11 November 1876
Retrenchment Association; Fourteenth Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory
[Editorial Note: This discourse was reported in two different sources. Both versions are transcribed below. For more information, see the source note following each transcript.]
I. From the Woman’s Exponent, 15 November 1876
[. . .] Counselor E. R. Snow, who was presiding over the meeting in the absence of President Mrs. M. I. [Mary Isabella Hales] Horne, proposed that the officers of the several Relief Socities act in the capacity of a committe to collect means to buy and store up grain; that besides these committees of separate organizations in order to facilitate the work, there should also be a Central Committee for counsel and reference and to take cognizance of all these grain matters, that there might be perfect order and a united movement for the universal good of all interested. She read a communication from Bishop R. W. [Richard Taylor] Burton in respect to storing the grain in the General Tithing Office. The different wards that have not suitable storehouses can store their grain there, but will be expected to attend to the arrangement themselves, as the hands employed there have no spare time.
Miss E. R. Snow proposed to the assembly, Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells, as chairman of the Central Committee; no objection being made, the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. It was then moved that the chairman choose a committee of two to act with her in this capacity constituting the Central Committee; accordingly Miss Eliza R. Snow and Mrs. Bathsheba W. Smith were selected and the unanimous vote of the assembly given to sustain them.
[. . .] [p. 92]
II. From the Woman’s Exponent, 1 December 1876
[. . .] In the absence of the President of the Association, Mrs. M. I. [Mary Isabella Hales] Horne, Counselor E. R. Snow presided over the meeting, and after the reading of minutes from the different wards, and other formula connected with a meeting of this kind, Miss Snow called the attention of the sisters to the proposition of President [Brigham] Young to them as to the buying and storing of grain. Miss Snow thought it necessary to have a Central Committee, who were chosen then and there and sustained by the vote of the assembly. Miss Snow made many appropriate remarks upon the subject, referring to the prophecies of ancient and modern prophets, and to the coming of the grasshoppers during the present year. Her words were precious, and would they were engraven on every heart that more care and economy might be manifest in the daily lives of the Latter-day Saints. [. . .] The subject of the Woman’s Book was laid before the meeting by Miss Snow, and the sisters’ aid solicited in behalf of the publishing of it. The sisters were also requested to hand in to Miss Snow, or the author, Mr. E. [Edward] W. Tullidge, any special items in their lives, or spiritual manifestations which had been given them which they considered strong testimonies upon the principles of the gospel.
[. . .] [p. 98]