clothing, as well as for their bed and table linen, some of which is still in Aunt Zina's possession. The child Zina was always delicate, and could attend school at intervals only, nor was she equal to the heavier household duties; but a wise mother saw to it that she was taught how the work should be done.
The Gospel was brought to her father's home in the year 1834, when Zina was about 13 years old. Living as they did within about sixty miles of the hill Cumorah, they were familiar with the current rumors concerning the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon. Her parents were soon converted to our faith, and the following year Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer visited their home bringing with them a copy of the first edition of the Book of Mormon. Aunt Zina says: “When I entered the room and read the title of the book that was lying on the window sill, my whole soul was filled with joy. Without opening it I clasped it to my heart and exclaimed, ‘O Truth, Truth, Truth!' I knew it had been brought forth by an angel's hand and the feeling that possessed me was one of supreme ecstasy. From that moment until the present I have never had a doubt of its divinity.”
Before these brethren left her home she received the ordinance of baptism at the hands of Hyrum Smith.
One day while in the woods she felt herself encompassed as with a flood of light; and suddenly she realized that there was resting upon her the gift of tongues. Later came the gift of interpretation and to these have been added the gifts of healing and of prophecy.
By some of her life-long friends she is thought to possess the two former gifts to a more perfect degree than any other living woman.
Leaving the old farm home we journeyed with her to Kirtland—the City of the Saints. Here as a maiden she sang in the Temple choir; here as a companion of her mother she began her ministrations to the sick, the needy and the poor, ministrations which since have been extended to thousands who now rise up and call her blessed. Here, too, it was that the friendship began between herself and that peerless woman. Eliza R. Snow, a friendship which for strength and beauty was almost as
remarkable as was that of David and Jonathan. Thousands of miles have these two noble women traveled together, organizing associations for women, giving counsel, encouragement and instruction for the betterment of their sex. 1n three temples they were privileged to labor together—the Nauvoo, the St. George and the Logan Temples, Aunt Zina continuing hers in the Salt Lake Temple, after the death of Sister Snow. They have each occupied the position of Relief Society President of the whole Church, and Aunt Zina continues in that office at the present time. But a volume were needed if we attempt to tell what she has accomplished in a public capacity; so let us return again to incidents of a more personal nature.
From Kirtland to Salt Lake her history runs parallel to that of the Church. The hardships, the trials the privations of those days were all shared by her in common with her co-religionists. The first year after her arrival in the valley she opened a private school in her little home and among her pupils were several who rank among our leading men today. She was a pioneer in the silk industry of our State. Though from earliest recollection she declares that to her the sight of a worm had been a cause of terror, yet when asked by President Young to take charge of the cocoons at the old farmhouse which still stands in Forest Dale, she determined to overcome her dread and respond. Many yards of beautiful silk were the result of her efforts, and that its quality was satisfactory was demonstrated to us by Mrs. Card, who showed us an underskirt made of this same silk and still in constant use, though it has done previous service for years as a dress. And. moreover, while we chatted this charming daughter of our hostess fashioned for her mother a dainty cap of silk and lace and ribbon, the foundation of which was from the material made in those early days.
Aunt Zina's record in the family of President Young is an enviable one. As mother, foster-mother, nurse, counselor or friend, she was equal to every need, and to the numerous members of that family not less than to all Israel she is “Aunt Zina” in very truth, honored, respected and beloved.
She has three children of her own; Zebulon and Sheridan Jacobs, and Zina Young Card. The last named, to whom frequent reference has been already made, is at present president of the Y. L. N. M. I. A. in Alberta Stake, Canada.
When, at the death of his wife Clara Ross Young, her husband asked her to take to her heart the four motherless little ones, she needed no second request, though she says, ‘I had always declared when a girl that there was one thing I never would do and that was become a stepmother, but,” she added, “the duty in this instance proved to be a perfect pleasure and the children be-came to me as though they were indeed my own.” That her trust was sacredly discharged and her affection reciprocated none will question who have known the tender solicitude be-stowed upon her by the three surviving foster-children who call her “mother.” They are Maria Y. Dou- gall, first counselor to our own dear Sister Taylor, Colonel Willard Young, late of the U. S. A., and Phebe Y. Beatie, a member of the General Board of the Relief Societies. The eldest daughter, Mary Y. Croxall, died in the days of her early motherhood.
Our pleasant interview was closed by the arrival of a messenger who was to convey our hostess to the home of a young matron in need of blessing and comfort. Before departing. however, she showed us the copy of the Book of Mormon which long years before had brought such unspeakable joy to her heart.
As she excused herself and was driven away we instinctively felt that we had been in the presence of a great woman, A woman who has had for her associates some of the greatest and grandest characters of modern times, and yet in her humility she seems in no wise to realize that among these she is one of the greatest. A woman who is inspirational to a remarkable degree; one whose spirituality is developed to so great an extent that turbulent spirits have been subdued thereby with but little seeming effort on her part. In public and in private she has ruled by the law of kindness and has been rewarded by the most loving obedience. Her life has been a realization of that charity which means not mere alms-giving, but which in its broadest, truest sense is expressed by one word—love; and in this the life of the first woman in our Church we see exemplified most fully the saying: “In blessing others, thou shalt thyself be blessed.”
Richards, Louisa L. Greene. "Aunt Zina." Juvenile Instructor. 15 September 1901. pg. 562-565.
AUNT ZINA.
AS one who knew and loved Aunt Zina Young very well indeed, and with great cause for entertaining towards her feelings of the deepest affection and gratitude, I write of her to the children of the Latter-day Saints.
From personal knowledge I could tell many pathetic stories illustrative of Aunt Zina's loving kindness and unswerving devotion to the work over which she presided for many years, that of the Relief Society in Zion.
She possessed the gift of healing to a marvelous extent, and the spirit of consolation abounded within her always.
Many, many people who now enjoy health and happiness could relate instances in which deep and sore afflictions of mind and body have been driven away from them under her benign influence.
In the cold storms of winter or in the scorching heat of midsummer's sun, day or night, it was all the same to her, she never drew back, faltered or turned aside from the path of known duty. She went anywhere and everywhere when called to errands of mercy and love.
Zina Diantha Huntington was born in Watertown, State of New York, January 31, 1821; and was eighty years, six months and twenty-eight days old when she died, on Wednesday, August 28, 1901, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Her last sickness came upon her very suddenly while she was visiting her daughter, Sister Zina Y. Card, in Alberta, Canada. Aunt Zina was brought to Salt Lake City, according to her request, where she passed quietly away in her own home. Her children were with her, and kind and loving friends were ever ready to render every assistance possible. But her time had come to pass from this life into a higher one, and she was fully prepared to go.
Her name will be always numbered among the heroic ones who bore the trials to which the Church has been subjected both in early and later times, with the patience, humility and fortitude which characterize the true Saints of God. She was a great teacher of righteousness. There was inspiration in her presence which led the thoughts of men and women heavenward. No one could be near her even for a short time without having a chance of learning some valuable lesson of goodness and truth. Even if she did not speak, her face gave evidence of a pure and upright life and a generous, loving heart, which every one might well wish to copy after. The following incident is but one of many which might be given in proof of these facts.
Some years ago, after attending a Relief Society conference in Ogden, Aunt Zina and several other sisters from Salt Lake returned home on a car which was bringing a company of tourists from the East.
Being inclined to sociability as well "as desirous of gaining information, one of the lady tourists, by whom I chanced to sit, asked me a number of questions concerning Utah and its people, particularly President Brigham Young and his wives. I called her attention to Aunt Zina who sat on the other side of the car, and gave her the satisfaction of knowing that in that gentle looking lady she beheld one of those notable women, the wives of President Young.
True to her womanly instinct, after watching Aunt Zina intently for some time, she expressed herself emphatically in language like the following, “Well, what an intelligent and attractive face! Anyone could know that woman is good just to look at her! I am certainly much surprised!" As before stated, numerous other instances might be given, showing that Aunt Zina's very appearance was a correct type of sincerity and noble womanhood.
My own earliest recollections of her are connected with a visit which she made my parents at their home in Prove She came with her husband, President Brigham Young, and his party, among whom was President Heber C. Kimball. She was a young woman then, about thirty-two, and I a child between four and five years of age.
I do not remember much that was said or done during that visit. But when they were going, my mother accompanied Aunt Zina to the carriage, and after seeing the company depart, coming into the house again, she said to father, "What a pretty woman Aunt Zina is!"
Hearing that favorable remark caused me to recall with distinctness the bright, cheerful, happy look which I had so recently seen on Aunt Zina's face; and, I think, fastened it on my mind so that it was never forgotten. Ever afterwards the memory of Aunt Zina lived in my heart, not alone as a beautiful image, but as the sacred reality of a lovely and holy woman.
And being much associated with her during the last thirty years has given me many opportunities of seeing tested and proven the genuineness of her lofty character and heaven inspired soul.
When I say she has been truly a mother to me, comforting in times of sorrow, helping when help was needed, and blessing always, I am but voicing the sentiments and giving the experience of grateful thousands.
It is my earnest desire that my own children shall always remember Aunt Zina Young as one of the truest and noblest women that ever graced this mortal earth. And I would like to have her live in the memory of all the children of the Latter-day Saints in the same way, though some of them may never have seen her here in the flesh; for she loved all children everywhere, and delighted in doing them good.
I will tell you, children, how you may do honor to the memory of Aunt Zina, who has passed away from earth. That is, by honoring and helping any of the sisters you know who are workers in the Relief Society. Or whoever they are, be kind and respectful and helpful to all aged people.
DEATH OF A SAINT.
Sweet mother! Gentle, genial friend! no more
Thy smiling welcome at the dear home door
Will greet the thousand friends who come and go;
To all of earth thou'st said a last goodby;
Thy spirit, perfect, joins the just on high,
Thy precious body here in death lies low.
Zion's fair daughters and her noble sons.
Her aged and her youth, and little ones.
All feel the pleasure of a weighty force;
More of new life than death, more of the light
And warmth of morning than the gloom of night;
In heaven, not on the earth, is found the source.
Earth would have kept this loyal, loving friend;
Though heaven's superior power need not contend,
The Father knew, and gently took His own;
The end was peace, sweet rest, no dread of death,
No painful struggling with the parting breath;
Most glorious change, without a sigh or moan!
Sing tender requiems for her, low and soft;
Cheer the glad spirit as it soars aloft,
Where living light and truth and love prevail!
Where angel choirs take up the sweet refrain;
And sing their "welcome home" in joyous strain--
"Hail! Sister spirit of the just, all hail!"
Louisa L. Greene Richards.
AUNT ZINA.
