Pleasant View, Utah Ward Relief Society records, 1902-1980

On March 17, 1842, Joseph Smith, Jr. organized a society for the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to this time, the women of the LDS Church were organized into a sewing society, making and mending clothes for the men working on building the Nauvoo, Illinois Temple. Smith declared that the Lord had a greater purpose for these women, and from his direction, a society based upon the principles of relief to the needy was formed.

The members of the sewing group elected Joseph's wife, Emma Smith, as president of the new Relief Society and as time progressed the society evolved into a large organization of women following a scriptural motto "Charity Never Faileth." Building on principles of self-sufficiency, spiritual development of the individual, and "compassionate service" to the less fortunate, the female Relief Society has become the primary focus for women's service within the LDS Church.

As LDS settlers made their way to the Salt Lake Valley, they brought with them their beliefs and organizations. The Relief Society established itself as an instrument in aiding new converts immigrating from the various parts of the world. As the LDS population grew, settlements spread throughout the Great Basin region. In Pleasant View, Utah, as in other areas, the founding of a Relief Society helped local men, women, and children in their individual needs.

As a branch of the North Ogden Ward, the (Pleasant View) Hot Springs District Branch Relief Society was organized on January 18, 1876, with Mary J. Maycock as first president. In 1882 the Pleasant View Ward was established with Edward W. Wade as bishop and Mary J. Maycock continuing as Relief Society president. The Pleasant View Relief Society collection contains material spanning the period from the tenure of President Maycock to President Sarah L. T. Call (1952). Over the years, the Pleasant View Ward experienced a number of stake organizational changes due to increased growth throughout the region. The ward belonged first to the Weber Stake, and then to the Ogden Stake, the Ben Lomond Stake, the Ben Lomond West Stake, and as of June 2000, the Pleasant View, Utah Stake.