Relief Society Sesquicentennial:

A Greeting from the First Presidency

The celebration of the Relief Society sesquicentennial during 1992 is an event of great importance in the Church. When the Relief Society was organized on 17 March 1842, Joseph Smith said, “This Society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth; this is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth blessings on your heads” (History of the Church, 4:607).

Our sisters have indeed blessed countless people through the charitable and educational activities of Relief Society. Relief Society women throughout the Church live their motto, “Charity Never Faileth.” We commend the leaders of Relief Society for commemorating the Relief Society sesquicentennial by celebrating this event through service to others. Please encourage the leaders of the Relief Society as they reach out in this important effort.

We are grateful for our sisters who play a vital role in building the kingdom of God throughout the earth. We rejoice in the organization of Relief Society, in its mission, and in the good that comes to the entire world because of the women who are its members.

We pray that the Relief Society sesquicentennial celebration will strengthen and bless all Church members.

Sincerely yours,

Ezra Taft Benson

Gordon B. Hinckley

Thomas S. Monson