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Biography of Elizabeth Laird Winmill Born 12 March 1855 Irvin Parish, Scotland |
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Preface God could not be every place so he gave us a mother.
To the descendants of
this elect lady who was desirous that through this history of her life she
might instill in our hearts a desire to keep the commandments as she had
kept them, was this narrative written. She asked me to record the history
of her parents and her life for the betterment of her grandchildren then
living and those yet unborn. Doctrine and Covenants, Section 68, verse 25: "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the Living God, and of Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents." This law was adhered to religiously by her. If we transgress and keep not the law the sin cannot be placed upon her head. She taught and lived the gospel, and all her children, with the exception of one or two, were baptized on their eighth birthday. Elizabeth Laird, daughter of James Laird and Mary Rainey was born 12 March 1855 in Irvin Parish, Scotland. Her parents accepted the gospel in the early forties and at the time when she was born were considering moving to America and making their home among the Mormons. For ten years her father had labored among his friends and relatives preaching the gospel, and had completed a two year mission just before she was born. The family, consisting of Father, Mother, two sons, and a baby one year old, set sail from Liverpool, England, on the ship "The Thornton", arriving in New York City in April 1856. .After visiting at the home of our Uncle John Laird in New York City, they traveled by rail to Iowa City, the western terminus of the railroad. Levi E. Young tells us that in the years of 1855-56 many thousands of Europeans were fleeing from England because of the Crimean War and high cost of living. Among them were many who had joined the church and wanted to reach Zion. They were poor, had no money to buy wagons; so it was a problem for Brigham Young to provide a way to get them from the Missouri River to Utah. It was with the Willie Company that Grandfather Laird and his little family were assigned to travel. With their provisions in the hand cart and the baby girl, Elizabeth, strapped to grandmother's back and their two small sons at their side, they started that long journey. Unfortunately, an early winter set in such had overtaken the Donner party in the Sierra Nevada Mountains just ten years before. The Willie Company consisted of 500 souls, 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows. Traveling with these companies were the wagon companies of William Hodgeth and Hunt. Each company had about 200 souls, making in all 1400 souls. The first part of their journey was pleasant. Several days were spent at Florence, Nebraska (then Winter Quarters). Here they repaired their carts and obtained supplies. The Company did not leave from here together owing to lack of preparation. Captain Willie started August 17 and Captain Martin a few days later. The wagon trains did not leave until September 2. First, the Indians drove off their beef cattle and then, when they were about 300 miles west of Winter Quarters they escaped barely being trodden down by a herd of frightened buffalo. The roads now were rough and their hand carts became rickety. Much rawhide had to be used to keep them so they could travel. Many axles were worn through before their journey was half over. This caused much delay. The nights became cold and at Fort Laramie they obtained buffalo robes and more provisions. They soon discovered that they were to be faced with a food problem. On October 12, they started on rations, ten ounces to each, and on the 14th another reduction was made, and again on the 19th the last ounce of flour was doled out. To make matters more severe snow was now falling and they had 18 inches on the level. They pushed on making camps at Sweet Water. The Martin Company one hundred miles behind was struck with the same storm and the wagon trains were so far behind that they could not give assistance. Grandmother kept her baby from freezing by strapping her to her body, also giving freedom to her so she could help push the over-loaded handcart. Their little sons Joseph and Edward, ages seven and four, suffered greatly from want of food. Grandmother said one day Joseph came to her with a piece of buffalo hide, imploring her to eat it. "It is good," he said. Even in her hunger she became nauseated at the thoughts of eating such a dirty thing. She was very immaculate by nature, so her trip was very trying on her sensitive feelings. A company of men bound for Utah under the leadership of F. D. Richards passed the company on their road and hastened into Salt Lake to report to Brigham Young the condition and asked him to send help. The October Conference was in session and, upon hearing the report of the emigrants, Brigham Young called for volunteers to go rescue them. Twenty teams each with experienced men and provisions left immediately with voluntary contributions from people which had been collected. Women gave quilts, stockings, mittens, underwear, and food. These were sent to the suffering souls. The rescue party could not make good time because of the stormy weather. After reaching Green River they sent Joseph A. Young and Angus Wheelock on ahead to let the emigrants know relief was near. When the rescue party arrived they had been out of food for 48 hours and were freezing. Food was doled out, yet nine died that night. William Kimball returned to Salt Lake with the Willie Company and the others continued on to rescue the other companies. It continued snowing and the nights were very cold. Women and children huddled around the fires while the men gathered wood to keep the fires going and to try and dry their clothes. The company finally reached Green River where they were met again by relief trains and in November they were welcomed by men at Fort Bridger. Other wagons arrived with supplies November 9, 1856. Seven days later they arrived in Salt Lake. They lost one-sixth of their number upon the plains. but with hearts full of gratitude, the remainder thanked God that they were at last safe in Zion.
