Relief Society's Purpose is the same as the Lord's Purpose

After being called as Relief Society general president, Sister Julie B. Beck and her counselors, Sister Silvia H. Allred and Sister Barbara Thompson, began pondering the purposes and objectives of Relief Society. They read the history of the organization, the Church Handbook of Instructions, and other lists of objectives. They found that everything about Relief Society could be summarized with three things Latter-day Saint women should be doing every day.

Relief Society doesn't have a purpose that is different than the Lord's purpose, Sister Beck said. "That is why Relief Society was organized."

Referring to these responsibilities, "faith, family, relief," Sister Beck said, "Everyone should be able to remember three things."

Sister Allred said the words "faith, family, relief" are not new. In fact, this message is formulated from the counsel of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who instructed women during the Church's first Relief Society meetings. "He told them that this organization was not only to specifically help the poor and the needy, but also to save souls. So saving souls has great implications on what the work should be."

(To read the entire article, click here)

Quote - United in Building the Kingdom of God

... we can tell whether or not we put the kingdom of God first by looking at how we treat our brothers and sisters in the Church. Is there a special bond uniting us? Is there an absence of envy and backbiting? Do we rejoice in the success of a brother or sister as much as in our own? Do we share our substance so that all may be rich like unto us? Ultimately, are we our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers?

As I travel throughout the Church I marvel at all the positive things that are occurring. Yet I never feel that we, as a people, are living up to our real potential. My sense is that we do not always work together, that we are still too much interested in aspirations for personal honors and success, and show too little interest in the common goal of building the kingdom of God.

When we look at all the Lord asks of us, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Of course, where much has been given, much is expected. I believe it is helpful when faced with an enormous challenge to view it as a step-by-step process. We begin by taking the first step, then continue by taking one step at a time. I am certain that the Lord is pleased even with our small beginnings, because in His infinite wisdom He knows that small things often become great things.

The first step always involves a deepening of commitment to the Lord and His glorious work. Again, this is a commitment to consider His work first. Our subsequent steps are guided by this initial commitment, but can, of course, take several directions.

We can help by serving our brothers and sisters in the Church. We can go to those who have not yet received the gospel and convert them to its truths. We can go to the temple and perform this great redeeming work for the dead. As we engage in the work of the Lord, He will increase our capacity as we increase our desire. We will pull closer together as a people engaged in a common effort. Through sacrifices we make one for another and for Him, we will realize our potential as His children and prepare the way for His eventual, glorious return.

May each of us accept the challenge to seek the kingdom of God first, before and above all else, and by so doing draw closer together as a people, until we are all of one heart and one mind, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

