Relief Society Leaders Urge Women to Change the World

On March 16, 2025, Latter-day Saint women around the world gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the Relief Society, one of the largest and oldest women’s organizations in the world. Speaking from the historic Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois, where the Relief Society was first organized in 1842, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson delivered a message of purpose and empowerment.

“We’ve received prophetic direction that as sisters we can and should change the world,” President Johnson declared. She emphasized that this sacred charge comes through building covenant communities focused on Jesus Christ and caring for one another through the gifts God has given each woman.

A Global Effort to Bless Lives

During the worldwide devotional, President Johnson introduced a significant initiative aimed at improving the well-being of women and children across the globe. The Church’s humanitarian efforts now include expanded maternal and newborn care, child nutrition programs, immunizations, and educational opportunities.

President Johnson encouraged women to participate in these efforts through small, personal acts of service. “And we do that one mother, one woman, one child at a time, just as the Savior would,” she said.

Relief Society sisters who watched the broadcast were then invited to bear their testimonies and reflect on the significance of their covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Relief Society General Presidency drew powerful connections between the pioneering women of Nauvoo and the sisters of today, affirming that the work of gathering and ministering continues in every corner of the world.

The Power of Covenants in Women’s Lives

President Johnson reminded sisters that being covenant women in the Church of Jesus Christ is a remarkable blessing. “Sisters, it is a glorious time. And we collectively bear testimony that we are engaged in the work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know He lives. We know He loves us. We know that He desires for us to have a covenant relationship with Him.”

She testified that the divine role of women was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and continues today under the leadership of a living prophet.

Sister Kristin M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, reassured women that they are never alone. “Our Heavenly Father and Savior know you,” she said. “They’re aware of your needs, … what you’re concerned about, and desire to bless you.”

Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor, added that as women embrace and uplift each other, they will come to feel the Savior’s love more fully.

Accessing God’s Power Through Righteous Living

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles concluded the devotional by reaffirming the divine worth and influence of women. Speaking from Hawaii, he reminded sisters that God’s power is available to those who keep their sacred covenants.

“Covenant-keeping women not only recognize the need for God’s power in their lives but have special access to that power through the covenants that they make,” he taught. Elder Renlund quoted President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel that the Kingdom of God cannot be complete without women who “speak with the power and authority of God.”

He emphasized that God’s power is not separate from Him but is available to those who align themselves with His will.

“To cultivate God’s power in our lives, then, we are obligated to try to be righteous, to try to do what is right and try to act according to His will,” Elder Renlund said. “Making and keeping multiple covenants with God draws you closer to Him, transforms you, and grants you greater access to His power.”

Sisters, Arise!

The message of this year’s Relief Society anniversary was clear: Latter-day Saint women are essential in preparing the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. By strengthening their own faith, ministering to others, and embracing their divine role, they create a covenant community that spans the globe.

“Thank you for your faith, for your strength, for your capacity to lead, for your wisdom and your ability to make and keep sacred covenants with God,” Elder Renlund expressed in gratitude. “You bring blessings to yourselves, your families, the Church, your communities, and the world. You have God’s power in your lives to help you be good and do good. He is counting on you. His Church is counting on you.”

The full devotional is available on demand through Gospel Library, the Church’s inspiration YouTube channel, and other Church media platforms.

Holly Wallace

Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.