| Title | : | Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2011 |
Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society Reviews
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I was very excited to get this book and start reading it, because I think women in the LDS church desperately need resources like this book where they can look to examples of strong, inspiring women. I loved the chapters about the beginning of Relief Society and the chapter on Visiting Teaching, however I was disappointed with the later chapters on Women and the Priesthood and Women in the Home. In the Priesthood chapter, the authors try to make the case that Relief Society is equal to the Priesthood, which I think is a grossly unfair comparison. As this book shows, Relief Society has a lot of awesome things about it (like establishing bonds of Sisterhood, which I've always thought is very special and unique), but it is very different than being able to actually act in Gods name and with his power.
The chapter on women as "Guardians of the Hearth" was disappointing as well. I honestly don't believe that it is my nature and duty to "make [my] home pleasant and attractive and desirable for [myself] and [my] husband." I wish that this book had focused less on "homemaking" and more on the powerful bonds of Sisterhood and charitable service in the community. I think that many other women of my generation in the church would agree that we have the ability and desire to nurture children and keep the Spirit in our homes, but feel it very confining (and sometimes even demeaning) to hear counsel that we should focus ALL our energy on just this.
Like all LDS church publications, I appreciated that this book was written in a very thoughtful and straightforward way, so as to be accessible to women from all kinds of backgrounds. I also appreciated that the authors included many quotes from actual women and Relief Society presidency members (as opposed to only quotes from prophets and other Priesthood leaders), as well as the fact that they used stories and examples from cultures all over the world. -
This book was a missed opportunity. When the anecdotes are actual excerpts from the women's own diaries, we find powerful and intelligent voices, but the historical narrative they are embedded within is very problematic for the way it flattens out controversial points, notably the Priesthood issues. The Joseph Smith Translation notes that the Priesthood is an Order "without father or mother", and this book does, in fact, have the quotes from Joseph Smith in which he desires women to be ordained into the cosmological Priesthood; for instance, on page 12, he is quoted saying "Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and he has something better for them than a written constitution. I invite them all to meet with me and a few of the brethren [...] next Thursday afternoon, and I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood."
For the first few chapters, I had hopes that this book would be the needed corrective to much of our (non-doctrinal) patriarchal church culture and show that the Priesthood is not actually gender-based, but midway through it becomes an apologia for the current practice of denying it to women. This, despite the fact that Emma Smith was an answer to a purported prophecy, and Joseph Smith ordained the Relief Society with a Priesthood Key, saying "This society is to get instruction through the order which God has established -- through the medium of those appointed to lead -- and I now turn the key to you in the name of God, and this society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time -- this is the beginning of better days to this society." Especially painful was the patronizing story (couched in faith-promoting rhetoric) of George Albert Smith telling Sister Spafford to remain in the National Council of Women against her judgment.
I wish Eliza R. Snow and Emma Smith were still around. When will we be able to call our Sisters Prophetesses again, as the early Saints did Eliza R. Snow, or Priestesses, as they did with those such as Emma Smith, Bathsheba W. Smith, or Zina Diantha Huntington? Not to mention Biblical Prophetesses such as Miriam, Deborah the Bee, Huldah, Anna from Luke, the four daughters of Philip the Evangelist, and Isaiah's wife. We, who believe in the Restoration's vital doctrine of a Mother in Heaven to complement the Father, should have been the first people in the modern age to continue to embrace ordaining women into the Priesthood. Instead we have mingled the philosophies of men with our scripture -- the "false traditions of the fathers" that the Book of Mormon warns so strenuously against -- and become the fools who say "A Priesthood! A Priesthood! We have got a Priesthood, and there cannot be any more Priesthood." -
This is a wonderful book about the purpose and destiny of women. We are pretty amazing. We are lovely, feminine, powerful, faithful, motherly, and full of love and charity.
If you are interested in a little more detail of our great history, take a look at my blog about the history of the Relief Society
www.reliefsocietywomen.com -
This book inspired me in so many ways. It increased my testimony of the relief society program and my love for it as well. I learned a lot about what it means to be a woman and how to improve myself in so many aspects of the gospel and life in general. We can always do better. God has a hand in our lives and I know that just like the many stories shared in this book, real happiness comes from selfless service and action. Through our hard work and efforts, God magnifies us. This book is a great reminder of that and helps put things into perspective for me. There are so many amazing quotes to pull from and remember for hard times ahead.
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I'm really glad that the Relief Society decided that this book should be written. It is an uplifting and fast read. There was some history that I did know, but a lot of stuff was new to me. I mostly enjoyed the incredible stories about women from all over the world. I felt that a lot of the coverage was very surface, and would like to find other resources to learn more.
