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Pleasant View, Utah Ward Relief Society records

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 266

Scope and Contents

The Pleasant View, Utah Ward Relief Society records consist of annual reports, membership and financial reports, minutes and treasures books, incidental reports, correspondence, LDS Church history articles, and miscellaneous material covering the years 1902 to 1980. The collection documents the history of the Pleasant View Ward Relief Society in the Weber and Ogden Stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A variety of information concerning the affairs of the Pleasant View Relief Society is contained in the annual reports (i.e. enrollment, attendance, number of meetings, status of members, monies and time extended to aid members, visiting teaching, and other related topics).

Dates

  • 1902-1980

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Pleasant View, Utah Ward Relief Society records must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Historical Note

On March 17, 1842, Joseph Smith, Jr. organized a society for the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to this time, the women of the LDS Church were organized into a sewing society, making and mending clothes for the men working on building the Nauvoo, Illinois Temple. Smith declared that the Lord had a greater purpose for these women, and from his direction, a society based upon the principles of relief to the needy was formed.

The members of the sewing group elected Joseph's wife, Emma Smith, as president of the new Relief Society and as time progressed the society evolved into a large organization of women following a scriptural motto "Charity Never Faileth." Building on principles of self-sufficiency, spiritual development of the individual, and "compassionate service" to the less fortunate, the female Relief Society has become the primary focus for women's service within the LDS Church.

As LDS settlers made their way to the Salt Lake Valley, they brought with them their beliefs and organizations. The Relief Society established itself as an instrument in aiding new converts immigrating from the various parts of the world. As the LDS population grew, settlements spread throughout the Great Basin region. In Pleasant View, Utah, as in other areas, the founding of a Relief Society helped local men, women, and children in their individual needs.

As a branch of the North Ogden Ward, the (Pleasant View) Hot Springs District Branch Relief Society was organized on January 18, 1876, with Mary J. Maycock as first president. In 1882 the Pleasant View Ward was established with Edward W. Wade as bishop and Mary J. Maycock continuing as Relief Society president. The Pleasant View Relief Society collection contains material spanning the period from the tenure of President Maycock to President Sarah L. T. Call (1952). Over the years, the Pleasant View Ward experienced a number of stake organizational changes due to increased growth throughout the region. The ward belonged first to the Weber Stake, and then to the Ogden Stake, the Ben Lomond Stake, the Ben Lomond West Stake, and as of June 2000, the Pleasant View, Utah Stake.

Extent

1 box (.25 linear feet)

Abstract

The collection documents the history of the Pleasant View Ward Relief Society in the Weber and Ogden Stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records contained in this collection were discovered in the attic of John Cragun’s parents’ home in Pleasant View, Utah, and donated to USU Special Collections and Archives on March 12, 1999.

Related Materials

For more information concerning the Pleasant View Ward Relief Society see Earl Budge Cragun's book, A Type Study of Community Backgrounds for Education of Pleasant View, Weber County, Utah (979.27 P71-C v. 1). For in-depth information on the LDS Relief Society refer to, Women of the Covenant: The Story of the Relief Society, written by Jill Derr, Janath Cannon, and Maureen Beecher (289.35 D448).

Processing Information

Processed in June of 2000.

Title
Guide to the Pleasant View, Utah Ward Relief Society records 1902-1980
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Bryce Spencer
Date
©2011
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)