History of North and South (Nephi) Ward Relief Society

The Nephi Relief Society was organized on June 23, 1862. The first President was Sister Amelia Goldsborough. There were Sister Picton, Amanda Bryan, Mary Pitchforth, Frances Andrews, Elizabeth Kendall, Amy Bigler, Julia Bryan and others. Sister Amanda Bryan was the first to take the work basket and see to the quilting, then she was called to other work. They then called Aunt Julia Bryan to  take charge of the quilts and sewing and quilting. Ann Wilkey was called as a teacher in the year of 1869. The first teacher that went with her was Jan Stephenson. They went together for several years. Then there was some trouble with Sister Stephenson and Cytha Downs and the girls. The next teacher that went with Ann Wilkey was Harriet Lunt.

Aunt Julia Bryan gave up the work basket, then mother (Ann Wilkey) was called to take it. She looked after it a good many years until the ward was divided. Sister Evans was put in as treasurer and mother was assistant treasurer. They worked for a long time together.

The Relief Society bought a place of their own, located where the J.C. Penny store is. I went to Relief Society meetings when I was 17 years old. There were lots of young girls who went, Alice Ellison, Alice Pitt, Emma Millard, Alice Carter, Mary Golden and lots of others.

Sister Evans and Mother worked together until the ward was divided. One was the North Ward, the other, the South Ward. Every Monday morning they had to go to the Hall to get their supplies. Mother and Sister Evans would have to take it to them. Mother went when the snow was deep, she would have to make her own path.

Juab Stake was organized June 23, 1863, and continued as one ward until the latter part of 1890. The Nephi North Ward was organized on Thanksgiving day 1890. The Nephi South Ward was organized December 4, 1890 with Sister Ann Wilkey as President. Sarah Ann Cazier as First Counselor, and Elizabeth Miller as Second Counselor, Elizabeth Linton Secretary, Helen H. Grace Assistant Secretary, Priscilla Lunt Treasurer, Harriet Wheeler, Assistant Treasurer. Shortly after this organization, Helen Grace was called to fill a mission with her husband. Sister Addie Cazier was called to fill the vacancy.

Sister Wilkey and Sister MIller were among the first teachers chosen in the stake, the second meeting of the Stake Relief Society. Sister Wilkey was appointed to look after the sewing and quilting. At that date, they made quilts and sold them to get means to get things for the poor and raising funds for the society. Sister Elizabeth Miller was among the saints who were driven from Nauvoo. She knew the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The officers labored faithfully among the poor, helping the sick, and giving spiritual uplift to the meetings for 12 years. Sister Wilkey resigned when she felt she could not do her duty among the poor and sick.

In October 23, 1902, Sister Sarah Ann Cazier was selected President, Harriet Wheeler First Counselor, Mary Pettigrew as Second Counselor, Sarah Brown as Secretary, Harriet Christenson, Assistant Secretary, Jane D. Vickers as Treasurer, Elizabeth Batchelor as Assistant Treasurer. December 1905 Sister Harriet Wheeler was called to the Great Beyond. January 25, 1906, Sister Amanda Ellison was set apart as Counselor to Sister Sarah Ann Cazier.

It was February 1903, that the lesson outlined on Child Culture was started. In May 1904, the Book of Mormon lessons were outlined by the Stake Board. It seems from the records that the Relief Society had been gathering wheat, as the first selling of old wheat and replacing it with new wheat was made in 1904.

Sister Sarah Ann Cazier was President for ten years. She died August 8, 1912. August 29, 1912, Harriet Christenson was sustained as the Third President of the Nephi South Ward, with Mary Amanda Ellison First Counselor and Melvina Broadhead Second Counselor, Elizabeth Linton Assistant Secretary, Mary E. Black Assistant Treasurer. Sister Elizabeth Batchelor resigned because of other duties. At this meeting, the Word of Wisdom was the lesson. May 5, 1913, the gathering of Sunday eggs was started, in order to get an organ and to help meet the payments on the pavement that was put around the Relief Society Hall in 1913. From May 5, 1913, 500 dozen eggs had been gathered. The organ was bought from the Mutual in 1914.

In 1914, there were 162 garments made, 187 pair socks, 24 sweaters made for the soldiers.

