In the book Women of Covenant (which is a wonderful and revealing story of the Relief Society-and in my opinion every member of the Relief Society should read it), Jill Derr says, in talking about Amy Brown Lyman’s administration, that the “vision of Relief Society…was to better prepare for the terrible challenges ahead”.  Sis. Lyman’s service spanned the entire period of World War II, a very difficult time for the entire world.  Incidentally, when the United States declared war, the Saints had to acknowledge that more fellow Saints lived in Germany than any other European country, including Britain.  It was a painful moral dilemma.

As war affected every household, the church felt family life needed to be strengthened.  Pamphlets were sent out through the visiting teachers to urge mothers to safeguard their children.   “An evil influence is abroad which threatens even the best homes.  Social problems, greatly aggravated by the war, demanded vigilance on the part of mothers. (Article found in RS Magazine, May 1943) Fewer meetings were held so families could spend more time together as well as to conserve fuel.  The Council of the Twelve chaired the Church No-Liquor-Tobacco Committee to encourage young people to lead a clean and moral life, especially those serving in the military.  Elder Spencer W. Kimball addressed a concern of lewdness, immorality and hasty marriages at a BYU graduation.  The Relief Society Magazine guided women, being “the mothers of the Church,”  offering helps and suggestions.  Welfare services became a giant need, at first organized and administered by the Relief Society, then combined with efforts from the Priesthood; it became a joint effort.

War has now affected this generation, but as well, we must remind ourselves of the ever-present war that started in heaven.  We are still responsible for safeguarding our children, encouraging our youth to lead clean and moral lives; and welfare is even more of a giant need.  The Relief Society has answered the call time and time again, developing committees, rolling our sleeves up, and working to get the job done, demanding a higher standard in our families.  Let us re-energize ourselves and not give up.  Let us reorganize; develop new helpful programs.  And let us support one another in this endeavor.