The Twelfth Meeting was held in the Grove on Jun 23, 1842. Previously, Joseph Smith had given the Relief Society a place to build a house for the poor, so with that purpose, the women went to work. The first item discussed in this meeting was a collection of funds “for the purpose of preparing the house in contemplation for the poor.” Those applying for aid needed a recommend from the Bishop.
Counselor Cleveland said, “All must live by faith alone”. Counselor Whitney encouraged the sisters “to look for long life to do good.” Mrs. President rejoiced in seeing union among the sisters. Mrs. Chase stood up and said, “If the sisters are faithful, the gifts of the gospel shall be with us.”
Eliza’s writings just cover the surface of what is discussed, so we miss what is really happening in the sisters’ lives. I guess there was a letter that went out complaining about the society, but the women insisted all you needed was faith and to not fear anyone but the Lord.
The Thirteenth Meeting was held on July 7th, 1842, in the Grove. Mrs. President wasn’t in attendance, so the women spent the time in exhortation, speaking, singing and prayer.
The Fourteenth Meeting was an interesting meeting. Held in the Grove, on July 14, 1842, certain sisters were called up and voted on whether they should be allowed membership or not. If there was a problem, the sister was rejected from admittance.
A Sis. Brown was brought forward and rejected. After which an exhortation of the importance of forgiveness was given. After this, another sister was brought forward. She too was rejected.
Eliza states, “Mrs. President said she could not urge fellowship where the sisters could not feel to fellowship.”
What these Minutes do for me is let me inside the Living Room of these sisters. I see them at their best and at their worst, and I understand them completely. Women can get all excited about projects and plans, but turn on one another in the blink of an eye. What I love about these sisters is the initiative they had to be a part of something so big. Joseph Smith was opening up the eternities to them and the sisters were able to walk right in. But when he wasn’t at the meetings, the sisters reverted back to petty attitudes.
The Minute Book is now online at www.josephsmithpapers.org
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