Faith, Hope, and Charity : Inspiration from the Li

by Janet Peterson, Larene Gaunt

From Emma Hale Smith, the first Relief Society president, to Bonnie D. Parkin, who from 2002 to 2007 led more than five million Relief Society sisters in 165 nations across the earth, Faith, Hope, and Charity tells the stories of the Relief Society presidents of the LDS Church. These are stories of courage, faith, service, and compassion--stories that provide a greater understanding of the Lord's work and of those who lead out in performing it. Through the persecutions of the Church in Nauvoo, the problems of establishing new homes and communities in the west, the crises associated with plural marriage, the poverty of the depression of the 1930s, two world wars, and confusion over the changing status of women in recent years, these elect ladies have each applied their particular talents and insights to unite the sisters of a worldwide church.--P. [4] of cover.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Lds

313 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read the lives of the fiat general reality society presidents. They were strong women who were busy—they did a lot for their community, church, families, and especially Utah. Many of them were business leaders and owners, chairs of hospitals, state legislators, social workers, writers, teacher, in addition to their calling that they sometimes held for decades.

[Kay Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I recommend it to any woman who wants to learn more about relief society, and the lives that this elect women led!

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a nice compilation of biographies of the past general RS presidents. I enjoyed the stories of these faithful women. But, at times it was a little repetitive.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot and gained a lot of inspiration from the stories in this book. I also have a new view of the Relief Society. I'm glad I read this even though it took way too long to get through it.

[Janet Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a little girl, my first impression of Relief Society was slightly skewed. I recall sitting in Sacrament Meeting in Walnut Creek, California, as ward members stood to accept calls or releases from various callings. Therefore, I assumed that the meeting my mother attended on Wednesday mornings was “Release Society,” and that’s where everyone who had been released went to meet together. Over time I learned that Relief Society was much, much more than that.




Originally published in 1990 as Elect Ladies: Presidents of the Relief Society, this volume, Faith, Hope and Charity is updated and continues with biographies of Elaine L. Jack, Mary Ellen Smoot and Bonnie D. Parkin . . . “this volume chronicles the lives, service, and testimonies of the fourteen exemplary sisters who have led the Relief Society to become one of the largest organizations in the world.”




I found it fascinating to read about each of the fourteen women profiled in the book: Emma Hale Smith, Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. H. Young, Bathsheba W. Smith, Emmeline B. Wells, Clarissa Smith Williams, Louise Yates Robison, Amy Brown Lyman, Belle Smith Spafford, Barbara Bradshaw Smith, Barbara Woodhead Winder, Elaine Low Jack, Mary Ellen Wood Smoot and Bonnie Dansie Parkin. I was impressed with the sound research and careful documentation of sources, which provided rich, insightful glimpses into the life of each woman. The authors were also able to interview living relatives, friends and associates to provide unique and personal perspectives in each sketch.




Challenges, weaknesses and difficulties experienced by the various women were addressed with respect and endeared them even more to me. One impression that I had as I read the book was how forward-thinking each president was, and how the seeds planted by earlier presidents saw their fruition in later generations.




I especially enjoyed an anecdote in chapter 9, page 159, entitled “Belle Smith Spafford,” who served as General Relief Society President from 1945 to 1974. She is the first general Relief Society President I remember. Sister Spafford seemed to generate love and generosity everywhere she went, and was an active force in the National Council of Women throughout most of her adult life.




“Even after Belle Smith Spafford was released as Relief Society general president, the president of the National Council of Women, seeing her familiar face in the crowd of women awaiting the start of a council meeting in New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, hurried over and asked Belle to sit at the head table. But Belle declined, saying that she had been released as Relief Society general president, and from the executive board of the National Council of Women. The president insisted, however, and Belle was seated at the long table of illustrious women from around the world, including a princess and the presidents of several prominent women’s organizations.




“As the meeting began, the president introduced each of the women by name, country, and organization; but when she came to Belle, she simply said, “You all know our dear Belle.” The women at the table rose to give Belle a standing ovation.




They knew her indeed—as a woman, a sister, and a friend who truly belonged to the world.”




This is an intriguing and inspirational read and offers wonderful insights into the truly elect women who have been so instrumental in organizing, developing and adapting the Relief Society organization into what it is today—the largest and oldest organization for women in the world. Yet it still mirrors the original principles defined by Joseph Smith: “ . . . that the Society of the Sisters might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor—searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants—to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community . . . not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls.”




