Eliza R. Snow, General Relief Society President, 1866–1887
I resided in the family
of Joseph Smith, and taught his family school, and had ample
opportunity to mark his "daily walk and conversation," as a
prophet of God; and the more I became acquainted with him,
the more I appreciated him as such. His lips ever flowed
with instruction and kindness; and, although very forgiving,
indulgent, and affectionate in his temperament, when his
God-like intuition suggested that the welfare of his
brethren, and the interests of the kingdom of God demanded
it, no fear of censure—no love of approbation could prevent
his severe and cutting rebuke. Though his expansive mind
grasped the great plan of salvation and solved the mystic
problem of man's destiny—though he had in his possession
keys that unlocked the past and the future with its
succession of eternities, in his devotions he was humble as
a little child.
"Sketch of My Life," Relief Society Magazine, Mar. 1944, 136; paragraph divisions altered.
Eliza R. Snow, General Relief Society President, 1866–1887
As a philanthropist, his
soul was broad as Eternity. In the cause of truth and
righteousness?in all that would benefit his fellow man, his
integrity was a firm as the pillars of heaven. He knew that
God had called him to the work, and all the powers of earth
and hell combined, failed, either to deter or divert him
from his purpose. With the help of God and his brethren, he
laid the foundation of the greatest work ever established by
man?a work extending not only to all the living, and to all
the generations to come, but also to the dead. He boldly and
bravely confronted the false traditions, superstitions,
religions, bigotry and ignorance of the world?proved himself
true to every heaven-revealed principle?true to his brethren
and true to God, then sealed his testimony with his blood.
"Anniversary Tribute to the Memory of President Joseph Smith," Woman's Exponent, Jan. 1, 1874, 117; paragraph divisions altered.
