“This Society is to get instruction through the order which God has established—through the medium of those appointed to lead—and I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.”  Joseph Smith  This quote has been met with some controversy.  Did Joseph give a key to the Relief Society?  Is it a Priesthood key?  What does that key allow the Relief Society to do?  This is what Bruce R. McConkie has said: “ By turning the key the Prophet delegated to the duly appointed officers of the new organization a portion of the keys of the kingdom.  Under the Priesthood they were now authorized to direct, control, and govern the affairs of the society.  They thus became legal administrators holding the keys of presidency.  Under this appointment their lawful acts would be recognized by the Lord and he would work with them in the rolling forth of the kingdom in the sphere assigned them…And keys are also the way and means whereby knowledge and intelligence may be gained from God to every Priesthood bearer as well as faithful members of the Relief Society.”

“We are not at present living up to all our privileges, and fulfilling all the duties which belong to our sex, the field is open before us, and we are urged to move forward as fast as we can develop and apply our own capabilities.”  Eliza R. Snow

“I have been present at meetings of the Relief Society and heard Joseph Smith give directions and counsel to the sisters calculated to inspire them to efforts which would lead to celestial glory and exaltation, and oh! How my heart rejoiced.” Mercy Fielding Thompson

“The understanding and knowledge we have of the (Gospel) makes friends and everything appear in a very different light to me.”  Elizabeth Haven

“Thanks be to God for the holy ordinances of His house and how cheerfully grateful we ought to be that we are happy participants of these great blessings.”  Eliza R. Snow

“This is a charitable Society—according to your natures—it is natural for females to have feelings of charity—you are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms.  If you live up to these principles how great and glorious—if you live up to your privileges the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates…Let kindness, charity and love crown your work henceforward”  Joseph Smith

“We have made a covenant with god, we understand His order.”  Eliza R. Snow

“We are going to do something EXTRAORDINARY.”  Emma Smith

“As daughters of Zion, we should set an example for all the world, rather than confine ourselves to the course which had been heretofore pursued.”  Eliza R. Snow

Those who attended the first meeting of the Relief Society:

Emma Smith                      Sarah M. Cleveland                         Sophia R. Marks

Phebe Wheeler                  Bathsheba W. Smith                       Phebe Ann Hawkes

Elizabeth Jones                 Elvira A. Coles                                    Sophia Packard

Phillinda Merrick              Sarah M. Kimball                             Martha Knight 

Desmonda Fullmer          Eliza R. Snow                                      Sophia Robinson

Leonora Taylor                  Elizabeth Ann Whitney

Nancy Rigdon & Athalia Robinson were later removed from the list

Joseph Smith     John Taylor         Willard Richards     were also in attendance