Women of Covenant: The Story of Relief Society

by Jill Mulvay Derr, Janath Russell Cannon, Maureen Ursenbach Beecher

On March 17, 1842, twenty women assembled in the upstairs room of Joseph Smith's red brick store in Nauvoo, Illinois, were organized as the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. More than a century and a half later that organization, now known as the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has more than four million members in 165 countries and territories, uniting women all over the world. Women of the Covenant traces the rich history of the Relief Society, but its scope is much broader than that. As the authors write, it is "the story of women of the Church and the sacred promises that bind them to God and to the community of his saints." In 1842, Emma Hale Smith, the first president of the Relief Society, declared, "We are going to do something extraordinary." Women of the Covenant shows the extraordinary accomplishments of this unique sisterhood.

Genres: History, Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Womens, Mormonism, Historical

544 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Blair Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a great book! I was very pleasantly surprised. pretty solid historical overview here.

[Christine ten Bosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Relief Society member and anyone interested in the history of women's contribution and participation in shaping The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must read this book. Its comprehensive treatment of LDS women's work shines a bright light on the evolution of not only the structure of Relief Society but also the larger organizations of welfare, education, and female membership in the church.
The historical review ends with the General Relief Society's Presidency of the 90s. As a historical resource, it reads as such. This is delivered as accounts and recounting facts and details supporting general takeaways.
Every chapter recounts the complexities each generation of women has experienced since the society's inception. I've read it in chunks and gleaned a rich appreciation, respect, and increased perspective of women's massive power in not only religious lives but in the larger society on a global scale. I think this work can connect us to the generations of our past, the shoulders on which we stand as faithful Latter-day Saints.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Well-written history, very readable. Definitely reflective of the cultural pressures of the 90s and intentionally glosses over many complicated issues in favor of defending the status quo within the church, especially regarding the power dynamics of the church's hierarchy and the relationship of priesthood authority and its control over a women's organization that once had far more autonomy.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is dense to read from front to back, but the table of contents is really handy for looking up sources to add women's experience to church history whether it be in Sunday School or the third hour.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot! I was inspired. I was frustrated. I was left wanting.

[McKenna Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most exciting read, but it seemed balanced, informative, and enlightening.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading more in-depth information about the history of Relief Society! Daughters in My Kingdom was a good basic outline, but Women of Covenant really fills in the gaps and fleshes out individual characters beautifully.

Written by three women (self-described in the preface as a former counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, a "published historian", and an affiliate with the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History, which grossly understates their education and credentials), this book chronicles in great detail the history of Relief Society, starting just before the official beginning on March 17, 1842, up through the time of the 12th Relief Society general president, Elaine L. Jack, who was released in 1997.

In addition to gaining appreciation for the grand arc of the history of Relief Society, I learned so many little nuggets along the way. About women laying on hands for healing blessings; how Young Women, Primary, nursery, the welfare program, LDS Family Services, and so many other Church programs originated under the umbrella of the Relief Society; that Sr. Belle Spafford, the 9th general president, was invited to speak in the general priesthood session of General Conference one year to instruct the brethren regarding "partnership opportunities" with their ward Relief Society presidents; that membership in Relief Society wasn't automatic for women in the Church until 1971; and the changes in the visiting teaching program. Wow! There's also a chart in the back that lists not only the Relief Society presidencies, but also the members of the Relief Society General Board from its creation in 1880 up to about 1990, which I've never seen before - I don't know that those callings are even openly announced to the membership of the Church, but it's wonderful to know of their contributions.

Many, if not most, of the stories included in Daughters in My Kingdom are told in Women of Covenant as well, but generally in much more detail. For example, the story of Sr. Zippro takes on added meaning as her dangerous situation in the German-occupied Netherlands during World War II is explained more fully.

