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This month, we celebrate 170 years of the Relief Society. During our celebrations to commemorate that anniversary, we often sing "As Sisters in Zion".
In 1985, a music committee for the Church was tasked with finding a theme song for the sisters. They found a poem in the Church archives that had been written 100 years ago. The poem was titled, "As Sisters in Zion" and was written by pioneer, Emily Hill.
Debbie Christensen, Emily's great, great niece, says we feel something when we sing the song because of the inspiring story behind the lyrics.
She said, Emily Hill received a blessing as a young girl, before she was even a member of the Church, that if she would be faithful to her testimony of Jesus Christ throughout her life, she would influence the world by the thousands. That blessing has come to pass as congregations around the world join in singing, "As Sisters in Zion".
Emily Hill penned the poem while she and her sisters journeyed West with the Martin and Willie Handcart Company. When the company was too overwhelmed to help a widow with five children make the trek, Emily and her sister, Julia, came to that sister's aid. They were sisters of faith who made the sacrifices to help a mother and her children join the saints in Zion.
To read more about Emily and Julia Hill's journey West, check out Debbie J. Christensen's book, As Sisters in Zion.
