The Relief Society and the Kirtland Temple
January 27th, 2009
The Relief Society had its beginnings in the 1830s in Kirtland, Ohio, during construction of the Kirtland Temple. There was much to be done, and as the temple was raised stone by stone, sisters from Kirtland and surrounding areas joined in the work. Some churned butter to send to the workmen, others cooked meals, and still others cleaned and polished the woodwork as it was completed.
One day Joseph Smith entered the temple and saw the women working together sewing the temple veils. “Well, sisters,” he said, “you are always on hand. the sisters are always first and foremost in all good works. Mary was the first at the resurrection; and the sisters now are the first to work on the inside of the temple.”