Eliza Roxcy Snow, Purified Like Gold

Eliza Roxcy Snow

Eliza R. Snow was “an icon of faith (and) one of the best known of all Mormon pioneer women.  We hear her name often as an example of strength and devotion.”

(Davidson and Derr, Eliza, the Life and Faith of Eliza R. Snow, c. 2013, p. vii) 

There are six themes I think about when I consider Eliza's faithful life: her hymns, her poems, her journals, her leadership, her love of Holy temples, and her travels.

Her Hymns

Ten of Eliza R. Snow’s hymns are in the current LDS Hymnal (1985).  I remember the time my own mother sat me down and we talked about verse three of “O My Father”.  I was probably about ten years old.  It was the first time I learned that we had a Mother in heaven.

17-Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!

77-Great Is the Lord (in the first LDS hymnbook of 1835)

122-Though Deepening Trials

186-Again We Meet Around the Board

191-Behold the Great Redeemer Die

195-How Great the Wisdom and the Love

266-The Time is Far Spent

273-Truth Reflects upon Our Senses

292-O My Father

307-In Our Lovely Deseret

Her poems

Eliza was known as “Zion’s Poetess”.  She wrote over 500 poems, and many are funeral tributes to her close friends.  One poem expressed a few of Eliza’s feelings toward the practice of plural marriage.  It was given to Phebe Ogden Chase on the occasion of Isaac Chase taking a second and third wife  in Jan. 1846 while living in Nauvoo. Below is one stanza. 

Therefore, let your spirit rest

God will order all things well;

And ere long you will be blest

More than hymn speech can talk.

(Isaac Chase by William V. Sanders, 2000, p. 56)

Another poem was written for Phebe Ogden Chase shortly before Phebe’s death in 1872.  Phebe was confined to her bed in the spring of 1872 and her good friend Eliza R. Snow often visited her.   Just a few days before Phebe’s death, Eliza wrote this poem.

At the time of Mother Chase’s Last Illness

What is this that steals upon my frame?

  Is it death?

Which soon shall quench the vital frame

Is it death?

If this be death, I soon shall be,

From every pain and sorrow free.

I shall the King of glory see,

All is well.

I now am stepping on the shore,

All is well.

My sufferings here are nearly over,

All is well.

My hope is full, my title clear,

And best of all, my Savior’s here.

My soul is free from every fear,

All is well.

Cease, cease, my friends to weep for me.

All is well.

My sins are pardoned, I am free.

All is well.

The monster death has lost its sting,

My happy soul is on the wing.

The sweat of death is on my brow,

All is well.

There’s not a cloud that does arise,

To hide my Jesus from my eyes.

I soon shall mount the upper skies,

All is well.

Tune, tune your harps, ye Saints of glory,

All is well.

And I’ll rehearse the pleasing story,

All is well.

Bright angels are from Glory come,

They’re round my bed, they’re in my room.

They wait to bear my spirit home,

All is well.

Hark, hark my Lord my Master calls me,

All is well.

I soon shall see his face in glory,

All is well.

Farwell, farewell my friends adieu,

I can no longer stay with you.

My glittering crown appears in view,

All is well.

(Isaac Chase by William V. Sanders, 2000, p. 64)

Her Journals

Eliza kept a diary while crossing the plains in 1847 in the “Big Company” under the direction of the Jedediah M Grant  Company (third hundred).  The Isaac Chase Family had Joseph B. Noble as their Captain and Isaac was a Captain of Ten.  They departed June 19, 1847 and arrived in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake on October 2, 1847.

Eliza actually submitted her diary to assist “in making up the history of the Camp from W. Quarters.”  (Davidson, Derr, Ibid., p. 76) It is from Eliza’s writings that we have notes of the Isaac and Phebe Chase family as they made their journey from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake Valley.

Phebe Ogden Chase

171 individuals were in the Joseph B. Noble company when it began its journey from the outfitting post on the Elkhorn River about 27 miles west of Winter Quarters, Nebraska.  Among them were:

Chase, George Ogden	age 15	11 March 1832	5 May 1896
Chase, Harriet Louisa	age 13	28 April 1834	3 August 1907
Chase, Isaac	age 55	12 December 1791	26 May 1861
Chase, Phebe Ogden	age 52	7 December 1794	10 July 1872

--------------------------------

Desdemona Gleason, daughter of Phebe Ogden Chase, traveled with the Isaac Chase family from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake Valley in 1847. 