—reviewed by Janet Kay Jensen, author of Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys and co-author of The Book Lover’s Cookbook, Recipes Inspired by Celebrated Works of Literature and the Passages that Inspired Them

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the lives of these women who served as General Relief Society presidents. They all had very different stories but common themes of faith, service and love for others ran through all the stories. I especially enjoyed reading about the women "in the middle" whom I had not previously heard much about. Most of us are familiar with Emma Smith and Eliza R. Snow and with the women who have served in recent years but it was interesting to read about Louise Y. Robison, Amy Brown Lyman and Clarissa Smith Williams, women who served during the 1930s through the 1950s.
I enjoyed reading about Louise Y. Robison because I felt like I could identify with her. She was considered the ugly duckling of her family and was very shy but still a very effective leader. I also felt like I gained a lot from reading about Barbara W. Winder (I did not realize Susan W. Tanner was her daughter). It was interesting to read about why and how she changed the curriculum for Relief Society in the 1980s and I was impressed with her compassion and commitment to the Gospel.
This book really was just full of inspiration and I finished reading it filled with a desire to stand a little taller as a daughter of God and to do more to reach out with compassion towards others.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book features short biographies of the first 14 General Relief Society presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A lot of interesting things happened in the lives of these women. By the end of the book things were starting to get a little repetitive, though, since the authors used pretty much the same format for each person. I guess I don't care how many of their husbands cooked dinner when they served as RS general president or who their great-grandparents were. One of the funniest stories I thought was how one of the presidents cursed her mother-in-law's grave! Her husband had traveled to find work and never came back and she only heard from him a couple of times. She was heartbroken, of course. How sad! Then years and years later after her mother-in-law's death she found out her husband had mailed all of his letters to her to his mother and she never got them! I read this to find some stories to share at one of our RS activities.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting. I've found such a passion for LDS church history- especially women's history- I can't seem to get enough of it. It makes me so proud to be an LDS woman and answers some of the hard questions I've been struggling with. We have an amazing history and God loves women so much. I'd highly recommend reading this-- especially in light of Sister Beck's talk last month. But I do think that a friend brought up a good point. They really could write a whole book for each one of these women-- there are books about the prophets and apostles-- why aren't their books dedicated to these women? Definitely an oversight that should be corrected. We just need a few passionate historians to take on the challenge.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found many experiences from the lives of the former General Relief Society Presidents to be exactly what the book's title claims: inspiring! I really enjoyed reading about their family backgrounds and their growing up years. I also found that all of them had trials in their lives to overcome, just like the rest of us. I realize I am in a season of life right now where I am hungering and thirsting after the kind of message this book brings, but think many would enjoy reading about these great women. A definite must read for Relief Society presidents!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice quick overview of the Relief Society Presidents. It's interesting how some I just loved and some I would have needed to learn to love. And it's interesting which ones fell into which category; it surprised me.

But a nice reference book to have around. I think each should actually get a whole book (we have whole books on each prophet, don't we?) but that's not an endeavor I can tackle currently, sorry.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I learned many historical facts about the women that lead the Relief Society over the years. More importantly, I learned the influence that one woman can have - no matter what her background or status is, if she completely dedicates her life to the Lord. Women can have great influence.

[Soriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of true stories brings to life what happened to the women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I particularly loved the story of Zina B. Young. I could not believe the trials that these women had to go through to get to where they needed to be. This book was written very well and had wonderful sources to look at if needed. It truly was an inspiring book.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice look at the lives of the General RS Presidents. Each chapter covers a different president. Her heritage, a bit of her life history, and a discussion of what they did as president was discussed.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the lives of past General Relief Society presidents. It is amazing to learn a little more of the history of such a wonderful women's organization.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The General Relief Society Presidents throughout time are so amazing. This is a great resource on their lives and their accomplishments as Presidents. Great read.

I am actually rereading this as I so enjoyed it. So many wonderful examples for my life.

[Marita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, brief history of leading women in our church. Very interesting and inspirational.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I loved seeing how each of them had such different personalities and quirks.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing lives of some pretty amazing women.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far so good! It has been very entertaining to learn about the lives of these great ladies!