As one of the world's largest women's organizations, the Relief Society serves almost 2.5 million members throughout the world.
That responsibility is felt deeply by the three women who lead this international organization. Relief Society general president Barbara W. Winder and her counselors, Joy F. Evans and Joanne B. Doxey, have developed a great love for the sisters they have been serving."One of the fundamental principles of the gospel is that people are responsible for themselves and should develop self-reliance in order to be of greater service to others," explained Sister Winder in a recent Church News interview. "Through Relief Society, we hope to help sisters learn how to apply the gospel in their daily lives."
General and local Relief Society leaders strive to teach self-reliance, both temporally and spiritually. Every Sunday, sisters around the world, age 18 years and older, are instructed by lessons in spiritual living, home and family education, and compassionate service/social relations. Home management lessons are also given monthly.
Beginning in 1989, Relief Society began a special yearly focus on one of the four major goals of the organization.
"This year's focus was on building faith, strengthening testimonies and sharing the gospel," explained Sister Evans. "Next year, we'll emphasize giving service. In 1991, the focus will be strengthening the family and we'll conclude in 1992, our sesquicentennial year, by concentrating on sustaining the priesthood and working together to come unto Christ."
The Relief Society organization is also striving for simplification, noted Sister Doxey.
"There is a vital need for the scriptures to be available in every language and we are excited to support that effort by reducing production items in our organization. Also, as we reduce and simplify available resources, sisters will learn to rely more on the Lord and to seek personal revelation," she explained. "Gospel principles never change. But in order for the gospel to be preached in every corner of the earth, those principles must be taught simply and be easy to apply."
Relief Society teachers are being encouraged to rely more heavily on the scriptures and personal revelation as they apply lesson objectives to local situations and circumstances, Sister Doxey said.
"Our sisters live all over the world," Sister Winder observed. "Although living conditions and lifestyles vary from place to place, we have universal needs, desires and goals. We are all part of a worldwide sisterhood and we want Relief Society members to feel a part of that sisterhood. We want them to feel the love and support that can be found from being members of the Church and sisters in the gospel."
(CHART)
NAME MEMBERSHIP* ORGANIZED
Relief Society 2,491,000 March 1842
Sunday School 5,200,000 December 1849
Young Women 400,000 November 1869
Young Men 450,000 June 1875
Primary 1,300,000 August 1878
* All numbers are approximations