--L. Tom Perry, “‘United in Building the Kingdom of God’,” Ensign, May 1987, 33

President Doxey's Remarks on 21 March 2010

• President Doxey shared the account of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball leaving their wives, children, and humble homes to journey to Great Britain in response to their mission calls to that faraway land. Heber C. Kimball records the event in these words:
• “ ‘September 14th, … President Brigham Young left his home at Montrose to start on the mission to England. He was so sick that he was unable to go to the Mississippi, a distance of thirty rods, without assistance. After he had crossed the river he rode behind Israel Barlow on his horse to my house, where he continued sick until the 18th. He left his wife sick with a babe only three weeks old, and all of his other children were sick and unable to wait upon each other. Not one soul of them was able to go to the well for a pail of water, and they were without a second suit to their backs, for the mob in Missouri had taken nearly all he had. On the 17th, Sister Mary Ann Young got a boy to carry her up in his wagon to my house, that she might nurse and comfort Brother Brigham to the hour of starting.
• “ ‘September 18th, Charles Hubbard sent his boy with a wagon and span of horses to my house; our trunks were put into the wagon by some brethren; I went to my bed and shook hands with my wife who was then shaking with a chill, having two children lying sick by her side; I embraced her and my children, and bade them farewell. My only well child was little Heber P., and it was with difficulty he could carry a couple of quarts of water at a time to assist in quenching their thirst.
• “ ‘It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and started down the hill about ten rods; it appeared to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother Brigham, “This is pretty tough, isn’t it; let’s rise up and give them a cheer.” We arose, and swinging our hats three times over our heads, shouted: “Hurrah, hurrah for Israel.” Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her bed and came to the door. She had a smile on her face. Vilate and Mary Ann Young cried out to us: “Goodbye, God bless you!” We returned the compliment, and then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a spirit of joy and gratitude, having had the satisfaction of seeing my wife standing upon her feet, instead of leaving her in bed, knowing well that I should not see them again for two or three years’ ” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967, pp. 265–66).
• They were willing to make any sacrifice asked of them to build the kingdom of God.
• When President Doxey first served in the Hokkaido branch, there were only 8 people but on his last day there, there were 70.
• President Doxey told another story from his mission: There was a 16 year-old girl who used to attend the free English classes taught by the missionaries. When President Spencer W kimball went to Japan to announce the building of a temple there, her parents wouldn't allow her to go. She then wrote a letter to President Kimball and in his reply to her, he mentioned that her parents would join the church. The leaders there started trying to teach her parents the gospel to no avail. When they decided to send Japanese elders there, they managed to get into their home but there was still a lot of resistance. Being Japanese was most important and this included things like tea, sake, etc. One day, they decided to go to church and they heard someone gave a talk about Joseph Smith. The father started to cry and knew that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. Since then, he never smoked again, never drank tea or sake again. He served two terms in the temple presidency.
• We need to be obedient and do the things that our branch president asks of us. We need to prepare. We are the Lord's hands.
• President Uchtdorf counseled us to lift where we stand.
• This is not about splitting the branch. This is about building Zion.

President Sanders' Remarks on 21 March 2010

• We are at the Kirtland stage of the growth of the church here.
• President Sanders is grateful for his great grandfather who joined the church during the Kirtland era.
• If we continue faithful, the generations after us will also hold our names in reverence.
• When President Sanders served his mission in Bolivia, he worked among the pioneers of the church there and it was the same for President Doxey in Japan and President Renner in the Philippines.
• The people had to be united to draw strength from one another.
• It is vital that we be faithful, purify our hearts, prepare ourselves, be ready, be united, be worthy and be full tithe-payers.
• Elder Jeffrey R Holland suggested 5 reasons why all of us, should faithfully pay our tithes and offerings:

1. do so for the sake of our children and grandchildren, the rising generation.
2. to rightfully claim the blessings promised those who do so.
3. as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of our existence.
4. out of honesty and integrity because they are God's rightful due.
5. as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven.
   

• The great intercessory prayer of Jesus as mentioned in John 17 applies also to all of us.
• We are among the ones referred to by Isaiah in Isaiah 58:12 as the repairer of the breach and the restorer of paths to dwell in.

President Renner's Remarks on 21 March 2010

Here's a quick recap of what was said last Sunday, especially for those of us who couldn't make it to church.

• The Kuala Lumpur Branch will split in 12 months but we actually have less time than that.
• The split will be based on the following assumptions:

1. The current rate of baptism remains the same.
2. Those who are baptized remain active.
3. Aaronic priesthood holders advance to Melchizedek priesthood on time.

• The split will be roughly along even lines, 50/50.
• We are to focus on being temporally and spiritually reliant.
• Leaders are to train those for whom they are responsible.
• Teachers are to prepare their lessons well and teach by the spirit.
• Those who hold grudges should repent and move on.
• Those who are coasting along should start contributing.
• By December this year, we could have about 10 members from our branch serving missions, including sisters.

Sisters, exciting times are ahead. President Renner is having a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting this Sunday to further instruct us so please make sure we're all there to receive it.