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This book not only taught me about who I am, but who I have always been. I am an important part of a worldwide sisterhood and I want to live up to my privilege. By small and simple things, great things can come to pass. I know it can do the same for you!
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Great history of relief society, I love that I can study this, one chapter at a time, use it as a manual or read it like a book.
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I am not a great lover of history, so this book was a slow read for me, that I started in January. It was my new years goal to finish it, and I did! I love the artwork at the beginning of each of the chapters. It has wonderful inspirational stories and is a great teaching resource. My favorite chapter was the last one. I think the greatness of the RS can be summed up in a quote from a story of tragedy in the book, "It will be alright, the Mormon Women are here"
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Personally, reading this helped me to appreciate stay at home moms and homemakers. They do simple things that the world doesn't esteem to be great but are actually pretty important yo. They may not get recognition in history books for changing the world or get awards or money but they are still amazing.
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This book is excellent and will be a treasure for the LDS women worldwide. I especially loved chapters 5 & 9. This will be a great reference. The book lifts you up and strengthens your gratitude for the early women of the church and even the older women in the Relief Society today.
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LOVED reading the history of this great organization. I feel so empowered and know that God loves his daughters!
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We were given a copy of this book in Relief Society and I set a goal to read it. I probably wouldn't have stuck with it without that goal but I'm glad I did. Very inspirational.
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This book was distributed to women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It can be downloaded for free here:
http://lds.org/relief-society/daughte... or purchased for $3 through the LDS distribution center. It's a full-color, paperback book. I found it to be a quick read, I read it one day (a day when both of my children miraculously took long naps at the same time).
It is full of stories of LDS women throughout the history of the church and quotes about LDS women given by prophets and apostles. It follows a loosely chronologically structure, although each chapter focuses on a principle such as Charity.
This was a beautiful, inspiring book and I am grateful it was published. I gave it 5 stars, but there were two things that surprised me:
*This is an overview - and I'm sure that was appropriate for a general, worldwide audience. For me personally, there were times when I wanted more information and more detail. The stories are very much sound bytes. In many cases I had read expanded versions of the same stories and was sad to see how much was left out.
*This is a history of the LDS modern-day Relief Society. With the exception of a brief introduction about how Relief Society is a restoration of an ancient pattern, the book doesn't focus on women from the scriptures. For some reason, as I heard about it, I was expecting to find more in the book about women from the scriptures. I can see why they focused on modern-day women, it just wasn't what I expected going into it.
I was pleased to recognize several things that were quoted in both General Conferences this year and in the Women's Conference. I am excited to use this book in preparing lessons. In fact, as I read I was specifically looking for things that might be useful in (1) our relief society lesson this coming week (2) a relief society lesson I am teaching in a few weeks and (3) an additional relief society meeting we are planning. I found tons of information to go with all three.
A few things I loved:
*The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ. (pg 3)
*"they wanted to help prepare a temple for the people...but they...ultimately helped prepare a people for the temple." (On the women that went to Joseph Smith wanting to organize a sewing society and instead he organized Relief Society. (pg 25)
*I have heard many times of the October 1856 general conference where Brigham Young announced handcart pioneers were stranded and disbanded the conference so people would go help bring them in. I'd heard many stories of faithful men that went. I hadn't heard about the women. This book tells how they "stripped off their petticoats [large underskirts that were part of the fashion of the day and that also provided warmth], stockings, and everything they could spare, right there in the Tabernacle and piled [them] into the wagons to send to the Saints in the mountains." (pg 36)
*Brigham Young's counsel to the Bishops to involve their Relief Society Presidents in welfare work, "they will find rooms for the poor and obtain the means for supporting them ten times quicker than even the Bishop could." (pg 41)
*Sister Snow's counsel to women: "Let them seek for wisdom instead of power and they will have all the power they have wisdom to exercise." (pg 45)
*Also from Sister Snow: "If you are endowed with the spirit of God, no matter how simple your thoughts may be, they will be edifying to those who hear you." And an anecdote where she asked a sister for her thoughts on the subject and when the women didn't have a response said, "Never mind, but when you are asked to speak again, try and have something to say." (pg 49)
*The sister talking of her experiences during World War II who said, "I didn't keep a testimony through those times -- the testimony kept me." (pg 79)
*President Packer: "This great circle of sisters will be a protection for each of you and for your families. The Relief Society might be likened to a refuge...it encircles each sister like a protecting wall." (pg 86)
*"When the Prophet Joseph Smith turned the key for the emancipation of womankind, it was turned for all the world." (pg 87)
*Sister Spafford's experience serving in the International Council of Women (pg 88-90) although there was more to this story I wish they'd included. I heard the rest of the story in Elect Ladies: Presidents of the Relief Society by Janet Peterson and Larene Gaunt.
