The women’s organisation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Relief Society, was established on 17th March 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA. The history of its beginning reminds me of the importance of following inspiration and working under the direction of priesthood power, the power of God, as we strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
In 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA, a temple was being built. Men were involved in the construction of the temple and women eagerly sought ways to contribute. Margaret Cook spoke with Sarah Kimball and mentioned that if someone could supply materials, she would be willing to sew clothing and other items to help the men and their families who were building the temple. It is interesting to note that Margaret was a single sister, aged 31 at the time. Having no husband she probably felt that she wasn’t involved in the building of the temple. She had little in the way of money but had a skill that she was willing to share. She and Sarah discussed the organising of a sewing society and a week later a dozen sisters gathered in Sarah Kimball’s home. (1)
Eliza Snow, who was part of that meeting, agreed to write a constitution and byelaws for their society and then asked the Prophet Joseph Smith to review them. He said they were the best he had ever seen but, “This is not what you want. Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and He has something better for them.” The following week twenty women assembled together with Joseph Smith and two of the apostles, John Taylor and Willard Richards. The women were counselled to “encourage the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor…and in administering to their wants and to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community.” (2)
Surely this was more than a sewing society! As I think about these twenty women, I think of all the Relief Societies around the world where five, ten, twenty or more sisters gather. Just like today, these founding women were of varied ages. Some were married, some were single, they came from many different countries. They had different skills, talents, abilities and interests and yet they all had one thing in common – they were all disciples of Jesus Christ and had a desire to follow Him, and to love and serve Him and their neighbours.
Relief Society is now the largest and longest established women’s organisation in the world. President Camille Johnson, the current General Relief Society President, reminds us that, just like those early sisters, our purpose is to provide both temporal and spiritual relief. She also reminds us to come unto Christ and bring each other to Christ, because Jesus Christ is relief. (3)
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am so grateful for the organisation of Relief Society that gives me opportunities to learn to serve for Him and to serve in unity with others, those who are part of our faith and those of other or no faith. I am thankful that we serve with the power of the Priesthood. I am thankful for women who have mentored and taught me, who have ministered with me and to me, and have shown me by their examples how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. As we act on the unique inspiration that we each receive, I know that the Lord accepts are offering, however small, and He can magnify that offering, just as He magnified Margaret’s offering all those years ago.
God bless you, my dear sisters, to know your great worth to your heavenly parents and to your Saviour Jesus Christ and to know that your unique offering to them is acceptable.
1. “Margaret Cook: Wide Awake to Her Duty” [digital-only article], Liahona, August 2021, Gospel Library
2. Joseph Smith, Daughters in My Kingdom, Chapter 2
3. Camille N. Johnson, “Jesus Christ Is Relief,” Ensign, May 2023, 81