1. “No Man Can Be Saved in Ignorance,” Relief Society Magazine 8, no. 9 (September 1921): 538.

2. See John Hilton III, “Teaching the Scriptural Emphasis on the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ,” Religious Educator 20, no. 3 (2019): 132–53.

3. See John Hilton III, “Joseph Smith, Gethsemane, and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ,” in How and What We Worship: Christology and Praxis in the Revelations of Joseph Smith, ed. Rachel Cope, Carter Charles, and Jordan Watkins (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2020), 303–29.

4. See John Hilton III, Emily Hyde, and McKenna Trussel, “The Teachings of Church Leaders Regarding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ: 1852–2018,” BYU Studies Quarterly 59, no. 1 (2020): 49–80.

5. Amy Easton-Flake, “The Bible in the Millennial Star and the Woman’s Exponent,” BYU Studies Quarterly 60, no. 1 (2021): 41.

6. Joseph Smith taught, “The fundamental principles of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, ‘that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven;’ and all other things are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion.” “Elders’ Journal, July 1838,” 44, Joseph Smith Papers, accessed August 13, 2019, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/elders-journal-july-1838/12, emphasis added.

7. This corpus is available to other researchers via the WordCruncher bookstore. For more information about WordCruncher, or to download a copy, visit https://wordcruncher.com. Researchers interested in obtaining the corpus should contact Jesse Vincent (jesse_vincent@byu.edu).

8. Sherilyn Cox Bennion, “The Woman’s Exponent: Forty-two Years of Speaking for Women,” Utah Historical Quarterly 44, no. 3 (1976): 222.

9. Bennion, “Woman’s Exponent,” 223.

10. For more details about the Relief Society Magazine, see Patricia Ann Mann, “A History of the Relief Society Magazine, 1914–1970” (master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1971).

11. Our methodology leads to undercounting, given that we did not search other titles (for example, “Jehovah”). Thus, a phrase such as “Jehovah died for the sins of the world” would not have appeared in our search results.

12. In some instances, such as when parts of the OCR were illegible, we analyzed additional portions of the original article.

13. If a second reference appeared within fifty words of the first, it was considered a duplicate and was deleted from the corpus.

14. Emergent coding refers to the process of repeatedly reading qualitative data to identify themes contained in the dataset.

15. Ina, “The Power of Love,” Woman’s Exponent 34, no. 4 (September 1, 1905): 18.

16. “Junior Lessons: The Life of the Savior: Lesson XVII: The Crucifixion, Resurrection, Burial, and Ascension,” Young Woman’s Journal 25, no. 3 (March 1914): 196.

17. Maude Beeley Jacob, “Woman as an Interpreter of the Faith,” Relief Society Magazine 26, no. 7 (July 1939): 437.

18. R. A. S., “Great in Small Things: How to Forgive,” Woman’s Exponent 29, no. 16–17 (January 15, 1901): 73.

19. Faith, “The Legend of the Passion Flower,” Woman’s Exponent 15, no. 1 (June 1, 1886): 1.

20. T., “St. John’s Day in Constantinople,” Woman’s Exponent 15, no. 5 (August 1, 1886): 33.

21. “The Story of the Restoration: Second Year: Lesson XVI: The Resurrection of the Body,” Young Woman’s Journal 23, no. 2 (February 1912): 104.

22. Any quote that received any other code was excluded from the narrative code.

23. Dr. Elvira S. Barney, “Dr. Barney’s Travels in Colorado,” Woman’s Exponent 26, nos. 11–12 (November 1 and 15, 1897): 210.

24. “The Story of the Restoration: Lesson XVIII: The Vision of Glories,” Young Woman’s Journal 38, no. 4 (April 1927): 276.

25. Lydia D. Alder, “A Vision,” Woman’s Exponent 27, nos. 3–4 (July 1, 1898): 11.

26. Jesse Vincent and Rachel Harper did the initial coding; John Hilton III reviewed the coding process and resolved discrepancies in the codes.