*"You'll change the world." From a city council in California to the Relief Society President who asked what her organization could do to serve the community and explained there were 20,000 other Relief Societies throughout the world doing the same thing in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Relief Society. (pg 95)
*"Relief Society will be your mother." The advice Sister Beck got from her mother as her mother was moving from next door to another part of the world. (pg 98)
*Sister Snow hoped that women would "perceive a difference in their houses" after their visiting teachers came (pg 108), Cathie Humphrey's experience as a visiting teacher (pg 114), and this quote: "There are many sisters who are living in rags -- spiritual rags. They are entitled to gorgeous robes, spiritual robes...It is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags." (pg 117)
*"Because you mothers are the heart and soul of any family, it was appropriate that it [the Proclamation to the Family] was first read in general Relief Society meeting." (I didn't actually know that, it happened before I was in Relief Society.) Also, President Hinckley's promise to women that he gave after reading the Proclamation (pg 165)
*"Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world." (pg 157)
*The story of Lynne, a woman who was served by Relief Society sisters as a young adult and then tried to pass that service on throughout her life. (pg 177-178) -
I love that the Church is encouraging the study of the history of Relief Society and of women in the Church generally. (Quick side note - if you haven't taken a look at the fantastic Joseph Smith Papers project, go google it now and read, among other things, the original minutes of the first Relief Society meeting. It's amazing!) I went through four years of seminary, four years of religious education at a church university, additional Institute classes and countless Sunday School lessons of mostly women-less Church history, so I'm extremely gratified that a volume has been officially published - and disseminated to all English-speaking members of Relief Society for free (with other languages soon to follow) - to begin to bring this fascinating history into the light.
It's an unimaginably difficult task to create a book like this for such a widely diverse audience, and I applaud Sr. Tanner for her valiant efforts and hard work. It must have been very challenging to try to create a book intended for all women with the extreme diversity in circumstances, income, experiences, and doctrinal knowledge that exists in Relief Society. Some members of this worldwide Relief Society have multiple advanced degrees. Some have not had the chance to finish elementary school or even learn to read. Some have been members in established wards their entire lives. Others joined small branches far from other congregations yesterday. There are women in desperate poverty and women who have more than enough money for their families' needs. So of course there will be aspects of this book that don't "speak" to everyone, but I believe that everyone can find something in it that will enlighten, inspire, or uplift her (or him!).
That being said, I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the "fluffy" or "frilly." I know some people love the aesthetic presentation of this book with the pretty curlicues, the die-cut rounded corners, the pastel shading with a different color for each chapter and "watermark" effect on every page. I found it annoying and distracting; it was hard to focus on the text with all that going on. I really liked the photo-and-object collages at the beginning of each chapter, though, and the notes in the index that provided explanations for each item, as well as the many historical photographs (which I wish had more detailed captions). The generic stock photos and occasionally over-sentimental, treacly artwork, not so much.
I love the chronological approach of the first seven chapters that helped me see where the history of Relief Society dovetailed the general Church history and U.S. and world history I'm more familiar with. I also appreciated that some "tough" topics were not entirely swept under the rug. Plural marriage was addressed briefly but directly - and even the fact that "this practice was initially difficult for many to accept" as well as hard to give up after the Manifesto in 1890.
I was particularly inspired by the focus on visiting teaching in the chapter called "Pure Religion," which drew my mind to ways I can be a better visiting teacher today. The chapters on the priesthood and "Guardians of the Hearth" were less effective for me. They lost the momentum of the chronological chapters and read more like an extended article in the Ensign (not that there's anything wrong with that!) than adding more insight and knowledge to my understanding of Relief Society.
I greatly appreciated the use of examples of women and families from around the world. Of necessity, the first part of the book is fairly U.S.-centric, because that's where much of the early history of the Church happened, but I'm glad that international examples are included as much as they are as the book progresses.