When the Ward was divided, the First Ward gave the Nephi Ward 200 bushels of wheat. When Jane D. Vickers went in as Treasurer, there were 300 bushels of wheat in the granary. When she resigned, there 1,200 bushels.

Until June 1915, the Relief Society meetings were held every two weeks, then they changed to weekly meetings.

March 12, 1914, Melvina Broadhead was released as Second Counselor to President Harriet Christenson. Jane D. Vickers was released as Treasurer, and sustained as Second Counselor in place of Sister Broadhead. Eliza Howarth was sustained as Treasurer.

The two wards of Nephi were divided in the summer or fall of 1914, making three wards. As Sister Christenson was in the Nephi Ward, another president had to be selected. November 1914, Harriet Christenson, with her counselors, Mary Amanda Ellison, First Counselor, and Jane D. Vickers, Second Counselor, were released, also Elizabeth Linton, Assistant Secretary.

November 1914, Jane Vickers was put in President, Sarah Brown, First Counselor and Elizabeth Linton, Second Counselor, E. Jane Smith, Treasurer.

November 1914, the Teacher Districts were numbered. Thirty-five yards of carpet were made and sold. On November 15, the first janitor for the Relief Hall was appointed, with a fee of $2.50 a month. This same day, Jane Smith was appointed as the Relief Society Magazine Agent.

In 1916, our ward donated 20 yards of carpet to the Logan Temple, also gave the Bishop $93.50, to help furnish the seats for our new ward house. This money was raised by sewing and sale of Sunday eggs. From October 1918 until February 1919, the flu epidemic was raging and few meetings were held. January 15, 1915, Ann Lunt was appointed head teacher. A large choir was organized and new song books were bought.

In 1918, 162 hospital garments, 187 pair of socks and 24 sweaters for soldiers, were made by the members of the Relief Society. In 1918, President Thomas D. Reese advised the Relief Society not to gather any more wheat until they were advised to do so.

President Vickers labored faithfully in the building of our organization from 1914 to 1919. On account of failing health, President Jane D. Vickers was released March 4, 1919, with her counselors and Mary E. Black and Elizabeth T. Ostler as organist.

March 5, 1919, Elizabeth Linton was set apart as President, Sarah Brown as First Counselor, Jeannette Lunt as Second Counselor, Tryphena Belliston, Assistant Treasurer, Rhea C. Beagler, organist, Jane Booth had been chorister for many years, but was called into the Stake Choir and was released May 31, 1921. Julia S. Paxman was sustained as Chorister. Elizabeth Linton was released as president due to ill health, September 27, 1921, also her counselors.

September 27, 1921, Maude Forrest was sustained and set apart for President with Sarah M. Brown, First Counselor and Jeanette Lunt as Second Counselor. The rest of the Board had not been changed. Ethel Irons, who had been ward class leader, was released October 27, 1925 to be class leader in the stake. Sarah M. Brown and Jane Smith were released as class teachers November 28, 1921. Llsa Wood, Nellie Cowan, Elizabeth Linton and Allie Belliston were appointed class leaders, December 30, 1921.

It was July 9, 1918, when the officers said the Relief Society would discontinue the regular meetings in July and  August, only holding the teachers meeting.

In 1922, the Relief Society had a call for each member to do the temple work for one person or give the 50-cents to have it done. This had been an obligation for several years.

Now a general membership in the Relief Society of 52,000.

June 1922, was when the annual dues were raised from 25-cents to 50-cents this was for the Stake Board.

In 1918, our ward let the government have 165,549 pounds of wheat. In 1923, President Maude Forrest received a deposit receipt for $1,655.49 for Presiding Bishop’s Office.

In 1923, 204 pounds of clothing were sent to German Saints.

In March of 1933, a successful bazaar was held, clearing $164.90.

In Mary 1923, Jeanette Lunt was released as counselor to Maude Forrest, on account of leaving Nephi. Nellie S. Cowan was sustained to the position.

In January 28, 1924, First Counselor, Sarah M. Brown was going to leave town and asked to be released. She was given a vote of thanks for her labors. Nellie S. Cowan was released as Second Counselor and Elizabeth Linton was sustained as First Counselor. Sarah E. Brown had worked faithfully for 22 years.

