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Show 70 display a lively interest in the domestic affairs of the Milford Shipp family, saying that women who could live together while raising their children "must be Saints." Ellis agrees, commenting, "if we do not live the life of saints we cannot enjoy the spirit of God." How thankful I was that I could answer-and that truly, that we were happy; that we experienced joys even in Polygamy that we felt could be obtained in no other situation in life.2 On June 16 Ellis, having learned that Milford has begun the long journey homeward, volunteers to watch the little boys playing in the shade of the apple trees and to monitor the sleeping of the babies while "the girls" go to Sunday meeting. This affords her an opportunity to reflect upon past, present, and future and to make affirmations to improve her performance. Next morning, up at 5:00 a.m and weeding the garden, she makes a formidable mental list of what she desires to accomplish. She wants to: "be [a] good, faithful, devoted wife and mother, a wise, judicious, economical housekeeper-a true Latter-day Saint-an active member--doing good and exerting a good influence at all times and 3 under all circumstances." She acknowledges that these are "great things to attain unto" but is confident that with the help of her Heavenly Father she can achieve them. In the afternoon she goes with Sister Freeze to visit Sister Dunford, and reports it in her journal as a "pleasant" experience: |