My Calling as a Relief Society President

Responsibilities

The Lord is grateful for your willingness to serve in His Church. Below is an overview of the responsibilities for your calling.

Purpose of Relief Society

Relief Society is a divinely instituted organization for all adult women in the Church. Relief Society helps God’s children prepare to return to His presence. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the purpose of Relief Society is to “save souls and relieve suffering”—providing the Savior’s relief (see General Handbook, 9.1).

Relief Society President

The Relief Society president leads efforts to participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. She serves as a member of the ward council and, under the bishop’s guidance, counsels with adult members of the ward. She also oversees records, reports, and finances (see 9.3.2.2).

Presidency

The president and her counselors oversee ministering sisters, Sunday instruction, and activities. They teach sisters their covenant responsibilities, prepare young women to participate in Relief Society, and coordinate efforts to strengthen young adult sisters (see 9.4). The Relief Society presidency and secretary meet regularly (see 9.3.2.3).

Leadership and Councils

Relief Society leaders plan Sunday meetings, activities, ministering, service, and other interactions to provide women with experiences in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. Members of the Relief Society and elders quorum work in unity (see 9.2).

Relief Society and Elders Quorum

Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies coordinate ministering assignments and help lead temple and family history work and efforts to invite all to receive the blessings of the gospel. They also have a key role in teaching ward members the principles of ministering to those in need, living the law of the fast, building self-reliance, and increasing personal and family preparedness (see 22.6.2).

Sunday Meetings

Relief Societies meet on the second and fourth Sundays with a purpose to increase faith in Jesus Christ, build unity, and strengthen families and homes. Meetings begin with prayer and include time for counseling together and gospel instruction and discussion based on recent conference talks (see 9.2.1.2).

Service and Activities

Relief Society presidencies may plan activities to strengthen sisters’ faith in Jesus Christ, increase their desire to make and keep covenants, and give them opportunities to serve together. The president oversees these activities and may ask a counselor or another sister to take the lead in planning and carrying them out (see 9.2.1.3).

Additional Callings

The bishop and Relief Society president discuss the need for additional callings. These include teachers, service coordinators, activities coordinators, assistants and committee members, assistant secretaries, and ministering secretaries. As needed, the presidency may assign sisters to help with Relief Society efforts in other ways (see 9.3.4).

Guidelines and Policies

Additional guidelines and policies are found in section 9.6 of the General Handbook.