AS one who knew and loved Aunt Zina Young very well indeed, and with great cause for entertaining towards her feelings of the deepest affection and gratitude, I write of her to the children of the Latter-day Saints.
From personal knowledge I could tell many pathetic stories illustrative of Aunt Zina's loving kindness and unswerving devotion to the work over which she presided for many years, that of the Relief Society in Zion.
She possessed the gift of healing to a marvelous extent, and the spirit of consolation abounded within her always.
Many, many people who now enjoy health and happiness could relate instances in which deep and sore afflictions of mind and body have been driven away from them under her benign influence.
In the cold storms of winter or in the scorching heat of midsummer's sun, day or night, it was all the same to her, she never drew back, faltered or turned aside from the path of known duty. She went anywhere and everywhere when called to errands of mercy and love.
Zina Diantha Huntington was born in Watertown, State of New York, January 31, 1821; and was eighty years, six months and twenty-eight days old when she died, on Wednesday, August 28, 1901, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Her last sickness came upon her very suddenly while she was visiting her daughter, Sister Zina Y. Card, in Alberta, Canada. Aunt Zina was brought to Salt Lake City, according to her request, where she passed quietly away in her own home. Her children were with her, and kind and loving friends were ever ready to render every assistance possible. But her time had come to pass from this life into a higher one, and she was fully prepared to go.
Her name will be always numbered among the heroic ones who bore the trials to which the Church has been subjected both in early and later times, with the patience, humility and fortitude which characterize the true Saints of God. She was a great teacher of righteousness. There was inspiration in her presence which led the thoughts of men and women heavenward. No one could be near her even for a short time without having a chance of learning some valuable lesson of goodness and truth. Even if she did not speak, her face gave evidence of a pure and upright life and a generous, loving heart, which every one might well wish to copy after. The following incident is but one of many which might be given in proof of these facts.
Some years ago, after attending a Relief Society conference in Ogden, Aunt Zina and several other sisters from Salt Lake returned home on a car which was bringing a company of tourists from the East.
Being inclined to sociability as well "as desirous of gaining information, one of the lady tourists, by whom I chanced to sit, asked me a number of questions concerning Utah and its people, particularly President Brigham Young and his wives. I called her attention to Aunt Zina who sat on the other side of the car, and gave her the satisfaction of knowing that in that gentle looking lady she beheld one of those notable women, the wives of President Young.
True to her womanly instinct, after watching Aunt Zina intently for some time, she expressed herself emphatically in language like the following, “Well, what an intelligent and attractive face! Anyone could know that woman is good just to look at her! I am certainly much surprised!" As before stated, numerous other instances might be given, showing that Aunt Zina's very appearance was a correct type of sincerity and noble womanhood.
My own earliest recollections of her are connected with a visit which she made my parents at their home in Prove She came with her husband, President Brigham Young, and his party, among whom was President Heber C. Kimball. She was a young woman then, about thirty-two, and I a child between four and five years of age.
I do not remember much that was said or done during that visit. But when they were going, my mother accompanied Aunt Zina to the carriage, and after seeing the company depart, coming into the house again, she said to father, "What a pretty woman Aunt Zina is!"
Hearing that favorable remark caused me to recall with distinctness the bright, cheerful, happy look which I had so recently seen on Aunt Zina's face; and, I think, fastened it on my mind so that it was never forgotten. Ever afterwards the memory of Aunt Zina lived in my heart, not alone as a beautiful image, but as the sacred reality of a lovely and holy woman.
And being much associated with her during the last thirty years has given me many opportunities of seeing tested and proven the genuineness of her lofty character and heaven inspired soul.
When I say she has been truly a mother to me, comforting in times of sorrow, helping when help was needed, and blessing always, I am but voicing the sentiments and giving the experience of grateful thousands.
It is my earnest desire that my own children shall always remember Aunt Zina Young as one of the truest and noblest women that ever graced this mortal earth. And I would like to have her live in the memory of all the children of the Latter-day Saints in the same way, though some of them may never have seen her here in the flesh; for she loved all children everywhere, and delighted in doing them good.
I will tell you, children, how you may do honor to the memory of Aunt Zina, who has passed away from earth. That is, by honoring and helping any of the sisters you know who are workers in the Relief Society. Or whoever they are, be kind and respectful and helpful to all aged people.
DEATH OF A SAINT.
Sweet mother! Gentle, genial friend! no more
Thy smiling welcome at the dear home door
Will greet the thousand friends who come and go;
To all of earth thou'st said a last goodby;
Thy spirit, perfect, joins the just on high,
Thy precious body here in death lies low.
Zion's fair daughters and her noble sons.
Her aged and her youth, and little ones.
All feel the pleasure of a weighty force;
More of new life than death, more of the light
And warmth of morning than the gloom of night;
In heaven, not on the earth, is found the source.
Earth would have kept this loyal, loving friend;
Though heaven's superior power need not contend,
The Father knew, and gently took His own;
The end was peace, sweet rest, no dread of death,
No painful struggling with the parting breath;
Most glorious change, without a sigh or moan!
Sing tender requiems for her, low and soft;
Cheer the glad spirit as it soars aloft,
Where living light and truth and love prevail!
Where angel choirs take up the sweet refrain;
And sing their "welcome home" in joyous strain--
"Hail! Sister spirit of the just, all hail!"
Louisa L. Greene Richards.
Nash, Rhoda C. "Aunt Zina." Young Woman's Journal. October 1901. pg. 439.
Aunt Zina.
Rhoda C. Nash.
I gaze upon thy sweet familiar face,
And try to penetrate the misty veil,
That shrouds thy seeming lifeless features o'er.
And hides the light that illumined the whole.
Contentment is the reigning power here,
That marks a life-day well begun and spent;
Thy folded hands have ceased their work to do,
Thy rigid form has sunk to deep repose.
What matters if from lips so kind and true,
The soothing drops of love have ceased to fall?
If gentle deeds thy hands have laid aside--
Thou, too, must rest as even all things else.
The world with all its boasted power and skill,
Has dared to look upon thy sleeping face
And say, in wearied tones, "Thou art no more,
And like the earth must sink into decay.”
Thou art no more?” 'Tis sacrilege to say
That God would fashion one so kind and true,
Whose every act responded to His will.
To meet and feel annihilation’s power!
Vain, false, deluded world; thy hopes are vague,
And fail to reach the soul's divine extent,
But wander in the sunless path of doubt,
Without one ray to light thy future way.
Sweet thought, that brings conviction to my soul,
That once again life's morn will dawn for thee;
That every labor will be one of love,
Celestialized and purified by death.
Sweet be thy rest; the time will not be long,
When life immortal bids thy form arise;
The world will see the error of its tropes,
And join with thee in one eternal song.
Aunt Zina.
Rhoda C. Nash.
I gaze upon thy sweet familiar face,
And try to penetrate the misty veil,
That shrouds thy seeming lifeless features o'er.
And hides the light that illumined the whole.
Contentment is the reigning power here,
That marks a life-day well begun and spent;
Thy folded hands have ceased their work to do,
Thy rigid form has sunk to deep repose.
What matters if from lips so kind and true,
The soothing drops of love have ceased to fall?
If gentle deeds thy hands have laid aside--
Thou, too, must rest as even all things else.
The world with all its boasted power and skill,
Has dared to look upon thy sleeping face
And say, in wearied tones, "Thou art no more,
And like the earth must sink into decay.”
Thou art no more?” 'Tis sacrilege to say
That God would fashion one so kind and true,
Whose every act responded to His will.
To meet and feel annihilation’s power!
Vain, false, deluded world; thy hopes are vague,
And fail to reach the soul's divine extent,
But wander in the sunless path of doubt,
Without one ray to light thy future way.
Sweet thought, that brings conviction to my soul,
That once again life's morn will dawn for thee;
That every labor will be one of love,
Celestialized and purified by death.
Sweet be thy rest; the time will not be long,
When life immortal bids thy form arise;
The world will see the error of its tropes,
And join with thee in one eternal song.
"Aunt Zina D. H. Young." Young Woman's Journal. October 1901. pg. 472-473.
AUNT ZINA D. H YOUNG.
Like a breath wafted from the Home Eternal was the sweet influence one felt upon entering the Assembly Hall last Sabbath morning—September 1.
None of the usual habiliments of sadness and mourning were visible, yet even a stranger would have known at once that the occasion was one of more than passing interest and import to those who gathered there.
White draperies had been arranged by loving hands with such skill as to give the effect of purity and modesty without ostentatious display. Flowers rare and beauteous were there in profusion, yet each emblem seemed to represent some different characteristic in the life of our beloved Aunt Zina Young —for it was she in remembrance of whom we had met. It was a funeral that seemed to symbolize the life she had lived: simplicity and earnestness were the most impressive features: and. added to these, one felt throughout the services the jov and peace that are born of the assurance that a great soul has gone to its greatest reward—Eternal Life. Tributes, tender and strong and true, were paid by each speaker in turn—most of whom had been almost life-long friends and companions of “Aunt Zina?” How impressive it was to hear our venerable President Snow declare that he had known her for sixty-five years, and that in his life he had never met a woman whose duties had been more faithfully performed than had hers! He said there was no occasion for her friends to mourn, for exaltation follows such a life as she had lived; and that in viewing her past life he was filled with pride and thanksgiving. He admonished others to emulate her example in striving to live as nearly perfect as is possible.
Following President Snow’s re-marks were those of three sisters whose lives have been very closely associated with Aunt Zina’s in their work of loving ministrations among the sick and the needy.
Sister Jane S. Richards has long served as first Counselor in our great Relief Society organization of which Aunt Zina was president, and she spoke in words of loving earnestness of the labors of her president.
Second Counselor Bathsheba W. Smith referred to the feelings existing between herself and Aunt Zina as being like that of sisters, and she thought it would not be long before their association would be renewed.
Sister Emmeline B. Wells, in words full of tenderest emotion, paid tribute to the glorious life of her sister and friend. She expressed the thought that no other woman had ever been more greatly loved than had Aunt Zina. Referring to her virtues, Sister Wells continued, —“I think of all the beautiful attributes that adorn women on earth, she had the most heavenly,— humility; and another of her great virtues was obedience?”
Elder Seymour B. Young spoke of her as a noble woman—one made of the stuff of which martyrs are made—willing to lay down her life for the maintenance of the truth, one who had a tender heart—a woman who loved the truth and loved mankind. He, too, testified to her deep humility, and declared that Aunt Zina's name and character will endure forever.
