On another occasion, my husband and I were in Mexico where he was to speak at a stake conference. After an amazing (and long) meeting, I quietly mentioned to my husband that I was hungry. A dear Tzoltzil Indian sister heard me, understood me, and without hesitation handed me her own lunch. I knew that it was a four-to-six-hour truck ride back to her village, and I knew she was as hungry as I was, but I understood her kind gift and took the cornmeal biscuit with both of my hands, kissed her cheek, and thanked her profusely, saying, “Thank you, my dear sister, for giving me your dinner.” She beamed, and so did I.
There are so many ways we can love each other! And they need not be difficult. Reach out to each other, for what we do really matters to that one sister. If we take the Holy Ghost as our guide, we will know how and when to serve. Let us not run faster than is needful, but be wise in how we care for one another.
Why was Emily’s song preserved for us in our day? As sisters in our noisy, confusing, and almost overwhelming world, I believe we need this message more than ever to survive and even thrive. We are not an island alone, and we need each other to become our best selves. We stand on our own feet and carry our own burdens, but we lift our sisters as we lift ourselves. And most important of all, we know from whence comes our strength as sisters of the latter days: in our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and in His Atonement.
Notes Chapter Seven: “To Cheer and to Bless in Humanity’s Name”
Epigraph: Woodmansee, “Song of the Sisters of the Female Relief Society,” in Abegg, Poetry of Emily Woodmansee, 405.
^1. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign, November 2008, 53.
^2. Woodmansee, “Song of the Sisters,” Poetry of Emily Woodmansee, 405.
^3. Woodmansee, “Hunger and Cold,” Poetry of Emily Woodmansee, 168.
Other Hymns by Emily Hill Woodmansee
Uphold the Right, though Fierce the Fight
Uphold the right, though fierce the fight, and powerful the foe,
And freedom’s friend, her cause defend, nor fear nor favor show.
No coward can be called a man,—No friend will friends betray;
Who will be free, alert must be; and ever watch and pray.
Note how they toil, whose aim is spoil, who plund’ring plots devise;
Yet time will teach that fools o’erreach the mark and lose the prize.
Can justice deign to wrong maintain, whoever wills it so?
Can honor mate with treach’rous hate? Can figs on thistles grow?
Dare to be true, and hopeful, too; be watchful, brave and shrewd.
Weigh ev’ry act; be wise, in fact, to serve the general good.
Nor basely yield, nor quit the field—Important is the fray;
Scorn to recede, there is no need to give our rights away.
Left-handed fraud let those applaud who would by fraud prevail:
In freedom’s name, contest their claim, use no such word as fail:
Honor we must each sacred trust, and rightful zeal display;
Our part fulfil, then come what will, high heav’n will clear the way.1
Resting Now from Care and Sorrow
Resting now from care and sorrow, resting from fatigue and pain;
Faithfully she’s fought life’s battle—Death to such is endless gain.
God hath gathered home her spirit, God hath taken what He gave;
Friend and sister, sweetly slumber in the quiet, peaceful grave.
All her warfare is accomplished; bid her now a fond adieu;
Brief the parting, glad the meeting, that shall nearest ties renew;
True and tender, self denying, one of Truth’s disciples brave—
Let her sleep, she needs to slumber in the quiet, peaceful grave.
Shall we mourn for one who’s left us? Yes, our tears we needs must blend;
Love’s own off’ring, this, we owe thee, faithful mother, faithful friend;
While we look for consolation unto Him, “The strong to save”—
Friend and sister, sweetly slumber in the quiet, peaceful grave.2
Come, Saints of Latter Days
Come, Saints of latter days, unite in cheerful songs;
Come, sing our Father’s praise—To whom all praise belongs.
Sing, for the joyful time, by prophets long foretold,
The age of truths sublime our mortal eyes behold.
Look down, ye bards and seers, who sang in ages past,
The Zion of your dreams established is at last.
Zion is famed afar, and more renowned shall be;
Behold! the rising star whose brightness kings shall see.
Let Zion’s foes combine to hold her sons in thrall;
Zion by help divine, will triumph over all.
God, in His own good time, will crown the pure and true;
God will be glorified, whate’er the nations do.3
When Dark and Drear the Skies Appear
When dark and drear the skies appear,
And doubt and dread would thee enthrall,
Look up, nor fear, the day is near,
And Providence is over all.
From heav’n above, His light and love,
God giveth freely when we call.
