Quotes – Relief Society Women

“Sisters, this is a call to arms, it’s a call to action, a call to arise. A call to arm ourselves with power and with righteousness. A call to rely on the arm of the Lord rather than the arm of flesh. A call to arise and shine forth, that our light may be a standard for the nations. A call to live as women of God so that we and our families may return safely home” (Sheri Dew, “We are Women of God,” GC, Oct. 1999).
“Should the question arise in the mind of any, what is the object of the Female Relief Society? I would reply—to do good—to bring into requisition every capacity we possess for doing good, not only in relieving the poor but in saving souls. United effort will accomplish incalculably more than can be accomplished by the most effective individual energies” (Eliza R. Snow, “Female Relief Society,” April 18 and 20, 1868. The First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 3.6, Church Historian’s Press, online).
“Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the church are seen as distinct and different–in happy ways–from the women of the world” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” GC, Oct. 1979).
“My dear sisters, your power will increase as you serve others. Your prayers, fasting, time in the scriptures, service in the temple, and family history work will open the heavens to you” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” GC, Oct. 2019).
“I have often thought about Emma Smith as a remarkable wife to her prophet husband. Joseph Smith described his ‘tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed wife’ as ‘undaunted, firm—and unwavering, unchangeable, affectionate.’ Emma’s mother-in-law, Lucy Mack Smith, wrote of her: ‘I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal and patience. . . . She has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.’ What strikes me about these tributes is that Emma, in so many ways an ordinary woman like you and me, did the extraordinary in the most trying of circumstances. In my experience, women bent on being Christlike and sincerely working for the betterment of their families are invariably extraordinary,” (Anne C. Pingree, “Thou Art an Elect Lady,” BYU Women’s Conference, 2005).
“Despite a world that will try to knock us down to the level of ‘mere animals,’ knowing that God is our father assures us that we have divine potential and royal promise. Despite a world that tells us this life is a dead end, knowing that God’s Only Begotten Son has made it possible for us to be redeemed and resurrected gives us hope for eternal progress” (Jean B. Bingham, “That Your Joy Might Be Full,” GC, Oct 2017).
“Sisters of this Society, shall there be strife among you? I will not have it— you must repent and get the love of God. Away with self-righteousness. The best measure or principle to bring the poor to repentance is to administer to their wants— the Society is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls” (Joseph Smith, Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, Jun 9, 1842).
“Emma was called “an elect lady.” That is, to use another line of scripture, she was a ‘chosen vessel of the Lord.’ Each of you is an elect lady. You have come out of the world as partakers of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You have made your election, and if you are living worthy of it, the Lord will honor you in it and magnify you.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Thou Art Faithful,” GC, Oct. 1984).
“If we could comprehend how glorious a righteous woman made perfect in the celestial kingdom will be, we would rise up and never be the same again. We would gladly take upon us the name of Jesus Christ—which means following him, becoming like him, and dedicating ourselves to him and his work. Women of God who honor their covenants look differently, dress differently, and act and speak differently from women who have not made the same covenants.” (Sheri Dew, “Knowing Who You Are–and Who You Have Always Been,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2001).
“We ask our Sisters of the Relief Society never to forget that they are a unique organization in the whole world, for they were organized under the inspiration of the Lord. … No other woman’s organization in all the earth has had such a birth.” (Joseph F. Smith, “A Centenary of Relief Society,” p. 7, Deseret News Press, 1942).
“I will go forward. I will smile at the rage of the tempest, and ride fearlessly and triumphantly across the boisterous ocean of circumstance … and the ‘testimony of Jesus’ will light up a lamp that will guide my vision through the portals of immortality” (Eliza R. Snow, Eliza R. Snow, Poems: Religious, Historical, and Political, 1856, 148-49).
“Always concentrate their faith and prayers for, and place confidence, in those whom God has appointed to honor, whom God has placed at the head to lead— that we should arm them with our prayers.— that the keys of the kingdom are about to be given to them, that they may be able to detect every thing false.” (Joseph Smith, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, Apr. 28, 1842).
“So today I plead with my sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to step forward! Take your rightful and needful place in your home, in your community, and in the kingdom of God—more than you ever have before.” (Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” GC, Oct. 2015).
“You are as blessed, and I may say more blessed, than any other women in all the world. You were the first women to have the franchise; the first women to have a voice in the work of a church. It was God that gave it to you and it came as a result of revelation to a Prophet of the Lord. Since that time, think what benefits the women of this world have enjoyed. Not only you belonging to the Church have enjoyed the blessing of equality, but when the Prophet Joseph Smith turned the key for the emancipation of womankind, it was turned for all the world, and from generation to generation the number of women who can enjoy the blessings of religious liberty and civil liberty has been increasing.” (President George Albert Smith, “Address to the Members of the Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1945).
“The purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life.” (Julie B. Beck, “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society,” GC, Oct. 2008).
“We have such cause to rejoice, for the gospel of Jesus Christ is the voice of gladness! It is because the Savior overcame the world that we may overcome. It is because He rose on the third day that we may arise as women of God. May we lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better. May we commit this very hour to come out of the world and to never look back.” (Sheri L. Dew, We Are Women of God, GC, Oct. 1999).
“The inclination to minister is inherent in righteous women” (Russell M. Nelson,” Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” GC, Oct. 2018).
“The inspiration identifying the need for a proclamation on the family came to the leadership of the Church over 23 years ago. It was a surprise to some who thought the doctrinal truths about marriage and the family were well understood without restatement. Nevertheless, we felt the confirmation and we went to work. Subjects were identified and discussed by members of the Quorum of the Twelve for nearly a year. Language was proposed, reviewed, and revised. Prayerfully we continually pleaded with the Lord for His inspiration on what we should say and how we should say it. I testify that the proclamation on the family is a statement of eternal truth. … Consider it as such, teach it, live by it, and you will be blessed as you press forward toward eternal life” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Plan and the Proclamation,” GC, Oct. 2017).
“We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.” (Lucy Mack Smith, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, Mar. 24, 1842).
“Sisters, your ability to discern truth from error, to be society’s guardians of morality, is crucial in the latter days. And we depend upon you to teach others to do likewise. Let me be very clear about this: if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never recover. We Latter-day Saints are not of the world; we are of covenant Israel. We are called to prepare a people for the Second Coming of the Lord.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” GC, Oct. 2019).
“I desire to impress on you daughters of God, you mothers of men, that if this world is to endure, you must keep the faith. If this world is to be happy, you will have to set the pace for that happiness,” (George Albert Smith, “Address to the Members of the Relief Society, ” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1945).
“The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities. The endless enticements and demands of life today require that we determine priorities in allocating our time and energies if we are to live happy, poised, productive lives.” (Belle S. Spafford, A Woman’s Reach, Deseret Book Co. 1974, p. 23).
“…Don’t you see we are one?… That is the way we have got to be… We have got to come to that; and when we do, the Spirit of God will rest upon us, and the Spirit of Jesus, and of all the Prophets, and Apostles, and holy men of God that ever did live or ever will. Then the same Spirit and power will rest upon our sisters as it did upon Mary, and Elizabeth, and Anna, and thousands of others.” (Heber C. Kimball, JD 5:87).
“My dear sisters, nothing is more crucial to your eternal life than your own conversion. It is converted, covenant-keeping women … whose righteous lives will increasingly stand out in a deteriorating world and who will thus be seen as different and distinct in the happiest of ways” (Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” GC, Oct. 2015).
“You will serve your organization, your cause—the Relief Society—this great circle of sisters. Your every need shall be fulfilled, now, and in the eternities; every neglect will be erased; every abuse will be corrected. All of this can come to you, and come quickly, when you devote yourself to Relief Society.” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Circle of Sisters,” GC, Oct.1980).
“The charitable Society— this is according to your natures— it is natural for females to have feelings of charity— you are now plac’d in a situatio[n] where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!— if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrain’d from being your associates— females, if they are pure and innocent can come into the presence of God” (Joseph Smith, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, Apr. 28, 1842).
“I am convinced there is no other organization anywhere to match the Relief Society of this Church. It has a membership of more than five million women across the earth. If they will be united and speak with one voice, their strength will be incalculable…It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Standing Strong and Immovable,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 2004, quoted in June 2007 Visiting Teaching Message).
“Sisters, some will try to persuade you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood you have been shortchanged. They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous man and woman. We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge ‘armed’ with power. Sisters, we as women are not diminished by priesthood power, we are magnified by it.” (Sheri Dew, “It is not Good for Man or Woman to be Alone,” GC, Oct. 2001).
“Sisters, prepare yourselves and your families to receive the blessings of the covenant. We do this by keeping the commandments, by seeking the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, and by transforming our beliefs into action.” (Barbara W. Winder, “Striving Together: Transforming Our Beliefs into Action,” GC, Oct. 1984).
“In courtship and marriage, we don’t fall in love or fall out of love as though we are objects being moved on a chessboard. We choose to love and sustain one another” (M. Russell Ballard, Remember What Matters Most, GC, Apr. 2023).
“We will be noticed. We should be a light on a hill. It is our responsibility to study, prepare, and work to be able to clearly teach the truth about our priorities and privileges as women in the Church.” (Patricia T. Holland, “A Woman’s Perspective on the Priesthood,” Ensign, Jul. 1980).
“I have told you many times that there are multitudes of pure and holy spirits waiting to take tabernacles, now what is our duty?—to prepare tabernacles for them; to take a course that will not tend to drive those spirits into the families of the wicked, where they will be trained in wickedness, debauchery, and every species of crime. It is the duty of every righteous man and woman to prepare tabernacles for all the spirits they can… This is the reason why the doctrine of plurality of wives was revealed, that the noble spirits which are waiting for tabernacles might be brought forth. If the men of the world were right, or if they were anywhere near right, there might not be the necessity which there now is. But they are wholly given up to idolatry, and to all manner of wickedness… Do you not ask for the righteous to increase, while the unrighteous shall decrease and dwindle away? Sisters, I am not joking, I do not throw out my proposition to banter your feelings,… that there is no cessation to the everlasting whining of many of the women in this Territory… And if the women will turn from the commandments of God and continue to despise the order of heaven, I will pray that the curse of the Almighty may be close to their heels, and that it may be following them all the day long. And those that enter into it and are faithful, I will promise them that they shall be queens in heaven, and rulers to all eternity.” (Brigham Young, JD 4:56).
“The Savior will grant you the ability to forgive anyone who has mistreated you in any way. Then their hurtful acts can no longer canker your soul” (Kristen M. Yee, “Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness,” GC, Oct. 2022).
“You have received and made sacred covenants with God in His temple. From those covenants flows an endowment of His priesthood power upon you” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” GC, Oct. 2019).
“We do not have to live like the world does. If we live like the world does, we will become like the world, and when we go to the other side, we will have the reward that the world has. The Lord intended we should ‘come out of the world,'” (George Albert Smith, “Address to the Members of the Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1945).
