Daughters In My Kingdom: The Official History Of Relief Society

[David T]

Article on the website here.

Notes of interest about how this was researched:

Part of that process included deciding which of thousands of pages of historical documents should be included in the book. Sister Beck and her counselors, Silvia H. Allred and Barbara Thompson, studied everything the Church History Library offered on the history of the organization, including an unpublished, privately commissioned history belonging to President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They also reviewed minutes from meetings in Nauvoo during which the Relief Society was organized; interviews with Belle Spafford, who served as Relief Society general president from 1945 to 1974; and studied Women of Covenant, an independently written history of Relief Society. Following months of review and prayer, the presidency made an outline that became the table of contents.

Sounds cool. Not going to lie, I've been curious to know whether this book would be the catalyst for some policy changes concerning Relief Society. The release clearly puts the kibosh on that idea.

"As sisters study the book, Sister Beck said, they will be able to see how Relief Society should work and what they should be doing within the organization. Although the book isn’t changing any policy, it will help sisters understand existing policy and better implement it in their ward and branch Relief Societies."

So no, for those wondering, it does not look like women will be officially permitted to be giving healing blessings like those individuals who are in the book were. This publication, combined with October's General Conference, would've been a really cool opportunity to open that back up, but I guess it's just not in the cards for today. I am extremely curious to know if that very important part of the RS's history and identity is addressed at all in this publication.

Oh well. Until then, for those who haven't read it, I highly suggest Stapley and Wright's fantastic paper, Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism

NOTE: It doesn't seem to be available for purchase at store.lds.org yet.

Edited August 17, 2011 by nackhadlow

[Maidservant]

Well, I read this post, and wanted to reply but really not sure if I have anything to say until I read it. But found myself feeling a little emotional mentioning female administration of healing.

I also find the title to be telling . . . although not sure yet what the telling is . . . Daughters in My Kingdom. I like it.

[katherine the great]

This kind of caught my attention: "an unpublished, privately commissioned history belonging to President Boyd K. Packer" What does that mean?

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

I was curious about that, too. This looks pretty cool!

[David T]

Here's a fascinating selection from the September Ensign, as another introduction to the book..

Our history helps us understand our inseparable connection to the priesthood.

The Lord has important work for His sons and for His daughters. Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies do the Lord’s work. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood.”6

Now as in the past, the Relief Society president functions under the direction of the bishop or branch president, who holds the keys of the priesthood to lead the ward or branch.

Barbara W. Winder, our 11th Relief Society general president, said, “I want so, and desire so, that we be unified, one together with the priesthood, serving and building the kingdom of God here today.”7

Additionally, it is no small thing to know that each sister has access to all of the ordinances of salvation and can make covenants that enable her to fulfill her earthly and eternal mission. Each sister can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide her, bring her comfort, and affirm her righteous actions. She also has full access to spiritual gifts that enhance her ability to live her life with confidence and protection. Our history teaches us how the women of the past utilized these blessings.

Almost there . . . stay on target...

Edited August 22, 2011 by nackhadlow

[bluebell]

I'm wondering if there is anything other than precendent or tradition supporting the cause of women giving blessings of healing? I honestly have no idea, as i've never studied this topic before.

Reading this thread just got me wondering if we know that women giving healing blessings in the early days of the church was actually of God, or if it, like other practices of the early church, was a mistake or a wrong interpretation of how things should be ordered that was corrected by later leaders.

I'm not pro or against the idea of women doing such things-i'm pretty neutral on it actually. But i don't understand the 'argument from tradition' that seems to be the whole basis for the idea that women should be doing healing blessings. Is tradition all the support we have for the practice?

I know for other churches, like the Catholic church, tradition is a very serious thing. It has power and can influence doctrine (at least, that's how i've always understood the role of tradition in that church). The LDS church doesn't seem to put that much weight on tradition though, and i don't know that i've ever seen it used as an argument for changing how things are done (but maybe it has been and i just never paid attention to it's use before).

I'd like to understand better what the strengths of the argument for women giving healing blessings are, other than 'they used to do it'.

[David T]

I'm wondering if there is anything other than precendent or tradition supporting the cause of women giving blessings of healing? I honestly have no idea, as i've never studied this topic before.

Reading this thread just got me wondering if we know that women giving healing blessings in the early days of the church was actually of God, or if it, like other practices of the early church, was a mistake or a wrong interpretation of how things should be ordered that was corrected by later leaders.

