
The Female Relief Society as it was known, was organized on 17 March 1842. At this time the Prophet Joseph stated that the restored Church could not be perfect or complete without it. The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, however ceased to function in 1844 amid increasing tension. Although women carried out charitable works and a few meetings were conducted at Winter Quarters, Nebraska, there was no formal Relief Society during the Saints' westward trek or for several years thereafter. In 1866 President Brigham Young reorganized the Relief Society Churchwide (it had previously been established locally as early as 1854). He appointed Eliza R. Snow to assist local Bishops in establishing the organization in each ward. By 1880 there was a local unit of the Relief Society in each of the 300 wards. In 1915 The Relief Society Magazine was introduced. In 1956 the Relief Society building in Salt Lake City, built from contributions of Latter-day Saint women and funds from the Church, was dedicated. The organization, who's motto has always been "Charity Never Faileth" celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1992. Learn more
Formed in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States
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Occurred On 1842 March 17
Emma Hale Smith Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1844 March 16
Eliza R. Snow Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1887 December 5
Zina D. H. Young Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1901 August 28
Bathsheba W. Smith Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1910 September 20
Emmeline B. Wells Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1921 April 2
Clarissa Williams Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1928 October 7
Louise Robison Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended Circa 1939 December
Amy Lyman Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1945 April 6
Belle Spafford Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1974 October 3
Barbara Smith Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1984 April 7
Barbara Winder Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1990 March 31
Elaine L. Jack Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 1997 April 5
Mary Ellen Smoot Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 2002 April 6
Bonnie D. Parkin Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 2007 March 31
Julie B. Beck Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 2012 March 31
Linda K. Burton Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 2017 April 1
Jean B. Bingham Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Ended On 2022 April 2
Camille N. Johnson Sustained as Relief Society General President
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Started On 2022 April 2