The first night they arrived in the valley
Leonard W. Hardy
provided Grandfather and family with a
place to rest and his adopted son Richard [Winmill] Hardy carried baskets
of food for this hungry family. The family learned to love this young lad
and when years after he asked for their daughter Elizabeth in marriage he
was soon accepted into their home and hearts. The family remained in Salt Lake City only a short time, they moved to Spanish Fork, then to Heber City, then settled down in Parley's Canyon. They were neighbors to one of Leonard Hardy's families. Here Elizabeth and Richard Hardy grew up together. Link to Ben Ira Lloyd painting of Mt. Dell Home. Away in this isolated district their advantages for school were very limited. Elizabeth's father had to think first of providing a home, food, and shelter for his family. With the exception of a few months in school at Salt Lake City and the instructions from an English girl, Francis Churchill, whom they employed as an instructor and to assist Grandmother with the housework, this was all the schooling Elizabeth received. At nine years she was the little nurse-maid and assistant to that overworked mother with her many new babies born since they came to Utah. Elizabeth was healthy and large for her age and very dependable. Many responsibilities were given her. After the age of nine-ten she always did the washing for the family. At the age of eleven when Grandfather and Mr. Blithe took over a railroad project, Elizabeth was employed as cook. Besides cooking for twelve men, making homemade bread, she rendered many pounds of tallow that was useful to take home and make into soap. The money she and her brother Edward received from their work was used to purchase a team of oxen that was so much needed for cultivation on their farm and to haul wood and freight into Salt Lake City. When most girls would have used money for new clothes her thoughts were for the future success of her family. This characteristic is very outstanding all through her long useful life. At the age of 15, April 3, 1871, she became the bride of Richard Hardy. They now took his own name that was Winmill, his parents having died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, when he was nine years of age. Richard Winmill purchased a little home at Parley's Canyon and engaged in farming and freighting from Park City to Salt Lake City. He was never encumbered as some men were with such things as milking, feeding chickens and pigs. This active little wife, besides rearing her babies, took all this responsibility, leaving him free to go early and late. And when I say early, I mean they would rise at four or five and oft times he would be very late at night returning from Salt Lake City, but they were true pioneers. They never had time for self pity or self thought. They were building a home and future for the spirits God entrusted into their care. Besides caring for the milking of the cow, Mother conceived the idea of making butter and cheese to send into Salt Lake City with Father to sell. She became very apt along this line and soon she had many customers asking for her choice butter and would come out to her canyon home to receive it. I well remember seeing the milk house she and Father built for this purpose. In those days when ice refrigerators were unknown, necessity became the mother of invention. They erected a square log building with rows of shelves to hold pans of milk. They placed large flat stones for flooring. A mountain stream or spring running just back of the building was piped through the logs and would fall upon the floor, causing the building to keep cool, then running through the opposite corner of the building into the garden. This old building was white washed with lime, making it very sanitary. One time at the Z.C.M.I. store they had purchased an over-supply of butter from their customers and it was spoiling before they could dispose of it. The manager of this store called for advice from Mother on how to save it. She told him what was causing it to spoil and how to correct it. They followed her advice and saved the butter. Besides this activity she raised pet lambs that the herds of sheep left along the way as they passed up the canyon. From these she would receive wool of which she would wash, cord, and spin. She made clothes for both boys and girls as well as father's suits. It can never be said of her that she became rusty in any phase of activity. While in the evening, waiting for father to return from freighting, keeping his supper warm and after her babies were at rest, she would knit stockings for every member of the family. She became so apt at this after starting a stocking she did not need to look at her work until at the turn of the heel. So, with her book open in front of her, she would read and knit at the same time, thus educating herself. Mother had a true knowledge of the Gospel. I have often remarked after studying the principles and ideas advanced by the authorities of the church how and where did mother find time to learn all she did about the Gospel. There wasn't a principle she was not posted on and of which she imparted into her family. If in life we transgress and fall short of living as we