 Phoebe Chase and Isaac Chase are mentioned in these Eliza R. Snow journal excerpts.  Their overland travels were recorded by Eliza and are found here: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/trailExcerptMulti?lang=eng&pioneerId=1400&sourceId=5211

 Snow, Eliza Roxey, Journals, 1846-1849, vol. 2

Tu. 15^th. The brethren call a meeting around a Liberty pole which was erected yesterday, for the purpose of organizing the camp—judg'd to be more than 300 wagons cross'd over at noon this day—This afternoon several of the sis. met in a little circle on the prairie in front of our wagons. Br. Pierce met with us—fath[er] Smith stay'd until sent for on business—we had a good time, altho' the prairie wind was somewhat annoying. Sis. Sess., Chase & E. present. Rec.[eived] a letter from S. M. Kimball.

Su. 20^th This mor. heard the painful news of a combat between Jacob Weatherbie & another br. & three Indians. Br. W. was shot by one of the Indians thro' the body, while endeavoring to prevent them robbing his wagon. Those 2 brethren had been sent back to Winter Quarters on business, & were at the time of the encounter about 7½ ms. on the other side the Horn. My health ill today, not able to attend the general meeting, but sis. [Phoebe Ogden] Chase, Sessions, &c, met with us at br. [Robert] Peirce's wagons, & we had a rejoicing time.

Wed 30. The day cool—Capt. P's ten take the lead of J[edediah]. G[rant].'s hnd [hundred]—soon after we start P.'s & the other com.'s come in sight—J. T. is moving on in front—we are on an extensive prairie with little shrubbery & the camp can be view'd at once, which presents a very imposing sight—had the pleasure of seeing a herd of antelopes running in every direction. Stop'd about one o'clock by the side of a stream & near its mouth. P. rides forward—thinks best to cross the Platte.

Sis. Chase, [Hannah Harvey] Peirce, Hendricks, &c, call into br. [Joseph Bates] Noble's with me—sis. [Mary Adeline Beman] N[oble] receives the gift of tongues—sis. Hunter call'd at the carriage—had a good time—she said had been better since sis. Sess. & I call'd on her. Trav. 8 ms.

Tu. 27^th Start 10 min. past 7. at 10 arrive opposite Ash hollow, where we halt for the purpose of getting timber to repair wagons in case of accident. Ate our bread up for supper & have no wood, expecting to find it last night, but thro' the kindness of Moth. [Phoebe Ogden] Chase, we are supplied with the addition of b. chips & we have a good breakfast This is the 3rd time I have done so much cooking as to bake the pan—cakes since we started—The Ind. that annoy'd us last night, pass us & strike their tents & travel with us till near night, when they fall in our rear & we encamp near them—a large com. on the other side the river. It commenced raining just as we stopped—no time to cook supper—I am quite sick this aft.—glad to crawl to bed. Trav. 12 ms.

Fr. 30^th Bro. Woodard came to Capt. N this mor.—told him he should leave the 50 unless he could either be paid for the work he had done or have his tools carried. We start ten min. past 7—the 2nd 50 in sight in our rear & 2 or more comp. in front. Move rapidly on with the same tranquility as yest., except Fath. [Isaac] Chase stopping a few min. to arrange his oxen. Capt. P. drove past him. The bluffs truly present views wildly magnificent. We arrive nearly opposite the peak, which we saw yest. mor., & encamp. The sun has been scorching thro' the day, tho' the nights are like Oct. I went to see sis. [Esther Shaffer] Ewing at noon, who has been very sick for some time. Br. [James] Hendricks' oxen which almost gave out yest. still travel on. Our people saw a man across the way—found him to be from California. Trav. 22 ms.

Fr 6th

Moth. Chase & I have a treat in the eve. Jacob Cloward baptiz'd, &c My health much better. A Spaniard supp'd with us. Taylor enc[amped] on the other side the Island.

