Guidelines for Relief Society Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meetings and Activities

Effective January 1, 2006

The purposes of home, family, and personal enrichment are to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and to teach parenting and homemaking skills. Enrichment is a time for sisters to socialize, learn, and be uplifted. The enrichment program includes the following:

• Meetings: Home, family, and personal enrichment meetings held quarterly (rather than monthly) for all sisters.

• Activities: Enrichment activities offered regularly (weekly, monthly, or as determined by ward Relief Society leaders) for sisters with similar needs and interests.

In planning meetings and activities, leaders should (1) consider the needs and interests of sisters in the ward, (2) counsel with priesthood leaders, and (3) plan activities with prayer and purpose (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders, 222). Efforts should be made to involve all sisters.

If necessary, a children’s class should be provided during meetings and activities as outlined in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 on page 202.

Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meetings

Ward Enrichment Meetings

Ward Relief Societies should hold four enrichment meetings each year. One of these meetings should be used to commemorate the March 17, 1842, organization of the Relief Society.

The meetings are planned by the home, family, and personal enrichment leader under the direction of the Relief Society presidency. Specialists may be assigned to help (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 199). A president’s report may be part of these meetings.

Enrichment meetings are held at a time other than on Sunday or Monday evening.

Stake Enrichment Meetings

In addition to ward meetings, the stake holds one or two enrichment meetings each year. The stake Relief Society presidency directs these meetings with the assistance of stake specialists, if necessary (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 196). One of these meetings should be held in conjunction with the annual broadcast of the general Relief Society meeting.

Note: These ward and stake meetings replace ward and stake special events (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 205).

Enrichment Activities

Enrichment activities are less structured than home, family, and personal enrichment meetings and bring together sisters who have common needs, interests, or circumstances. The activities should offer a safe, relaxed, and engaging environment where sisters learn and share ways to strengthen homes, families, and individuals.

Enrichment activities are planned by the Relief Society presidency; the home, family, and personal enrichment leader; and specialists, as needed. Leaders should be flexible in planning activities, which may be held in the meetinghouse or other appropriate places as often as needed. For more information about enrichment activities, see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, pages 204–5.