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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE

LIFE AND LABORS

-OF-

ELIZA R. SNOW SM

m

> T

WITH A FULL ACCOUNT OF HER

FUNERAL SERVICES.

PUBLISHED AT THE
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH,
1888.

PREFACE.

There is no apology necessary for the publication of this
little pamphlet containing a brief account of the labors of so
eminent a lady as Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith. Her diligent
and unceasing exertions to promote the cause of truth in the
earth have endeared her to every Latter-day Saint, and espe
cially to the sisters among whom she was constantly working.
For the purpose of preserving in a compact form an account of
the life and labors of this noble woman, this publication is
issued, and not with the view of making money, as the price at
which it is sold is barely sufficient to pay its cost.
The Publishers.

Life and Labors of
ELIZA. R. SNOW SMITH.

Monday morning, December 5th, at five
minutes past one o'clock, in her apartments in the
Lion House, this city, there passed away to the
Paradise of God, the spirit of one of the noblest,
best and purest women that ever graced the earth
— Eliza R. Snow Smith.
The news of this event will cause no surprise
in the community, as it was generally known that
the deceased had been gradually failing for the
last year. She was not affected with any special
disease, the complaint being simply a decline of
the physical powers, superinduced by old age.
Sister Smith's case was a remarkable instance of
the power of mind over matter, her mental clear
ness never forsaking her a moment ; she was con
scious up to within five minutes of the end.
About ten o'clock, Patriarch John Smith, who fre
quently called during her sickness, was by her
bedside, and inquired if she recognized him. The
custom ary_smile lit up the beautiful countenance,
and the reply came in clear and distinct tones —

LIFE AND LABORS OF

"Of course I do." He blessed her, and she ex"
pressed her thankfulness.
Her brother, A.postle Lorenzo Snow, has been
with her a great deal, and was by her side when
she breathed her last. Between the brother and
sister there has ever existed a most exquisite
affection, that has never been interrupted by any
incident during the long course of their lives.
Aunt Eliza, as she was familiarly called, has
felt for some time the probability of her passing
to the sphere beyond, and that same resignation
which characterized her course in all the dispen
sations of providence was conspicuous in relation
to her approaching dissolution. In the presence
of the writer a few days ago, she said, in substance:
"I have no choice as to whether I shall die or live.
I am perfectly willing to go or stay, as our
Heavenly Father shall order. I am in His hands."
While she spoke, her wonderfully lustrous, dark
eyes shone with more than earthly brightness, and
as she conversed with those around her, the native
intelligence which has so strongly individualized
her, was remarkably exhibited, considering the
weakness of her body.
The deceased was slightly above medium height
and of slender build; her bearing was at once grace
ful and dignified. Hers was a noble countenance,
the forehead being unusually high and expansive,
and the features? of a slightly Hebrew cast,
exquisitely cut as those of an artistic specimen of
the sculptor's art. The most striking feature of
all were those wonderful eyes, deep, penetrating,

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 1
full of meaning and intelligence, often illu
mined with poetic fire. They were indeed the
windows of a noble soul. Her conversation was
charming, every word being distinctly articulated,
while her sentences were admirably constructed.
In speech and action she was thoughtful and
deliberate. While of susceptible and delicate
organism, and in every way womanly, she had
great decision of character. So deep were her
convictions and potent her sense of morality, that
we believe she would more readily have sur
rendered her life than acted in opposition to them.
Deceased was the daughter of Oliver and
Rosetta Leonora Pettibone Snow, and was born
January 21st, 1804, in Becket, Berkshire County,
Massachusetts. She was consequently aged eighty-
three years, ten months and fourteen days. She
was the second in a family of seven children,
and was of unmixed Puritan stock, all lines of her
ancestry running back through pure streams of
New England blood. The Snow family from
which she was descended was of Massachusetts,
while her mother's family, the Pettibones, was of
Connecticut. During her infancy, her parents
removed to Mantua, Portage County, Ohio, where
five more children were born to them. Her father
was a farmer by occupation, but much of his time
was devoted to public business, and he was under
the necessity of enlisting her services in the
capacity of secretary, a species of employment for
which her natural capabilities rendered her well
adapted.

LIFE AND LABORS OF

She was . well skilled in household accomplish
ments, such as needlework and the like, but she
possessed a literary talent which was destined to
eclipse all commonplace acquirements. In early
youth she began writing poems for various publi
cations, and had won quite a reputation among
some of the publishers whom she had favored
with the productions of her pen. This is suf
ficiently attested by the circumstance of her being
requested to write, for publication, a requiem for
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, whose simul
taneous death on the nation's natal day, 1826,
afforded to the young authoress a theme well fitted
for the lofty and patriotic spirit that always char
acterized her muse. The appearance of this poem,
written when she was but twenty-two years of age,
was an event that ushered her into fame.
She was thoroughly and carefully educated in
the best schools of the region in which she was
reared, and in her girlhood became acquainted
with Alexander Campbell, the noted scholar and
theologian, and founder of the Campbellite sect ;
and also with Walter Scott and Sidney Rigdon,
able co-laborers with Mr. Campbell. These were
men of erudition, and they took pains to assist
her in the study of the Scriptures, especially the
prophecies of the Old Testament. It is probable
that her scriptural studies under their tuition,
aided in preparing her mind to receive the gos
pel in its fullness.
Early in the year 1835, Sister Eliza's elder sister
visited the Saints at Kirtland, and was deeply

