In a 2009 speech, General Relief Society President Beck said, “The Relief Society is the largest women’s organization in the world. The fact that it works under priesthood direction makes it completely unique.” 1 

Yes, it certainly is unique to call an organization “a women’s organization” when it works under the direction of a men-only organization.  Can we really call Relief Society a “women’s organization” if it is governed by men, not women? Let’s read more of the speech:

About two months ago I wrote post about a letter I’d written to Boyd K. Packer. Many people wanted an update on what happened, so here it is.

I sent similar letters to Bro. Packer, Bro. Uchtdorf, Sis. Thompson (who has since been released) my stake Relief Society president, stake president, ward Relief Society president and bishop. It’s been two months and I’ve had one response.

We’ll begin with a scripture story about the prophet Moses. His people were at war with the people of Amalek.  Moses went up to a hill to watch the battle and brought his rod with him, the same one he had used when he cursed the Nile while persuading Pharaoh to free the Israelites, and that he had also used to strike the rock of Horeb so that it gushed water for the Israelites when they were in the desert and thirsty.

When my sister and I recently discussed her release as Relief Society President, she remarked, “I don’t think the women (or men) in my ward realize the work that the Bishop and I accomplished together.”  And I said, “You should have been on the stand with him.”

I have often felt that ward and stake Relief Society Presidents (and/or their counselors) should be on the stand.  I can think of five positive things it would do for the ward/stake:

1. It would show respect and regard for the calling.
2. It would allow ward members to see that the Bishop and the President are working as partners.
3. It would give women and girls a role model they can actual see – and assure them that they are represented.
4. It would remind ward members that the Relief Society President is set apart as a leader and has stewardship over the women in the ward.
5. It would assure women and girls that their President is part of the decision making processes in the ward.

Many Bishops tell me that they counsel often with their Relief Society President and rely on her wisdom – and yet, she seems to remains in the shadows. The Relief Society President is often used as a rebuttal answer to feminists who point out that women have no leadership roles in the church – and yet, she has limited authority.  A male friend of mine commented (as I shared the text of this post with him), “I don’t see my ward Relief Society President with any real power. I think she just tends to the welfare needs.”

When I wrote to my Stake Relief Society President about Stake Conference, I commented that I hoped she would be on the stand where I could see her – and that it was inspiring to me as a woman to have her up there.  Here reply email started, “Oh, you’re cute …”  Cute?  I was dismayed by this response. I continue to feel that Relief Society Presidents do play a vital role for the wards and stakes they serve in – and should be sitting on the stand.

There has been a great deal of talk about Boyd K. Packer’s recent talk at the worldwide leadership conference. Many, myself included, were angered and hurt by what he said about women, especially his statement about the worthiest thing women can do is be a wife of a priesthood holder and have children.

I was irate after reading this talk. But I realized that most of my anger was at my inability to state that I disagreed to anyone who might be able to do something. I have no way of getting in touch with Bro. Packer nor any other church leader. I felt voiceless and powerless and that makes me more angry then what he said does. I am tired of feeling powerless, especially in the church. So I reached out to the Exponent community and Deborah gave me an idea I really liked. She suggested that instead of just writing to Bro. Packer, who likely won’t read it anyway, to get in touch with local leadership.