{"id":1013,"date":"2009-07-10T16:46:43","date_gmt":"2009-07-10T22:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldswomenofgod.com\/blog\/?p=1013"},"modified":"2012-04-20T17:19:39","modified_gmt":"2012-04-20T23:19:39","slug":"the-minutes-to-the-very-first-relief-society-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2009\/07\/10\/the-minutes-to-the-very-first-relief-society-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"The Minutes to the Very First Relief Society Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

We now have the Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book available to read online at Joseph Smith Papers<\/a>. Click on The Papers and search under Administrative Records, then Records of Organizations. Be sure to look around at many of the original documents they are putting onto this site.<\/p>\n

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Joseph Smith called this first meeting,bringing with him \u00a0John Taylor and Willard Richards. \u00a0Willard Richards served as Joseph’s secretary, so it is by Bro. Richards’ hand that we get the Minutes of this first meeting. When Eliza R. Snow was called, at this meeting, as \u00a0the first Relief Society Secretary, he gave her the book, where she would continue writing this Constitution to our Relief Society Organization. She explains later that she rewrote, in her own hand, the words we now see at this, and all subsequent, meetings.<\/p>\n

Because I started this site before the Minute Book was available to view, I created these posts taking quotes from the book and adding my own thoughts and viewpoints. You are welcome to continue reading, but I urge you to read the originalrecord and gain your own testimony of this monumental moment in time. I testify that this record is of great importance to the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<\/p>\n

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A Record of the Organization and Proceedings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe meeting was addressed by Pres. Joseph Smith, to illustrate the object of the Society\u2014that the Society of sisters might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor\u2014searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The first thing that strikes me is that we are to provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor.\u00a0 As we look at the natural ability of a male and female, we see that the sister is typically more sensitive to the poor, easier to talk to, better listeners, certainly better huggers.\u00a0 Men, as carriers of the Priesthood, bring needed protection, power to call down the angels, as well as authority for and by the power of God.\u00a0 In many cases, men and women can function in both ways, but this is the pattern God has placed in our hands.\u00a0 This is the work we are both called to do.<\/p>\n

The second thing that strikes me is that we are to see to the WANTS of the poor.\u00a0 Not the NEEDS, but the wants.\u00a0 I take this to mean, we are to supply for the poor, without question of worth or worthiness.\u00a0 Our job is to fulfill them.\u00a0 Because God is the judge, and this power has been granted to the Bishop, they ultimately decide on needs\u2014that is a judgment call.\u00a0 But we are sent in to care for them-without judgment-and give them what they want.<\/p>\n

The Minutes continue:<\/p>\n

\u201cto assist; by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community, and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking, that they may give their time to other duties, etc. in their public teaching.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The men shouldn\u2019t need to be worried about the women when women know right from wrong already.\u00a0 We should be about BEING good, as we intend to DO good.\u00a0 As we reach out to the community, we sisters should be setting the examples of moral strength and virtue.\u00a0\u00a0 Women often know more of what\u2019s going on, without having to trouble the men.\u00a0 According to Brother Joseph, that\u2019s the way it\u2019s supposed to be.<\/p>\n

Next, came the debate of what we would call ourselves: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Relief vs Benevolent \u00a0 \u00a0Society<\/p>\n

Joseph Smith\u2019s argument was that \u201cBenevolent\u201d was a more popular term-more understood-whereas \u201cRelief\u201d could be misconstrued as to relieve punishment from someone deserving.<\/p>\n

Emma didn\u2019t like the word \u201cBenevolent\u201d, because it made her think of the Washingtonian Benevolent Society, which was one of the most corrupt institutions of the day\u2014\u201cRelief\u201d was different from other societies in the world.<\/p>\n

When Emma said, \u201cwe are going to do something extraordinary\u201d, she stated as a \u201cRelief\u201d Society they \u201cwould consider a boat struck on the rapids a loud call for relief.\u00a0 We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men conceded.\u00a0 Joseph offered a $5 gold piece to begin the funds for the Institution.\u00a0 Then Emma asked the men to leave, so that the women could proceed.<\/p>\n

Emma continued by laying out other objectives of the Society:<\/p>\n