“Sisters, we’re not a social club, though deep friendships form from our sisterhood. We are not, as I heard a young woman say, ‘the old women who meet on Sunday.’ We have power when we use it: power given to us through God to accomplish His purpses. We are the world’s largest women’s organization. As we reach into our communities with the knowledge and inspiration the Lord has granted us, we can help lead a world that needs our guidance,” (Kathleen H. Hughes, “In Covenant with Him,” GC, Oct. 2003).
“As women who make and keep covenants with God, we share spiritual bonds that help us meet the challenges of our day and prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. And keeping those covenants allows us to be women of influence who can draw others to the Savior” (Jean B. Bingham, “Covenants with God Strengthen, Protect, and Prepare Us for Eternal Glory,” GC, Apr. 2022).
“Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility. Remember, it is as wrong to do things just to be seen of women as it is to do things to be seen of men.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” GC, Oct. 1979).
“What a different world and Church this would be if every Latter-day Saint sister excelled at making, renewing, and keeping covenants; if every sister qualified for a temple recommend and worshiped more often in temples; if every sister studied the scriptures and doctrines of Christ and knew them so well that she could teach and defend those doctrines at any time or place. Think of our combined strength if every sister…prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded. If every family had family prayer daily and had a family home evening once a week, we would be stronger. If every sister was self-reliant enough to be able to give freely of her knowledge, talents, and resources and if every sister’s discipleship was reflected by what she said and what she wore, we would be immovable in that which is correct.” (Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” GC, Oct. 2007).
“This Society shall have power to command Queens in their midst— I now deliver it as a prophecy that before ten years shall roll round, the queens of the earth shall come and pay their respects to this Society— they shall come with their millions and shall contribute of their abundance for the relief of the poor— If you will be pure, nothing can hinder” (Joseph Smith, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, Apr. 28, 1842).
“How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man. Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men have access to “all the spiritual blessings of the church” or, we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children….The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.” Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” GC, Oct. 2019).
“You who have already received the blessings of the temple, don’t let detractors or distractions pull you away from eternal truths. Study and ask trusted sources for greater understanding of the sacred significance of the covenants you have made” (Jean B. Bingham, “Covenants with God Strengthen, Protect, and Prepare Us for Eternal Glory,” GC, Apr. 2022).
“Relief Society is an organization of divine origin. Within it lies the power to strengthen sisters and their families and to create a worldwide family of sisters.” (Virginia U. Jensen, “Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment,” GC, Oct. 1999).
“If we are going to lead in righteousness, there can’t be any question where we stand. Small uncertainties on our part can produce large uncertainties in our youth. I wonder sometimes if we as mothers are the ones who make our children feel the pressure to be popular and accepted. Educating our desires so our standards are the Lord’s standards sends a clear message that in the Lord’s kingdom there are no double standards. We have made covenants with the Lord, and leading often tests the level of our commitment to those covenants.” (Sharon G. Larsen, “Fear Not: For They That Be with us Are More,” GC, Oct. 2001).
“What a remarkable charge to…all of the women of this Church. There must be learning, there must be preparation, there must be organization of thought, there must be an expounding of the scripture, there must be an exhortation to good works as directed by the Holy Spirit.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Thou Art Faithful,” GC, Oct. 1984).
“Relief Society can help us turn away from the world, for its express purpose is to help sisters and their families come unto Christ.” (Sheri L. Dew, “We Are Women of God,” GC, Oct. 1999).
“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—this is the beginning of better days, to this Society” (Joseph Smith, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, Apr. 28, 1842).
“Sisters, you have a great work to do. Build Relief Society! Strengthen its organization! …Do not allow yourselves to be organized under another banner. Do not run to and fro seeking some cause to fulfill your needs. Your cause stands under the authority of the priesthood of Almighty God; that is the consummate, the ultimate power extant upon this earth!” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Circle of Sisters,” GC, Oct. 1980).
“I love the women of the church, young and old. I have seen your strength. I have seen your faith. You have something to give and are willing to give it” (Linda K. Burton, “Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work,” GC, Apr. 2014).
“Satan, of course, knows how spiritually potent the knowledge of our divine identity is. He hates women of the noble birthright. He hates us because he is almost out of time, while we are en route to everlasting glory. He hates us because of the influence we have on husbands and children, family and friends, the church and even the world. It is no secret to him that we are the Lord’s secret weapon.” (Sheri Dew, “Knowing Who We Are–and Who We Have Always Been,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2001).
“The sectarian world and their ministers teach people how to die; but we want to learn how to live, that we may be prepared to dwell with angels and holy beings; and if we do not live lives of purity, we will not receive the reward that we otherwise would.” (Emmeline B. Wells, Woman’s Exponent, Oct. 15, 1877, 74).
“Sisters, it is for us to be wide awake to our duties. The kingdom will roll on, and we have nothing to fear but our own imperfections … May God bless you and endow you with energy and determination to act.” (Zina D. Young, Women’s Exponent, Oct. 15, 1877, 74).
“I always feel happy to meet with my sisters; today I feel a peculiar sweetness and heavenly influence. What we have heard is calculated to inspire us to action. The world has a great deal of teaching and preaching done, but we want to act, for by our acts we will be judged. it has been suggested here that we have a great deal to do, and those who are alive to their religion know that there is much to do. The sisters have weighty duties placed upon them, and duties that cannot be accomplished singly, but require a unity of heart and feeling. We must be united.” (Eliza R. Snow, Women’s Exponent, Oct. 15, 1877, 74).
“[Joseph Smith] could have revealed a great many things to us if we had been ready; but he said there were many things that we could not receive because we lacked that diligence and faithfulness that were necessary to entitle us to those choice things of the kingdom. He revealed the doctrine of celestial marriage, and the abuse of this holy principle caused many to stumble and fall away from the Church of the living God, but that was their own fault and they have nobody else to blame.” (Heber C. Kimball, JD 10:167).
“I have long been satisfied that the devil was making great exertions to drive a wedge in between parents and children – trying to inspire and instill into the minds of the sons and daughters of the Saints those corrupting notions that will prevent them from following the footsteps of their fathers and mothers; but this cannot be done! The sons and daughters of this people, if we do our duty; will be held by the strength and in the name of Israel’s God.” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 269-270).
“As soon as we, the sisters of this church, commit fully to this work, it will explode in an unprecedented way because of our unique, nurturing influence and because of the spirit that attends righteous women. It will flourish because youth who see their mothers and leaders fearlessly sharing the gospel will do likewise.” (Sheri Dew, “Knowing Who You Are–and Who You Have Always Been,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2001).
“Each of you should be grateful to be a woman! To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help, to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife.” (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” GC, Oct. 1978).
“When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this. ” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” GC, May 1978).
“With a giving mentality, we would prepare for Sunday lesson discussions in order to make a contribution. We would faithfully attend home, family, and personal enrichment meeting because we had something to offer–maybe just a word of encouragement to the sister sitting next to us. We would use our visits with each other to witness of the Lord’s truth as we discuss the Visiting Teaching Message. The value we place on our membership in Relief Society should be evident in all we do and say” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “Oh, How We Need Each Other!,” Ensign, Mar 2004).
“One of the great functions of Relief Society is to provide sisterhood for women, just as priesthood quorums provide brotherhood for men. But all should remember that neither sisterhood nor brotherhood is an end in itself. Each is a means of individual spiritual growth and cooperative service,” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Relief Society and the Church,” GC, Apr. 1992).
“My dear sisters, we believe in you. We believe in and are counting on your goodness and your strength, your propensity for virtue and valor, your kindness and courage, your strength and resilience. We believe in your mission as women of God. We realize that you are the emotional (and sometimes spiritual) glue that holds families and often ward families together. We believe that the Church simply will not accomplish what it must without your faith and faithfulness, your innate tendency to put the well-being of others ahead of your own, and your spiritual strength and tenacity. And we believe that God’s plan is for you to become queens and to receive the highest blessings any woman can receive in time or eternity. On the other hand, Satan’s plan is to get you so preoccupied with the world’s glitzy lie about women that you completely miss what you have come here to do and to become. Remember, he wants us to be miserable like unto himself. Never lose your precious identity by doing anything that would jeopardize the promised eternal future your Heavenly Father has provided for you” (M. Russell Ballard, “Here Am I-Send Me,” BYU Devotional, Mar. 2001).
“Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what pow’r it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind” (Joseph Smith, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, Jun. 9, 1842).
“We feel truly thankful that through the blessing of our Heavenly Father, we His handmaidens are called to be co-laborers with our brethren in building up the kingdom of God upon the earth, in assisting to build temples, wherein we can receive blessings for time and eternity. In all the ordinances received in the house of the Lord, woman stands beside the man, both for the living and the dead, showing that the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. Then what manner of women should we be? Faithful in performing all the duties devolving upon us as daughters of God. God bless you, sisters! and give you strength to do all your hearts desire to do in righteousness” (Mary Isabella Horne, Woman’s Exponent, Jan. 15, 1877).
“Sisters, strengthen yourselves by seeking the source of true strength—the Savior. Come unto him. He loves you. He desires your happiness and exults in your desires for righteousness. Make him your strength, your daily companion, your rod and your staff. Let him comfort you. There is no burden we need bear alone. His grace compensates for our deficiencies. Your strength will strengthen others—your children, your husband, your friends, and your sisters in the gospel. That strength will flow back from them to you when you need it” (Chieko N. Okazaki, “Strength in the Savior,” GC, Oct. 1993).
“Some Latter-day Saints may feel that modesty is a tradition of the Church or that it has evolved from conservative, puritanical behavior. Modesty is not just cultural. Modesty is a gospel principle that applies to people of all cultures and ages. In fact, modesty is fundamental to being worthy of the Spirit. To be modest is to be humble, and being humble invites the Spirit to be with us” (Robert D. Hales, “Modesty,” Ensign, Aug. 2008).
“I find that some women are shortchanged in that a priesthood leader is more persuaded by a son rather than a daughter of Father in Heaven. That imbalance simply must never occur” (Richard G. Scott, “Honor the Priesthood and Use it Well,” GC, Oct. 2008).
“Where there are disobedient and rebellious children in the midst of Israel, tell me who their father and mother are, and I will point out to you disobedient, rebellious, disaffected parents; and if there is a woman in any family whose children dishonor their father, I will show you a woman that dishonors her husband and shows him disrespect, from which the children take their example. We do not want such women in Israel: we do not want their offspring, nor anything that pertains to them, except they repent” (Erastus Snow, JD 5:291).
“When persons entertain evil thoughts long enough for the Spirit to withdraw, they lose their spiritual protection and they are subject to the power and direction of the evil one” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Pornography,” GC, May 2005).
