Relief Society is evidence of God's love for His daughters, said Sister Barbara Thompson during the General Relief Society Meeting Sept. 27.

Sister Barbara Thompson

"Relief Society is not just a class on Sunday," she said. "It isn't just a place we go if we are not teaching in the Primary or Young Women organizations. It is the Lord's organization for women. Participation in Relief Society is part of our glorious heritage and blessing as women in the Lord's Church."

Sister Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, said at the first Relief Society meeting, on March 17, 1842, the sisters were asked by Joseph Smith to assist the brethren in looking to the wants of the poor — "searching after objects of charity and in administering to their wants."

"The sisters took this charge to heart and became a society dedicated to serving the poor and needy," she said.

Today, she noted, women can find ways to help in their own homes, neighborhoods and communities. "A kind word of encouragement, a note of thanks, a phone call, a loving smile, a helpful deed and a reminder that God loves us is often what is needed most. We can lift and bless others in so many ways."

In addition to serving, Relief Society women have always sought to learn and grow, Sister Thompson said.

Acknowledging it is sometimes frightening to teach a class or speak in front of a group, Sister Thompson said Relief Society members will have something to say as they prepare themselves as the Lord has instructed.

"He says (in Doctrine and Covenants 50:14, 22) to 'preach my gospel by the Spirit,' and those who preach and those who receive 'understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."'

Sister Thompson said she hopes sisters today feel nourished, edified and uplifted every time they attend a Sunday lesson, go visiting teaching, participate in an activity or perform any act of service.

"Now, more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare truth with strength, faith and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to 'rescue' all that is finest down deep inside of us so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God."

Sister Thompson said the women of the Church are "most blessed."

"The Savior stands at the head of this Church. We are led by living prophets, seers and revelators. We have the holy scriptures to read, study and gain answers for our daily lives. We have holy temples throughout the world where we can obtain the ordinances necessary to help us return to our Heavenly Father. And we have one another to help us.

"I see the image of God engraven upon the countenances of you good women as I travel to many places in the world. I hear of your good deeds and remarkable dedication."

Speaking of Emma Smith, the first president of the Relief Society, Sister Thompson said, "I know that as Emma encouraged, we can do something extraordinary today. We can be a righteous army of women armed with love, compassion, kindness, service and faith. We can be a mighty force for good in this world."

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