Elder John Nicholson said that in all his experience and observation he had never listened to more glorious and glowing tributes paid to any one who had passed from this sphere to the beyond, than those that had been paid to Aunt Zina. Elder Nicholson thought that the fact of her being loved in a degree no less by her foster children than by her own spoke volumes for her impartiality and her great sense of justice.
Apostle Lund thought Aunt Zina merited all the glorious expressions made by the preceding speakers. Said he: “She was more than a friend, she was ‘Aunt Zina' to all Israel.” He spoke of her gentleness —her purity, her spirituality, and the nobility of her character; of the treasures she had laid up in heaven by her unselfish acts. Then he declared, “When the sons and daughters of God come up to receive their reward, Aunt Zina will be one of the happy throng on the right hand of God, to whom it will be said, ‘I was sick, and in prison and ye visited me.' Aunt Zina has laid up riches that are unfading.”
President Angus M. Cannon and Counselor C. W. Penrose each spoke of the beautiful attributes of her life. The singing throughout the services seemed like prayers of praise.
The pall-bearers were sons of President Young, and in the long cortege that wended its way to the flower-strewn grave, were carriages containing representatives of the various women's organizations of our Church,—organizations which owe much of their development and success to the wise counsels and untiring efforts of this honored mother in Israel.
As a brief sketch of her life appeared so recently in our pages, and as much additional information has been given through the news periodicals, it was deemed best that for the present we give a brief account of the funeral services with but a mention of the circumstances connected with her departure; later a biographical sketch, prepared with greater care, may appear.
It will doubtless be remembered by most of our readers that at the time of our conference in April, Aunt Zina was stricken with paralysis, the results of which it was feared would prove fatal. Through the faith of the people she was partially restored—so far, in fact, that she was able to visit her daughter— Sister Zina Card—in Canada. Almost in the hour of her intended start on the return journey she was again stricken, this time to rally no more. All that loving hands could do was done, but without avail; and on Wednesday, August 28, she went to sleep to waken in the glorious home of her Redeemer.
Long may her memory live in the hearts of Zion's daughters, and may each succeeding generation follow in her footsteps!
AUNT ZINA D. H YOUNG.
Like a breath wafted from the Home Eternal was the sweet influence one felt upon entering the Assembly Hall last Sabbath morning—September 1.
None of the usual habiliments of sadness and mourning were visible, yet even a stranger would have known at once that the occasion was one of more than passing interest and import to those who gathered there.
White draperies had been arranged by loving hands with such skill as to give the effect of purity and modesty without ostentatious display. Flowers rare and beauteous were there in profusion, yet each emblem seemed to represent some different characteristic in the life of our beloved Aunt Zina Young —for it was she in remembrance of whom we had met. It was a funeral that seemed to symbolize the life she had lived: simplicity and earnestness were the most impressive features: and. added to these, one felt throughout the services the jov and peace that are born of the assurance that a great soul has gone to its greatest reward—Eternal Life. Tributes, tender and strong and true, were paid by each speaker in turn—most of whom had been almost life-long friends and companions of “Aunt Zina?” How impressive it was to hear our venerable President Snow declare that he had known her for sixty-five years, and that in his life he had never met a woman whose duties had been more faithfully performed than had hers! He said there was no occasion for her friends to mourn, for exaltation follows such a life as she had lived; and that in viewing her past life he was filled with pride and thanksgiving. He admonished others to emulate her example in striving to live as nearly perfect as is possible.
Following President Snow’s re-marks were those of three sisters whose lives have been very closely associated with Aunt Zina’s in their work of loving ministrations among the sick and the needy.
Sister Jane S. Richards has long served as first Counselor in our great Relief Society organization of which Aunt Zina was president, and she spoke in words of loving earnestness of the labors of her president.
Second Counselor Bathsheba W. Smith referred to the feelings existing between herself and Aunt Zina as being like that of sisters, and she thought it would not be long before their association would be renewed.
Sister Emmeline B. Wells, in words full of tenderest emotion, paid tribute to the glorious life of her sister and friend. She expressed the thought that no other woman had ever been more greatly loved than had Aunt Zina. Referring to her virtues, Sister Wells continued, —“I think of all the beautiful attributes that adorn women on earth, she had the most heavenly,— humility; and another of her great virtues was obedience?”
Elder Seymour B. Young spoke of her as a noble woman—one made of the stuff of which martyrs are made—willing to lay down her life for the maintenance of the truth, one who had a tender heart—a woman who loved the truth and loved mankind. He, too, testified to her deep humility, and declared that Aunt Zina's name and character will endure forever.
Elder John Nicholson said that in all his experience and observation he had never listened to more glorious and glowing tributes paid to any one who had passed from this sphere to the beyond, than those that had been paid to Aunt Zina. Elder Nicholson thought that the fact of her being loved in a degree no less by her foster children than by her own spoke volumes for her impartiality and her great sense of justice.
Apostle Lund thought Aunt Zina merited all the glorious expressions made by the preceding speakers. Said he: “She was more than a friend, she was ‘Aunt Zina' to all Israel.” He spoke of her gentleness —her purity, her spirituality, and the nobility of her character; of the treasures she had laid up in heaven by her unselfish acts. Then he declared, “When the sons and daughters of God come up to receive their reward, Aunt Zina will be one of the happy throng on the right hand of God, to whom it will be said, ‘I was sick, and in prison and ye visited me.' Aunt Zina has laid up riches that are unfading.”
President Angus M. Cannon and Counselor C. W. Penrose each spoke of the beautiful attributes of her life. The singing throughout the services seemed like prayers of praise.
The pall-bearers were sons of President Young, and in the long cortege that wended its way to the flower-strewn grave, were carriages containing representatives of the various women's organizations of our Church,—organizations which owe much of their development and success to the wise counsels and untiring efforts of this honored mother in Israel.
As a brief sketch of her life appeared so recently in our pages, and as much additional information has been given through the news periodicals, it was deemed best that for the present we give a brief account of the funeral services with but a mention of the circumstances connected with her departure; later a biographical sketch, prepared with greater care, may appear.
It will doubtless be remembered by most of our readers that at the time of our conference in April, Aunt Zina was stricken with paralysis, the results of which it was feared would prove fatal. Through the faith of the people she was partially restored—so far, in fact, that she was able to visit her daughter— Sister Zina Card—in Canada. Almost in the hour of her intended start on the return journey she was again stricken, this time to rally no more. All that loving hands could do was done, but without avail; and on Wednesday, August 28, she went to sleep to waken in the glorious home of her Redeemer.
Long may her memory live in the hearts of Zion's daughters, and may each succeeding generation follow in her footsteps!
Wells, Emmeline B. "Zina D. H. Young - A Character Sketch." Improvement Era. November 1901. pg. 43-48.
ZINA D. H. YOUNG[1]—A CHARACTER SKETCH.
BY EMMELINE B. WELLS, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE RELIEF SOCIETY, AND EDITOR OF THE "WOMAN'S EXPONENT."
There is no doubt in the mind of the writer that the nineteenth century produced some of the greatest men and women that ever graced the earth, and that these spirits were reserved to come forth in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, when all things are to be restored.
With the coming of Joseph Smith, and Hyrum, his brother, and with Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, great women were also born into the world, women of destiny, called and chosen beforehand as were their life-companions and associates, the men. Foremost among these, two may be named, well-known in "Mormon" history, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young. We speak their names with reverence as we do the names of prophets and apostles; for they rank side by side with them. They were born in a period of time when women of courage, moral and spiritual, were needed to establish a principle revealed from heaven, to bless, to save and to exalt the living and the dead, yet so unpopular that all who entered into or sanctioned it were ostracised from society, and looked down upon. How grand and lofty must be the spirit of women to endure the scoffs and reproaches of relatives and friends for the sake of establishing a divine truth! Well might Dr. Seymour B. Young say in speaking of Sister Zina, "She was made of the material of which martyrs are made," for it is true; it is also true that to live for a principle, and to endure year after year insult and persecution, is harder than to die for it.
These two women, and others of their colaborers whose names are thus immortalized, assisted in establishing the principle of plural marriage in this dispensation. Looking back over the fourscore years, of the life of Sister Zina, one may well say her work has been well done. Born of old Puritan stock, she inherited those sterling characteristics of fortitude and endurance that are a never failing source of strength in the battle of life.
But she inherited, besides these, many rare gifts of excellence that gave her influence and power among her fellow-beings; and withal, she possessed an indefinable charm and attractiveness that in later life made her a central figure in whatever place her lot was cast. This attractive quality matured with her years, as her good deeds multiplied.
We can safely say of her, "She went about doing good." Administering comfort and consolation to the afflicted, binding up the broken-hearted. It was as if she carried with her the "balm of Gilead" and "sacred ointment." In the sick-room, she was a ministering angel, having always something to suggest that would be soothing and restful; she was a natural nurse, and she invariably inspired confidence, in many cases one of the most successful remedies. No other woman knew better what to do when death came into a home, nor was ever woman calmer in the midst of excitement. Innumerable are her good deeds, her acts of kindness, her sweet charity. In more than fifty-five years' acquaintance, often under trying circumstances and adverse conditions, she proved ever the same gentle, loving, tender, sympathizing friend and sister. An example to all Israel is her life's devotion to the Gospel, and her testimony of the truth, which, if possible, grew brighter and stronger as the years rolled on. I have been asked many times since her demise, what were her chief attributes, her crowning virtues, her highest endowments, her greatest excellencies. It is difficult to tell wherein she most excelled, her character was so well rounded, her temperament so even, and her sympathy with all suffering so intense, that her very presence was an inspiration in itself towards a higher and better life.
As a Sabbath School teacher, she won the hearts of her students. She had great adaptability to the capacity of children as well as a great love for them; she never grew weary of the work, nor did the young girls or children whom she taught; she gave them lessons of simple purity, whether from the Bible or the Book of Mormon; her listeners were always interested; her manner of conveying a truth was in itself convincing; she gave herself to the work, and threw her soul into her teaching.
As a public speaker, she was pleasing, both in manner and voice, and was naturally gifted with language to express her thoughts and feelings. She always rose to the occasion as though inspired with sublime emotion, when any attack was made upon the principles or institutions of our people. At no time perhaps in the long public life of Sister Zina did she sway an audience with such a burst of eloquence as at the mass-meeting of women in the Theatre that had been called to protest against interference with the practice of plural marriage. The speech was quite impromptu, a defense of the doctrine, and took all who listened by surprise.
Extracts from Mrs. Young's speech were widely published and circulated, not only in our own country, but also in England. Had Sister Zina been educated for the platform, and spoken upon general subjects, she would doubtless have won personal distinction from the world in the lecture field or pulpit; but, being only a "Mormon," she was satisfied with the love of her own people. Her sincere desire to do good and render service to others, inspired her to go wherever duty called, for the benefit of womankind and the interests of Zion; in pursuing this course, she found her truest happiness.