The Fall of Adam and Eve

• Adam and Eve Were the First to Come to Earth

Adam and Eve were among our Father’s noblest children. In the spirit world Adam was called Michael the archangel (see D&C 27:11; Jude 1:9). He was chosen by our Heavenly Father to lead the righteous in the battle against Satan (see Revelation 12:7–9). Adam and Eve were foreordained to become our first parents. The Lord promised Adam great blessings: “I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever” (D&C 107:55).

• The Garden of Eden

When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were not yet mortal. In this state, “they would have had no children” (2 Nephi 2:23). There was no death. They had physical life because their spirits were housed in physical bodies made from the dust of the earth (see Moses 6:59; Abraham 5:7). They hadspiritual life because they were in the presence of God. They had not yet made a choice between good and evil.

• Adam and Eve's Separation from God

Because Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the Lord sent them out of the Garden of Eden into the world. Their physical condition changed as a result of their eating the forbidden fruit. As God had promised, they became mortal. They and their children would experience sickness, pain, and physical death.

• Great Blessings Resulted from the Transgression

Some people believe Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. None of these privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve remained in the garden.

(To read the entire lesson, click here)

Becoming Provident Providers

Happy 168th birthday to us!

As sisters in Relief Society today, we have a rich and faithful heritage. More than 168 years have passed since the Prophet Joseph Smith met with a small group in Nauvoo, Illinois, to organize the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like those who preceded us, we stand today united in faith, steadfast in following the living prophet, and committed to building the kingdom of God.

Those founding sisters came from different circumstances—three of them were in their late teens, some were raising families, and others were single. Then and now, as women of all ages, marital statuses, and cultures, we consecrate ourselves to the cause of Christ through our service.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society he taught that this organization was part of the Restoration and was organized for “the relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan” (History of the Church, 4:567). In addition he taught that the Relief Society was “not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls” (History of the Church,5:25). This is our purpose.

Asian Saints Taught by Elder Nelson

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve made several stops during a tour of Southeast Asia, Feb. 20-28. They included meetings with members and missionaries.

East Malaysia

He began by presiding over the Miri East Malaysia District conference on the island of Borneo on Feb. 20-21.

Despite limited means, humble saints in the district arranged weeks ahead of time to be off work for the weekend conference, according to Sister Julie McKellar, a senior missionary serving in East Malaysia. She said, they scrubbed their children, dressed in their best available clothing, and boarded buses and other transportation to make the trip.

After traveling for hours, they entered the meetinghouse with great anticipation, filling the entry foyer and halls as they sat on the floor in traditional Malaysian style and waited, many families up to four hours before the meetings began, Sister McKellar said. There were 437 in attendance at the district conference.

Elder Nelson, the first apostle in this dispensation to visit Borneo, was accompanied by his wife, Wendy; Elder Kent Watson of the Seventy and counselor in the Church's Asia Area presidency and his wife, Connie; and Singapore Mission President Terrence Clark and his wife, Laraine.

The Malaysian members were joyous as Elder Nelson welcomed all who would like to, to shake his hand. That gesture was something the members deeply longed for. They quietly lined up for the opportunity, many going away with tears streaming down their faces.

After the conference, district president Benedict Saran Ingkon best represented the feelings of all when he said, "These two days were the happiest of my life."

While on Borneo, Elder Nelson also visited a few members living in Brunei.

Members of the Miri East Malaysia District on the island of Borneo

sit in the meetinghouse while waiting for the start of district conference.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, far left, and other leaders

sit with family of district president Benedict S. Ingkon.

West Malaysia

He then proceeded to Kuala Lumpur in West Malaysia, where he met with missionaries and members. Elder Nelson was the first member of the Twelve to visit Kuala Lumpur since 1998. Members joined in a meeting Tuesday evening, Feb. 23, to be taught by the Spirit. Members in attendance were from more than 30 countries in this "melting pot" of Asia. Elder Nelson taught about the Savior using many languages.

(To read the entire article, click here)

The Creation

• God's Plan for Us

When we lived as spirit children with our heavenly parents, our Heavenly Father told us about His plan for us to become more like Him. We shouted for joy when we heard His plan (see Job 38:7). We were eager for new experiences. In order for these things to happen, we needed to leave our Father’s presence and receive mortal bodies. We needed another place to live where we could prepare to become like Him. Our new home was called earth.

