The Relief Society is the women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois the organization, with the motto "Charity Never Faileth," today includes more than 5.2 million women in over 170 countries. The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The references in this article would be clearer with a different style of citation, footnoting or external linking. ...

Relief Society Motto

The motto of the Relief Society, which is found in Moroni 7:46 as well as 1 Corinthians 13:8 is "Charity never faileth".

Organization of the Relief Society

In the spring of 1842, Sarah M. Kimball and her seamstress, Miss Cook, discussed combining their efforts to assist the efforts of workers on the Nauvoo Temple. They determined to invite their neighbors to combine efforts and assist in creating a Ladies' Society. Kimball asked Eliza R. Snow to write a constitution and by-laws for the organization for submission to Joseph Smith, Jr. for review. After reviewing the notes, Joseph commented that "this is not what you want.... [The Lord] has something better for them than a written constitution. ... I will organize the sisters under the priesthood after a pattern of the priesthood." 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... See also: Nauvoo Illinois Temple for an overview of a similar or rebuilt structure currently standing on the same site. ... Eliza Roxcy Snow(Library of Congress) Eliza Roxcy Snow (1804-01-21 – 1887-12-05) was a prominent and influential early Latter-day Saint leader, a poet, and a plural wife of both Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Eighteen women gathered on Thursday, 17 March 1842 in the second story meeting room over Joseph Smith, Jr.'s Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA. Joseph Smith, Jr., John Taylor, and Willard Richards sat on the platform at the upper end of the room with the women facing them. "The Sprit of God Like A Fire is Burning" was sung, and John Taylor opened the meeting with prayer. Joseph Smith, Jr. then organized the women in attendance who where: March 17 is the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (77th in Leap years). ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ... Willard Richards (June 24, 1804 – March 11, 1854) was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts to Joseph and Rhoda Howe Richards on June 24, 1804. ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Additionally, eight other women not present that day were admitted to membership: Emma Hale Smith Emma Hale Smith (July 10, 1804 - April 30, 1879) was the wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Elizabeth Ann Whitney (January 26, 1800 - 1882), born Elizabeth Ann Smith, was an early Latter Day Saint leader, and the wife of Newel K. Whitney, another early Latter Day Saint leader. ... Bathsheba Wilson Bigler Smith (3 May 1822 – 20 September 1910) was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement and served as the fourth general president of the LDS Relief Society. ... Eliza Roxcy Snow(Library of Congress) Eliza Roxcy Snow (1804-01-21 – 1887-12-05) was a prominent and influential early Latter-day Saint leader, a poet, and a plural wife of both Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Joseph Smith, Jr. stated "the object of the Society--that the Society of Sisters might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor--searching after objects of charity and in administering to their wants--to assist by correcting morals and strengthening the virtues of the community, and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking; that they may give their time to other duties, &c, in their public teaching." (History of Relief Society 1842-1966, page 18) Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Joseph Smith, Jr. also proposed that the women elect a presiding officer who would choose two counsellors to assist her. Emma Hale Smith was elected unanimously as president. She chose Sarah M. Cleveland and Elizabeth Ann Whitney as her two counselors. John Taylor was appointed to ordain the women and did so. Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Emma Hale Smith Emma Hale Smith (July 10, 1804 - April 30, 1879) was the wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ...

It was proposed that the organization go by the name Benevolent Society and with no opposition the vote carried. However, Emma Smith made a point of objection. She convinced the attendants that "The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo" would better reflect the purpose of the organization, for they were to do great acts of "relief," not merely be "benevolent." After discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the name of the fledgling organization be changed to "The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo."

Joseph Smith, Jr. then offered five dollars in gold to commence the funds of the Society and the men left the room. Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Eliza R. Snow was unanimously elected as secretary, Phebe M. Wheeler as Assistant Secretary, and Elvira A. Coles, Treasurer. Emma Hale Smith remarked that each member should be ambitious to do good and seek out and relieve the distressed. Several female members then made donations to the Society. Eliza Roxcy Snow(Library of Congress) Eliza Roxcy Snow (1804-01-21 – 1887-12-05) was a prominent and influential early Latter-day Saint leader, a poet, and a plural wife of both Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Emma Hale Smith Emma Hale Smith (July 10, 1804 - April 30, 1879) was the wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

The men returned, and John Taylor and Willard Richards also made donations. After singing "Come Let Us Rejoice," the meeting was adjourned to meet on the following Thursday at 10 o'clock. John Taylor then gave a closing prayer. John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ... Willard Richards (June 24, 1804 – March 11, 1854) was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts to Joseph and Rhoda Howe Richards on June 24, 1804. ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ...

