Church History Matters 168 - How Relief Society Helped Restore the Temple with Lisa Olsen Tait - E44B Oct 27 - Nov 2
Oct 23, 2025
Lisa Olsen Tait, a managing historian for women's history in the Church History Department, dives into the crucial role of the Nauvoo Relief Society in temple restoration. She explains how Joseph Smith envisioned it as a grassroots initiative pivotal for priesthood restoration. Tait discusses notable leaders like Eliza R. Snow and examines the complexities of women's roles in temple practices. The conversation highlights the overlap between Relief Society, temple ordinances, and the profound impact of women's contributions to church history.
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Relief Society As Temple Preparation
- Joseph Smith framed the Relief Society as a temple-preparation organization integrated into church structure.
- Lisa Olsen Tait emphasizes the Society's purpose tied to preparing women for temple roles and ordinances.
How Relief Society Was Sparked
- Sarah Kimball and Margaret Cook initiated the Relief Society by offering to sew materials for temple workers.
- They recruited Eliza R. Snow to draft bylaws and brought the plan to Joseph Smith, who expanded its scope.
Organization 'In The Order Of The Priesthood'
- Joseph reorganized the group "in the order of the priesthood after the pattern of the church," making it integral to church governance.
- That moved the Society from a local benevolent group into an official, priesthood-patterned institution.
