Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-04
INFLUENCE AND SPHERE OF
WOMAN.
Remarks BY President Joseph 2. smith
nj the Conference OF the Relief
Society VI the weber stake
OF Zion, Dee. IL, 1891.

feel grateful to have the prlvl.
lege Of meeting with you this morning.
This il a Conference Of the Relief
Societies Of this Stake, NJ I understand
It. do not know but this Is the first
opportunity have enjoyed OF meeting
at one u these conferences; at least, 1t
Is tho first for great many years.
was much pleased with the TO.
marks Of President Cannon In praise Of
woman; for, when reflect upon it
and do not often forget It'll romem-
bcr that my mother was awoman; and
my sisters and daughters are women
and our wives are wOmeul | have u
very tender regard for ihe sex. | have
faith In them, believe In thom, and
love TO see Thorn happy, pure, vlriuous
and prosperous.
undersiand that ono, at least, OF the
objects OF these societies IL that the
women OF the Church OF Jesus Christ
Of Lstter.day Saints may improve and
avail Themselves Of every opportunity
possible for tho culture, improvement
and benefit, not only Of those who are in
favorable circumstances and are
blessed with tho necessities or com.
forts Of lie, with peace and happiness,
good homes, husbands, fathers, etc, but
also Of the poor and the needy, the over
buriened, the ignorant, tho untaugbt,
aud those that lack experience ami
knowledge To perform the varied du-
ties devOlving upon thum In their
varied spheres la life. In looking nj
this matter, Il seems TO me that there
Ia very great field Of labor for the
societies. For, Notwithstanding all
the good things that have boeu said
and all the good things that may be
said OF the mothers hud daughters OF
Zion, II We pause TO reflect about II we
viii SEQ that there IL great room Tor
labor In the direction Of Improving
the condition OF women, not only IN
domestic, but In social AMI secular as
well n- religion. matters, and not only
In moral, but In physical advance
meni; In politics M well NJ In the bet
tering Of the condition Of our domestic
relations. believe IL legitimate for
these societies 10 look after the welfare
aud happiness Of the sisters In relation
10 their domestic aiiaim.
Where a woman, being a wife and
mother Of children, and the head, next
10 her husband, OF her household, Is
lacking experience, knowledge and
influence with her family In regard 10
bringing them up in the way they
should 20, and In the knowledge OF the
principles OF the Gospel, and with re-.
gard to her conduct generally as a
member OF the Church Of Jesus Christ
OF Lattur-dRy Saints, believe II Is per-
fectly legitimate tor thelieliel Societies
TO strive 10 alleviate her condition and
give her aid aud comfort, and try 10
enlighien aud encourage such persons,
strengthen their hands where they nro
weak, build them up where they lack,
and enable them 10 proceed M they
should In those households. ! do not
know whether this Ia considered a part
Of the duties Of Relief Societies, still, II
they DO not 50 regard IL, / think
IT'S legitimate thing for them % do.
No one can reach the mother and
daughter Of Zion Ia their homes and
domestic relations, aud In their per
sonll affairs, 40 well as their sisters
can. Aud those who have experience
and Intelligence will be enabled 10 i'm.
part great good to those that need in
these directions.
Speaking Of the influence OF women
over their husbands, concur very
heartily with President Cannon Ia
this matter; aud l am thankful to add
this by way Of bearing my testimony,
ami 10 offer my congratulations 10 the
sisters that they do have such wonder.
iul Influence over the,r husbands; that
as rule the mothers In Zion, tue
mothers OF Israel, are the vcry best
women that live IN the world, the best
that eau he found anywhere.
And therefore tho men, ~ well o6
the women, are 20 be congratulated
that these good women and mothers In
Zion have such influence over their
husbands, for It Is oxe'ted for their
good; and also that they have such 10
iluencs over their children, for 1t viii
be eNertel Tor the welfare ui theif
children, and for the gnOi OF their
ncighb3rs aud assucintgsJ The g1Ou
Influence that u good mother exercise.
over her children T. Ike heaven east
into The measure ~ meal, tiAt wiz
ltavon the whole lumI; nui a. far
her influence uNtenua, not only tn Nv.
own children, but " the associates V