There was not a dollar in cash with which to buy one thing for Christmas. I could draw a few pounds of flour, or meat, or a little molasses, or something of that kind, ahead, at the tithing office and pay up at the end of the month with tithing scrip, received in payment of my labor which more than often began at 6 A.M. and ended at 11 P.M., at $3.00 per day in tithing pay, which was not cash.

I saw many reveling in luxuries, with means to lavish on their every want, which were far more than their needs–riding in buggies, on prancing horses, enjoying their leisure, while I–we all! were on foot and of necessity of tugging away with all our might to keep soul and body together. Under these spiritless conditions, one day just before Christmas, I left the old home with feelings I cannot describe. I wanted to do something for my chicks. I wanted something to please them and to mark the Christmas day from all other days–but not a cent to do it with! I walked up and down Main Street looking into the shop windows–into Amussen’s Jewelry Store–everywhere–and then slunk out of sight of humanity and sat down and wept like a child, until my poured out grief relieved my aching heart; and after awhile returned home as empty as when I left, and played with my children, grateful and happy…for them and their beloved mamas.

Joseph F. Smith, in a letter to one of his sons.