--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 13 number: 7 published: 1910-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Passing Events," *Improvement Era* 13, no. 7 (May 1910): 668–672.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1307unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1307unse start_page: 668 end_page: 672 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1910-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1307unse publication_year: 1910 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1910, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events Passing Events. Jane Snyder Richards. Sister Jane Snyder Richards, who recently celebrated her 87th anniversary, is the wife of Apostle Franklin D. Richards, and was born on the 31st day of January, 1823, at Pamellia, Jefferson county, New York. She joined the Church in the winter of 1839-40. She was suffering from a severe illness at the time, but firmly convinced that it was her duty to be baptized, a hole was cut in the ice, and she was carried down into the icy waters of Lake La Porte and the ordinance was performed by her brother, Robert. As a result, she received a wonderful testimony of the truth, and was immediately healed. On the 18th day of December, 1842, she became the wife of Elder Franklin D. Richards, and moved with him to the city of Nauvoo, where they resided until driven out by the mob in 1846. While encamped at Sugar Creek her husband was called upon a mission to England, and Sister Jane was left to make the perilous journey to Winter Quarters without his aid. Enroute she lost her two children, a son anl a daughter, and endured untold mental and physical suffering many times hovering between life and death. On the return of her husband, in 1848, she crossed the plains, arriving in Salt Lake in October of that year. In August, 1872, she became president of the Relief Societies of Ogden City and on the 19th of July, 1877, was called by President Brigham Young to preside over the Relief Societies of the Weber stake, which position she held for thirty-one years. In 1888 she was made first counselor to Sister Zina D. H. Young, president of the Relief Societies of the Church. In 1891, in company with others of her sisters, she attended the National Council of Women at Washington, where on previous occasions, she had formed the acquaintance of several prominent ladies of that organizations, and secured for herself and associates, membership and recognition in that national organization in whose subsequent labors she took an active and prominent part. In 1892 she was appointed vice president of the Utah Board of Lady Managers of PASSING EVENTS. 669 the World's Fair, at Chicago, in which position she rendered most valuable service. Sister Richards is now in her 88th year, and she resides with her daughter., Mrs. Joseph A. West, at Ogden, Utah. Her life is going out like a pleasant evening, surrounded by her devoted children, and made happy by the kindly consideration of her loving sisters and former colaborers, many of whom recently came all the way from Salt Lake City and made her 87th birthday anniversary a most delightful and notable occasion. Mrs. Mary Holladay Richins, formerly Miss Mary Holladay, of Salt Lake City, died at Union, Oregon, on March 12, 1910. A most lovable character, with a sweet nature and disposition, she won her way into the hearts of all who knew her, and remained enshrined therein through her unfailing kindness and loyalty. A bride of a few short months, she was about to realize that sweetest hope of a true woman's heart, the hope of maternity, when she gave her life, a sacrifice that life might be. Her home life was ideal, and hard indeed is the parting to the devoted husband. Mrs. Richins was born at Hooper, Weber county, Utah, September, 1880. Her whole life was devoted in earnest effort to do good. Prior to her marriage to Osmond Richins, June 25, 1909, she was for thirteen years a member of the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir. Possessing a voice of rare quality, her talent was freely devoted to the people, wherever it would give pleasure or comfort. In Arizona, California, and in the city of Denver, where she rendered invaluable service in the missionary cause with her musical talent, and ability to make friends, she will be well remembered. She possessed no small artistic talent, and left a number of works from her brush and pen. She was a member of the "Corianton'' company, appearing at all of its productions; also a member of the Salt Lake Choral Society. She was prominent in Church and social circles at her new home in Union, Oregon, and her death was mourned by the entire community. Funeral services were held at Union, March 14. All places of business were closed, as an evidence of the esteem in which she was held. Mary Holladay Richins. 