To become "true followers of Jesus Christ," is the answer to the question, "Why Relief Society?" Aileen H. Clyde, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, declared during the General Relief Society Meeting Sept. 23.

"That is why we participate and that is what it can do for us - instruct us more perfectly in our covenant obligations and promises to be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ," Sister Clyde added."Many organizations compete for our time. In fact, our commitments to callings in the various organizations of the Church can cause us to think we are not `working in Relief Society now' or we may say, `When I was in the Relief Society.' Sisters, as members of the Church, we are always in Relief Society.

"Yet is it not uncommon for women, especially those either new to the Church or new to Relief Society, to ask: `What is Relief Society for?' `Why should I participate?' `How can it help me?' All of us can benefit by reflecting on these questions and on the answers our prophets have given us and will yet give us on occasions such as this."

Continuing, Sister Clyde declared: "Quite simply, we participate in Relief Society out of the understanding that this is God's organization for us and the conviction that, as He promised through His prophet

Joseph SmithT, because of it, we `shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.' (Nauvoo Minutes, April 28, 1842.)

"Sisters, we do need instruction. We need cherishing, and we need to cherish others."

Sister Clyde explained that Relief Society is "to make of us women who can nourish body and soul, who can `succor' God's children `according to their infirmities.' This is the work our Savior did, and it is the work to which He called us when He ordered this society under the direction of the priesthood.

"Consider the Savior's image when He spoke of the necessity of discerning truth. He likens knowing the truth to receiving `living water,' that is, water that is fit to drink - pure, running water. When I think of lifesaving water and of wells I . . . think of Hagar. She is forced along into the wilderness of Beersheba with her young son, Ishmael. In due time, the water and bread she has taken with her into the desert are consumed, and thirst and hunger overwhelm her and her little boy. Because she cannot bear to hear the cries of her son . . . she puts him in a shaded place and goes `a good way off.' There, she, too, lifts up her voice and weeps. Then, we are told, `God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.'

"This is the purpose of Relief Society. It teaches us as daughters of God how to see and how to ask for that which we need of the Lord so we need not thirst again.

"Sisters, I ask you to stand close to one another. Love one another, even cherish one another that you may have the Spirit to `teach you the truth of all things.' (See Moro. 10:5.) Instruct one another. Look with the discernment God has given you through the gift of the Holy Ghost. Listen for the still small voice. See the well. Ask for the water that you `thirst not.' "