Mormon Women Celebrate Anniversary of ‘Relief Society

Latter-day Saint Women Celebrate Anniversary of ‘Relief Society’
16 March 2011

AUCKLAND, New Zealand —

Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will mark the 169th anniversary of one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s organizations, the Relief Society, tomorrow.

There are over 5 million Mormon women in the organization in over 170 countries. It was founded by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo Illinois on 17 March 1842. His wife, Emma, was the Relief Society’s first president.

According to the organization’s website: “When the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society he taught that this organization was part of the Restoration and was organized for ‘the relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan’ (History of the Church, 4:567). In addition he taught that the Relief Society was ‘not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls’ (History of the Church, 5:25). This is our purpose.”

The worldwide organization is led by three women, Julie Beck, Sylvia Allred and Barbara Thompson. In each Latter-day Saint ward (congregation) three women provide local leadership to the women in that group.

Three women who are members of the Relief Society recently shared their feelings about being a part of this organization that has global reach but also focuses on serving the individual.

Eileen Mueller, Wellington:
Relief Society is a worldwide network of women — friends — united by common beliefs and faith. We laugh together, cry together, grieve together, work together, play together and serve one another and our communities in times of stress or hardship. It is a loving community that teaches us to rise above our challenges and be a better mother, sister, friend, spouse and human being. I have learned my most valuable lessons in life among the comforting arms of women I have met in Relief Society, especially as my family battled health issues with our newborn twins, and later the death of a seemingly healthy child. We teach each other life skills and pool our knowledge to help raise our standards of living, health and quality of lifestyle. We share love together. I have participated in Relief Society in many different countries over the world. One thing is always the same — the love we feel for one another — love inspired by our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Holly Atkinson, Canberra:
Relief Society is a place where I can feel accepted for my beliefs and supported in my desire to be a better woman. Relief Society has given me the benefit of being able to listen to a wonderful cross-section of women. Women whose lives, opinions and desires matter. I feel that knowing more about others has helped me to be able better connect with who I am and who I can choose to become.

Tina Dil, Auckland:
I have been actively involved in the Relief Society organization for more than forty years. It sustained and encouraged me through the challenges of being a young wife and mother of four children. It continues to do so today, when I am now a grandmother of eight. The inspired intent of this society is to build individual faith, strengthen families and to be a source of service to others. I know it has helped me do these things. It has helped me understand that I am a loved daughter of a caring Heavenly Father; that he has a plan for me and that I need to live my life with eternal perspective and intent. This vision keeps the trials of mortality, which we all have, in perspective. Relief society has not only helped me keep my sense of self as a woman through the decades, but it has enhanced my understanding of how precious EVERY woman is in the eyes of God.
Read more about the Relief Society here.
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