should, blame can never be placed at her door for not teaching us by word and deed the plan of salvation. And in saying this of her, I also say of Father: he was not a public speaker, but the example of honesty, and living the golden rule to the letter was as natural for them as to breathe. One very strict principle was respect for authority in the church and in the government. A rule observed in their home was, "don't speak at all if you can't speak good of any one." Early in their life in this isolated condition away from the heads of the church, fifteen miles east of Salt Lake City, they saw a need for their children and other children to be taught the principles of the Gospel. They asked permission to conduct a Sunday School. In their two room log home they were crowded for space, so each Sunday morning the furniture was moved and the benches placed in to accommodate those who soon became interested. From this small beginning a Branch of the church was organized with Grandfather Laird as presiding Elder. A log structure was later erected which served the people of that community for many years. A school and amusement hall was also erected later in which this little branch lived many happy hours together. Mother became active in Relief Society work, serving as counselor for many years. While in this capacity and at the age of thirty, an experience took place that made her a relief worker among the needy and sick the rest of her life. It was election day; all were at the little church casting their votes; when the Bishop called the Relief Society sisters to one side and reported that one of their neighbors was going to be confined and help from Salt Lake City was delayed. Turning to Mother, he said, "Lizzie, I want you to go and deliver Sister Roach." Mother was dumbfounded for a few minutes and began to protest. He said, "We will pray for you and you will be successful." As she accepted all calls from authority she accepted this like a soldier. When the Doctor arrived, a baby girl and the mother were lying comfortably resting. Upon examination the doctor reported everything in as good a condition as if he had done the work himself. This started her reputation as a midwife and the needy from the neighborhood never bothered to employ the services of a doctor when they could get Mother. She remembered after this happened about a prophecy that was made when, years before, and old Sister Anderson had given her a blessing before one of her own confinements. Among other things in this blessing were these words used, "You shall become a useful mother and midwife in the community wherever you live, relieving the sick and suffering." This prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. Mother made a covenant with the Lord upon one occasion. If he would bless her with health and success in the relief of the suffering she would give of her time and talents with which he would bless her without charge to the poor whenever called. The Lord did his part and she fulfilled hers. Whenever a call was made where people offered money for her services, she refused, saying, "My time is for God's needy." She did not keep the exact record of the cases, but I figured they would reach up in numbers for she was 30 years old when she started and at the age of 70 (the doctors and her family considered she was getting too old to be taking such responsibility alone) she gave up her work. At about this time Father became ill so soon after his death her health broke and she wasn't able to do much work after that. Many were the varied experiences of her useful life. Besides giving service to others she gave birth to fifteen children as follows:
Mary Jane Winmill died at birth Elizabeth Ann Richard William died 1956 James Laird Winmill died 1930 Ester Smilinda died 1908 Edward Alexander John died 1912 Almina Sophia Winmill Joseph Smith Harriet Emily died at 2 years Valeria Sarah Wilford Franklin died 1905 Tacy Luella Lily May Viola Maud She delivered women in childbirth and sat up long nights when only a few days prior to her own confinement. At one time she said that she was forced to take one of her own children with her, when the child was only a few months of age. The pangs of labor cries from her patient awakened the child and Mother had two patients instead of one. Her own child cried so hard that they had to bring it to her side while she delivered her patient. Death claimed a number of her family during her life. She lived to lay away seven of her children, her husband, father, mother, and all her brothers and sisters. She was a friend to all those in sin as well as sickness. On one occasion a motherless girl from Mt. Dell Canyon had gone from home seeking employment in Salt Lake City. After a short time she returned and was in trouble. The neighbors were unable to appeal to the unfortunate girl and called for Mother. When she arrived, the frightened girl was hiding in the cellar. Mother crawled into the dugout and when they came out she had the confidence and story from the girl, and the girl was willing for mother to care for her. Mother immediately sent for the father of the unborn child. She gained the confidence of the boy and taught them the proper conduct to follow