6. Sanctioned Spheres of Influence: Women's Auxiliaries

Starting with the formation of the Relief Society in 1842, women have held leadership positions within the church. This week we explore the inception, disbanding and reinstatement of the Relief Society as well as the formation of the Young Women and Primary Organizations. As historian Carol Cornwall Madsen says, "This is our history. It's important because it tells us who we were. We don't really know who we are today unless we know where we've been and what we were before."

READINGS

Relief Society

"Something Better": The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, Daughters in My Kingdom

The original 1842 minutes of the formation of the Relief Society from the Joseph Smith papers.

Some background on Sarah Granger Kimball who was instrumental in the founding of the Relief Society.

An article about the transitional Relief Society organizations in early Utah. “Forgotten Relief Societies, 1844-67,” Richard Jensen, Dialogue.

For those who would prefer to listen, here’s a one-hour podcast which discusses the overall history of the Relief Society.

Here’s a link to see past issues of the Relief Society Magazine which is a great way to get a sense of what Relief Society was like in the first two-thirds of the last century.

Recently the heads of the Relief Society, Young Women’s and Primary Organizations have been assigned to sit on worldwide church leadership councils. You can read about those assignments here.

"The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-Day Saint Women's History" Jill Mulvay Derr, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Kate Holbrook, Matthew J. Grow (Church Historian's Press)

Young Women

Here’s a concise organizational history of the Young Women’s organization.

An example of a YW lesson from 1901 and a lesson from the current YW manual about the importance of education and gaining skills.

And finally, a funny window into the Young Women's program of the 1960s. How many of you danced in a dance festival?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. For the sisters in the room, how does Relief Society impact your lives?

2. For the brothers in the room, how does Relief Society impact your lives?

3. For the rising generation, what would you emphasize in our gender-specific meetings? What changes would you make?

4. Are we unique in having gender-segregated components to the religion? ( No. Muslims and Orthodox Jews separate women and men in their services, Catholics have nuns and monks.)

5. What advantages do you see to women being on worldwide church leadership councils?

6. How have gender-specific divisions in the Mormon church enhanced your spiritual development?