The Church Historian’s Press of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is releasing a volume of select discourses of Eliza R. Snow, titled “Rise Up and Speak.” Snow was a prominent figure in the early history of the Church. She often spoke about the important role women have in the Church and encouraged participation among Latter-day Saint women.
“Eliza was a firm advocate for women, but she was also a firm advocate for unity in the Church,” said Sharalyn Howcroft, Church Historian and co-editor of “Rise Up and Speak.” “She didn't believe that women were just supposed to do their own thing. She spoke several times about the sense of the unifying work of both the men and the women in the Church.”
“Rise Up and Speak” contains 52 select discourses from Snow. It is estimated that she gave roughly 1,300 discourses over her life, although not all have been recorded.
“She spoke about unity. She spoke about mourning with those who mourn, also building up the organizations,” Howcroft said. “She encouraged women particularly to be useful, to gain skills, to gain an education, and to really use those skills and abilities for the Church, for the kingdom of God on earth.”
In addition to her discourses, Snow is known for her work with Church organizations like the Relief Society, after being appointed to lead reorganization efforts by President Brigham Young in 1868.
“She did it because she knew that Brigham Young was a prophet of God,” Howcroft said. “She knew that she believed in the Relief Society organization. As she continued to go to various places throughout Utah territory and even into Idaho, she was set on the vision of Relief Society that had started in Nauvoo.”
Through the publishing of “Rise Up and Speak” and other works, the Church Historian’s Press seeks to make women’s voices in the Church more accessible and visible.
“Rise Up and Speak” is available at Deseret Book or on Amazon. You can find more information on the discourses of Eliza R. Snow on the Church Historian’s Press website.