Numberless instances might be cited of her ministrations among the sick, when she seemed to be inspired by some higher power than her own at an opportune moment, when courage and faith had failed in those around the sick-bed. At such times she seemed an angel of mercy in very deed. On one occasion late at night when the writer was apparently near unto death, and only young girls present, except dear, blessed Mother Whitney who had been praying and interceding with the Lord for help in the hour of need, into the house, and up stairs to the sick room, walked Aunt Zina, not knowing why she had come so late in the evening. Mother Whitney was kneeling in prayer, and all were weeping; Mother arose and exclaimed, "The Lord has sent you, Sister Zina, you can surely do something to save her." Calmly, and without losing any time, she prepared restoratives, and soon there was rejoicing instead of grief. The prayers were answered, and faith and hope revived. There is no doubt but that hundreds of the sisters could bear similar testimonies of her helpful ministrations in sorrow's dark hours, when courage was inspired in the weak, and the pillow of pain was made easy and restful.
Sister Zina had great power in blessing, and thousands have been built up and comforted to go forward in the way of duty, however dark their pathway seemed, after having been privileged to receive words of sympathy and encouragement from her. No matter how lowly, or how poor, her heart always went out to those who came to her for spiritual counsel or guidance.
In all spiritual labors and manifestations, she was greatly gifted, and no woman in Israel was more inspirational in prayer; her language was simple, but earnest and fervent, and her manner characterized by the greatest humility. Her whole life was one of untiring devotion to her Heavenly Father, and she carried this spirit of consecration into all her labors in every department.
In the early days in the Valley, when household duties were more laborious, and women of necessity made their own soap and candles, starch, molasses, and many other necessary articles; and when there were also carding, dyeing, spinning and weaving, besides the making and the mending of clothing, in addition to ordinary housework, Sister Zina excelled in all these pursuits, and was always busy; she was an early riser, a great advantage in industrial occupations; and yet withal, she still found time to help others in sickness or when in need of a friend. Her home was always a happy one, for she possessed that unfailing cheerfulness that made the atmosphere of her surroundings happifying for children and for young people.
In the Lion House, where she lived many years while rearing her children, and also after they were grown, her apartments were always bright and attractive to all the young people of that wonderful household. She possessed in the largest degree the motherly element of character which entitled her, without reservation, to the appellation, Mother in Israel.
Sister Zina was a zealous laborer in the Lord's vineyard in temporal as well as in spiritual things, and though her strongest capabilities lay in nursing the sick (and assuredly she would have made an eminent physician had she been educated in the profession), yet in many other directions her sphere of industrial helpfulness was apparent. One of her most useful and beneficial fields of labor was in sericulture; she raised cocoons with her own hands, and had charge of a large cocoonery and mulberry orchard as long as her health permitted. She was chosen President of the Deseret Silk Association when it was organized, June 15, 1876; her labors were indefatigable in the silk enterprise, and she never lost interest in it while she lived.
Our young people of today know Sister Zina best in her sphere of usefulness in traveling among the several organizations of women and children in the Church throughout the settlements and stakes of Zion, and elsewhere, for she has visited the Sandwich Islands mission, and other parts of the United States, east and west, north and south. Her name is a household word among the Saints, and her teaching and example are indelibly engraved upon their hearts and memories.
Since the April conference, 1888, she presided over the Relief Society, the largest organization of women in the Church, and so faithfully and efficiently were her duties performed that at her funeral services, President Lorenzo Snow in his remarks said that he did not know of a woman whose duties in life had been performed more effectually than hers; that, in viewing her past life, he was filled with pride and thanksgiving.
Her last words to the conference of the Relief Society in October, 1900, in the Assembly Hall, the last gathering of the general society over which she presided, were these:
If I had the power to bless you, my sisters, more than you are blessed, I would do so, but the blessings of heaven are with us. I always feel like a babe in the hands of my Father in Heaven. Sisters, never speak a word against the authorities of this Church. May we each of us have wisdom to impart the true principles to our children, and to our companions, and to the world. I rejoice in the spirit that has filled this house; the sweet peace, the loving forbearance of our Heavenly Father, that take us into sacred nearness to him. I pray that we may all meet together again in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sister Zina's life was so complete and well rounded, that no defects are noticeable in reviewing it; it may truly be said of her, "In her tongue was the law of kindness." We know there must have been occasionally dark places, but there was also sufficient light and shade blended to produce harmony in the soul; and, though she passed through the scathing fires of persecution, she came out more than conqueror, having learned not only how to suffer and grow strong herself, but also how to help others, who were weak and sorely tempted, to profit by her experience, her example of meekness, and her submission, and thus to approach nearer the divine character of the blessed Savior.
Not only was Sister Zina's life enriched by her having to drain sorrow's cup sometimes to the bitter dregs, but she has benefitted others by bequeathing to them the virtues that adorned her more truly than jewels of fabulous worth; these jewels she has left, not only to her posterity, but also to the youth of Israel, and they are of priceless value. May they cherish these rare gems of virtue, purity and truth, and emulate her heroic examples, that their lives may be sweeter, purer and nobler because of this blessed heritage.
So shall her life be an incentive to stimulate the best characteristics in the youth of Zion, her name be honored, and her praises sung by the children of the Latter-day Saints, whom she so dearly loved from the depths of her great mother-heart.
"It may be glorious to write
Thoughts that shall gladden the two or three
High souls, like those far stars, that come in sight
Once in a century:--
But better far it is to speak
One simple word which, now and then,
Shall waken their free natures in the weak
And friendless sons of men."
[1] Born Watertown, N. Y., January 31, 1821; died Salt Lake City, Utah, August 28, 1901.
ZINA D. H. YOUNG[1]—A CHARACTER SKETCH.
BY EMMELINE B. WELLS, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE RELIEF SOCIETY, AND EDITOR OF THE "WOMAN'S EXPONENT."
There is no doubt in the mind of the writer that the nineteenth century produced some of the greatest men and women that ever graced the earth, and that these spirits were reserved to come forth in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, when all things are to be restored.
With the coming of Joseph Smith, and Hyrum, his brother, and with Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, great women were also born into the world, women of destiny, called and chosen beforehand as were their life-companions and associates, the men. Foremost among these, two may be named, well-known in "Mormon" history, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young. We speak their names with reverence as we do the names of prophets and apostles; for they rank side by side with them. They were born in a period of time when women of courage, moral and spiritual, were needed to establish a principle revealed from heaven, to bless, to save and to exalt the living and the dead, yet so unpopular that all who entered into or sanctioned it were ostracised from society, and looked down upon. How grand and lofty must be the spirit of women to endure the scoffs and reproaches of relatives and friends for the sake of establishing a divine truth! Well might Dr. Seymour B. Young say in speaking of Sister Zina, "She was made of the material of which martyrs are made," for it is true; it is also true that to live for a principle, and to endure year after year insult and persecution, is harder than to die for it.
These two women, and others of their colaborers whose names are thus immortalized, assisted in establishing the principle of plural marriage in this dispensation. Looking back over the fourscore years, of the life of Sister Zina, one may well say her work has been well done. Born of old Puritan stock, she inherited those sterling characteristics of fortitude and endurance that are a never failing source of strength in the battle of life.
But she inherited, besides these, many rare gifts of excellence that gave her influence and power among her fellow-beings; and withal, she possessed an indefinable charm and attractiveness that in later life made her a central figure in whatever place her lot was cast. This attractive quality matured with her years, as her good deeds multiplied.
We can safely say of her, "She went about doing good." Administering comfort and consolation to the afflicted, binding up the broken-hearted. It was as if she carried with her the "balm of Gilead" and "sacred ointment." In the sick-room, she was a ministering angel, having always something to suggest that would be soothing and restful; she was a natural nurse, and she invariably inspired confidence, in many cases one of the most successful remedies. No other woman knew better what to do when death came into a home, nor was ever woman calmer in the midst of excitement. Innumerable are her good deeds, her acts of kindness, her sweet charity. In more than fifty-five years' acquaintance, often under trying circumstances and adverse conditions, she proved ever the same gentle, loving, tender, sympathizing friend and sister. An example to all Israel is her life's devotion to the Gospel, and her testimony of the truth, which, if possible, grew brighter and stronger as the years rolled on. I have been asked many times since her demise, what were her chief attributes, her crowning virtues, her highest endowments, her greatest excellencies. It is difficult to tell wherein she most excelled, her character was so well rounded, her temperament so even, and her sympathy with all suffering so intense, that her very presence was an inspiration in itself towards a higher and better life.
As a Sabbath School teacher, she won the hearts of her students. She had great adaptability to the capacity of children as well as a great love for them; she never grew weary of the work, nor did the young girls or children whom she taught; she gave them lessons of simple purity, whether from the Bible or the Book of Mormon; her listeners were always interested; her manner of conveying a truth was in itself convincing; she gave herself to the work, and threw her soul into her teaching.
As a public speaker, she was pleasing, both in manner and voice, and was naturally gifted with language to express her thoughts and feelings. She always rose to the occasion as though inspired with sublime emotion, when any attack was made upon the principles or institutions of our people. At no time perhaps in the long public life of Sister Zina did she sway an audience with such a burst of eloquence as at the mass-meeting of women in the Theatre that had been called to protest against interference with the practice of plural marriage. The speech was quite impromptu, a defense of the doctrine, and took all who listened by surprise.
Extracts from Mrs. Young's speech were widely published and circulated, not only in our own country, but also in England. Had Sister Zina been educated for the platform, and spoken upon general subjects, she would doubtless have won personal distinction from the world in the lecture field or pulpit; but, being only a "Mormon," she was satisfied with the love of her own people. Her sincere desire to do good and render service to others, inspired her to go wherever duty called, for the benefit of womankind and the interests of Zion; in pursuing this course, she found her truest happiness.
Numberless instances might be cited of her ministrations among the sick, when she seemed to be inspired by some higher power than her own at an opportune moment, when courage and faith had failed in those around the sick-bed. At such times she seemed an angel of mercy in very deed. On one occasion late at night when the writer was apparently near unto death, and only young girls present, except dear, blessed Mother Whitney who had been praying and interceding with the Lord for help in the hour of need, into the house, and up stairs to the sick room, walked Aunt Zina, not knowing why she had come so late in the evening. Mother Whitney was kneeling in prayer, and all were weeping; Mother arose and exclaimed, "The Lord has sent you, Sister Zina, you can surely do something to save her." Calmly, and without losing any time, she prepared restoratives, and soon there was rejoicing instead of grief. The prayers were answered, and faith and hope revived. There is no doubt but that hundreds of the sisters could bear similar testimonies of her helpful ministrations in sorrow's dark hours, when courage was inspired in the weak, and the pillow of pain was made easy and restful.
