The purpose of the Relief Society , according to Smoot , is to " make sure the needs of the women within the boundary of our congregation ( members of the LDS Church ) are cared for . " Under her leadership the Society participated in international humanitarian efforts , such as making and sending over 38,000 thousand homemade quilts to relieve the suffering of refugees fleeing the Kosovo War , families left homeless by the 1999 İzmit earthquake , and elsewhere . She has been politically active in family-related causes , serving in leadership positions in the World Congress of Families , to promote Christian family values . Nevertheless , the focus of her presidency was on the helping the Relief Society 's 4.4 million members share insight and inspiration with one another
1999 İzmit earthquake
1999 İzmit earthquake
Mary Ellen W. Smoot