LDS Relief Society President Julie B. Beck Rebuts Misperceptions About LDS Women At The 2010 General Relief Society Meeting

Before 20,000 women at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City and millions more tuned in worldwide, the 2010 General Relief Society Meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took place. Founded in 1842, the Relief Society is the oldest and largest women’s organization in the world. Messages were delivered by the Relief Society Presidency and Church President Thomas S. Monson. The common theme was the empowerment of LDS women. Local media stories published by the Deseret News, the Salt Lake Tribune, and KSL Channel 5. New.lds.org has posted excerpts from each of the four speeches HERE.

Unofficial LDS blogs addressing this event include Mormon Women, Becca and Jason's blog (particularly thoughtful analysis), Jenneology (transcribed notes) and By Common Consent.

You can also watch a video of the entire meeting HERE. Portal to written transcripts available HERE, where you can first select the language of your choice. KSL news story video embedded below:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Leading off was Sister Julie B. Beck, the Relief Society President. She started out with a brief tribute to former Relief Society President Barbara Smith, who passed away on September 13th, 2010 at the age of 88 after a protracted battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She served as the 10th Relief Society General President from October 1974 to April 1984. But then Sister Beck took issue with society's misperceptions about LDS women. "Prevailing myths imply that we are of lower importance than men, that we are generally sweet but uninformed, and that no matter what we do, we will never be enough to be accepted by our Heavenly Father," she said. "In this day of mistaken identities, confusion and distraction, Relief Society is a compass and guide to teach the truth to faithful women." Written transcript now available HERE.

Next up was Silvia H. Allred, First Counselor. Sister Allred sought to rebut the misperception that single women are less valued within the LDS community than married women. "You don't have to be married to keep the commandments and to nurture families, friends and neighbors," said Allred. "Your gifts, talents, skills and spiritual strengths are greatly needed in building up the kingdom." Written transcript available HERE.

Next up was Barbara Thompson, Second Counselor. She spoke of blessings that come from the society’s visiting teaching program, in which women make monthly visits to other women in the church or keep in touch via phone, Internet or mail. “The beauty of visiting teaching is seeing lives changed, tears wiped away, testimonies growing, people loved, families strengthened, people cheered, the hungry fed, the sick visited, and those who are mourning comforted,” she said. Written transcript available HERE.

Finally, President Thomas S. Monson ascended the stand. President Monson emphasized the diversity which exists among the women of the Church, and stressed the need to avoid being judgmental, citing Mother Teresa as a positive role model. He also cited the Relief Society’s motto, “Charity never faileth,” and said charity means more than relieving suffering. It also means being tolerant, lenient, forgiving, patient and resisting the impulse to be easily offended. The latter is critically important, since popular culture teaches us to be hypersensitive under the guide of being "authentic". Written transcript available HERE.