The piano was bought in September 1924. Some repairs were done on the out building.

March 1925 was very successful. A bazaar was held, clearing $300.00. Ten dollars were given to the Bishop for Ward expenses. In 1925, the flower fund was started.

May 1925 was the beginning of teachers making reports of teaching to the President and Secretary.

June 23, 1920, a meeting was held in our ward to commemorate the Juab State Relief Society. Twenty-eight of those present were in early day costumes. Unity Chappel presided. Refreshments were served to 80 people.

October 26, 1920, many different kinds of work were begun for the Work and Business Meetings, millinery, basket weaving and also the making of flowers.

It was on the record of October 2, 1926, that our Relief Society was very much against having the picture show run on Sunday. At the Stake Conference, august 17, 1924, President Maude Forrest was chosen as Stake Relief Society President and was therefore released as ward president, September 6, 1924, also the officers and class leaders were released; Julia Paxman, assistant chorister and class leaders, Addie Belliston and Elso Wood. The following were sustained for the vacancies: Lillian Carter Assistant chorister, Ida Memmott, Assistant Organist, Elizabeth Ostler, Orsena Warner and Joey Olpin. They were set apart January 11, 1927.

September 6, 1924, Emma Brough was sustained as Ward President. She retained the old board members. The home-bound committees were formed in 1926. Eight teachers each month served refreshments on Work and Business Day. The officers assisted.

The committee set apart January 11, 1926, were as follows: Emma Memmott, chairman, other members were M.E. Schofields, Jennie Brown, Sarah Bryan, Harriet Brough, Jane Booth, Jennie Belliston, Clara Park, as Chairman of the work committee, Unity Chappell as social worker.

The white draping for the ward house was bought and made ready for use by Jennie Belliston and Emma Memmott.

April 1927, the Zinnia was selected as our community flower because of its beautiful color, 225 packages were given to the teachers to give away. Also a successful fly campaign and clean street campaign was carried out by the Relief Society of the Stake.

June 4, 1927, a testimonial of appreciation was given to the teachers. Teachers and class leaders planned and successfully carried out a pleasant surprise and program with refreshments for the officers, June 28, 1927.

The hospital (bed) was purchased for the ward for $25.00.

The Relief Society  Chorus was called in 1927. In the fall of 1927, Jane Neeley and Ella Cowan donated an organ for use in the Hal. During the summer vacation, the workroom was remodeled. July 27, 1927, the water was put in the wash room of the hall. Boy Scouts dug the trench.

In the fall opening of our meetings, President Emma Brough said the teachers would take charge of the programs through the coming year, which they did very well.

Our ward received  $7.00 as second prize in the Clean-up campaign. In November, a special program was prepared and refreshments sold to raise money to meet the expenses of the improvements of the workroom, cleaning and painting. During the entertainments and plays were put on to meet expenses.

In June 1927, $10.00 was given to the Bishop for ward expenses and Missionary fund.

In October 2, 1928, the following were set apart: Etta Phil __________ Ellison were set apart as Historians, Fern Paxman and Ruby Carter, Laura Sowby, Fanny Olpin and Nellie Blackett as homebound workers. __________ Assistant Organist.

Martha Smith, Charlotte Howard were set apart as teachers, Stella Olpin and Delia Stanley were the entertainment committee.

January 8, 1929, Mary Irons was released from looking after the quilting. She had been at the head of quilting for many years. Clara Park and Delphi Morgan were put in charge of the quilts.

May 14, 1929, Georginia Wilkey was sustained as a teacher.

The fence around the Relief Society lot was put up and painted in the summer of 1929.

January 19, 1930, the following officers were set apart: Emma Memmott, president, Tryphena Belliston, First Counselor, Louise Christensen, Second Counselor. Louise Christensen died 1936. Sister Francis H. Orme took her place.

February 10, 1935, Anna D. Allred was made president, with First Counselor Thea C. Beagley, Second Counselor Lida C. Lomax.

November 7, 1937, President Charity Garrett, Thea C. Beagley, Mina Nielson.