Mo. 9^th Move on—leave the 2nd 50 doing their blacksmith work with coal that father Chase burnt for us, &c We are now among the much celebrated "black hills"—pass Hunter & find that P. P. has gone on—we stop by the river where we find a patch of grass, currants & buffalo berries—the country here is rugged enough—A scene fil'd with scrubby pine, hemlock, cottonwood, &c, very thinly scattered, with bluffs presenting the appearance of well fortified castles, the inhabitants of which exclude themselves from our view, altho' 2 grizzly bears have been seen. Last night had a fine shower.

Mo. 16^th A motion is made to start—when the cattle are brought up, 16 are not to be found—do not find them thro' the day. William is out on foot & alone for his ox which is gone with the rest—we feel very anxious for him on account of the large wolves & Indians. I go to Moth. Chase's—hear that Pioneers [Pres. Brigham Young's company] have arrived at the upper camps—that the City [Salt Lake City] is laid out &c sis. H. calls while we are having a rich treat from on high. Call on sis. Meeks. find her better—sup at home on a rabbit pot-pie.  

Fr. 27^th. Start in good season—the road is very smooth insomuch that Capt. P. wishes me to record the circumstance of fath. Chase riding up hill for the first time. We pass sev. saltpeter springs & the carcasses of 10 or 11 cattle. We encamp in an environ with majestic bluffs—a slue [slough]—creek & a cold spring. The country is very mountainous & rocky. Large piles of rock lying strew'd about the barren surface, & ornamented with a red moss—Trav. 20 ms.

Th. 9^th Last night all guard was neglected & about 20 horses & mules stolen. An arm'd com. was put on the track—late this eve. 2 horses are brought in by one of the com. The forepart of the day very cold—I spent it with moth. Chase. Had a spiritual treat wherein both rec'd great blessings. She said certain intelligence should come to me thro' the proper channel, &c We then enjoy'd a treat of tea & pancakes.

Wed. 22^nd The cattle cannot be found till too late & the majority move to stop till morning—the day spent trafficking—the 2nd 50 come up. Last night Br. Vance arrived—speaks of a frost there that injur'd the crops. I am quite sick in the forenoon—much better in the eve. Moth. Chase & I have a rich treat in the carriage—with a promise of new int. if diligent & submissive—Br. Love, lost an ox—Capt. P. buys a pair & a cow & calf.

Her Leadership

Eliza was sometimes called the “Presidentess” among the early LDS pioneer women.

Eliza was secretary and taking minutes of the first meeting of the Relief Society in Nauvoo on March 17, 1842.   (You can see the actual RS minute book at http://josephsmithpapers.org/person/eliza-roxcy-snow.)

Phebe Chase was not in the congregation that first day, but she was a charter member of the LDS Relief Society as were her daughters, Sylvia Vanfleet and Desdemona Gleason.  (Isaac Chase by William V. Sanders, 2000, p. 26)

In April 1868, Eliza R. Snow began re-establishing the Ward Relief Societies throughout the Utah Territory.  She served as the General Relief Society President from 1880 until her death in 1887.  Of course, being a plural wife of Joseph Smith and then of Brigham Young placed her in immediate circles of the general church leadership.

Salt Lake Endowment House

Her Love for Holy Temples

She loved the temple and presided over women’s ordinance work in the Salt Lake Endowment House beginning in May 1855.  She came to Logan, Utah in 1884 for the dedication of the Logan Temple. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the day the Logan Temple began receiving patrons, Eliza was there working. She was 80 years of age.

Historic Logan Temple

Her Travels

Eliza traveled all over the Utah Territory to build up the Ward Relief Societies, the Young Ladies Retrenchment Society (later known as Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association) and the Primary Association.  She went on a nine month tour of Europe and Palestine with her brother, Lorenzo Snow, and others when she was 68 years of age.   Having personally made the trip to Israel in 2014, I thought of Eliza often and especially when I visited the Mount of Olives.  (See  Davidson, Derr, Ibid,  pp. 128-129)

Eliza is the first given name of one of my granddaughters.  I hope my granddaughter Eliza will look to her namesake with the same respect and admiration I have come to feel for Eliza R. Snow.  Eliza was, like gold, purified.