Later in his journal, the Prophet recorded: "I attended by request the Female Relief Society, whose object is the relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow, and the orphan, and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes" (History of Relief Society 1842-1966, page 61).

Independent Relief Societies, 1844 to 1868

According to the Book of Records, the last Female Relief Society meeting in Nauvoo was held on 16 March 1844. Shortly after this date, Church leaders Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were taken into legal custody and then killed by a mob at Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844. After their deaths, the majority of local church members focused on finishing the building of the Nauvoo Temple and doing appropriate temple work before leaving the city of Nauvoo. March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Hyrum Smith (February 9, 1804 – June 27, 1844) was the brother of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... See also: Nauvoo Illinois Temple for an overview of a similar or rebuilt structure currently standing on the same site. ...

When Relief Society secretary Eliza R. Snow joined the Saints in their exodus west in 1846, she carried the Relief Society Book of Records with her. Elizabeth Ann Whitney conducted a few Relief Society meetings that year in Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Eliza Roxcy Snow(Library of Congress) Eliza Roxcy Snow (1804-01-21 – 1887-12-05) was a prominent and influential early Latter-day Saint leader, a poet, and a plural wife of both Joseph Smith, Jr. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Winter Quarters, Nebraska, was an encampment formed by approximately 3,500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they awaited better conditions for their trek westward during the winter of 1846-1847. ... Official language(s) English Capital Lincoln Largest city Omaha Area  Ranked 16th  - Total 77,421 sq. ...

During the 1850s, while church members established new communities and tried to gain a foothold in the Utah desert, formal church meetings were held irregularly. However, several wards in Utah created independent Relief Society organizations. Records are limited but show that, by 1858, independent Relief Societies existed in ten Salt Lake City wards and in several other wards in Ogden, Provo, Spanish Fork, and Nephi, Utah. Among their stated purposes was the feeding and clothing of Native Americans. Though these women were poor, they felt the need of Native Americans exceeded their own.

In 1854, an Indian Relief Society was formed in the Thirteenth Ward Meeting House with Matilda Dudley as President and Martha J. Corary as secretary. That organization continued for three years and kept complete minutes and financial reports. Eliza R. Snow was involved in the independent Relief Society in her 18th Ward. In 2004, historian Carol Holindrake Nielson documented the organization, activities and membership of the Salt Lake City 14th Ward Relief Society. The 14th Ward included the square designated for the temple and eleven residential squares to the south and west. This section contained the homes of many church leaders. Among others, the rolls of the ward Relief Society contains the names of Leonora Taylor and Jane B. Taylor, wives of John Taylor; Elizabeth B. Pratt, Kezia D. Pratt and Phoebe Soper Pratt, wives of Parley P. Pratt; and Phebe W. Woodruff, Emma Woodruff, Sarah Woodruff, Sarah Delight Woodruff, Phebe A. Woodruff, Susan C. Woodruff, Bulah Woodruff, wives and daughters of Wilford Woodruff. 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ... Parley Parker Pratt (12 April 1807–13 May 1857) (commonly known as Parley P. Pratt) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles from 1835 until his murder in 1857. ... Wilford Woodruff (March 1, 1807 – September 2, 1898) was the fourth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from 1889 until his death in 1898. ...

The disruption caused by the Utah War of 1858, and the arrival of Johnston's army, interrupted the activities of these Relief Societies. However, many of the independent organizations began meeting again after the crisis was past.

