Zina D. H. Young, Leader and “Comforter” of the Relief Society
Zina D. H. Young was the third Relief Society General President. In this article, we’ve compiled numerous sources about her life, her service, and her legacy in the Church.
Zina Diantha Huntington Jacobs Young was born on January 31, 1821, in Watertown, New York, to William and Zina Diantha Huntington. She was baptized in 1835 by Hyrum Smith. Later, she became a plural wife to both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. She had three children, including one with Brigham Young—Zina Presendia Young Card. Her daughter Zina would also go on to become a leader in the early Church.1
Often, a summary like the preceding paragraph may be all that we know about an early Church leader. However, thanks to the Woman’s Exponent (a periodical written by Relief Society sisters) and other sources, we know much more about Zina. We learn that she had many spiritual gifts, including those of tongues, interpretation of tongues, and healing. At the Lion House, she was considered “the Mother” of the many residents.2 She studied obstetrics and nursing, and she was one of the first women to accept a call from Church leaders to learn the practice of silk production (also known as sericulture). In the Church, she was a Sunday School teacher for 40 years, and she traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) to visit Relief Societies. Additionally, she was active in the woman’s suffrage movement.3
In her obituary within the pages of the Woman’s Exponent, we read:
There are no words to express the sorrow one feels when a beloved friend passes away, and yet we all realize we have no cause to mourn for them but only for the loss it is to those who remain. …
Aunt Zina’s presence everywhere was like a benediction. She possessed in a large degree those endearing and genial characteristics that inspire and strengthen human affection, as well as the exalted attributes that lift the soul to higher things than the ordinary affairs of every day life. … She was often significantly spoken of as ‘Zina, the Comforter,’ an appellation well merited. …
Sister Young was a highly gifted woman in many directions, inspirational and eloquent. …
… For years she has been the one woman whom we all sought after and delighted to honor, and it will be hard indeed for some of us who have been so long and so closely associated with her to accustom ourselves to her absence. …
Sister Zina, as she is affectionately called by thousands of people, has undoubtedly finished the work assigned to her to do upon this earth, and has certainly made a glorious record.4
If you would like to learn more about Zina, here are reference materials and digitized collections associated with her.5 (Additional collections about and by Zina D. H. Young can be found by searching the Church History Catalog for “Zina Diantha Huntington Young.”)
Archival Collections
Entries discuss her time in Nauvoo, Illinois, and her participation in the women’s organizations and woman’s suffrage movement.
Zina D. Young papers, Zina Card Brown family collection, 1806–1972, MS 4780
In addition to Zina Young Card’s and Zina Card Brown’s papers, this collection holds papers from Zina D. Young (Zina D. H. Young’s mother), including poetry, interviews, remembrances, and so on.
A record of temple work performed by Zina D. H. Young.
Zina D. H. Young letter to Jacob F. Gates and Susa Young Gates, Susa Young Gates papers, circa 1870–1933, MS 7692
A letter sent by Zina to Susa and Jacob Gates consoling them on the loss of their son. The letter is signed “Mother.” This collection contains additional correspondence from Zina to Susa.
Zina D. H. Young birthday invitation, A. Elmina Shepard Taylor collection, 1844–1956, MS 13493
An invitation to celebrate Zina’s 73rd birthday. Also found in this collection is a birthday greeting card from Zina thanking those who are celebrating her 70th birthday.
Includes talks given by Zina D. H. Young.
Sarah M. Kimball autograph book, MS 131
Includes poetry by Zina D. H. Young.
Zina Diantha Huntington Young affidavit, affidavits about celestial marriage, 1869–1915, MS 3423
In this affidavit, Zina attests to being sealed to Joseph Smith on October 27, 1841.
Deseret Silk Association minutes, MS 14029
Information about the Deseret Silk Association, including its president, Zina D. H. Young.
Salt Lake Stake Relief Society record book, LR 604 70
Includes talks given by Zina D. H. Young.
Includes remarks by Zina D. H. Young.
Zina D. H. Young jubilee box contributions, CR 11 325
A list of contributions by Zina to the Relief Society Silver Jubilee box, a Church-sponsored time capsule.
A letter from Zina to John Taylor in which she talks about balancing her home responsibilities, work in the Church, and other obligations. This collection also includes other correspondence from Zina to John Taylor.
Relief Society (Zina D. H. Young), 1888, 1901, First Presidency administrative files, 1878–1918, CR 1 169
These files contain letters pertaining to Zina as the third Relief Society General President.
Includes a portrait of Zina D. H. Young.
Zina D. H. Young, Bathsheba W. Bigler Smith photograph collection, circa 1865–1900, PH 8004
Photograph of Zina D. H. Young by Edward Martin.
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young by Savage and Ottinger.
Zina Diantha Huntington Young, engraved portrait collection, circa 1890, PH 327
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young.
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young.
Young, Zina Diantha Huntington (1821-1901), daughter Zina Prescinda Young Card (1850–1931) and granddaughter Zina Card Brown (1888-1974), Joseph F. Smith personal photographs, circa 1860–1918, PH 2016
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young, her daughter Zina, and her granddaughter Zina.
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young, Mary Eliza Young Croxall Cannon, Sterling Williams, and Thomas Edgar Williams.
Woman temple workers, PH 1140
Photograph of Mercy R. Thompson, Zina D. H. Young, Lucy B. Young, Bathsheba W. B. Smith, and others who worked in the Endowment House and the Nauvoo, St. George, Logan, and Manti Temples.
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young along with Willard and Phoebe Young, children of Brigham and Clarissa Ross Young.
Portrait of Susan B. Anthony with women’s suffrage leaders, including Zina D. H. Young, Emmeline B. Wells, and Sarah M. Kimball.
Leading Women of Zion, PH 893
Portrait of Zina D. H. Young, Bathsheba W. Smith, Emily Dow Partridge Young, and Eliza R. Snow.
Published Material
Woman’s Exponent, M205.1 W872 v. 1-41 1872–1914
A periodical written by and for women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It includes biographical sketches, articles about Relief Society women’s involvement in the woman’s suffrage movement, talks by Relief Society leaders, and much more. An index can be found in Woman’s exponent. Index, M205.1 W872 index v. 1-41 1872–1914.
Zina D. H. Young is listed as a member of the council (page 18).
Other Digital Sources from the Church History Department
Top Image: Zina Diantha Huntington Young, PH 946