The Relief Society: The LDS Church's Women's Organization Explained

The Relief Society is the women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — one of the largest and oldest women's organizations in the world, with over 8 million members in countries throughout the globe. Founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, by the Prophet Joseph Smith, with Emma Smith serving as the first president, the Relief Society embodies the motto "Charity never faileth" (Moroni 7:46). The organization exists to care for the poor and needy, provide spiritual strengthening, and foster education and personal development among Latter-day Saint women.

Membership in the Relief Society is simple: every adult woman in the Church, age 18 and older, is automatically a member. There is no separate joining process, no dues, and no exclusions. The Relief Society is open to all women, regardless of marital status, motherhood, or life circumstances. This inclusivity reflects the Church's belief that all women are daughters of God with inherent divine worth and potential.

What Is the Relief Society?

The Relief Society is a priesthood organization — meaning it operates under the authority of the Church's priesthood and works in harmony with the bishop's direction. Unlike many women's groups in other churches, the Relief Society holds formal authority to organize women's work in the ward and stake. The Relief Society president and her counselors are formally sustained by the congregation, just as bishops and other leaders are, signifying their official role in Church governance.

The organization meets regularly for classes, service activities, and social gatherings. In modern Church practice, Relief Society meets weekly as part of the Sunday block after sacrament meeting, attending lessons tied to the Come Follow Me curriculum. Relief Society also organizes service projects, visiting teaching (now called visiting friendship), and educational activities throughout the month. These activities might include visiting homebound members, caring for the sick, organizing clothing and food drives, or hosting classes on various topics relevant to women's lives.

History: Founded by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo

The Relief Society was founded on March 17, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois, when Joseph Smith convened a meeting of women to form an organization for charitable and social purposes. At that meeting, Emma Hale Smith, the Prophet's wife, was chosen as the first president. Joseph Smith told the women: "I now turn the key to you in the name of God; and this society shall have power to do good."

The Relief Society emerged from practical needs in the early Church. The Saints in Nauvoo were building the temple and facing persecution from surrounding communities. Women organized to sew garments for temple use, prepare bandages for the sick and injured, and provide material support for poor members. From its beginning, the Relief Society combined both temporal (material) and spiritual relief — caring for physical needs while also strengthening faith.

The organization flourished despite the challenges facing the Church. When the Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo and trek westward to the Great Salt Lake Valley in the 1840s, women of the Relief Society played crucial roles in the migration, caring for children, managing supplies, and maintaining the spiritual and physical wellbeing of the community. The Relief Society was reorganized after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley and continued to grow.

What the Relief Society Does Today

In modern times, the Relief Society remains central to the Church's women's work and community care. Every ward has a Relief Society presidency consisting of a president and two counselors. The general Relief Society president, sustained by the entire Church, leads all Relief Society work worldwide and serves as a counselor in the Church's highest leadership council (the First Presidency).

Relief Society's work today focuses on several key areas. First, it cares for the poor and needy through visiting, providing meals, collecting and distributing clothing and other necessities, and coordinating with the bishop to identify members who need material support. Second, it provides spiritual strengthening through lessons, discussions of scripture and doctrine, and mutual encouragement in living the gospel. Third, it fosters education and personal development, offering classes and workshops on topics ranging from scripture study to parenting to financial literacy.

Relief Society also organizes social activities and celebrations — baby showers, bridal showers, birthday celebrations, and seasonal gatherings — that strengthen bonds of sisterhood and create space for women to support each other through life's transitions and joys. Many women describe their Relief Society as their "chosen sisters" — a community that knows them deeply and loves them unconditionally.

Relief Society Presidents Through History

Emma Hale Smith served as the first Relief Society president from 1842 until her death in 1879 (though the organization was sometimes inactive during periods of persecution). Following Emma, the Church sustained Eliza R. Snow as president in 1880. Eliza had been a trusted counselor to Emma and was a poet, theologian, and leader of remarkable spiritual power. She served until her death in 1887.

The succession of Relief Society presidents reads like a history of faithful women devoted to the Church and its mission: Zina D. Young (1888-1901), a suffragist and advocate for women; Jane Snyder Richards (1901-1905); Emmeline B. Wells (1905-1921), an editor, author, and advocate for education; Clarissa Williams (1921-1928); Louise Yates Robinson (1928-1939); Amy Brown Lyman (1940-1945); Belle Smith Spafford (1945-1974); Barbara Boyle Smith (1974-1984); Barbara Wales Barlow (1984-1990); Elaine Low Cannon (1990-1997); Mary Ellen Smoot (1997-2002); Bonnie L. Oscarson (2002-2009); Julie Beck (2009-2012); and Bonnie Oscarson again (2012-2020). The current Relief Society president continues this legacy of devoted leadership.

The Relief Society Declaration

In 1999, the Relief Society adopted a Declaration that captures its purpose and vision: "The Relief Society was founded on principles of relief, charity, and love toward humanity. It was organized to relieve human suffering, promote the well-being of families, and work for social good. It also nourishes the faith of its members and strengthens them in their commitment to live the Lord's way." This declaration guides the organization's work and reminds members of both the historic mission and the eternal purpose they serve.

The scripture most closely associated with Relief Society is Moroni 7:46 in the Book of Mormon: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth." The word "charity" here translates the Greek concept of "agape" — selfless, unconditional love for all people. This is the heart of Relief Society work.