What Should I Focus On?

“Leaders encourage members to engage in God’s work by becoming ‘true followers of … Jesus Christ’ (Moroni 7:48)” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4.1). The stake Relief Society presidency’s focus is to guide and support ward Relief Society presidencies as they help the women in their wards make and keep sacred covenants.

In President Russell M. Nelson’s first address 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, Apr. 2018, 7).

Lead in the Savior’s Way

You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship includes loving, 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 those you serve:

Prepare spiritually.
Minister to all of God’s children.
Teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Preside in righteousness.
Counsel together and build unity.
Delegate responsibility and ensure accountability.
Prepare others to be leaders and teachers.
Plan meetings, lessons, and activities with clear purposes.

For more information, see General Handbook, 4.2.

Participate in Presidency Meetings

Attend regular presidency meetings with the members of the stake Relief Society presidency. Help prepare agendas for presidency meetings, take notes, and keep track of assignments. Suggested agenda items for presidency meetings are listed below.

Read and discuss scripture passages and instructions from Church leaders that relate to your responsibilities as stake Relief Society leaders. Relevant sections in the General Handbook may be helpful.
Counsel together about the strengths and needs of each ward Relief Society leader. Discuss how your presidency can teach and strengthen these ward leaders.
Counsel together about how you can help meet the needs of young single adult sisters in your stake (see “Help Minister to Young Single Adult Sisters” below).
Plan stake Relief Society meetings for the sisters in your stake (see “Help Minister to Sisters through Stake Events and Activities” below).
Review counsel and assignments from the stake president and from stake council meetings. Plan ways to follow the counsel and fulfill the assignments.
Share and act on the impressions you receive as you counsel together as a presidency (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2; 121:26).

Know and Minister to Ward Relief Society Secretary

Under the direction of the stake Relief Society president, you have the opportunity to orient newly called ward Relief Society secretaries and then provide ongoing encouragement, support, and instruction as they serve. Communicate regularly with ward Relief Society leaders to learn about their needs, the needs of the sisters they serve, and share information from the stake presidency. Periodically visit ward Relief Society meetings and activities as arranged with ward leaders.

In addition to training and supporting ward Relief Society leaders individually, the stake Relief Society presidency plans and conducts an annual leadership meeting for ward Relief Society presidencies (see General Handbook, 6.7.1). In these meetings you can teach ward secretaries their duties and strengthen their faith.

Help Minister to Sisters through Stake Events and Activities

Each year, under the direction of the stake presidency, the stake Relief Society presidency plans and carries out one or two stake Relief Society meetings for the sisters in your stake. These meetings provide an opportunity to increase in sisterhood and love as sisters learn and serve together.

These meetings may include service, classes, projects, conferences, and workshops. They should not be held in conjunction with the women’s session of general conference. The presidency may form committees to help as needed. On occasion, these activities may include young women and girls ages 8 and older. The stake Relief Society presidency counsels with the stake Young Women and Primary presidencies before recommending such activities to the stake presidency (see General Handbook, 6.7.1).

Help Minister to Single Adult Sisters

With other stake and ward leaders, the stake Relief Society presidency assists in ministering to single adult sisters in the stake. Prayerfully counsel together with the presidency to determine how you can help single adult sisters progress toward lifelong conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Provide support to the stake Relief Society presidency in their ministering efforts as requested.

For more information about single adults, see General Handbook, 14.1. For more information about young single adults, see General Handbook, 14.2.

Provide Support to the Stake Relief Society Presidency

As the stake Relief Society secretary, you provide administrative support to members of the presidency as they oversee the work of the Relief Society in the stake and work with ward Relief Society leaders. Some of your responsibilities in supporting the presidency are listed below:

Work with the stake Relief Society president to oversee the records, reports, and finances of the stake Relief Society.
Compile records and reports as requested by the stake Relief Society presidency.
Help the stake Relief Society president create and maintain an annual budget and record of expenses for the stake Relief Society.

Participate on the Stake Adult Leadership Committee

This committee supports elders quorum and ward Relief Society presidencies in their callings. “Committee members give special emphasis to ward efforts to share the gospel, strengthen new and returning members, and participate in temple and family history work. In addition, this committee coordinates stake efforts related to welfare and self-reliance” (General Handbook, 29.3.9).