after making such a mistake. The boy remained at the home and performed the household duties while Mother confined and nursed the girl who gave birth to a lovely baby girl. As soon as the girl's mother was well they were married and the boy took his wife away. Years after, while walking down the business district of Salt Lake City, a man and lady, accompanied by children, came up and greeted Mother. They had not forgotten her and the part she played in their lives. Turning to their eldest daughter, who was now a beautiful young lady, they said, "Dear, to this lady you owe your life. She saved you when you were born. To you, Mrs. Winmill," they said, "we owe our happiness." In 1900 the city of Salt Lake purchased the Parley Canyon Creek and farms surrounding for the erection of a dam and power plant. June 10, 1900, the family bid farewell to this little home in which much joy mingled with sorrow had been lived, to make a new home somewhere else. I can still see an old lady, Sister Olsen (who was cared for by the Relief Society of the ward) standing at her gate bidding a last farewell to Mother who had been such a true friend for so many years. I think of the years a pail of milk, a pat of butter, a few eggs or a loaf of bread was sent to this old sister by Mother. Men and women who were boys and girls during the time Mother lived in Parley's Canyon have told me of the happy Sundays spent at her home. The crowd was never too large that someone couldn't be pushed into a space at the table for dinner and made welcome. Just before her death in 1932, Fred Taggert, when passing through Sugar City, called at our home to let his wife meet the "Mother" he had often told her of, who could preside at a table of bread and milk with such hospitality that you forgot it was only a humble meal and enjoyed it like a banquet. None ever left her door hungry. Through this art of hospitality her life was saved on one occasion: an old man, an escapee from the Provo Sanitarium, imagined himself a real gentleman. He wandered from Provo to Parley's Canyon; being very hungry he was forced to beg for food and when a sandwich was passed to him it hurt his imaginary pride and he became violent, even to taking the life of one woman. He presented himself at mother's door; she and her babies were alone. The spirit prompted her to invite him in, of which she did; prepared a nice meal, invited him to the table which pleased him very much. He ate like one famished, arose, and with thanks and bows left her unharmed. The first year or two in their new home in Idaho was pioneering all over again. They purchased a ranch five miles from Rexburg from James Eckersell. When the family arrived in June the folks had not vacated the house as yet and the family was forced to live in tents until some time in July. This was very hard on Mother who was expecting her fifteenth child in September. Then Father's health became poorly and he was years getting back to normal. In this new locality mother was soon recognized for her ability among the sick, so she carried on in both Relief Society and helping the poor. She went of course with the help of Father for miles around caring for the sick. Not only would she confine the patient but each morning she would spend hours caring for the mother and baby for ten days. Many a time she would use her own horse and buggy going to and from the place. Then she would return and care for her own household. It was a common incident for Father to awaken us children to arise and help get one another ready for school while he prepared breakfast because Mother had been called to the bedside of a sick neighbor during the night. In our new ward in Sugar City, Sister Elizabeth Roberts chose mother as a worker in the Relief Society. In this capacity she did much good. Besides caring for the sick she was given the responsibility to care for the bodies of those who passed away in our ward. She would wash and dress them and help to make their burial clothes. One summer a few families moved in the community for work in the sugar factory. One night a man came to get mother to help with his wife in confinement; we told him he must engage a doctor and he said he had. So mother went to assist. On arriving at the home the father took the other children upstairs to bed. Mother began to get the patient ready. The house was very unclean; no preparation had been made; there wasn't a clean thing in the house with which to work. Mother waited for the doctor but at last baby came; a neighbor lady was sent for clean rags. Then the patient took a violent hemorrhage. Mother called to the man of the house, but he had fallen asleep with the children. Mother dropped upon her knees and asked God for help. A voice said, "Give her flour and water." She ran to the kitchen, mixed a spoon of flour and water and gave it to her patient and in a few minutes the danger was over. A doctor had never been engaged, he admitted, because he thought it was nonsense to hire a doctor when she could do the work. This was her first very dangerous case. An unusual thing about her work she never lost one confinement case. A southern family who had moved into our community was quite a problem for her. The old man was one of