The Relief Society president provides spiritual leadership for the women in her ward. Under the bishop’s direction she oversees the planning of all Relief Society meetings. She may assign a counselor or another sister to organize and conduct any of the Relief Society meetings during the week. Design meetings that will strengthen your sisters in the most important ways. As the best source of ideas, trust that the Creator of the universe will help you create purposeful meetings. Julie B. Beck,Relief Society general president

Julie B. Beck on planning Relief Society meetings to strengthen sisters: The Relief Society president counsels regularly with the bishop to help meet the needs of sisters. Relief Society leaders prayerfully counsel together about topics to be taught and how to teach them.

First ask, “What do the sisters need to help them increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen family and home, and provide relief to others?” Then ask, “What can we do to meet these needs?”

Counsel with your bishop or branch president about these matters. Learn of needs from visiting teachers’ reports and from discussions in welfare meetings. Bring wisdom from your observations as a presidency.

Questions such as the following will bring insight during the planning process and help keep the proper focus:

• What issues and problems are interfering with sisters’ preparation for the blessings of eternal life?
• What do they need to learn and do in order to be strengthened?
• What strengths and gifts do they have that could be used in service?
• What would we like to happen in our sisters’ lives as a result of Relief Society meetings?

Give highest priority in your planning to these areas:

Click here to get the Planning Idea, and complete step 1. The results of step 1 will be a list of possible activities for meetings.