By Oa Jacobs Cannon

"Zina D. H. Young"

by Oa Jacobs Cannon

MS 6891 2

LDSChurch Archives

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After the death of her beloved mother, Zina and her sister, Prescendia, were taken into the home of the Prophet Joseph. They apparently lived there until Zina married Henry Bailey Jacobs on March 7, 1841.

Here I feel it is necessary to give my mother's (Emma R. Jacobs) story as told to her by Grandmother Zina, about her marriage to Henry B. Jacobs:

Zina and Henry had requested the Prophet Joseph to perform the marriage ceremony , he did not appear so they had the Clerk, John C. Bennet act in this capacity. When they saw the Prophet they asked why he had not come, and he told them the Lord had made it know to him she was to be his celestial wife.

Henry obeyed the voice of the Prophet and signed a slip which is still in the SaltLakeTemple agreeing that his marriage (civil) should remain for time only and allowing her to be sealed for eternity to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

In a tribute Oliver paid to his Father, William Huntington, at the time of his death, that was published in the Millennial Star—he made a statement about his father that I think Henry believed and I shall quote it:

"whatever the Prophet did was right. without making the wisdom of God's authorities bend to the reasoning of any man; for God has called and empowered him and no man has the right to judge their works."

Seven months after their marriage, Zina was sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith for eternity. This sealing took place on October 27, 1841 with Zina's brother, Dimick, officiating and Fanny A. Huntington present as a witness. Three months later Zina gave birth to her first son, Zebulon.

Grandmother, I believe, was destined to be the celestial wife of the Prophet because at the dedication of the CanadianTemple, after the dedicatory prayer a number of those present in the main room, heard a heavenly choir and some saw the Prophet Joseph and the Savior. President Wood asked how many had witnessed this vision, and about a third of them had both seen and heard.

Then President Wood said that three of the Prophet's sons were present. Sterling Williams, Joseph Card (sons of Zina Young Card), and my brother Zebulon, who was a counselor to President Wood in the temple, stood.

I went to the dedication with Heber, we were in another room with Mother and I heard it spoken about during our visit and stay at my brother Zeb's, but I wanted to authenticate it so talked to Zina Jacobs Smith, who was in that main room and she said, "yes, that is right, I saw and heard it all."

We are told that the Prophet Joseph requested the Quorum to marry and take care of his widows, which many of them did. BUT Zina was not a widow, but in an unkind interview a newspaper man had with Grandmother when she was over eighty, she stated that her marriage to Henry was not a happy one. […]

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I feel sure Zina D. Young was greatly concerned about Henry Bailey Jacobs situation most of her life. If you will recall Henry's letter to her begs her not to be concerned.

From a letter my father, Henry Chariton Jacobs wrote to his sister Zina Y. Card after the death of Zina D. H. Young suggests there had been talk and feelings against what had happened:

…I am glad our well worn mother is out of the reach of gossip, […]

Cannon, Oa Jacobs, "Zina D. H. Young," MS 6891 2, LDSChurch Archives