Rhoda Richards – “All is well! All is well!”
Compiled by Wendy Kay Smith
Rhoda’s impact on my Life
How this blog post came about. I have been wanting to add a story to my blog but did not what story to do next. One night, in my prayers I asked for help in finding a story of a women who I can relate to and one who had some of the same struggles that I struggle with. One day a little bit later Bruce came home from of a used book sale with the book “Remarkable Stories from the Lives of Latter-day Saint Women by Leon R Hartshorn and in it was a short story about Rhoda which piqued my interest and that story led me to another book that contained her autobiography and then I found her journals on the Church History web site. I believe that I was led to this information about Rhoda in answer to my prayer. Like Rhoda, I had never yet married in this life, I have had a chance to experience a little “motherhood” as I have been there for my nieces and nephews. I have felt some of those same feelings of grief knowing that my dreams of being a mother would not be fulfilled in this life. I have felt the same pain she did wondering if she was not good enough to be wife or a mother. I have also seen the hand of the Lord in my life in many ways. Learning about Rhoda has given me strength to find joy in my journey through my struggles.
This story contains glimpses into the life of Rhoda Richards who was the sister to my third great grandfather Phineas Richards. She was born August 8, 1784 in Framington, Massachusetts to Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. She died on January 17, 1879 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rhoda’s story is a story of love, faith, courage, and strength and finding joy in the journey of life.
Engagement and Loss (1814, Massachusetts)
Rhoda’s story starts with a beautiful love story that changed her life forever. At the age of 27, Rhoda found her true love in Ebenezer Damon who was a widower with a young daughter 3 1/2 years old named Susan. She became attached to little Susan and loved her as her own. Ebenezer and Rhoda were engaged to be married when Ebenezer become ill with Typhus and was buried on Jan 1, 1814 the day they were to be married. She wrote in her journal of his death “Mr. Damon remains were deposited near the meeting house in Holliston. Farewell to all joys, my comforts are all fled. The friend of my choice is now numbered with the dead”. (1) The grief that Rhoda felt was not only the grief of losing the love of her life but also of realizing that her dreams of finding her true love, becoming a wife and mother something that she wanted more than anything else were gone. She kept her memories of Ebenezer deep in her heart and would take time to remember him each New Years Day for the rest of her life.
This is a picture of Ebnezar Damon and Rhoda Richards. The pictures were drawn by Rhoda’s sister Hepzibah Richards (2)
“Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
’Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—
All is well! All is well! (2)
.
Facing Cancer with Courage (1827, Massachusetts)
Rhoda had struggled with her health most of her life. At this point in her life, she had been struggling with excruciating hip pain that had kept her mostly bedridden for the last year. The Doctor told her that it was cancer and it needed to be removed immediately and she consented to the operation. The day of the operation the Dr mixed some laudanum (alcohol mixed with opioids) to give to Rhoda but she refused it saying that “if I died, I wish to be sensible of my situation”. (3) The Doctor performed two short operations one lasting about 11 minutes where he removed the cancer and the second one lasting 12 minutes. She was in great pain the entire time but only let out two screams and some groans. (4) The operation was performed at her brother Phineas’ house and I am sure that day that house was filled with angels helping to bear Rhoda up and to guide the Doctor. She had a long recovery but finally did recover her health and was able to help her family especially her sisters who became very ill and wanted her by their sides. This shows just how much faith, courage, and strength that Rhoda had as she faced this challenge in her life. This experience reminded me of the operation that Joseph Smith had to remove infected bone in his leg where he also refused any alcohol for the pain. We all have experiences in our lives where we are tested and tried as we struggle through challenges that bring us close to our Father in Heaven and to the Savior. I think that was one of Rhoda’s tests to see just how much faith and trust she had in her Heavenly Father.
