“Relief Society is more than a party. We’re not here to imitate the world. We’re here to help prepare our sisters to return to our eternal home with our Heavenly Father. Our purpose is what sets us apart," Sister Burton says.
The ultimate hope of an updated Relief Society purposes statement is to help sisters connect themselves to the work of Relief Society, which is a crucial part of the work of the Lord, said Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president.
Sister Burton announced on her Facebook page the revision of the purposes statement on March 9.
The Church News met with Sister Burton and her counselors — Sister Carole M. Stephens and Sister Linda S. Reeves — to discuss the changes and how it relates to the work of Relief Society and the women of the Church.
Sister Burton explained that in many ways the update captures the theme of their presidency’s service since being called in March 2012.