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 9
impressed with their teachings. Her testimony
caused Sister Eliza to fear that the news of the
proclamation of the gospel by the Prophet Joseph
was too joyful to be true. She pursued her inves
tigations for a short time with increasing faith,
and at length was baptized April 5th, 1835. In
the following December she removed to Kirtland
and became an inmate of the Prophet Joseph's
household, boarding with his family aud teaching
a select school for young ladies.
On New Year's Day, 1837, a painful scene took
place in which she was the central figure, and
which is virtually described in her poem "What
it is to be a Saint." On that day she bade fare
well to her home, the fond associations of youth
and the flattering prospects that were opening
before her, being fully determined to unite forever
her fortunes with those of the persecuted Saints.
It is supposed that she -wrote the poem referred to
about this time, and that in it are shown forth
mental struggles and experiences of her own.
She returned to the home of the Prophet, became
governess to his children, and was companion to
his wife Emma for a. number of years.
Her intimate association with Joseph the Seer,
ripened into a holy consummation, and she, in the
year 1843, became his wife, in accordance with the
sacred ordinance of heaven, and the direct com
mand of God to her husband. She thus became
one of the first women of this dispensation to enter
the sacred and divine order of plural marriage.
She generously gave her patrimony for the

10 life And Labors OP
completion of the Kirtland Temple, and when the
Saints there, yielding to the pressure of the perse
cution which raged with increased fierceness after
the dedication of that structure, removed west
ward, she accompanied them, locating. first at Far
Wpst and afterward at Adam-ondi-Ahman, in
Missouri. To recount that ^portion of her life
which was passed in Missouri, would be but to
repeat the oft told tale of persecution, wrong and
outrage to which the Saints there were subjected.
Suffice it to say that Sister Eliza bore a part in
some of the most prominent and painful scenes
that go to make up the history of those times,
and shared in the exodus of the Saints to Illinois.
She stopped for a short- time at Quincy, and after
wards went to Lima, supporting herself by needle
work. In the summer of 1839, Sidney Rigdon sent for
her to go to Nauvoo to teach his family school,
and that city was her home until the expulsion
from it of the people of her choice. During those
-years a lofty and prophetic as well. poetical inspir
ation seemed almost constantly to rest upon her,
and shines forth in radiant power in the poems
written by her during that period.
In the first organization of a Relief Society,
effected in Nauvoo under the personal supervision
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Sister Eliza was
chosen secretary; and in the organization of those
same beneficent institutions in the various stakes
and wards of the Church, since it located in the
mountains, her's has been in her womanly sphere

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 11
the leading part. In connection with her labors
among the Relief Societies, she was long and
actively engaged in organizing the Young Ladies'
Mutual Improvement and Primary Associations,
taking almost, if not quite as prominent, a part
in the work of their establishment, as in that of
the Relief Societies.
Early in February, 1846, Sister Smith crossed
the Mississippi River, on the occasion of the third
great exodus from their homes of her people since
her connection with them. She was traveling
with the family of Colonel Stephen Markham, a
staunch friend of her husband's, and certain in
cidents and misfortunes occurred to the party
which rendered it necessary for Sister Smith to
drive an ox team from Mt. Pisgah to the Missouri
River. At Winter Quarters she suffered terribly
from exposure and sickness, and at one time lay
nigh unto death. Early in June, 1847, she started
from Winter Quarters, with the family of Brother
Robert Pierce, and in the company led by Jede-
diah M. Grant, on the weary journey to Great
Salt Lake Valley, following closely in the wake of
the pioneers. She arrived at her jonrney's end
early in October. President Brigham Young pro
vided her a home with his family immediately
after her arrival, and she thereafter continued an
inmate of his household.
Among the prominent events in the life of Sister
Smith was her journey to and from Palestine,
made in company with President George A.
Smith, Apostle Lorenzo Snow and other promi-

12 LIFE AND LABORS OF
nent brethren. The party left Salt Lake City in
the fall of 1872, and returned in June, 1873. The
trip is described in a volume of nearly four hun
dred pages, entitled "Correspondence of Palestine
Tourists," being a compilation of letters written
by members of the party. To this work the
deceased contributed largely, her correspondence
manifesting keen observation and graphic discrip-
tive powers.
The inspiration which vitalized her pen, and
brought from it words as imperishable as the
language, was not suppressed even under the most
trying and adverse circumstances; and at frequent
intervals of her weary journey she produced poems
of rare beauty.
Our sister is not dead; she simply sleeps, her
intelligent part having gone to that bright sphere
where the just await the time of their redemption,
when there will be a reunion of the spirit with
the body through the power of the resurrection.
Having slept in peace, she has secured her title to
be among the heavenly throng that will accom
pany the Lord of glory when He shall come to
this creation to take the reins of its government.
She has gone to mingle with the righteous who
have kept the faith; to associate with her husband
the great Prophet of the last dispensation, to
whom she has shown a sublime devotion that will
be appreciated in the eternities to come. She was
beloved here, where the memory of her virtues
will be cherished, so is she beloved in the sphere to
which she has passed.

