Eliza R. Snow

Women in Religious Roles

Noted poet and second general president of the Relief Society. Born in Becket, Massachusetts, Snow converted to Mormonism in 1830 and moved to Kirtland, Ohio. She became the first secretary of the Relief Society and later served as president for twenty years. During her tenure, the Relief Society sent women to medical and nursing schools and started the Deseret Hospital and cooperative stores. Snow also helped organize the Primary and Young Ladies MIA. In addition to her service, Snow composed over 500 poems, including the lyrics of ten hymns in the current LDS hymnbook. She is often referred to as “Zion’s Poetess.”