To help finance the early fairs, life memberships were sold. The fee for membership was nominal, but provided the meager funds required and generated interest in the fair. During the membership drive that followed the 1856 LDS Church General Conference, a message was sent to all the church bishops appointing them and their councilors to be agents of the Society and authorizing them to collect two dollars in dues from each church member. For a number of years, teams of members made annual visits to each ward and stake to plead the cause of the Society and advertise the fair.
