March 17, 1842
"Charity Never Faileth"
171 Years Strong
This
great circle of sisters will be a protection for each of you and for
your families. The Relief Society might be likened to a refuge—the place
of safety and protection—the sanctuary of ancient times. You will be
safe within it. It encircles each sister like a protecting wall.
Boyd K. Packer
You
are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those
sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these
principles how great and glorious!—if you live up to your privilege,
the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. … If you
will be pure, nothing can hinder.
Joseph Smith
“We are part of a grand whole. We need each other to make our sisterhood
complete. When we reach out to clasp the hands of our sisters, we reach
to every continent, for we are of every nation. We are bonded as we try
to understand what the Lord has to say to us, what He will make of us.
We speak in different tongues, yet we are a family who can still be of
one heart.”
Elaine L. Jack
Twelfth Relief Society General President
“You are members of the greatest women’s organization in the world, an organization which is a vital part of the kingdom of God on earth and which is so designed and operated that it helps its faithful members to gain eternal life in our Father’s kingdom.”
Joseph Fielding Smith
As a new Relief Society presidency, we have sought the Lord earnestly to know what essential things He would have us put in our Relief Society handcart to continue moving His work forward. We have felt that Heavenly Father would first have us help His beloved daughters understand the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we do so, we know our faith will increase, as will our desire to live righteously. Second, as we have considered the critical need to strengthen families and homes, we have felt that the Lord would have us encourage His beloved daughters to cheerfully cleave to their covenants. When covenants are kept, families are strengthened. Finally, we feel He would have us work in unity with the other auxiliaries and with our priesthood leaders, striving to seek out and help those in need to progress along the path. It is our fervent prayer that each of us will open our hearts and let the Lord engrave in them the doctrines of the Atonement, covenants, and unity.
Linda Burton
General Relief Society President
“Little did the original members of the organization realize … how great their beloved Society would become.”
Amy Brown Lyman
Eighth Relief Society General President