“We don’t need to get a complex or get a feeling that you have to be perfect to be saved… There’s only been one perfect person, and that’s the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God and in order to pass the test of mortality, what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path – thus charting a course leading to eternal life – and then, being on that path, pass out of this life in full fellowship. I’m not saying that you don’t have to keep the commandments. I’m saying you don’t have to be perfect to be saved. If you did, no one would be saved. The way it operates is this: You get on the path that’s named the ‘straight and narrow.’ You do it by entering the gate of repentance and baptism. The straight and narrow path leads from the gate of repentance and baptism, a very great distance, to a reward that’s called eternal life. If you’re on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you’ll never get off the path… You don’t have to do what Jacob said, ‘Go beyond the mark.’… What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the Church – keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the Church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path. If you’re on that path when death comes – because this is the time and the day appointed, this is the probationary estate – you’ll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure” (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Probationary Test of Mortality.” University of Utah Address, Jan. 10, 1982).
“Please warn the brethren (and sisters). Pornography is not some titillating feast for the eyes that gives a momentary rush of excitement. [Rather] it has the effect of damaging hearts and souls to their very depths, strangling the life out of relationships that should be sacred, hurting to the very core those you should love the most” (Quoted from a letter written by a sister to Pres. Hinckley, “A Tragic Evil Among Us,” GC, Oct. 2004).
“It’s so important that we include every sister. Let’s not forget the women who are serving in Primary or Young Women. There are many…women in our wards. Please find them, love them, and bring them into the circle of sisterhood. Don’t assume…[do] your part to get to know them” (Kathleen H. Hughes, “In Covenant with Him,” GC, Oct. 2003).
“’Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive’ (D&C 25:15). That was the promise of the Lord to Emma Hale Smith. It is the promise of the Lord to each of you. Happiness lies in keeping the commandments. For a Latter-day Saint woman there can be only misery in the violation of those commandments. And for each who observes them, there is the promise of a crown, a queenly crown for each daughter of God, a crown of righteousness and eternal truth” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Thou Art Faithful,” GC, Oct. 1984).
“I consider that the mother has a greater influence over her posterity than any other person can have. And the question has arisen some time ‘When does this education begin?’ Our prophets have said, ‘When the spirit life from God enters into the tabernacle.’ The condition of the mother at that time will have its effect upon the fruit of her womb; and from the birth of the child, and all through life, the teachings and the example of the mother govern and control in a great measure, that child, and her influence is felt by it through time and eternity” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 269-270).
“‘I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words…Go…[into] your homes…ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask…the Father…that ye may understand’ (3 Ne. 17:2-3). The Savior’s words were written for us. It’s OK if we’re weak, as long as we don’t stay weak, as long as we do something about it” (Carol B. Thomas, “Developing Our Talent for Spirituality,” GC, May 2001).
“There are those who suggest that males are favored of the Lord because they are ordained to hold the priesthood. Anyone who believes this does not understand the great plan of happiness. The premortal and mortal natures of men and women were specified by God Himself, and it is simply not within His character to diminish the roles and responsibilities of any of His children” (M. Russell Ballard, “Here Am I–Send Me,” BYU Devotional, Mar. 2001).
“The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ” (James Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 475).
“…Every sister in this church should be a preacher of righteousness…because we have greater and higher privileges than any other females upon the face of the earth.” (Eliza R. Snow, “Great Indignation Meeting,” Deseret Evening News, 15 Jan. 1870).
“One person can make a difference. Each one of you has unique gifts. Use your gifts to serve others. As we walk in His light, we become women of courage and conviction. We become women of vision, women of destiny, and women of eternal value. Join with us to build spiritual strength, to radiate truth to the world and to celebrate the family. We are a worldwide circle of sisters.” (Mary Ellen Smoot, “Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord,” GC, Oct. 1998).
“More than ever before we need women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity, as the Relief Society Declaration proclaims. We need women who can hear, and who will respond to the voice of the Lord, women who at all costs will defend and protect the family. We don’t need women who want to be like men…dress like men…act like men. We do need women who…have a spiritual confirmation of their identity, their value, and their eternal destiny. Above all, we need women who will stand up for truth and righteousness and decry evil at every turn.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Here Am I-Send Me,” BYU Devotional, Mar. 2001).
“Mormon women in their true setting as handmaidens of the Lord are the freest women on earth. They have the greatest opportunity for self-expression and service to others of any women in the world. Why? Because they have the gospel.” (Mark E. Petersen, “Why Every Woman Needs Relief Society,” Ensign, Mar. 1976).
“As sisters in Relief Society we are to assist one another preparing for the day the bridegroom returns. By actively taking part in the Relief Society organization, our lamps will be full. Our faith will remain strong…Many times we think just being a member of the Church will entitle us to all the Lord has promised. But each blessing requires obedience.” (Mary Ellen Smoot, Come, “Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord,” GC, Oct. 1998).
“The Lord is with His Saints and helps them to do His will, and He watches over them by night and by day. Inasmuch as we continue faithful, we shall be those that will be crowned in the presence of God and the Lamb. You, my sisters, if you are faithful will become Queens of Queens, and Priestesses unto the Most High God. These are your callings. We have only to discharge our duties. By and by our labors will be past, and our names will be crowned with everlasting honor, and be had in everlasting remembrance among the Saints of the Most High God” (Eliza R. Snow, The Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, August 14, 1873, Church Historian’s Press, online).
“To our hundreds of thousands of home teachers and visiting teachers, I suggest that it is good to visit our assigned families; it is better to have a brief visit in which we teach doctrine and principle: and it is best of all to make a difference in the lives of some of those we visit. That same challenge applies to the many meetings we hold–good to hold a meeting, better to teach a principle, but best to actually improve lives as a result of the meeting.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” GC, Oct. 2007).
“If our membership in Relief Society is so important, we need to know what sets us apart from every other woman’s group or organization. Everything we do in Relief Society matters because Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, visited Joseph Smith and, through him, the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. Relief Society is part of that restoration. The Prophet Joseph Smith defined the purpose of the Relief Society and instructed the sisters in their purpose, just as he taught priesthood leaders in Kirtland and Nauvoo their priesthood purpose and work. Ours is an organization that continues to be led today by prophets, seers, and revelators” (Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society: A Sacred Work,” GC, Oct. 2009).
“The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!” (Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” GC, Oct. 2015).
God is looking down upon you, the Angels are recording your secret acts, and while you are acting here you are not expected to neglect your family duties, but you will feel so much better, by attending to these things that you will gain time. If you are united you will have the blessing of God upon you. Be careful to bring no reproach upon the society. Our brethren are to be Kings: are we qualified for the position of Queens? Let us pray daily and become more refined and womanly. Bring up your children to be polite and refined. This society gives us a chance to improve and qualify ourselves to fill important positions in society. President [Brigham] Young purposes to get up classes for the sisters similar to the “School of the prophets.” Some Sisters will not move forward because they wish to go hand in hand with the world. We should improve our talents for the time will come when every faithful man and woman will go forth like Adam and Eve” (Eliza R. Snow, Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, 29 July 1868, Church Historian’s Press, online).
“There is neither man or woman in this Church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life” (Brigham Young, Deseret News, July 3, 1867).
“Turning your thoughts outward, instead of dwelling on your own problems, may not resolve all of these issues, but service can often lighten your burdens and make your challenges seem less hard. One of the best ways to increase feelings of self-worth is to show, through our concern and service to others, that we have much of worth to contribute” (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Young Women in the Work,” GC, Apr. 2018).
“Missionary work is but [visiting] teaching to those who are not now members of the Church, and [visiting] teaching is nothing more or less than missionary work to Church members.” (Harold B. Lee, “Priesthood Correlation and the Home Evening,” GC, Oct. 1964).
“As committed disciples of the Savior, we are improving in our ability to do the things He would do if He were here. We know that to Him it is our caring that counts, and so we are trying to concentrate on caring about our sisters rather than completing lists of things to do. True ministry is measured more by the depth of our charity than by the perfection of our statistics.” (Julie B. Beck, “What I Hope My Granddaughters (and Grandsons) Will Understand about the Relief Society,” GC, Oct. 2011).
“We have a mission in the world: each man, each woman, each child who has grown to understanding or to the years of accountability, ought…to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 13th ed. [1968], 251–52)
“So if your prayers don’t always seem answered, take heart. One greater than you…cried, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani…My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ If sometimes the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived.” Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. Holland, “The Inconvenient Messiah,” BYU Speeches, Feb. 1984).
“We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians–whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family…Become scholars of the scriptures–not to put others down, but to lift them up.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” GC, Oct. 1979).
“Your Heavenly Father knows your name and knows your circumstances. He knows your fears and frustrations, as well as your hopes and dreams. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “To Young Women,” GC, Oct. 2005).
“The place of importance that was assigned to the women’s Relief Society is really analogous to the place of mother in the home. The sacred and responsible status in each case was established by the Lord himself. In both callings women are to stand side by side with the men who hold the Priesthood. Even as a wife is a helpmate in the home, so the Relief Society, being an extension of the home, is a helpmate to the Priesthood.” (Hugh B. Brown, “Relief Society-An Extension of the Home,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1961).
“To be a mother in Israel in the full gospel sense is the highest reward that can come into the life of a woman. This designation has a deep and significant meaning, one that is far more than marrying and bearing children in this life, great and important as that course is. In fact, in the full and true sense of the word, the blessing of being mothers in Israel shall come in due course to some who, through no fault of their own, are denied the opportunity to marry and to bear children in this life.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Mothers in Israel,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1970).
“I don’t think there is anyone, especially among those with tender hearts, who doesn’t feel sad for the foolish young women. And some of us just want to say to the others, ‘Can’t you just share so everyone can be happy?’ But think about it. This is a story the Savior told, and He is the one who calls five of them ‘wise’ and five of them ‘foolish’” (Linda K. Burton, “Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known,” GC, Oct. 2014).
“Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures–each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions … –these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 1972, p. 256).
“…We feel disposed to go forward and unite our energies for the upbuilding of the Kingdom, and establishing the Priesthood in their fullness and glory. The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints (including women), so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet [see Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45]; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints (including women), to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur.” (Joseph Smith and his counselors made this declaration to the members of the Church on Sept. 1840. History of the Church, 4:185–86)
“Each of us has a vital role, even a sacred mission to perform as a daughter in Zion. It is a new day, the dawning of a new era. It is our time, and it is our destiny to rejoice as we fill the earth with greater kindness and gentleness, greater love and compassion, greater sympathy and empathy than has ever been known before. It is time to give ourselves to the Master and allow Him to lead us into fruitful fields where we can enrich a world filled with darkness and misery. Each of us, no matter who we are, no matter where we serve, must arise and make the most of each opportunity that comes. We must follow the counsel given by the Lord and His servants and make our homes houses of prayer and havens of security and safety. We can and must deepen our faith by increasing our obedience and sacrifice. In this individual process a miracle will take place. The Relief Society will begin to stretch and reach out to the millions in need. It will continue to become an organization that brings relief and rejoicing. This will happen one sister at a time. We will unite in our righteousness and truly partake of the fruit of the tree of life together. The fruits of our labors can heal the world, and, sisters, in the process they can heal us too!” (Mary Ellen Smoot, “Rejoice, Daughters of Zion,” GC, Oct. 1999).
“To save souls opens the whole field of human activity and development; relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance—relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman. What a magnificent commission!” (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987, p. 308; as quoted by Dallin H Oaks, May, 1992).