Reorganization of the Relief Society

Brigham Young called Eliza Roxcy Snow as General Relief Society President for the Church in 1866. Seeking not only for the relief of the poor, but the accomplishment of every good and noble work ("Female Relief Society," Deseret News, April 22, 1868), Young addressed the need to establish local Relief Society units in the Church's 1868 April conference. Now, Bishops, you have smart women for wives, many of you. Let them organize Female Relief Societies in the various wards. We have many talented women among us....You will find that the sisters will be the mainspring of the movement. (Journal of Discourses, 12:201) Snow was then assigned to assist local bishops in organizing permanent branches of the Relief Society. Using the minutes recorded in the early Nauvoo meetings, Snow created a "Constitution" for all local units intending to unite them in name, purpose, and organization. She and nine other sisters began visiting wards and settlements in 1868, and at the end of the year, organizations existed in all twenty Salt Lake City wards, in nearly every county in Utah, and other nearby communities. Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ... Image:Eliza Roxey Snow photograph. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

Snow’s presidency emphasized spirituality and self-sufficiency. The Relief Society sent women to medical school, trained nurses, opened the Deseret Hospital, operated cooperative stores, promoted silk manufacture, saved wheat, and built granaries. In 1872 Snow provided assistance and advice to Louisa L. Greene in the creation of a woman's publication, the Woman's Exponent, which was loosely affiliated with the Relief Society. Snow's responsibilities also extended to young women and children within the Church. She was the primary organizer for the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association (1869) and the Primary Association (1884). By 1888, the Relief Society had more than 22,000 members in 400 local wards and branches. The Womans Exponent was the official newspaper of the Relief Society (the womens organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) between 1876 and 1914. ... The Primary Association is a childrens organization and an official auxiliary within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

Early Relief Society meetings were held semimonthly. One meeting per month was devoted to sewing and caring for the needs of the poor, and at the other meeting, members received instructions and encouragement from the discussion of elevating and educational themes and bore testimonies.

Presidents of the Relief Society

• Emma Hale Smith (1842–1844)
• Eliza R. Snow (1866–1887)
• Zina D. H. Young (1888–1901)
• Bathsheba W. Smith (1901–1910)
• Emmeline B. Wells (1910–1921)
• Clarissa S. Williams (1921–1928)
• Louise Y. Robison (1928–1939)
• Amy Brown Lyman (1940–1945)
• Belle S. Spafford (1945–1974)
• Barbara B. Smith (1974–1984)
• Barbara W. Winder (1984–1990)
• Elaine L. Jack (1990–1997)
• Mary Ellen W. Smoot (1997–2002)
• Bonnie D. Parkin (2002–)

Emma Hale Smith Emma Hale Smith (July 10, 1804 - April 30, 1879) was the wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Eliza Roxcy Snow(Library of Congress) Eliza Roxcy Snow (1804-01-21 – 1887-12-05) was a prominent and influential early Latter-day Saint leader, a poet, and a plural wife of both Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Zina Diantha Huntington Jacobs Smith Young (1821–1901) was the third general President of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a leader in the LDS movement, and a social activist. ... Bathsheba Wilson Bigler Smith (3 May 1822 – 20 September 1910) was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement and served as the fourth general president of the LDS Relief Society. ... Emmeline Blanche Woodward Harris Whitney Wells (February 29, 1828-April 25, 1921) was an American journalist, editor, poet and womens rights advocate. ...

Growth of the Relief Society

The meeting recorded 16 March 1844 in the Female Relief Society Book of Records was the last meeting held in Nauvoo by the Society. At that time, the Society had grown from a membership of 18 to 1,341. In 1942, membership in the organization was approximately 115,000 women, growing to 300,000 members in 1966. Today, (2006) the Relief Society has 5.2 million female members in over 170 countries. March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Mormonism
• Latter Day Saint movement

The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... See also: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mormonism is a religion, movement, ideology, and subculture that originated in the early 1800s as a product of the Latter Day Saint movement led principally by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement which began in the early 19th century and is generally considered to be founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

External links

• Relief Society Homepage

References

• Nielson, Carol Holindrake. The Salt Lake City 14th Ward Album Quilt, 1857: Stories of the Relief Society Women and Their Quilt. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, UT, 2004. ISBN 0874807921.
• Peterson, Janet; Gaunt, LaRene (1990). Elect Ladies: Presidents of the Relief Society. Deseret Book Co., Salt Lake City, UT. ISBN 0-87579-416-5.
• Relief Society General Board Association, History of Relief Society 1842-1966 1966.