Barbara B. Smith

Barbara B. Smith demonstrated sound judgment and tolerance as president of the Relief Society during a time of intense conflict over women’s issues. She was often interviewd about her stand against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. She encouraged Latter-day Saint women to be involved in their communities and represent Church attitudes about women without being combative or divisive. Sister Smith continued the Relief Society’s emphasis on disaster relief, emergency preparedness, and welfare. She also emphasized homemaker education and the importance of the family. During her presidency the Relief Society grew to about two million members worldwide. Sister Smith asked the women of the Church to personally commit to a lifetime of learning and active service. She and her husband, Douglas H. Smith, have seven children.

Testimony of Barbara B. Smith

• Barbara's testimony was recorded during a General Conference at the time of her release:

I am proud to testify today that our prophets and Apostles are men called of God. They will always lead the Church aright by divine direction and by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The women of the Church have an important work to do. That work requires great strength of character, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a pure heart that will be a light unto the world and a bulwark of righteousness against the darkness that covers the earth with contention and evil.

In all humility I declare my ever-expanding love for you. I assure you, too, that I deeply love our newly called and sustained general president of the Relief Society. I know Relief Society is in good hands. It will continue to grow and move forward in countless ways to bless the lives of all of the daughters of God.

I know this is true. I feel it with every fiber of my being, just as I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer.

May we all make the most of every moment of our lives, that somewhere beyond the hills of time we will be with them again, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Barbara B. Smith, "Warmed By the Fires of Their Lives," Ensign, May 1984, 29)

Sources

• LDS.org, Barbara B. Smith Biographical Sketch