2023
A Missionary Pioneer
March 2023


A Missionary Pioneer

Born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, in 1846, Lydia Dunford Alder was a pioneer in Salt Lake City, a women’s rights activist, and a writer.

However, her most important contribution to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was her mission to England from 1899 to 1901. She served primarily in London, Sittingbourne, Stratford, and Watford, as well as in areas of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and France. Sister Alder’s mission paved the way for the leadership of the Church to realise the importance of sister missionary work.

Although women had occasionally done missionary work with their husbands since 1840, they were almost never formally called by Church leadership to serve until 1898.1 Sister Alder was the first unmarried sister missionary older than thirty, and the first widowed sister missionary formally called to proselyte for the Church.2

Emmeline B. Wells, who later served as the fifth General Relief Society President, wrote to Sister Alder on her mission emphasizing that she was a forerunner for future lady missionaries: “lady missionaries are an experiment now, and I want you to adapt yourself to conditions; do not get discouraged and come home.”3

While Sister Alder endured many hardships, including sickness, family deaths, and persecution for her faith, she wrote that she “loved the work”4 and that “many people were converted.”5

Apostle George Q. Morris (1874–1962), who served his mission with Sister Alder, wrote that she “did an excellent work withal, a better work than many a younger and stronger missionary.”6 Sister Alder’s work convinced this future Apostle that sister missionaries were a necessity for growing Zion. In a letter to her he wrote, “Since coming in touch with the work of the sister missionaries, I have always been an advocate for them. In most ways they stand equal to the brethren; in many ways they are able to do more than the brethren ordinarily are able to do.”7

Notes

  1. See Calvin S. Kunz, “A History of Female Missionary Activity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1830–1898” 31, Brigham Young University Library, Provo.

  2. “A Spiritual Awakening,” Woman’s Exponent, 15 August/1 Sept. 1899, 44.

  3. Lydia D. Alder, “Missionary Experiences,” Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 1910, 18.

  4. Lydia D. Alder, “Missionary Experiences.” Woman’s Exponent, Aug. 1910, 11.

  5. “Lady Missionaries Return,” Salt Lake Tribune, June 19, 1901.

  6. George Q. Morris, “Mrs. Alder’s Letter from England,” Woman’s Exponent, Nov. 1901, 43.

  7. George Q. Morris, “Mrs. Alder’s Letter from England,” 43.