History of Relief Society: Emma Smith

March is a wonderful time of year.  For me it is the anticipation of spring, of general conference, and of course the Relief Society Birthday Celebration.  As I was thinking what to do for this month's post I was looking at all the General Relief Society presidents and most I have never heard of so I thought what if we learned a little bit about them and what they contributed to Relief Society.

I begin with the first president of Relief Society:
Emma Smith

July 10, 1804 Emma Smith was born.  One of 7 children she went against her father's wishes and married Joseph on January 18. 1827.  Emma had 5 children that lived to adulthood and 6 that died prematurely.  Emma's faith was valiant.  Trial upon trial fell upon her because of the choices of others and yet she still prevailed.  Doctrine and Covenants 25 is the section that the Lord speaks to Emma.  The Lord knows her, loves her, gives he direction, and comforts her.

No matter where Joseph was or did, Emma was by his side comforting and supporting him.  Joseph said these words about Emma, “With what unspeakable delight, and what transports of joy swelled my bosom, when I took by the hand, on that night, my beloved Emma—she that was my wife, even the wife of my youth, and the choice of my heart. . . . Again she is here, even in the seventh trouble—undaunted, firm, and unwavering—unchangeable, affectionate Emma!”

Emma's heart was always looking for the Spirit to guide her.  In a letter she wrote to Joseph she wrote, “I desire the Spirit of God to know and understand myself, that I might be able to overcome whatever of tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds. I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His servants without doubting."  Emma proposed the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.  Joseph told her and other members that the Lord had something greater in mind and that the Relief Society would be patterned after the Priesthood.  In that first meeting, Emma's famous quote was heard, “We are going to do something extraordinary—when a boat is stuck on the rapids, with a multitude of Mormons on board we shall consider that a loud call for relief—we expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls.”  

Let us not forget where our heritage comes from.  Let us remember sisters who we are, where we come from, and where we should be going.  We are not only going to do something extraordinary as sisters but we are something extraordinary and we can do great things when we follow the Lord's commandments and seek  those that need our help.