March 17, 2017 marked the 175th anniversary of the Relief Society, the women’s arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It consists of nearly 7 million members and is the largest women’s organizations in the world.
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In Sierra Leone, this celebration was observed on Saturday March 18, as the Kissy and Kossoh Town Relief Societies joined with the Freetown Relief Society to participate in a march through Freetown, Sierra Leone. The women converged at Victoria Park on Garrison Street in the west end of Freetown. The march took them to Attouga Mini Stadium on the east end of the city.
This event drew 1,200 Relief Society sisters from across the western portion of Sierra Leone. The honored guest of the event was Mrs. Mariatu Bangura, Deputy Chief Officer of the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs. President and Sister Clawson, the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission President and his spouse, attended. Local media and members of the community also participated.
Aminata Gandi, Kossoh Town District Relief Society President, said, “This organization is unique. In 1842, under the direction of Emma Smith, sisters in Zion formed the organization called The Relief Society. Our motto is ‘Charity Never Faileth.’ As sisters in this organization, we should be found doing the good work of our Heavenly Father.”
Sister Memunatu George, Relief Society president for the Kissy District, spoke emphatically on the role of women in the Church and at home, “As Relief Society sisters, we are to strive in increasing faith, strengthen individuals, families, and homes and to work in unity to help those in need, as this is what we stand for.”
Inspiring testimonies were borne by various Relief Society sisters. Sister Christiana Sellu shared of her faith in the teachings of the Church in general, and of the Relief Society in particular.
“Since I became a member of this Church, I have come to learn a lot about my worth as a woman and how I should live an exemplary life,” Sister Sellu said. “I believe and know that the teachings of the Church are true. The values that are taught in the Relief Society classes have morally uplifted me into becoming a virtuous woman in my community.”
Mrs. Mariatu Bangura called on the women of the Church to keep doing good works of providing humanitarian aid to those in need. In particular, she applauded the Relief Society sisters for the way and manner in which they have upheld the values taught by the Church.
Mrs. Bangura commented that as part their agenda, the Ministry helps to ensure women are empowered and become self-reliant. She praised the Church and the value it places on women.
She said, “I am here on behalf of the Minister, whom you all know would have loved to be here and celebrate with you. She asked me to extend her sincere and profound thanks and appreciation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for considering her and the Ministry for such an illustrious occasion. As women, let us reach out…stand strong to support our families, our husbands and other vulnerable women.”
Sister Valerie Young, Freetown Stake Relief Society president, encouraged the sisters to keep maintaining the standards of the Church and also thanked and appreciated all those who attended.