Podcast Summary: Voices of the Restoration #11 — The Relief Society

Podcast: followHIM
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Gerrit (Garrett) Dirkmaat
Date: October 28, 2025
Topic: The Relief Society — Origins, Purpose, and Legacy

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the origins, evolution, and spiritual mission of the Relief Society—the Church’s storied women’s organization. Through stories from early Church history and insights from primary documents, Hank, John, and Dr. Dirkmaat examine not only how the Relief Society was founded, but also its lasting impact on women’s roles in the Church and American society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Focus on the Relief Society?

• Absence in Doctrine & Covenants: Unlike other key organizations/events, the origins of the Relief Society are not linked to a specific section of the Doctrine and Covenants; instead, the story is reconstructed from historical documents and journals.
• Dual Purpose: From inception, the Relief Society has sought both temporal (charitable) and spiritual aims, rooted in the drive to build Zion and the Nauvoo Temple.

  “From the very beginning, it has this dual purpose… both temporal and especially spiritual.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (01:52)

2. Historical Roots and Early Leaders

• Context in Nauvoo: The concept arose as women in Nauvoo discussed how to support temple construction, particularly those like Sarah Granger Kimball and Mrs. Cook, seamstresses aiming to supply shirts for laborers.
• Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow & Others: Several key women—Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow, Sarah Granger Kimball, Sarah Cleveland—played foundational roles.

  “We talk about Emma Smith, we talk about Eliza R. Snow, we talk about Sarah Granger Kimball... it’ll be fun to look at how all these got together.” — Host (01:02)

3. Connection to Section 124 & 25

• The effort to organize women stems from the revelation in D&C 124 (about temple building), and Joseph Smith linked it to the earlier D&C 25, specifically Emma’s calling as “elect lady.”
• Emma’s Role:

  “Joseph Smith in these Relief Society minutes will directly connect the two.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (12:08)
  [Quotes Emma's ordination and role as teacher, based on revelations]

4. Founding the Society: Deliberation & Naming

• The organizational process modeled a council system where women voiced opinions and actively debated, including their society’s name.
• Fascinating Debate:
  • John Taylor proposed “Benevolent Society”; Emma contested, citing negative associations.
  • Joseph Smith affirmed the importance of open disagreement:

    “On any question, they ought to deliberate candidly and investigate all subjects.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (29:34)

  • Final name: “Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.”

5. Culture of Councils & Female Leadership

• The inclusion of women in parliamentary-style councils was radical for the 1840s, when women elsewhere in the US could not vote or hold property (with rare exception).
• Impact on Women’s Suffrage:
  • The Relief Society gave many women practical experience in voting and leadership; Latter-day Saint women in Utah were among the first in the US to vote, decades before national suffrage.

  “Many of these women... will become leaders in the women’s suffrage movement, in part because they have experience in this organization and also because they have experience in voting.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (41:39)

6. Relief Society’s Practical Ministry

• Seek Out & Relieve: The society’s mission included proactively finding those in need, rather than passively waiting for requests for help.

  “Emma says their job is to go out and find the people who are hurting.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (47:25)

• Moving Example: Story of Ellen Douglas, a British convert widow with eight children, demonstrates the society’s commitment to seeking out and providing for the afflicted (50:00–54:00).

7. Spiritual Foundation & Enduring Testimonies

• Quotes from Lucy Mack Smith, Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow, and others reveal a core motivation: building the kingdom, loving each other, and staying true despite hardship.
• Lucy Mack Smith’s Testimony:

  “I came into the Church...to do good, to get good and to get into the celestial kingdom... we must cherish one another and watch over one another and comfort one another...” — (58:00)

8. Relief Society as a Latter-day Saint and National Model

• Joseph Smith’s Leadership Style:
  • Encouraged open dialogue, thick skin, and humility in councils.
  • Valued others’ input, not threatened by disagreement.

  “A good leader isn’t insecure in their position... they realize that there’s this greater good that comes out of counseling together.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (46:32)

• Broader Impacts: Not only did the Relief Society shape Church practice, but it forwarded the national movement for women’s rights.

9. The Reconstitution in Utah

• After initial cessation post-Nauvoo, Brigham Young urged wards to establish (or re-establish) Relief Societies in the 1860s, emphasizing women's unique efficacy in charity and leadership.

  “Let them organize female relief societies in the various wards... you'll find the sisters will be the mainspring of the movement.” — Brigham Young (distilled by Dr. Dirkmaat, 63:41)

10. Enduring Spiritual Focus (Eliza R. Snow’s Counsel)

• Address to Utah Relief Societies (1868):
  • The society’s roots are ancient, tied to the priesthood.
  • Mission is both relief and salvation—relieving poverty of body and spirit.

    “If any of the daughters and mothers in Israel are feeling in the least circumscribed... they will now find ample scope for every power and capability for doing good with which they are most liberally endowed.” — Eliza R. Snow (67:30)

  • United effort greatly exceeds individual action.

11. Legacy & Modern Impact

• The Relief Society is now one of the largest women’s organizations in the world, with its chorus of spiritual, charitable, and social impact continuing strong.
• Personal Witness:

  “I watched my wife when she was a Relief Society president...she received revelation… it is God who gives them that access to receive revelation to help those that they are affecting.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (85:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We got to want to go there [to Sarah Granger Kimball’s house].” — Dr. Dirkmaat (08:40)
• “He [Joseph] said, ‘Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and he has something better for them than a written constitution.’” — Dr. Dirkmaat (10:55)
• “The church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized.” — Dr. Dirkmaat, recalling Joseph Smith (11:36)
• “Their job is to go out and find the people who are hurting.” — Dr. Dirkmaat (47:25)
• “This institution is a good one. We must watch over ourselves… to get good and to get into the celestial kingdom.” — Lucy Mack Smith (58:00)
• “If any of the daughters and mothers in Israel are feeling circumscribed… they will now find ample scope for every power and capability for doing good…” — Eliza R. Snow (67:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Purpose — 00:04 – 02:00
• Historical Origins and Key Women — 02:00 – 09:00
• Bylaws, Constitution, Joseph’s Response — 09:00 – 14:00
• Doctrinal Ties: D&C 25, “Elect Lady” — 12:00 – 15:30
• Debate on the Society’s Name — 17:45 – 41:00
• Council System and Women’s Agency — 41:11 – 47:00
• Seeking Out the Needy: Ellen Douglas Story — 50:00 – 54:00
• Testimony of Lucy Mack Smith — 58:00 – 60:00
• Relief Society’s Broader Social Impact — 41:39 – 46:17
• Reconstitution in Utah & Brigham Young’s Counsel — 63:41 – 67:05
• Eliza R. Snow’s Counsel and Spiritual Mission — 67:24 – 71:03
• Relief Society in Modern Context & Legacy — 85:44 – end

Conclusion & Takeaways

The episode illuminates the Relief Society as both a product of its faithful female founders and a vehicle for revelation and priesthood organization among women. Its impact—temporal, spiritual, and social—persists today, a testament to the vision, leadership, and faith of early Latter-day Saint women and to the ongoing work of their successors.

“It’s just inspiring. Makes you want to go do something.” — Host (85:19)

Recommended Resources:

• Original Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book: Joseph Smith Papers
• Relief Society history and documents: Church History Library
• “At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women”
• Standard of Truth Podcast (Dr. Dirkmaat)

For further listening, see next week’s episode on Baptisms for the Dead.