The general presidency of the Relief Society serves under the direction of the Church's First Presidency. Sister Linda K. Burton is the current Relief society president. Her counselors are Sister Carole M. Stephens and Sister Linda S. Reeves. They have been serving since April 2012.
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Within the structure of the Church, women have opportunities to be leaders, give sermons during worship services and offer congregational prayers. They take an active role in the Church's welfare program by teaching self-reliance principles and helping resolve individual temporary and long-term needs. There is also an extensive home visiting program in which women of the Church call on one another regularly with support and encouragement. Joseph Smith explained the purpose of the Relief Society was "relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan, and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes."