How counseling together can increase unity and revelation in Sunday Relief Society meetings (2024)

Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, recently visited a Sunday Relief Society meeting in which the lesson discussion was on making and keeping covenants.

One sister vulnerably expressed that it is difficult for her to attend church because her children don’t want to be there. She asked for counsel from her fellow sisters.

An older sister, who said she has some children who are no longer active in the Church, offered genuine understanding and faithful perspective. Another sister, whose husband is not active, shared her challenging experience but also the joy she felt that her husband had attended sacrament meeting with her that day.

“They were counseling together during this time of gospel instruction and discussion, and it was beautiful,” Sister Dennis observed. As they counseled together, the sisters learned from each other and from the Spirit.

Relief Society GeneralPresident Camille N. Johnsonsaid, “Relief Society should be a safe place where sisters can share their experiences, counsel together, contribute to meaningful gospel instruction, and where they feel the love of Heavenly Father and the Savior.”

Relief Society isn’t only Sunday instruction, saidSister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.

“Heavenly Father meant so much more for His daughters in this space,” Sister Yee said. “We are meant to counsel together and to receive the revelation that is scattered among each of us to help one another. There is a reason we’re all in that same geographical space. He knew the problems we would face, and He knows the spiritual and temporal resources that are within our own Relief Societies.”

How counseling together can increase unity and revelation in Sunday Relief Society meetings (1)

Enhancing Sunday Relief Society meetings

General Handbook section 9.2.1.2. identifies four purposes for Sunday Relief Society meetings: to strengthen faith, build unity, strengthen families and homes, and make plans to help accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation.

“The meeting begins with a presidency member conducting any business,” the handbook states. “For example, the sisters may counsel together about aspects of accomplishing the work of salvation and exaltation. Sufficient time should then be given to meaningful gospel instruction and discussion.

“Relief Society meetings focus on topics in one or more talks from the most recent general conference. The Relief Society presidency prayerfully selects messages to discuss based on sisters’ needs. Hymns may be sung to enhance a lesson. Meetings should end with a prayer.”

Counseling together about the work of salvation and exaltation

Beginning the meeting by counseling together can be “a natural lead-in” to the gospel instruction and discussion portion of the meeting, President Johnson explained.

As the Relief Society presidency prayerfully considers subjects to counsel about with their sisters, they might ask, “What needs do our sisters have?”

“With confidence, we rely upon Relief Society presidencies to connect with heaven, to know what is needful for the sisters in their stewardship.We trust our Relief Society presidencies will be inspired.We know the Lord trusts them.This is a ‘higher and holier’ way,” President Johnson said.

During this counseling time, the presidency member who is conducting has an opportunity to model what is hoped for in the remainder of the meeting: meaningful gospel instruction with a focus on the Savior.

What does counseling together about the work of salvation and exaltation look like?

Section 1.2 of the General Handbook explains how to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation: “As we come unto Christ and help others do the same, we participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. This work is guided by the two great commandments to love God and to love our neighbors.”

The work of salvation and exaltation includes living the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for those in need, inviting all to receive the gospel and uniting families for eternity.

Sister Dennis said: “There are so many topics we can counsel about. Seek the Lord’s guidance on what is most needful for the sisters. Some topics may need more than one Sunday counseling time; let the Spirit guide. Always connect the Savior to whatever topic is being discussed, even when it seems to be a topic more temporal in nature. These spaces of counseling together can build strength in the sisters, unity in sisterhood, and greater faith in the Savior.”

How counseling together can increase unity and revelation in Sunday Relief Society meetings (2)

For example, the sisters may counsel together about how to engage their children and grandchildren in a discussion of the new “For the Strength of Youth” guide.

Perhaps they may counsel about what they are doing to take charge of their own testimonies of Jesus Christ as President Russell M. Nelson has pleaded for all to do.

If a natural disaster occurs in the area, a Relief Society could counsel about needs among the sisters and the community.

“When the Relief Society meeting begins with sisters counseling together, in a spirit of love, they will be more receptive to the Spirit during the gospel instruction and meaningful participation and counseling will continue,” President Johnson said.

“Our Relief Society presidencies are going to learn what is on the minds of their sisters if this is happening,” she added.

Leading this counseling time “will take practice,” Sister Yee said. “Don’t be discouraged if it didn’t go the way you expect at times.

“We’re in this together,” she reassured. “We’re learning and doing this together.”

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How counseling together can increase unity and revelation in Sunday Relief Society meetings (2024)

FAQs

How do you conduct a Relief Society meeting? ›

Relief Society meetings focus on topics in one or more talks from the most recent general conference. The Relief Society presidency prayerfully selects messages to discuss based on sisters' needs. Hymns may be sung to enhance a lesson. Meetings should end with a prayer.

Who is the first counselor in the Relief Society presidency? ›

Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, speaks in the Relief Society broadcast March 17, 2024.

What Sundays are Priesthood and Relief Society? ›

First and third Sundays: Sunday School. Second and fourth Sundays: priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women. Fifth Sundays: youth and adult meetings under the direction of the bishop.

What is the first Sunday of the month LDS? ›

A Sunday, usually the first one of each month, on which Latter-day Saints abstain from food and drink for two meals and donate the equivalent cost, or more, to the Church to assist the poor and needy. The money donated is called a fast offering.

What is the purpose of Relief Society activities? ›

To review, the purposes of the Relief Society are to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need. As they plan and carry out the programs of the Relief Society, leaders focus their efforts on helping sisters fulfill these purposes.

What is the mission or purpose of the Relief Society? ›

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.

Who is the second counselor in the Relief Society? ›

President Camille N. Johnson has been called as Relief Society general president with Sister J. Anette Dennis as first counselor and Sister Kristin M. Yee as second counselor.

What do you call a Relief Society president? ›

Please Refer To Relief Society Presidents As “President”, Not “Sister”

What are the churches in Revelation present day? ›

The first church was located at Ephesus, the first stop along the trade route, followed by Smyrna, now İzmir, then the great city of Pergamon, then Thyatira, wealthy Sardis, Philadelphia and finally Laodicea, near modern-day Denizli.

Is the Second Sunday Relief Society? ›

At the very beginning of ward or branch Relief Society meetings — on the second and fourth Sundays of each month — right after the opening prayer, Relief Society sisters have the opportunity to counsel together about subjects that mean the most to them.

What changed about Sunday church meetings in 1980? ›

In 1980, the church's First Presidency started the current "block" schedule, in which almost all church meetings were held in the space of three hours.

Why do Mormons fast on Sunday? ›

Church members are encouraged to fast one Sunday each month (fast Sunday) and at other times as needed or desired. Latter-day Saints believe that fasting combined with sincere prayer can provide spiritual strength, closeness to God and preparation to receive His blessings.

What is Sunday called for Mormons? ›

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognize Sunday as the Sabbath in commemoration of the fact that Christ came forth from the grave on Sunday, and the Apostles commenced meeting thereafter on the first day of the week.

Can I drink water while fasting LDS? ›

Fasting means to go without food and drink.

What does a Relief Society activities coordinator do? ›

Activity coordinator, assistants, and committee:

Help the Relief Society presidency coordinate the planning of Relief Society activities to help sisters: Learn and practice skills (9.2. 1.3). Apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance (9.2.

How often should Relief Society activities be held? ›

Meetings: Home, family, and personal enrichment meetings held quarterly (rather than monthly) for all sisters. Activities: Enrichment activities offered regularly (weekly, monthly, or as determined by ward Relief Society leaders) for sisters with similar needs and interests.

How do you conduct a community meeting? ›

Develop and set a clear goal and agenda for the meeting and communicate this widely. Invite participation from a cross section of the community. If possible, consider using two facilitators for each meeting. One leads the discussion, the other takes notes, but make sure you have permission from the group to take notes.

What do Relief Society secretaries do? ›

Ward Relief Society Secretaries

Attend meetings, take notes, track assignments (9.2. 3). Schedule ministering interviews (9.2. 3).

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