Zina D. H. Young: A Character Sketch

ZINA D. H. YOUNG*—A CHARACTER SKETCH. BY EMMELINE B. WELLS, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE RELIEF SOCI- ETY, AND EDITOR OF THE "WOMAN'S EXPONENT."

There is no doubt in the mind of the writer that the nineteenth century produced some of the greatest men and women that ever graced the earth, and that these spirits were reserved to come forth in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, when all things are to be restored. With the coming of Joseph Smith, and Hyrum, his brother, and with Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, great women were also born into the world, women of destiny, called and chosen be- forehand as were their life-companions and associates, the men. Foremost among these, two may be named, well-known in "Mormon" history, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young. We speak their names with reverence as we do the names of prophets and apostles; for they rank side by side with them. They were born in a period of time when women of courage, moral and spiritual, were needed to estab- lish a principle revealed from heaven, to bless, to save and to exalt

the living and the dead, yet so unpopular that all who entered into or sanctioned it were ostracised from society, and looked down upon. How grand and lofty must be the spirit of women to en- dure the scoffs and reproaches of relatives and friends for the sake of establishing a divine truth! Well might Dr. Seymour B. Young say in speaking of Sister Zina, "She was made of the material of which martyrs are made," for it is true; it is also true that to live

*Born Watertown, N. Y., January 31, 1821; died Salt Lake City,

Utah, August 28, 1901.

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for a principle, and to endure year after year insult and persecu- tion, is harder than to die for it.

These two women, and others of their colaborers whose names are thus immortalized, assisted in establishing the principle of plu- ral marriage in this dispensation. Looking back over the four- score years, of the life of Sister Zina, one may well say her work has been well done. Born of old Puritan stock, she inherited those sterling characteristics of fortitude and endurance that are a never failing source of strength in the battle of life. But she inherited, besides these, many rare gifts of excellence that gave her influence and power among her fellow-beings; and withal, she possessed an indefinable charm and attractiveness that in later life made her a central figure in whatever place her lot

was cast. This attractive quality matured with her years, as her good deeds multiplied. We can safely say of her, "She went about doing good." Ad- ministering comfort and consolation to the afflicted, binding up the broken-hearted. It was as if she carried with her the "balm of Gilead" and "sacred ointment." In the sick-room, she was a minis- tering angel, having always something to suggest that would be soothing and restful; she was a natural nurse, and she invariably inspired confidence, in many cases one of the most successful rem- edies. No other woman knew better what to do when death came into a home, nor was ever woman calmer in the midst of excite- ment. Innumerable are her good deeds, her acts of kindness, her sweet charity. In more than fifty-five years' acquaintance, often under trying circumstances and adverse conditions, she proved ever the same gentle, loving, tender, sympathizing friend and sister. An example to all Israel is her life's devotion to the Gospel, and her testimony of the truth, which, if possible, grew brighter and stronger as the years rolled on. I have been asked many times

since her demise, what were her chief attributes, her crowning virtues, her highest endowments, her greatest excellencies. It is difficult to tell wherein she most excelled, her character was so

well rounded, her temperament so even, and her sympathy with all suffering so intense, that her very presence was an inspiration in itself towards a higher and better life.

As a Sabbath School teacher, she won the hearts of her stu-

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dents. She had great adaptability to the capacity of children as well as a great love for them; she never grew weary of the work, nor did the young girls or children whom she taught; she gave them lessons of simple purity, whether from the Bible or the Book of Mor- mon; her listeners were always interested; her manner of convey- ing a truth was in itself convincing; she gave herself to the work, and threw her soul into her teaching. As a public speaker, she was pleasing, both in manner and voice, and was naturally gifted with language to express her thoughts and feelings. She always rose to the occasion as though inspired with sublime emotion, when any attack was made upon the principles or institutions of our people. At no time perhaps in the long public life of Sister Zina did she sway an audience with such a burst of eloquence as at the mass-meeting of women in the Theatre that had been called to protest against interference with the practice of plural marriage. The speech was quite impromptu, a defense of the doctrine, and took all who listened by surprise. Extracts from Mrs. Young's speech were widely published and circulated, not only in our own country, but also in England. Had Sister Zina been educated for the platform, and spoken upon general subjects, she would doubtless have won personal distinc- tion from the world in the lecture field or pulpit; but, being only a "Mormon," she was satisfied with the love of her own people. Her sincere desire to do good and render service to others, inspired her to go wherever duty called, for the benefit of womankind and the interests of Zion; in pursuing this course, she found her truest happiness. Numberless instances might be cited of her ministrations among the sick, when she seemed to be inspired by some higher power than her own at an opportune moment, when courage and faith had failed in those around the sick-bed. At such times she seemed an angel of mercy in very deed. On one occasion late at night when the writer was apparently near unto death, and only young girls present, except dear, blessed Mother Whitney who had been praying and interceding with the Lord for help in the hour of need, into the house, and up stairs to the sick room, walked Aunt Zina, not knowing why she had come so late in the evening. Mother Whitney was kneeling in prayer, and all were weeping; Mother

