Relief Society Birthday Cake

The Relief Society’s birthday is coming up this March 17th and I had to share this amazing cake that Brenda Calloway made. I have never seen anything quite like it. She is my idol. The queen of fondant!

The Relief Society was formed in 1842 and is one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the world, with over 5 and a half million members. You can see the Relief Society motto on the cake, “Charity Never Faileth.”

One of my favorite hymns is “As Sisters in Zion” and it sums up perfectly what it means to me to be a member of the Relief Society. I can’t sing it without getting all teary eyed and sappy. I come from a long line of Relief Society members and my life has been blessed as a result.

Just this last week I visited with my grandma, who is now in assisted living and struggling with the challenges of old age. I found her diligently knitting tiny booties for stillborn babies so that their grieving parents could dress them and later have something of theirs to remember them by. It left a big impression on me. Even though she needs help with so many of the routine things of life, she is still serving others. What a remarkable legacy that has been left for me by so many remarkable women.

As Sisters in Zion

1. As sisters in Zion, we’ll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we’ll seek.
We’ll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We’ll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

2. The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name.

3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit’s divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

Text: Emily H. Woodmansee, 1836-1906
Music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938. (c) 1985 IRI