When the women gathered together for the first time in Nauvoo, Illinois, March 17, 1842, there was a lively discussion as to what to call themselves.  Joseph Smith suggested the women call themselves The Benevolent Society.  However, Emma spoke up and said other benevolent societies back east were hypocritical and time-wasters.  She adamantly opposed being called after that example and several other women seconded that motion.  Thanks to Emma, the women titled this new organization Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.

Later, as the women began organizing themselves again in the Salt Lake Valley, they dropped the designation of Nauvoo.  In 1872, by vote of the members, the word Female was also dropped from the title.

Relief Society was used as the official name of the organization from that time until 1892, when the Society became incorporated.  For the next fifty years, the incorporated name was officially National Woman’s Relief Society.

As the organization has continued to grow, crossing borders, lands, and seas, in a General Board meeting of the Relief Society, held on June 27, 1945, the formal name was changed once again, and finally, to Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We are a world-wide organization with sisters of all walks of life, language, and looks held together in service to the Lord, whom we worship, exemplify, and testify of according to our diligence and devotion.

There are many other similar organizations in the world, but ours is truly different.  We work alongside the Priesthood to further the work of our Heavenly Father, and we are led by a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no other organization with this claim.  We have a purpose to bring families unto Christ through our care, love, service, and example.  Our actions should be such that the world looks upon us to set the standard of life and living.

These are pretty lofty thoughts, but I state these claims confidently after reading so many of the words of the prophets, who insist there is a specific work we women have been called to do.  Our name may have been modified over the years, but our purpose stands bright and clear as we step forward into our destiny.