 “Change is the key word to this dispensation. The righteous, like gold, must be seven times purified.”        --Letter from Eliza R. Snow to Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightener

Eliza Roxcy Snow

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For more information, see  http://josephsmithpapers.org/person/eliza-roxcy-snow 

Phebe Chase, Charter Member of the Nauvoo Relief Society

It is March and the LDS Relief Society women always celebrate the birthday of the "Female Relief Society" around March 17th.  Having attended many of these events, I thought to share with the family the involvement of the Chase family women as "charter members" of the Society.

March 17 is still celebrated as the birthday of the Latter-day Saint Relief Society.

On March 17, 1842, 18 (or 20) of the women of Nauvoo gathered to organize a kind of "benevolent society" to assist the workmen who were building the Nauvoo Temple.

Phebe Chase-Charter Member of the Female Relief Society

It appears that Phebe Chase was formally inducted into the Female Relief Society in the fourth meeting on Thursday, April 14, 1842.  (See transcript of document below.  The original is found at the josephsmithpapers.org site.)

Original page 26 from the 1852 Nauvoo Female Relief Society minute book.

14 April 1842 • Thursday

Minutes of the Proceedings

of the

Fourth Meeting of the Society.

[1 line blank]

Lodge Room, April 14,th 1842.

Meeting opened with singing “How pleasant ’tis to see” &c.

Prayer by Prest. Emma Smith— after which Councillor  [Sarah Kingsley] Cleveland arose and address’d the meeting, informing them  that the case of Clarissa M. had been satisfactorily settled  she having testified in her own hand writing that she had said  no wrong &c. Mrs. C. continued by cautioning the Society  against speaking evil of Prest. J. Smith and his companion — that it would not be a light thing in the sight of God — that they had prov’d themselves; and the case of C. M. should  be a warning, how we hear and how we speak— express’d  her fears that the Lord would cut off those who will not  take counsel &c.

Motioned by Councillor Cleveland, seconded by  Councillor [Elizabeth Ann Smith] Whitney, that the following persons be received  into this Society—— passed unanimously,

Clarissa Wilcox	Lydia Anderson
Phebe Knights	Catharine Mellon
[blank] Wight	Hannah Pierce
Lydia Huntington	Betsey Roundy
Phebe Miller	Phebe Chase
Phebe Angell	Nancy H. Rockwood
Drusilla Hendricks	Nancy Winchester
Polly [Knight] Stringham	Martha Peck
Asenath Sherman	Cornelia J. Fisher
Lydia Anderson	Electa E. Whiteside
Charlotte Hawes

Prest. E. Smith arose and address’d the  meeting by saying that the disagreeable busines of searchi ng out those that were iniquitous, seem’d to fall on her— [p. 26]

Transcription of page 26 of the 1842 Relief Society Minute Book.  (See JosephSmithPapers.org)

About two weeks later, Joseph Smith addressed a large assembly of women in the April 28, 1842 meeting where Phebe and her daughters, Sylvia Van Fleet and Desdemona Gleason, were likely in attendance.  The Prophet said:

"I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord, and this Society shall rejoice, and henceforth; this is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth blessings on your heads."  (See HC 4:606-607)

Phebe Ogden Chase

Phebe was a "compassionate service" volunteer and looked after the needs of the temple workmen.  She provided meals, mended clothing, and acted as a nurse for workmen who were injured on the job.  Also she assisted the families of the workmen and was especially helpful and kind when there was illness or the death of a family member.

According to a note found in the personal papers of her daughter, Phebe was among those ordained and set apart to administer and visit and bless the sick.  The handwritten note says:

"...ordained and set apart to administer to and visit and bless the sick of Nauvoo were Emma Smith, E. R. Snow, Zina Young, Mary Ann Whitney, Phebe Chase, and Pricinda Kimball."
(See LDS microfilm MS#9489, Personal Collection of Harriet Louisa Chase McLaughlin, by Phebe McLaughlin Welling.)

