Elizabeth Fetzer Bates

Who was Elizabeth Fetzer Bates?

Elizabeth Fetzer Bates was a Latter-day Saint musician, most noted for being the author of the children's song "Book of Mormon Stories".

Bates was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to John Fetzer and his wife Margaret Baer. She was the older sister of Emil B. Fetzer. Elizabeth graduated from LDS Business College. She then served as a Mormon missionary in the Northern States Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in Chicago.

In 1934 Elizabeth married Lucian Bates in the Salt Lake Temple. They eventually had six children.

Although Elizabeth Bates lost her sight in 1951, she was still an active member of her community and her church. For a time Bates was the executive secretary to Utah governor Herbert B. Maw. She was also a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She also earned several degrees at the University of Utah. Besides "Book of Mormon Stories", Bates also wrote the song "Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked". Both songs are included in the LDS Church's Children's Songbook.