Important Events in the History of Relief Society

The Church is organized.

Detail from Emma Hale Smith, by Lee Greene Richards. © 1941 IRI.

Joseph Smith receives a revelation for his wife Emma (see D&C 25).

Detail from Organization of the Relief Society, by Nadine B. Barton. © 1985 IRI.

The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo is organized; Emma Smith is chosen as president.

Detail from Pioneer Women, by Julie Rogers. © Julie Rogers.

Emma Smith and her counselors appoint visiting committees in the wards in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Detail from Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, by Gary Smith. © 1984 IRI.

The Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum are martyred at the Carthage Jail.

The Saints begin leaving Nauvoo.

The Nauvoo Temple is dedicated.

The first pioneer company reaches the Salt Lake Valley.

Brigham Young calls on bishops to reestablish the Relief Society in every ward.

Photograph of Brigham Young by C. R. Savage. Courtesy Church History Library.

Detail from Organization of the Retrenchment Association by Brigham Young, 1869, by Dale Kilbourn. © IRI.

The Young Ladies Department of the Cooperative Junior and Senior Retrenchment Association is established for young women.

The Relief Society supports the publishing of the Woman’s Exponent.

Relief Society sisters are encouraged to receive medical training.

Detail from Zina Diantha Huntington Young. Courtesy Church History Museum.

The Deseret Silk Association is established, with Zina D. H. Young as president.

Detail from The First Meeting of the Primary Association, by Lynn Fausett and Gordon Cope. © IRI.

The Primary organization is established for children.

The Relief Society establishes the Deseret Hospital.

Wilford Woodruff receives a revelation leading to the discontinuance of the practice of plural marriage.

Photograph of Salt Lake Temple. Courtesy Church History Library.

Photograph of Salt Lake Temple dedication ticket. Courtesy Church History Library.

The Salt Lake Temple is dedicated.

“Charity never faileth” becomes the Relief Society motto.

The Relief Society begins publishing the Relief Society Magazine.

Visiting teachers begin discussing a gospel message with sisters each month.

The Relief Society sells 200,000 bushels of wheat to the United States government.

The Relief Society establishes a maternity hospital.

The First Presidency establishes the Church welfare program.

Visiting teachers stop collecting donations and focus instead on ministering to the sisters they visit.

Belle S. Spafford leads the United States delegation at the International Council of Women.

The Relief Society Building is dedicated in Salt Lake City.

The Relief Society Social Service Department is incorporated into Church Welfare and Social Services.

The Relief Society Magazine is discontinued and replaced with the Ensign.

Statue titled Joyful Moment by Dennis Smith.

The Monument to Women Memorial Garden is dedicated in Nauvoo.

The first general Relief Society meeting is held.

A monthly visiting teaching message is included in the international magazine (now the Liahona) and the Ensign.

Photograph of women serving © Jason Swensen.

Sisters celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Relief Society by participating in service projects in their communities.

President Gordon B. Hinckley reads “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in a general Relief Society meeting.

Relief Societies, high priests groups, and elders quorums begin to study from the same curriculum on Sundays.

Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary general presidents participate in the first worldwide leadership training meeting for auxiliaries.

Relief Society membership reaches 6 million.

The Church observes the 75th anniversary of the welfare program.