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 13
In a'sense she is with us yet. The work she
accomplished remains, and its fruits will multiply,
as truth begets truth in an unceasing round. The
part which she took under the direction of the
Priesthood in organizing the little children, the
young ladies and the members of her sex of all
ages, and forwarding the work of instruction
among them still exists, and her spirit permeates
all these beneficent associations. Her charitable
deeds in administering to the sick, the afflicted
and bowed down, still live and bear their fruits,
and there are other noble spirits who will con
tinue to carry forward the multiplication of good of
the same nature. They have been her faithful
associates and counselors while she was in life,
and they will continue to emulate the virtues and
noble traits with which her whole career has been
fruitful to an extraordinary degree.
There was a marked harmony between the
qualities of the heart and the gifts of the intellect
of this remarkable woman. She was a poet of
the first order, all her poetic productions being of a
most exalted character. Some of them are as
sublime as ever were penned. One alone, which
has been sung times without number, would be
sufficient to establish her fame in this direction.
The opening lines are :
0 my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place !
"When shall I regain thy presence,
And again behold thy face?

14 ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH.
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood,
Was I nurtured near thy side ?
The foregoing poetical embodiment of the doc
trine of pre-existence of spirits is not more striking
than the thoughts enclosed in the concluding
lines : In the heavens are parents single ?
No ; the thought makes reason stare !
Truth is reason ; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
The purity of her life and nature necessarily
rendered her a fit medium through whom the
Holy Ghost could manifest those gifts and graces
of the gospel of the Redeemer that characterized
the disciple of the Church of Christ in ancient
times and which also exist in it as revealed anew
in this dispensation. It was delightful to the
Saints to listen to the exercise by her of the gift
of tongues, accompanied always by an influence of
inexpressible sweetness and comfort, or to hear
her give the interpretation of the manifestations
of the same gift operating through herself and
others. She also exhibited on occasions the
prophetic power. The latest of her predictions in
this regard was to the effect that a time of severe
trial for the Saints was approaching, beyond which
there was a glorious outcome for the faithful. It
may be said concerning her that she was indeed
"an elect lady." — Deseret N?ws.

FUNERAL SERVICES.
The funeral rites over the remains of Sister E.
R. Snow Smith were conducted on Friday, Dec. 7th,
Pres. Angus M. Cannon presiding. Between eleven
and twelve o'clock the pall-bearers assembled at
the'^Lion House and conveyed the body, which was
enclosed in a neat casket of polished natural wood,
to the Assembly Hall, followed by relatives and
immediate friends. The congregation assembled
there was^very large, the building being filled.
The^various stands were, in accordance with the
wish of the departed, draped in white, nothing
black being introduced. There was a great variety
of floral offerings, contributed by loving hearts.
They [were of various forms, such as wreaths,
crosses, hearts and other suggestive and appropri
ate' devices. At noon President Cannon called the
congregation to order. The choir sang:
I know that my Redeemer lives;
The opening prayer was offered by Bishop Alex
ander McRae.
The choir sang that beautiful production of the
deceased: "0 my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain thy presence,
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Pid my spirit once reside?

16 LIFE AND LABORS OF

In my first primeval childhood,
Was I nurtured near thy side?
"For a wise and glorious'purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth,
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet oft-times a secret something
Whispered, You're a stranger here;
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
"I had learned to call thee Father,
Through thy spirit from on high;
But, until the Key of Knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heavens are parents single?
No; the thought makes reason staref
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me, I've a mother there.
"When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, mother, may I meet you
In your royal court on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you. ' '
PRESIDENT ANGUS M. CANNON
then said: The hymn just sang in our hearing con
tains expressions of adoration and devotion to our
God. Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith who lies before
us, or whose earthly remains are now contained
in the casket before us, was one who was well fitted
and qualified to come upon the earth at the period
of time she did — a time when certain noble spirits
whom God had permitted to come forth^from His

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 17

presence to usher in, upon a world that lay in
darkness; the gospel of Jesus Christ, were here
upon the earth. From the time she first heard
the inspired utterances fall from the lips of the
Prophet Joseph her heart responded to the call,
feeling it an honor to help sustain those whom
God had raised up to enlighten mankind and pro
claim redemption to a fallen world. In adversity
as in prosperity her soul adored her Maker. Her
poetic muse took the most lofty flights, often while
sitting with, others around the camp-fire, often
while suffering the deepest distress and greatest
sorrow. Her heart continually rejoiced in know
ing that her Redeemer lived, and that men had
been raised up to preach and expound the plan of
salvation to the human family, and to establish
God's kingdom in power upon the earth. When
her voice has been heard, it has been heard stimu
lating her sisters to glorify their Creator, and to
feel thankful that they had been permitted to take
part in so great a work. It has been the good for
tune and happiness of your servant, who now ad
dresses you, to be intimately acquainted during
the past year, more so than it has been his privi
lege in former years, with the deceased; although
when a little boy — associated with the people of
Nauvoo and of this city — he was accustomed to
look upon her as one of the fairest, one of the pur
est, highest-minded, noble women that God had
created. He was happy in knowing that she was
counted worthy to be the wife of the great Prophet
and Seer, God's servant Joseph Smith. She was
1*

