"We need to belong to the group rather than just attend on Sunday," said Relief Society General President Bonnie D. Parkin at the organization's annual meeting Saturday. Bring your hearts, talents and individuality, she said.

"Relief Society can be more fun, more joyful, more unifying. How? Change our attitudes: How we talk about Relief Society affects how others feel about Relief Society," Parkin said. "Look for what's good about Relief Society and build on it."

The 21,000-seat auditorium of the Conference Center on Temple Square was filled for the annual meeting, which is held in September one week before the faith's semi-annual General Conference.

Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attended Saturday's meeting but did not speak. The sole male speaker was Thomas S. Monson, counselor in the church's First Presidency, who lauded the Relief Society's efforts to promote literacy around the world.

He also urged women to pursue education, learn marketable skills and prepare to provide for their families.

"We live in turbulent times," Monson said. "Statistics reveal that at some time, for a variety of reasons, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider."

Many LDS women are without husbands, Monson said, but still should feel a part of the family-oriented church.

"Death, divorce or lack of opportunity to marry have, in many instances, made it necessary for a woman to stand alone," he said.

LDS women should care for one another, recognize each other's needs and be sensitive to unique circumstances of their neighbors, Monson said.

"No one need stand alone," Monson said. "A loving Heavenly Father will be by her side to give direction in her life."

Kathleen Hughes, a counselor in the General Relief Society's Presidency, urged women to simplify their church obligations and pay attention to their own spiritual needs.

"Our own spirituality often ends up on the bottom of our long to-do lists," she said.