LDS Church Relief Society Marks 184th Anniversary with Global Outreach

General President Camille Johnson travels to Eurasia to represent church's humanitarian efforts

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:03pm

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The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is celebrating its 184th anniversary. As part of the celebration, Relief Society General President Camille Johnson recently returned from an eight-day mission to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, where she represented the church's humanitarian efforts, including providing neonatal resuscitation equipment and wheelchairs for those in need.

Why it matters

The Relief Society is the oldest and largest women's organization in the world, with a focus on serving the community and providing humanitarian aid. President Johnson's trip to Eurasia highlights the global reach and impact of the Relief Society's work, even in areas where the LDS Church has a small presence.

The details

During her trip, President Johnson met with neonatologists in Kazakhstan to distribute materials for newborn resuscitation, and visited a children's hospital where the church had provided incubators and monitoring equipment. In Georgia, the church works with a local NGO to assemble and deliver wheelchairs to those in need. President Johnson emphasized the importance of the church collaborating with nonprofit organizations and government entities to maximize their humanitarian efforts.

  • The Relief Society celebrated its 184th anniversary on March 17, 2026.
  • President Johnson recently returned from her eight-day mission to Eurasia.

The players

Camille Johnson

The Relief Society General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Relief Society

The oldest and largest women's organization in the world, founded in 1842 and focused on serving the community and providing humanitarian aid.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A Christian denomination headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a global presence and focus on humanitarian efforts.

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What they’re saying

“The faithfulness of these saints, their tenacity in staying united even though political boundaries and situations separate them, they found a way to be united in Jesus Christ.”

— Camille Johnson, Relief Society General President (ksl.com)

“Without us, it wouldn't happen, and they were so clear in saying that.”

— Camille Johnson, Relief Society General President (ksl.com)

“This is a beautiful example of how the church works with an NGO, in this case, the women of Georgia who was working with the municipalities or government. One of the three of us can't do it all. The church can't do it all, these NGOs can't do it all, and government can't do it all. But when the three work together, our efforts grow exponentially.”

— Camille Johnson, Relief Society General President (ksl.com)

What’s next

The Relief Society will continue its global humanitarian efforts, working with local partners and organizations to provide aid and support to communities in need.

The takeaway

The Relief Society's 184-year legacy of service and the organization's ability to adapt and collaborate with diverse partners to address global challenges demonstrates the enduring impact of faith-based humanitarian work.