18 LIFE AND LABORS OF

ever calm and peaceful and submissive to his di
vine counsels, submitting her will to his will as he
submitted his will to the will of God our Heavenly
Father. He suffered his innocent blood to be shed
to seal the testimony he had given us and make it in
force for the redemption of mankind. She made her
life to conform with that of her partner. She
loved to serve him. She loved also to teach her
sisters the principle of self-sacrifice, which they
had exhibited in the midst of trials and sufferings
and joy. Her heart pulsated with the fond hope
that she might live many years to stimulate her
sisters in the works of righteousness, and to plead
with them to avoid the evils and vanities of Baby
lon. She desired that they should submit their
will to the calling of wives, mothers, sisters and
daughters of the Israel of God. She often spoke of
the trials that awaited us, and said that trials must
necessarily come upon us from the nature of the
calling that God has called us to. When she found
her bodily strength giving way, and felt she must
succumb to the monster death, her heart glorified
God that she would be numbered with the people
of God, and I assured her that she would ever
remain dear in the memory of the people of God,
and that they would rejoice in knowing that they
will yet enjoy her society in the endless future. At
this assurance a smile came over her face
which I cannot forget. All her desire was
that her sisters would be able to resist temptation,
and live worthy qf the fellowship of God. Peace
be to her ashes. Her soul will rest in peaee. Her

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 19
fondest expectations will be realized. May her
sisters emulate her example for ever and ever is
my prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH C. KINGSBURY.
Brethren and Sisters: I can endorse every word
that Brother Cannon has spoken here this morn
ing. This sister has now left us. She has gone to
rest. She has made her calling and election sure.
She was one of the earliest to embrace the new and
everlasting covenant. She has made a sacrifice
that God accepts. So must we also be ready and
willing to do the same when we are called upon to
do so. We are called to pass through persecution,
trials and tribulation, but what are these things
compared to the glories to be attained hereafter.
Let us seek diligently to make our calling and
elections sure. We have to work, to be dili
gent in all things, both spiritual and temporal.
We must endeavor to overcome every evil and
every temptation. The enemy is on the alert. He
desires to destroy the Saints of God. But let us
be united, and the powers of darkness cannot have
influence over us. Our trust is in God, and He
will deliver us. This is my prayer in the name of
Jesus, Amen. ELDER J. B. NOBLE.
I feel grateful for the opportunity of bearing tes
timony to the very truthful remarks that have
been spoken in relation to our sister who lies be
fore us, or her remains. I can endorse every sen
timent, and further, I can bear record that from

20 LIFE AND LABORS OF
an early day, from the commencement of her con
nection with this work, I have been familiar with
her labors; and I was favored above measure in her
society across the desert, from Nauvoo to this place.
I enjoyed her confidence, and my heart is filled
with joy unspeakable in having the opportunity to
bear my testimony to her life which has been one
of the very highest grade, prepared, as has been
said by President Cannon, to come forth in this
dispensation, and to do a mighty work. She has
accomplished that work in the fullest sense, and
the time draws near, the hour is nigh, when she
will hear the voice of her sleeping companion,
him who laid down his life for the cause of God,
and shed his blood for the same. She will soon
hear his voice, for the period has rolled around.
It behooves us who have named the name of the
Lord, taken upon us the name of Saints, to look
into our hearts and see if we possess the principle
pertaining to the higher law — namely, to do unto
otliers as we would have others do unto us. We
should bless the human family that are ignorant
in relation to this great and glorious work with
which we are associated. In relation to the de
ceased, we should feel to ask the blessing of the
Lord upon her relatives, and upon her sisters who
are honest in heart, that they may, with firm will,
practice those principles that she has. And
may the honest, among all people be awakened to
a realizing sense that this latter-day work is none
other than the work Jehovah predicted from all
time that should precede the coming of the Son •