Sister Zina had great power in blessing, and thousands have been built up and comforted to go forward in the way of duty, however dark their pathway seemed, after having been privileged to receive words of sympathy and encouragement from her. No matter how lowly, or how poor, her heart always went out to those who came to her for spiritual counsel or guidance.
In all spiritual labors and manifestations, she was greatly gifted, and no woman in Israel was more inspirational in prayer; her language was simple, but earnest and fervent, and her manner characterized by the greatest humility. Her whole life was one of untiring devotion to her Heavenly Father, and she carried this spirit of consecration into all her labors in every department.
In the early days in the Valley, when household duties were more laborious, and women of necessity made their own soap and candles, starch, molasses, and many other necessary articles; and when there were also carding, dyeing, spinning and weaving, besides the making and the mending of clothing, in addition to ordinary housework, Sister Zina excelled in all these pursuits, and was always busy; she was an early riser, a great advantage in industrial occupations; and yet withal, she still found time to help others in sickness or when in need of a friend. Her home was always a happy one, for she possessed that unfailing cheerfulness that made the atmosphere of her surroundings happifying for children and for young people.
In the Lion House, where she lived many years while rearing her children, and also after they were grown, her apartments were always bright and attractive to all the young people of that wonderful household. She possessed in the largest degree the motherly element of character which entitled her, without reservation, to the appellation, Mother in Israel.
Sister Zina was a zealous laborer in the Lord's vineyard in temporal as well as in spiritual things, and though her strongest capabilities lay in nursing the sick (and assuredly she would have made an eminent physician had she been educated in the profession), yet in many other directions her sphere of industrial helpfulness was apparent. One of her most useful and beneficial fields of labor was in sericulture; she raised cocoons with her own hands, and had charge of a large cocoonery and mulberry orchard as long as her health permitted. She was chosen President of the Deseret Silk Association when it was organized, June 15, 1876; her labors were indefatigable in the silk enterprise, and she never lost interest in it while she lived.
Our young people of today know Sister Zina best in her sphere of usefulness in traveling among the several organizations of women and children in the Church throughout the settlements and stakes of Zion, and elsewhere, for she has visited the Sandwich Islands mission, and other parts of the United States, east and west, north and south. Her name is a household word among the Saints, and her teaching and example are indelibly engraved upon their hearts and memories.
Since the April conference, 1888, she presided over the Relief Society, the largest organization of women in the Church, and so faithfully and efficiently were her duties performed that at her funeral services, President Lorenzo Snow in his remarks said that he did not know of a woman whose duties in life had been performed more effectually than hers; that, in viewing her past life, he was filled with pride and thanksgiving.
Her last words to the conference of the Relief Society in October, 1900, in the Assembly Hall, the last gathering of the general society over which she presided, were these:
If I had the power to bless you, my sisters, more than you are blessed, I would do so, but the blessings of heaven are with us. I always feel like a babe in the hands of my Father in Heaven. Sisters, never speak a word against the authorities of this Church. May we each of us have wisdom to impart the true principles to our children, and to our companions, and to the world. I rejoice in the spirit that has filled this house; the sweet peace, the loving forbearance of our Heavenly Father, that take us into sacred nearness to him. I pray that we may all meet together again in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sister Zina's life was so complete and well rounded, that no defects are noticeable in reviewing it; it may truly be said of her, "In her tongue was the law of kindness." We know there must have been occasionally dark places, but there was also sufficient light and shade blended to produce harmony in the soul; and, though she passed through the scathing fires of persecution, she came out more than conqueror, having learned not only how to suffer and grow strong herself, but also how to help others, who were weak and sorely tempted, to profit by her experience, her example of meekness, and her submission, and thus to approach nearer the divine character of the blessed Savior.
Not only was Sister Zina's life enriched by her having to drain sorrow's cup sometimes to the bitter dregs, but she has benefitted others by bequeathing to them the virtues that adorned her more truly than jewels of fabulous worth; these jewels she has left, not only to her posterity, but also to the youth of Israel, and they are of priceless value. May they cherish these rare gems of virtue, purity and truth, and emulate her heroic examples, that their lives may be sweeter, purer and nobler because of this blessed heritage.
So shall her life be an incentive to stimulate the best characteristics in the youth of Zion, her name be honored, and her praises sung by the children of the Latter-day Saints, whom she so dearly loved from the depths of her great mother-heart.
"It may be glorious to write
Thoughts that shall gladden the two or three
High souls, like those far stars, that come in sight
Once in a century:--
But better far it is to speak
One simple word which, now and then,
Shall waken their free natures in the weak
And friendless sons of men."
[1] Born Watertown, N. Y., January 31, 1821; died Salt Lake City, Utah, August 28, 1901.
"The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Zina D. H. Young." Relief Society Magazine. March 1920. pg. 121-123.
ZINA D. H. YOUNG.
Zina D. H. Young, the third general president of the Relief Society, was born Jan. 31, 1821, in Watertown, Jefferson county. New York. She was of fine New England stock, her father being William Huntington, of the famous Huntington family, and her mother, who was Zina Raker, was likewise of Pilgrim inheritance.
When the gospel reached Watertown, in 1835, the Huntington family accepted of the message and Zina was baptized by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, August 1, 1835. Soon after this they removed to Kirtland.
Sister Zina was gifted greatly in tongues and interpretation of tongues. On one occasion, in the Kirtland temple, she heard a whole choir of angels singing, till the house seemed filled with unnumbered voices. She was a member of the Kirtland Temple Choir at the wonderful occasion when the Spirit of God filled the house like a mighty rushing wind.
Zina's mother died from fatigue and privation in Nauvoo, July 8, 1839. Zina was married in Nauvoo and had two sons, Zebulon and Chariton, but the union was not a happy one, and she was separated from her husband. She was sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, October 27, 1841.
In one of the early meetings of the Relief Society in Nauvoo, Sister Zina became a member and received her blessings and endowments in the Nauvoo temple. She was with the Saints who left Nauvoo after the martyrdom of the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum, and crossed the Mississippi on the ice, February 9, 1846. She was married to President Brigham Young in Winter Quarters and accompanied his family in 1848 to the valley.
On April 3, 1850, her treasured daughter, Zina, was born. Nothing could exceed the close and happy associations of these two Zinas, who were both mother and daughter, sister and sister, companion and friend.
When the general Relief Society movement was undertaken by Sister Eliza R. Snow, President Young suggested Sister Zina to assist Sister Snow with other sisters in this great task. When the General Board was formed with Sister Snow as the head of the Women's Relief Society throughout the Church, in June, 1880, Sister Zina was chosen as her first counselor. She traveled with Sister Snow and shared in her labors and responsibilities.
After the death of Sister Snow, on December 5, 1887, Zina D. Young was appointed as general president of the Society. Sister Young was closely identified with the statewide movement in seri-culture. She raised cocoons, attending them with her own hands, and had charge of the large cocoonery and mulberry orchard of her husband. President Young, during the late 60's and early 70's. When the Silk Association was organized, she was chosen as president of that society. Sister Young made several trips abroad. She went to the Sandwich Islands, in 1879.
Sister Young was the first matron of the women workers of the Salt Lake temple, which position she occupied until her death. She visited and labored in the other temples, as her travels led her from place to place. She died at her home in Salt Lake City, August 28, 1901.
Zina D. H. Young was the embodiment of faith, hope and charity, and was herself without guile. She believed the best of every one with whom she ever came in contact. She was beloved by a whole people, because she loved them first. Her love was expressed in lavish abandon of her own interest and her means. To do good was her waking thought, to bind up a broken heart was her evening benediction. Sweetness and sympathy radiated from her presence while trusting faith shone around her like an aura of heavenly glow.
There were "ladies" in those days, and surely none were more refined, more exquisitely courteous than this daughter of English earls and "Mormon" Puritans. Where she is now, in heaven, there is joy, as always there was peace where ever she was when upon the earth.
ZINA D. H. YOUNG.
Zina D. H. Young, the third general president of the Relief Society, was born Jan. 31, 1821, in Watertown, Jefferson county. New York. She was of fine New England stock, her father being William Huntington, of the famous Huntington family, and her mother, who was Zina Raker, was likewise of Pilgrim inheritance.
When the gospel reached Watertown, in 1835, the Huntington family accepted of the message and Zina was baptized by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, August 1, 1835. Soon after this they removed to Kirtland.
Sister Zina was gifted greatly in tongues and interpretation of tongues. On one occasion, in the Kirtland temple, she heard a whole choir of angels singing, till the house seemed filled with unnumbered voices. She was a member of the Kirtland Temple Choir at the wonderful occasion when the Spirit of God filled the house like a mighty rushing wind.
Zina's mother died from fatigue and privation in Nauvoo, July 8, 1839. Zina was married in Nauvoo and had two sons, Zebulon and Chariton, but the union was not a happy one, and she was separated from her husband. She was sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, October 27, 1841.
In one of the early meetings of the Relief Society in Nauvoo, Sister Zina became a member and received her blessings and endowments in the Nauvoo temple. She was with the Saints who left Nauvoo after the martyrdom of the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum, and crossed the Mississippi on the ice, February 9, 1846. She was married to President Brigham Young in Winter Quarters and accompanied his family in 1848 to the valley.
On April 3, 1850, her treasured daughter, Zina, was born. Nothing could exceed the close and happy associations of these two Zinas, who were both mother and daughter, sister and sister, companion and friend.
When the general Relief Society movement was undertaken by Sister Eliza R. Snow, President Young suggested Sister Zina to assist Sister Snow with other sisters in this great task. When the General Board was formed with Sister Snow as the head of the Women's Relief Society throughout the Church, in June, 1880, Sister Zina was chosen as her first counselor. She traveled with Sister Snow and shared in her labors and responsibilities.
After the death of Sister Snow, on December 5, 1887, Zina D. Young was appointed as general president of the Society. Sister Young was closely identified with the statewide movement in seri-culture. She raised cocoons, attending them with her own hands, and had charge of the large cocoonery and mulberry orchard of her husband. President Young, during the late 60's and early 70's. When the Silk Association was organized, she was chosen as president of that society. Sister Young made several trips abroad. She went to the Sandwich Islands, in 1879.
Sister Young was the first matron of the women workers of the Salt Lake temple, which position she occupied until her death. She visited and labored in the other temples, as her travels led her from place to place. She died at her home in Salt Lake City, August 28, 1901.