I'm not pro or against the idea of women doing such things-i'm pretty neutral on it actually. But i don't understand the 'argument from tradition' that seems to be the whole basis for the idea that women should be doing healing blessings. Is tradition all the support we have for the practice?

I know for other churches, like the Catholic church, tradition is a very serious thing. It has power and can influence doctrine (at least, that's how i've always understood the role of tradition in that church). The LDS church doesn't seem to put that much weight on tradition though, and i don't know that i've ever seen it used as an argument for changing how things are done (but maybe it has been and i just never paid attention to it's use before).

I'd like to understand better what the strengths of the argument for women giving healing blessings are, other than 'they used to do it'.

If you read the paper I linked to in my first post, you'll find the exhaustive treatment of the subject, and all the answers you are asking for. To start off, at the very beginning of the Relief Society, Joseph specifically instructed and authorized the practice for women. It has a very specific beginning. The ending of the practice is far more vague, recent, and by degrees as policies and emphases changed.

I'd be interested to hear f your thoughts once you read the paper.

Edited August 22, 2011 by nackhadlow

[Duncan]

This kind of caught my attention: "an unpublished, privately commissioned history belonging to President Boyd K. Packer" What does that mean?

from little bits of information like this it sounds like Pres. Packer has done his own history on a variety of topics. I have read that he has researched topics like but not limited too, Priesthood, Holy Ghost,Organization of the Priesthood, Priesthood ban etc.

[bluebell]

If you read the paper I linked to in my first post, you'll find the exhaustive treatment of the subject, and all the answers you are asking for. To start off, at the very beginning of the Relief Society, Joseph specifically instructed and authorized the practice for women. It has a very specific beginning. The ending of the practice is far more vague, recent, and by degrees as policies and emphases changed.

I'd be interested to hear f your thoughts once you read the paper.

I'll definitely read it and get back to you.

[David T]

Looks like Sept 8 the book will be available for order on store.lds.org, and every adult woman in the Church will be presented a free copy. This is not going to be a 'manual', but a personal study aid - although I can see (and hope) it works itself into 1st and 4th Sunday RS lessons.

[David T]

The pdf of Daughters in My Kingdom is now available here.

Female healing as a gift of the spirit actually is obliquely addressed:

On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith spoke at a meeting of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. Part of his discourse was based on the Apostle Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians

12–13 about the gifts of the Spirit. Joseph Smith emphasized that “these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils etc. should follow all that believe.”

Because Latter-day Saint women have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, they can seek and be blessed by spiritual gifts such as “the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,

healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.”

Throughout the history of the Church, Latter-day Saint women have received gifts of the Spirit and used them to bless their families and others.

Edited September 10, 2011 by nackhadlow

[bluebell]

The pdf is available here.

Female healing as a gift of the spirit actually is obliquely addressed:

I got about half way through that article you linked to and then my semester started so had to put it on the back shelf for a while. So far it was an interesting read though.

[rodheadlee]

We got ours last week.

[mapman]

This kind of caught my attention: "an unpublished, privately commissioned history belonging to President Boyd K. Packer" What does that mean?

There is one end-note that says: "Boyd K. Packer, unpublished manuscript." It is a reference for this paragraph on page 76:

Relief Society leaders, especially Sister Belle S. Spafford, the ninth Relief Society general president, helped administer the program under the direction of Elder Kimball. Many sisters served the youth directly by nurturing them as if they were their own children. The program continued until 1996. President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles later observed: “The Indian Placement program filled its purpose, and it has been disbanded. And that happens. . . . We take the scaffolding down when construction is complete.”

And that is the only time it is referenced in the notes.

[orion88]

Doctrine and Covenants 76:54-58 says, "They are they who are the church

of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all

things—They are they who are priests and kings, who have received

of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High,

after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was

after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they

are gods, even the sons of God."

Are women present in the church of the Firstborn as queens, priestesses,

goddesses, and daughters of God?

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

Sure thing! Spouses are Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses. The man is not without the woman; they are "one flesh".

D&C 132:19 It is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise ... it shall be said unto them - Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths - then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life ... [that they] they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue.

Edited September 11, 2011 by JeremyOrbe-Smith

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Well, I read this post, and wanted to reply but really not sure if I have anything to say until I read it. But found myself feeling a little emotional mentioning female administration of healing.

I also find the title to be telling . . . although not sure yet what the telling is . . . Daughters in My Kingdom. I like it.

This is a power Mother's have always had. I have a great story about this, I will share in social hall if you like.