At the sixth meeting of the Relief Society, on April 28th, 1842, Joseph Smith and Willard Richards attended, to give instruction to the sisters. And boy, did they. After the meeting ended, Eliza reported how strong the Spirit was at the meeting, “never to be forgotten by those in attendance”. You might recognize several quotes from this talk. Joseph stated that he was there to instruct them for as long as he could, but it wouldn’t be for much longer.

Women were still being voted into the organization at every meeting, and not every sister was accepted. As a voted-in member of the Relief Society, you were expected to be honest and upright in everything you do, because one day you “would be call’d to give an account to Jehovah. All hearts must repent, be pure, and God will regard them and bless them in a manner that they could not be bless’d in any other way”.

Pres. Smith directed the sisters to 1 Cor. chp. 12. He clarifies that in verse 3, the passage reads, “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost”, should be translated, no man can know, etc. This is not a change made in the JST, but it is worth thinking about the difference in the two words.

He continued by discussing the different offices and the necessity of individuals “acting in the sphere allotted him or her; and filling the several offices to which they were appointed”. You’ll note that the chapter talks about different gifts that benefit the whole. Everyone is needed in the kingdom.

Joseph talked about how man tends to consider “lower offices” as dishonorable and that there can be jealousy toward those in other callings. He called this “nonsense of the human heart”. Our callings are appointed by God; there is no “striving to other stations”. It’s best to magnify where you are until God calls you elsewhere.

The church was not “organized in its proper order, and cannot be until the temple is completed”.

Signs will follow the true church, and people will be called and “set apart to administer in that authority which is confir’d on them and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on”. Apparently, there were some murmurings amongst the sisters as to who should perform healings. There is no sin in females laying on hands or if the sick have faith enough to be healed. But he also warned, “Do not indulge too much in the gift of tongues, or the devil will take advantage of the innocent”.

Explaining how difficult it was to control the “great big elders” (those who aspired beyond their callings), Joseph warned that this Society could have the same problem and to watch for it. Humility is the only antidote for aspiring people.

He exhorted the sisters to follow those who lead, that our faith and prayers will arm them with the ability to detect everything false. Corruption should immediately be put away. If the leaders have sympathy for corruptors, all are contaminated. Sisters must put down iniquity “and by your good example provoke the Elders to good works”.

It is natural for women to feel charity; act according to those sympathies. By living up to these privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. Females who are pure and innocent, can come into the presence of God. Satan has the power to deceive and mock innocence, “but let the weight of innocence be felt which is more mighty than a millstone hung about the neck”. Meekness, love, and purity should magnify us. “As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand—let them be enlarged towards others”.

“This Society shall have power to command Queens in their midst.”

“This Society is to get instruction thro’ the order which God has established thro’ the medium of those appointed to lead—and I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time”.

The men left, after which the women conducted business in relieving the poor.

The Minute Book is now online at Joseph Smith Papers.