“And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—
All is well! All is well! (2)
Conversion & Testimony (1838, Massachusetts)
Rhoda writes of her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and her testimony: “During the early years of my life I was much afflicted with sickness, but, through the mercies and blessings of my Heavenly Father, at the advanced age of nearly ninety-three, I live, and am privileged to bear my individual testimony, that for myself I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the living God; and that the work which he, as an humble instrument in the hands of God, commenced in this, the evening of time, will not be cut short, save as the Lord himself, according to his promise, shall cut short his work in righteousness.”
“My first knowledge of the Mormons was gained through my cousin, Joseph Young, though I had previously heard many strange things concerning them. I lay on a bed of sickness, unable to sit up, when Cousin Joseph came to visit at my father’s house. I remember distinctly how cautiously my mother broached the subject of the new religion to him. Said she, “Joseph, I have heard that some of the children of my sister, Abigail Young, have joined the Mormons. How is it?” Joseph replied, “It is true, Aunt Richards, and I am one of them!”
“It was Sabbath day, and in the morning, Cousin Joseph attended church with my parents; but in the afternoon he chose to remain with my brother William, and myself, at home. He remarked that he could not enjoy the meeting, and in reply I said, “I do not see why we might not have a meeting here.” My cousin was upon his feet in an instant, and stood and preached to us–my brother and myself–for about half an hour, finishing his discourse with, “There, Cousin Rhoda, I don’t know but I have tired you out!” When he sat down, I remarked that meetings usually closed with prayer. In an instant he was on his knees, offering up a prayer. That was the first Mormon sermon and the first Mormon prayer I ever listened to.”
“I weighed his words and sentences well. It was enough. My soul was convinced of the truth. But I waited a year before being baptized. During that time, I read the books of the church, and also saw and heard other elders, among whom was my cousin, Brigham Young, and my brothers, Phineas, Levi, and Willard; all of which served to strengthen my faith and brighten my understanding.” (5).
Rhoda and her sister Nancy were baptized by their brother Phinehas on June 2, 1838. (6)
“We’ll make the air with music ring
Shout praises to our God and King
Above the rest these words we’ll tell
All is well! All is well!” (2)
Faith to be Healed (1838, Massachusetts)
“A short time after I was baptized and confirmed I was greatly afflicted with the raging of a cancer, about to break out in my face. I knew too well the symptoms, having had one removed previously. The agony of such an operation, only those who have passed through a like experience can ever imagine. The idea of again passing through a like physical suffering seemed almost more than humanity could endure. One Sabbath, after the close of the morning service, I spoke to the presiding elder, and acquainted him with my situation, requesting that I might be administered to, according to the pattern that God had given, that the cancer might be rebuked and my body healed. The elder called upon the sisters present to unite their faith and prayers in my behalf, and upon the brethren to come forward and lay their hands upon me, and bless me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to my desire. It was done, and I went home completely healed, and rejoicing in the God of my salvation.” What a beautiful tender mercy given by a loving Heavenly Father to very faithful daughter of God who knew that he could heal her. (6)
“Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
’Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—
All is well! All is well!” (7)
Sealed to a Prophet (1843, Nauvoo, Illinois)
She would never marry but became the plural wife of Joseph Smith and then to Brigham Young. She later wrote of Ebenezer “In my young days I buried my first and only love and true to that affiance, I have passed companionless through life; but am sure of having my proper place and standing in the resurrection, having been sealed to the prophet Joseph, according to the celestial law, by his own request, under the inspiration of heaven.” (8) Joseph and Rhoda were sealed in Nauvoo on 12 June 1843 by her brother Willard Richards. (9) What joy this must have brought to her to know that her Heavenly Father knew all that she had suffered in her life and of her needs and because of her faith he provided a way for those needs to be met by providing her this special privilege of being sealed to the Prophet.