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 21
of Man. Let us be wise; do the bidding of the
Holy Priesthood; work out our salvation by living
the law of the gospel, and eternal riches, eternal
exaltation, and eternal glory will be our portion,
our happy lot. I ask this in the name of Jesus,
Amen. ELDER JACOB GATES.
I am glad to have the opportunity of bearing my
testimony to what has already been said. It is
truly a joy and satisfaction to the living to see
such a congregation assembled as we see now be
fore us to pay — shall I say the last respects to our
departed sister? It seems to me an improper term,
from the fact that we shall long remember our sis
ter and her virtues, and I hope we shall endeavor
to practice the same while we are permitted to
live upon the earth. I have known sister Eliza
R. Snow Smith for many years. I have been
somewhat familiar with her personally, as she paid
many visits to my house, in the course of which we
had many pleasant conversations. The deceased,
among the representative women of this last dispen
sation, seemed to be second to none. Morally, relig
iously and poetically, she seemed to be one of those
perfect women that was prepared for the age, and to
represent her sex in this great latter-day work,
and she nobly filled the mission for which she was
appointed, and in which she took her place in the
early days of this Church. I pray our Heavenly
Father that we may all emulate her virtues and
cultivate the faith that she so nobly maintained

22 LIFE AND LABORS OF
through all the difficulties and trials of life
through which she and this people have passed,
never faltering. In all the conversations I ever
had with her, her faith reached onward and up
ward to the very climax of human perfection of
ideas in regard to the great work in which she was
engaged. I hope and pray that we may be equally
humble and faithful, and honor the memory of
our dear departed ones. Our brethren and sisters
are passing away constantly, and we may expect
in the near future that there will be but a very
few on the earth who were familiar or were ac
quainted with the Prophet, Joseph Smith. May
that spirit that bears record of the Father and
Son bear record of the truth of this great latter-
day work, and we shall soon see consummated the
purposes of God as He has ordained. What we are
now passing through is what we as Latter-day
Saints have long been looking for. It has been
predicted by prophets and apostles and by those
who were inspired by the spirit of revelation in
years gone by, to my certain knowledge, and we
need not look upon our present condition as any
thing new or strange in the progress and develop
ment of this great latter-day work. Trials must
necessarily come to purify and prove the Saints in
their faith and confidence in the Lord, and our
enemies will be given an opportunity to fill up
their cup of iniquity and to prepare themselves
for the judgments that God has decreed must come
sooner or later, upon those who fight Zion and
seek to destroy her. May we be humble and gird

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 23
on the whole armor of God, and eventually be
saved in the kingdom of God, which I pray may
be the case with us all, in the name of Jesus,
Amen. APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR.
I am thankful to hear the eulogies of my breth
ren who have had many years' experience with
the deceased. I have known Sister Smith by
reputation from my infancy, though I had not
any personal acquaintance save by way of introduc
tion. I feel concerning our sister that she has finished
her work, and that she will gain salvation in the
kingdom of God. All others who are worthy will
gain the same blessing. None can gain more
than this. The Savior says: "Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heav
en." I feel that the works of Sister Smith are be
fore us all. We can pattern after them with pro
fit. He that hath eternal life is rich. The Sav
ior said, "Such riches are free to all those who
keep the commandments of God." When the
Savior commanded His apostles to "Go into all
the world and preach the gospel to every crea
ture. He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; he that believeth not shall be damned,"
He meant what he said. Our sister has embraced
the everlasting gospel, and she is entitled to the
blessing that the Savior and Redeemer of the
world promised. The Savior also said, "And
every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren,

24 LIFE AND LABORS OF
or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or child
ren, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an
hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
We have the word "mother." -mentioned here. It is
known among us that George Washington is called
the "Father of his country" though he died without
children. Yet through the devotion of the Ameri
can people he has earned the name of Father.
Inasmuch as the deceased was deprived of bear
ing children, she is entitled to be called Mother
among this people, just as much as George Wash
ington is to be called Father by the people'bf the
United States. She has been a mother to this
people. She has passed through trials and tribu
lations. She has made us joyful by her poetical
effusions; we have sorrowed when she sorrowed,
and we have rejoiced when she rejoiced. I pray
that all who have seen her good works may en-,
deavor to emulate them, and thus receive the re
ward of thejust. I do not desire to lengthen my
remarks. I pray God the Eternal Father that
whenever we think of Eliza R. Snow Smith, we
will not think of her as "Aunt Eliza" in the future,
but that we may in truth and righteousness call her
Mother. ELDER MILO ANDRUS.
It is with gratitude and great thanksgiving in my
heart that I am permitted to say a few words on
this present occasion, having had the acquaint
ance of Sister Eliza for the last forty-five years, or
thereabouts; and having never a speck, or a blot,

ELIZA R. SNOW SMI1H. 25

or anything that would indicate a misstep in all
her life, and having been comforted and cheered
by her good counsels and advice, I feel to bear my
testimony to the virtue and goodness and integrity
of her heart while upon this earth. This might
be considered by some a day of mourning. I do
not so consider it. I know the reluctance of rela
tives to part with friends, and perhaps they may
look upon this occasion as a time of mourning.
But I cannot feel that way. My whole being
magnifies the name of my God when I reflect
upon the wise counsels and instructions of the de
parted. In relation to what the brethren have said
in regard to her being Mother, I bear my testimony
that thousand and tens of thousands will call her
Mother in Israel and enjoy her society forever and
ever. We have a subject before us that has ful
filled the royal law of God as far as it has been
revealed. Indeed, when she meets her entire acts
upon this earth, she is one of that class that can
face her record and look at it complacently.
She has acted an honorable part, and her deeds
will secure unto her the highest exaltation in the
eternal worlds. Under these circumstances there
cannot be any death, cannot be any mourning,
but our sympathies on the present occasion are
drawn out exceedingly, especially the sympathies
of those who have been benefited by her wise
instructions, and made to rejoice in the beautiful
songs that God inspired her to give unto Israel.
If we had had one before us that had denied the
faith, we might bow our heads in mourning; but

