We have
just concluded the Olympic games in Salt Lake City. The
world has seen Utah, and this area will never be looked
at in quite the same way. There were so many positives,
and even the negatives brought out the character of this
city.
After interviewing a General Authority attending the
"Light of the World"
production, and seeing the city up close, one person
with the international media commented that Utah has
brought integrity back to the Olympic games and the more
he hears about the Church the more he feels like he
wants to volunteer.
How many of you were volunteers for the Olympics?
Congratulations on receiving a straight A mark for your
service. Every other aspect of the Olympics was graded
A_ or B+, and the only B we received was for the
availability of liquor!
I thrilled at the sight of the Olympic torch, carried
thousands of miles by people who exemplified faith,
courage, and light. I loved hearing their inspiring
stories. When I saw Braden Howe, the son of one of our
former stake Relief Society presidents, carrying the
torch for a block and one-half in his hometown of Roy,
Utah, I was particularly touched. Braden was paralyzed
from his neck down six years ago, and to think that he
achieved his Eagle Scout rank and is now attending Weber
State University is almost miraculous. He has learned to
use the computer by holding a pick in his mouth, and he
has become quite proficient in his studies.
When I think of Braden, I think of his mother. The
patience, the perseverance, and the love that she has
demonstrated are truly remarkable. For every person
carrying an Olympic torch, how many others were there
who helped light that flame? Braden's mother may not
have been an official torchbearer, but she has carried
the light of Christ in her heart and ignited a spirit of
achievement within her son. Like you and me, she is a
torchbearer of truth and righteousness.
As children of God, each of us has been blessed with the
light of Christ. And as members of the Relief Society,
each of us has a role to play in bringing His light to
the world. Like Sister Howe, the most important place we
can start is in our own family. Then as we reach out to
our ward and community, we can bring the Savior's light
to all.
What could be worse than to be without the light of
Jesus Christ? At the time of His crucifixion, "there
could be no light, because of the darkness, neither
candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire
kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so
that there could not be any light at all . . . for the
space of three days."[1] Even worse than that kind
of physical darkness is spiritual darkness.
Ultimately, the only thing that can bring hope, peace,
and joy to a darkened heart is the gospel of Christ.
That is our mission and our message.
I envision Relief Society sisters all over the world as
torchbearers, bringing the light of Christ to an
ever-darkening world. I see women feeding the
hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick,
welcoming the stranger, lifting the downtrodden, and
otherwise dispelling darkness with the light of truth.
Every sister is important and valuable. Every
sister is needed. Everyone has something to offer.
We are all given gifts that can be used to bless others.
Christ is the light of the world, and we are His
torchbearers.
When I was set apart for this calling five years ago,
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "This is a tremendous
organization, perhaps the largest and oldest of its kind
in all the world. Its mission is to do good and to
help those in distress and need, to bring about the
processes of education, good homemaking, and other
skills into the lives of women throughout the world. [2]
"You have counselors and a board who together will do
a great work, and He will guide you and hear your
prayers and give you answers to your prayers and
safeguard and watch over you." [2]
Sisters, I bear humble testimony that we are seeing the
fulfillment of these blessings. But we have only just
begun. In 1842, at the third meeting of the Relief
Society in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith made this
visionary statement, "This society shall have power to
command queens in their midst . . . kings and queens of
the earth will come unto Zion, and pay their respects to
this society. They shall come with their millions and
shall contribute of their abundance for the relief of
the poor. If you will be pure, nothing can hinder." [2]
When we are prepared, this prophecy will come true.
The Relief Society is divinely inspired, organized under
the direction of the priesthood of God. This is the
Lord's organization for women. The time has come to
raise our standard higher and bring the gospel light to
all of God's children.
In the American Heritage College Dictionary, one of the
meanings of the word Olympian is "majestic in manner."
My dear sisters, we are more than Olympians. We
are each a daughter of God. Are we "majestic in
manner?" Do we act like the queens we are?
