Education Week: Relief Society General Presidency speaks on the power of the organization (2024)

Education Week: Relief Society General Presidency speaks on the power of the organization (1)

The Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught a class as part of BYU Education Week on Monday, Aug. 19, at the Marriott Center. They discussed the Relief Society's role in providing both spiritual and temporal aid and relief to women and children throughout the world.

President Camille N. Johnson on the legacy and mission of the Relief Society

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson began her address by discussing the origins of the Relief Society, noting its establishment on March 17, 1842, when Elder John Taylor proposed changing the name from the Nauvoo Female Relief Society to the Nauvoo Female Benevolent Society.

President Johnson said while "benevolent" was a popular term of the time, Emma Smith and Eliza R. Snow argued that "relief" better captured the organization's mission.

President Johnson noted that the Relief Society was organized alongside the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, with members contributing both physically and spiritually.

“Likewise in this day the Relief Society and its members bring relief to all of God's children, preparing them temporally and spiritually for the blessings of the house of the Lord,” she said.

The core objective of the Relief Society remains unchanged, President Johnson explained.

“Our purpose is to help all of God's children desire and qualify for exaltation in the celestial kingdom,” she said, adding that the Relief Society's vision is to foster a covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ as a vital step toward eternal life.

President Johnson drew from the Book of Mormon to recount the story of Korihor, who preached against the prophets and mocked ordinances as bondage.

"Let us not be naive to Satan's tactics, particularly with us," she said. "The same tactics Korihor used to lead away many women are being employed against us now."

Education Week: Relief Society General Presidency speaks on the power of the organization (2)

President Johnson encouraged attendees to understand that a covenant relationship with God is liberating, not limiting.

In closing, President Johnson invited attendees to reflect on how they have felt God's love in the past week and shared her testimony of God's support.

"Whenever we bring relief to others, temporal or spiritual, we are bringing them the love and relief of Jesus Christ and will be blessed to find our own relief in Him," she said.

Sister J. Anette Dennis on Ministering as the Savior Would

Following President Johnson, General Relief Society First Counselor Sister J. Anette Dennis spoke about ministering in the manner of the Savior.

“Ministering is not about checklists," she said, "it is about relationships, our relationship with others and with God.”

She referenced section 21 of the Church's General Handbook, which reads, “‘Ministering means serving others as the Savior did. He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around him.’”

Sister Dennis expressed her appreciation for the concept of ministering as trusted friends and spiritual first responders.

She shared a story about a ministering sister in a stake in New Zealand who, after experiencing a separation from her husband, found herself most active online during late hours. Her ministering sister decided to reach out and support her by staying up late to message her online, addressing the times when the woman felt especially lonely.

“By seeking the Lord’s inspiration, this ministering sister was led to a very unique way she could help and ultimately that inspired ministering that led this sister back to the temple and the blessings of a covenant relationship with God,” Sister Dennis said.

Sister Dennis highlighted that ministering out of a sense of duty alone is not sustainable long-term.

“The Savior’s example is one of individual ministering and love. As we practice ministering as the Savior would, we will be transformed to become like Him. Ministering will become who we are, not just what we do,” she concluded.

Education Week: Relief Society General Presidency speaks on the power of the organization (3)

Sister Kristin M. Yee on the Church’s Global Initiative for Women and Children

The concluding speaker, General Relief Society Second Counselor Sister Kristin M. Yee, spoke about the Church’s Global Initiative for Women and Children.

The initiative, announced in June 2024, has four areas of focus: child nutrition, immunizations, maternal and newborn care and education.

“We bring His relief to all of God’s children and we do so by His spirit, His delegated priesthood authority, and His priesthood power which we receive through keeping our covenants," Sister Yee said.

As part of this initiative, the First Presidency approved a $55.8 million Church-led project to accelerate nutrition and healthcare improvement in countries around the globe.

“This is just the beginning of something extraordinary that will bless the lives of so many who will give and receive the Savior’s relief today and in the years to come,” Sister Yee said.

