Relief Society in Action April 2025

This edition of Relief Society in Action highlights the 183rd anniversary of the Relief Society organization, and how Latter-day Saint women celebrated in their communities around the world. The Relief Society has nearly 8 million members and is one of the largest women’s organizations in the world. Today, we feature news from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, the Philippines and the United States.

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Illinois: Relief Society General Presidency Unites Women During Global Devotional and Testimony Meeting

President Camille N. Johnson and her counselors, Sister J. Anette Dennis and Sister Kristin M. Yee, spoke to a global audience of women from the Red Brick store in Nauvoo. This worldwide Relief Society devotional took place on March 16, 2025 — the 183rd anniversary of the Relief Society. They were joined virtually by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quroum of the Twelve Apostles, who also spoke. 

Women around the world gathered to view the broadcast, share testimonies with one another and celebrate the anniversary of the Relief Society. 

In the Philippines, women in the Carigara Stake gathered in their chapel to view the broadcast devotional. In the San Carlos district, a homemade fashion show was held to celebrate the anniversary. 

In Ghana and Sierra Leone, sisters shared testimonies with each other, participating in the Worldwide Devotional and Testimony Meeting. In Nigeria, the Aba Osisoma Stake Relief Society gathered supplies for a local charity.

In the United Kingdom, sisters took to social media, sharing their testimony of being disciples of Jesus Christ and serving through the Relief Society organization.

The Relief Society organization was established in Canada shortly after the first Latter-day Saint settlers arrived in Alberta in the late 19th century. Zina Card, daughter of Zina D.H. Young, the Relief Society General President from 1888 to 1901, lead the first Canadian Relief Society efforts in Cardston.

Sister Ruth Yates remembered witnessing earlier days of the Relief Society in Ontario when there was not even a church building to meet in, and sisters would gather in their homes.

“I know those women were nourished ... by the comfort and encouragement that they shared with one another. That has become a hallmark of Relief Society for me.”