This is a page in the history of (at the time) the only Farmington, Utah Relief Society during the First World War and Second World War. I am fascinated how busy these women were serving and working and getting together to make great things happen.

“1943 was surely a challenge, because World War One was going strong and brought many changes to us all, and so many ladies worked for the government. There were 104 enrolled in Relief Society and we learned tolerance, charity, perseverance and patience. We couldn’t get sugar, shortening, flour, etc. or gasoline without government stamps or tokens. Our Relief Society Stake called us to go to the Salt Lake Center to can fruits and vegetables or to sew. They called for 16 women and we had to go to the courthouse and obtain the necessary stamps for gasoline to get us there. In our Church kitchen our Relief Society canned 974 cans of tomatoes, beans and other vegetables in our pressure cooker. We canned 216 cans of peaches. North Farmington sometimes joined us. We helped the Elders dry apricots. There was a little house built at Lagoon that was all screened where we processed the apricots in sulphur; then laid them on their backs to dry. Many were sold before they dried. Twenty-six ladies took the nursing course offered by the American Red Cross. A doctor and two professional nurses taught the course and every lady passed the tests. There were a couple of hospital beds set up in the room. Many of us also took a first aid course at the courthouse.

When the Relief Society was organized in 1868, 24 teachers were called to visit the homes (12 districts), and received donations such as thread, sugar, butter, eggs, soap, carpet rags sewed, dried fruit or a small cash donation. The roads were not paved at that time and the Ward covered a large area so at times of the year the roads were very bad and the sisters often had to walk miles to carry out their responsibilities.

In June 1869 there were 82 Relief Society members enrolled. Meetings were held twice a month in the homes. One was a testimony meeting and the other a sewing meeting at which the Districts were reported on. Dues were ten cents a year. The secretary also conducted meetings. Bishop John W. Hess often visited the meetings and spoke to us.

From 1868 to 1927 the Relief Society Sisters had to lay out the dead and make burial clothes and pad and line the coffins which the men made. They also would sit all night with the dead and every hour or so they had to place a cloth dipped in salt peter over the face to keep cats away from the body.

Brigham Young gave the women the responsibility of gleaning wheat from the fields after the grain was cut. They gathered many bushels. It was reported in 1870 that they had 149 bushels of wheat stored in a granary which was built for that purpose. They also gathered wool which was caught on the wire fences as the sheep went through. This wool was carded into bats and used for quilts.

The Relief Society was also advised to plant Mulberry trees and to raise silk worms. There were three large rooms with four to five shelves built on stands. Boys and girls gathered dozens of bags of Mulberry leaves, which were sprinkled over the tiny worms (they were about one-inch long). After they grew to four or five inches long and as large around as two large fingers placed together, limbs were placed all over the shelves so the worms could go into their cocoons. The cocoons were gathered and placed in boxes. The sisters then used their spinning wheels to wind off the silk from the cocoons. It was then used to make dresses, scarfs, ties, shirts, and other silk articles.

In 1873 the Relief Society took out several hundred pounds of beef, six pork, a number of chickens, vegetables, pies and cakes to the poor and needy.

The Second World War had ended and there was much need in Europe for the destitute Saints, so many articles of clothing were sent to them. Welfare clothing assignments include dressed, blouses, pajamas, maternity clothes and layettes.

One time we had seven quilts set up in the cultural hall. Although most of them were tied, we never lost the art of quilting. We held our bazaars each fall. Once we sent 200 pounds of dried beans to our Davis Stake. The Red Cross kept us busy. They called for many things during the war. We visited our town and collected 187 bars of soap, gathered 35 large boxes of clothes—coats, dresses, etc., all sizes—to send overseas. Someone brought to me at Lagoon 20 blue-grey stratosphere suits, like coveralls, all lined throughout with little wires. I washed them and hung them on our clothesline to dry. We had to clip all that wire out before using this beautiful material to make afghans, slippers—about 100—to be used by convalescing soldiers at Bushnell Hospital and in the Philippines. Our own town ladies were asked to knit 12 sweaters and neckerchiefs for the soldiers. We sent the yarn out to ladies who didn’t attend Relief Society. We had to cut and sew rags for 29 woven rugs. The Stake brought two large bolts of cloth and we made it into various sizes of dresses and pajamas and sent them to the Philippines.”

–Written by Margaret Steed Hess in My Farmington

Many years are exhibited here, but clearly these women were constantly on the look-out for projects and needs. We are no busier today than they were back then. And most of us have plenty of money, in comparison, which takes incredible mental pressure off of the soul.

As you visit your sisters this month, think about what their needs might be—physical, spiritual, or mental. Without making them feel like welfare cases, do something nice for them. If it’s appropriate, discuss together other people who may need to be uplifted with a kindness and set a date to go and do.

Make humanitarian projects a regular feature in your Relief Societies. The needs are easy to find and the rewards are great. In your own personal life be mindful of those around you who need an assignment, praise, relief, or a simple hug.

As Sis. Hess says, “This church auxiliary provides women with a vehicle for bettering themselves and serving others.”