January 2017 Visiting Teaching Bookmark-The Purpose of Relief Society

The purpose of Relief Society is to “prepare women for the blessings of eternal life,” says Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President. It is through faith, family, and relief that we engage in our “vital part in the work.”

Relief Society “is a temporal and spiritual work,” says Carole M. Stephens, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. “That is what the women did in the Savior’s day, and that is what we continue to do.”

As we look to the Samaritan woman at the well, who left her water pot and ran to tell others that Jesus was a prophet (John 4:6–42), or to Phebe, who joyfully served others throughout her life (Romans 16:1–2), we see examples of women in the Savior’s day who took an active part in coming unto Christ. It is He who opens our way to eternal life (John 3:16).

As we look to our pioneer sisters in Nauvoo, Illinois, who gathered in Sarah Kimball’s home in 1842 to form their own organization, we see God’s plan for bringing Relief Society into being and in line with the priesthood. After Eliza R. Snow wrote a constitution, the Prophet Joseph Smith reviewed it. He realized that the Church was not fully organized until the women were organized. He said that the Lord accepted their offering but that there was something better. “I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood,” he said.

Additional Scriptures and Information                             Doctrine and Covenants 25:2–3, 10;  88:73;  reliefsociety.lds.org 

Emma Smith conducted Relief Society meetings.

Emma Smith, by Robert Barrett. © 1991 Robert Barrett.

The Relief Society was not just another group of women trying to do good in the world. It was different. It was “something better” because it was organized under priesthood authority.Its organization was a necessary step in the unfolding of God’s work on the earth. It prepared the women of the Church to receive priesthood ordinances and covenants, and it helped them with their family responsibilities.  

Listen to music about this photoWomen of today discover the power and goodness of Jesus Christ in the different phases and events of their own lives, just as the women of His era did...through a spiritual connection with Him. the Lord is the "Living Water", and life to our souls. Our spirits need Him to live and to thrive, as well as to replenish and to heal.

Consider This:                                                                                                          How does Relief Society help women fulfill Heavenly Father’s divine role for them and lead them to eternal life?