"My Indignation Has Got the Better of My Intention": A Case Study in Latter-day Saint and "Gentile" Female Family Correspondence in Nineteenth-Century America.

Martha confessed that she "read and reread [Sarah's letters from April and June of 1880] a number of times", and that doing so caused her "sorrowful feelings."[22] Martha expressed gratitude for the genealogical information Sarah shared but could not agree with Sarah's interpretation of the tragic events concerning their father, Josiah Telle. Although members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared many values with their Christian neighbors, the differences between Mormons and non-Mormons during the nineteenth century were enough to estrange even beloved family members. Despite Sarah's endeavors to connect with Martha, two years passed before Martha responded to Sarah, and although she blamed babies and housework for her delay, her emotional pain was likely the main motivation. Despite the physical distance between Sarah, Tabitha, and Martha, letters indicate that they stayed in communication throughout Martha's childhood and adolescence.[9] After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1865, Martha moved to Utah alone and began teaching. [Extracted from the article]