News Release

Relief Society celebrated its 177 anniversary

In March every year Latter-day Saint women (18 years and over) from around the world commemorate the founding of Relief Society on 17 March 1842 under the theme “Charity Never Faileth” 1 Corinthians 13:8. 

 

Relief Society is the oldest and largest women's organization in the world, with almost 6 million members in 188 countries and territories. Its purpose is to build faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes and help those in need.

This is achieved as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants and work in unity to help those in need.

President James E. Faust (1920-2007), said in 1999, to the Relief Society:

“You sisters do not know the full extent of your influence. You sisters enrich all of humanity. … Each woman brings her own separate, unique strengths to the family and the Church. Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry, ‘Do I look all right?’ ‘Do I sound OK?’ ‘What do people think of me?’ A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity”.

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