Are we dignified and noble in our interactions? Do
we exemplify and teach the highest principles of
womanhood? Are we becoming all that the Lord wants
us to be?
In the 13th Article of Faith we are reminded of ways we
can receive more light and be in a position to share
that light with others. It reads, "We believe in
being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in
doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow
the admonition of Paul.....We believe all things, we
hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope
to be able to endure all things. If there is anything
virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we
seek after these things." [3] If each of us would
follow the admonition of the words in the 13th Article
of Faith and put them into practice, we would be more
majestic in manner. We would be more refined and more
righteous.
I was so grateful for the opportunity to represent you
at the luncheons for the wives of Olympic and Para
Olympic committee members. We gave a copy of the Relief
Society Declaration to each woman who attended so they
could have a better understanding of who we are and who
we are striving to become. You of course know the truths
the Relief Society Declaration contains. Let us repeat
it together:
We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives
have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide
sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith,
virtue, vision, and charity who:
Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer
and scripture study.
Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of
the Holy Ghost.
Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families,
and homes.
Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.
Delight in service and good works.
Love life and learning.
Stand for truth and righteousness.
Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.
Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our
divine destiny, and strive for exaltation. [4]
As these qualities are developed in our own lives, we
will become the torchbearers our Heavenly Father expects
us to be. We will be examples for good and find greater
peace and joy in our lives.
Home, Family, and Personal
Enrichment
Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment meeting was
established for these purposes. In this setting,
we can inspire sisters how to be more polite and
refined, less like the women of the world and more like
women of God. A lesson could include such things
as good grammar and dress standards. Another
evening could be an enthusiastic lesson on scripture
study or family history. Take a close look at the
suggested topics and prayerfully consider your sisters'
needs.
In our enrichment meetings, if we focus on things that
money cannot buy, we will help our sisters radiate the
light of the gospel. These are the things that matter
most. When I ask an audience what are the things that
money cannot buy, they say, "Love, kindness, obedient
children, faith, service to others, a temple recommend,
devotion, integrity, honesty, and so on." You will see
that everything that money cannot buy is everything that
we can take with us into the next life.
Such an understanding will help us cope with all of the
mortal matters that threaten to dim our eternal light. I
recently received a letter from an outstanding young
mother I have known for years. She wrote of her concerns
as she has assisted the stake with preparedness issues.
She wrote, "I recall many times modern as well as
ancient prophets have counseled that the young mother's
place is in the home, caring for both the temporal and
spiritual needs of her children, husband, and the home
environment itself. I bear solemn testimony of the
important or, more appropriately, essential nature of
this counsel. It is when I have followed this counsel
that I have found the greatest happiness and personal
fulfillment in this life." [5]
Some of our young sisters are not being prepared as they
should to nurture their families. They need to learn how
to assist with the economics of caring for their family
and maintaining their homes. Together with their
husbands they can better meet their spiritual goals and
be led by the light of Christ if they are more
proficient at managing temporal affairs. At home,
family, and personal enrichment meeting, could we
influence our sisters by providing classes about
finances and prudent living? We need to teach the young
women and help them prepare for the mission to which
Heavenly Father has called them.
Visiting
Teaching....Superior in Mundane Affairs
Who better exemplifies the torchbearer than the faithful
visiting teacher? Another definition of the word
Olympian is "superior to mundane affairs." As
torchbearers in the kingdom of God, that is where we
differ. That is where we show our true colors. We are
not superior to the mundane; we are superior in mundane
affairs. As daughters of God, we find great purpose and
happiness by becoming superior in what some may consider
mundane things.
To some, visiting teaching may seem mundane. It needs to
be done every month, and those months certainly pass
fast. But visiting teaching is the very essence of our
gospel service in the Church. It is foundational. How
many of you realize there has been a new direction in
visiting teaching? How do you like it? Does this bring
more quality and spirit into your visiting teaching? An
article in the January 2002 Ensign explains the new
emphasis for visiting teaching in more detail.
