Relief Society in Action: April 2024

Relief Society in Action highlights the volunteer service of Latter-day Saint women in their communities around the world. The Relief Society is an organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for women aged 18 and older. It has more than 7.1 million members and is one of the largest women’s organizations in the world. Today, we feature news spanning the last few months from Australia, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines, the United States and West Africa.

Utah: General Officers Uplift Women Through Worldwide Devotional

Members of the Relief Society gathered on Sunday, March 17, 2024, to mark the 182nd anniversary of the women’s organization. 

In West Africa, the sisters of the Relief Society in Bonaberi, Cameroon, began their activity with a parade in the streets to demonstrate their faith in Jesus Christ.

The worldwide Relief Society devotional featuring Russell M. Nelson and the Relief Society General Presidency originated in Salt Lake City. Sisters viewed it in meetinghouses from Africa to the Pacific.

In commemoration of the 182nd anniversary of the Relief Society, sisters in Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone, Senegal, the Gambia and Mali honored those who contributed to the growth of the Church in West Africa. Donations were made to orphanages in Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Koforidua, Ghana; and Sierra Leone, as well as to a hospital in Akamkpa, Nigeria.

A parade reenacting the pioneer trek from Nauvoo was also held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

United States: Program Supporting Expectant Mothers, Babies Launches in Nashville

Thanks to a collaboration between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Catholic Charities, among others, MyBaby4Me has launched in the 37208 ZIP code in Nashville, Tennessee — an area with mortality rates that are two to three times the national average.

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Church service missionaries Edward and Lorraine Brown lead weekly MyBaby4Me classes at the Catholic Charities’ Family Resource Center. They act as coaches, mentors and support to those participating in the program.

“We consider it a great privilege to be part of this effort to serve babies and mothers,” said Lorraine Brown. “I think it is what the Savior would have us do.”

Participants are taught safe infant care practices and how to be healthier and happier during pregnancy. They are also able to bond with other young families in the community.

Australia: Friendly Connection Leads to Years of Interfaith Service

Since 2018, the Relief Society has worked with the Salvation Army in Huonville, Tasmania, to bless those in need. What started as assistance with a community Christmas lunch put on by the Salvation Army has blossomed into a partnership involving weekly help from local Latter-day Saint women.

“I’m so impressed and so happy to work beside anyone who cares for the community,” said Chris Walker of the Huonville Salvation Army.

Every Thursday morning, sisters volunteer at the Salvation Army’s “Drop-in-Centre” initiative, stocking the freezer they donated with meals and sweets. They also gather donations and put on food drives throughout the year.

Read more about this special and unique partnership on the Pacific Newsroom.