Personal Papers

Eliza R. Snow was a prolific writer. She kept journals, wrote letters, delivered discourses, composed poetry, authored books, and more. Much of what is known about Eliza comes from her personal writings in journals and correspondence. This section provides information on where and how to find such sources.

Journals

Eliza kept several journals. Some of the content has been transcribed and published in books such as The Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow, edited by Maureen Ursenbach Beecher. Digitized copies of some of Eliza’s original journals can be found in the Church History Catalog, such as the Eliza R. Snow journal, 1842–1882.

Correspondence

In the 19th century, written correspondence was the primary form of long-distance communication. Eliza wrote many letters, but few of her letters have been digitized. Searching the Church History Catalog for “Eliza R. Snow, correspondence” or “Eliza R. Snow, letters” will result in a list of correspondence collections and items housed at the Church History Library.

Published Works

During her lifetime, many of Eliza’s works, poetry, hymns, and the like were published, and many of them are available at the Church History Library (in both hard copy and digital format) and online. For instance, in 1880 Hymns and Songs: Selected from Various Authors for the Primary Associations of the Children of Zion was compiled by Eliza and published by Deseret News Printing and Publishing Establishment. Additionally, in 1884 the Deseret News Company published Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, One of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, written by Eliza. Several volumes of her poetry were also published; one example is Poems, Religious, Historical, and Political, Volume II.

Discourses

Eliza’s discourses have been published by the Church Historian’s Press and are available online.