27. The raw data was similarly shaped; for precision and to avoid duplication, we include only the normalized chart.

28. Any quote that received any other code was excluded from the narrative code.

29. Christine H. Robinson, “Visiting Teacher Message: Truths to Live By from the Doctrine and Covenants,” Relief Society Magazine 52, no. 7 (July 1965): 541.

30. “Junior Lessons: The Life of the Savior: Lesson XVII: The Crucifixion, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension,” Young Woman’s Journal 25 no. 3 (March 1914): 198.

31. Clara Farnsworth, “Gifts and Giving,” Young Woman’s Journal 35, no. 12 (December 1924): 653.

32. In addition to the quotations cited in the body of the text, we highlight one statement which was unusual in that it highlighted how the Savior’s love for his Father was a key part of Christ’s death. Alice Colton Smith wrote, “Jesus as he hung on the cross sacrificing his life for the love of God and his purposes.” Alice Colton Smith, “Visiting Teacher Message—Truths to Live By: Message 2—Love—a Way to Salvation,” Relief Society Magazine 54, no. 8 (August 1967): 624.

33. Marguerite J. Griffin, “Echoes of Hope,” Relief Society Magazine 33, no. 4 (April 1946): 226.

34. Grace C. Jacobsen, “Gently Calling,” Relief Society Magazine 22, no. 8 (August 1935): 528.

35. “Theology and Testimony,” Relief Society Magazine 11, no. 8 (August 1924): 427.

36. Sarah J. Austin, “Lines,” Woman’s Exponent 19, no. 14 (January 1, 1891): 111.

37. Faith, “The Legend of the Passion Flower,” 1.

38. M. Elizabeth Little, “A Dialogue,” Woman’s Exponent 12, no. 20 (March 15, 1884): 158.

39. “The Sacred Birthday,” Young Woman’s Journal 30, no. 12 (December 1919): 677.

40. Hope, “A Reverie,” Woman’s Exponent 6, no. 15 (January 1, 1878): 115.

41. “The Drawing Power of the Risen Redeemer,” Young Woman’s Journal 26, no. 4 (April 1915): 260.

42. Vina, “Mother and Son,” Woman’s Exponent 19, no. 14 (January 1, 1891): 109.

43. This phraseology seems to be based on a poem titled “Woman” by Eaton Stannard Barrett. In this poem, Barrett writes, “Not she with trait’rous kiss her Master stung, / Not she denied Him with unfaithful tongue; / She, when apostles fled, could danger brave, / Last at His cross, and earliest at His grave.” “Woman” (London: Cox and Baylis, 1819), 34. This poem was both quoted and paraphrased within the corpus and has at times been misattributed to Elizabeth Barrett Browning. See “Lesson III: Literature,” Relief Society Magazine 9, no. 10 (October 1922): 548; and John Bissell Trowbridge, “The Hymns of Fanny Crosby,” The King’s Business 19, no. 3 (March 1928): 157.

44. Phebe C. Young, “Woman and Her Sphere,” Woman’s Exponent 17, no. 18 (February 15, 1889): 139.

45. Lu Dalton, “Woman,” Woman’s Exponent 21, no. 14 (January 15, 1893): 107.

46. “Thoughts,” Woman’s Exponent 27, no. 14 (December 15, 1898): 76.

47. A. B. C.s, “Woman’s Influence,” Woman’s Exponent 18, no. 1 (June 1, 1889): 1, emphasis in original.

48. “Teachers’ Topic for May,” Relief Society Magazine 10, no. 3 (March 1923): 158.

49. Not all of the statements about Christ’s words to his mother were coded as “Women at the cross.” This code was reserved for statements that emphasized the presence of women at the cross, while statements Christ made to Mary from the cross often had a different focus than the presence of women at the cross.

50. Ella F. Smith, “Woman’s Mind Equal to Man’s,” Woman’s Exponent 18, no. 22 (April 15, 1890): 177.

51. Hannah T. King, “Scripture Women,” Woman’s Exponent 6, no. 24 (May 15, 1878): 185.

52. Matthew and Mark each provide one (the same) statement from the Savior on the cross. Luke and John each give three statements from Christ; these statements are unique to their respective Gospels. Because all seven statements are not present in one account, it is difficult to determine their precise order.

