Keep busy in the face of discouragement -Susa Young Gates I couldn’t resist writing a little about Susa Young Gates. Susa was the 41st child born to Brigham Young, daughter to Lucy Bigelow Young. She was mother to thirteen children, only four of whom lived to adulthood. She was a gifted stenographer, writer, poet, and […]
The Thirteenth Apostle: Susa Young Gates Read More »
This early Later-day Saint woman’s story is one that has really touched my heart. As I did research for our book it was the longest and most detailed birth account I found written in the personal words of an early Later-day Saint woman. Her account is just rich with historical glimpses into early LDS health
“The Responsibility of my Own Case”: Huldah Cordelia Thurston Smith Read More »
I thought that since today is Pioneer Day, the day when the first Later-day Saints entered the Utah valley, that it would be appropriate to share a story about one of those incredible women who crossed the plains and established Zion. Zina Diantha Huntington Young joined the church at age fourteen and traveled with the saints
“Inspired by Some Higher Power”: Zina Diantha Huntington Young Read More »
I think often of my ancestor, Elizabeth Horrocks Jackson, who left England and crossed the plains with the Martin Handcart Company. Elizabeth was widowed as she crossed the plains with her three young children. In such dire circumstances she carried on, pushed forward, endured to the end. She is one of my heroes. Her words
Come, Come Ye Saints: A Birth Metaphor Read More »
With Pioneer Day approaching I wanted to share a birth story from one of our pioneer sisters. I was pleased to find something that Emmeline B. Wells wrote. There are so many titles and achievements attached to our 5th General Relief Society President: writer, poet, pioneer, teacher, leader, political activist, women’s suffragist, and mother.
A Pioneer Birth Story: Emmeline B. Wells Read More »
This was one of the early Latter-day Saint birth stories I collected for the book. These two women, Maggie Ellen Black Rowley and her friend Louella Washburn, were some of my favorite midwives to study about. They were life long friends and worked as midwives together. When I first read their stories two years ago
“Sterile Technique” by Louella Washburn Read More »
This week’s birth stories come from our Latter-day Saint birthing history. They illustrate beautifully that God cares deeply about each birth and that we are given divine aid and protection as we participate in the sacred work of giving life to His children.
It is to me the crowning joy of a woman’s life to be a mother -Ellis Reynolds Shipp If you have read Heather’s post, “Midwifery as a Calling”, then you have heard of Dr. Ellis Shipp. I wanted to share a little more about her. It is evident she felt called to the work before
Birth of an Early LDS OBGYN Read More »
This post is from our archives. I wrote it last year after doing a lot of research into the history of the Relief Society and early LDS birth practices. If you would like a little bit more information about the history of LDS women in maternal and infant care you can read Chapter 5 of
The Relief Society’s Legacy of Maternal Care Read More »
Fortitude \ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\– strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. Upon learning of Patty Bartlett Sessions, I had to own the book containing her diaries. She was an avid journal writer. She worked and served among many of the well known members of church history.
Fortitude: A Birth Story from an Early Mormon Midwife Read More »