So, to sum up, this is a valuable resource for not only the women of Relief Society, but every member of the Church. It is not a thoroughly exhaustive history (read Women of Covenant for that), but it's not supposed to be. It provides a solid framework for understanding the past work of Relief Society in this dispensation and invites today's women to join whole-heartedly in that work.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog,
Build Enough Bookshelves. -
What a wonderful gift! Thank you to the General Relief Society Board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for this book. I loved so much of it. I loved the physical feel and look of the book. The pages are so pretty. The art work in it was just as inspiring as the written word. I have many favorite quotes, but here are just a few:
Okay, so as I was thumbing through my beautiful book there are WAY too many quotes that I love to narrow it down. My absolute most favorite piece of art in there is at the end on page 173, it's entitled Turning Hearts to the Family, by Anne Marie Oborn (nice name).
I will summarize everything I LOVED about this book with one (long) quote from the closing paragraph's. It was a very thought provoking couple of paragraph's but even more so when I replaced the they's and you's with I and me.
"The charge to lead out in evertyhing that is praiseworthy, Godlike, uplifting, and purifying is a demanding one. It always has been. But individual Relief Society sisters are [I am] not alone in accepting this charge. [You] are part of a great organization, founded by priesthood authority and strengthened by the teachings and declarations of prophets. [You] are [a] beloved daughter of God with sacred responsibilities. [You] are [a] covenant people of the Lamb, "armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." As [you] unite with other faithful Saints and learn from the examples of those who have gone before, [you] can prevail over mortal challenges. [You] can help build the kingdom of God throughout the world and in [your] own home. [You] can say, "Now it is [my] turn-[my] turn to serve and write a chapter on the pages of Relief Society's history." With an assurance of Heavenly Father's love for [me] and a testimony of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, [I] can rise above ordinary thoughts and ambitions and be part of "something extraordinary."
That really is everything this book is about. It is FILLED with quotes and stories from people of all walks of life. There are many quotes from prophet, apostles and general Relief Society presidents that are some of the most inspiring, uplifting and best council for life I've ever read. You won't be sorry you took the time to read this little gem! -
An inspiring (and inspired) book written specifically for Latter-day Saint (Mormon) women, Daughters in My Kingdom describes the "history and work" of the Relief Society. Organized by themes (for example, charity, visiting teaching, and "Guardians of the Hearth") this book reads rather chronologically, beginning from New Testament origins and moving to the 21st century.
Reading this book really made me feel like I am privileged to be part of this society for women. I loved the quotes from Relief Society leaders and prophets, and the dozens of stories of normal women who did great things because of their faith in the Savior. Almost every page in the book has a photo or illustration, and the visual layout is quite delightful. It's a book that you can sit down and read from cover to cover (though it will probably take a few sittings to digest) or simply flip open to a random page to read a inspiring paragraphs.
This book is empowering--it really uses a look at the past to help me feel motivated to be a better person, as well as giving me tools, thoughts, and perspectives to help me on my daily journey. I especially liked the parts on family and motherhood, as that particularly applies to me right now.
I loved this book, and I'll definitely be reading it again. If you haven't read it, then you should! -
When the publication of this volume was announced at the General Relief Society Meeting in September I was anxious to read it, hoping to learn lots of new things about this organization that I have always loved. I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed - not so much in the quality of the book, but in the obvious intent of it. I was hoping for something more academic, but I realize now that what the church has produced has a higher purpose than educating me about the detailed history of Relief Society. Instead, it gives a very broad overview, then fills the pages with uplifting stories about sisters past and present and the service they have given. This book is supposed to inspire women all over the world to feel more a part of this great organization, and to step up to a higher level of service and charity. It does a good job of that, but I'm rating it on the same standards I do everything that I read, and for me it just couldn't crack that "4" barrier.
2017 addendum to review:
I was just called to be the 1st Counselor in our new Relief Society Presidency, and the President asked us to read this book in preparation for our callings. I found that approaching it with the question, "How can I learn from this how to better serve the sisters in my ward?" made it a much more rewarding experience than before. -
This is a must read for every Husband and father in the LDS Church! I know that may sound hard, especially since this book was written and designed for the women of the Church, but in reading it I have found myself left with a sense of awe and extremely grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and His plan for our families.
I learned some new things about what the Relief Society has done through the years and it made me proud.
This book covers the inherent strengths and talents all women have.
Divided into sections that cover history and topics it reads well. In fact it reads unlike any other "manual" or Guidebook" the Church has. In doing a little research I found out the reason. It was written by a single author. This was very refreshing.
I found the middle chapters on working with the priesthood interesting. I know some have been slightly disappointed in the idea that the way to change the world is through being good mothers in the home, but I truly believe it. In order to change a generation start one home at a time.