Motherhood Experiences (1848, Crossing the plains)
Although Rhoda never had children of her own, she was blessed with opportunities to act as a mother to her nieces and nephews. One such opportunity came when her brother Levi and his wife Sarah were called on a mission to England by Brigham Young. Following his counsel, they made the heart-wrenching decision to leave their three-year-old son, Levi Willard Richards, in Rhoda and Willard’s care to bring him safely to Zion. Just two weeks into the journey across the plains, little Levi broke his arm while climbing into the wagon. Rhoda tenderly cared for him. and several other nieces and nephews—throughout the trek. (10) Though the journey was not without hardship, including Rhoda’s own bouts of illness, she safely reached Zion, having tasted a small part of the motherhood she longed for. Levi Willard would be in Rhoda’s care for a total of five years while his parents were gone.
Waiting on the Lord
Rhoda wrote in her journal on several different occasions about her struggles and Heavenly Father’s tender mercies in her life.
Journal entry Dec 13, 1838, “Wondering what I was spared for. God only knows, and if I was His— all was well, He had been very merciful in restoring me” (from an illness). (11)
Journal entry Dec. 1, 1864 “I have been tried in many ways yet I feel to rejoice and praise the Lord for his blessings that I am so happy as to be numbered with the saints that sets aside all trials when I feel right and am happy looking forward to the future. My desire is that I may so live as to be prepared to meet whatever I am called to pass through as becometh a saint. May faith, patience, wisdom, and grace possess my soul, that I may not be overcome by evil spirits. May I so live as to be counted worth of friends and a home with the saints.” (12)
Rhoda truly endured to the end. She died at the age of 95 on Jan 17, 1879 at the home of Levi Willard Richards. What a remarkable woman she was. Through her experiences we can see what a good relationship she had with her Father in Heaven and with the Savior. We can see that through her trials that she truly becomes closer to them. We need to remember we are not given trials to punish us but to help as learn and grow and just because we do not always receive all the desires of our heart it does not mean that we are not good enough or worthy enough to receive them it just means that Lord has other things for us to accomplish. We also need to realize that some of those desires may be fulfilled in ways we are not expecting. Let put our focus on our relationship with the Savior and not on the things that we are waiting on.
And should we die before our journey’s through
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too
With the just we shall dwell!
Happy day! All is well! (13)
References
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History Biographical Database, entry for “Rhoda Howe Richards,” digital image, https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/rhoda-howe-1784 : accessed 28 April 2025.
- Claire Noall, Intimate Disciple: A Portrait of Willard Richards (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1957), unnumbered illustrations of Ebenezer Damon and Rhoda Richards, inserted between pp. 116–117; drawings by Hepzibah Richards.
- Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New York: [n.p.], 1877), 418–422, chap. XLV; digital image, Brigham Young University Digital Collections (http://catalog.lib.byu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/0/0/0/5?user_id=guest&searchdata1=AAM8806{001} : accessed 22 April 2025); PDF file, 3339.984 KB; from a copy in L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985), no. 30, “Come, Come, Ye Saints.”
- Todd M. Compton, ed., In Sacred Loneliness: The Documents (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2022), 604–605, chap. 18, citing Rhoda Richards Papers, holograph, folders 1–2, MS 1999, Church History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.
- Compton, In Sacred Loneliness: The Documents, 604–605.
- Tullidge, Women of Mormondom, 418–422.
- Tullidge, Women of Mormondom, 418–422.
- Tullidge, Women of Mormondom, 418–422.
- Hymns (1985), no. 30.
- Todd Compton, In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1997), 558–576; digital images, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/insacredloneline0000comp/page/568/mode/2up : accessed 22 April 2025).
- Compton, In Sacred Loneliness (1997), 568.
- Rhoda Richards, Journal, 1803–1839, in Rhoda Richards Papers, 1803–1878, MS 1999; Church History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah; digital images, Church History Catalog (https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/df1bbf37-274b-4631-952e-015b064918cb/0/20?lang=eng : accessed 22 April 2025).
- Rhoda Richards, Journal, May 1860–December 1864, p. 51, in Rhoda Richards Papers, 1803–1878, MS 1999; Church History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah; digital images, Church History Catalog (https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/df1bbf37-274b-4631-952e-015b064918cb/0/20?lang=eng : accessed 22 April 2025).
- Hymns (1985), no. 30.