March 17^th is the anniversary of the Relief Society, one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the United States. From its beginnings as an organization to assist women in serving others, it has also allowed women to gain a wide range of skills, including leadership skills.

The Relief Society today is headed by Julie B. Beck, born in Utah. She spent much of her childhood, until age nine, in Brazil, where her father served as a mission president. She has a degree from Brigham Young University. Today, she leads the Relief Society for the entire international church, serves on the Church Board of Education and the Boards of Trustees of Church schools and universities; and is on the executive and general councils for Welfare and the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church.

Sister Beck is assisted by two counselors. Her first counselor is Silvia H. Allred, who was born and raised in El Salvador. Sister Allred attended the University of Arizona, Brigham Young University, and the General Francisco Morazan Institute in El Salvador, where she studied mathematics and languages. The second counselor is Barbara Thompson, who holds a Masters Degree in social work. After retiring from the Utah Department of Human Services, she became an executive director for The Christmas Box International, which serves abused and neglected children. She has never married and has no children.

The three women work under the direction of the priesthood, but they have real authority to design programs and make decisions. Women also lead the Primary program for children and the Young Women’s program for teen girls, from the international level to the local level. In addition, women hold a variety of other callings—unpaid church work. They serve in Sunday School, Activities, and other necessary tasks.

Relief Society is the auxiliary for all adult women. It is a comprehensive program of service and education. On Sundays, the Relief Society conducts a meeting for the adult women in which a lesson is taught concerning scripture, doctrine, or fulfilling the roles of women.

The Relief Society also holds programs on weeknights. Each local branch of the auxiliary selects activities, clubs, and classes they feel will benefit the needs of their own organization. These can be as diverse as the membership. Classes often include ethnic cooking, crafts, home repair, parenting, foreign languages, computer skills, car maintenance, and blogging. All of these activities and planned and carried out by women.

Of course, the Relief Society, true to its name, also carries out an extensive program of service both within and outside the Church. One program that allows LDS women to serve each other is the Visiting Teaching program. Each woman is assigned a companion and the companionship is asked to visit several women each month. As they meet with the three or four women on their “route” they build close friendships with one another. The visiting teachers deliver a brief gospel message to the women they visit and take time to get to know them. If the women have a need, they turn first to their visiting teachers, allowing them to call on someone who wants to be called. Visiting teachers provide meals to the family during illness, pick up children from school in an emergency, babysit, and do whatever else might need doing. The program ensures women who have recently moved to the area have friends right away, women who are older are checked on, and someone is aware if a serious need arises that should be brought to the attention of leaders, such as unemployment or serious illness.

It is the Relief Society that helps to administer the food program for the church. The Relief Society president will meet with the wife after the family has been approved for food assistance in emergencies, to help her plan her food needs for the month and arrange for her to visit the Storehouse, similar to a food bank.

The Relief Society also operates a literacy program world-wide. Although men can serve as literacy teachers, only women can be assigned to run the program. The literacy leader works with the Relief Society presidency to assess literacy needs and desires and to develop programs and find teachers to help. In addition to teaching reading, the program helps with other aspects of literacy, including teaching members the native language of their country (such as English as a Second Language in the United States.) The literacy program can also teach computer skills, the writing of personal and family histories, helping parents raise readers, and even blogging.

Relief Society groups are often found doing service for their community or the world, creating supplies for the Church’s Humanitarian Aid program, volunteering for community events, and stocking food pantries in their community.

All of these varied projects help women, even those who are serving full-time in their homes as mothers, opportunities to develop leadership skills. They plan and conduct meetings and activities, carry about service projects, teach, preach, and pray. The women are an essential part of any functioning congregation and serve at every level of church leadership, from the congregational level to the international level.

Because most positions are assigned, rather than volunteered for, women often find themselves serving outside their comfort zones, requiring them to learn new skills and to accomplish things they never imagined themselves doing. A shy woman might find herself conducting a meeting or teaching a class. Someone most comfortable caring for the toddlers on Sunday might find herself on the Internet, trying to figure out how to teach English to a group of men and women at church. A woman who prefers to follow might find herself in charge of the entire program. Barbara Thompson, the second counselor of the Relief Society at the international level, for instance, admits she’s more comfortable wearing jeans and putting together hygiene kits for Humanitarian Services than she is in her dress suit leading women worldwide, but she has risen to the challenge to improve her skills. As women serve in the various callings of the church, they become more than they thought they could ever be. Many of the skills carry into the business world if the time comes for a woman to leave her home and take employment. Others simply widen the range of a woman’s experiences, and help her to see herself as God sees her—a woman who can do anything.

Learn more about Relief Society.

Watch a video about Relief Society.

On January 22, 2010, the leadership of the Mormons appealed to their members around the world to assist in the humanitarian work in Haiti. The church has been an active participant in the work being done there, but they expect to be working there for at least a year, and more funding will be needed.

“Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ, who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.”  We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters.  Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.” (First Presidency Statement on Haiti)

Funds for humanitarian work come from a separate department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints known as LDS Philanthropies. Some aspects of this department cover LDS-specific programs. Others are non-sectarian. The Humanitarian Aid program is non-sectarian. Money donated to this fund is used entirely to help others. The Church pays administrative costs out of regular church funds, making it fairly unique in the non-profit world. Help is given to people regardless of religion or even lack of religion. It is a non-sectarian humanitarian effort. No missionary work is involved in the humanitarian efforts.

In Haiti, the church is again partnering with Islamic Relief  and other organizations, including CARE and American Airlines, to bring much needed supplies to Haiti. Supplies include food, medical supplies, tents, water filtration bottles, blankets, newborn kits, wheelchairs, and first aid kits. The church also arranged for LDS volunteer doctors and social workers to go to Haiti to provide treatment to anyone who needed it, regardless of religion or nationality. Nine LDS chapels have been turned into shelters, and some of the doctors are treating those who are staying in those shelters. The shelters were opened to non-LDS people as well as members. Missionaries who are serving there have turned to humanitarian work instead of missionary work.

The Humanitarian Services program is most often in the news for its emergency response program, but it involves many other programs as well. Since 2003, the Church has donated a million dollars per year to the Measles Initiative, a program carried out by American Red Cross, the United Nations World Health Organization, UNICEF, the UN Foundation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also provide manpower for this program, helping with canvassing neighborhoods and assisting in clinics.

Humanitarian Services provides volunteer doctors and nurses to train workers in developing nations in neonatal resuscitation training. In some areas, a baby that isn’t breathing is left to die while workers focus their attention on helping the mother. This program has trained more than 80,000 birth assistants in how to save the baby as well. These trained aids are then expected to train others, which allows an area to become self-sufficient, and allows the Church to move on to another area.

The Mormon’s Clean Water Initiative has helped more than 4500 communities obtain clean water. Local community members help with the planning and also assist in the work. They are trained to maintain their own system after it is in place, creating both employment and self-sufficiency.

The Church also assists people in obtaining wheelchairs. They have provided more than 300,000 wheelchairs in 101 countries. The Church provides wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, cushions, and other assistive devices, as requested by other charitable organizations in the areas, and they also provide training to these partner organizations if they are asked to do so.

The Mormons have a vision care program using volunteer medical personnel in twelve countries. They provide materials and training to local organizations and professionals.

In addition to these organized programs, church members world-wide donate time and materials for countless other projects, including making quilts, teddy bears, quiet books for orphanages, hygiene kits, and other projects which are distributed by Humanitarian Aid. Local congregations and auxiliaries volunteer time in their own communities and select projects of specific interest or need on their own. Many congregations have a literacy specialist who assists members and non-members alike in learning to read, learning to speak English, and other literacy needs. Church organizations help members move, care for children, and obtain food. There are a multitude of service programs going on at any given time throughout the world, wherever Mormons live. And of course, countless Church members volunteer in their own communities as individuals.

Mormons are sometimes known as belonging to a church with a lot of rules. While it might seem like there are a great many of them, they are generally very basic rules of decent life. They were taught by the Savior during His ministry on earth, and those that were revealed in the latter-days are those that keep us safe, happy, and mora

The Book of Mormon teaches that men are that they might have joy. (See 2 Nephi 2:25.) The Savior, Jesus Christ, gave us commandments that, when practiced for the right reasons in the right spirit, would allow us to live a joyful life even in times of trials.

Brigham Young was asked how he governed such a large group of people. He responded that he taught them correct principles and then let them govern themselves. Mormons today are taught basic principles and are expected to apply them to the larger world. When faced with a situation not explicitly covered by a commandment, they study it in relationship to what they know overall of the gospel and then make a choice.

Many commandments are designed to keep us morally and physically safe. For instance, Mormons are known for their health code, called the Word of Wisdom. This health code includes a prohibition against alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. It encourages the use of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and suggests moderation in the use of meat. Although this was an odd way of living when the commandment was given by revelation from Joseph Smith in the 1800s, today science has caught up to revelation and agrees that this is indeed a healthy way to live. Following the statement of Brigham Young about governing ourselves, Mormons are also reminded to make other healthy choices, even if they aren’t specified in the commandment.

Mormons have a strict code of morality. Both men and women are counseled to practice the law of chastity. Intimate relationships are not permitted outside of marriage, even if the person never marries. Teenagers are taught to avoid dating until they are sixteen and then only in groups until they are adults. This helps to protect their morality and also helps them to finish high school.

Service to others is a critical part of the commandments. Jesus Christ taught us to give of both our time and resources to others. Mormons do this through church programs, but also give in their personal lives as well.