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arose and exclaimed, "The Lord has sent you, Sister Zina, you can surely do something to save her." Calmly, and without losing any time, she prepared restoratives, and soon there was rejoicing in- stead of grief. The prayers were answered, and faith and hope revived. There is no doubt but that hundreds of the sisters could bear similar testimonies of her helpful ministrations in sorrow's dark hours, when courage was inspired in the weak, and the pillow of pain was made easy and restful. Sister Zina had great power in blessing, and thousands have been built up and comforted to go forward in the way of duty, however dark their pathway seemed, after having been privileged to receive words of sympathy and encouragement from her. No matter how lowly, or how poor, her heart always went out to those who came to her for spiritual counsel or guidance. In all spiritual labors and manifestations, she was greatly gifted, and no woman in Israel was more inspirational in prayer; her language was simple, but earnest and fervent, and her manner characterized by the greatest humility. Her whole life was one of untiring devotion to her Heavenly Father, and she carried this spirit of consecration into all her labors in every department. In the early days in the Valley, when household duties were more laborious, and women of necessity made their own soap and candles, starch, molasses, and many other necessary articles; and when there were also carding, dyeing, spinning and weaving, besides the mak- ing and the mending of clothing, in addition to ordinary house- work, Sister Zina excelled in all these pursuits, and was always busy; she was an early riser, a great advantage in industrial oc- cupations; and yet withal, she still found time to help others in sickness or when in need of a friend. Her home was always a happy one, for she possessed that unfailing cheerfulness that made the atmosphere of her surroundings happifying for children and for young people. In the Lion House, where she lived many years while rearing her children, and also after they were grown, her apartments were always bright and attractive to all the young people of that won- derful household. She possessed in the largest degree the motherly element of character which entitled her, without reservation, to the appellation, Mother in Israel.

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Sister Zina was a zealous laborer in the Lord's vineyard in temporal as well as in spiritual things, and though her strongest capabilities lay in nursing the sick (and assuredly she would have made an eminent physician had she been educated in the profes- sion), yet in many other directions her sphere of industrial help- fulness was apparent. One of her most useful and beneficial fields of labor was in sericulture; she raised cocoons with her own hands, and had charge of a large cocoonery and mulberry orchard as long as her health permitted. She was chosen President of the Deseret Silk Association when it was organized, June 15, 1876; her labors were indefatigable in the silk enterprise, and she never lost inter- est in it while she lived. Our young people of today know Sister Zina best in her sphere of usefulness in traveling among the several organizations of women and children in the Church throughout the settlements and stakes of Zion, and elsewhere, for she has visited the Sandwich Islands mission, and other parts of the United States, east and west, north and south. Her name is a household word among the Saints, and her teaching and example are indelibly engraved upon their hearts and memories. Since the April conference, 1888, she presided over the Relief Society, the largest organization of women in the Church, and so faithfully and efficiently were her duties performed that at her funeral services, President Lorenzo Snow in his remarks said that he did not know of a woman whose duties in life had been per- formed more effectually than hers; that, in viewing her past life, he was filled with pride and thanksgiving. Her last words to the conference of the Relief Society in October, 1900, in the Assembly Hall, the last gathering of the general society over which she presided, were these:

If I had the power to bless you,my sisters, more than you are blessed, I would do so, but the blessings of heaven are with us. I always feel like a babe in the hands of my Father in Heaven. Sisters, never speak a

word against the authorities of this Church. May we each of us have wisdom to impart the true principles to our children, and to our compan- ions, and to the world. I rejoice in the spirit that has filled this house; the sweet peace, the loving forbearance of our Heavenly Father, that

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take us into sacred nearness to him. I pray that we may all meet to- gether again in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sister Zina's life was so complete and well rounded, that no defects are noticeable in reviewing it; it may truly be said of her, "In her tongue was the law of kindness." We know there must have been occasionally dark places, but there was also sufficient

light and shade blended to produce harmony in the soul; and, though she passed through the scathing fires of persecution, she came out more than conqueror, having learned not only how to suffer and grow strong herself, but also how to help others, who were weak and sorely tempted, to profit by her experience, her example of meekness, and her submission, and thus to approach nearer the divine character of the blessed Savior. Not only was Sister Zina's life enriched by her having to drain sorrow's cup sometimes to the bitter dregs, but she has benefitted others by bequeathing to them the virtues that adorned her more truly than jewels of fabulous worth; these jewels she has left, not only to her posterity, but also to the youth of Israel, and they are of priceless value. May they cherish these rare gems of virtue, purity and truth, and emulate her heroic examples, that their lives may be sweeter, purer and nobler because of this blessed heritage. So shall her life be an incentive to stimulate the best char- acteristics in the youth of Zion, her name be honored, and her praises sung by the children of the Latter-day Saints, whom she so dearly loved from the depths of her great mother-heart.

"It may be glorious to write Thoughts that shall gladden the two or three High souls, like those far stars, that come in sight Once in a century: But better far it is to speak One simple word which, now and then, Shall waken their free natures in the weak And friendless sons of men."