Our utmost need is oft decreed,
And Providence is over all.
With jealous zeal God guards our weal,
And lifts our wayward thoughts above,
When storms assail life’s bark so frail,
We seek the haven of His love.
And when our eyes transcend the skies,
His gracious purpose is complete.
No more the night distracts our sight—
The clouds are all beneath our feet.
The direst woe that mortals know
Can ne’er the honest heart appall,
Who holds the trust—that God is just,
And Providence is over all.
Should foes increase to mar our peace,
Frustrated all their plans shall fall.
Our utmost need is oft decreed,
And Providence is over all.4
Oh, Blest Was the Day When the Prophet and Seer
Oh, blest was the day when the Prophet and Seer,
Who stands at the head of this last dispensation,
Inspired from above by “the Father” of Love,
Form’d the Daughters of Zion’s great organization.
Its purpose, indeed, is to comfort and feed
The honest and poor in distress and in need.
Oh, the Daughters of Zion, the friends of the poor,
Should be patterns of faith, hope and charity, pure.
Oh! Daughters of truth, ye have cause to rejoice.
Lo! the key of advancement is placed in your keeping,
To help with your might whatsoever is right,
To gladden their hearts who are weary of weeping,
By commandment divine, Zion’s daughters must shine,
And all of the sex, e’en as one, should combine;
For a oneness of action success will ensure,
In resisting the wrongs that ’tis wrong to endure.
O woman! God gave thee the longing to bless:
Thy touch like compassion is warm and caressing,
There’s pow’r in thy weakness to soften distress,
To brighten the gloom and the darkness depressing;
And not in the rear, hence, need woman appear;
Her star is ascending, her zenith is near.
Like an angel of mercy, she’ll stand in the van,
The joy of the world, and the glory of man.
Oh, be of good cheer, far extending we see,
The rosy-hued dawn like a vision of beauty;
Its glory and light can interpreted be;
Go on in the pathway of love and of duty!
The brave, earnest soul will arrive at its goal.
True heroes are crowned as the ages unroll;
There is blessing in blessing, admit it we must,
And there’s honor in helping a cause that is just.5
The Day of Redemption, So Near Is at Hand
The day of redemption, so near is at hand—
We can sing in spite of oppression;
But never to meet e’en a nation’s demand,
Will we feign either fear or depression;
The foes of our faith, like the billows, may foam,
“But a rest for the Saints yet remaineth,”
So we’ll sing and rejoice in our own mountain home,
That “the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”
Proscribed for opinion in liberty’s land—
Face we bondage, misrule and disaster;
Yet e’en unto death, by the truth may we stand,
And be leal to our Lord and our Master.
But sooner the ocean may quieted be,
And sooner may mortals enchain it,
Than souls can be fettered, whom truth maketh free,
While “the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”
The heralds of truth yet shall compass the earth
And gather “the wheat” to the garner,
The honest will welcome the tidings of worth,
Undismayed by the wrath of the scorner.
The law of Jehovah we needs must fulfil,
We cannot reject or distain it;
’Tis “the hour of His judgment,” and scoffers will feel
That “the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”
“From the wise and the prudent,” the haughty and high
The loftiest truths are oft hidden;
To “the feast of the Bridegroom” whose coming is nigh,
The halt and the humble are bidden.
Thro’ obedience, the Lord doth a witness bestow:
Which anyone seeking obtaineth;
And thus do His people assuredly know
That “the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”
Shall we barter our souls for a nation’s applause,
That denies us fair representation?
Are we traitors? Nay, verily, just is our cause,
’Twill survive e’en unjust legislation.
The faith of the Saints shall astonish the world,
And puzzle the wise to explain it;
Hosanna! Hosanna! Truth’s flag is unfurled;
And “the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”6
Up! Arouse Thee, O Beautiful Zion
Up! arouse thee, O beautiful Zion,
Wake, awake, hear the warder’s deep cry,
For the season of slumber hath ended.
And the spoiler is watchful and nigh.
With courage elate and heart to be great,
All deadly encumb’rance cast down,
Gird on for the fight, your armor so bright,
For the prize is a glorious crown.
Up! arouse thee, O beautiful Zion,
Give the mammon-care clouds to the wind,
When the bugle’s shrill summons is—Rally!
They are cowards that linger behind.
You’ve foes to o’ercome in each heart and each home,
Then fixed be your purpose and high.