She also noted that some of the best humanitarian aid is close to home, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to those in one's local community.

“Sisters, we have been entrusted with the sacred work of bringing the Savior’s relief temporally and spiritually to all the world and we can do so by tending to those within our own spheres of influence,” she said.

She highlighted a list of 25 ways to participate in the Global Initiative for Women and Children and a video, encouraging sisters to think and pray about how they can contribute within their own spheres of influence which can be found at caring.churchofjesuschrist.org.

The meeting ended with Sister Yee bearing her testimony and concluding remarks from President Johnson on the power of the Relief Society.

Education Week: Relief Society General Presidency speaks on the power of the organization (4)

Education Week: Relief Society General Presidency speaks on the power of the organization (2024)

FAQs

What is the role of the president of the Relief Society? ›

Finally, the Relief Society president is responsible to administer the work of the Relief Society organization. She and her counselors oversee meetings, activities, and service efforts to ensure that they build faith, strengthen families, and provide relief to others.

What should I focus as Relief Society president? ›

The following leadership principles will help you, the Relief Society president, and her counselors as you seek to bless the sisters in your ward:
  • Prepare spiritually.
  • Counsel together.
  • Minister to others.
  • Teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Administer the organization.

Who is the current General Relief Society president? ›

President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president.

Why is the Relief Society important to the LDS Church? ›

Blessings of Belonging to Relief Society: The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord's organization for sisters in the Church. The purpose of Relief Society is to assist priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of the Church by helping sisters and families come unto Christ.

What is the goal of the Relief Society? ›

Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and work in unity to help those in need.

What are the duties of the Relief Society? ›

Relief Societies meet on Sundays for the following purposes:
  • Strengthen faith.
  • Build unity.
  • Strengthen families and homes.
  • Coordinate efforts to assist God in His work of salvation and exaltation in the ward.

Does the Relief Society President hold keys? ›

No priesthood keys were delivered to the Relief Society. Keys are conferred on individuals, not organizations. The same is true of priesthood authority and of the related authority exercised under priesthood direction. Organizations may channel the exercise of such authority, but they do not embody it.

How long do Relief Society presidents serve? ›

This can be especially important for leaders of youth and children as well as presidents of the Relief Society and elders quorum. The ideal length of service for leaders varies, but two to five years are often sufficient.

Do you call Relief Society President President? ›

Please Refer To Relief Society Presidents As “President”, Not “Sister”

Does the General Relief Society president get paid? ›

Leaders at the local level—that is, bishops, stake presidents, relief society presidents, elders quorum presidents, and other leaders or auxiliary workers—do not receive any kind of pay for the temporary, volunteer service they render.

Who started Relief Society? ›

Founded as the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo in 1842, the organization has operated as a charitable, educational, and religious sisterhood for most of the 150 years since its establishment under the direction of Latter-day Saint prophet Joseph Smith.

Who is the first counselor in the Relief Society presidency? ›

Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, speaks in the Relief Society broadcast March 17, 2024.

What is the motto of the Relief Society? ›

The motto “Charity Never Faileth” expresses the commitment of Relief Society members to love and nurture one another and to minister graciously to the needs of Church members and others.

What is the divine purpose of the Relief Society? ›

The purposes of Relief Society give sisters divine direction in their efforts to build the Lord's kingdom. As sisters fulfill these purposes, they prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life. Relief Society leaders labor to help sisters learn and fulfill their duties.

Why was Relief Society disbanded? ›

The tensions surrounding plural marriage seem to have led some church leaders to lose confidence in the Relief Society sometime in the spring or summer of 1844. Neither the minutes nor other sources document additional Relief Society meetings during 1844, and by spring 1845 the society was defunct.

What does a stake Relief Society President do? ›

The stake Relief Society presidency consists of a president and two counselors. They are spiritual leaders in the effort to support, encourage, and instruct ward Relief Society leaders.

Should Relief Society President be called President? ›

Please Refer To Relief Society Presidents As “President”, Not “Sister”

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 5697

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.