670 IMPROVEMENT ERA. John Bray Maiben died in Manti, Utah, on the 10th of March, 1910. He was an early settler, a pioneer in the state, a man of staunch and unflinching character, recognized as an example of faithfulness, a lover of mankind and of God, a man of cheerful disposition, a peacemaker, and a leader in many good works. He was born June 16, 1826, at Brighton, Sussex, England, and was of Scotch descent, his grandfather having been born in Sterling Castle, Scotland. The family resided in Perth for X several generations, and were ^^^* j9 H known as MacBains, the spelling ■5 Kp»-~^ JM ■ being later changed to Maibenn JH V John B. was privately educated in W mm V an academy at Brighton, and took W i9 V a course as medical student at Char- ^H LW ^LW ing Cross and ether hospitals in LW ^m London. It was while here that in contact with the the Church of Jesus Latter-day Saints. He embraced the gospel, and was baptized by Elder John Barnes, July 27, 1848, since which time his every effort and ambition were devoted to his chosen religion. He desired to gather to Utah, but had noticed in the printed instructions of President Brigham Young that only bread-winners were needed in the pioneer commonwealth; he therefore abandoned his career as a medical practitioner, and engaged in the stationery business, in which he greatly prospered. While in England he engaged in missionary work, and kept open house for the traveling elders, in 1850. He presided over the Finsbury branch in 1851, and the Holburn branch in 1854. Sailing for America on the ship Samuel Curling, April 22, 1855, he arrived in Salt Lake City on September 28. His span of life covered a period of material progress clearly unparalleled in the history of the world, as one may notice when reflecting that the same distance is now covered by travelers in twelve to fourteen days, a criterion of the advancement in other lines of material progress. In Utah his life was rich in experience and vicissitudes. He participated in the Echo canyon war, and was one of John Bray Maiben, age 82. London, he came elders of Christ of PASSING EVENTS. 671 the three hundred who witnessed Johnston's army march through Salt Lake to Camp Floyd. He was a close associate of President Brigham Young, by whom, August 1, 1875, he was appointed bishop of Manti. Since that time, he resided in that city and devoted his time to the building up of the community in spiritual and temporal affairs. On the 7th of July, 1877, at the ■time of the organization of the stakes of Zion by President Brigham Young, he was chosen second counselor in the presidency of the Sanpete stake, remaining an able assistant to President Knud Peterson, until the latter's death, in 1902, at which time he was ordained a patriarch, on the 16th of November, by President Joseph F. Smith. He filled more than fifty different offices, civil and religious. His greatest work, however, will undoubtedly be counted as having been accomplished in connection with the Manti temple, both in its erection and subsequently in the labors performed therein. He was set apart as first assistant president of the temple, by President Anthon H. Lund, in October, 1891, since which he has been a constant worker there until September, 1909, when failing health and the loss of sight compelled him to resign. Only those who are familiarly acquainted with his labors and character can fully appreciate the enthusiasm, the earnestness and zeal with which he entered into the labors of the House of the Lord, and the blessings and comfort that he disseminated to the people who came there for consolation. He was a man of moral strength; "Always kind, but very resolute." John Bray Maiben, age 52. The Sixth Ward chapel of the Ogden Stake, recently opened, is situated at the corner of 23rd Steet and Madison Avenue, in the heart of the residence portion of Ogden, Utah. It is a restful looking little house, in which the people of that ward meet for worship, classwork and other ward services. A few lines of the Greek classic add to the otherwise strikingly beautiful, white stone and cream brick construction. It has an exceptionally clean, dainty appearance. The auditorium is reached by three flights of stone steps, two at the south and one at the east front entrance. Through the vestibules into the main assembly hall, where heavy oak pews have been provided for four hundred persons, religious Sam'l T. Whitaker, Archt. SIXTH WARD CHAPEL, OGDEN, UTAH. assemblies are held. The choir niche is located between two large classic pilasters, and has a seating capacity of ninety people. Light reaches the choir during the day through a tiled glass ceiling, and in the evening from incandescent lamps concealed from the view of people in the auditorium. The finish throughout is natural yellow pine, in light amber color. To the right of the auditorium, and on the same floor, is a large library; and to the left, on the same floor, a council chamber and private rooms. From the assembly hall, through vestibules, two broad stairways lead to the rotunda below, around which class rooms have been arranged, accommodating seven hundred pupils. On this floor, also, are located lavatories, drinking fountains, electrical, heating and ventilating apparatus. A baptismal font has been arranged conveniently near the boiler room, for warming the water during cold weather. Vacuum vapor with gravity return and an air line to the boiler room, are the methods used in warming the various compartments. Fresh air is brought into the building over warmed coils, in quantities sufficient to give each person the maximum amount of air necessary. The foul air is taken out of the rooms through openings at the floor line, in heated shafts, and this exhaust compels the fresh, warm air to be brought in at the desired places, and it regulates the amount of the supply. The acoustics are remarkably successful and nearly perfect.