“I believe one of our greatest preventative measures against nuclear family disintegration is to take upon ourselves to fortify our own families, and then, from that position of strength, we will be able to reach next door and further strengthen our neighbors. The power of personal example is great,” (Bonnie D. Parkin at the World Conference on Families in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1998).
“One of the purposes of the organization of the Relief Society was that a system might be inaugurated by which study of religious subjects, or Church doctrine and government, might be pursued by women. The administration of charity under the direction of the Bishopric … was to be part of their active work. But this was not intended to absorb their activities to the exclusion of the development of faith, and the advancement of women in literary, social and domestic activities of life.” (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 5:217.)
“Imagine what would happen throughout the gospel kingdom if every morning 4.5 million of us got on our knees and asked our Father what He needed us to do that day to build the kingdom. And then imagine if we did it,” (Sheri Dew, “As Women of God, Shall We Not Go Forward in So Great a Cause?” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2000).
“I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass” (Gordon B. Hinckley, from Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 696).
“I believe that if the women of this church could practice the kind of virtue the Lord speaks of, [and] had the valor and the courage, they could protect their children by helping them to live up to the church standards of decency and right. Mothers, unless you take a stand, your daughters will not take a stand. You must set the requirements, you must make the decision. Mothers in Israel, as long as we turn away from modesty in dress and follow the way of the world in style, just that long will we pay the price in a breakdown of morals among the younger generation. Have we the courage to correct this condition? We can have a style of our own, a modest one!” (Mark E. Petersen, “Modesty Protects Virtue,” The Relief Society Magazine, Jan. 1963).
“One sister has discovered, when you learn to do something well, you find joy in it. Her way of doing things may not be your way, but that’s the beauty of following a righteous pattern. Each of us has our own cloth, woven with our strengths and talents, and then we follow the pattern the Lord has set for creating eternal families. The Lord’s pattern is in the scriptures and in the prophetic utterances of His prophets and servants. The pattern for raising a righteous family can be found in the scriptures. As we search the scriptures, we will find the answers and direction we need concerning our own families. Each of you has a story to tell. Your faith, hope, and charity are what make you remarkable and qualify you for the work.” (Mary Ellen Smoot, “As Sisters in Zion, We’ll All Work Together,” BYU Women’s Conference, 2001).
“There is certainly a place for formal teaching in our homes with our families. There is also a power in informal teaching that goes on in families. Informal councils involve parents and children to bless families and strengthen individuals. I like to call them “kitchen councils.” The mother went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and her daughters joined her. They stood side by side peeling and chopping, talking and coordinating activities. They were counseling together! Second, in ward or stake councils, besides representing your organization, you also represent your own point of view. Women who attend these council meetings can be the family filter, which would certainly include being a defender and a protector of the family. When activities are discussed, a woman can voice her perspective on how an activity will affect the family.” (Sis. Margaret D. Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood,” GC, Oct. 2000).
“We are privileged above all other women-kind on the face of the earth. How necessary for the Saints of the living God to be more of a distinct people than what they are … to be as different from the rest of the world as our privileges are more exalted–we should be a shining light to the nations of the earth. But I often say to myself, are we what we should be?” (Eliza R. Snow, Woman’s Exponent, 14 Aug 1873).
“Here is the truth about womanhood. Our Father gave His daughters a divine endowment of gifts that give us unique influence. First and foremost, we have the high privilege of bearing children … No wonder our Father placed us at the heart of the family and thus at the center of the plan of salvation. We are the Lord’s secret weapon…The world won’t tell us this stunning truth, but the Spirit will…It is time for us to wake up to the potential magnitude of our full influence as latter-day women of God and then to arise and do what we were sent here to do.” (Sheri Dew, “Awake, Arise, and Come Unto Christ,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 1, 2008).
“Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with ‘good things’ so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?” (Richard G. Scott, “First Things First,” GC, Apr. 2001).
“If we build it, they will come. My dear sisters, the time has come for us to arise as never before and to let our light be a standard for the nations. We are up to the challenge, for there is nothing more beautiful than a woman under the influence of the Holy Ghost. There is nothing more compelling than a woman who with gentle strength stands for righteousness, whether within the walls of her own home or before an international gathering of women.” (Sheri Dew, “As Women of God, Shall We Not Go Forward in So Great a Cause?” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2000).
“To come to Zion, it is not enough for you or me to be somewhat less wicked than others. We are to become not only good but holy men and women,” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion,” GC, Oct. 2008).
“We, as covenant women, have consecrated ourselves to the cause of Christ through our baptismal and temple covenants. We can alter the face of the earth one family and one home at a time through charity, our small and simple acts of pure love. … ‘Is what I am doing really important? Does it matter or make a difference?’ Dear sisters, what you are doing with your families matters! It matters so very, very much.” (Anne C. Pingree, Charity: One Family, One Home at a Time,” GC, Oct. 2002).
“[In] the world before we came here, faithful women were given certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood tasks. While we do not now remember the particulars, . . . we are accountable for those things which long ago were expected of us” (Spencer W. Kimball, My Beloved Sisters, p. 37).
“Paul the Apostle anciently spoke of holy women. It is the duty of each one of us to be a holy woman. We shall have elevated aims, if we are holy women. We shall feel that we are called to perform important duties. No one is exempt from them. There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth” (Eliza R. Snow, “An Address,” Woman’s Exponent, Sep. 15, 1873).
“Relief Society is unique because it was organized after the “pattern of the priesthood” and we operate on a general and local level under the direction of priesthood leaders. We work in partnership with priesthood leaders, who hold keys which give them authority to preside in the name of the Lord. We operate in the manner of the priesthood–which means that we seek, receive, and act on revelation; make decisions in councils; and concern ourselves with caring for individuals one by one. Ours is the priesthood purpose to prepare ourselves for the blessings of eternal life by making and keeping covenants. Therefore, like our brethren who hold the priesthood, ours is a work of salvation, service, and becoming a holy people.” (Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society: A Sacred Work,” GC, Oct. 2009).
“Let every man, woman, and child realize the importance of the work, and act as if success depended on his individual exertion alone.” (Joseph Smith, CH, 4:214).
“No matter what they may be without, are your homes pure within? Are morning prayers offered there regularly? Or do the things of this world take you away from your home and make you deprive yourself of morning prayers with the children? Woe to that home where the mother abandons her holy mission or neglects the divine instruction, influence, and example—while she bows, a devotee, at the shrine of social pleasure; or neglects the essential duties in her own household, in her enthusiasm to promote public reform.” (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 481).
“Another great and important duty devolving upon this people is to teach their children, from their cradle until they become men and women, every principle of the gospel, and endeavor, so far as lies in the power of the parents, to instill into their hearts a love for God, the truth, virtue, honesty, honor and integrity to everything that is good. That is important for all men and women who stand at the head of a family in the household of faith. Teach your children the love of God, teach them to love the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 292-293).
“And then the Priesthood will wish to proclaim their debt to these their helpmeets without whom the Priesthood could not have worked out their destiny. And the Priesthood shall bow in reverence and in love unbounded before these mothers who did the service the Priesthood could not do, and thank and praise them for bearing their children, a service without which God’s purposes had failed and the intelligences which God called around him “in the beginning” had been deprived of the divine destiny God marked out for them in the Great Council held in Heaven before the earth was formed” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., “Our Wives and Our Mothers in the Eternal Plan,” The Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1946, 33:12).
“The fact that the Relief Society — the largest Women’s organization in the world — works under priesthood direction makes it completely unique. Carrying out what has been outlined will require “increased levels of counseling and communication between Relief Society presidents and bishops.” (Julie B. Beck, Relief Society: A Sacred Work, GC, Oct 2009).
“What fashionable young lady has any time to devote to religious purposes? All can plainly see they have none whatever. This life is very short to all…then how foolish it does appear for mortal beings to use their energies for the gratification and pleasure of these earthly tabernacles, instead of striving for that which will adorn, make lovely, pure and godlike our spirits, which are destined to live forever. (Mary Freeze, Salt Lake Stake YLMIA President, Women’s Exponent, Feb. 1884).
“We are now building, as you know, a large grain elevator which will store approximately 300,000 bushels of grain. We did have in storage approximately 190,000 bushels of wheat, which we are now replacing. … After calling attention to the sale of the wheat to the Government at that time, [a letter dated August 26th, 1918, signed by the First Presidency under Joseph F. Smith, by the Presiding Bishopric under C. W Mibley, and by the Relief Society under Emmeline B. Wells], closes with these two paragraphs: ‘The money received for the wheat the government has taken must be kept in the banks and draw interest. In no case should it be loaned out or used for any purposes whatsoever other than the purchase of wheat, as it is a sacred trust fund which can be used only for the purpose for which it is donated.’ We are, my brethren and sisters, in accordance with that determination which was then made, re-investing the wheat money back into wheat, and we aim to keep it re-invested in that way as a part of the Church Welfare Plan. This move has the whole-hearted and complete approval of the Relief Society sisters to whom as a matter of fact the fund belongs” (J. Reuben Clark, GC, Apr. 1940).
“Sisters, we have work to do. The time has come for us to be anxiously engaged in the work of saving souls. The time has come for the sisters of Relief Society to stand with and for the prophet in helping build the kingdom.” (Sheri L. Dew, “Stand Tall and Stand Together,” GC, Oct. 2000).
“I should like to say a word to the women of the Church, the “first aid” to the Priesthood in their trials and tribulations. I marvel that our wives are willing to live with us, with all of our grumblings, failings, and shortcomings. From the beginning the women of the Christian church have shown their surpassing faith and devotion. Only one Apostle stood near the Cross while the Christ was crucified, but Mary, the mother, was there, and Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children, and the women that followed Him from Galilee. It was Mary Magdalene who was first at the tomb when the Sabbath had ended, and to her Christ vouchsafed the first view to mortals of His resurrected body. From that time until now woman has comforted and nursed the Church. She has borne more than half the burdens, she has made more than half the sacrifices, she has suffered the most of the heartaches and sorrows. In the modern Church hers has been the abiding, unquestioning faith, the pure knowledge, that has enheartened the Priesthood and kept it going forward against all odds. Her loving trust, her loyal devotion were the faithful anchor that held when storms were fiercest. For all this we are more grateful than we can say” (J. Reuben Clark, GC, Apr. 1940).
“Gracias, danke, merci—whatever language is spoken, ‘thank you’ frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection.” Thomas S. Monson, “Think to Thank,” GC, Oct. 1998).
“In the beginning, God created man, male and female, and bestow’d upon man certain blessings peculiar to a man of God, of which woman partook, so that without the female all things cannot be restor’d to the earth. It takes all to restore the Priesthood.” (Bishop Newel K. Whitney, Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book, May 27, 1842).
“I invite you to devote yourself to Relief Society. Work at it. Organize and participate and sustain this great work we have been given by God. Trust each other. Lift each other spiritually in your thoughts, teachings, and discussions. Show charity and love—not by assignment but from the heart” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “Oh, How We Need Each Other!” GC, Mar. 2004).