Zina D. H. Young was the embodiment of faith, hope and charity, and was herself without guile. She believed the best of every one with whom she ever came in contact. She was beloved by a whole people, because she loved them first. Her love was expressed in lavish abandon of her own interest and her means. To do good was her waking thought, to bind up a broken heart was her evening benediction. Sweetness and sympathy radiated from her presence while trusting faith shone around her like an aura of heavenly glow.
There were "ladies" in those days, and surely none were more refined, more exquisitely courteous than this daughter of English earls and "Mormon" Puritans. Where she is now, in heaven, there is joy, as always there was peace where ever she was when upon the earth.
"Centennial of President Zina D. Huntington Young." Relief Society Magazine. March 1921. pg. 128-136.
Centennial of President Zina D. Huntington Young
The recent one hundredth anniversary of the birth of our third General President of the Relief Society was celebrated in a delightful and instructive way by a joint memorial program given by her descendants, and members of the General Board of the Relief Society. The Committee on entertainment appointed by the General Board are as follows:
Mrs. Jeanette A. Hyde, chairman, Elizabeth C. Crismonj Rebecca N. Nibley, Mrs. Julia P. M. Farnsworth, Mrs. Donetta Smith Kesler.
The above mentioned persons were associated with Mrs. Zina Young Williams Card, Colonel Willard Young, Mrs. Maria Y. Dougall, and Mrs. Phebe Y. Beatie, in the details of the evenings entertainment.
The entertainment was given in the General Board Headquarters on the evening of January 31, 1921, and was a charming affair from beginning to end. The music was as follows:
Lizzie Thomas Edward, solo, “O My Father.”
Moroni J. Thomas, Mrs. Joseph Wood, Agnes O. Thomas, Sam Winter, quartet, sang, “I am a pilgrim,” in the most exquisite style and voice.
Relief Society Choir, directed by Lizzie Thomas Edward, sang, “I need thee every hour,” and “The resurrection day.”
Colonel Willard Young had charge of the program as master of ceremonies.
The first speaker was President Zina D. H. Young's only daughter, Mrs. Zina Y. W. Card. She related many interesting incidents in the lives of her own mother and her grandfather's and grandmother's history. She told of the coming of one of the three Nephites to visit the Huntington family, just about the time the Prophet Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. She described, in vivid language, the pioneer home life of grandfather Wm. Huntington, in their New England home, and related the conversion of the family through the Martyr-Patriarch Hyrum Smith. She referred to her mother's first marriage, and the two noble sons born of that union, Zebulon and Chariton Jacobs, and then told other interesting facts concerning her mother's removal to Nauvoo, and subsequent life. Mrs. Maria Y. Dougall and Mrs. Phebe Beattie, both eulogized the life and character of their sainted step-mother, in touching and moving words. Sister Jeanette A. Hyde followed with a brief but comprehensive sketch of the life and labors of President Zina D. H. Young.
Sister Zina's father, William Huntington, came into the Church with his 5 children, the three sons, William, Dymoch, and Oliver, the two daughters, Zina and Prescinda. Wm. and Dymoch were the chosen body-guard of the Prophet Joseph Smith in his life, his death, and they guarded his body to its final resting-place. Dymoch was the leader of the pioneer martial band. Who does not remember his stately dignity, his imposing appearance, as he marched at the head of the procession and of his band on our national holidays?
Prescinda married President Heber C. Kimball, and her son Joseph is one of our well-known business men.
Descendants of each of these five families were guests at the memorial service, about fifty of them being from the Huntington's and about thirty were from Sister Zina's family. Bishop Huntington of Springville who was present is the worthy son of his noble father Oliver Huntington, the Patriarch.
Refreshments were served by the granddaughters of Zina D. H. Young, and consisted of old-fashioned cookies, bananas, cheese and chocolate.
It may be interesting to our readers to give here a sketch of Sister Young which was printed in the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association History, some years ago.
ZINA D. HUNTINGTON YOUNG
“There have been many noble women, some great women, and a multitude of good women, associated, past and present, with the Latter-day work. But of them all, none was so lovely, so lovable, and so greatly beloved as was “Aunt Zina.” To be sure the explanation seems simple, but it only “seems,” for it is anything but simple to live the perfect Christian life which was lived by this saintly woman for over eighty years.
“Aunt Zina was a perfect example of the teachings of Paul I Corinthians 13; yet, with all her tenderness and exquisite delicacy of motive and act, there was a sturdy strength about her which made up the heroic part of her character. She was extremely quick in her perceptions, and was keenly conscious of malicious conduct or slighting treatment; but her nobility prevented her from resenting ill-treatment, and she was ready to forgive long before asked to do so.
“It is related of her that on one occasion she was told that a certain woman did not like her. Aunt Zina looked quietly into the eyes of her informer and said, with simple dignity and sincerity: ‘Well, I love her, sister, and she can't help herself.'
“It is an established fact that, almost without exception, the founders of the “Mormon” Church were descendants of the founders of the American nation, and it is a pleasing task to study the genealogical history of the men and women who have, under God, laid the foundations of this Church.
“Zina Huntington Young was descended from a line of distinguished ancestry. Lady Salina Huntington, who came from one branch of the family, was the daughter of the Earl of Ferrars, and a co-laborer of the famous reformer, Wesley. The pedigree of this family, and that of George Washington, the first American, meet in the same parentage, a few generations before either of these distinguished personages was born. The mother of Aunt Zina was a Dimock, and she was of the family of Sir. Edward Dymock. Knight. Champion to Queen Elizabeth. The Dymocks were hereditary holders of this title for several generations.
“Aunt Zina's father was one of the patriots who served in the war of 1812. Samuel Huntington, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was the uncle of this sturdy and gallant soldier. Her own father was descended directly from Simon Huntington, the Puritan immigrant, who sailed for America in 1633, but on the way died of small-pox. His wife and little children settled in Roxbury, and were under the direct charge of the famous pastor, John Elliot. Her paternal grandmother was a Lathrop, of the Black River Valley, New York.
“Aunt Zina was born Jan. 31, 1821, at Watertown where her parents had emigrated, and she was baptized in Kirtland by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, August 14, 1835. Young as she was, she received, during this year at Kirtland the two beautiful gifts which never afterwards left her: that of speaking in tongues and of interpretation of tongues. She was a member of the Kirtland temple choir, and began, even in her youth, the work of her life—the teaching of the young. She was eminently gifted as a teacher. She not only had the gift of imparting information from the modest store of book-learning which she possessed, but she had that higher, rarer gift of imparting the inspiration of her own high ideals and character to the youth who were under her care.
“She was married in her youth, and had two fine boys, Zebulon and Chariton Jacobs; but the union was not a happy one, and she subsequently separated from her husband. She was married in the order of celestial marriage to the Prophet Joseph Smith, for time and eternity. After the martyrdom of the Prophet, she accepted the offer of a home, under the roof of President Young, and was married to him for time. 'She had one child to Brigham Young, a daughter, Zina, who is a worthy representative of a spiritual and sainted mother.
“Aunt Zina's mother died during the persecutions in Missouri, and the family were all so ill that only two of the number could attend the funeral. Her father died, also a martyr, at the camp at Pisgah, after the Saints were driven from Nauvoo. The Saints at this time were in the most terrible straits. Deaths were so frequent that it was difficult to find well ones who could bury the dead. Many were buried with split logs at the bottom of the graves, while the sides were lined with brush hastily cut from the roadside. It was at this time that Father Huntington was taken sick, and died in eighteen days.
“Aunt Zina went to Winter Quarters after the death of her father; and she crossed the plains, in 1848, with her husband's family, walking, driving team, cooking beside the camp-fire, and sharing, nay, bearing far more than her part of the burdens of the journey. She was an expert bread-maker and her salt-rising would come up when all the others were dead and cold. No one will ever know how little of her own provisions she ate, and how much she gave to others less favored than herself. After arriving in Salt Lake Valley, she lived first in the Old Fort, then in the “Log Row,” a short distance north of the Eagle Gate, and later with the other members of the family moved (in 1856) into the famous Lion House.
“Aunt Zina taught school for many years, for there must be schools, and the men were all busy with the strenuous pioneer labors in canyon and field. She began teaching in Nauvoo; next, she had a noisy, yet merry, school in Winter Quarters, and finally opened a small class in her own small room in the Log Fort. After the Lion House was built and teachers multiplied, she turned her attention to other philanthropic labors, for her spirit was far too active, and her capacity too great, to make her satisfied with the small compass of her own four walls. She walked the difficult path of public trust, side by side with Eliza R. Snow.
“When the Relief Society was reorganized in Utah by Brigham Young, Aunt Zina was chosen as treasurer. Later, when the general organization was completed, June 19, 1880, she was the first counselor to Sister Eliza R. Snow. This office she held until the death of Sister Snow, when she was elected the president of that historic society, and she continued in that office till her own death, on the 28th of August, 1902. She was thus, for ten years, elect lady of the Church and no more beautiful soul ever occupied that exalted position.
“She was chosen in the early seventies by Brigham Young to take up the “mission” of establishing silk-culture in the Territory, and to her death she was faithful to the trust then imposed upon her. To hear her modest story of the suffering she endured in silence, while working on the silk farm established by President Young in the suburbs of the city, was to hear what real heroism means. She was afflicted with a mortal terror of worms, having a birth mark in the palm of her hand in the shape of a curled-up worm. But when she was called upon to take up the work in sericulture, she told no one of her affliction, solved that she would conquer her terror, if she died of heart failure in the attempt. And conquer, to an extent, she did. She fed and took care of millions of worms, and although there were months that her dreams were nightmare remembrances of her daily horror, she never faltered. She lived to see the silk industry fostered and made comparatively successful through legislative enactment. And she wore, for many years, home-made silk dresses as her best attire.
“In no other line of work and effort was Aunt Zina better known and more appreciated than in her ministrations to the sick and dying in the household of faith. She was an angel of hope and faith to thousands and thousands of the Latter-day Saints. Who has not seen the heavenly comfort and faith beaming from her eye as she knelt over the sick or soothed the mourner! In those early days, whose child was not nursed back to health, or robed for its last long sleep, by the tender hands of this angelic woman! What household was not made better, purer, holier far, because of the presence of this saintly woman and womanly saint!
“She was early educated in the simple mysteries of obstetrics by a visiting physician to the Territory of Utah, Dr. Mary Barker, and ever after she was called from her home in season and out of season, to preside as high priestess at the altar of birth. She heard the birth-cry of more children than any other woman in Utah. And, withal, she bore three, and reared a large family of her husband's children. Col. Willard Young, Mrs. Mary Y. Croxall, Mrs. Maria Y. Dougall and Mrs. Phebe Y. Beatie were as near and dear to her as if she had borne them in the flesh. And her memory, to them, is as sweet and sacred as is their own saintly mother, Clara Chase Young, who died at the birth of Phebe. Aunt Zina took the children into her home and heart.
