I found an interview with Belle Spafford (General Relief Society President) and I have to admit, I was expecting it to be full of outdated ideals and irrelevant expectations. I was surprised to see how relevant everything still was. Certainly times have changed. People’s thinking has most definitely changed. Yet, I see how truths have withstood time.

This interview was given in 1974 and it’s called, “Reaching Every Facet of a Woman’s Life”.

She said the Relief Society had three main goals. The first, testimony building, remains at the top of the list of importance to the women of this Church. The second goal was to promote love and understanding among the sisters. As this Church grows, and the world becomes more attractive/demanding, this is a constant issue that needs to always be considered in our individual wards. Do you remember the Cultural Refinement lessons? I know many sisters, myself included, miss them. The third goal is to help women meet some of the practical problems of life. It seems no one is interested in sewing, canning, and homemaking skills. America is not really a practical nation anymore, is it? But all of this thinking may need to be revised as we see the economy taking a downturn.

Sis. Spafford adds this interesting statement: “There are special classes organized through the Relief Society in cooperation with the American Red Cross. These home nursing skills are simple, but important: how to lift a bedridden patient without straining; how to put a person from bed into a wheelchair, or how to transfer a patient from a wheelchair into a bathtub. After they complete the course, they receive Red Cross home nursing certificates.”

I wonder what happened to this program. It seems to me this has value for our day.

Sis. Spafford shares an example of being raised in a single parent home. “My father died as a young man, and my mother reared seven of us. She sent her boys on missions, educated the two girls, and she didn’t work outside the home. But how she worked at home!”

For her mother to not work outside of the house, there would have had to be a great insurance policy, money in the bank, and no debt. I don’t know how she did it, but you know what? I believe it’s still possible, even in our day.

I know working outside of the home is still a hot issue. There are so many choices available to us and the economy puts us in a position where we are all in need of one thing or another. I have seen women stay home to raise children, I have seen women work to send out missionaries, I have seen women enter the bottom of the workforce with and without a degree, I have seen women relieved to go to work, and angry that they had to work. There is a lot of emotion involved.

I think every case is unique. I believe this is a decision that involves the Lord (because ultimately it’s about doing what’s best in the long run, not the short run). I know of good women who work outside of the home, and good women who work inside of the home; there is no difference in worthiness.

I happen to believe a woman belongs at home. That is the standard we should strive for. But I also believe there are exceptions. The exception, however, should not become the rule. In so many cases, when the mother works there are higher taxes, day care, more tithing, etc. to pay. When everything is said and done, the take home pay doesn’t amount to all that much. The brain says two incomes are coming in, so there must be a lot of money, and off you go to spend. But the reality is more money really isn’t there at all.

Sometimes the best income boost is a woman who stays home and creatively cuts spending in the household.

Sis. Spafford makes this important statement, “One thing I’ve learned is that the Church offers us opportunities that often make us go beyond ourselves. I think as we conscientiously try to meet Church callings, the Lord inspires us and the church gives us other experiences that help qualify us for our missions. I think obedience is an important thing. If you reach out, and are faithful and diligent, something usually comes along to help.”

She concludes with these words, “Membership in Relief Society is a special privilege. There’s nothing like it for a woman to develop herself, to serve humanity, to find self-expression, to structure her own life wisely and well. It’s all in the gospel plan.”

I hope Relief Society becomes a field of learning once again for us; a place where we can learn from one another how to better care for our families, homes, and communities. Fighting the world off is exhausting. May we find acceptance, patience, and support among one another.