“You sisters, your daughters, your granddaughters, and the women you have nurtured will be at the heart of creating that society of people who will join in glorious association with the Savior. You will be an essential force in the gathering of Israel and in the creation of a Zion people who will dwell in peace in the New Jerusalem” (Henry B. Eyring, “Sisters in Zion,” GC, Oct. 2020).
“The Prophet Joseph Smith laid it upon the Relief Society women of the Church to protect our homes and families by preserving virtue and holiness” (Mark E. Petersen, “Modesty Protects Virtue,” Relief Society Magazine, Jan. 1963).
“Some sisters have apologized to me, thinking they are not active members of Relief Society because they are serving in Primary or Young Women. Those sisters are among the most active members of Relief Society because they are helping our precious children and youth strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ” (Reyna I. Aburto, “We Are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” GC, Apr. 2022).
“What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger. I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.” (Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” GC, Oct. 2009).
“Mormon women are basically strong, independent, and faithful. They have chosen to live by a creed and a way of life that can be demanding at best. From the earliest days of the Church, active membership has meant faith, fortitude, denial, selflessness, and service.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” GC, Oct. 1978).
“Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel” (Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail,” GC, Oct. 2020).
“Let me say to you sisters that you do not hold a second place in our Father’s plan for the eternal happiness and well-being of His children. You are an absolutely essential part of that plan. Without you the plan could not function. Without you the entire program would be frustrated” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Women of the Church,” GC, Oct. 1996).
“We live in a time when too often success is determined by the things we gather, accumulate, collect, measure, and even compare in relation to what others gather and accumulate. This pattern of living invites its own consequences and built-in stress. … It is as we learn to simplify and reduce, prioritize and cut back on the excesses, that we have enough time and money for the essentials, for all that we ultimately want and even more” (Ardeth G. Kapp, “What Will You Make Room for in Your Wagon,” BYU Speeches, Nov. 1980).
“One apparent impact of the women’s movement has been the feelings of discontent it has created among young women who have chosen the role of wife and mother. They are often made to feel that there are more exciting and self-fulfilling roles for women than housework, diaper changing, and children calling for mother. This view loses sight of the eternal perspective that God elected women to the noble role of mother and that exaltation is eternal fatherhood and eternal motherhood (Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Elect Women of the Kingdom of God,” Nauvoo Illinois Relief Society Dedication, 30 June 1978. Also, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 548).
“Marriage is a partnership. Each is given a part of the work of life to do. The fact that some women and men disregard their work and their opportunities does not change the program. This is the great, irreplaceable work of women. Life cannot go on if women cease to bear children. Modal life is a privilege and a necessary step in eternal progression. Mother Eve understood that. You must also understand it.” (Spencer W. Kimball. “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” GC, Oct. 1978).
“Eve was given the identity of ‘the mother of all living’ … before she ever bore a child. It would appear that her motherhood preceded her maternity.” (Patricia Holland, “‘One Thing Needful’: Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ,” GC, Oct. 1987).
“Count your wonderful blessings. Do not worry away your lives with concerns over ‘rights’, so-called, but move forward, concerned with responsibilities and opportunities. Your potential is limitless. You are daughters of God, endowed by inheritance with marvelous gifts and immeasurable potential. Accept the challenge. Go forward with confidence in the knowledge that the differences you face are not those which come of discrimination so much as those which come of designation. That you may be happy, and that your lives may be rich with that satisfaction which comes from the development of your spiritual gifts.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Ten Gifts From the Lord,” GC, Oct. 1985).
“In order to be successful in Relief Society work, one must not only partake of the influence of it, but must put one’s soul into the work and give it the stamp and seal of her personal life and character; and be so engrossed with the real merit and beauty of it as to be joyous and make it a part, as it were of herself, a life work;–and assuredly a work of love.” (Emmeline B. Wells, “The Spirit of Relief Society Work,” Woman’s Exponent, Oct. 1, 1905).
“Relief Society women have never been satisfied with mere self improvement. They have had a feeling that life was incomplete unless through their work and themselves they were able to make a contribution toward the welfare of others.” (Amy Brown Lyman, “Remarks, Welfare Session of General Conference,” Relief Society Magazine, Nov. 1941).
“The Lord loves effort,” (Russell M. Nelson in Joy D. Jones’ talk, “An Especially Noble Calling,” GC, Apr. 2020).
“The Lord never sends apostles and prophets and righteous men to minister to his people without placing women of like spiritual stature at their sides. Adam stands as the great high priest, under Christ, to rule as a natural patriarch over all men of all ages, but he cannot rule alone; Eve, his wife, rules at his side, having like caliber and attainments to his own. Abraham is tested as few men have been when the Lord commands him to offer Isaac upon the altar; and Sarah struggles with like problems when the Lord directs that she withhold from the Egyptians her status as Abraham’s wife. . . . And so it goes, in all dispensations and at all times when there are holy men there are also holy women. Neither stands alone before the Lord. The exaltation of the one is dependent upon that of the other” ( Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:302).
“Someone had to do it. Why not the women? Why not the organization that the Lord established … ? To stand side by side with the brethren … , why shouldn’t we do our part? Then came the vision of it as an essential part of the gospel plan” (Belle Spafford, Oral History, 1975-76, interviews by Jill Mulvay Derr, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
“Our Heavenly Father’s spirit is constantly available to us. He sorrows with us and is with us in our pain when abuse occurs. He is there when we start to make the first steps back. His love is steadfast. We may feel betrayed by our family, our church, our society, and even by God, but God does not betray us. His love is never changing.” (Chieko Okazaki, “Healing from Sexual Abuse,” Brigham Young University, Oct. 23, 2002).
“Relief Society is the covenant women of the church; it is us–each of us and all of us. It is our global community of compassion and service. Anywhere and everywhere we go, we are always part of Relief Society as we strive to fulfill its divine purpose, which is for women to accomplish God’s work in individual as well as collective ways by providing relief: ‘relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance–relief of all that hinders … joy and progress” (Reyna I. Aburto, “We Are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” GC, Apr. 2022).
“God bless you, mothers! When all the victories and defeats of men’s efforts are tallied, when the dust of life’s battles begins to settle, when all for which we labor so hard in this world of conquest fades before our eyes, you will be there, you must be there, as the strength for a new generation, the ever-improving onward movement of the race. Its quality will depend on you” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Motherhood: A Heritage of Faith, pg. 13).
“We know that the culminating act of all creation was the creation of woman! We need your strength! We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity. We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve. My dear sisters, nothing is more crucial to your eternal life than your own conversion. It is converted, covenant-keeping women—women like my dear wife Wendy—whose righteous lives will increasingly stand out in a deteriorating world and who will thus be seen as different and distinct in the happiest of ways.” (Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” GC, Oct. 2015).
“You are daughters of God. …You are creatures of divinity; you are daughters of the Almighty. Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future, if you will take control of it. Do not let your lives drift in a fruitless and worthless manner. … For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. … Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?” GC, May 2001).
The First Presidency of this church has said, ‘Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind The priesthood cannot work out its destiny, nor can God’s purposes be fulfilled, without our helpmates. Mothers perform a labor the priesthood cannot do. For this supernal gift of life the priesthood should have love unbounded for the mothers of their children. Men should give them honor, gratitude, reverence, respect, and praise. A man who fails to gratefully acknowledge his debt to his own mother who gave him life is insensitive to the Holy Spirit. I wish to acknowledge to both my mother and my wife a debt which is so great I shall never be able to repay it” (James E. Faust, “The Highest Place of Honor,” GC, Apr 1988).
“Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good. Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth. God will hold us accountable if we neglect His daughters. He has given us a great and compelling trust. May we be faithful to that trust” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Our Responsibility to Our Young Women,” Ensign, Sep. 1988).
“Man is at his best when complemented by a good woman’s natural influence.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Woman, Deseret Book Co., p. 69)
“I hope my granddaughters will understand that the Lord inspired the Prophet Joseph Smith to organize the women of the Church ‘under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood.’ …Being organized under the priesthood made it possible for the presidency to receive direction from the Lord and His prophet for a specific work. …That first group of women understood that they had been given authority to teach, inspire, and organize the sisters as disciples to assist in the Lord’s work of salvation,” (Julie B. Beck, “What I Hope My Granddaughters (and Grandsons) Will Understand about the Relief Society,” GC, Oct. 2011).
“There is a power in this organization that has not yet been fully exercised to strengthen the homes of Zion and build the Kingdom of God—nor will it until both the sisters and the priesthood catch the vision of Relief Society.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Relief Society—Its Promise and Potential,” Ensign, Mar. 1976).
“Without the wonderful work of the women I realize that the Church would have been a failure.” (Heber J. Grant, “Gospel Standards,” Improvement Era, 1941, p. 150).
“Grateful daughters of God guard their bodies carefully, for they know they are the wellspring of life and they reverence life. They don’t uncover their bodies to find favor with the world. They walk in modesty to be in favor with their Father in Heaven. For they know He loves them dearly.” (Margaret D. Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood,” GC, Oct. 2000).
“None of us ever need hesitate to speak up for this Church, for its doctrine, for its people, for its divine organization and divinely given responsibility. It is true. It is the work of God. The only things that can ever embarrass this work are acts of disobedience to its doctrine and standards by those of its membership. That places upon each of us a tremendous responsibility. This work will be judged by what the world sees of our behavior. God give us the will to walk with faith, the discipline to do what is right at all times and in all circumstances, the resolution to make of our lives a declaration of this cause before all who see us, I humbly pray.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, This Thing Was Not Done in a Corner, GC, Oct. 1996).
“That which people, especially women, seek as they cry for liberation is already in their midst; it is so close they do not see it, so simple that they cannot understand it: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who tell women to rise up and be liberated and demand a new role in life are only advocating liberation from the very functions created in them by God that make them different from men. God created man to be the husband, the father, and the breadwinner and the woman to be the wife, the mother, the childbearer and child-raiser. She is to be a helpmeet to her husband. She is to be a partner in the patriarchal order, an order that was determined before she came to this earth and that rules in heaven, in mortality, and in the eternities to come. The home is the castle, the husband the king, the mother the queen, the children the princesses and princes.” (Florence S. Jacobsen, “Women, This is Our Time,” Area Conference in Manchester, England, Aug 28, 1971).
“Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.” (Margaret D. Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood,” GC, Oct. 2000).
I feel likewise that it ill becomes any man who holds the priesthood of God to abuse his wife in any way, to demean or injure or take undue advantage of the woman who is the mother of his children, the companion of his life, and his companion for eternity if he has received that greater blessing. Let us deal in kindness and with appreciation with those for whom the Lord will hold us accountable.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Reach Out in Love and Kindness,” CR, Oct. 1982).
“The work of the Relief Society is so closely connected with that of the Genealogical society that membership in the one practically implies interest in the other” (Emmeline B. Wells, Deseret Evening News, 7 April 1914, 2).
