About the Relief Society
A Brief History of the Relief Society
On March 17, 1842, twenty women and three men gathered in the upper room of the Red Brick Store in Nauvoo. There, Joseph Smith, Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized the women of the Church. Just moments before, Emma Smith (1842-1844) had been unanimously elected as the first president of this society dedicated to service by her peers, who loved her and knew well her compassionate nature.
The Relief Society grew in membership and scope during its two-year life in Nauvoo as the sisters followed the Prophet’s instructions to “not only relieve the poor, but to save souls,” to instruct, and to “strengthen the virtues of the community.” Due to escalating persecution of the Saints, which resulted in not only the martyrdom of the Prophet in 1844, but also in the expulsion of the Saints from Illinois, the Relief Society organization was disbanded for 20 years. However, during this period, the women continued to serve those in need, meet informally to sew and spin, and to strengthen each other spiritually.
The Relief Society was thus reorganized in a new place—Salt Lake City, under a new prophet—Brigham Young, and with a new president—Eliza R. Snow (1866-1881). During the latter part of the19th century, the Relief Society, with Zina D. H. Young (1881-1901) as president, headed projects in grain storage, sericulture (producing silk), improving health care, and publishing a newspaper, The Woman’s Exponent. Relief Society sisters became involved in the national woman’s suffrage movement to regain voting privileges rescinded by anti-polygamy legislation.
The early 20th century brought changes as membership grew; the general Relief Society presidency could no longer visit all local units. Thus, under the direction of 4th president Bathsheba W. Smith (1901-1910), they published a handbook, charged dues, established office headquarters, and began to publish uniform lessons, which focused on a particular topic each week of the month, including theology, culture, and homemaking. During Emmeline B. Wells’ (1910-1921) tenure, the Relief Society Magazine replaced the Woman’s Exponent. To expand charity work, the Relief Society established a Social Services Department. Money from the wheat trust fund allowed the Relief Society, led by 6th president Clarissa S. Williams (1921-1928), to direct improvement in maternal and baby care during the 1920s. During the Depression years, among other endeavors, the Relief Society established Mormon Handicraft, an outlet for women’s handicrafts. The Singing Mothers’ choruses, with their characteristic white blouses and dark skirts, was named by 7th president, Louise Y. Robison (1928-1939), who felt that “a singing mother makes a happy home.” With World War II and its resulting fragmentation of families and many women working outside the home, the Relief Society, guided by Amy Brown Lyman (1940-1945), emphasized strengthening the home and family and improving social conditions. It also encouraged sisters to learn nursing and first-aid training and to help relieve war-torn areas.
Following the war, as the Church itself began to expand significantly beyond the Western United States, the Relief Society became increasingly international. During Belle S. Spafford’s (1945-1974) nearly 30-year administration, the roles of women in the world also began to change, bringing new challenges to Latter-day Saint sisters and families. Cultural refinement lessons were added to the curriculum and the Relief Society Building, long in planning and fundraising, was dedicated in 1956.
The Relief Society experienced many changes during the last third of the 20th century. The Church instituted the Correlation program, which brought all auxiliaries, lessons, finances, and magazines under priesthood direction. Thus the Relief Society Magazine was discontinued, and the Relief Society no longer raised funds for its operation. General Relief Society presidents served for shorter terms, from 5 to 10 years. Barbara B. Smith (1974-1984), the 10th president, oversaw the restructuring of the organization, helped to meet needs of a more diverse membership, and planned the Nauvoo Monument to Women, featuring the various roles of women.
Barbara W. Winder’s (1984-1990) administration further streamlined the Relief Society organization by eliminating stake boards and allowing greater flexibility in ward boards and introducing the personal study guides, with all lessons scripturally based. During Elaine L. Jack’s (1990-1997) tenure, the Relief Society celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1992 through service and a satellite broadcast to sisters on 5 continents. The Relief Society also implemented the Gospel Literacy program.
Mary Ellen Smoot’s (1997-2002) desire as the 13th general president was to expand Relief Society service, which came about as the Relief Society sponsored the largest service project ever when 18,000 women gathered at the BYU Women’s Conference in 1999 to sew and to assemble newborn, hygiene, and school kits—now a yearly event. Sisters also created more than 350,000 quilts to distribute to refugees in Kosovo and other areas. Beginning in 1998, Relief Society and priesthood lessons were taught from the same manual, Teachings of the Prophets.
Bonnie D. Parkin (2002-2007) particularly focused on the transition of young women to Relief Society and helping all sisters feel a real part of Relief Society. The Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment meetings were revised to enlarge the activity portion so that a few sisters interested in a particular activity could meet. Wards are to have four Enrichment meetings a year and the stake, two.
The 15th general Relief Society president, Julie B. Beck, was called in 2007. Her focus has been on women becoming “steadfast and immovable,” and offering “relief” to families, to other Church members, and to the world.