Each visiting teaching message will include:
Relevant scriptures.
Selected statements from Church leaders.
Questions designed to prompt a discussion about the
topic.
Opportunity to share testimonies.
Bearing testimony of how this principle has blessed our
lives.
As Relief Society sisters, we can help all of God's
children to see that answers are found where they always
have been; in scriptures, in prophets teachings, and in
obedience to both.[6] Is it any wonder that
Nephi read the writings of Isaiah to his family?
"I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be
for our profit and learning," [7] he explained. As a
Relief Society general presidency we desire that all
sisters will liken the scriptures and the teachings of
the prophets unto themselves. They can fortify as
nothing else will.
Without question, the most effective teaching is
accomplished when both the teacher and the learner are
involved. Sisters will be nourished by the good
word of God and testimonies will be strengthened by
discussing what we feel when we read and then apply
those truths.
With this new emphasis in visiting teaching, we hope
several things will happen:
The Holy Ghost will come into the homes of our sisters.
Our vision of our relationship with Heavenly Father will
increase.
Families will be strengthened.
We will find solutions to our own and our family's
problems.
We will feel greater peace and strength and comfort.
Our testimony of the Savior and our understanding of the
power of the Atonement will increase.
Sisters will stay on the path that leads back to our
Heavenly Father.
Sisters will know we care for each other, and we belong
to the greatest sisterhood in the world.
Transition
The emblem of the Young Women Organization is the torch.
If our young women are to become the torchbearers they
are meant to be, they must be taught. Sisters,
prepare your daughters for the sisterhood of Relief
Society. Instill in them the importance of having
a desire to serve. As Latter-day Saint women, we spend
the majority of our lives in Relief Society. Great
preparation needs to be taken for our young women to
attend. We need to start when they are infants!
Our general presidency and board have worked closely
with the Young Women general presidency and board to
smooth out some of the wrinkles during this period of
transition. It really can be a wonderful time in
our young sisters lives if they have been well prepared
and then lovingly received into Relief Society.
Here are a few suggestions:
Assign a young-adult specialist the opportunity to
shepherd them.
Keep track of young sisters who are going to college or
to work. Do not assume that they are attending
Relief Society somewhere else.
Learn their names and interact with them long before
they turn 18.
Love them.
Occasionally invite our young sisters in Young Women to
participate in Relief Society opening exercises.
Encourage more interaction between Relief Society and
Young Women in providing compassionate service.
On occasion, a Relief Society activity could be combined
with Mutual night.
Give your young sisters in Young Women a lesson on
Relief Society and involve them as soon as they turn 18.
Make graduating from Young Women a special experience, a
crossing over, a preparation for their life as a sister
in Relief Society.
Realize they are capable adults and can hold any
position.
Not only do our young sisters need us, we also need
them. They are the future of Relief Society, the hope of
the world. Let us invest our best and most sincere
efforts in helping them to find nobility in motherhood
and joy in womanhood . . . [and] love life and learning.
During the transition of young women into Relief
Society, we need to take special care to make sure the
light of testimony keeps burning in our young sisters.
Include the young women in service projects and work
closely with the Young Women presidency to welcome them
with open arms. Give them each a responsibility as
soon as they arrive. I remember how I felt walking
into a room of mostly older women and wondering how I
would fit into Relief Society. When my husband was
called into the military service, I spent my first two
years of married life in California and Colorado.
I was welcomed so warmly by those sisters, and they soon
became my mentors and friends. My testimony of
Relief Society was strengthened because of their
friendship and example.
Welfare and Self-Reliance
Essential to becoming a torchbearer of truth and
righteousness is the principle of self-reliance. One
area of self-reliance is facing problems that effect
families. The First Presidency has stated, "Every
effort should be made in helping those who conceive out
of wedlock to establish an eternal family relationship.
When the probability of a successful marriage is
unlikely, unwed parents should be encouraged to place
their child for adoption, preferably through LDS Family
Services. We encourage you to become aware of
these precious daughters of our Heavenly Father over
whom you have stewardship. Please reach out to
them and help them meet with their bishop so that they
can receive spiritual guidance, support, and help with
repentance.