September 4, 1938, President Lua L. Stephenson, Jennie Robbs, Mina B. Nielson. In 1942, Ada Kendall was made First Counselor, Rhea Beagley as Second Counselor. In 1944, the First Counselor was Rhea Beagley, Second Mattie Belliston.

In 1946, Alligee Anderson was put in as President with First Counselor, Louise Vickers, Second Katie Haynes.

March 23, 1947, the wards were divided, Alligee Anderson continued as President of the First Ward with Pearl Jenkins and Katie Haynes as Counselors. Lula Memmott had served as Secretary from 1937 until the wards were divided in 1947. Ruby Cox and Lucille Lunt were made secretaries.

In 1952, Mavis Hansen was sustained as President with Anna Ostler and Elva Nielson as Counselors. Vivian Paxman as secretary.

In 1955, Anna Ostler was made president with Joyce Memmott and Elva Nielson as Counselors. Lela Fowkes as secretary.

There was only one ward from 1858 to 1890. December 4, 1890, this one ward was divided into two wards, First or South; Second or North. First Ward held its meetings in the Old Social Hall on Center Street and Second East, at first.



Nephi Relief Society Organized June 23, 1862



Pres., Ann Wilkey

1st C. Sarah Ann Andrews (called into Stake) 1900

2nd C. Elizabeth Miller

Sec. Ellen Linton

Asst Sec Helen M. Grace (left for mission), Addie Cazier (took her place)

Treas. Priscilla Lunt

Asst Treas. Marriett Wheeler



1900

Pres., Ann Wilkey

1st C., Harriett W. Wheeler

2nd C., Mary Pettigrew

Sec, Sarah Brown

Teas., Jane Vickers



1902

Pres., Sarah Ann Andrews,

Cazier (died Aug. 1912)

1st C., Harriett Christensen

2nd C., Armanda Ellison

Sec., Sarah Brown

Treas., Jane Vickers



Oct. 1912

Pres., Harriett A. Christensen

1st C., Mary A. Ellison

2nd C., Melvina Broadhead

Sec., Sarah Brown

Asst. Sec., Elizabeth Linton

Treas., Mary Black



March 1914

Pres., Harriett A. Christensen

(relased 1915 to Stake)

1st C., Armanda Ellison

2nd C., Jane Vickers

Sec., Sarah Brown

Treas., Eliza Howarth



Dec. 3, 1915

Pres., Jane D. Vickers

1st C., Sarah Brown

2nd C., Elizabeth Linton

Sec., Jane Stephenson

Treas., Eliza Howarth



March 19, 1919

Pres., Elizabeth Linton

1st C., Sarah Brown

2nd C., Janette S. Lunt

Sec., Jane Stephenson

Treas., Eliza Howarth



Sept. 27, 1921

Pres., Maude Forrest

1st C., Sarah Brown

2nd C., Jeanette Lunt

Sec., Jane Stephenson

Asst. Sec., Tryphena Belliston

Treas., Eliza Howarth



Sept. 1924

Pres., Emma A. Brough

1st C., Elizabeth Linton

2nd C., Nellie S. Cowan

Sec., Jane S. Smith

Treas., Charity Garrett



Spring 1929

Pres., Emma C. Memmott

1st C., Tryphena H. Belliston

2nd C., Louise A. Christenson (died)

2nd C., Frances H. Orme

Sec., Louise C. Vickers

Treas., Charity Garrett



Feb 10, 1935

Pres., Anna D. Allred

1st C., Rhea Beagley

2nd C., Mina B. Nilson

Sec., Charity Garrett



Nov. 1937

Pres., Charity Garrett

1st C., Rhea Beagley

2nd C. Mina B. Nilson

Sec., Lula B. Memmott



1942

Pres., Lua L. Stephenson

1st C., Ada B. Kendall

2nd C., Jennie Hobbs (Moved to Provo)

2nd C., Thea Beagley

Sec., Lula Memmott


1944

Pres., Lua L. Stephenson

1st C., Thea C. Beagley

2nd C., Mattie V. Belliston

Sec., Lula Memmott

Asst., Della Belliston


1946

Pres., Alligee Anderson

1st C., Louise C. Vickers

2nd C., Katie Haynes

Sec., Lula Memmott

Asst., Della Belliston


March 23, 1947, Wards Divided