26 LIFE AND LABORS OF

on the present occasion we have one who has
gained eternal salvation, and it is to be hoped that
the Israel of God will endeavor to emulate her
example and fulfill the measure of their being
upon this earth. Many thousands of the sisters in
Israel who prized her instructions will feel
sad on this occasion, but they know that the
deceased has merely gone to sleep; it isa death
here and birth there. Every heart is raised with
thanksgiving when we contemplate her life among
the Saints of the Most High. In the deepest
of her tribulations, I never heard such a thing
as a murmur fall from the lips of the deceased.
Such a statement could be made of very few. I
am afraid there is a large per cent of the Latter-
day Saints who could say that their feelings gave
way once in a while. But let us follow the
example of our sister, and carry out the whole law
of God, that we may have joy with her in our
future state. I feel pleased in the contemplation
as to where our sister has gone — not pleased that
she has gone from our presence, but pleased to think
of the society she has gone to embrace, the God
like men and women who have gone before us,
and I expect ere long to join that heavenly choir
and enjoy the society of those I love. May God
add His blessings upon the relatives and acquaint
ances of the deceased. May we endeavor to emu
late her example, and do the will of God on earth
as it is done in the heaven, which I ask in the
name of Jesus, Amen.

ELIZA R. SNO W SMITH. 27
ELDER A. O. SMOOT.
Words of eulogy will fail to add anything to the
well-known characteristics of Sister Eliza Snow,
who has departed this life. She has been known in
this Church, I suppose, from the beginning. She
is known to the present generation. She has been
known in her official capacity from the city of Nau
voo to these mountains, and she is known to the
offspring of the fathers in Israel in this present
generation. What I might say of my acquaint
ance with her, I presume, would not add a straw to
the good feeling towards and confidence in Sister
Eliza. She has inherited the riches of eternal life,
which are the greatest gift of God. She has added
her testimony in a great many ways to this work —
in literary works, by her own voice, and more
especially has she borne testimony to the work of
the last days in her examples. Precept is a very
good thing; we can talk a great deal; but
examples tell, and Sister Eliza's example has
had far more power and influence than her
precept has had, although, so far as I know
in my associations with her in my family,
her precepts have ever been worthy of emu
lation. This audience are acquainted with these
facts, and it is but very little use to repeat
them further than to bear our testimony to the
goodness of Sister Eliza. Peace be to Sister Eliza,
and to her dust, and to her name; and let us en
deavor to so live that we may enjoy her society
behind the vail — meet her with Joseph and
Hyrum, and with David Patten and with other

28 LIFE AND LABORS OF
martyrs that have passed behind the vail, for the
gospel's sake. That we may be able to follow
her example, and secure the same glory, which is
eternal, is my prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON.
Brother Smoot and the other brethren who have
spoken on this interesting occasion have expressed
my thoughts and views in reference to our beloved
sister as well, if not better, than I have the power
to express them myself. It is our duty, in common
with that of all others, to devote ourselves thorough
ly and completely to the work of bringing our con
dition into harmony with the truth of our Heav
enly Father. In order to do this it is needful that
we cultivate that power we have inherited from
Him, to grasp and comprehend the truth, and
when it is in us and our thoughts are occu
pied in the contemplation of it, we have within
us the thought that is in the mind of God. He
is the fountain of life and intelligence. It is
especially necessary that we should bring our
moral natures into unison with the truth when
we comprehend it, and also that our sympathies
should extend to all the creatures that have been
formed by the God of heaven. In none of these
respects, according to my opinion and my convic
tion, which is deep rooted, was our sister deficient.
She had a mind of uncommon brightness and
capacity; she was continually endeavoring to
make it the storehouse of the truths of time and
eternity, and she also exercised the great gifts

ELIZA R. SNO W SMITH. 29
which she possessed, not for her own benefit, but
for the benefit of others, not hiding her light under
a bushel, but shedding its rays upon all those who
came within her sphere or in contact with her.
Those truths that dwelt in her mind were embodied,
as has been already stated, in a literary form, and
they are now left to us, many of them, as a legacy,
clothed in all the beauty that chaste language
and exquisite imagery give them. Her morality
was, according to all that was known of her, spot
less, and it was exhibited, as has been stated
already, by a constant effort to impress upon her
sisters and all her associates the necessity of their
conduct being in strict line with the principles of
righteousness. Her works exhibit the comforting
fact that she had a heart that could feel for
another. Sympathy was one of her leading char
acteristics; consequently she exhibited in her
career that true religion, the essence of religion,
that is admirable wherever it is seen. She was
found by the side of the sick, administering com
fort to those who were afflicted, and consoling those
who were bowed down in grief. In fact I will say
that as she was a poet of great excellence, the
greatest production in this respect that she has
given to the world has been her life, which has
been a poem from its commencement to its close.
May peace be with her ashes, and comfort rest upon
those who remain is the prayer of a sincere friend
who loved Sister Eliza.