those slow moving types. He would wait until the wife was almost in labor before he would go to the neighbor to borrow a horse and buggy to come and get Mother. By the time he got to our house Mother knew they must hurry so she would take the lines and drive. Then for ten days she would drive her own horse and buggy because her own work had to be taken care of and she just couldn't wait for him to get going. The man and his wife had the habit of chewing tobacco and so mother was forced to dodge a few times when they tried to dispose of their saliva out the door. She immediately corrected that by placing pans of ashes around the room giving orders for no more spitting on the floor or at the door. When their last baby came we refused to let mother go unless Doctor was engaged. The old man thought he had never heard of such nonsense. In the summer of 19__ she was called to fill a stake mission in the Madison Stake and was appointed to labor with Sister Ella Hogg in the Salem Ward. They took a horse and buggy and it took them almost three weeks to visit every home in the ward. They did much good and gained many new friends. An outstanding characteristic of her nature was forgiveness and not to look for petty things to be troubled over. She did not have time for self pity. This incident showed her broad-mindedness. A family from Utah purchased a large farm near us. They had four sons and two daughters. Before Mother had time to meet the family the youngest son began playing with my younger brother. At threshing time the boys like he remained all day playing around the machines without going home. When a task was given to my brother he helped. At night when he returned home, he was taken to task; as an alibi he said he had been working at Winmills. His brother wanted to know what they paid him and of course he said nothing. Immediately the brother took the matter up and rode over to see why we had worked the boy without pay. Father felt that his dinner and supper was all he was worth, in fact he had been a nuisance. But Father sacked some grain and offered it to him to make peace. That rascal picked up the sack and threw is all over father. He called all the family all the bad names he could think of and made false accusations about them. This bothered Mother and she tried in many ways to show the boy he was wrong. One night his brother's wife took sick in confinement and help from doctors could not be secured. The other neighbors, hearing of the case, informed them that sister Winmill could easily take the doctor's place. They said, "Oh, no, she would never come for us because my brother and they are enemies." Mrs. Evans said, "You do not know Sister Winmill; that petty thing would never stand between her and her duty." So Mother was called, only too glad to return good for evil, not to make an example of them, but to restore friendship. The family became true friends and the young man became humiliated, but never could face mother after that. His abuse was gall to his conscience.
In 1913 Father
purchased a home at
Sugar City
and the family moved there, Father was not
able to work and the farm was turned over to Joseph and Edward to care for. Mother enjoyed living here for she could better attend her church duties in which her whole soul was wrapped up. Each Sunday morning, if not caring for the sick, she would always attend Sunday School. If there were strangers in the ward she always made it a point to meet them and welcome them into the ward. In fast services she always bore a testimony to the goodness of the Lord to her. Brother and Sister Fred Schwendiman, members of the ward, have said of her testimonies, "she was unlike any other sister we have heard. Some bear their testimonies each month but the same words are used. Sister Winmill had lived so much during the month she had new things to tell us each time." Mother was loved by children as well as the aged. I have seen children sit by the hour while she told them Indian stories. A while before she died a primary class came to do her honor. The room was full, they sang songs for her and gave her small gifts. Then they sat at her feet while she told them her last Indian stories and pioneer experiences. I shall never forget the look upon one of her grandchildren's face when she was ill just prior to her death. She wasn't recognizing anyone for days and the little fellow was much concerned about it and stepped up to her bed and placed his little hand upon her head and called her by name. She said "Hello, Preston, dear." To have her speak to him again filled him with such joy. She had always paid much attention to him and he cold not think of her not being able to know him. He only lived about three years after she died. Two years before her death cataracts formed over her eyes, shutting out the vision of the world in which she had lived such an abundant life. At the side of the casket of her son who died in August 1930, she kissed him farewell but could not see him. Mother was full of faith. Eight years before the death of this son he had what the doctors pronounced pneumonia and gave him three to five days to live. She remained with him, telling him of the power of the Priesthood and how as a child he had been