Occasionally, the prose is a bit dry, but only occasionally, which really isn't bad for a 433-page history book. And the final chapter in the updated 2000 edition, written by a different author to cover Sr. Elaine Jack's presidency, has a more "inspirational" tone to it than the rest of the book. But anyone wanting to satiate the appetite whetted by Daughters in My Kingdom should definitely start with this.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. What I liked most about it was that it provided a very real and accessible perspective on church and national history by looking at these event through the eyes of the latter-day saint woman. Events in church history like the pioneer trek west, polygamy, settling and building communities . . . these all became a little more personal and real for me because I was able to see them through the eyes of the women who lived through them.

I was struck by how often the Relief Society seemed to be an incubator for programs that were eventually adopted church-wide. Welfare, the church magazines, family home evening, social services . . . these all had root and were experimented upon in the Relief Society organization before being implemented for use by the whole church.

Relief Society has evolved and changed over the last century and a half . . . yet it's foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ has remained intact. In the late 1800's and early and mid-1900's, it seemed to have a very practical emphasis. The Relief Society provided maternity care, hospitals, social services, etc . . . Relief Society made such wonderful contributions to the sisters that belonged to it and the community at large in those years . . . and I wonder how, even now, the Relief Society can make that same sort of impact on individual lives and the community . . .

The final few chapters of the book, regarding the then current RS administration (mid-90's) lacked a certain depth and perspective that the rest of the book had . . . I'm sure because the authors didn't have the benefit of historical perspective on their own doings . . .

[Brigeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty amazing; both the story and the research. I would reccommend this book to women of the LDS faith who want a complete and thorough historical look at relief society. Details include everything from the direction of the organization to the way women around the world were involved. For example the authors tell of a relief society president in Germany who would ride around on her bicylce in WWII in dangerous conditions checking on the well-being of the ladies in her area. I was both surprised, enlightened and motivated by the history of the organization I belong to and the strength of so many women. More women than Esther were "born for such a time as this." This book enlightened me on the service these women gave not only to their LDS communities, but the world. Hats off to the authors who presented the research with professional aloofness, yet the piece as a whole transcends just the events, probably due to the extraordinary women in the history and their accomplishments. I was completetely involved in Women of Covenant, but this is a history book; if you're looking for something more lighthearted, read Elect Ladies.

[Karee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved learning about RS. I think the greatest thing I learned was while the women of the LDS church have had trials, tribulations, and problems they adapt and bring everything they have to God. They change when it's required and give 110%. I love those women.

I've been reading this book for a year. It's like reading a textbook. Some things are just plain boring to read. But, I really appreciate the honest endeavor to display the factual events and feelings of these women. I would recommend this book to anybody that wants an in depth history of RS. However, you might get similar (and more updated) results by reading the newly published DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every member of the Mormon Relief Society should read. It covers the history of our organization. It reports on the great women that shaped the good deeds and accomplishments. We need to carry on the torch.

[Shelley]

A dear sister in my ward gave me this book shortly after my call to serve as RS president. I thanked her, then put the book on my shelf and haven't touched it. But after Sis Beck's talk last night, I'm chastened and excited to read it...

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book. It talks about all the ways that Relief Society has helped women and mankind throughout the ages. It really cheered me up. It talks about women becoming nurses, seemstresses, and farmers to help the families during hard times.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book. It is an indepth look at the Relief Society organization

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting insights on the women who have served as General Relief Society presidents and how world events affected their presidency.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I didn't read every word of the 400+ book, but what I read was excellent. I learned so much about Relief Society's history and the great women who were members. It is a great resource book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this years ago & I really enjoyed it, but I was interrupted and never finished. Now that I'm in a Presidency again I thought I should start over.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite story of the Relief Society. It's well researched and inspirational without glossing over the difficult times.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating review of the women of the LDS church. It's a little dry in some places, but there is an important legacy there that too many Saints have left behind.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable and uplifting general history of the Relief Society. I dabbled in it for a couple of years before finally finishing it up this month.

[Annette]

Full of interesting history about Relief Society. But a rather slow read for me. It gave me a greater understanding of why Relief Society began and the amazing service it has done since inception.

[creativate · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I love Releif Society now!

[Kim R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well researched history. It reads a bit like a text book, but I found the information enlightening. I've shared what I learned from this book in many lessons and talks over the years.