It made me appreciate my wife so much more and her willingness to be a stay at home mom (giving up the things more money could buy us) and more importantly to put up with me as she helps guide me in being the type of man I need to be. -
This is a WONDERFUL book! It tells the history of Relief Society--God's organization for women in His Church, where they learn and serve as His disciples to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and give relief to those in need. I am so grateful for this organization and its mission and vision to serve and bless and love being a part of it. I know this is God's plan for His daughters. I feel humbled, empowered, loved, trusted, responsible and grateful to understand a little bit more about the important history, message and work of the Relief Society. I feel and urgency to do my part as a daughter in His kingdom. I will come back to this book often to remember the vision and words of the prophets, leaders and other examples and teachings.
There is a sweet
website the Church has also created with resources that go along with the book. So neat! -
I decided to read this book cover to cover and really enjoyed it. It is beautifully presented. The artwork and graphics are lovely. The quotes on the sides of pages and front of chapters were chosen carefully and add to the information being presented. The history of Relief Society was presented within the context of gospel topics, I loved that. I especially loved the chapter on Visiting Teaching. It strengthened my testimony of the importance of that responsibility. The main thing I learned from the historical perspective is that the Relief Society of the church has really led the way for establishing church wide programs. I didn't realize how many times that was the case. Example - The Relief Society Magazine was established in 1915. In 1971 it became the Ensign. An excellent perspective for our day when there is so much discussion regarding the role of women in the church. Great book.
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I re-read this one in preparation for a presentation I have to make today in church and it was better the second time through! I came away feeling grateful for this organization and the good that has been done over the years.
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I just finished reading this and it was nice to get an overview of how the Relief Society has progressed throughout the years since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was restored on the earth. I definitely learned some new things about RS that I wasn't aware of i.e. that RS used to collect money for the church's welfare, that the RS Presidency used to belong to a nationwide organization as well, etc. It was good to read about the stability also of the program and that it has never waivered in its main focus..."Charity Never Faileth". I am glad that I have read this book and that I am part of such an admirable organization.
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This book is about the history and purpose of the Relief Society, a society of woman within the LDS church. I admit, I was worried it would be a little dry and that is why I have put off reading it for so long. I decided to just plow through it and I am so glad I did. This book is amazing. It reminded me of my place in the world and instilled a new desire to have and show greater charity. The history of the relief society surprised me as well. I had no idea of the many accomplishments of the Relief Society since it's beginnings. It was incredible to read all that this organization of sisters has done over the years. Every woman of the LDS church should read this book without delay.
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This was a very inspiring book. I read the book to give a 10-minute presentation at our Ward's Relief Society birthday dinner. The overwhelming theme, which I based my presentation on, is that as daughters of God, we can become women of faith and we can do hard things!! The women quoted and discussed in the book have overcome overwhelming personal challenges with faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. And they have selflessly reached out to aid those around them who are suffering, thus lifting personal burdens and finding peace in their own lives. I started marking quotes that meant something special to me, and ended up with marks on every other page. Very uplifting and motivating!
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I'm inspired to become a much better visiting teacher and to get to know my sisters on a much deeper and more intimate level. I'm determined to lighten their loads, ease their burdens, and brighten their lives. I know they must need those things because I am always in need of those things from a caring, loving person, no matter how great someone may think my life might be. Therefore, if I'm feeling that way, others MUST be in need as well. Most of us just don't want to walk around with a sign on our foreheads that state our emotional, temporal, or spiritual needs.
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This is a wonderful history of the Relief Society with ten chapters that teach the importance of the role of women. There are many touching stories of women who have served, taught, and sacrificed. This book inspires me to do more and be better. I am so thankful that I belong to this wonderful women's organization! I am so thankful for all the Relief Society sisters who have nurtured me in eight states and one foreign country where I've lived as well as the sweethearts I've met when visiting other wards around the country.
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I was so excited when it was announced that this history of the Relief Society would be produced, and was even more pleased when I was handed this lovely little volume by my Relief Society president. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the heart--I loved the personal examples and stories throughout. My only wish would be that there might be MORE of it! But I'm very pleased to have this little book on my bookshelf.
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This book reminded me that when you put God first, you have enough to do all that is required of you. "By seeking to perform every duty you will find that your capacity will increase, and you will be astonished at what you can accomplish." It truly is a privilege to be a part of this extraordinary group of worldwide women that from it's inception in 1842 has done its upmost to change the world, and lived by it's motto "Charity Never Faileth"
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A combination of chronological history and principle-centered chapters, Daughters in My Kingdom is a fantastic resource for women of our time. Getting both the overall history and individual stories or gospel topics, one can clearly see many ways in which the Lord has worked in the lives of women in the last dispensation.