Phebe was ordained by the Prophet Joseph Smith

Women are not ordained now, but apparently Phebe was set apart and ordained by the Prophet Joseph Smith to administer to the sick.  "She had the gift of healing sealed upon her.  She was very faithful in this calling and many seemingly miraculous healings resulted.  At one time, her husband Isaac, was so ill his life was despaired of  She went out under the trees alone and prayed for him and in a few moments he began to get better and soon recovered."  (See LDS microfilm MS#2050, Reel 17, 25:3:7, History of Isaac Chase, by Phebe M. Welling.)

There were seventeen meetings of the LDS Relief Society during the first year of its existence and Phebe was in attendance at most of these meetings.  By May 1842, the membership was large enough that the 1,341 members held meetings in the four different LDS wards of Nauvoo. 

Thirty-four meetings of the Relief Society were held in Nauvoo and the Chase family was represented at most of these meetings.   The final meeting was held on Saturday, March 16, 1844.  It wasn't until the group immigrated to Utah Territory that they again organized.

Here are some other interesting facts:
(See  http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/relief-society-history)

Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book — As a part of the comprehensive works entitled the Joseph Smith Papers project, the detailed minutes of the 34 Relief Society meetings held in Nauvoo, Illinois, are now available online. The records document the organization of the group in March of 1842, the six doctrinal sermons Joseph Smith presented and other details about the efforts to assist the poor, to contribute to the Nauvoo Temple construction and to describe the rising tensions or persecutions faced by the residents.

Daughters in My Kingdom — A volume, published in 2011, that describes the history and the work of Relief Society, the adult women’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in scriptural, anecdotal and biographical accounts. The record describes the “heritage of Relief Society, not just the women who lived in the past; but also about women all over the world today who make and keep covenants within the Church.”

One interesting fact was that the Nauvoo Lodge of Free Masons was organized a few months before the women's Relief Society.  Isaac Chase petitioned to join the Masons on May 19, 1842 and was accepted into the Nauvoo Lodge on June 2, 1842.  He was 50 years old at the time.  Large numbers of Nauvoo citizens were inducted into the fraternity.  Their "Rising Sun Lodge" became the largest in the state of Illinois.  (See Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration, page 510.)

Pushing and Pulling Through Life

Today in our Sunday School Class we spoke of the changes in the traditional family.  There is a battle over the definition of the family.  As I ponder the changes during the last forty years, I am thinking that it is "no small thing" to raise a righteous family in these times.

Gratefully, I do feel surrounded by those who care for me and my family.  There are many around me I claim as my "support network" and I am so thankful for their influence.  I am also aware of the help I have received in raising my family from the other side of the veil.

 I think often of the righteous women in my life.  My own mother, my grandmothers, my great-grandmothers and my great great grandmothers who all were faithful God-fearing believers.
Did they pray for their posterity as I pray for mine?

 Eliza R. Snow was close friends with "Mother Chase".  This quote was one of her most famous and indicative of her resilient, powerful spirit.  These two friends rejoiced together in the richness of the 'testimony of Jesus' they shared.  I think of their friendship and rejoice in my own friends who lift me the way Eliza and Phebe lifted each other on the Pioneer trail in 1847.

From reading the diary of Josephine Streeper, I know she "looked to heaven" as she struggled with her earthly challenges.  The loss of many of her infant children, the trial of living as "second wife", the challenges in educating, providing for, and organizing a large family (15 children!) were just some of her trials.

It wasn't always easy dealing with her enterprising but exasperating husband, George O. Chase.    When George, was divorced from his first wife, Emily Hyde, Josephine didn't complain in her diary about the negative impact of the large alimony payments now being made to her former "sister wife's" family.  She looked to heaven to bear her grievous trials.

As a modern apostle Neil L. Andersen taught, there are "Spiritual Whirlwinds"-tests, temptations, distractions, and challenges-but there is also a Rock under our feet solid and secure (Helaman 5:12).  Christ will not leave us comfortless.  He will come to us. (John 14:18).  He will make my spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life.  (Ensign, May 2014, pp. 18-21.)

 There are sacred promises that have been given to us about our posterity.  We hold fast to our faith that the Lord will keep His promises.  James and Maxine Owen had similar promises about their nine children.  The truth is "Families can be together forever!"

