My Calling as a Relief Society Secretary

Answers to Questions You May Have

Many questions about your responsibilities as a Relief Society secretary will be answered as you become familiar with the “Relief Society” chapter of Handbook 2 (chapter 9). Other questions will be answered as you review Handbook 2, chapters 1–5, which summarize the doctrinal foundation of God’s plan and give other guidance. The questions and answers in this section may help you as you begin your service and help lead the Relief Society.

Beginning Your Service

What am I called to do?

You have been called by inspiration to serve as the secretary to the Relief Society presidency. Your calling includes the following responsibilities:

• Support the Relief Society presidency in their administrative duties. You do this as you accept and prayerfully fulfill responsibilities they give you.

• Receive instruction in your duties from the Relief Society president. Counsel with her and with the Lord to learn how you can best support the presidency and the sisters in your ward.

• Pray for the gift of charity, which is the gift to love others as the Savior loves them. When you feel of His love, you will have the desire to be like Him and will want to help others draw near to Him. You will be filled with love for the presidency and for the sisters of your Relief Society.

For more information on your responsibilities, see Handbook 2, 9.2.3.

What should the Relief Society presidency focus on?

All Church leaders “are called to help others become ‘true followers of … Jesus Christ’ (Moroni 7:48)” (Handbook 2, 3.1). The presidency’s focus is to help every woman prepare to receive the next covenant she needs on the covenant path.

At the announcement of President Russell M. Nelson’s call as President of the Church, he counseled:

“Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. … The end for which each of us strives is to be endowed with power in a house of the Lord, sealed as families, faithful to covenants made in a temple that qualify us for the greatest gift of God—that of eternal life” (“As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2018, 7).

Helping Lead the Relief Society

How can I lead in the Savior’s way?

You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship includes teaching, leading, and serving others. President Henry B. Eyring taught: “You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands” (“Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 76).

The following leadership principles will help your presidency as you seek to bless the sisters in your ward:

• Prepare spiritually.

• Counsel together.

• Minister to others.

• Teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Administer the organization.

For more information, see Handbook 2, 3.2.

How can I help the Relief Society presidency get to know and love each sister?

Your role as secretary is vital to helping the Relief Society presidency minister to the sisters in your ward. Counsel with the presidency to understand how you can support them in their efforts to get to know and love each sister. You may also seek inspiration about how to use your unique gifts to bless the sisters in Relief Society. By reaching out to those you are inspired to serve and by praying for all, you will find that your love for each sister increases.

How does the Relief Society presidency organize ministering efforts?

Ministering is led by the Spirit, flexible, and customized to the needs of individuals and families, so there is not one way to organize it. Here are a few principles to consider:

• In most cases, each adult sister should have two ministering sisters to care for her. In some situations, one ministering sister or a couple may best meet a sister’s needs.

• The Relief Society presidency has the opportunity to counsel with each Mia Maid and Laurel, as well as her parents and leaders. If a young woman can serve as a ministering sister and is willing, she serves as a companion to a Relief Society sister.

• The Relief Society presidency prayerfully considers who might be assigned to minister to each sister, coordinates assignments with the elders quorum presidency, and recommends the assignments to the bishop for his approval.

For more information, see ministering.lds.org.

How does the Relief Society presidency conduct ministering interviews, and what is my role as secretary?

A member of the presidency meets quarterly with each companionship of ministering sisters for a ministering interview. The interview is held to:

• Counsel about the strengths and needs of assigned sisters.

• Determine what needs the Relief Society or ward council might assist with.

• Help ministering sisters to learn from you and be encouraged in their efforts.

The Relief Society president may invite you to help organize and schedule ministering interviews. She may also counsel with the bishop about calling one or more ministering secretaries. These secretaries may help schedule ministering interviews and prepare quarterly reports of interviews.

Seek to follow the Savior’s example as you focus on ministering. The Church has prepared materials and videos that will help you catch the vision of this important work.

For more information, see ministering.lds.org.

What are my record-keeping responsibilities?

Moroni gave us the spiritual purpose for record keeping: “Their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God” (Moroni 6:4). The records you keep will help the presidency better understand the needs of the Relief Society sisters.

You will be blessed as you get to know each sister in your Relief Society through the following responsibilities:

• Work with the Relief Society president to prayerfully oversee the records, reports, and finances of the Relief Society. Ensure that reports are accurate and submitted on time to the ward clerk (see Leader and Clerk Resources; see also Handbook 2, 17.1.8).

• Record attendance at Relief Society meetings. Using Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) and LDS Tools will assist you in this effort.

• Ensure that the Relief Society presidency is aware of young women who will soon be entering Relief Society.

• Help organize and track ministering interviews and prepare quarterly reports of interviews.

What leadership meetings do I attend?

“The Lord’s Church is governed through councils” (Handbook 2, 4.1). As secretary to the Relief Society presidency, you attend presidency meetings and, as invited, stake leadership training meetings. In presidency meetings, you have the following responsibilities:

• Prepare agendas for presidency meetings under the direction of the Relief Society president.

• Take notes and keep track of assignments.

• Counsel together with the presidency about the strengths and needs of sisters and, as needed, about sisters to recommend for callings in Relief Society.

• Share insights about sisters from the records you keep that will help the presidency prioritize their time and prayerfully determine who needs their time and attention.

• Help the presidency plan Relief Society Sunday meetings, identify topics for additional Relief Society meetings, and plan these additional meetings as needed.

How can the stake Relief Society presidency help me?

The stake Relief Society presidency will be a resource to you, providing support and ongoing encouragement. In stake Relief Society training meetings, you will receive instruction to help in your service.