Personal Writings Of Eliza Roxcy Snow (Life Writings Frontier Women)

By Maureen Beecher and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher

Book Overview

Perhaps the most famous woman in Mormon history, Eliza Roxcy Snow was a person of high standing and many accomplishments. She married Joseph Smith secretly in 1842 and wed Brigham Young after Smith's death. She was also the sister of Lorenzo Snow, fifth president of the LDS Church. Best known as Zion's poetess, her prominence also earned her the appellations of priestess and prophetess. Capable of producing a poem for virtually any special occasion, she came to be considered the first lady of Mormon letters, having written, by her own count, nine published volumes. Her leadership among Mormon women is demonstrated by her positions as president of the Relief Society (the church's organisation for women), president of the Deseret Hospital Association, and organizer of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, the children's Primary Association, and the Woman's Commission Store.Compiled in this volume are her autobiographical writings, including Sketch of My Life, originally written for inclusion in Edward W Tullidge's The Women of Mormondom, published in 1877, and revised for Hubert Howe Bancroft's proposed series of histories of the western territories; her Nauvoo journal and notebook, which are the earliest, but most recently discovered, of her extant chronicles; and her trail diaries, covering February 1846 to May 1847 and June 1847 to September 1849. Together they provide valuable insights into both mid-nineteenth century Mormon society and Eliza R Snow's life, revealing much about a public woman who tried to guard her privacy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874212987
• ISBN13: 9780874212983
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Utah State University Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A First Lady of the Saints

This book is a transcription of several of the dairies and journals of the Zion’s Poetess, Eliza R. Snow. She was a plural wife of Joseph Smith, and later headed up the Female Relief Society once Brigham Young and the Saints reached the Great Basin, in Utah. This transcription follow the pattern laid down by "Personal Writings of Joseph Smith," "Papers of Joseph Smith," and "Words of Joseph Smith." Eliza had such a broad and eternal mind, so it is fitting that we have a book devoted to her writings.I found Eliza’s trail diary to be the best book. The trail diary covers Eliza’s 111-day pioneer journey across the plains. It records some of the experiences she had along the way, not only being a ministering angel to the sick sisters, but several profound spiritual experiences she had.This book is a must for anyone into the original documents. The only problem I have is the price. I thought that University Presses were supposed to provide cheap books! Sheesh!Eliza Roxcy Snow Smith was a Wonder Woman. She is one of the greatest women, no only in Momondom, but in American history, and even the world. He greatness is due to her unusual talents. She is an incredible poet, but an incredible woman to boot. She was, in a sense, the female prophet, much like ward-level Relief Society presidents are sometimes called the "Lady Bishops."