The History of the Relief Society

 What is the difference between our Relief Society and a Society organized by a bunch of women?  With all the truth we have been flooded with, what are we, as women of God, doing with it?  I have learned for myself this answer:  We are in partnership with the men to bring salvation to all the children of God.  The women bring children into the world and the men administer the saving ordinances (which all must receive).  Together we nurture, teach, and raise up all mankind to stand before the Lord. Relief Society Origins

According to Eliza R. Snow, Joseph Smith explained that a Women’s Organization has always existed alongside the Priesthood, since the beginning of the world. Elect Lady   Think about that:  The women in God’s church have always been organized to perform their purposes.  Joseph Smith said himself that “the Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized.”  Sarah Granger Kimball That means Eve organized her daughters; Sarah, her women folk.  For me, that paints a picture of importance in the structure of our Church, and a weighty responsibility.  I believe that responsibility was unveiled in the first Relief Society meetings where a vision was played out. The Minutes to the very first Relief Society Meeting

When Emma Smith was called as the First Relief Society President of this dispensation, she was called an Elect Lady (D&C 25).  An Elect Lady is called with the authority of God, to act in His name, alongside the Priesthood. The Priesthood and the Relief Society We are all Elect Ladies, who, upon entering the waters of baptism, have made an oath and covenant to serve God.  Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood These oaths include our baptismal covenants, our temple covenants, and everything in between.  It is the same for the men.

At baptism, we willingly took upon us the name of Jesus Christ, we will always remember Him and we are willing to keep His commandments.  By having the Spirit always with us, we are able to do all of these (Moroni 4:3).  We also are willing to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God in all ways, even until death (Mosiah 18:8-9).  As well, we should look forward, with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having our hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another (Mosiah 18:21).  Every child of our Heavenly Father has this directive.  We are commanded to use our innate gifts and foreordained responsibilities to accomplish these tasks—or proof of our desires—on this earth.

Joseph came to the first RS meetings many times to organize and place in order the Relief Society.  He wanted the women to understand their proper place in the eternities.  It was at a much higher place than the women saw themselves.  When Joseph announced that he was turning the key to the Relief Society, the women now had a direct conduit to the Lord to do what we saw fit in His Holy name.  Just as Moses, Elias, and Elijah came to Joseph to give him the keys of this dispensation, Joseph, in turn, gave the women the keys to do our part which is:  1) help gather Israel—the first step toward missionary work is softening hearts through service and taking care of temporal needs in order to reach the spiritual needs.  2) help perfect the Saints—knowing and understanding “the Big Picture” puts us in a position to stand on a hill, be a light unto the world, set the example for greatness.  3) help redeem the dead—we want all to receive the blessings in store for the children of God; millions upon billions upon so many more whose lives have been forgotten (D&C 110:11-15).  We Are All Relief Society Indeed, we are no ordinary society.  It doesn’t matter where, or how we serve, but that we serve, and devote our lives to the cause of truth.  We are great women serving alongside great men.

We carry salvation on our lips.  We carry the work of love in our hands and arms.  We carry eternity in our eyes and in our hearts.  Let us leave the world behind, make ourselves known for good, and influence others to come along.