(Notes for these first meetings were written in Eliza’s hand.  She took excellent notes, but keep in mind, the quotes are her words, not the original words.  I don’t question what is written, but some thoughts are not quite as complete as I wish they were.  Again, these Minutes paint a fascinating perspective of our society’s origins, purposes, and destiny.  All meetings opened and closed with a hymn, sung by the women or a choir, as well as with prayer.)

4^th Meeting of the Relief Society                           April 14, 1842

The accusation of Clarissa M. speaking ill of Joseph Smith was finally resolved.   (This had been an issue in the previous meetings.  Apparently, someone heard Clarissa telling someone else something bad about the Prophet.  The kind of hearsay gossip we all know and recognize.  It was finally proved that Clarissa said nothing of the kind and the whole thing was finally dropped.)

Sis. Cleveland (1^st Counselor) cautioned the Society against speaking evil against Joseph Smith and his companion.  She felt strongly that the Lord would cut off those who would not take this counsel.  (I find it very telling that the last half of Lesson #39 in the Joseph Smith manual, about the History of the Relief Society, is about women controlling their tongues.)

Emma stood up explaining it was her unpleasant task to remind sisters to eradicate all evil from their own hearts and their own homes.  Sisters must “unite to oppose iniquity, to search it out and put it away”.

They attended to some business of discovering and helping the poor and closed the meeting.

5^TH MEETING OF THE RELIEF SOCIETY                           April 19^th, 1842

Emma was unable to attend this meeting, so Sis. Cleveland “presided” over the meeting.  (There’s that priesthood authority in action.)

Sis. Cleveland said there wasn’t much business to attend to, but suggested the time be spent in religious exercise.  She was happy in her knowledge that this society was organized after the order of heaven.

Sis. Buel stood and rejoiced that the Spirit of the Lord was with the Society.

Sis. Durfee arose and bore testimony how she had been administered to after the previous meeting and been healed.  She thought “the sisters had more faith than the brethren”.

Eliza made a comment before the group of sisters.  Sis. Buel apparently lived outside the city of Nauvoo and regretted that she would not be able to come to many meetings.  Eliza told her that now that she had “become a member of this Society, as the Spirit of a person pervades every member of the body, so shall the Spirit of the Lord which pervades this Society be with her, she shall feel it and rejoice.  She shall be blest wherever she is and the Lord shall open the way and she shall be instrumental in doing much.  She shall warm the hearts of those who are cold and dormant, and shall be instrumental in doing much good.”  (When I read this, I immediately thought of the sisters who serve in Young Women and Primary.  They can’t come to the meetings, but they too have the Spirit of Relief Society with them to bless them and make them instruments in the work they perform.  I wonder if these sisters realize the Spirit they use to teach and fulfill their callings is the Spirit of Relief Society (can also be called the Holy Ghost, but don’t you love the connection) which “warms the hearts of those who are cold and dormant” and is an instrument in doing much good.

Sis. Cleveland stood up and said she could not express in words what she felt in her heart, and desired to speak in the gift of tongues, which she did “in a powerful manner”.

Sis. Sessions arose and gave the interpretation:  “God was well pleased with this Society.  If we were humble and faithful, the Lord would pour out upon the members…the gift of prophecy.  That all sisters would have the Spirit.  That the days of Mother Smith would be prolonged and she shall hereafter be crowned a mother of those that shall prove faithful.”  (The gift of tongues was always accompanied with someone who could interpret.  I’m guessing the tongue spoken was the Adamic language, and must be a much more expressive language than English.  I believe Joseph Smith later suggested the women not use this gift as the Society was including non-baptized members of the church and, being a sacred gift, should be protected.)

Many others stood to bear testimony and the “Spirit of the Lord like a purifying stream, refreshed every heart”.  (It is important for sisters to testify amongst one another.  I hope our Fast Sunday meetings allow for this precious time.)

After the meeting, Sis. Leonard was administered to for the restoration of health by Counselors Cleveland and Whitney. (Again, the Priesthood at work.  We have been given the power to heal when necessary.  Men are often available now, so we rely on them for all manner of blessings.  But we should always guard against misuse.  I guess now a days, it’s better left to the men, and I’m okay with that, unless told by the Holy Spirit to act otherwise.)

The Minute Book is now online at Joseph Smith Papers.