LDS Church updates purpose of Relief Society

LDS General Relief Society President Sister Linda K. Burton announced updates to the Relief Society’s purpose yesterday afternoon in a Facebook post.

The General Relief Society presidency clarified the purpose by adding a few words.

It now reads:

“Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and work in unity to help those in need.”

The previous purpose said Relief Society was “to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need,” according to an LDS Living article.

Sister Burton said she and the Relief Society presidency have sought the Lord’s will since they were called to those leadership positions. She explained the guidance the presidency received in her post.

“We were impressed that he would first have us help His beloved daughters understand the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that their faith and righteousness might increase. Second, we considered the critical need to strengthen families and homes and felt that the Lord would have us encourage his beloved daughters to cheerfully cleave to their covenants,” Sister Burton said in the post. “Finally, we felt he would have us work in unity with the other auxiliaries and with our priesthood leaders, striving to seek out and help those in need to progress along the path.”

Sister Burton invited all Relief Society sisters to reflect on the updated purpose to “come to understand the divine identity and eternal work and purpose that each sister in Relief Society has.”