Purpose

 
The Purpose of Relief Society is to bring relief to the poor and to save souls.  Each new General Presidency has emphasized an aspect of this purpose.  Sis. Beck’s emphasis for us today is 1)  Increase faith and personal righteousness, 2)  Strengthen home and family, 3)  Serve the Lord and His children.

Other presidencies have emphasized the Relief Society Declaration, Personal Enrichment, Homemaking Skills, Social and Welfare concerns, etc.

Following are quotes where these ideas are expounded:

“The society could provoke the brethren to good works, look after the needs of the poor, and perform charitable acts.  Women must assist in correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community.”  Joseph Smith

“The members of the society must act in concert, or nothing can be accomplished…this must be a select society, separate from the evils of the world.”  Joseph Smith

“Let kindness, charity and love crown your work.”  Joseph Smith

“The vision of Relief Society…was to better prepare for the terrible challenges ahead.”  Amy Brown Lyman

“The purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life.”  Julie Beck

“This society is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls. ”    Joseph Smith

“The Lord has declared, ‘If ye are not one ye are not mine.’  We will continue to be united in one purpose–namely, the furtherance of the work of the Lord.”    Thomas S. Monson

”We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.”  Lucy Mack Smith
 

My purpose in creating this blog has several aspects: 

1) The original idea came when I realized many women in the church didn’t seem to know much about the history of Relief Society, or the great sisters that knew and rubbed shoulders with the Prophet Joseph.   
2)                  I also feel sisters don’t understand their potential, in terms of being an active recipient, and co-exerciser, of the Priesthood, as well as our part in preparing a world to receive our Savior and King.
3)                  Sisters have been given power to teach and lead people to the gospel.  There should be more of us taking a stand for righteousness.  Let us stand together, uplifting, motivating, serving, and inspiring one another.
4)                  I believe Relief Society should be a place where women feel safe, vital, and energized.  Too often I have seen women coddled, ignored, and beaten down.  I hope this sight is a motivation to you, dear sister, to make the needed changes within, as well as around you.  I support you in your daily efforts, I believe in you, I know you can do anything.  Let’s do it together.
5)                  Living the gospel fully can be frustrating and lonely.  I believe there are enough of us out there to know we are not alone.  We just need to connect in better ways.  If there is one sister out there I can bring hope to…
6)                  Relief Society is not a social club; it is not an option.  Relief Society is an organization given to us by God Himself, through his living prophet, to work hand and hand with the Priesthood in preparing a people for the Savior’s Coming.
7)                  I love the gospel; I love the sisters of the church, and I feel I have something to share.