30 LIFE AND LABORS OF
BIHOP O. F. WHITNEY.
I shall not attempt to say the hundredth part of
what I feel on this occasions, for I have neither the
time nor the inclination to do so. It fell to my lot
in connection with a number of the brethren, on
two occasions during the last illness of Sister Eliza,
to place my hands upon her head, at her request,
and bless her in the name of the Lord; and I could
not help but mark the free flow of the Spirit and
the great desire which welled up in our hearts to
bless her with all things spiritual and temporal.
It seemed as though there was no end to the
promises which we felt to make her, and it is my
testimony that she was worthy of all that any man
of God or woman of God ever felt to place upon
her head; and the proof is, not only in her life,
which is before us, and before the world, and the
love and confidence of her associates, but in this
sanction and approval of the Spirit of God, which
never yet sanctioned that which was false or
deceptive. I regard our departed sister as one of
the noble and great ones of God, one of those
spoken of by Father Abraham, who said, "The
Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelli
gences that were organized before the world was;
and among all these there were many of the noble
and great ones; and God saw these souls that they
were good, and he stood in the midst of them and
he said, These will I make my rulers." It fell to
the lot of Sister Eliza to be honored of God and
of man. It is not always given to these noble
spirits to be so distinguished or so much thought

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 31

of in the world. Some walk the streets in rags;
some may sit upon thrones; some are among the
lowly and some among the high ; some are rich
and others poor ; but whether men honor them or
not, they are the honored and chosen of God never
theless ; they are His jewels, which He will gather
up when He comes. It was Sister Eliza's fortune,
hot only to hold position, not only to be honored
with public trust, but to wisely use that trust, that
power and authority; and this to me is more
important, than to hold office — to wisely and
justly and kindly exercise its powers. I feel to
say, may God bless her memory. She lives. She
has gone to live. She is not dead. The first thing
which struck my mind on entering this building
was the beauty and appropriateness of these
emblems, this white drapery, these beautiful
flowers, these sprigs of green, which whisper not
of death, but of life. White is God's mourning
color. Winter is typical of death and when it
binds the earth in icy fetters, God sends the snow,
an emblem of purity and hope, to speak of com
ing Spring and life beyond. May God bless you
my brethren and sisters. May He help us to
emulate the noble example which our sister has
left us. May we live worthy to meet with her
and others of the just who have gone before, is
my prayer through Jesus Christ, Amen.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT.
As has been said by former speakers, there is
nothing that I might say that could add to the

32 LIFE AND LABORS OF
record that has been made by Sister Eliza. I know
of no individual that has made a better record. I
know of no individual whose every act has been
done with a desire for the ad vancemen t of God's king
dom. I know of no individual in all my acquaint
ance that is more worthy of eternal blessings from
God, our Eternal Father, than our departed sister.
I do not feel to mourn to-day in the least. I feel,
on the other hand, instead of mourning, to rejoice
that one that has labored so long, so energetically,
and so faithfully, has gone home to receive the
great reward that she is entitled to. It is pleasing
to all of us, after we have labored for the accom
plishment of anything on earth to receive the
reward, and it is a day of rejoicing to our sister,
that, after a long and useful life, she has received
the reward that she is entitled to. It has been my
happy lot to be intimately acquainted with Sister
Eliza from my youth. I have received many acts
of kindness at her hands, and much instruction.
I know of no sister in all Israel that has taken
the pains to bear testimony to me of the truth of
the gospel — with the exception of my own mother
— as often and as earnestly as our departed sister.
I have neither the language nor the ability to
express to you on this occasion the feelings that
fill my heart. There is nothing so dear to the
human heart as the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and there is nothing that can cause that same
rejoicing to fill our hearts as when we know that
one that has this testimony borne unto her has
done nothing that would mar that testimony, but,

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 33
on the other hand, has day by day and year by
year grown and increased in that testimony. I
love good works and good examples. I am so
constituted that I rejoice in the labors and in the
good examples that are set by those holding res
ponsible positions among the Elders of Israel or
among the sisters. I think more of good examples
than I do of precept ; and I can say on this
occasion, and say it truthfully that there was no
example that was ever set by Sister Smith but
was worthy of emulation. I know that Sis
ter Smith's friends are happy on this occasion.
They may mourn her loss, but they are happy in
the thought that she has gone to gain the reward
of a good record. It is a pleasure to labor for the
advancement of God's kingdom. Parents feel
anxious when their sons depart on missions, but
are pleased that they are worthy to go and pro
claim the gospel to the nations of the earth.
Therefore, instead of feeling sorry upon this occa
sion, we feel to rejoice that Sister Eliza has filled
well her mission and will reap her reward. That
we may labor to accomplish the designs of our
Heavenly Father, is my prayer in the name of
Jesus, Amen. PRESIDENT CANNON.
The time has now arrived to bring these ser
vices to a close. I will, however, state the feeling
the deceased expressed shortly before her death.
She desired that no one should exhibit sorrow or
emotion at her departure; that if there should be

