As Sisters in Zion: The Story Behind the Song

In 1852, two sisters in a small village in England responded to the message of Mormon missionaries and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Julia Hill was nineteen years old, and her sister, Emily, was only sixteen. After working and saving their money for four more years, they made their way to America and joined the Willie handcart company for the arduous journey to the Salt Lake Valley. Faced with exhaustion, starvation, exposure, and even death, they strengthened one another and intensified their resolve. Alone they would fail, but together they could succeed and live. Emily later wrote a poem about her experience, which has been set to music and sung by Relief Society sisters all over the world. But the story of that hymn, "As Sisters in Zion," is more than the experience of two sisters. Behind this well-known song lies a fascinating, little-known story of the sisters' personal call to "comfort the weary and strengthen the weak." In 1852, two sisters from a small village in England responded to the message of Mormon missionaries and joined the Church. Julia Hill was nineteen years old, and her sister, Emily Hill, was only sixteen. Together they endured enormous hardships as they made their way to America and joined the Willie Handcart Company. The sisters also took upon themselves to help a new widow, Martha Campkin, and her five young children on the arduous trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Faced with exhaustion, starvation, exposure, and even death, they strengthened one another and intensified their resolve. Alone, they would fail; together, they could succeed and live. Emily later wrote a poem about her experience that has been set to music and sung by Relief Society sisters all over the world. But the story of that hymn, As Sisters in Zion, is more than the experience of two sisters. As the greatgreat- granddaughter of Julia Hill, author Debbie J. Christensen reveals the fascinating, untold story behind this beloved song and the call to comfort the weary and strengthen the weak. "British converts and sisters Emily and Julia Hill, assigned to the Willie Handcart Company, accompany newly widowed Martha Campkin and her five children to Zion. Emily later pens a poem about her experiences that becomes a cherished song of the LDS Relief Society, 'As Sisters in Zion.'"--Provided by publisher. The truth restored A sacrifice for the kingdom The mountains, an eternal perspective The Gethsemane of their sacrifice Zion, trials, and faithfulness Thoughts for our day "Be faithful, dear sisters, in your trials today" A prophet's call, "to the rescue".