p. 59 – 60
“Sarah Ellen Richards was a beautiful, faithful and noble girl. She has been a most beloved and cherished wife, a wise, careful, loving mother, a genuine homemaker, and the mother of eleven children, in whom no parents on earth were ever more blessed or more happy. For more than forty-three years she has shed forth ever increasing joy and happiness upon the life of her husband, her home and family; and her children and her children’s children, to the latest time, will joyfully call her blessed.”
So said Joseph F. Smith in 1911 of his second wife. Sarah Ellen Richards was born Aug. 25, 1850 in Salt Lake City the daughter of Willard Richards and Sarah Longstroth in their home on Richards Street between Main St. and West Temple. Her father died when she was three and her mother died when Sarah was on 7 1/2 leaving four orphan children. The children went to live with their aunt Nanny Longstroth who had also been married to Willard Richards and her widow in the midst of hard times. Poverty and destitution were the lot of all of them as they grew up.
When nanny remarried Sarah Ellen went to live with Rhoda Richards Knowlton, her oldest sister–a daughter of Willard Richards and his first wife Jeanetta, who lived at that time in the 19th Ward. It was in her home that Joseph F. Smith first met Sarah Ellen in 1867. They were married Mar. 1, 1868.
Joseph F. Smith in writing his sketch of Sarah Ellen said, “Almost immediately after her marriage she accompanied her husband to Provo, Utah County, where he with others had been called on a mission by Pres. Brigham Young. At that time the entire possessions of her husband, together with those of her own, were easily packed in a small wagon–hired, with a team and driver, to convey them to their destination at Provo. Here they obtained a small adobe house of one room about 10 x 10, where they set up housekeeping.
“Having no means for their support, her husband had obtained employment in a cabinet shop at thirty cents and hour, so that at any time when he was not engaged in Church duties he could go to the shop, take up his tools, and go to work, whether only for one hour or for then hours a day. Through this means the young husband fitted up their little home with bedstead, table, chairs and other furniture, mostly of his own make, under the direction of the master workman, his employer.” After a few months they were honorably released and returned to Salt Lake City to live in the home with Julina.
Her on Feb. 5, 1869 their first baby girl was born. She was named Sarah Ella. Of her, who lived but six days, Joseph F. wrote, “It has been said that her mother possessed rare beauty and spirit. It may be further said in all modesty that all the beauty and spirit of her beloved mother, and even greater charms, were bequeathed to her daughter.”
Loving each other as sister Julina and Sarah divided the household duties and enjoyed their next babies. The year after Edna joined the family they each had a new baby and, as Sarah’s health was not good, Julina nursed Sarah’s baby as well as her own.
In Feb. 1874 Joseph was called to preside over the European mission so the three wives were left at home together. It was then that they really became acquainted and learned to work together. Sarah loved to sew and usually took care of the mending while the others cooked. Dividing up the responsibilities to their liking they were a harmonious group learning to live within the framework of many personalities.
Joseph returned in 1875, but was called to Great Britain in 1877. Of this Joseph said, “It was with the understanding, as expressly stated by Pres. Brigham Young, that this mission would not terminate under five years, and it was with his permission that Sister Smith accompanied her husband and took with her their little son Joseph Richards, then four years old. However, on account of the death of Pres. Young in August 1877, they were released and returned home that fall.”
In 1897 and 1898 Sarah was very ill. When she recovered sufficiently Joseph took her on a trip to Hawaii which did much to restore her health. Because the heat was hard on her she spent many weeks each summer up either Wasatch or Mt. Air Canyons traveling there in a big white topped buggy with the children. Joseph F. also had a private room in the Salt Air pavilion where she spent days with the cool breeze blowing and the children playing happily in the water. A trip to Alaska in 1901 was also very beneficial.
As her health permitted she was active in her ward–particularly in the Relief Society. In 1901 she attended a meeting for the organizing of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers where she was chosen a counselor which position was the only public one she held.
She died Mar. 22, 1915 in Salt Lake City.
Joseph F. said of her, “The character of Sister Sarah E. Smith is at once strong and well controlled. There is quite power about her spirit that manifests itself to all who come into her presence. But with that power she unites the gentle tact of a true woman. So easy, so guileless, so cheerful is he deportment that her company is eagerly sought by those who know her best. Her cheery laugh and her determined optimism make her world a very beautiful place to live in. If one were to name the predominating trait of her character it would probably be her exquisite sense of order. The sensitive refinement of her soul best expresses itself in the dainty appointments of every material thing about her. So pronounced is this trait that it radiates form both body and spirit like the delicate perfume of some lovely flower. United to that refinement of cleanliness is an indomitable energy which carried her through every task with rigid discipline. And yet, as has been said, the sweetness and true charity of her soul softens and asperity which might otherwise gather about such a character. For she is lovingly charitable. Living in a home where many individualities meet and mingle, no greater tribute to her high nobility and her deep spirited culture could be paid than to name the simple fact that out of all her honored husbands’s family there could be found no single wife or child who had aught but loving words of praise and esteem for their beloved “Aunt Sarah.”
“Sister Smith has not found it possible to get out of her home for many public duties. She has nestled her brood so closely about her knees that her own hearthstone has been at once their sole refuge and her one alter. Yet in the few public positions which she has been persuaded to hold, noticeably in the office of counselor to Mrs. Annie Hyde during the first years of the organization of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Sister Smith proved herself adequate to every duty and responsibility. AS a hostess she is thoughtful, gracious, discriminating and solicitous. Her table, when she entertains, is spread with the rich bounties of life. Her tact puts every guest at ease, while the purity of her character would prevent anything coarse or common from prevailing in her presence.
“This tribute would be incomplete if there was no mention made of the tender consideration which this good wife accords to her busy and burdened companion. Without trace of noisy assertiveness, she yet adapts herself to pleasantly to all outer conditions that her presence soon becomes a veritable part of her surroundings. With it all, she makes the welfare of her husband and the happiness of her children at once her delight if not an important part of her religion. ‘The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.'”