Question
Gramps,
What is the purpose and function of Relief Society as it relates to activities?
Judy
Answer
Judy,
Dear Judy,
Whenever anyone has a question about the purpose, function, or requirements of a Church organization or anything it does, the General Handbook is the place to go. This handbook is available to everyone and is found on the Church’s website and in the Gospel Library app. (NOTE: I will include links to the sections I reference, but the handbook does get updated, so these links may change over time. If the links “expire”, a search of the handbook will find the relevant sections.)
In my personal experience, anyone serving in the Church will be blessed through studying the entire first section of the handbook, “Doctrinal Foundation“. These doctrines center our focus and remind us why we serve. They help to orient the individual and give a foundation for magnifying any calling. I cannot recommend this portion of the handbook strongly enough.
There are two sections that can be of help when it comes to activities:
When considering the Relief Society’s role in relation to a Relief Society activity, one should consider the overall purpose of Relief Society:
Members of Relief Society work together to help accomplish God’s work of salvation and exaltation. They serve others, fulfill covenant responsibilities, build unity, and learn and live doctrine.
Activities, like other RS functions, should be planned to serve this purpose:
Relief Society leaders plan … activities … to help women participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation.
Section 9.2.1.3 gives the full instructions on RS activities:
Relief Society presidencies may plan activities. The president oversees activities. She may ask a counselor or another sister to take the lead in planning and carrying them out (see 9.3.4). Presidencies discuss activities with the bishop as part of their planning.
Activities should strengthen sisters’ desires to make and keep covenants and give them opportunities to gather and serve together. Activities should help accomplish the purposes of the Relief Society (see 9.1 and 9.1.1). For information about stake Relief Society activities, see 6.7.1.
Note that this gives the RS presidency the authority to plan activities, but it does not require them. Elsewhere in the chapter, you’ll find an occasional note about activities (such as the RSP discussing them with the bishop, who holds what responsibility in relation to them, meetings where they’re planned, and optional callings in relation).
As you can see, the handbook leaves the details up to the local organization.
This chapter covers the general idea of activities in the Church, regardless of who organizes them or carries them out. It also gives a broader range of purposes.
Church activities bring Church members and others together as “fellowcitizens with the saints” (Ephesians 2:19). Purposes for activities may include the following:
This is followed by a list of purposes. The chapter goes on to describe responsibilities, standards, scheduling, policies, etc. I recommend this chapter for anyone involved in planning or carrying out any activities in the Church, so they have an understanding of the principles involved.
As you know, wards and branches vary in size, resources, culture, and needs. The handbook acknowledges this and makes accommodations for its instructions to be adapted. You will find notes throughout about what things can change, and who makes the decisions about the changes. For Relief Societies, it’s usually the bishop and Relief Society president who work together on such decisions.
I hope that this summary of what’s found in the handbook gives you the information you seek and knowledge to help you find more information within the Handbook.
Finally, from my own experience in leadership, and as in all things, guidance should be sought from the Lord. Those with authority and stewardship should use their judgment and experience (and not seek to be commanded in all things). Should a conflict arise, it should be resolved in the Lord’s way: privately addressing the issue with whoever has authority and stewardship, referring to the handbook as appropriate, and sustaining the person who presides.
By following the precepts of the gospel and the instructions in the handbook, and by counseling together, leaders in the Church can offer activities that help participants to fellowship with each other and participate in the work of salvation and exaltation.
Gramps