saved from death and begged him to be faithful. With his consent she called in the Elders and he recovered and lived well for eight years. Brother Hansen, a patriarch of Rexburg Stake, who had lived neighbors to her years before, called daily to comfort her in her hours of sickness. One afternoon he said, "Sister Winmill, you are living on borrowed time. God has accepted your life and its work and they are good. Your shortcomings are all forgiven and your reward in the Celestial Kingdom is sure. All you have to do now is to be happy and contented until God in his own due time sees fit to call you home." Brother Hansen one night after he had been to see her was stricken with pneumonia and died two weeks before she passed away. Many manifestations of the nearness of her loved ones of the other side were manifested during her long illness. For days when she could not recognize her family around her she was visiting with those beyond the veil. For months before her death she seemed to only be lying in body and that her spirit was away. She was an outstanding mother. At her death four sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law said of her, "God never made a better Mother-in-law." December 11, 1932, she was called home. Three sons and five daughters were at her bedside. Funeral services were conducted by Bishop Hugh Wright and C. O. Hamilton in the Sugar City Ward Chapel. The services consisted of: Music by Choir; Opening Prayer by Brother D. R. Harris; Speakers---James Blake, Fred Schwendiman, Bishop Wright, Bishop Hamilton and Brother Hyrum Manwaring; Solo by Hazel Ogden Pincock, a granddaughter. Her body was taken to Salt Lake City for burial to be laid beside her husband and children. Although she had been away from Salt Lake City for 32 years, services were held in Joseph E. Taylor's undertaking parlors for friends in Utah and the room was full. Bishop Henry Taggert of the Emerson Ward presided and conducted; Prayer by Richard Snelgrove; Speakers---Leonard W. Hardy (foster brother of Richard Winmill), and John M. Knight, ex-president of the Western States Mission under whom one of her daughters had labored upon a mission; Benediction by her son-in-law Joseph Ogden. Burial in the Salt Lake City cemetery. The Thornton -- Andrew Jenson, Church Chronology, May 4, 1856 (Sunday) The ship Thornton sailed from Liverpool, England, with 764 Saints, under the direction of James G. Willie. It arrived at New York June 14th, and the emigrants, continuing the journey by rail, arrived at Iowa City, June 26th.@ Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION Because the Saints traveled as a Church family under priesthood leadership‑‑and with the assistance of an experienced and well‑organized system‑‑LDS emigration impressed nonmember observers as orderly and civilized compared with the tumult generally surrounding emigrant ships. One writer noted: The ordinary emigrant is exposed to all the chances and misadventures of a heterogeneous, childish, mannerless crowd during the voyage, and to the merciless cupidity of land‑sharks the moment he has touched the opposite shore. But the Mormon ship is a Family under strong and accepted discipline, with every provision for comfort, decorum, and internal peace. On his arrival in the New World the wanderer is received into a confraternity which speeds him onwards with as little hardship and anxiety as the circumstances permit and he is passed on from friend to friend, till he reaches the promised home [Edinburgh Review, Jan. 1862, p. 199]. HARDY, Leonard W. (Wilford) -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 1, First counselor to Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter, Oct. 6, 1856‑Oct. 16, 1883, and to Bishop William B. Preston April 6, 1884‑July 31, 1884; b. Dec. 31, 1805, Bradford, Massachusetts; d. July 31, 1884, Salt Lake City, Utah; m. Elizabeth Harriman Nichols; practiced plural marriage, eighteen children on record; farmer, businessman. Railroad construction -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, YOUNG, BRIGHAM A believer in adapting the newest technology to the advantage of LDS society, Brigham Young contracted in 1861 to build the transcontinental telegraph line from Nebraska to California, and then proceeded to erect the 1,200‑mile Deseret Telegraph line from Franklin, Idaho, to northern Arizona. While the transcontinental railroad was under construction, he negotiated for contracts with Union Pacific and Central Pacific for LDS contractors to build the roadbeds east of Salt Lake City into part of Wyoming and west well into Nevada. ZCMI -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, HISTORY OF THE CHURCH In addition to intensifying his call for home manufacture Brigham Young established a cooperative system of merchandising. In October 1868 he organized Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) to "bring goods here and sell them as low as they can possibly be sold and let the profits be divided with the people at large" (Arden Olsen, History of the Mormon Mercantile Cooperation in Utah, p. 80 [Ph.D. diss., University of California, Berkeley, 1935]). With widespread support, the new department store became a profitable enterprise that