Visiting Teaching

March message to come. Stay tuned...
-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*
February 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

A Restoration of All Things
Ensign, February 2011

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

The Prophet Joseph Smith organized Relief Society as an essential part of the Church. As a presidency, we hope we can help you understand why Relief Society is essential in your life.

We know that New Testament women showed faith in Jesus Christ and participated in His work. Luke 10:39 tells of Mary, who "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word." In John 11:27 Martha bears witness of Christ: "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." Acts 9:36, 39 speaks of "a certain disciple named Tabitha, . . . full of good works. . . . And all the widows stood by . . . shewing the coats and garments which [she] made." Phebe, in Romans 16:1–2, was "a servant of the church" and "a succourer of many."

These patterns of faith, testimony, and service continued in the latter-day Church and were formalized with the organization of Relief Society. Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, taught: "Just as the Savior invited Mary and Martha of New Testament times to participate in His work, women of this dispensation have an official commission to participate in the Lord's work. . . . The organization of Relief Society in 1842 mobilized the collective power of the women and their specific assignments to build the Lord's kingdom."1

We accomplish our work as we focus on Relief Society's purposes: to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

I testify that Relief Society was divinely organized to assist in the work of salvation. Each Relief Society sister has an essential role to play in accomplishing this sacred work.
Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.

From the Scriptures

Joel 2:28–29; Luke 10:38–42; Ephesians 1:10

From Our History

Sister Julie B. Beck has taught that "we know through the Prophet Joseph Smith that Relief Society was a formal part of the Restoration."2 The process of restoration began with the First Vision in 1820 and continued "line upon line, precept upon precept" (D&C 98:12). When the Relief Society was formally organized on March 17, 1842, the Prophet taught the women about their essential place in the restored Church. He said, "The Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized."3

Notes

1. Julie B. Beck, "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 108.
2. Julie B. Beck, "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," 108.
3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith(2007), 451.

What Can I Do?

1. What help will I provide my sisters this month that exemplifies the faith of female disciples of Jesus Christ?
2. What teaching of the restored gospel will I study to strengthen my testimony this month?

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.
-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*-----*

January 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

The History and Heritage of Relief Society
Ensign, January 2011

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

Eliza R. Snow recalled the Prophet Joseph Smith teaching that "although the name [Relief Society] may be of modern date, the institution is of ancient origin."1

Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, visited Joseph Smith and, through him, restored the fullness of the gospel to the earth. Relief Society was part of that restoration. The organization of the Church was not complete until the sisters were organized.2

In the coming months, each Visiting Teaching Message will give us the opportunity to learn more about the history of Relief Society and its part in the restored gospel. For many reasons, understanding our history is not only important but essential.

First, an understanding of our history inspires us to be the women of God we need to be. By following the examples of noble Latter-day Saint women, we can learn from the past how to face the future.3

Second, our history teaches that the same principles that existed in the early Church are our foundational principles today. This knowledge and our purposes—to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need—draw a connection between our past and our present.

Third, as we value our history, we can better share our spiritual heritage. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: "You pass the heritage along as you help others receive the gift of charity. … The history of Relief Society is recorded in words and numbers, but the heritage is passed heart to heart."4

Finally, understanding our history helps make us an effective part of the future of Relief Society. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) explained, "We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future."5

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

From the Scriptures

Esther 9:28–29; Romans 16:1–2; Alma 37:8; Moroni 7:45–47

From Our History

"Relief Society is the Lord's organization for women."6 In his capacity as a prophet, Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society on March 17, 1842. The small, diverse group at that first meeting were dedicated women, similar to Relief Society sisters today. "The youngest were three teenagers, and the oldest, a woman in her fifties. Eleven of the women were married, two were widows, six were unmarried, and the marital status of one is unknown. Their education and backgrounds varied greatly, as did their economic circumstances. Their diversity would be magnified many times as the organization's membership continued to grow, but they were and would continue to be one."7

Notes

1. Eliza R. Snow, "Female Relief Society," Deseret News, Apr. 22, 1868, 81.
2. See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 451.
3. See L. Tom Perry, "The Past Way of Facing the Future," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2009, 73–76.
4. Henry B. Eyring, "The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2009, 124–25.
5. Spencer W. Kimball, "Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters," Ensign, Nov. 1978, 104.
6. Spencer W. Kimball, "Relief Society—Its Promise and Potential," Ensign, Mar. 1976, 4.
7. Jill Mulvay Derr, Janath Russell Cannon, and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher, Women of Covenant (1992), 28.

What Can I Do?

1. What can I do to help the sisters I visit receive the gift of charity?
2. What can I begin to do this month to help shape a righteous future for myself? for my family? for others?

For more information, go to www.reliefsociety.lds.org

Pick a New Years' Resolution!