Like our faithful ancestors, we simply go forward with "faith in every footstep".   Our path is sure and we just keep moving forward.  We remember and honor Henry Clegg who buried his young wife and infant child in Kansas and then took the hand of his three year old son and kept walking.   We remember and honor Thomas and Sarah Moulton who were promised safe arrival in Zion and survived the trek in the "ill-fated" Willie Handcart Company with their eight children.  It is not a small thing to walk through all the challenges of earth life.  These faithful ancestors are my inspiration.   

As parents, we are leading a family handcart "company" of 11 amazing children and soon to be 15 grandchildren on the trail of life.  We have been given a priceless heritage of hope.  If we let Christ be the leader of our family, things will work out.  We will leave an inheritance of hope to those who choose to follow our example.

"In the short run, there will be troubles and Satan will roar. And there are things to wait for patiently, in faith, knowing that the Lord acts in His own time and in His own way."  (See Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, May 2014, pp. 22)

We just keep trekking. 

Family Roots and Spring Flowers

It is "Springtime in the Rockies" in mid-May I planted all the flowers I received as Mother's Day gifts in my little garden in Logan, Utah.  This week I will plant the vegetable garden.  There is something about getting one's hands in the soil that literally "grounds" a soul.  My great-grandma Phoebe Fish knew that.

Phebe Fish in her later years.

Phebe planted flowers all around her home in Norman, Indiana. She had pansies on the north side of the old Fish farmhouse, snapdragons on the west side, with roses and flowering shrubs in front.  By the well house scarlet sage grew each summer.  Verbenas were at the edge of the wood house and mums, irises, daffodils and bleeding heart bordered a yard fence.  Purple and white clematis grew on each side of the scarlet sage bed. 

Phebe Fish standing at right with the youngest children. My Grandma Ida Fish (Owen) in the middle front by her father, Isaac Fish. Note the woodwork on the home in Norman, Indiana. The damage to the photo is on the original.

I keep Phebe's picture on my fireplace mantel much of the year.  My sister, Sandy, was able to visit the old white frame house that stood on top of a hill near Norman, Indiana.  (Fish home is located north of US Route 50 and south of Norman on State Route 58.)  I was named after Phebe's mother, Cynthia Fountain Owen who was an early settler of Jackson County, Indiana.  Phebe's daughter, Ida Ellen Fish Owen (my paternal grandmother), also loved flowers.  I think of my family roots each year when I plant bulbs and then again each spring as I watch the flowers bloom.

Isaac and Phebe Fish family.  My paternal grandmother, Ida Ellen Fish, is standing next to her mother, Phebe, who is seated. 

Phebe was born August 7, 1851, the eighth child in a family of thirteen children.  her parents were among the early pioneer families of Jackson County, Indiana.  She was a member of Guthrie Creek Primitive Baptist Church sincer her early girlhood and attended services regularly as long as she was physically able.  She was a widow for 22 years of her life and known as "Aunt Phebe" to many.  Her obituary said, "She was a kind Christian lady who believed in living her religion.  She was very fond of singing the old songs of Zion and the last few months lamented so much that her throat was so she could not sing."  She lived to be 89 and was remarkably healthy and active up until about two years before her passing on February 3, 1941.  She is buried in the Old Liberty Cemetery.

Jim Owen his mother Ida E. Owen and sister Delcie, at their 
Lincoln, Nebraska home. This photo was taken in 1941, the same year Ida's mother, Phebe Fish, died.  I don't know how often then traveled back to visit the extended family in Indiana.

Phebe was much devoted to her children and grandchildren, ever urging them to live a practical Christian life.  The extended family would often come to visit Phebe on Sundays, birthdays, or holidays.  the adults sat on the side porch while the children played in the yard.  Rarely would anyone enter the front door to the parlor.  In the parlor the beautiful furniture and pump organ were kept which the grandchildren were allowed to play as they got older. 

Four Generations:  Great-Grandma Phebe Fish in chair, my grandma Ida Fish Owen on right, my Aunt Delcie Owen Gunn and her two children, Jeryce and Howard Gunn. 

Although the old frame house is deserted and the out buildings have been damaged by tornadoes, I like to imagine that a few of those seeds, bulbs and shrubs still attempt to send up flowers each spring.   I know that Phebe's strong family roots have resulted in a fruitful posterity who will be anxious to meet their gardening ancestor one day.