Zina D. H. Young

Relationship to polygamy In order to understand Young's decisions regarding plural marriage, it is pivotal to examine her relationship to the practice of polygamy. Though initially she struggled to understand the morality of the practice, she came to accept it—not because she found virtue in the practice itself, but because it came from Joseph Smith, and he was the prophet. Her "unwavering obedience and unquestioning faith" ultimately determined her decision to be married to Smith and later to Brigham Young.

In later life, Zina Young commented that women in polygamous relationships "expect too much attention from the husband and ... become sullen and morose". She explained that "a successful polygamous wife must regard her husband with indifference, and with no other feeling than that of reverence, for love we regard as a false sentiment; a feeling which should have no existence in polygamy". The two grew close through their service together in the Relief Society General Presidency; they worked together on projects such as the Deseret Hospital, silk manufacture, and grain storage. They also spoke at church meetings together throughout Utah.

When Snow died in 1887, Young became Relief Society General President, a position she held for thirteen years. In this capacity, she organized the first Relief Society General Conference; and, during the years of her presidency, the construction of the Salt Lake Temple was completed, women in Utah regained the right to vote, and the Relief Society was featured in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. She served for a total of 32 years on the Relief Society General Board.

In 1891, she became vice president of the National Council of Women. She worked in the Endowment House, and became the first matron of the Salt Lake Temple from 1893, a position she held until her death.

Death and legacy

Zina D. H. Young died on August 28, 1901, at age 80. She spent the last two months of her life in Canada with her daughter and grandchildren.

Young is remembered as a member of a well-known circle of early Latter Day Saints, having been sealed to two presidents of the church and having served as a leader of Mormon women in Utah. Her tender nature towards Utah women led many to call her "Aunt Zina". Of her, Susa Young Gates wrote: "There have been many noble women, some great women and a multitude of good women associated, past and present, with the Latter-Day work. But of them all none was so lovely, so lovable, and so passionately beloved as was 'Aunt Zina.'"