With God at your head, O feel not dismayed,
But go forward to conquer or die.
Who should shrink from the glorious battle,
With so dazzling a guerdon in view?
If so base as to herd with the traitor,
It is, dastard! not sparkling for you.
Who with nerve strong as steel, and soul that can feel,
Stand firm for the pure and the brave,
Be foremost in right, and trust in God’s might—
’Tis such heroes that heaven will save.
Lo! Destruction hangs over the nations,
Tho’ not seen by the unholy throng;
And death will be heard in the echoes
Of the gathering, ominous storm!
Then arouse, thee, O beautiful Zion,
Wake, awake, ’tis the warder’s deep cry,
For the season of slumber is ended,
And the spoiler is watchful and nigh!7
Notes: Other Hymns by Emily Hill Woodmansee
^1. Woodmansee, “Uphold the Right, though Fierce the Fight,” in Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927), no. 93.
^2. Ibid., “Resting Now from Care and Sorrow,” Hymns (1927), no. 201.
^3. Ibid., “Come, Saints of Latter Days,” Hymns (1927), no. 208.
^4. Ibid., “When Dark and Drear the Skies Appear,” Hymns (1927), no. 210.
^5. Ibid., “Oh, Blest Was the Day When the Prophet and Seer,” Hymns (1927), no. 377.
^6. Ibid., “The Day of Redemption, So Near Is at Hand,” Hymns (1927), no. 378.
^7. Ibid., “Up! Arouse Thee, O Beautiful Zion,” Hymns (1927), no. 390 and no. 413.
Sources Consulted
Great appreciation is extended to Janice Kapp Perry for her initial research into this story and also to Robert and Colleen Bentley for sharing their family history collection.
Books
Abegg, Myrlon Bentley. The Poetry of Emily Hill Woodmansee. Published privately, 1986.
Allphin, Jolene S. Tell My Story, Too. Published privately, 2001.
Crocheron, Augusta Joyce, comp. Representative Women of Deseret. Salt Lake City: J. C. Graham & Co., 1884.
Erdman, Kimball Stewart. Israel Ivins: A Biography. Published privately, 1969.
Garner, Ceytru B., comp. Richard Ivins Bentley: His Family and Some Life Experiences. Published privately, 2008.
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985.
Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1854–86.
Latter-day Saint Hymns. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1927.
Lyman, Paul D. The Willie Handcart Company: Their Day-by-Day Experiences, Including Trail Maps and Driving Directions. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2006.
Olsen, Andrew D. The Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie & Martin Handcart Pioneers. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006.
Whitney, Orson F. History of Utah. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: George Q. Cannon & Sons, 1904.
Periodicals
Uchtdorf, Dieter F. “Lift Where You Stand.” Ensign, November 2008, 53–55.
Journals
Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. November 9–19, 1856. Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Latest News from the Plains.” The Mormon, November 15, 1856, 3. In Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Willie, James G. “Synopsis of the 4th Handcart Company’s Trip from Liverpool, England, to Great Salt Lake City in the Spring, Summer and Autumn of 1856.” November 9, 1856. In Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Websites
“Alexandrina Bray.” Barbarowa Genealogy. http://brooklyncentre.com/trees/getperson.php?personID=I16374&tree=Brainard.
Chislett, John. “Narrative.” In Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868. http://lds.org/
churchhistory/library/source/1,18016,4976–86169,00.html.
Perry, Janice Kapp. “As Sisters in Zion—Born a Century Apart.” Lost Hymns Project. http://www.losthymnsproject.com/Hymnastics_101/as_sisters_in_zion.htm.
Ririe, David. “Life Story of Martha Webb Campkin Young.” Ririe.org: The Online Resource for the James E. Ririe Family. http://www.ririe.org/history/documents/martha_webb_campkin_story.asp.
Smith, Marilyn Austin. “Faithful Stewards—The Life of James Gray Willie and Elizabeth Ann Pettit.” In Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868. http://lds.org/churchhistory/library/source/1,18016,4976–7462,00.html.
Thorne, Ida Young, Martha A. Merrell, and Clarice Y. Whitesides, edited by Keith Young. “Isaac Campkin and Martha Webb History.” Youngzones.org. http://www.youngzones.org/~nkyoung/IsaacCampkinHistory.html.
“Thornton: Liverpool to New York.” Mormon Migration. Brigham Young University. http://lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/voyage.php?id=343.
As Sisters in Zion Page 5