We cannot run with borrowed light for very long.
Each of us needs to have a reserve. Just two
months ago, the First Presidency sent a letter
counseling the saints to have home food storage as well
as financial reserves. The letter reads,
"Priesthood and Relief Society leaders should teach the
importance of home storage and securing a financial
reserve. These principles may be taught in ward councils
or on a fifth Sunday in Priesthood and Relief Society
meetings."
Church members can begin their home storage by storing
the basic foods that would be required to keep them
alive if they did not have anything else to eat.
Depending on where members live, those basics might
include water, wheat, or other grains, legumes, salt,
honey or sugar, powdered milk, and cooking oil. When
members have stored enough for these essentials to meet
the needs of their family for one year, they may decide
to add other items that they are accustomed to using day
to day.
In Nicaragua the sisters are faithfully storing one
tablespoonful or two of rice every time they prepare
rice for a meal. It is the principle of obedience that
will save us. I n order to prevent spoilage and waste
our food storage needs to be rotated periodically.
"Some members do not have the money or space for such
storage, and some are prohibited by law from storing a
year's supply of food. These members should store
as much as their circumstances allow. Families who
do not have the resources to acquire a year's supply can
begin their storage by obtaining supplies to last for a
few months. Members should be prudent and should
not panic or go to extremes in this effort. Through
careful planning most Church members can, over time,
establish both a financial reserve and a year's supply
of essentials.
President Hinckley has counseled us to be prepared.
Individuals can go to home storage centers (dry pack
canneries) and package their food in a one-month,
three-month, or twelve-month supply for one person.
Individuals can begin now to work towards this.
On a general level, self-reliance is something we spend
a lot of time teaching. We are very involved with the
welfare program of the Church. Many people ask, "What do
your board members do?" One tremendous example is in
welfare and compassionate service. Relief Society
sisters play a major role in the Church's welfare
program. Beginning in the 1930's during the worldwide
economic depression, the Church established a system for
caring for the poor and needy. Within this program,
Relief Society leaders carry the main responsibility for
assessing the needs of Church families and distributing
food, clothing, and household items to the poor under
the direction of priesthood leaders.
President Gordon B. Hinckley invited all Relief Society
sisters to assist in these efforts: "It has been your
most important responsibility to see that no one goes
hungry, to see that no one goes without adequate
clothing, that no one goes without shelter." The
welfare program of the Church, while more organized and
efficient than ever, is nothing new to members of the
Church. Since the earliest days Church members have
looked out for each other and taken care of the poor.
Today our board members and presidency serve on all the
welfare and humanitarian committees. Welfare
missionaries who go out in the field used to spend only
two hours in training with the Relief Society. Now we
have written the curriculum, and we teach them valuable
information for one full day. This is a list of
assignments completed or in process by the welfare
committee:
1. Area Welfare Agent training, 1997-2002
2. Curriculum
3. International welfare strategy development, 1998-1999
4. Self-reliance for single mothers-Inner-City Project,
1998-1999
5. Health and sanitation proposal, 1998-1999
6. Family Support Services Operating Committee,
1998-2000
7. LDS Family Services, 1998-1999
8. Emergency response assessment, Ensign Stake, Aug. 12,
2000
9. Self-reliance project, Papua, New Guinea, Feb. 2000
10. Deseret Industries survey, Feb. 2001
11. Welfare exhibit-Creative ideas for when resources
are scarce, 2001
12. Rededication of Welfare Square, 2001
13. HIV-AIDS and the Church in Africa, 2001-2002
14. Provident Living Web site, welfare library topical
index, 2002
15. Food storage proposal, 2002
Other assignments are still in progress with this
committee. Along with training in Utah and throughout
the United States, the record of our outstanding welfare
committee shows the tremendous devotion of our Relief
Society board members. They are all well-qualified and
have accomplished huge tasks to move the work forward.
