President Henry B. Eyring on the purpose of the Relief Society and its legacy: Those who went before you have passed on a great legacy. Keeping gospel covenants changes hearts and creates feelings of charity. The Relief Society legacy is passed from heart to heart.

When we gather under the banner of Relief Society we must spend our precious time and consecrated funds to help women learn and practice skills that will help them:

Increase faith and personal righteousness.
Strengthen families and homes.
Provide service to those in need.

A message from Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:

Relief Society is to help women in their progress toward eternal life. We are to help sisters make and keep covenants—to live the gospel in a better, stronger way. Plan meetings that will equip them for what they have to do. Help fortify them in the time of a determined and a deceitful enemy. As you plan and organize, you can have clear vision and heaven’s assistance. Remember that you are not in the entertainment business. You are in the business of salvation.

You will receive the help of the Holy Spirit as you focus on essentials and will be given the courage to forego the frivolous.

As leaders of Relief Society, you can help every sister in every home in every ward and branch become self-reliant. They should be laying up a store of money, food, and skills, which will sustain them and their families in perilous times. This is part of your work.

The friendship and sociality that make life so much sweeter will be a natural by-product of our efforts. Focusing on relief will always build sociality, whereas focusing on sociality may not always bring relief.

(See Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Ensign and Liahona, Nov. 2007, 109–12.)