Relief Society

“Just remember that the legacy is passed from heart to heart. Charity, the pure love of Christ, is part of the mighty change of heart which the Lord promises to His faithful disciples. So it is not hard to see what simple things you can and must do to pass the legacy along.” (Henry B. Eyring, “The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 121–25)

"In the initial meetings of Relief Society, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the society 'is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls.' (Minutes, 9 June 1842, p. 63; History of the Church, 5:25.) A later First Presidency explained: 'One of the purposes of the organization of the Relief Society was that a system might be inaugurated by which study of religious subjects, or Church doctrine and government, might be pursued by women. The administration of charity under the direction of the Bishopric . . . was to be part of their active work. But this was not intended to absorb their activities to the exclusion of the development of faith, and the advancement of women in literary, social and domestic activities of life.' (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 5:217)."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "The Relief Society and the Church," Ensign, May 1992, 34)

"[Women are] to strengthen families and homes. Families worldwide are being assaulted and weakened by corrupt practices and false teachings. . . .

The First Presidency has counseled, 'However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform' (First Presidency letter, Feb. 11, 1999). . . .

Relief Society should be organized, aligned, and mobilized to strengthen families and help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world."
(Julie B. Beck, "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 110).

"This year we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Relief Society. Women of the Church rejoice as they reflect on past achievements of their organization and, with foresight coupled with faith, meet today's challenges and plan for future accomplishments. "President Benson has singled out two members of the Relief Society for his personal tribute. He said: 'I pay grateful tribute to two elect women who have influenced my life—my mother, and my own sweetheart and eternal companion. I thank God that they have used their womanly attributes of compassion and charity to bless my life and the lives of their posterity' (Ezra Taft Benson, address at the Nauvoo Monument dedicatory services, "To the Elect Women of the Kingdom of God," 20 June 1978)." (Thomas S. Monson, "Memories of Yesterday, Counsel for Today," Ensign, May 1992, 4)

"Relief Society stands for love. What a remarkable thing it is to witness the love of good women one for another. They mingle together in the bonds of love with friendship and respect for each other. This organization is actually the only resource that many women have for friendly association. "It is the natural instinct of women to reach out in love to those in distress and need" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "In the Arms of His Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 115-16).

"This organization is divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and of men. Therefore there is not any organization that can compare with it, . . . that can ever occupy the same stand and platform that this can. . . .

Make [Relief Society] first, make it foremost, make it the highest, the best and the deepest of any organization in existence in the world. You are called by the voice of the Prophet of God to do it, to be uppermost, to be the greatest and the best, the purest and the most devoted to the right" (Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 184).

"Just as the motto of Relief Society reminds us that 'charity never faileth,' we must believe that the love of Christ will never fail us. All that we do in Relief Society should reflect the love of our Savior and the love of our Heavenly Father. This great love should be the source of our motivation to serve others. It must be both our point of origin and our destination!" (Bonnie D. Parkin, "Eternally Encircled in His Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 108)

"[Women of the Church] have experienced much of heaven on earth as in life they have cherished one another, comforted one another, and instructed one another. Who can gauge the miraculous effects upon the lives of millions of women whose knowledge has been increased, whose vision has been extended, whose lives have been broadened, and whose understanding of the things of God has been enriched by reason of countless lessons effectively taught and learned in meetings of the Relief Society?" (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Video: Instruments in the Hands of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 105)

"Just as the motto of Relief Society reminds us that 'charity never faileth,' we must believe that the love of Christ will never fail us. All that we do in Relief Society should reflect the love of our Savior and the love of our Heavenly Father. This great love should be the source of our motivation to serve others. It must be both our point of origin and our destination!" (Bonnie D. Parkin, "Eternally Encircled in His Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 108).

"[Women of the Church] have experienced much of heaven on earth as in life they have cherished one another, comforted one another, and instructed one another. Who can gauge the miraculous effects upon the lives of millions of women whose knowledge has been increased, whose vision has been extended, whose lives have been broadened, and whose understanding of the things of God has been enriched by reason of countless lessons effectively taught and learned in meetings of the Relief Society?" (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Video: Instruments in the Hands of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 105).

"Just as the Savior invited Mary and Martha of New Testament times to participate in His work, women of this dispensation have an official commission to participate in the Lord's work. . . . The organization of Relief Society in 1842 mobilized the collective power of the women and their specific assignments to build the Lord's kingdom, just as the organization of priesthood quorums gave men specific responsibilities. . . . "Through Relief Society, women have an official role in the Church with great responsibilities, 'including working in the temple and teaching the gospel' (Dallin H. Oaks, 'The Priesthood and the Auxiliaries,' Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 17). Further, Relief Society is to help women 'plant and make grow . . . a testimony of [Jesus] Christ and of the Gospel' (The First Presidency, 'Memorandum of Suggestions,' Mar. 29, 1940, 2), 'strengthen the family and the home' (Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 17), and 'attend to all family duties' (D&C 20:47)." (Julie B. Beck, "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 108–9).