History of Relief Society: Julie B Beck

Julie Bangerter Beck

2007-2012

Sister Beck served on the Young Women general board and as first counselor in the Young Women general presidency before serving as general president of the Relief Society.

Julie B. Beck, 15th general president of the Relief Society, taught that revelation is the most important skill a person can obtain. “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life,” she said.

“… It requires a conscious effort to diminish distractions, but having the Spirit of revelation makes it possible to prevail over opposition and persist in faith through difficult days and essential routine tasks. … We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us.”¹ She added, “With [personal revelation] we cannot fail; without it we cannot succeed.”

Sister Beck also stressed that all Relief Society meetings and activities should be planned with the purpose of furthering the kingdom of God on earth.

“The purposes of Relief Society, as determined by the Lord, are to help us increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those who are in need,” she said. “That’s why we exist. The outcome is that we will improve women individually and as a whole and prepare for eternal life; that we will build the Lord’s kingdom and homes and wards. We’re not entertainers. This is the Lord’s business of salvation. That’s the business we’re in. So we teach like the Savior taught, and we teach, and we teach, and we build the Lord’s kingdom.”

Sister Beck taught that visiting teaching is one of the most effective ways to bring about the Lord’s work of salvation, since it gives sisters an opportunity to personally nurture and strengthen each other as the Savior did. 

During her administration there was a re-emphasis of the purpose and work of Relief Society. The book Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society was published, and the Relief Society logo was simplified to benefit a worldwide Church. Sister Beck’s ability to speak Portuguese and Spanish enabled her to teach and speak personally to a large percentage of sisters in the Church.