August 6, 2025, 11:00am mdt
After being baptized in 1831, Vienna Jaquez sold her property and in 1832 left a comfortable life in Boston, Massachusetts, joining the saints of Kirtland, Ohio.
My single sister in the mid-40s later consecrated a significant amount ($1,400) to the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ, who was in the process of purchasing the land at Kirtland Temple.
On March 8, 1833, Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation called Veen to go to Zion in Jackson County, Missouri.
“My handmade Vienna Jaquet should pay her expenses and receive money to go up to Zion’s land,” reads Doctrine and Contract 90:28-31. “Well, I have come to my eyes that she should go up to the land of Zion and receive an inheritance from the hands of the bishop.
Jax is one of two women mentioned in the name of Doctrine and Covenant. The other is Emma Smith, wife of Section 25 Prophet Joseph Smith.
Brent Rogers, a historian in the Church’s history department, said Jaquez couldn’t find peace in Ohio, Missouri or Illinois.
“She joins the church, gives this incredible donation and promises a great blessing that she thinks she has finally been fulfilled, but that’s not the case until after many trials and journeys,” said Rogers, who studied and wrote about Jerk’s life. “That’s pretty neat.”
Jaques’ life of faith and devotion is less well known among Latter-day Saints today. For more information about Jaques and Doctrine and Covenants Section 90, members will learn section 90 of the “Come, Follow Me” curriculum during the week of August 18th-24th. Here are five interesting facts about her life.
1. Jerk conversion
Born June 10, 1787 in Essex County, Massachusetts, Jaquez was an independent woman who lived in Boston with economic independence.
At age 44, she met a missionary and obtained a copy of the Book of Mormon. She wasn’t interested at first and set it aside for a while.
When she picks it up again, Jaquez decides to engage it with a prayer that he sincerely hopes whether it is truly from God or not.
“She said that when she read the Book of Mormon, her heart was ‘illuminated’ and felt it was a true Bible and that this was a revelation from God,” Rogers said.
After reading the Book of Mormon, Jaquez traveled alone from Boston to Kirtland, witnessing the church in person. She was baptized in July 1831 by Emmer Harris, a brother to Mormon witness Martin Harris.
After a while, she heard Joseph Smith preach about the Israeli gathering and was fascinated by the idea. She returned to Boston with several copies of the Book of Mormon and actively shared her new faith with others.
2. A letter of comfort
After donating her money to the church, Jaquez traveled to Jackson County in hoping to receive the promised blessings. However, five weeks after she arrived, the violence began.
According to chapter 16 of “Saints: Volume 1,” Jaquez witnessed the attack and feathers of Bishop Edward Partridge.
Jaquez wrote to Joseph Smith and received a comforting response on September 4, 1833.
“I often whispered after receiving your letter,” Joseph wrote. “Joseph, you thank your God for the offering of your sister Viana (Vienna): Words to the unworthy handmade.”
3. Witness to the First Baptism of the Dead
In August 1840, in Nauvoo, Illinois, Joseph Smith introduced the doctrine of baptism for the dead while preaching a funeral. This doctrine allows church members to implement proxy ordinances for their deceased ancestors.
The following month, Jane Neyman, whose son recently passed away without baptism, convinced Harvey Olmsted to baptize him in the Mississippi River.
Hearing this, Jaquez rode her horse into the river a little further away, becoming the first witness to the baptism for the dead.
Later that day, when he learned of this, Joseph Smith asked him to explain the ceremony. She did and he confirmed the verification.
“She is a witness to this very monumental event setting the stage for baptism ordinances and spiritual work for the dead,” Rogers said.
While in Naubou, Jaquez acted as a proxy for more than 50 baptisms for the dead, most of which were for her own ancestors. She also received the temple’s covenant on January 22, 1846, and then drove her own wagon team across the plains.
4. Independence, service-oriented
Jaquez arrived at Salt Lake Valley in early October 1847 and lived in wagons for most of his first year.
In the fall of 1848, she wrote to Brigham Young to request land to build a house. Her request was quickly approved.
Jaquez was hardworking in caring for her livestock, growing her garden, caring for herself, and serving the people around her. She works for the Salt Lake District 12 Relief Society and often shared her testimony.
“There are times when Relief Society shows that she provided advice and a huge piece of wisdom,” Rogers said. “There is a lot of evidence of sharing the means and excess with those in need, such as calico, clothing, food, milk, and more, with those in need.
Jaquez passed away on February 7, 1884 at the age of 96 at his home in Salt Lake City.
5. New monument
Rogers was motivated to learn more about Jerk after discovering that her birth year was wrong in her grave at Salt Lake Cemetery.
On May 10, the Ensign Peak Foundation, a private foundation that helps churches celebrate and preserve their history, set up a new monument in Jaques’ cemetery with correct information.
“Everyday and extraordinary”
Looking back at what he learned from her, Rogers said Jaquez’s life was both “ordinary and extraordinary.”
“She did things that are everyday, small and simple, and that’s how she made great things come true,” he said. “She was full of prayer, she did everyday things like looking for opportunities to recognize and serve others, and when those opportunities were presented, she was very consistent. She was always ready for those moments.
Rogers also praises Jaquez’s immobility for believing in the Lord’s promise that she will find peace unless she is faithful and lazy. She “had a life of faith through many trials and difficulties,” he said. “It gives me the peace that I can be blessed if I do the little, everyday things that the Lord commands us.”
