13 March 1885
Weber Stake Young Ladies; Ogden Tabernacle, Ogden, Utah Territory
[. . .]
Sister E. R. Snow Smith was always pleased to meet with the daughters of Zion; When the organization of these associations was given, it was by the Spirit of Prophesy and was testified to by those in authority. Had watched their growth and advancement ever since. Wished the young ladies could understand the position they hold to day, that they would prepare for the positions of the future You stand at the head of all of the young ladies of the world, placed there by God, and have been reserved by Him to preform [perform] the greatest work ever given to mankind.
Improvement is our mottoe and and Perfection our aim; and what course must we take to gain perfection? Can we spend our time in nonsense and fashions that lead downward? No. But each must form a well balanced character; cultivate yourselves mentaly and physically to have a strong spirit and a strong mind, for they cannot work in a weak, sickly tabernacle. The Lord says, go to bed early and rise early that thy bodies may be strengthened and invigorated. And what God says to us we should regard. Next mental, moral and physical culture will constitute as near perfection as can be reached on earth.
The spiritual should be above all; that w[h]ich communicates with God, and these constitute a Latter Day Saint. Would rather a child never saw a book and be spiritually develloped than have all the book knowlege and not have the spiritual development.
[. . .] [p. 135]
[. . .] [p. 136] [. . .]
Sister E. R. Snow Smith gave some brief instructions to the secretaries, followed by some excellent advice concerning the writing of essays, articles &c., and closed her remarks by exhorting all to dilligence in the preformance of their duties.
[. . .] [p. 137]