13 Facts About Relief Society

Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Relief Society convinced the attendees that the term "relief" would better reflect the purpose of the organization, for they were "going to do something extraordinary, " distinct from the popular benevolent institutions of the day.

Under Emma Smith's direction, the Relief Society was "divided for the purpose of meeting" according to each of the city's four municipal wards.

Each Relief Society operated independently within its ward in cooperation with the local bishop.

The Relief Society sent women to medical school, trained nurses, opened the Deseret Hospital, operated cooperative stores, promoted silk manufacture, saved wheat, and built granaries.

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In 1891, the Relief Society became a charter member of the National Council of Women of the United States and it was called the National Women's Relief Society.

Additionally, stake or district Relief Society presidencies exist to supervise five or more local Relief Society Presidencies.

The Relief Society leads the LDS Church's efforts to teach basic literacy skills to those members and non-members that lack them.

Since April 2017, the General Relief Society Presidency has been composed of Jean B Bingham, president; Sharon Eubank, first counselor; and Reyna I Aburto, second counselor.

In Salt Lake City, the Relief Society occupies its own headquarters building known as the Relief Society Building, which is separate from the other administrative offices of the LDS Church.

The Relief Society Presidency is responsible for helping the women of the congregation learn welfare principles such as work, self-reliance, provident living, personal and family preparedness, and compassionate service of others.

In many congregations, the Relief Society will ask a woman to serve as the Compassionate Service Leader, who is responsible for organizing service activities and responses to members' needs in times of emergency or hardship.

An evening Relief Society meeting is usually held quarterly on a week-night in each congregation of the church.