53. In addition to the references appearing in this chart, there were eight additional references that were coded under “Statements made from the cross” that, while discussing what Christ said from the cross generally, didn’t explicitly refer to any of these statements.

54. Rosannah C. Irvine, “Relief Society General Conference,” Relief Society Magazine 13, no. 6 (June 1926): 309.

55. “Carry On,” in 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. 255.

56. Ruth May Fox, “He Is Risen,” Young Woman’s Journal 24, no. 4 (April 1913): 208.

57. Elna P. Haymond, “Mother,” Relief Society Magazine 42, no. 5 (May 1955): 288.

58. “As Sisters in Zion,” in Hymns, no. 309.

59. Emily Hill Woodmansee, “Wherefore and Why?,” Woman’s Exponent 8, no. 22 (April 15, 1880): 169.

60. “The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ,” Relief Society Magazine 13, no. 8 (August 1926): 426.

61. “The Story of the Restoration: Lesson XIV: The Salvation of the Dead,” Young Woman’s Journal 24, no. 1 (January 1913): 68.

62. Nina Burnham McKean, “The Message of the Bells,” Relief Society Magazine 9, no. 12 (December 1922): 652.

63. “Nailed to the cross, enduring patiently indescribable agony himself, the Lord Jesus administered comfort to the commiserating malefactor who hung by his side. ‘Today,’ said Jesus, ‘shalt thou be with me in Paradise.’” “The Story of the Restoration: Lesson XIV: The Salvation of the Dead,” Young Woman’s Journal 24, no. 1 (January 1913): 68.

64. “The Divinity of Jesus of Nazareth: Senior Course of Study: Lesson 18—His Death,” Young Woman’s Journal 36, no. 2 (February 1925): 128.

65. Elder Don B. Colton, “Theology—the Life and Ministry of the Savior: Lesson 27—‘Death and Burial’ and ‘In the Realm of Disembodied Spirits,’” Relief Society Magazine 37, no. 9 (September 1950): 628.

66. See John Hilton III, Megan Cutler, and Emily Hyde, “Teachings of Church Leaders on Christ’s Final Seven Statements,” Religious Educator 22, no. 1 (2021): 79–99.

67. While several studies have focused on poetry written by Latter-day Saint women, we are not aware of in-depth study of Latter-day Saint poetry related to Christ’s Crucifixion. For examples of broader, related studies, see Kylie Nielson Turley, “Rhetoric and Ritual: A Decade of Woman’s Exponent Death Poetry,” Journal of Mormon History 32, no. 3 (2006): 54–81; and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher, “Poetry and the Private Lives: Newspaper Verse on the Mormon Frontier,” BYU Studies 25, no. 3 (1985): 55–65.

68. “Prize Christmas Poems,” Young Woman’s Journal 15, no. 12 (December 1904): 570.

69. Kate Thomas, “For Christmas,” Young Woman’s Journal 15, no. 12 (December 1904): 532.

70. Sue S. Beatie, “Our Gift,” Relief Society Magazine 54, no. 2 (February 1967): 151.

71. Hope, “Our Christmas Tree,” Young Woman’s Journal 5, no. 5 (February 1894): 234.

72. “Washington Jottings,” Woman’s Exponent 14, no. 24 (May 15, 1886): 178.

73. E. Addie Heath, “Fanny Fern,” Woman’s Exponent 8, no. 24 (May 15, 1880): 192.

74. Rosabel, “A Few Hints about Flowers,” Woman’s Exponent 8, no. 9 (October 1, 1879): 67.

75. “An Eastern Trip,” Woman’s Exponent 18, no. 13 (December 1, 1889): 100.

76. “Notes and News,” Woman’s Exponent 16, no. 2 (June 15, 1887): 16. The “shocking” part of the dress was not the wearing of the cross, but rather that Jane Dieulafoy wore men’s clothing, something that was illegal in France at that time.

