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Does anyone know the source of the following document??  It is attributed to Belle Spafford but I would like to know the source and be able to check accuracy.

Ann A.

 To have executive charge of an organization or institution is a position of honor and trust.  Relief Society is preeminent among women’s organizations, it’s goals are eternal.  Thus it requires of those who are called to administer it’s affairs, especially capable and dependable service.

 For every Relief Society organization, whether it be large or small, three women are appointed by inspired priesthood authority to function as administration officers.  We refer to them as the Relief Society presidency.  All three members of the presidency are jointly responsible for the proper administration, the wise management of all facets of the organization’s work.  Matters pertaining to the organization are jointly considered.  Opinions are weighed and blended and all give full support to final decisions.

 While the three members of the presidency have joint responsibility for the welfare of the Relief Society over which they preside, their individual callings differ.  The president is the presiding head.  She is endowed with the special gift of the presidency.  As she fulfills her office worthily, she receives presidential inspiration from the Lord as it is needed for the work - vision, foresight, insight, understanding and judgment in decision making.  Responsibility for final decisions rests with her, and she is the accountable officer for the well-being of the society.

 A counselor is just what the term implies - one who deliberates with another or with others, expressing opinions, giving judicious advice, making recommendations, and counseling with regard to action.  While both counselors are appointed to counsel the president in the conduct of the work, we bear in mind that one is called to serve as first counselor; the other, as second counselor.  These designations indicate that both are not identical in authority nor in the requirements that may be made of them.

 Divisions of responsibility in no way relieve either counselor of her responsibilities toward all other aspects of the work of the society; nor do they in any way authorize her to act independently in carrying forward the division of work assigned to her.  All divisions of the work should have careful consideration and the united approval of all members of the presidency.

 The counselors are an aid to the president in carrying out decisions and valiantly stand by her in upholding action.  Their viewpoints and counsel are fully respected by the president.  Nonetheless, their counsel is not binding on her.

 In Relief Society just as the president is endowed with the gift of inspiration of presidency, so are the counselors endowed with the gifts and inspiration of counseling.  As they live worthily and strive to function unselfishly and righteously, wisdom in counsel comes to them from on high.  It is a wise president who keeps this in mind.

 It is an unwise president, indeed, who seeks counsel in administering the affairs of the society from sisters other than those given her by the Lord for this purpose.  It is an unwise president who feels sufficient responsibility unto herself without counsel from the two sisters whose calling and responsibility it is to counsel her and whom she nominated for appointment by the priesthood authority to this calling.  It is the duty of the president to give her counselors full opportunity to function as counselors.

 It is an unwise president who, because of convenience or for other reason, seeks counsel from one counselor without both having opportunity to express their view points and offer counsel.  Proper procedure is to consider matters related to the organization when all three members of the presidency are assembled in an official executive officers meeting which has been opened with prayer.

(From an address given by Sister Belle Spafford, General Relief Society President)