Literacy
Another important way we can be torchbearers of truth
and righteousness is to encourage our sisters to read.
The gospel literacy program of the Church allows us to
turn the light of learning on for others. As we help
others to read, our own appreciation and love for
learning will increase. There are so many needs and so
many different ways to serve. Do you know someone or
some group of people who might need help with reading?
The Relief Society, under the direction of priesthood
leaders, has primary responsibility for the Church's
literacy program. Are you aware of the community
programs that are available and that need volunteers?
The Relief Society counselor over education should
evaluate her ward's needs and determine what can be done
to light the fire of learning in your area. Are there
needs with children, teenagers, missionaries, and/or
adults? President Hinckley has said, "It is and has been
your opportunity to tear away the curtain of darkness
that enshrouds those who are illiterate and to bring
into their lives the light of understanding as you teach
them to read and to write."
Members of the Relief Society are counseled to study,
learn, and teach things both spiritual and temporal.
Learning is essential to eternal progress. Ward
and stake Relief Society presidents are admonished to
coordinate literacy efforts in their area. When
necessary, Relief Society volunteers are trained as
literacy teachers, and curriculum materials are provided
to those who want to learn. Depending on
circumstances, a class may be formed or private
one-on-one instruction can be given. Do you or
someone you know have two hours a week during which you
could assist someone to read? Great joy comes into
our lives as we assist others to learn and grow.
The Church Educational System has also developed a
literacy course called Ye Shall Have My Word to teach
reading and writing skills with the use of scriptures.
This course is now available through the Church
Educational System advisors in North and South America,
Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Since its inception in
1992, thousands of people have benefited from this
literacy effort.
Sisters in the Fairfield Ward of the Cincinnati North
Stake have taken their responsibility seriously to
accomplish the purposes of gospel literacy which are:
To teach basic gospel literacy skills to those who
cannot read or write.
To encourage Church members to study the gospel and
improve themselves and their families throughout their
lives.
Under the direction of the Relief Society counselor
assigned to education, they have been helping some ward
members learn to read and have been helping all ward
members increase their gospel knowledge through
scripture study and by applying gospel truths to their
lives. I was interested in what was accomplished.
A report I had received indicated that the individuals
participating had been blessed by:
Forging new friendships.
Preparing a family for temple endowment and sealings.
Learning to read.
Gaining self-confidence.
Opening doors for wonderful opportunities.
The Fairfield Relief Society sisters indicated that
their families have been strengthened as they worked
toward preparation for their temple endowments and
sealings. They also said that family home evening
was now held regularly, and one family reported that the
relationship between a six-year-old son and his father,
the literacy student, had been strengthened. Those
involved have become more spiritually self-reliant. They
have become temple worthy. They learned to read
every-day materials such as recipes, road signs,
instructions in manuals, and labels on bottles.
They found that one-on-one instruction was the most
successful way to teach. Visiting teachers or home
teachers can take turns teaching those in need of
learning. A young woman can help a child learn to
read and create a bond with that child that will last
forever. What better way to be torchbearers than
to give someone the gift of reading and gospel
knowledge.
Service
When we are filled with the light of Christ, we want to
serve others. Torchbearers of truth and righteousness
can always be found in service to others. True
conversion comes when focus changes from self to others.
Recently I received a phone call from the Area President
in the Europe Central Area. He found from visiting the
missions of Albania and Moldova that it was freezing
cold in the area and that the heat and electricity were
not dependable. The president asked for help as soon as
possible. It was determined that 1,000 quilts would be
needed. Quickly we evaluated our storage. The quilts
were located and boxed for shipment. On February 22,
2002, word was received by the International Shipping
specialist that the quilts had arrived.
The Relief Society general presidency and general board
spent an evening last month at the Humanitarian Service
Center boxing quilts, packaging hygiene kits, cutting
out fleece outfits, and performing other necessary
tasks. There is nothing that brings more joy and
satisfaction. It is amazing what can be accomplished in
two or three hours.