77. “The National Suffrage Association,” Woman’s Exponent 10, no. 2 (June 15, 1881): 15.

78. G. B. W., “An Audience with the Pope,” Woman’s Exponent 41, no. 7 (May 1, 1913): 51.

79. “Mary, Queen of Scotts,” Woman’s Exponent 10, no. 12 (November 15, 1881): 89.

80. Eliza R. Snow, “Correspondence of Miss Snow,” Woman’s Exponent 1, no. 24 (May 15, 1873): 190.

81. Eliza R. Snow, “Correspondence of Miss Snow,” Woman’s Exponent 1, no. 19 (March 1, 1873): 150.

82. Ruth May Fox, “Flags of the Allies,” Young Woman’s Journal 28, no. 7 (July 1917): 373.

83. “The Light of the World,” Relief Society Magazine 20, no. 4 (April 1933): 235.

84. Susa Young Gates, “An Allegory,” Woman’s Exponent 29, no. 15 (January 1, 1901): 67.

85. Fromade, “The City That Beckons the World,” Young Woman’s Journal 26, no. 7 (July 1915): 435.

86. “Mutual Messages,” Young Woman’s Journal 37, no. 11 (November 1926): 742.

87. S. M. Kimball, “Phelps Centennial,” Woman’s Exponent 18, no. 7 (September 1, 1889): 50.

88. Ethel R. Smith, “Relief Society General Conference,” Relief Society Magazine 13, no. 6 (June 1926): 318.

89. “Mission Lessons: Latter-day Saint Hymns,” Relief Society Magazine 28, no. 10 (October 1941): 723–24.

90. Annie, “Christmas,” Woman’s Exponent 10, no. 14 (December 15, 1881): 105.

91. Grace Ingles Frost, “The King,” Relief Society Magazine 10, no. 12 (December 1923): 583.

92. “Vital Problems of Life,” Young Woman’s Journal 32, no. 4 (April 1921): 241.

93. “The Drawing Power of Christ,” Relief Society Magazine 19, no. 4 (April 1932): 238.

94. Lutie H. Fryer, “Peter Paul Rubens,” Young Woman’s Journal 37, no. 9 (September 1926): 561–62.

95. “While of These Emblems We Partake,” in Hymns, nos. 173 and 174.

96. Julia Ward Howe, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Atlantic Monthly 9, no. 52 (February 1862): 10. Also cited in Howard R. Driggs, “America as Reveled in Its Literature: Lesson 7—America through Testing Years,” Relief Society Magazine 34, no. 1 (January 1947): 61. Note that this hymn was written by Julia Ward Howe. Along with other modern versions of this hymn, the 1985 Latter-day Saint hymnbook changes Howe’s original lyrics from “let us die to make men free” to “let us live to make men free.” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” in Hymns, no. 60.

97. Augustus Toplady, “A Living and Dying Prayer for the Holiest Believer in the World,” Gospel Magazine (March 1776): 132, cited in “Lesson III—Literature: ‘Rock of Ages,’” Relief Society Magazine 9, no. 9 (September 1922): 498.

98. Susa Young Gates, “Sacrament Hymn,” Young Woman’s Journal 33, no. 4 (April 1922): 193.

99. M. J. Tanner, “Leaves from My Journal,” Woman’s Exponent 17, no. 14 (December 15, 1888): 111.

100. M. B. Crandal, “Reminiscences of Dublin,” Young Woman’s Journal 7, no. 1 (October 1895): 51.

101. Susa Young Gates, “History of Modern Temple Building,” Young Woman’s Journal 20, no. 1 (January 1909): 26.

102. “Selfishness,” Relief Society Magazine 5, no. 11 (November 1918): 646.

103. “Mission and Suffering of Christ,” Woman’s Exponent 13, no. 1 (June 1, 1884): 1.

104. “Baptism, It’s Efficacy and Symbolism,” Young Woman’s Journal 34, no. 11 (November 1923): 623.

105. Ila Fisher, “My Christmas Prayer,” Relief Society Magazine 4, no. 12 (December 1917): 704.

Jesse Vincent

BYU Studies Publications