Worldwide Relief Society Devotional Encourages Women to Trust in, Focus on Jesus Christ

Leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints testified of the relief and strength found in trusting in and focusing on Jesus Christ as they addressed more than 8 million women of the Relief Society worldwide in a recorded broadcast released on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

“Conditions in the world today increasingly require deepening individual conversion to and strengthening faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement,” taught Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who, along with the Relief Society General Presidency, gave messages that will be shared during local celebrations of the establishment and work of Relief Society on or near its anniversary on March 17.

“We need more Jesus Christ,” taught Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson. “His light, His love, His hope, and His healing, strengthening power.” Her two counselors testified of the Savior’s constant light and His atoning sacrifice for all.

Download Photo

Women’s Influence and Faith

“Do not underestimate the power and impact of your capable, loving and sensitive influence on those with whom you associate,” said Elder Cook. “You bless many as you strive to live Christlike lives.”

He added his reassurance that despite women sometimes feeling inadequate and ineffective, “no matter how hard you work or what you do,” “it is enough.”

As in the past, opposition continues in this current “turbulent” time, the Apostle taught, but God has promised that the faithful who are “built on his rock” will prevail.

“Could anything be more relevant to the issues that exist in our day than this message about pride, envy and persecutions?” he said.

The baptismal covenant is a helpful baseline when reviewing one’s life and commitment to the gospel, he said. The Book of Mormon prophet Alma taught that four qualities are needed to be “blameless before God:” Be humble, stripped of pride and envy, and free from mocking or persecuting others (see Alma 5).

“The great debate across much of the world is about temporal, day-to-day economic issues. Yet there is very little discussion about returning to Christlike principles focused on preparation to meet God and the condition of our spirits. We need to focus our lives and increase emphasis on spiritual matters.”

Praising the dedication and “unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” of women in the early Church, he said, “I think the women of the Church today are every bit as strong and faithful.”

Elder Cook concluded, “As we focus our faith on Jesus Christ and stay on the covenant path, we can reach our eternal goals.”

Holy Women Focus on Jesus Christ

President Johnson related stories about two “holy” women she knows who “have come to know and trust Jesus Christ amid adversity’s fire of refinement.” She then recounted the Old Testament story of once-barren Hannah, who left her long-prayed-for, newly weaned son Samuel with the priest at the temple, dedicating him wholly to God’s service.

“Hannah was faithful, and life was still hard,” President Johnson said.

Jesus Christ is the refiner and purifier of silver, she explained, and “we are the precious silver, refined and chosen in the furnace of affliction. And like silver having been refined, impurities burned away, we have a godlier character, we become holy women.”

Download Photo

“My Relief Society sisters include modern-day Hannahs, holy women, who even in their adversity worship in the house of the Lord, fast, pour out their whole souls to the Lord in prayer, consecrate that with which the Lord has blessed them, keep the commitments they have made with Him, and trust in the Lord — His will for them and His timing.”

She continued, “We are having a mortal experience in bodies that are subject to aging and disease. We, and others, have the glorious opportunity to exercise our agency, for good or ill. So, it’s going to be hard. You can do hard with Jesus Christ, or you can do hard alone. I am certain that when you do hard with Jesus Christ, the hard becomes holy — holy seasons, holy spaces, holy women.”

After finding relief through Jesus Christ, the work of holy women is to share the Savior’s spiritual relief with others, she said.

Trust God’s Constant Love and Light

Trust in the Savior’s love even when “it may be hard to feel our Savior’s love or see His light,” taught Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency.

Download Photo

“I bear my witness to you that nothing can separate us from the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!” she said. “Their light and Their love for us are constant, unchanging and immovable, just like the light and warmth of the sun. We do not need to fear They have abandoned us, because They never will. It is not in Their character to do so.”

Fellow Relief Society sisters can help ensure women never feel alone or isolated, she said. “We can help each other feel our Savior’s love as we strive to be united as daughters of God. Let’s link arms, lift each other and walk home together.”

Mortality is filled with challenges, difficulties and loss, but “if you remain faithful to God, all your losses will eventually be made up to you,” she said, testifying that Father in Heaven and your Savior will never forget you, no matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter your present circumstances, and no matter your past.”

‘Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice Was and Is for You’

“God’s great love is manifest through the merciful gift of His Son, Jesus Christ,” testified Sister Kristin M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency.

“Our covenants connect us to Him and His Atoning power. Because of Him, we can repent and change. Because of Him, we can receive strength and capacity beyond our own. Because of Him, we can find divine peace and the assurance that ‘all will be made right.’”

Download Photo

She shared how praying for mercy and assistance helped her find peace and relief after a trying circumstance left her feeling unsettled and undervalued.

“Sisters, let us choose to believe in Jesus Christ and ask for the help we need through the power of His Atonement,” she said. “At times we may find ourselves on ‘automatic’ mode, where we generally believe God will help us, but we do not deliberately ask Him in faith, choosing to believe He really can and will help us. I think our Father in Heaven hopes you and I will ask for the help we need in sincerity of heart and with faith that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was and is for you.”

Helpful Resources

The broadcast is available on Gospel Library, broadcasts.churchofjesuschrist.org and the Living the Gospel YouTube channel.

In addition to the broadcast, several brief discussion videos from the Relief Society General Advisory Council were released on March 8. These videos cover important topics designed to assist local Relief Society leaders in supporting and uplifting the sisters they serve.

Download Photo

Topics addressed in the discussion videos include:

• Finding strength and relief in Jesus Christ
• Managing competing priorities
• Building emotional resilience
• Staying committed when facing offense, hurt, or trials
• Discovering the divine design in my family

Discussion videos can be viewed at the same time as the broadcast or throughout the year as resources for women’s conferences, Relief Society activities, ministering visits and personal study.

Discussion videos will be available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and Gospel Library.