“She was the soul of generosity, and yet not lavish; she was forgiving to a fault, and still she always knew when people assailed her. She was eloquent, and had a personal magnetism which attracted the merest stranger instantly to her side. She was sweetly proud, and her soul was filled with an exquisite dignity.
“She labored for years as a high priestess, first in the Endowment House, and then in the Salt Lake Temple, where she presided among the women workers to the day of her death.
“In the work in the Mutual Improvement Association and Primary Association, Aunt Zina's work was co-equal with the labors of Sister Eliza R. Snow. Together they traveled, Sister Snow's ringing challenge penetrating into the very depths of the girls' minds and brains, while Aunt Zina's loving appeal sank into their hearts and distilled upon their souls like the dews upon the thirsty hills around their valley homes. They traveled thousands and thousands of miles, mostly in carriages or wagons, holding two and sometimes four meetings a day, organizing branches of the Retrenchment, or Mutual Improvement, Associations, meeting with the Relief Societies, “preaching up” silk, or the loyal support of home industry; securing subscribers to the Woman's Exponent; urging the women and the girls to study well their responsibilities, as mothers, wives and daughters. Then, one meeting dismissed, the same audience would assemble while these two orators and organizers would call a session of the Suffrage Society, or, perhaps, a meeting of the children's Primary Associations. And in this taxing and yet glorious life this woman, these women, lived, labored, suffered and passed to their rewards.”
The death of Eliza R. Snow occurred on December 5, 1887. At the following April conference, Zina D. H. Young was sustained as General President. The following notice appeared in the Womans Exponent, April 15, 1888:
“On Sunday afternoon, April 8, Apostle F. D. Richards presented the authorities of the Church to be voted for, and all were sustained in their places as at the previous conference in October.
“Apostle Richards stated that it had been deemed advisable to omit the full statistical report of the Church, and of the Relief Society, Young Ladies' and Primary Associations, at the present conference. Our late lamented sister, Eliza R. Snow Smith, has been president of the Relief Society ever since its organization in these mountains, and has labored with unexampled diligence for its welfare and advancement. Her death now leaves the organization without a president. Sister Zina D. Young was her first counselor. It is now moved and seconded that she be made president. Sister Young was chosen by unanimous vote. The selection of her counselors was left for further consideration. The following general officers of the Relief Society were then sustained: Sarah M. Kimball, secretary; Romania B. Pratt, assistant secretary; M. Isabella Horne, treasurer.”
At the October conference following Sister Young chose her counselors; the first counselor being Bathsheba W. Smith, the second, Jane S. Richards, Secretary, Sarah M. Kimball. Romania B. Penrose who had been named at the April General Conference as Treasurer was made assistant General Secretary, while Mary Isabella Horne was appointed as General Treasurer, with Emmeline B. Wells, as Corresponding Secretary, and most of these officers continued in service until death claimed .our beloved President Zina D. H. Young, which occurred, as has been stated, August 28, 1902.
During the administration of President Zina D. H. Young, she traveled much among the Relief Societies, exhorting the sisters and inspiring them to diligence in their various labors. She encouraged the establishment of nurses classes, and fostered the growth of the movement organized by Dr. Margaret C. Roberts, to establish nurse class work in direct association with our Relief Societies. It was during Aunt Zina's administration that statehood came to Utah, and she took an active part in traveling throughout the state, urging the inclusion 'of full voting privileges for women in the new Constitutional Convention. She was not a delegate to that Convention, but was in constant attendance, and encouraged the friends of the Suffrage movement, while her name appears at the head of the mammoth list of women petitioners, who poured in their appeals to the Convention, in behalf of restoring the very precious elective privilege which Congress had taken away from the territory in the Edmunds-Tucker Bill of 1887-1888.
She presided at mass meetings of her sex, and directed the general conferences of the Relief Society with her usual charm and dignity. She called the first general conference of the Relief Society, April 6, 1889.
In that historic conference the following stakes made response to the call as follows:
Bannock, Bear Lake, Box Elder, Davis, Emery, Juab, Kanab, Millard, Oneida, Salt Lake, St. George, San Pete, Summit, Weber, Morgan (presidents), Beaver, Parowan, Panguitch, San Juan (counselors).
President Zina D. H. Young, was the principal speaker on that memorable occasion, when the sisters gathered from all over the inter-mountain region for the first time in formal conference.
She witnessed the gradual extinction of the silk industry, which she had so lovingly fostered and built up, because of commercial conditions, and because of the action taken by the government at Washington, in regard to duty on the raw silk. She also was present at the demise of the Deseret Hospital movement, but assisted with all her mind and might, in the establishment of our beautiful Latter-day Saint Hospital, which practically absorbed the woman’s separate hospital movement.
Many beautiful parties were given for her, sometimes by the General Board of the Relief Society, but far more frequently by her loving daughters, Maria Y. Dougall and Phebe Y. Beatie. Her own beloved pioneer daughter, Zina, had moved to Canada, and lived there during her mother’s administrative labors in the General Board of the Relief Society.
She made a trip to the Sandwich Islands and one to the eastern states, speaking in public and private in explanation of her religious beliefs and proving by her presence the falsity of many stories concerning the women of her people.
President Zina D. H. Young died beloved and mourned by her children, her friends, and her people. The joy in the hearts of those who knew her consists in the anticipation of the renewal of happy association with “Aunt Zina” in her glorified home in the Celestial Kingdom.
Centennial of President Zina D. Huntington Young
The recent one hundredth anniversary of the birth of our third General President of the Relief Society was celebrated in a delightful and instructive way by a joint memorial program given by her descendants, and members of the General Board of the Relief Society. The Committee on entertainment appointed by the General Board are as follows:
Mrs. Jeanette A. Hyde, chairman, Elizabeth C. Crismonj Rebecca N. Nibley, Mrs. Julia P. M. Farnsworth, Mrs. Donetta Smith Kesler.
The above mentioned persons were associated with Mrs. Zina Young Williams Card, Colonel Willard Young, Mrs. Maria Y. Dougall, and Mrs. Phebe Y. Beatie, in the details of the evenings entertainment.
The entertainment was given in the General Board Headquarters on the evening of January 31, 1921, and was a charming affair from beginning to end. The music was as follows:
Lizzie Thomas Edward, solo, “O My Father.”
Moroni J. Thomas, Mrs. Joseph Wood, Agnes O. Thomas, Sam Winter, quartet, sang, “I am a pilgrim,” in the most exquisite style and voice.
Relief Society Choir, directed by Lizzie Thomas Edward, sang, “I need thee every hour,” and “The resurrection day.”
Colonel Willard Young had charge of the program as master of ceremonies.
The first speaker was President Zina D. H. Young's only daughter, Mrs. Zina Y. W. Card. She related many interesting incidents in the lives of her own mother and her grandfather's and grandmother's history. She told of the coming of one of the three Nephites to visit the Huntington family, just about the time the Prophet Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. She described, in vivid language, the pioneer home life of grandfather Wm. Huntington, in their New England home, and related the conversion of the family through the Martyr-Patriarch Hyrum Smith. She referred to her mother's first marriage, and the two noble sons born of that union, Zebulon and Chariton Jacobs, and then told other interesting facts concerning her mother's removal to Nauvoo, and subsequent life. Mrs. Maria Y. Dougall and Mrs. Phebe Beattie, both eulogized the life and character of their sainted step-mother, in touching and moving words. Sister Jeanette A. Hyde followed with a brief but comprehensive sketch of the life and labors of President Zina D. H. Young.
Sister Zina's father, William Huntington, came into the Church with his 5 children, the three sons, William, Dymoch, and Oliver, the two daughters, Zina and Prescinda. Wm. and Dymoch were the chosen body-guard of the Prophet Joseph Smith in his life, his death, and they guarded his body to its final resting-place. Dymoch was the leader of the pioneer martial band. Who does not remember his stately dignity, his imposing appearance, as he marched at the head of the procession and of his band on our national holidays?
Prescinda married President Heber C. Kimball, and her son Joseph is one of our well-known business men.
Descendants of each of these five families were guests at the memorial service, about fifty of them being from the Huntington's and about thirty were from Sister Zina's family. Bishop Huntington of Springville who was present is the worthy son of his noble father Oliver Huntington, the Patriarch.
Refreshments were served by the granddaughters of Zina D. H. Young, and consisted of old-fashioned cookies, bananas, cheese and chocolate.
It may be interesting to our readers to give here a sketch of Sister Young which was printed in the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association History, some years ago.
ZINA D. HUNTINGTON YOUNG
“There have been many noble women, some great women, and a multitude of good women, associated, past and present, with the Latter-day work. But of them all, none was so lovely, so lovable, and so greatly beloved as was “Aunt Zina.” To be sure the explanation seems simple, but it only “seems,” for it is anything but simple to live the perfect Christian life which was lived by this saintly woman for over eighty years.
“Aunt Zina was a perfect example of the teachings of Paul I Corinthians 13; yet, with all her tenderness and exquisite delicacy of motive and act, there was a sturdy strength about her which made up the heroic part of her character. She was extremely quick in her perceptions, and was keenly conscious of malicious conduct or slighting treatment; but her nobility prevented her from resenting ill-treatment, and she was ready to forgive long before asked to do so.
“It is related of her that on one occasion she was told that a certain woman did not like her. Aunt Zina looked quietly into the eyes of her informer and said, with simple dignity and sincerity: ‘Well, I love her, sister, and she can't help herself.'
“It is an established fact that, almost without exception, the founders of the “Mormon” Church were descendants of the founders of the American nation, and it is a pleasing task to study the genealogical history of the men and women who have, under God, laid the foundations of this Church.
“Zina Huntington Young was descended from a line of distinguished ancestry. Lady Salina Huntington, who came from one branch of the family, was the daughter of the Earl of Ferrars, and a co-laborer of the famous reformer, Wesley. The pedigree of this family, and that of George Washington, the first American, meet in the same parentage, a few generations before either of these distinguished personages was born. The mother of Aunt Zina was a Dimock, and she was of the family of Sir. Edward Dymock. Knight. Champion to Queen Elizabeth. The Dymocks were hereditary holders of this title for several generations.
