This prophet said, "And now I turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time. This is the beginning of this Society."
President Joseph Smith
100
The Relief Society is the oldest and largest women's organization in the world. It was officially organized on this date.
March 17, 1842
100
As members of Relief Society, "we'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak." That line comes from this Hymn.
"As Sister's in Zion"
100
The Relief Society Motto
"Charity never Faileth"
100
In the bible dictionary this is "the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love."
Charity
200
This is the name of the magazine sent to LDS women who paid their dues and joined the Releif Society organization.
Relief Society Magazine
200
This temple was being built when the Relief Society was organized.
Nauvoo Temple
200
In Mosiah 18:9 Alma taught that we should "bear one anothers________, to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort"
Burdens
200
The Relief Society colors.
Gold and Blue
200
These women are eligible to be members of the Relief Society.
Women who are 18 years of age and older, and all women who are married
300
These circumstances initiated the organization of the Relief Society. It was a desire of the sisters to unite together to do this.
Make work clothes for those working on the temple
300
She was the first General Relief Society President.
Emma Smith
300
The Relief Society theme "Charity Never Faileth" comes from a scripture in this book of the New Testament.
1 Corinthians Corinthians 13: 4-8, Another reference is Moroni 7:46
300
The Relief Society Emblem
Sego Lily/Wheat Sheaf (The sego lily was selected because of its usefulness in sustaining life along pioneer settlements. It is an appropriate symbol of purity, beauty, patience through winter and darkness, and storing of strength for the time of blossoming. The wheat sheaf has been used as an emblem along with the sego lily, symbolizing storing of grain against time of need.)
300
This was the original purpose of visiting teaching before it changed to its current goal of bringing the spirit into homes through friendly visits.
Goal of gathering money for charity
400
The Relief Society loaned this to the church during the drought of 1879.
wheat (30,000 bushels of wheat were loaned)
400
The number of sisters that attended the organization meeting of the relief society.
18
400
This is the last line from the hymn, "We Meet Again As Sisters". It begins "We meet to plan our service to neighbors now in need. May charity and kindness_____ __ _____ ____."
"inspire our every deed"
400
The current Relief Society General President
Jean B. Bingham
400
This General Relief Society president enjoyed cruising on the steamer "Maid of the Iowa" with her husband.
Emma Smith *Joseph bought the cruiser to ferry the saints coming from Europe across the Mississippi.
500
The Purpose of Relief Society
Increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and in His Atonement; Strengthen themselves individually and as families; Participate in ordinances and make and keep covenants
500
This was the actual official name of the Relief Society when it was first organized.
The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo
500
This sister, who was a member of the original organization of the Relief Society wrote 10 songs that are currently in our hymn book. Including "How Great the Wisdom and the Love", "O My Father", and "In our Lovely Deseret."
Eliza R. Snow
500
She was the longest serving General Relief Society President.
Belle S. Spafford *She served from 1945 to 1974 (29 years)
500
In the 2nd Relief Society meeting ever held she said, "We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain intsruction that we may all sit down in heaven together."