34 LIFE AND LABORS OF
any drapery it should be white; that there should
be a few flowers if her friends felt to contribute them;
and that her coffin should be made of native
mountain pine. She maintained to the last all
the dignity of her womanly nature peculiar to
herself. She was also submissive to the Priest
hood of God equally to the humblest daughter in
the land. And she was not only, as Brother Tay
lor has said, a mother to this people, but was the
head of a large organization in the Church
known as the Relief Society of our Church. She
was sustained as such at our late Conference, and
to-day her absence is mourned by a people who
appreciate her worth. While we can congratulate
her upon her release, we feel to mourn her ab
sence. The choir then sang the beautiful song composed
by the deceased: BURY ME QUIETLY WHEN I DIE.
When my spirit ascends to the world above,
To unite with the choirs in celestial love,
Let the finger of silence control the bell,
To restrain the chime of a funeral knell,
Let no mourning strain — not a sound be heard,
By which a pulse of the heart is stirred —
No note of sorrow to prompt a sigh;
Bury me quietly when I die.
I am aiming to earn a celestial crown —
To merit a heavenly, pure renown ;
And, whether in grave or in tomb I'm laid,
Beneath the tall oak or the cypress shade;
Whether at home with dear friends around-

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH. 35
Or in distant lands upon strangers' ground —
Under Wintry clouds or a Summer sky;
Bury me quietly when I die.
What avail the parade and the splendor here,
To a legal heir to a heayenly sphere?
To the heirs of salvation what is the worth,
In their perishing state, these frail things of earth?
What is death to the good but an entrance gate
That is placed on the verge of a rich estate
Where commissioned escorts are waiting by?
Bury me quietly when I die.
On the "iron rod" I have laid my hold;
If I keep the faith, and like Paul of old
Shall have "fought the good fight" and Christ the
Lord
Has a crown in store with a full reward
Of the holy Priesthood in fullness rife,
With the gifts and the powers of an endless life,
And a glorious mansion for me on high;
Bury me quietly when I die.
When the orb of day sinks down in the west —
When its light reclines in the evening's crest —
When the lamp in the socket is low and dim-
When the cup of life is filled up to the brim —
When the golden Autumn's brief glass has run,
And gray Winter with whit'ning tread moves on—
When the arrow of death from its bow shall fly :
Bury me quietly when I die.
Like a beacon that rises o'er ocean's wave,
There's a light — there's a life beyond the grave;
The future is bright and it beckons me on
Where the noble and pure and the brave have gone;
Those who have battled for truth with their mind
and might,

36 LIFE AND LABORS OF
With their garments clean and their arnjor bright;
They are dwelling with God in a world on high:
Bury me quietly when 1 die.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
The congregation passed in line around the
casket and viewed the face of the dead.
The cortege which followed the remains to the
private cemetery of the late President Brigham
Young was formed under the direction of Bishop
John R. Winder. Members of the High Council
of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion acted as pall-bear
ers. Immediately following the casket were Apos
tle Lorenzo Snow and other relatives of the de
ceased, then the widows of the late President
Young and other intimate associates of the de
ceased; following these were the members of the
relief and other societies over which Sister Smith
had presided, the general assemblage bringing up
the rear.
At the grave Apostle Heber J. Grant offered up
the dedicatory prayer, and President Angus M.
Cannon, at the request of Apostle Lorenzo Snow,
thanked the people for showing their respect for
the deceased by turning out in such large num
bers. The mortal remains of one of the noblest
and purest women are now laid in their last rest
ing place, to await the sounding of the trump of
the. resurrection.
The following beautiful verses were penned by
Sister Snow a short time before her demise:

ELIZA R. SNOW SMITH 37

MY EPITAPH.
'Tis not the tribute of a sigh
From sorrow's heaving bosom drawn;
Nor tears that flow from pity's eye
To weep for me when I am gone:
No costly balm, no rich perfume —
No vain sepulchral rite, I claim —
No mournful knell — no marble tomb —
No sculptur' d stone to tell my name.
A richer, holier tithe I crave
Than time-proof monumental piers —
Than roses planted on my grave,
Or willows dripped in dewy tears.
The garlands of hypocrisy
May be equip'd with many a gem;
I prize the heart's sincerity
Above a princely diadem.
In friendship's mem'ry let me live:
I know no selfish wish beside —
I ask no more; yet, 0 forgive
This impulse of instinctive pride.
The silent pulse of memory
That beats to the unuttered tone
Of tenderness, is more to me
Than the insignia of a stone:
For friendship holds a secret cord,
That with the fibers of my heart
Entwines so deep, so close; 'tis hard
For death's dissecting hand to part.
I feel the low responses roll
Like far-off echoes of the night,
And whisper softly through my soul,
I woiild not be forgotten quite.

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