Mrs. Maud Stratford of the Salt Lake 4th Ward submitted this essay to her ward’s YLMIA “Review” in 1895.
Woman’s Influence
Do we realize the extent of woman’s power over mankind? She can make or mar at pleasure. By her love and the sweet refining influence with which she is endowed, she can draw an erring lover or husband back from the very brink of destruction. On the other hand, by sharp, cutting words, coldness and neglect, she can doom those who should be dear to her to misery and distress.
Oh! do let us be careful of this power the Lord has given us, so that it cannot be said of us, She drove me to it. (As I have read and heard of in many cases). Our first care and thought should be our home, the love and sunshine which reigns therein devolves mostly on us. We should make it a study when to give a kind word or caress to cheer away the clouds and gloom from those we love.
Mothers, do we realize that in a few short years our little ones will have flown from the nest? Then let us surround them with this sweet influence so natural to mothers and her memory will be ever dear to them through life.
And daughters, let the dear mother that has done so much for you, for until you are mothers yourself, you cannot realize the many sacrifices she has made for you). Then let her feel that in her daughters she can find help and comfort. Throw around her a sweet and cheering influence, and in doing this, her burdens will be lightened more than you would think it possible. A few kind words and cheerful actions accomplish much.
And through all our walks in life let it be our motto to help, cheer and comfort all those with whom we may come in contact.
For a woman’s influence in the great drama of life either for good or evil plays a very prominent part.
I had mixed feelings when I first read this. It’s very well written, yet pretty didactic and somewhat condescending.
Then I reread it as if it was addressed to both men/boys and women/girls. What a joy! We could do so much good by teaching that we all need to be good and caring people, instead of concentrating so hard on separating the sexes.
I post these not because I necessarily agree with them, but only to show how old some current arguments are, and the varying place of women in Church settings through the years.
I think your interpretation is not only charitable, charlene, but is a very good argument for breaking down gender stereotypes. If a behavior is good, it ought to be practiced by all. If good influence can be exerted, it ought to be exerted by all.
I really like the last two lines, and I think they would be appropriate thoughts in any modern Relief Society. The “she drove me to it” line is cringe-worthy in light of our modern understanding of domestic abuse. The rest of the piece, with the emphasis of women’s influence in the home, wouldn’t be unusual to hear in a modern general conference. I have a hard time relating, but that’s only because I never developed a “sweet influence so natural to mothers.” 🙂
When my kids say of their mother, “She drove me to it,” they usually mean early morning seminary–although sometimes it was band rehearsal or lacrosse practice.