An example of a church program designed to help Mormons give is the fast offerings program. The first Sunday of each month is designated as Fast Sunday. The previous afternoon, Mormons who can safely do so begin a twenty-four hour complete fast-no food or drink of any kind-and donate the money saved by missing those two meals and snacks to a special fund that is separate from other church funds. It goes to help those in their congregation who are in need of food or other charitable help. While many can afford to give the money without experiencing any real sacrifice, the requirement to come up with the money by being hungry for a day causes them to think more carefully about what it would mean to be hungry all the time, and increases their ability to be compassionate.

Mormons are taught to be as self-reliant as possible, even while knowing the church can help when they’ve done all they can do for themselves and their families. To this end, they work to store at least a year’s supply of everything they would need should they experience unemployment, death of the wage-earner, or other challenges to their budget. This might not let them maintain their previous lifestyle, but it will allow them to feed their family and pay their bills during the crisis. When times are tight, they have the security of knowing they will be okay.

Mormons are commanded to get education, both formal and informal. This is part of their self-sufficiency plan, as a formal education can make it easier to have a career. Women, who are encouraged to remain in the home to raise their children, are also commanded to get an education and to be prepared to care for their families should the need arise, such as in the death or disability of the wage earner. In addition to the formal education, Mormons are encouraged to continue a life-long process of learning in both secular and spiritual realms. They’re taught that whatever they learn in this life will carry on into the next.

Family is central to Mormon teachings. Husbands and wives are commanded to love and care for each other, and together they are commanded to love and care for their children. No matter how busy their lives might be, families are taught to make their family life a priority, and to spend time together.

Each Monday night, Mormon families stay home, without friends, and hold Family Home Evening. During this time, they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, resolve family concerns, and have fun together. It ensures some meaningful family time each week and also allows parents a setting in which to share their testimonies and values.

Mormon families believe it is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children their religion and their values. Although the Church has programs to assist the parents, they are only assisting, not taking over. For this reason, Mormon families have daily family, couple, and personal prayers, as well as daily scripture study as a family and as an individual. During this time, parents show their children what they believe and demonstrate, through both words and action, how to live what they believe.

Prayer and scripture study are critical aspects of Mormon commandments. Prayer allows each person to communicate with God and to build a personal and loving relationship with Him. It’s a way to seek answers for the help we need and also to thank God for the blessings we’ve received. Scripture study helps us to learn the commandments. Mormons are taught to read the Bible, as well as the restoration scriptures, and to apply the teachings to their everyday lives.

There are more commandments than can be listed here, but these are a sampling of the commandments Mormons follow in order to live a Christ-like and meaningful life. These commandments safeguard morality and health, promote a loving family, and prepare us to live again in the presence of God.

Personal Reponse by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel
Generally, organizations that operate through a paid-ministry model differ from that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) in several ways. In a paid-ministry model, a person often decides to obtain training (a degree) and then applies for a job as a minister. His or her salary generally depends on the congregation (if it is a large church it can be generous, and if it is a small rural church it can be very modest).

The Mormon Church operates through a lay priesthood model with a few exceptions. Church officers call members to serve in a leadership position without compensation for a specific period of time and without any special training or degrees. These members continue their employment and serve in the Mormon Church while not working. These individuals accept callings and do so as part of their commitment to the Jesus Christ, knowing that at some point they will be released from their leadership role and that another local member will be called to take their position. One day a person can serve as a bishop (a leader in a local unit) and the next day be released and called to teach children.

However, a small number of Mormon Church leaders who are called to full-time service receive a “living allowance.” They did not obtain any special training or degrees and did not apply for a position. When called by Mormon Church officers they leave their full-time employment and generally move to a new location to fulfill their new assignment as directed by their leaders. Those called to full-time service include about 350 mission presidents, who serve for a three-year period and, about 100 General Authorities, who serve full-time from Mormon Church headquarters for various lengths of time. Of this last group, fifteen prophets, seers, and revelators serve until they die. Some General Authorities are independently well-off financially and do not need an allowance. The current practice of providing an allowance to a limited number of individuals for a specific period allows the Church to call people from a larger pool than those who are well-off financially. Once mission presidents and some General Authorities are released from their callings, they return to their employment or move wherever they choose. Upon their return, they are often called to serve as lay leaders in the local Mormon Church organization.

Money for living allowances comes from the income produced by businesses in which the Mormon Church has an ownership interest. To this point, at least, tithing has not been used for this purpose. The amount of mission presidents’ stipends depends on needs and circumstances (missions in New York City and London are more expensive than other places). Interestingly, all General Authorities receive the same allowance: the President of the Mormon Church receives the same as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. That said, there is a little extra for the few who have dependent children (x dollars per child). The living allowance is intended to permit a comfortable but modest lifestyle.

The Church’s living-allowance model is based on various scriptural references to “the laborer being worthy of his hire,” a principle that applies both to spiritual and temporal matters (see Doctrine and Covenants 24:3, 7,9; 41:7; and 42:70-73).

Additional Scriptures

D&C 106:3

And devote his whole time to this high and holy calling, which I now give unto him, seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.

Mosiah 18: 26

And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.