continues as Salt Lake City's largest retailer. Midwife -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, MATERNITY AND CHILD HEALTH CARE Before professional doctors and nurses assumed primary responsibility for delivering health care, LDS women played a major role in providing maternity and child health care in their communities. Their efforts continued into the twentieth century with the establishment of maternity and children's hospitals and clinics under the sponsorship of the Relief Society and primary and with some women still serving as midwives in rural areas. The Relief Society also sponsored educational programs to prepare mothers for the delivery and care of infants and children. Concern for the health of mothers and children continues in Relief Society lessons today, and members are advised to seek the best medical care available. Specially trained Church missionaries also assist in programs to improve health care in developing countries. At the time the Church was established (1830), the methods of many doctors were experimental and often harsh, and women usually did not call upon men for maternity care because it was thought unseemly. When available, midwives often assisted during childbirth. As the Church grew, leaders called and set apart women to serve as midwives. In Nauvoo in the 1840s, the Prophet Joseph Smith set apart three midwives. After the main body of the Church moved to the Salt Lake Valley, other women were called to serve as midwives both in Salt Lake City and in the outlying settlements. Because midwives were called by priesthood authority, they were accorded trust and respect similar to that given ecclesiastical leaders. They often dispensed herb treatments, passed on by experimentation and word of mouth, and sometimes administered health blessings. Ward Relief Societies began coordinated health programs in the late 1860s after President Brigham Young assigned two of his plural wives, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young, to promote health‑care education among the Saints and to train midwives. In 1873 he asked each ward Relief Society to appoint three women to study nursing and midwifery, and a nursing school was opened for their training. In the same year, President Young said that the time had come for women to study at medical schools in the East. At least six women responded, earning medical degrees in the 1870s. Snake River Valley -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, IDAHO, PIONEER SETTLEMENTS IN Many Latter‑day Saints homesteaded near the railroad and established such communities as Chesterfield, Egin Bench, and Rexburg. For the next two decades, Mormon settlements increasingly dotted the landscape for two hundred miles between Pocatello and Victor in the Teton Basin. By 1890, the Bannock Stake, centered in Rexburg, reported 3,861 members. Because the Snake River Valley was arid, LDS settlers devoted considerable energies to canal building. By 1910, more than one hundred canals operated in the Upper Snake River Valley, and LDS settlements were established where there were canals. Stake Mission -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, MISSIONS A stake mission is organized in each stake of the Church to supplement or extend the resources of the full‑time mission in that area. A stake mission president and two counselors preside over the stake mission. Unlike full‑time missionaries, stake missionaries serve part‑time, mostly in the evenings, and continue to live in their own homes and to fulfill their normal family and occupational responsibilities. They are generally expected to spend ten or more hours a week doing missionary work. Fast and testimony meeting -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, FAST AND TESTIMONY MEETING An LDS fast and testimony meeting is normally held on the first Sunday of each month, where faithful members of the Church are invited to bear a verbal witness of their feelings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The meeting usually follows a fast by the members, usually from at least two consecutive meals and from liquids also. The fast is officially broken by partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In modern scripture, fasting is described as "rejoicing and prayer" (D&C 59:14), which implies that it is more than just abstaining from food. That tone of devotion is also the feeling associated with contributing fast offerings, giving the equivalent cost of the meals, or more, to be used for the poor. The fast and testimony meeting becomes the locus of spiritual sensitivity and contrition, of concentration on the things of God. Stake Patriarch -- Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.3, PATRIARCH Each stake in the Church has at least one patriarch ordained, as the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, "for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints as it was with Jacob in giving his patriarchal blessing unto his sons" (WJS, p. 6). Age is not a factor, and the call, which is for voluntary service in giving patriarchal blessings to stake members, may come to any worthy, spiritually mature high priest.
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