“I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I cannot explain the power of this great book. I only know that, coupled with prayer, the Book of Mormon carries the power to protect families, strengthen relationships, and give personal confidence before the Lord” (Linda S. Reeves, “Protection from Pornography–A Christ-Focused Home,” GC, Apr. 2014).
“You good sisters, who are single and alone, do not fear, do not feel that blessings are going to be withheld from you. If in your hearts you feel that the gospel is true, and would under proper conditions receive these ordinances and sealing blessings in the temple of the Lord; and that is your faith and your hope and your desire, and that does not come to you now; the Lord will make it up, and you shall be blessed–for no blessing shall be withheld.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:76-77).
“All of us, I think, need to honestly evaluate our lives–ask ourselves where we are going, ask ourselves if we like what we are becoming. We need to analyze our priorities and see if they square with the guidelines set by the Lord for our happiness.” (Barbara B. Smith, “A Conversation With Sister Barbara B. Smith”, Ensign, Mar 1976).
“We do not lower our standards to fit in or to make someone else feel comfortable. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such we are about elevating others, lifting them to a higher, holier place where they too can reap greater blessings” (Becky Craven, “Careful versus Casual,” GC, Apr. 2019).
“Sisters, I pray that we will recognize and cherish priesthood power as we cleave unto our covenants, embrace the truths of the scriptures, and heed the words of our living prophets” (Joy D. Jones, “An Especially Noble Calling,” GC, Apr. 2020).
“I pray, sisters, that we will rejoice and go on to victory as we prepare for the second coming of our Savior. I pray that we will not be led away by the subtle enticings of the world that sometimes come to us even from those near and dear to us—the enticings that say to us, “Seek for visibility; seek for power and influence; be sure your own needs are being met.” These are not the teachings of him whose coming we await. He says to us, rather, be the servant of all; let your light so shine.” (Barbara W. Winder, Becoming a Prepared People, GC, Oct 1988)
“It is time for Relief Society to fulfill its purpose as never before. To move forward and achieve what the Lord desires, we must clearly understand the purpose of Relief Society…. the purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life. I would like to say that again. The purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life” (Julie B. Beck, “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society,” GC, Oct. 2008).
“Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own ‘happily ever after’. But such a blessing does not come without a price. It is not given simply because you desire it. It comes only through understanding who you are and what you must become in order to be worthy of such a gift” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Happily Ever After,” GC, Apr. 2010).
“Today I ask you to undertake with me a spiritual journey worthy of our best efforts. I ask you to press forward with me in the quest for unparalleled levels of personal spirituality. Let us seek keener vision and stronger hearts. Let us make “Charity Never Faileth” a motto of such personal significance that the whole world will be blessed by us, the daughters of God who are the sisters of Relief Society.” (Elaine L. Jack, “Look Up and Press On,” GC, Apr. 1992).
“It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the…women of the world, in everything that is praiseworthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and…purifying to the children of men.” (Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church [1998], pg. 184)
“Popular culture today often makes women look silly, inconsequential, mindless, and powerless…With all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers…No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness—in this life and forever.” (M. Russell Ballard, Mothers and Daughters, GC, Apr 2010)
“It is the duty of parents to teach their children these saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that they will know why they are to be baptized and that they may be impressed in their hearts with a desire to continue to keep the commandments of God after they are baptized, that they may come back into his presence. …You must begin by teaching at the cradle-side. You are to teach by example as well as precept” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Keep the Commandments of God,” GC, Oct. 1948).
“Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home.” (L. Tom Perry, “Mothers Teaching Children in the Home,” GC, Apr. 2010).
“Teach your daughters about things of the Spirit. Point them to the scriptures. Give them experiences that will help them cherish the blessing of priesthood power in their lives. Through keeping covenants they will learn to hear the voice of the Lord and receive personal revelation. God will truly hear and answer their prayers.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Mothers and Daughters,” GC, Apr. 2010).
“I pray that mothers and daughters will participate with more vigor, that husbands will support their wives, and that both mothers and fathers will prepare their daughters for Relief Society. I encourage priesthood leaders to shepherd God’s daughters, young and old, into Relief Society—one of the many miracles of the Restoration. As we take these steps, we will be overwhelmed with gratitude for this sacred organization.” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “How Has Relief Society Blessed Your Life?” GC, Oct. 2004).
“Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. You and I live in ‘a day of warning.’ And because we have been and will be warned, we need to be…’watching…with all perseverance.’” (David A. Bednar, “Watching With All Perseverance,” GC, Apr. 2010).
“I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation. We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God’s children…Too many of our Father in Heaven’s children are being overcome by worldly desires. The onslaught of wickedness against our children is at once more subtle and more brazen than it has ever been…God bless you wonderful mothers and fathers in Zion. He has entrusted to your care His eternal children.” (L. Tom Perry, “Mothers Teaching Children in the Home,” GC, Apr. 2010).
“Because Relief Society is divinely designed, it blesses not only women but the family and the Church” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “How Has Relief Society Blessed Your Life?” GC, Oct. 2004).
“Relief Society is not just a class on Sunday. It isn’t just a place we go if we are not teaching in the Primary or Young Women organizations. It is the Lord’s organization for women. Participation in Relief Society is part of our glorious heritage and blessing as women in the Lord’s Church,” (Barbara Thompson, “Now Let Us Rejoice,” GC, Oct. 2008).
“How does a woman in our day find answers to her own questions and stand strong and immovable?…The Lord depends on His daughters to do their part to strengthen the homes of Zion and build His kingdom on the earth. As they seek and qualify for personal revelation, the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids.” (Julie B. Beck, “And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit,” GC, Apr. 2010).
“In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter” (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” GC, Apr. 2008).
“Christ did not just speak about love; he showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.'” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, You Are His Hands, GC, Apr. 2010).
“I should prefer to deal with the Mormon pioneers, if I can, as human beings of their time and place, the earlier ones westward-moving Americans, the later ones European converts…Suffering endurance, discipline, faith, brotherly and sisterly charity, the qualities so thoroughly celebrated by Mormon writers…That I do not accept the faith that possessed them does not mean I doubt their frequent devotion and heroism in its service. Especially their women. Their women were incredible.” (Wallace Stegner, The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail, 1964).
“Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Oct. 2019).
“One of our most precious possessions is our families. The domestic relations precede, and, in our present existence, are worth more than all other social ties. They give the first throb to the heart and unseal the deep fountains of its love. Home is the chief school of human virtues. Its responsibilities, joys, sorrows, smiles, tears, hopes, and solicitudes form the chief interests of human life.” (David O. McKay, “Blessed are They That Do His Commandments,” GC, Apr. 1964).
“A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored gospel, and she teaches the principles of the gospel without equivocation. She is keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she learns to the generations who follow her.” (Julie B. Beck, “A Mother Heart,” GC, Apr. 2004).
“Lift where you stand.” (Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Oct. 2008).
“I desire to impress on you daughters of God, you mothers of men, that if this world is to endure, you must keep the faith. If this world is to be happy, you will have to set the pace for that happiness. … [The adversary] has betrayed many of the daughters of God into bad habits, and the result will be that their children will suffer from bad habits. If we are to maintain our physical strength and mental power and spiritual joy, it will have to be on the Lord’s terms, and he has told us what those terms are” (George Albert Smith, “Address to the Members of the Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1945).
“We are getting too far away from the spiritual side of our great work, and from the thought that inspired the first organization of the Relief Society. The Society stands first for spirituality, and then for charity and mercy.” (Emmeline B. Wells, quoted in Women of Covenant by Derr, Cannon, Beecher. Pg. 189)
“Mother Teresa…spoke this profound truth: ‘If you judge people, you have no time to love them.’ The Savior has admonished, ‘This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.’ I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer–with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Charity Never Faileth,” GC, Oct. 2010).
“Do you have a daily habit of reading the scriptures? If we are not reading the scriptures daily, our testimonies are growing thinner, our spirituality isn’t increasing in depth. We, ourselves, must be studying the scriptures and have a daily habit.” (Harold B. Lee, Regional Representatives Seminar, 12 Dec. 1970, 10).
“No matter what circumstances you sisters experience, your influence can be marvelously far-reaching. I believe some of you have a tendency to underestimate your profound capacity for blessing the lives of others. More often than not, it is not on the stage with some public pronouncement but in your example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis.” (James E. Faust, “You Are All Heaven Sent,” GC, Nov. 2002).
“I wonder if we have somehow forgotten the uniqueness, the divineness of our organization. I wonder if we have not become too casual about our membership. Sisters, we can’t let that happen. We must prize our Relief Society and our sisters” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “Oh, How We Need Each Other!” GC, Mar. 2004).
“Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” GC, Oct. 2019).
“We understand the power of a group working in faith, strengthening homes, and seeking out to help one another. One of my favorite stories in scripture is the story of the Lamanite mothers in the Book of Mormon. The real power of that story was their unity…There wasn’t one mother in that 2060 who was weak in her faith. It was the combination of the support they provided for each other and the help they gave to each other that made their homes unitedly powerful. That is what we provide for each other as sisters and daughters of God in the Lord’s work” (Julie B. Beck, “Choose Ye This Day to Serve the Lord,” BYU Women’s Conference, Apr. 29, 2010).
“I pray that mothers and daughters will participate with more vigor, that husbands will support their wives, and that both mothers and fathers will prepare their daughters for Relief Society. I encourage priesthood leaders to shepherd God’s daughters, young and old, into Relief Society—one of the many miracles of the Restoration. As we take these steps, we will be overwhelmed with gratitude for this sacred organization” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “How Has Relief Society Blessed Your Life?” GC, Oct. 2004).
“The spirit of the gospel will always exist within this Society in direct ratio to the strength of the testimonies of the women who make up its membership. A knowledge of the gospel, obedience to its teachings, a willingness to keep the commandments of God on the part of Relief Society women are prerequisites to their well-being as individuals and to the well-being of Relief Society as an organization.” (Belle Spafford, “The Spirit of the Gospel, The Soul of Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Mar. 1949).
“What is the object of the Female Relief Society? I would reply–to do good–to bring into requisition every capacity we possess for doing good, not only in relieving the poor but in saving souls. United effort will accomplish incalculably more than can be accomplished by the most effective individual’s energies.” (Eliza R. Snow, “Female Relief Society,” Deseret Evening News, Apr. 18, 1868, 2).
“I hope our granddaughters and grandsons grow up knowing that they are not and have never been third-party observers of the priesthood. The blessings of the priesthood, which ‘are available to men and women alike’, are woven in and through and around their lives. Each of them is blessed by sacred ordinances, and each of them can enjoy the blessings of spiritual gifts by virtue of the priesthood” (Julie B. Beck, “An Outpouring of Blessings,” GC, May 2006).
“Good homes are still the best source of good humans.” (Neal A. Maxwell, “Eternalism vs. Secularism,” Ensign, Oct. 1974).
“Sisters, the Lord needs women who will teach children to work and learn and serve and believe. Whether they are our own or another’s, we must stand up and state, ‘Here am I; send me to watch over your little ones, to put them first, to guide and protect them from evil, to love them’” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “With Holiness of Heart,” GC, Oct. 2002).
