Sister Barbara B. Smith told a heartwarming story in the October 1983 Relief Society meeting. Would our Relief Societies do as much?

“A visit by a Relief Society president to an inactive deaf sister revealed that it hurt the sister too much to go to meetings and never be able to join in the discussion. As the president left that home, she promised the sister that if she would attend her Relief Society meetings she would be included. The president and her entire board learned to sign. Gratitude, satisfaction, and personal enrichment came as the sisters employed this new skill to respond to the need of that one individual.”

How many of us are guilty of rolling our eyes when asked to perform a “labor-intensive” act of service that frankly we don’t have time, inclination, or desire to do? We are busy. We are tired. We are unappreciated. We are self-absorbed. We don’t feel like it. But what happens when we push through and complete an extra-mile task? Is it just for earthly recognition? Or is it for a far greater purpose?

Jesus said:

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my [sisters], ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40).

There is an added bonus to this story. Notice, the president didn’t say she was going to learn sign language for this sister. She invited her entire presidency and board to join her. This is true sisterhood when we all join together and include as many as will come.

What is the purpose of Relief Society? To make all sisters feel welcomed and needed that they may desire to enter the kingdom of God. There is no greater satisfaction in the world than making someone feel better about themselves. If you are busy, tired, unappreciated, or self-absorbed serve someone—and invite others to join you—and all together, soak in the heavenly feeling. Be the Relief Society that will do as much.