“Aunt Zina's father was one of the patriots who served in the war of 1812. Samuel Huntington, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was the uncle of this sturdy and gallant soldier. Her own father was descended directly from Simon Huntington, the Puritan immigrant, who sailed for America in 1633, but on the way died of small-pox. His wife and little children settled in Roxbury, and were under the direct charge of the famous pastor, John Elliot. Her paternal grandmother was a Lathrop, of the Black River Valley, New York.
“Aunt Zina was born Jan. 31, 1821, at Watertown where her parents had emigrated, and she was baptized in Kirtland by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, August 14, 1835. Young as she was, she received, during this year at Kirtland the two beautiful gifts which never afterwards left her: that of speaking in tongues and of interpretation of tongues. She was a member of the Kirtland temple choir, and began, even in her youth, the work of her life—the teaching of the young. She was eminently gifted as a teacher. She not only had the gift of imparting information from the modest store of book-learning which she possessed, but she had that higher, rarer gift of imparting the inspiration of her own high ideals and character to the youth who were under her care.
“She was married in her youth, and had two fine boys, Zebulon and Chariton Jacobs; but the union was not a happy one, and she subsequently separated from her husband. She was married in the order of celestial marriage to the Prophet Joseph Smith, for time and eternity. After the martyrdom of the Prophet, she accepted the offer of a home, under the roof of President Young, and was married to him for time. 'She had one child to Brigham Young, a daughter, Zina, who is a worthy representative of a spiritual and sainted mother.
“Aunt Zina's mother died during the persecutions in Missouri, and the family were all so ill that only two of the number could attend the funeral. Her father died, also a martyr, at the camp at Pisgah, after the Saints were driven from Nauvoo. The Saints at this time were in the most terrible straits. Deaths were so frequent that it was difficult to find well ones who could bury the dead. Many were buried with split logs at the bottom of the graves, while the sides were lined with brush hastily cut from the roadside. It was at this time that Father Huntington was taken sick, and died in eighteen days.
“Aunt Zina went to Winter Quarters after the death of her father; and she crossed the plains, in 1848, with her husband's family, walking, driving team, cooking beside the camp-fire, and sharing, nay, bearing far more than her part of the burdens of the journey. She was an expert bread-maker and her salt-rising would come up when all the others were dead and cold. No one will ever know how little of her own provisions she ate, and how much she gave to others less favored than herself. After arriving in Salt Lake Valley, she lived first in the Old Fort, then in the “Log Row,” a short distance north of the Eagle Gate, and later with the other members of the family moved (in 1856) into the famous Lion House.
“Aunt Zina taught school for many years, for there must be schools, and the men were all busy with the strenuous pioneer labors in canyon and field. She began teaching in Nauvoo; next, she had a noisy, yet merry, school in Winter Quarters, and finally opened a small class in her own small room in the Log Fort. After the Lion House was built and teachers multiplied, she turned her attention to other philanthropic labors, for her spirit was far too active, and her capacity too great, to make her satisfied with the small compass of her own four walls. She walked the difficult path of public trust, side by side with Eliza R. Snow.
“When the Relief Society was reorganized in Utah by Brigham Young, Aunt Zina was chosen as treasurer. Later, when the general organization was completed, June 19, 1880, she was the first counselor to Sister Eliza R. Snow. This office she held until the death of Sister Snow, when she was elected the president of that historic society, and she continued in that office till her own death, on the 28th of August, 1902. She was thus, for ten years, elect lady of the Church and no more beautiful soul ever occupied that exalted position.
“She was chosen in the early seventies by Brigham Young to take up the “mission” of establishing silk-culture in the Territory, and to her death she was faithful to the trust then imposed upon her. To hear her modest story of the suffering she endured in silence, while working on the silk farm established by President Young in the suburbs of the city, was to hear what real heroism means. She was afflicted with a mortal terror of worms, having a birth mark in the palm of her hand in the shape of a curled-up worm. But when she was called upon to take up the work in sericulture, she told no one of her affliction, solved that she would conquer her terror, if she died of heart failure in the attempt. And conquer, to an extent, she did. She fed and took care of millions of worms, and although there were months that her dreams were nightmare remembrances of her daily horror, she never faltered. She lived to see the silk industry fostered and made comparatively successful through legislative enactment. And she wore, for many years, home-made silk dresses as her best attire.
“In no other line of work and effort was Aunt Zina better known and more appreciated than in her ministrations to the sick and dying in the household of faith. She was an angel of hope and faith to thousands and thousands of the Latter-day Saints. Who has not seen the heavenly comfort and faith beaming from her eye as she knelt over the sick or soothed the mourner! In those early days, whose child was not nursed back to health, or robed for its last long sleep, by the tender hands of this angelic woman! What household was not made better, purer, holier far, because of the presence of this saintly woman and womanly saint!
“She was early educated in the simple mysteries of obstetrics by a visiting physician to the Territory of Utah, Dr. Mary Barker, and ever after she was called from her home in season and out of season, to preside as high priestess at the altar of birth. She heard the birth-cry of more children than any other woman in Utah. And, withal, she bore three, and reared a large family of her husband's children. Col. Willard Young, Mrs. Mary Y. Croxall, Mrs. Maria Y. Dougall and Mrs. Phebe Y. Beatie were as near and dear to her as if she had borne them in the flesh. And her memory, to them, is as sweet and sacred as is their own saintly mother, Clara Chase Young, who died at the birth of Phebe. Aunt Zina took the children into her home and heart.
“She was the soul of generosity, and yet not lavish; she was forgiving to a fault, and still she always knew when people assailed her. She was eloquent, and had a personal magnetism which attracted the merest stranger instantly to her side. She was sweetly proud, and her soul was filled with an exquisite dignity.
“She labored for years as a high priestess, first in the Endowment House, and then in the Salt Lake Temple, where she presided among the women workers to the day of her death.
“In the work in the Mutual Improvement Association and Primary Association, Aunt Zina's work was co-equal with the labors of Sister Eliza R. Snow. Together they traveled, Sister Snow's ringing challenge penetrating into the very depths of the girls' minds and brains, while Aunt Zina's loving appeal sank into their hearts and distilled upon their souls like the dews upon the thirsty hills around their valley homes. They traveled thousands and thousands of miles, mostly in carriages or wagons, holding two and sometimes four meetings a day, organizing branches of the Retrenchment, or Mutual Improvement, Associations, meeting with the Relief Societies, “preaching up” silk, or the loyal support of home industry; securing subscribers to the Woman's Exponent; urging the women and the girls to study well their responsibilities, as mothers, wives and daughters. Then, one meeting dismissed, the same audience would assemble while these two orators and organizers would call a session of the Suffrage Society, or, perhaps, a meeting of the children's Primary Associations. And in this taxing and yet glorious life this woman, these women, lived, labored, suffered and passed to their rewards.”
The death of Eliza R. Snow occurred on December 5, 1887. At the following April conference, Zina D. H. Young was sustained as General President. The following notice appeared in the Womans Exponent, April 15, 1888:
“On Sunday afternoon, April 8, Apostle F. D. Richards presented the authorities of the Church to be voted for, and all were sustained in their places as at the previous conference in October.
“Apostle Richards stated that it had been deemed advisable to omit the full statistical report of the Church, and of the Relief Society, Young Ladies' and Primary Associations, at the present conference. Our late lamented sister, Eliza R. Snow Smith, has been president of the Relief Society ever since its organization in these mountains, and has labored with unexampled diligence for its welfare and advancement. Her death now leaves the organization without a president. Sister Zina D. Young was her first counselor. It is now moved and seconded that she be made president. Sister Young was chosen by unanimous vote. The selection of her counselors was left for further consideration. The following general officers of the Relief Society were then sustained: Sarah M. Kimball, secretary; Romania B. Pratt, assistant secretary; M. Isabella Horne, treasurer.”
At the October conference following Sister Young chose her counselors; the first counselor being Bathsheba W. Smith, the second, Jane S. Richards, Secretary, Sarah M. Kimball. Romania B. Penrose who had been named at the April General Conference as Treasurer was made assistant General Secretary, while Mary Isabella Horne was appointed as General Treasurer, with Emmeline B. Wells, as Corresponding Secretary, and most of these officers continued in service until death claimed .our beloved President Zina D. H. Young, which occurred, as has been stated, August 28, 1902.
During the administration of President Zina D. H. Young, she traveled much among the Relief Societies, exhorting the sisters and inspiring them to diligence in their various labors. She encouraged the establishment of nurses classes, and fostered the growth of the movement organized by Dr. Margaret C. Roberts, to establish nurse class work in direct association with our Relief Societies. It was during Aunt Zina's administration that statehood came to Utah, and she took an active part in traveling throughout the state, urging the inclusion 'of full voting privileges for women in the new Constitutional Convention. She was not a delegate to that Convention, but was in constant attendance, and encouraged the friends of the Suffrage movement, while her name appears at the head of the mammoth list of women petitioners, who poured in their appeals to the Convention, in behalf of restoring the very precious elective privilege which Congress had taken away from the territory in the Edmunds-Tucker Bill of 1887-1888.
She presided at mass meetings of her sex, and directed the general conferences of the Relief Society with her usual charm and dignity. She called the first general conference of the Relief Society, April 6, 1889.
In that historic conference the following stakes made response to the call as follows:
Bannock, Bear Lake, Box Elder, Davis, Emery, Juab, Kanab, Millard, Oneida, Salt Lake, St. George, San Pete, Summit, Weber, Morgan (presidents), Beaver, Parowan, Panguitch, San Juan (counselors).
President Zina D. H. Young, was the principal speaker on that memorable occasion, when the sisters gathered from all over the inter-mountain region for the first time in formal conference.
She witnessed the gradual extinction of the silk industry, which she had so lovingly fostered and built up, because of commercial conditions, and because of the action taken by the government at Washington, in regard to duty on the raw silk. She also was present at the demise of the Deseret Hospital movement, but assisted with all her mind and might, in the establishment of our beautiful Latter-day Saint Hospital, which practically absorbed the woman’s separate hospital movement.
Many beautiful parties were given for her, sometimes by the General Board of the Relief Society, but far more frequently by her loving daughters, Maria Y. Dougall and Phebe Y. Beatie. Her own beloved pioneer daughter, Zina, had moved to Canada, and lived there during her mother’s administrative labors in the General Board of the Relief Society.
She made a trip to the Sandwich Islands and one to the eastern states, speaking in public and private in explanation of her religious beliefs and proving by her presence the falsity of many stories concerning the women of her people.
President Zina D. H. Young died beloved and mourned by her children, her friends, and her people. The joy in the hearts of those who knew her consists in the anticipation of the renewal of happy association with “Aunt Zina” in her glorified home in the Celestial Kingdom.
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.
I 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.
I 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.