How could we possibly measure or represent to you all
the compassionate service that goes on around the world
through our Relief Society sisters? We have pages of
information gathered by our compassionate service
leader. I would like to share a few unique examples that
might help you to see how you can ignite the fire of
service in your ward and stake.
In one area, the Relief Society partners with the other
auxiliaries to visit the families in need. Then they
work together to meet those needs. In the Fountains Ward
in Las Vegas, Nevada, members of the Relief Society
presidency attend the Gospel Essential class each week
to bond with investigators and recent converts. A member
of the presidency attends the ward missionary meetings
to collect information on current investigators. In
Richfield, Utah, the Relief Society provides Sunday
services at the jail. They have also taught inmates how
to make leprosy bandages. Comfort packets were made and
donated to the police department in Macon, Georgia.
Temple excursions and family home evenings for single
and elderly sisters were being set up for those who
could not go on a regular basis. Being aware of the
needs of single sisters and finding help through the
ward council has been a high priority in Lehi, Utah. In
an Armenian branch, sisters helped teach their new
neighbors customs and traditions of our country,
provided rides to various places, helped them find
employment where needed, places to live, shared the
gospel, and showed great sisterhood. They ministered
with love. In my mind, that is what being a torchbearer
of truth and righteousness is...someone who ministers
with love.
May we all go forward with renewed conviction to take
care of each other and to be instruments in bringing the
word and Spirit of the Lord into the homes of our
sisters. Every visiting teacher, every sister in the
Relief Society, can be a torchbearer of truth and
righteousness....a light to all who know her. The Lord
revealed: "That which is of God is light; and he [or
she] that receiveth light, and continueth in God,
receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter
and brighter until the perfect day.
Sisters, that is my prayer for each of us. That is
my prayer for the Relief Society. May we grow
brighter and brighter until the perfect day. May
we carry the torch of truth and righteousness to all the
world.
1. 3 Nephi 8:21, 23.
2. Minutes of the Relief Society, 28 April 1842.
3. Articles of Faith 193.
4. Mary Ellen Smoot, "Rejoice, Daughters of Zion,"
Ensign, Nov. 1999
5. Letter on file in the Relief Society offices.
6. Mary Ellen Smoot, Sweet Is the Work, [2000], 56.
7. 1 Nephi 19:23.
8. Mary Ellen Smoot, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 93.
9. Letter from the First Presidency, to General
Authorities; Area Authority Seventies; Stake, Mission,
and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents,
15 June 1998.
10. Letter from the First Presidency, 20 January 2002.
11. Letter from the First Presidency, 20 January 2002.
12. Gordon B. Hinckley, "Walking in the Light of the
Lord, " Ensign, Nov.
1998, 97.
13. Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 97.
14. D&C 50:24.
Relief Society Spring 2002 Open
House Workshop Notes
Know, Seek, and Teach: How Relief Society Can Lead Each
Sister To Christ
Objectives of Relief Society
1. Build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and teach the
doctrines of the
kingdom of God.
2. Emphasize the divine worth of each sister.
3. Exercise charity and nurture those in need.
4. Strengthen and protect families.
5. Serve and support each sister.
6. Help sisters become full participants in the
blessings of the priesthood.
(Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2,193)
"Sometimes in the past we have lapsed into patterns
which seem to stress our accountability for programs
rather than for the flock. . . . If we want a measure by
which this program or that program is worthy: does this
lend itself to the progress of the individual toward
[the] goal of eternal life in the presence of the
Father? If it does not. . .then it has no place being
urged in the Church" (Harold B. Lee, Teachings of the
Presidents of the Church, 151).
"Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer,
which is Christ the son of God that ye must build your
foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his
mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when
all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you,
it shall have no power
over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and
endless woe." (Helaman 5:12).
People, Not Programs
1. KNOW each sister.
2. SEEK the direction of the Spirit.
3. TEACH pure doctrine to build testimonies of Christ
Back to Leader Hints
|
