Henrieville UtahRelief Society

[ Table of Contents ] [ Ancestors on the Web ] [ Add History ] [ Lofthouse Publishing ]

History of the Henrieville Relief Society

by Ruby Smith Moore

A Brief History, In Rhyme, of all the Relief Society Presidents who have Served in the Henrieville Ward.

Written for Sandy Johnson by Betty Lou Wintch, March 7, 1992.

On a Thursday afternoon

On March 17th, 1842.

In a room over a brick store

In the city of Nauvoo.

The Prophet Joseph Smith

With priesthood authority from on high;

Organized the women of the church

Into a Relief Society for you and I.

From that day to the present

Dear sisters have served with all their might;

And we want to honor the Presidents of the Henrieville Ward

At our Birthday Party tonight.

Because just like you and I

The Relief Society has a birthday too;

It was one hundred and fifty years ago

And that is quite a few.

Just think of all the good it's done

For people along the way;

I'm so glad we can be here tonight

And celebrate this way.

Although the Lord gives inspiration

It's people who make things work;

Let's consider for a few minutes

Some dear sisters who never shirk.

Tonight we will aquaint you

With President number one right through today;

You'll enjoy a brief glimpse of each of them

As they served in their own dear way.

Henrieville's first Relief Society President

Was called in 1899;

But we won't list the dates tonight

For it would take up too much time.

And it isn't the dates the Lord will judge

But on how each one served her call;

The willingness of the time she gave

And the love she extended to all.

Now lets recall each President

And hold her a moment in our heart;

And give a tender thanks to her

For her great and noble part.

1. Elizabeth Goulding has the distinction

of being the first Relief Society President here;

She must of had a lot of mixed feelings,

Lots of smiles and of course a tear.

2. We could not find information on Elizabeth E. Littlefield

But this we know for sure;

She possessed the loving attributes needed

To minister to the sick and the poor.

3. Sarah Frances Littlefield

Did everything so nice;

That she was nicknamed "Sir Frances"

Because her work was so precise.

4. Fanny Goulding ran the Post Office

And tried so hard to be;

A helper in the community

As well as Relief Society.

5. A very talented lady was Elizabeth J. Smith

Her tiny feet could really tap;

She was also a Practical Nurse

And held over a hundred newborns in her lap.

6. The posterity of Sarah E. Littlefield

Says she was a World's best cook;

Her talents all came natural

She didn't take them from a book.

7. Sariah Ahlstrom was described

As pleasant and sweet and kind;

She was also the mother of twelve

But filled her calling with might and mind.

8. Minnie Smith was known as "Aunt Min"

By all the folks she knew;

And she lived almost one hundred years

So she had endurance as President too.

9. Janet Ott displayed a willingness to serve

No matter how hard the task might be;

She'd wrap the baby inside her coat

And take off for Relief Society.

10. Esther Middleton Was a special English sister

Who brought much of her culture to share;

Her personality was one of kindness

And her nature was to care.

11. When Zella Willis was called to serve

She had eight children and one on the way;

But her whole life reflected her love of God

And she said yes to her call that day.

12. Roxie Chynoweth served during World War II

Her challenges at that time were great;

They sewed for Church Welfare and prepared bodies at death

But she never complained of the weight.

13. Nelda Willis took time to be President

Though her work as a nurse was hard;

She took food to the needy and consoled the sad

And was glad she could serve the Lord.

14. Lula Moore was an angel of mercy

She cared for the sick all the days of her life;

No one ever heard her complain of her burden

But with faith she faced sorrow and strife.

15. Elsie Goulding was not only President

And worked so very hard;

But for years she also directed the choir

Thus giving her all to the Henrieville Ward.

16. Rae Smith as you all know

Has never stopped when work was hard;

Through her leadership the sisters purchased

The dishes and silverware for our Ward.

17. Then Iris Bushnell was called to serve

And she gave it her very best;

She adjusted the load to fit her back

Then tackled her work with zest.

18. Those who know Virginia Johnson

Knows how tenderly she would guide;

And in all the sister's she was over

Her heart was full of pride.

19. Lonna Lou Rose was very young

But not afraid of work to do;

She had many talents to share

Which is part of the calling to.

20. When Lael Chynoweth told her mother-in-law

She had received two callings in a single day;

But was asked to accept that of Relief Society President

Roxie said, "I knew through inspiration what you came to say."

21. "I lost two nights sleep" Sandy Johnson said,

"When the calling came to me;

How can I carry this heavy load?"

But Sandy found it to be a walk with Deity.

22. JoAnn Goulding, her life touched all

Through Relief Society and nurse care to;

Her example as President and loving friend

Sustained her till her calling was through.

23. Our President now has been President twice

Iris Bushnell is her name;

She tends her flock like a shepherd does

And she treats them all the same.

So now you've met each President

And found them simply grand;

Join me now in a special thanks.

[ Table of Contents ] [ Ancestors on the Web ] [ Add History ] [ Lofthouse Publishing ]