“I think [forgiveness] may be the greatest virtue on earth, and certainly the most needed. There is so much of meanness and abuse, of intolerance and hatred. There is so great a need for repentance and forgiveness. It is the great principle emphasized in all of scripture, both ancient and modern. Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,” GC, Nov. 2005).
“No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future. … guard that future and remember that when the Judge shall summon [you], he will not look [you] over for medals, for diplomas, for honors, but for scars, and … that there be no stains between the scars” (Hugh B Brown, Improvement Era, Dec. 1969, 95).
“Ideals are stars to steer by; they are not sticks to beat ourselves with.” (Barbara B. Smith, GC, Mar. 1976).
“When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this,” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” GC, May 1978).
“There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless” James E. Faust, “The Refiner’s Fire,” GC, May 1979).
“I say to everyone within the sound of my voice, ‘Do not fail the Lord.’ We must accept the truth that the gospel principles are not on trial but that we are” Spencer W. Kimball, “Fortify Your Homes against Evil,” GC, May 1979).
“No matter what circumstances you sisters experience, your influence can be marvelously far-reaching. I believe some of you have a tendency to underestimate your profound capacity for blessing the lives of others. More often than not, it is not on the stage with some public pronouncement but in your example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis” (James E. Faust, “You Are All Heaven Sent,” GC, Nov. 2002).
“Please don’t nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You,” GC, Nov. 1989).
“…The truer measure of sacrifice isn’t so much what one gives to sacrifice as what one sacrifices to give. Faith isn’t tested so much when the cupboard is full as when it is bare. In these defining moments, the crisis doesn’t create one’s character, it reveals it) (Lynn G. Robbins, “Tithing, a Commandment Even for the Destitute,” GC, May 2005).
“The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development. Paradoxically, the more we serve one another, the greater is our spiritual and emotional growth” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships,” GC, Nov. 1982).
“Sisters, you are each like the lioness at the gate. This means that there has to be some prioritizing. I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight” (Julie B. Beck, “Choose Ye This Day to Serve the Lord,” BYU Women’s Conference, Apr. 29, 2010).
“Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored gospel and your witness of our Redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Golden Years,” GC, Apr. 2003).
“With the Lord, families are essential. He created the earth that we could gain physical bodies and form families. He established His Church to exalt families. He provides temples so that families can be together forever” (Russell M. Nelson, “Set in Order Thy House,” GC, Oct. 2001).
“Lucifer is determined to devour marriages and families, because their demise threatens the salvation of all involved and the vitality of the Lord’s kingdom itself” (Sheri L. Dew, “It Is Not Good for Man or Woman to Be Alone,” GC, Oct. 2001).
“I am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again” (Spencer W. Kimball, “How Rare a Possession–the Scriptures!,” Ensign, Sep. 1976).
“Covenants can keep us and those we love spiritually safe and spiritually prepared by putting first things first. For instance, when it comes to families, we cannot afford indifference and distraction” (Bonnie D. Parkin, “With Holiness of Heart,” Oct. 2002).
“The members of the Relief Society have most surely exemplified in their lives pure and undefiled religion; for they have ministered to those in affliction, they have thrown their arms of love around the fatherless and the widows, and they have kept themselves unspotted from the world. I can testify that there are no purer and more God-fearing women in the world than are to be found within the ranks of the Relief Society” (Lorenzo Snow, The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, p. 143).
“People wonder what we do for our women. I’ll tell you what we do. We get out of their way and look with wonder at what they’re accomplishing” (Gordon B. Hinckley, National Press Club appearance, Mar. 8, 2000).
“If you ponder the scriptures and begin to do what you covenanted with God to do, I can promise you that you will feel more love for God and more of His love for you” (Henry B. Eyring, “Prayer,” Oct. 2001).
“It is not given to woman to exercise the authority of the Priesthood independently; nevertheless, in the sacred endowments associated with the ordinances pertaining to the House of the Lord, woman shares with man the blessings of the Priesthood. When the frailties and imperfections of mortality are left behind, in the glorified state of the blessed hereafter, husband and wife will administer in their respective stations, seeing and understanding alike, and co-operating to the full in the government of their family kingdom.” (James E. Talmage, “The Eternity of Sex,” YWJ, Jan 1914).
“We don’t have to be perfect today. We don’t have to be better than someone else. All we have to do is to be the very best we can. Though you may feel weary, though you sometimes may not be able to see the way, know that your Father in Heaven will never forsake His righteous followers. He will not leave you comfortless. He will be at your side, yes, guiding you every step of the way” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “One Step after Another,” GC, Oct. 2001).
“Now it is time to ‘bind [ourselves] to act in all holiness before [the Lord]’. In other words,…we need to decide on specific actions to bring about needed changes in our lives. This action is called faith, and the changes are repentance. Blessings always follow these two principles. If we do not take action quickly, then the very thing which could have sanctified us may turn to our condemnation.” (H. Aldridge Gillespie, “The Blessing of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign, Nov. 2000).
“Young people and adults, if you are caught in Satan’s trap of pornography, remember how merciful our beloved Savior is. Do you realize how deeply the Lord loves and cherishes you, even now? Our Savior has the power to cleanse and heal you. He can remove the pain and sorrow you feel and make you clean again through the power of His Atonement” (Linda S. Reeves, “Protection from Pornography–A Christ-Focused Home, GC, Apr. 2014).
“Parents can plant seeds in the hearts and minds of their children only if they know where the children are and what they are doing. Parents should not leave the teaching of their children to chance” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Seeds of Renewal,” GC, May 1989).
“Before we came here, faithful women were given certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood tasks. While we do not now remember the particulars, this does not alter the glorious reality of what we once agreed to. You are accountable for those things which long ago were expected of you just as are those we sustain as prophets and apostles!” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979).
“Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says: ‘Oh Crap, She’s up!'” (Unknown)
“No matter to what heights God has attained or may attain, he does not stand alone; for side by side with him, in all her glory, a glory like unto his, stands a companion, the Mother of his children. For as we have a Father in heaven, so also we have a Mother there, a glorified, exalted ennobled Mother” (Cited in Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Mission Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1949, p. 205).
“When we return to our real home, it will be with the ‘mutual approbation’ of those who reign in the ‘royal courts on high.’ There we will find beauty such as mortal ‘eye hath not seen’; we will hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal ‘ear hath not heard.’ Could such a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly Mother?” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” GC, May 1978).
“There is no substitute for kindness in the home” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Virtue of Kindness, GC, May 2005).
“The Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized” (Said by Joseph Smith to the Nauvoo Female Relief Society. Recorded by Sarah Granger Kimball,“Auto-biography,” Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 1, 1883, p. 51.
“…To illustrate the object of the Society— that the Society of Sisters might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor— searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants—to assist; by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community, and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking” (Joseph Smith, The Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, Mar 17, 1842).
“The purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life” (Julie Beck, “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society,” GC, Oct. 2008).
“We are waging a war with sin, my brothers and sisters, but we need not despair. It is a war we can and will win. Our Father in Heaven has given us the tools we need in order to do so” (Thomas S. Monson, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” GC, Apr. 2008).
“Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Times in Which We Live,” GC, Oct. 2001).
“Men are not ‘the priesthood.’ Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” GC, Apr. 2014).
“The Relief Society is designed to be a self-governing organization. If difficulties arise between members upon any matters pertaining to the Relief Society itself, which they cannot settle between the members themselves, aided by the teachers, instead of troubling the bishop, the matter should be referred to their president and her counselors. If the branch board cannot decide satisfactorily, an appeal to the Stake Board is next in order; if that fails to settle the question, the next step brings it before the General Board, from which the only resort is to the Priesthood; but, if possible, we should relieve the bishops instead of adding to their multitudinous labors.” (Eliza R. Snow Smith, “To the Branches of the Relief Society,” Woman’s Exponent, Sep. 12, 1884. Quoted in The First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 4.14).
“When we have been absent on foreign missions, their missions at home have generally been no less arduous than ours abroad; and in the midst of trial and privation they have exhibited a patience, a fortitude and a self-help that has been truly inspiring. Thank God for the women of this Church!” (Lorenzo Snow, “Prest. Snow to Relief Societies,” Deseret Evening News, Jul. 9, 1901).
“Our Heavenly Father wants husbands and wives to be faithful to each other and to esteem and treat their children as an heritage from the Lord.10 In such a family we study the scriptures and pray together. And we fix our focus on the temple” (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” GC, Apr. 2008).
“Because families are eternal, we cannot afford to be casual or complacent about those relationships. Much of the great work of this society in the past has been centered in helping Latter-day Saint women strengthen families, with emphasis on improving our nurturing skills—homemaking skills, parenting skills, and marriage skills. Families mean work, but they are our great work—and we are not afraid of work. This is what we do best; no one does families better than the sisters of this Relief Society. We uphold, nourish, and protect them” (Julie B. Beck,“What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” GC, Oct. 2007).
“The kingdom of God is like a besieged city surrounded on all sides by death. Each man has his place on the wall to defend and no one can stand where another stands, but nothing prevents us from calling encouragement to one another” (Martin Luther, in Lewis William Spitz, The Renaissance and Reformation Movements [1987], 335).
“Focusing on relief will always build sociality, whereas focusing on sociality may not always bring relief. When we gather for any purpose under the banner of Relief Society, we must spend our precious time and consecrated funds for the purpose of helping sisters do what we should do best. … Much of the great work of this society in the past has been centered in helping Latter-day Saint women strengthen families, with emphasis on improving our nurturing skills—homemaking skills, parenting skills, and marriage skills. Families mean work, but they are our great work—and we are not afraid of work. This is what we do best; no one does families better than the sisters of this Relief Society. We uphold, nourish, and protect them” (Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best–Stand Strong and Immovable,” GC, Oct. 2007).
“An eternal bond doesn’t just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities. The family relationships we have here on this earth are important, but they are much more important for their effect on our families for generations in mortality and throughout all eternity” (Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” GC, Oct. 1996).
“Strong Relief Societies carry a powerful immunizing and healing influence for the mothers and the daughters, for the single parent, for the single sisters, for the aging, for the infirm” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Relief Society,” GC, Apr. 1998).
“Women are such a necessary part of the plan of happiness which our Heavenly Father has outlined for us. That plan cannot operate without them. … How thankful I am, how thankful we all must be, for the women in our lives. God bless them. May His great love distill upon them and crown them with luster and beauty, grace and faith” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Women in Our Lives,” GC, Oct. 2004).
“I remind all of us that we are Latter-day Saints. We have made covenants with our Heavenly Father, sacred and binding. Those covenants, if we keep them, will make us better fathers and mothers, better sons and daughters” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World,” GC, Oct. 2003).
“Faith was built into the Prophet Joseph Smith in his youth. Too many young people are being taught concepts in school and elsewhere that do not harmonize with the teachings of the gospel of Christ. They are encouraged to find out for themselves, to try this and try that. This deviating approach permits looseness and uncontrolled appetites. The Lord has said: “. . . seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (D&C 88:63). (Delbert L. Stapley, “An Unwavering Faith,” CR, Apr 1970).
