“Important Events in the History of Relief Society,” Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 182–85
“Important Events in the History of Relief Society,” Daughters in My Kingdom, 182–85
Events
Important Events in the History of Relief Society
April 6, 1830
The Church is organized.
1830
Detail from Emma Hale Smith, by Lee Greene Richards. © 1941 IRI.
Joseph Smith receives a revelation for his wife Emma (see D&C 25).
March 17, 1842
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.
1843
Detail from Pioneer Women, by Julie Rogers. © Julie Rogers.
Emma Smith and her counselors appoint visiting committees in the wards in Nauvoo, Illinois.
June 27, 1844
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.
February 1846
The Saints begin leaving Nauvoo.
1846
The Nauvoo Temple is dedicated.
July 1847
The first pioneer company reaches the Salt Lake Valley.
1867
Brigham Young calls on bishops to reestablish the Relief Society in every ward.
1870
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.
1872
The Relief Society supports the publishing of the Woman’s Exponent.
1873
Relief Society sisters are encouraged to receive medical training.
1876
Detail from Zina Diantha Huntington Young. Courtesy Church History Museum.
The Deseret Silk Association is established, with Zina D. H. Young as president.
1878
Detail from The First Meeting of the Primary Association, by Lynn Fausett and Gordon Cope. © IRI.
The Primary organization is established for children.
1882
The Relief Society establishes the Deseret Hospital.
1890
Wilford Woodruff receives a revelation leading to the discontinuance of the practice of plural marriage.
1893
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.
1913
“Charity never faileth” becomes the Relief Society motto.
1915
The Relief Society begins publishing the Relief Society Magazine.
1916
Visiting teachers begin discussing a gospel message with sisters each month.
1918
The Relief Society sells 200,000 bushels of wheat to the United States government.
1921
The Relief Society establishes a maternity hospital.
1936
The First Presidency establishes the Church welfare program.
1944
Visiting teachers stop collecting donations and focus instead on ministering to the sisters they visit.
1954
Belle S. Spafford leads the United States delegation at the International Council of Women.
1956
The Relief Society Building is dedicated in Salt Lake City.
1969
The Relief Society Social Service Department is incorporated into Church Welfare and Social Services.
1971
The Relief Society Magazine is discontinued and replaced with the Ensign.
1978
Statue titled Joyful Moment by Dennis Smith.
The Monument to Women Memorial Garden is dedicated in Nauvoo.
September 16, 1978
The first general Relief Society meeting is held.
1987
A monthly visiting teaching message is included in the international magazine (now the Liahona) and the Ensign.
1992
Photograph of women serving © Jason Swensen.
Sisters celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Relief Society by participating in service projects in their communities.
September 23, 1995
President Gordon B. Hinckley reads “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in a general Relief Society meeting.
1997
Relief Societies, high priests groups, and elders quorums begin to study from the same curriculum on Sundays.
2004
Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary general presidents participate in the first worldwide leadership training meeting for auxiliaries.
2009
Sisters at general Relief Society meeting
Relief Society membership reaches 6 million.
2011
The Church observes the 75th anniversary of the welfare program.