Bathsheba W. Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bathsheba W. Smith |
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| 4th Relief Society General President | |
| November 10, 1901 – September 20, 1910 | |
| Called by | Lorenzo Snow |
| Predecessor | Zina D. H. Young |
| Successor | Emmeline B. Wells |
| Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency | |
| October 11, 1888 – November 10, 1901 | |
| Called by | Zina D. H. Young |
| Predecessor | Elizabeth Ann Whitney |
| Successor | Ida S. Dusenberry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bathsheba Wilson Bigler May 3, 1822 Shinnston, Virginia, United States |
| Died | September 20, 1910 (aged 88) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′38″N 111°51′29″W / 40.7772°N 111.8580°W |
| Spouse(s) | George A. Smith |
| Children | George Albert Smith Jr. Bathsheba Smith John Smith |
| Parents | Mark Bigler Susannah Ogden |
Bathsheba Wilson Bigler Smith (born May 3, 1822 – died September 20, 1910) was an important early member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the fourth general president of the Relief Society, a women's organization in the church. She also served as the matron (a leader) of the Salt Lake Temple. Bathsheba was also a leader in the movement for women's suffrage (the right for women to vote) in the western United States.
Contents
Early Life and Moving West
Bathsheba was born in a place called Shinnston, which is now in West Virginia. Her parents were Mark Bigler and Susanna Ogden. When she was young, she traded names with a friend. This is how "Wilson" became part of her name.
When Bathsheba was 15, she learned about the Latter-day Saint faith. She believed in its teachings. She and her family were baptized on August 21, 1837. Soon after, her family wanted to move to Missouri. They wanted to live near other members of the church.
Sadly, her father, Mark Bigler, died in Quincy, Illinois, on September 23, 1839.
Life in Nauvoo, Illinois
In Nauvoo, Illinois, Bathsheba Bigler married George A. Smith on July 25, 1841. He was the youngest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at that time. Their first child, George Albert Jr., was born on July 7, 1842.
A few months later, George A. left to serve a mission. When he came back in 1843, George and Bathsheba received special temple blessings. In 1844, her husband left for another mission. He returned in August, just in time for their daughter, Bathsheba, to be born on August 14, 1844.
Bathsheba kept a diary and a sketchbook for most of her life. She drew pictures of important Latter-day Saint leaders. One of her most famous drawings is a profile of the church president, Joseph Smith.
Bathsheba and another woman named Eliza R. Snow helped design the first temple garment. They did this at Joseph Smith's request.
Settling in Salt Lake City, Utah
After Joseph Smith's death, Bathsheba Smith, her husband, and their two children joined the group that followed Brigham Young. They traveled west on a long journey. They first settled in Salt Lake City. While other family members later moved to southern Utah, Bathsheba lived in Salt Lake City for the rest of her life.
Bathsheba and George A. Smith had three children. Their son, George A. Smith Jr., died while on a mission. Their daughter, Bathsheba, married Clarence Merrill. Their third child, John, died on the day he was born, April 14, 1847. Bathsheba also helped raise her sister's daughter, Julina Lambson. Julina later married Joseph F. Smith.
In the early 1870s, George A. Smith was a counselor to Brigham Young. He and Bathsheba traveled to many new settlements. They taught and helped with church matters.
After her husband passed away in 1875, Bathsheba became very involved in community activities. She also worked for women's suffrage, which means women's right to vote. She wrote articles for a newspaper called the Woman's Exponent. For many years, starting in Nauvoo, Bathsheba was also deeply involved in temple work. She was the matron of the Salt Lake Temple.
Leading the Relief Society
In 1888, Bathsheba Smith became the second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. In this role, she strongly encouraged women to make their own clothes at home. She was called to be the general president of the Relief Society in 1901. She served in this important position until she died in 1910.
During her time as president, the first Relief Society Building was finished in 1909. She helped start classes on raising children, being industrious, and marriage. Also, under her leadership, the Relief Society created a job placement service for young women. They also offered nursing and mother's courses. And they made plans for storing food. Bathsheba was also on the board of directors for the Deseret Hospital. She also served in the Retrenchment Association presidency.
She was asked to give a statement for a government hearing. However, because she was not well, she could only provide a written statement.
Death and Burial
Bathsheba Smith died on September 20, 1910. She was buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. She was the first woman to have her funeral held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
See also
- Annie Taylor Hyde
- List of General Presidencies of the Relief Society
