Heroines of "Mormondom": The Second Book of the Noble Women's Lives SeriesVarious
History
Heroines of "Mormondom": The Second Book of the Noble Women's Lives Series
Various
Chittenden, Mary Dunster, 1818-; Latter Day Saint women; Latter Day Saints -- Biography; Smith, Mary Fielding, 1801-1852
"I once asked one of the mob what they intended when they came upon our
camp; he answered they intended to 'kill everything that breathed.' I
felt the loss of my husband greatly, but rejoiced that he died a martyr
to the cause of truth. He went full of faith and in hope of a glorious
resurrection. As for myself I had unshaken confidence in God through it
all.
"In the year 1839 I married again, to a man bearing the same name
as my deceased husband (Warren Smith), though they were not in the
least related. He was also a blacksmith and our circumstances were
prosperous. By this marriage I had three children. Amanda Malvina, who
died in Nauvoo; also Warren Barnes and Sarah Marinda, who are still
living, the former at American Fork and is counselor to the Bishop, the
latter at Hyde Park.
"I enjoyed the privilege of seeing the Temple finished, and of
receiving therein the blessing of holy ordinances. Willard, my
first-born son, also had his endowments in that Temple, and came out
among the first who left there; was one of the Mormon Battalion, who
were called to go to Mexico while we were _en route_ to find a resting
place for the Saints. Willard is now, and has been for several years
past, President of Morgan Stake."
During the time they lived in Nauvoo, President Joseph organized a
Relief Society. Sister Smith became a member of its first organization
and greatly rejoiced in the benevolent work; much good was accomplished
by it.
In July, 1847, they started from Nauvoo intending to go with the Saints
to the Rocky Mountains, but for the want of sufficient means for so
long a journey they were compelled to stop in Iowa. They remained until
the year 1850, when they took up their line of march for Salt Lake
City, arriving on the 18th of September, safe and well. Shortly after
arriving in this city, her husband, who had been for some time dilatory
in his duties, apostatized from the faith, and they separated. She took
the children with her and provided for herself.
On the 24th of January, 1854, a number of ladies met together to
consider the importance of organizing a society for the purpose of
making clothes for the Indians and other charitable work, which was
properly organized Feb. 9th. Sister Smith was one of the officers of
the society, which resulted in much temporal good being accomplished.
In consequence of the many hardships she endured through the
persecutions in Missouri which were heaped upon her and her family by
a relentless mob, her health was undermined, and as years increased,
infirmities settled upon her which rendered her unable to retain the
position she had held in the Relief Society. She was honorably released
and will ever be remembered by the Bishop and his counselors and the
members of the Ward for her benevolence and self-denial in ministering
to the unfortunate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account