Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-07-09

generously lONciQH viz bhiANAhef 'NNN'-
10 the qualification and appreciation OF
those who have the matter In hand, ana
this ought TO prove a stimulus to those
who are In the Church. | hope to see
O handsome structure reared, and | am
ticlpate soon having the pleasure of
meeting with you in II. Success to you
In your efforts In this directionl
You who are present today are mem
beers of the oldest organization In the
Church outside Of the Priesthood, The
Relief society was organized nearly six
ty years ago, with nineteen members,
my sister Eliza r. Snow, being the
secretary, by the Prophet Joseph
Smith. under the inspiration Of the
Lord; and from that day TO the pres
ent. II has gone on without Interrupt
tion growing in strength and useful
ness, until To-day II Is recognized as
one Of the most powerful forces for good
In the Church. You are now 10000
strong, ! am told, with a building fund
of nearly $4,000. aud with upwards of
$4,000 worth Of property in your posses
sion. In addition to this. you are the
only ones among the Saints who are do
ing anything In Il financial way against
a day Of famine. Your work In this di-
rection Is most commendable. and |
hear as result that you have lOS,7S3
bushels of grain, together with an
amount of -four and beans safely stored
away against a time Of need, as well as
1881 to expend for the same purpose.
understand that In some few lnstan-
ees your labors in this direction have
been interfered with, but hope that
hereafter there will be no occasion for
complaint on that point
The mission Of the Relief Society is to
succor the distressed. e. minister to the
sick and feeble, TO feed the poor, to
clothe the naked and 10 bless all the
sons and daughters OF God. No lnstitu-
tlon was ever founded with nobler
aim. Its basis is true charity. which Is
the pure love Of Christ. and that spirit
has been manifested in all the minstra-
tians OF the Society among the people.
The Apostle James said that pure re-
ligion and undefiled before God and the
Father Is this To visit the fatherless
and widows In their affection, and to
Keep himself unspotted from the
world Accepting that as true. the
members Of the Relief Society have
most surely exemplfed In their lives
pure and indebted religion for they
have ministered to those in affliction
they have thrown their arms of love
around the fatherless and the widows
and they have kept themselves un-
spotted from the world. | can testify
that there are no purer and more Cod
tearing women In the world than are 10
be found within the ranks OF the Relief
Society. VINE
II has always been a source OF pleas
ure 70 me TO notice how faithfully YOU
sisters OF the Relief Society have stood
by the servants OF the Lord under All
You have ever been
round AT the side OF the Priesthood.
ready TO strengthen their hands and 10
40 your part In helping TO advance the
interests OF the kingdom OF God and
as you have shared In these labors, so
YOU VIII most certainly share In the
triumph or the work and In the exalta-
tlOn and glory which the Lord will give
TO Hisfaithful children The Relief So
ciety has been and Is one OF the most
valuable adjuncts to the Priesthood.
II Is In very deed a help In govern
nent.' And no wise Bishop wifi fan 10
appreciate the labors OF the Relief Soci.
ETY. in his ward. What could a Bishop
10 without Relief Society? would |
say 10 all the Bishops in the Church |
Encourage the sisters Of the Relief So |
lety, ana support them In their work |
d charity and benevolence, and they |
VIII prove blessing to you and to the
people.
II might be thought by some that the
abors connected with membership in |
ne Relief Society would cause those
listers who belong to II 10 neglect their
household duties. But this Is not so. I |
VII venture to say that the best wives
md mothers and the most efficient
lousekeepers among us are members
u the Relief Society and would ad-
use the brethren to encourage their
wives to join the society, where they
an do so; for It would be a good thing
o nave the influence OF this organiza-
ION IN every home. ask you, my sis
ers, In your visits 10 the homes of the
-atter-day Saints, 10 carry this infIu-
nee wherever you go. The Lord has
Hearty shown 10 you the nature Of
our relationship TO Him and what Is
Npected OF you as wives and mothers.
Teach these things to those whom Won
,lsit' especially TO the young ladies'.
encourage marriage among them, and
impress upon them the sacredness of
nat relation and the obligation they
IRE under 10 observe that great com
nandment which was given OF God 10
ur nrst parents, 10 multiply and re-
'ienlsh the earth. This Is all the more
ecessary In view OF the present tend.
ncy In the world TO disregard that
aW ana 10 dishonor the marriage coy-
nant. Ii Is saddenins 10 note the
frequency Of divorces in the land and
he growing inclination TO look upon
hiidren as an encumbrance instead OF
s a precious heritage from the Lord.
'hese evils should not rain a foothoId
mong the people OF God. and You. my
lsters, as members Of the Relief So.
lely ana as mothers In Israel. should
Nercise. an your influence against them
M IN iaNof OF pure motherhood and |
'-hlplness 10 the marriage covenant.
VOW ~ rs not necessary for me TO
eau What lne Relief Society has done
the past; It's splendid work is known
lrouenoIt zion, and In many parts OF
ne World. Snince II TO say. II has been
rue 70 lts mission, and Its record Is
OF surpassed, u equalled. by any other
haritable organization The LATER
- "N''N' 1Abhl VI III ana nf liz |
chievements. and are grateful 10 onr
ather in heaven that He inspired his
lrvant the Prophet 10 establish such
n Institution. The future Of the So
lefty Is full OF promise As the Church
rows Its field OF usefulness viii be
orrespondinEly enlarged. and II win he
ven more potent Tor good than I'd has
cen In the past II all the sis;srs<gnl
Ally TO the support Of the society. n
ll accomplish a mighty work ana he
continued blessing unto the Church.
would be gratifying 20 see the mid
le-aged as interested IN this instltu-
on as the aged. and by becoming so
lay win find that Il win strengthen
leir faith. give them broader ideas Of
T. and it's responsibilities and ad-
ance them materially elcng .he path
progress and perfection
feel 10 say. God bless the officers
nd members OF the Relief Society. You
he performing a grand mission. and I
ould exhoft you to no, weary in well !