Finding Early LDS Poetry And The Various Female Poets Who Authored It

By Rachael Gutierrez


There have been down through history thousands of influential Mormon poets that wrote about their true heart felt feelings. They mastered this by incorporating their ideas into some of the various LDS poetry people can read or reflect on in modern times. Many of these classic female poets still draw attention from businessmen, students, adults, and parents. Much of the poems' themes are basic everyday things that almost all people can still relate to.

In 1850 Mrs. Sarah Carmichael ventured to the salt lake lower valley with her friends and family. Though the school was poor and had little to offer, her talent continued to grow. As she got older the local paper published many of her original poems from the 1850's to 1860's. Her mass appeal stemmed from her unique ability to incorporate complex ideas like love, personal integrity and friendship in meaningful down to earth ways.

In 1866 her family and some friends helped publish a small leather bound printing with 26 of her best poems. Shortly after this she married a young army surgeon. After becoming married she suffered a massive decline in her intellectual state which progressed to dementia. She passed away in 1901, quietly in her bed and is known most for the poem April Flowers.

On March 10th, 1841 a niece of LDS leader Joseph Smith was born. Her parents chose to name her Josephine Smith after her maternal grandmother, though later in life she would change it to Ina Coolbrith. She moved to California in 1852 where some of her early poems were published in the local Los Angeles Times paper. At age 17 she was briefly married and lost her child.

Around 1860 she went to San Francisco to live where she found employment as a staff writer for the journal Overland Monthly. Later still she found employment as librarian for many libraries including the famous Oakland public branch library. She went peacefully in 1928 while living with a niece. Her basic lyric poems were highly praised by many famous writers of the time including a close friend, Mark Twain.

Born late in1844, Augusta Crocheron was born to the Mormon religion. Shortly after her second birthday her parents auctioned their belongings and sailed to California from New York with Samuel Brannan. The trip lasted roughly 6 months before they safely arrived at San Francisco. It was then they realized the harsh living conditions and widespread poverty because of the lengthy war with Mexico.

The gold rush during 1949 brought some people prosperity and ultimately ruined her parents' marriage. In late 1868 her mother married again and moved to Utah. Augusta married and became a second wife of George Cocheron until she passed in 1915. Drawing mostly on her traumatic early life and various hardships she overcame. Most of her poems are centered around hope and the idea that everyone has a purpose.

Historical literary figures who are female are often underrated and get overlooked in favor of more contemporary poets. Because of the hardships many female poets endured LDS poetry is generally blessed with several authors. Though they are long gone they will never be forgotten, you only have to go to your corner library to find some books about them.




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