Did You Know?

It Happened in April

Following are a few significant events that happened in Church history during the month of April.

6 April 1830: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized (see D&C 20).

3 April 1836: The Savior, Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 110).

30 April 1844: Addison Pratt arrived at the Tubuaï Islands. Elder Pratt was the first Latter-day Saint missionary in the South Pacific.

6–24 April 1893: The Salt Lake Temple was dedicated by President Wilford Woodruff in 31 sessions.

1–2 April 2000: General conference was held in the new Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Zion’s Poetess

Eliza R. Snow, second Relief Society general president, was born on 21 January 1804. Even before her conversion at the age of 31, she was a poet of great promise. But when she joined the Church her poetic themes shifted from patriotism to uplifting the Saints and praising God. Her talent led the Prophet Joseph to give Eliza the title “Zion’s Poetess.” Despite her many trials as the Saints were driven from place to place, she inspired others with her poems, many of which were set to music. One of her well-known hymn texts is “O My Father” (Hymns, number 292).

When the Endowment House was dedicated in Salt Lake City in May 1855, President Brigham Young called Sister Eliza to preside over the sisters’ work there. She was concerned poor health would hinder her service, but the Lord strengthened her. In 1866 President Young called her to preside over the Relief Society, and she served as president for 21 years. She also continued to write, including writing the biography of her brother, Lorenzo Snow, the fifth President of the Church. She died in Utah at the age of 83.

Leadership Tip

Jesus exemplified His trust in His disciples by calling them to participate in His work. If you are in a position of responsibility, you can involve others by delegating portions of the work:

• Know and understand the assignment.

• Ask a person to accept the assignment.

• Be specific.

• Set a date for completion.

• Ask the person to return to you and report.

• Give generous praise for successfully completed assignments.

From top: Organization of the Church in the Whitmer Cabin, by Paul Mann; Elijah Restoring the Keys of the Priesthood, by Robert T. Barrett; Christ Calling Peter and Andrew, by Harry Anderson

Photographs of Addison Pratt, the Salt Lake Temple, the Conference Center, and Eliza R. Snow