VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE
The Purpose of Relief Society
Prayerfully
study this material and seek for inspiration to know what to share. How will
understanding the purpose of Relief Society prepare daughters of God for the
blessings of eternal life?
The purpose of Relief Society is to “prepare women for the
blessings of eternal life,” says Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General
President.1 It is through faith, family,
and relief that we engage in our “vital part in the work.”2
Relief Society “is a temporal and spiritual work,” says
Carole M. Stephens, First Counselor in the Relief Society General
Presidency. “That is what the women did in the Savior’s day, and that is what
we continue to do.”3
As we look to the Samaritan woman at the well, who left her
water pot and ran to tell others that Jesus was a prophet (see John 4:6–42), or to Phebe, who joyfully served others
throughout her life (see Romans 16:1–2), we see examples of women in the
Savior’s day who took an active part in coming unto Christ. It is He who opens
our way to eternal life (see John 3:16).
As we look to our pioneer sisters in Nauvoo, Illinois, who
gathered in Sarah Kimball’s home in 1842 to form their own organization, we see
God’s plan for bringing Relief Society into being and in line with the
priesthood. After Eliza R. Snow wrote a constitution, the Prophet Joseph
Smith reviewed it. He
realized that the Church was not fully organized until the women were
organized. He said that the Lord accepted their offering but that there was
something better. “I will organize the women under the priesthood after the
pattern of the priesthood,” he said.4
“The Relief Society was not just another group of women trying
to do good in the world. It was different. It was ‘something better’ because it
was organized under priesthood authority. Its organization was a necessary step
in the unfolding of God’s work on earth.”5
Additional
Scriptures and Information
“Our Calling and
Season”
cji
1/1/2017
When able to run and
play
learning and growing
sure
getting guidance and
love
none treading the
path alone
the Father and Son
their
holding our hand and
heart
each this is a
calling a season
then we grow, mature
till
our calling and
season serving
doing Father and
Son’s will
being worthy to serve
others!
Copyright
© 2016 – cji
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