Eleven of Prof. Josiah Edwin Hickman's eighteen children, about 1912 while living at Beaver, Utah.
Back row, left to right: George Washington Hickman, Lorea Lee Hickman, Reginald Lawisch Hickman,
Lavon Rogers Hickman, Juanita Lawisch Hickman, Radino Lawisch Hickman, Othello Hickman.
Front row, left to right: Thorval Lawisch Hickman, Josiah Eugene Hickman, Valko (Bill) Lawisch Hickman, Josiah Edwin Hickman (Father), Kyrmel Lawisch Hickman.
This image was provided by Evelyn Corning (click here to write her). from an original owned by Ted Brown.
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To read a WWI letter from George W. Hickman, click here.
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Martha A. Hickman
16 Apr 1870 - 9 Jun 1945
LOGAN---Funeral services for Mrs. Martha A. Hickman, 75, widow of Prof. J.E. Hickman, former Utah educator, who died Friday, will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. in the Logan First LDS ward chapel by Henry Cooper, bishop.
Mrs. Hickman was a native of Germany and taught school in northern Utah for 15 years. For 32 years she held various positions in the Logan LDS auxiliary organizations and was president of the Logan First ward Relief society many years.
Mrs. Hickman is survived by 11 sons and four daughters, 60 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at the W. Loyal Hall mortuary, 34 E. Center st., Monday until time of services. Burial will be in the family plot of Provo cemetery.
--(unknown source)
Martha A. Hickman lived in a time of change, as do we. In 1935 she wrote to the President of the LDS Church Relief Society to ask whether women could continue to perform washings and annointings, ordinances no longer practiced in the Mormon temples for the sick.
Shortly after this letter was received, women were forbidden to do washings and annointings of the sick, and while washings seem to have been discontinued, annointings are performed outside the temple exclusively by male Priesthood holders.
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54 South 3rd West,
Logan, Utah.
November 28, 1935.
Pres. Louise Y. Robison
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear Sister:
For the answer to the question following Bro. Joseph Christensen, of the Salt Lake Temple, has referred me to you.
Is it orthodox and sanctioned by the Church today to
perform "washings" and "annointings" for the sick (sisters) especially in preparation for confinement in childbirth?
Some have advocated that the proper procedure would be
to have a special administration by some member bearing the
Priesthood for those desiring a special blessing at this time.
Some years ago when our temples did away with this ordinance for the sick and expectant mothers, in many of our wards in this stake, as well as adjoining stakes, committees of sisters, generally two or three in each committee, were called and set apart for this work
of "washing" and "annointing," in their respective wards, wherever
this ordinance was desired.
I happen to be the head of this committee in the First Ward of Logan Stake. we have officiated in this capacity some ten years, have enjoyed our calling, and have been appreciated. However, since above questions have arisen we do not feel quite at ease. We would
like to be in harmony, as well as being able to inform correctly those seeking information. Our Stake Relief Society President, nor our Stake President seem to have nothing definite on this matter.
Thanking you kindly for any enlightenment on this subject, and with sincere personal regards, I am
Your Sister,
(signed) Martha A. Hickman
--LDS Archives Ms 6020.
President Robison sent Martha's Relief Society president a copy of her letter, accompanied by the following reply. In it President Robison indicates that the practice could continue for the moment, and might continue indefinitely if the practice could avoid public attention, which
of course it couldn't. This kind of washings and annointings by Relief Society sisters is no longer authorized by the LDS Church.
"In reference to the question raised, may we say that this beautiful ordinance has always been with the Relief Society, and it is our earnest hope that we may continue to have that privilege, and up to the present time the Presidents of the Church have always allowed <p.116> it to us. There are some places, however, where a definite stand against it has been taken by the Priesthood Authorities, and where such is the case we cannot do anything but accept their will in the matter. However, where the sisters are permitted to do this for expectant mothers we wish it done very quietly, and without any infringement upon the Temple service. It is in reality a mother's blessing, and we do not advocate the appointment of any committees to have this in charge, but any worthy good sister is eligible to perform this service if she has faith, and is in good standing in the Church. It is something that should be treated very carefully, and as we have suggested, with no show or discussion made of it.
"We have written to Sister Hickman and told her to consult you in this matter, as it is always our custom to discuss matters of this kind with our Stake [Relief Society] Presidents, and have them advise the sisters in their Wards."
--Linda King Newell, "A Gift Given, A Gift Taken: Washing, Anointing, and
Blessing the Sick Among Mormon Women" in D. Michael Quinn, ed.,
The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Past, pp. 115-116.
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