“No man receives the fulness of the priesthood without a woman at his side. For no man, the Prophet said, can obtain the fulness of the priesthood outside the temple of the Lord (D&C 131:1-14). And she is there beside him in that sacred place. She shares in all that he receives. The man and the woman individually receive the ordinances encompassed in the endowment. But the man cannot ascend to the highest ordinances—the sealing ordinances—without her at his side. No man achieves the supernal exalting status of worthy fatherhood except as a gift from his wife” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Relief Society,” GC, Apr. 1998).
We need more of the distinctive, influential voices and faith of women. We need them to learn the doctrine and to understand what we believe so that they can bear their testimonies about the truth of all things—whether those testimonies be given around a campfire at a Young Women camp, in a testimony meeting, in a blog, or on Facebook. Only faithful Latter-day Saint women can show the world what women of God who have made covenants look like and believe” (M. Russell Ballard, “Men and Women and Priesthood Power,” GC, Sep. 2014).
“I can testify that there are no purer and more God fearing women in the world than are to be found within the ranks of the Relief Society.” (Lorenzo Snow, The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, 1984, 143.)
“No matter to what heights God has attained or may attain he does not stand alone; for side by side with him, in all her glory, a glory like unto his, stands a companion, the Mother of his children. For as we have a Father in heaven, so also we have a Mother there, a glorified, exalted, ennobled Mother.” (Melvin J. Ballard, Cited in Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Mission Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1949, p. 205)
“There are people fond of saying that women are the weaker vessels. I don’t believe it. Physically, they may be; but spiritually, morally, religiously and in faith, what man can match a woman who is really convinced? Daniel had faith to sustain him in the lion’s den, but women have seen their sons torn limb from limb, and endured every torture satanic cruelty could invent, because they believed. They are always more willing to make sacrifices, and are the peers of men in stability, Godliness, morality and faith.” (Joseph F. Smith, Reading, Young Woman’s Journal, Aug. 1917, 412–13)
“It is not my general practice to counsel the sisters to disobey their husbands, but my counsel is–obey your husbands; and I am sanguine and most emphatic on that subject. But I never counseled a woman to follow her husband to the devil.” (Brigham Young, JD, 1:77)
“President Brigham Young explained that our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents” (L. Tom Perry, “The Importance of the Family,” GC, Apr 2003).
“Now sisters, let’s love Him enough to be obedient. This is the season for strength. This is a time for us to choose to stand as a people who have made covenants through baptism, and in the temple to be valiant, and to be lifters of those not as blessed as we are. Recently, I was doing some prayerful thinking about this heavy responsibility I have right now–On this occasion I felt inadequate, and as I measured my weakness, against all the wickedly clever ones in the world, I admit I sagged for a time. But after praying earnestly, I looked deep inside to the core of me, where the Spirit can touch us, and I knew then that I wouldn’t give up. Whatever I am, whatever I need to overcome, I will be one upon whom the Lord can count. We can all use our agency this way–to be one upon whom the Lord can count. Let’s do it!” (Elaine A. Cannon, “Agency and Accountability,” GC, Oct 1983).
“Thank you so much, President Samuelson…I miss him at Church headquarters–greatly and personally! It’s always easy to praise Sharon (Samuelson) because she represents, as does my wife–as do so many others–the faithful women of this dispensation, without whom this work simply could not be done. They are the kind of souls who are high yield and low maintenance.” (Neal A. Maxwell, BYU Devotional, Mar 16, 2004)
“In my lifetime the women’s role in administering care and mercy has changed. They seem to have less time to magnify the feelings of charity and benevolence that the Prophet Joseph said comes naturally to them (see History of The Church, 4:605). Life has become harder and more complex; in some ways, it demands more of all of us. It has become more difficult for mothers and wives to meet all of the challenges and expectations that are placed upon them. Our seemingly insatiable appetites for material things suggest that probably these demands could very well increase in the future. If our good women are to continue in their primary roles as nurturers, teachers, homemakers, and managers, they will need more support and help in order for them to find time to give compassionate service to their families and others. If this help is withheld, our lives, our homes, the Church, and the world will be the poorer, for so much love, gentleness, and understanding will be lost” (James E. Faust, “The Highest Place of Honor,” CR, Apr. 1988).
“My dear sisters, this is your day, this is your time. The holy scriptures adorn our bookshelves. Make certain they provide nourishment to our minds and guidance for our lives. Our goal, gain knowledge through study” (Thomas S. Monson, The Mighty Strength of Relief Society, GC, Oct. 1997).
“Marriage presupposes total allegiance and total fidelity. Each spouse takes the partner with the understanding that he or she gives totally to the spouse all the heart, strength, loyalty, honor, and affection, with all dignity. … Husbands, come home–body, spirit, mind, loyalties, interests, and affections–and love your companion in an holy and unbreakable relationship. Wives, come home with all your interests, fidelity, yearnings, loyalties, and affections–working together to make your home a blessed heaven” (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 2006, 199–200.
“You sisters who are called to serve in the Primary or the Young Women may miss the Relief Society class, but you do not really miss Relief Society; you belong to it” (Boyd K. Packer, The Relief Society, May 1998).
“Some mothers in today’s world feel “cumbered” by home duties and are thus attracted by other more “romantic” challenges. Such women could make the same error of perspective that Martha made. The woman, for instance, who deserts the cradle in order to help defend civilization against the barbarians may well later meet, among the barbarians, her own neglected child.” (Neal A. Maxwell, Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward, Deseret Book, 1977).
“I wonder if we really understand the fulness of these queenly endowments. If we could recognize the true greatness of these women, we would not treat them as we sometimes do. The world often uses and abuses women. We holders of the priesthood should honor good women in and out of the Church as true sisters, not as objects and sources of service or pleasure. Our consideration for women should spring from esteem for the daughters of Zion and an awareness of their true identity more than from a concern with their functions and roles” (James E. Faust, “The Highest Place of Honor,” CR, Apr. 1988).
“Without the wonderful work of the women I realize that the Church would have been a failure” (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, comp. G. Homer Durham, Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, (1941), p. 150).
“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” (Richard L. Evans’ Quote Book, Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, (1971), p. 11.)
“From the dawning of time, women have been blessed with a unique moral compass—the ability to distinguish right from wrong. … Your ability to discern truth from error, to be society’s guardians of morality, is crucial in these latter days. … Let me be very clear about this: if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never recover” (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Oct. 2019).
“We are raising our children in enemy territory!” (Julie B. Beck, 2012 RS Auxiliary Leadership Training Video).
“For too long in the Church, the men have been the theologians while the women have been the Christians. To be equal partners, each should be both a theologian and a Christian” (Bruce R. Hafen, A Disciple’s Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell (2002), 14–15).
“Sisters, you must graduate from thinking that you only attend Relief Society to feeling that you belong to it!” (Boyd K. Packer, The Relief Society, GC, May 1998).
“The home is usually the place where most of our faith is established and increased. … How sad, therefore, that some homes are merely a pit stop, when they should be a prep school for the celestial kingdom” (Neal A. Maxwell, Lord, Increase Our Faith [1994], 117).
“My dear sisters, you who are our vital associates during this winding-up scene, the day that President Kimball foresaw is today. You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers! We, your brethren, need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices. The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!” (Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters, GC, Oct. 2015).
“Priesthood authority is conferred by ordination, but priesthood power is available to all. Righteousness is the qualifier for each of us to invite priesthood power into our lives.” (Linda K. Burton, “Priesthood Power—Available to All,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2013).
“When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which by definition is priesthood power. While the authority of the priesthood is directed through priesthood keys, and priesthood keys are held only by worthy men, access to the power and blessings of the priesthood is available to all of God’s children” (M. Russell Ballard, “Men and Women and Priesthood Power,” GC, Sep. 2014).
“The blessings of the priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings are also poured out upon … all the faithful women of the Church. … The Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Magnifying Our Callings in the Priesthood,” Improvement Era, June 1970, 66)
“I hope my granddaughters will understand that Relief Society today is organized after a pattern of discipleship that existed in the ancient Church,” (Julie B. Beck, “What I Hope My Granddaughters (and Grandsons) Will Understand about Relief Society,” GC, Oct. 2011).
“Not much emphasis has been placed upon the part that women played in the settlement of the Western Empire. In this we are but following the general practice of men throughout the ages. Women bear the burdens of the household, carry most of the responsibility of rearing a family, inspire their husbands and sons to achieve success; and while the latter are being given the applause of public acclaim, the wives and mothers who really merit recognition and commendation remain smilingly content in unheralded achievement” (David O. McKay, “Pioneer Women, Heroines of the World,” Instructor, Jul. 1961, 217).
“The spirit of the gospel will always exist within this Society in direct ratio to the strength of the testimonies of the women who make up its membership. A knowledge of the gospel, obedience to its teachings, a willingness to keep the commandments of God on the part of Relief Society women are prerequisites to their well-being as individuals and to the well-being of Relief Society as an organization” (Belle Spafford, “The Spirit of the Gospel, The Soul of Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Mar. 1949).
“I recollect most vividly a circumstance that occurred in the days of my childhood. My mother was a widow, with a large family to provide for. One spring [between 1849 and 1852] when we opened our potato pits, she had her boys get a load of the best potatoes and she took them to the tithing office; potatoes were scarce that season. I was a little boy at the time, and drove the team. When we drove up to the steps of the tithing office, ready to unload the potatoes, one of the clerks came out and said to my mother, ‘Widow Smith, it’s a shame that you should have to pay tithing.’ … He chided my mother for paying her tithing, called her anything but wise or prudent; and said there were others who were strong and able to work that were supported from the tithing office. My mother turned upon him and said: ‘… Would you deny me a blessing? If I did not pay my tithing, I should expect the Lord to withhold his blessings from me. I pay my tithing, not only because it is a law of God, but because I expect a blessing by doing it.’ She prospered because she obeyed the laws of God. … Then that widow had her name recorded in the book of the law of the Lord. That widow was entitled to the privileges of the house of God. No ordinance of the gospel could be denied her, for she was obedient to the laws of God, and she would not fail in her duty.” (Joseph F. Smith, Edward H. Anderson, “A Biographical Sketch,” in Gospel Doctrine, 1939, 529)
“The only place Latter-day Saint women will learn the whole and complete truth about their indispensable role in the plan of happiness is in this Church and its doctrine” (Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” GC, Oct. 2007).

3 thoughts on “Quotes”

Deb on March 27, 2010

I enjoyed reading the compilation of quotes. I am giving a lesson on Elder Christofferson’s talk “Moral Discipline for Relief Society and will be able to use some of them for that lesson. It is nice to find a blog that deals with uplifting matters and not all of the fluff stuff. Thank you.
jill on March 29, 2010

love those quotes! keep on inspiring our sisters! =)
Marjorie Conder on October 26, 2010

Jan–again thanks. I was delighted to find these.

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