Church History Gems - 16 October 2009

Advancement of Women

"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

Topics: Relief Society, Knowledge, Charity

Daily Gems - 13 May 2009

Strengthening Families and Homes

"[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

Topics: Relief Society, Family, Womanhood

Daily Gems - 31 March 2009

Prepare for Blessings of Eternal Life

"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.

"To fulfill the prupose of Relief Society, the Lord has commissioned each Relief Society sister and the organization as a whole to:

"1. Increase in faith and personal righteousness.

"2. Strengthen families and homes.

"3. Serve the Lord and His children.

"Each one of these responsibilities supports and reinforces the other two. When we increase our faith, the result of that effort strengthens our family. When we serve the Lord and His children, our faith and capacity for righteousness increase."

Julie B. Beck, "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 109

Topics: Exaltation, Relief Society, Spirituality

Daily Gems - 24 March 2009

Women's Specific Assignments

"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

Topics: Duty, Womanhood, Relief Society

Church History Gems - 30 April 2008

Divinely Instituted

"Relief Society was not man-made or woman-made. It was, as President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) explained, 'divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and of men' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 184)."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Oh, How We Need Each Other!" Ensign, Mar. 2004, 16-17

Topics: Relief Society

Church History Gems - 28 April 2008

Personal Tribute

"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

Topics: Relief Society

Daily Gems - 14 January 2008

Relief Society Stands for Love

"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

Topics: Relief Society

Daily Gems - 26 December 2007

What Relief Society Gives to Women

"Relief Society. . . . gives [women] opportunity for growth and development. It gives them status as queens in their own households. It gives them place and position, where they grow as they exercise their talents. It gives them pride and direction in family life. It gives them added appreciation for good, eternal companions and children.

"What a glorious organization Relief Society is. There is nothing to compare with it in all the world.

"May the Lord bless each of you with these marvelous qualities that come of activity in the great Relief Society organization."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "In the Arms of His Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 118

Topics: Relief Society

Daily Gems - 21 March 2007

No Organization Can Compare with It

"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

Topics: Relief Society

Daily Gems - 1 March 2007

Christ's Love Will Sustain Us

"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

Topics: Charity, Relief Society

Young Single Adult Gems - 26 February 2007

Miraculous Effects on the Lives of Millions of Women

"[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

Topics: Relief Society