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Happy Birthday 175 Relief Society

Celebrating 175 Years of Female Discipleship

Eliza R. Snow, 2nd RS General President

I will go forward, I will smile at the rage of the tempest, and ride fearlessly and triumphantly
across the boisterous ocean of circumstance and the testimony of Jesus will light up a lamp
that will guide my vision through the portals of immortality.

Zina D. H. Young, 3rd RS General President

Seek for a testimony, as you would, my dear sisters, for a diamond concealed.
If someone told you by digging long enough in a certain spot you would find a diamond
of unmeasured wealth, do you think you would begrudge time or strength, or means spent to obtain that
treasure? . . . If you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find,
with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of the truth of this work.

Bell S. Spafford, 9th General RS President

Through the years, RS has been just as constant in its purpose as truth is constant. The purposes that were
important for a handful of women in Nauvoo are still important to women world-wide. That is the miracle of RS.

Elaine L. Jack, 12th RS General President

We are part of a grand whole. We need each other to make our sisterhood complete.
When we reach out to clasp the hands of our sisters, we reach to every continent, for we are
of every nation. We are bonded as we try to understand what the Lord has to say to us, what He will
make of us. We speak in different tongues, yet we are a family who can still be of one heart.

Julie B. Beck, 15th RS General President

Women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family
happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate,
and things matter to that family if they matter to her.

Linda Burton, 16th RS General President

We have organized a relief effort called I Was a Stranger. It is our hope that you will
prayerfully determine what you can doaccording to your own time and circumstance-to serve the refugees
living in your neighborhoods and communities. This is an opportunity to serve one on one, in families,
and by organization to offer friendship, mentoring, and other Christlike service.

There is a great history of female discipleship in Relief Society. Since March 17, 1842 many women have joined this ever
expanding sisterhood. How exciting and what a blessing Relief Society can be to us! As we look to the past,
we can go forward with a stronger determination to embrace our turn on earth as disciples of Christ.
Happy Birthday Sisters, we are excited to spend the year celebrating this extraordinary work with you.
You are definitely part of this noble female discipleship.