• Jesus Created the Earth

Jesus Christ created this world and everything in it. He also created many other worlds. He did so through the power of the priesthood, under the direction of our Heavenly Father. God the Father said, “Worlds without number have I created; … and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:33). We have other testimonies of this truth. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw Jesus Christ in a vision. They testified “that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24).

• Carrying out the Creation

The earth and everything on it were created spiritually before they were created physically (see Moses 3:5). In planning to create the physical earth, Christ said to those who were with Him, “We will go down, for there is space there, … and we will make an earth whereon these [the spirit children of our Father in Heaven] may dwell” (Abraham 3:24).

• God's Creations Show His Love

We are now living in this beautiful world. Think of the sun, which gives us warmth and light. Think of the rain, which makes plants grow and makes the world feel clean and fresh. Think of how good it is to hear a bird singing or a friend laughing. Think of how wonderful our bodies are—how we can work and play and rest. When we consider all of these creations, we begin to understand what wise, powerful, and loving beings Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are. They have shown great love for us by providing for all of our needs.

(To read the entire lesson, click here)

Quote - Moral Agency

"I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make our own decisions. Christ cannot help us if we do not trust Him; He cannot teach us if we do not serve Him. He will not force us to do what’s right, but He will show us the way only when we decide to serve Him. Certainly, for us to serve in His kingdom, Christ requires that we experience a change of thought and attitude."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Ensign, May 2008, 87–90

Sister Bednar speaks of experience with Christ's love

Sister Bednar cited Romans 5:19: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

She shared a compilation of random life experiences that have increased her testimony of the Savior and his love.

Sister Bednar promised the young adults that their confidence in the Lord's presence will increase exponentially if they ask this simple question, "have I seen the hand of God reaching out to me today?" She challenged each person to adhere to this daily prayer and to write down their experiences. When we document the evidence of the Savior's love, we can continually return to it, she said.

(To read the entire talk, click here)

Prayer

Yesterday, Sister Karen taught us a wonderful lesson based on her own experiences with prayer. First she quoted:

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation ^ataken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be ^btempted above that ye are able; but will with the ^ctemptation also make a way to ^descape, that ye may be able to ^ebear it.

This scripture doesn't tell us how we can avoid being tempted above that we are able. Then she quoted:

Alma 13:28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and ^awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be ^btempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be ^cled by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, ^dmeek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

We can see here that Alma teaches us what we can do: that we must watch and pray continually.

Alma 34:39 Yea, and I also ^aexhort you, my brethren, that ye be ^bwatchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the ^ctemptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you ^dno good thing.

In this scripture, Alma re-emphasizes the importance of being watchful unto prayer continually.

If we like, Alma teaches more about prayer in Alma 34:

18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is ^amighty to save.

19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in ^aprayer unto him.

20 Cry unto him when ye are in your ^afields, yea, over all your flocks.

21 ^aCry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your ^aenemies.

23 Yea, ^acry unto him against the ^bdevil, who is an enemy to all ^crighteousness.

24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26 But this is not all; ye must ^apour out your souls in your ^bclosets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your ^ahearts be ^bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your ^cwelfare, and also for the welfare of ^dthose who are around you.

Prayer is very sacred and important:

1. The atonement took place while Jesus was saying a prayer.

2. Ordinances of the gospel (baptism, confirmation, etc) are performed through prayers.

3. The sacrament is blessed through prayer.

4. Repentance is not complete without prayer.

Prayer is the basic building block of the gospel.

Sister Karen shared with us her personal practices when it comes to prayer:

1. Pray every day in a quiet place at the same time, when she is not hurried and can have a clear mind.

2. Kneel whenever possible, without her shoes.

3. Pray until the spirit is felt.

4. If the spirit is not felt, start thanking the Lord for very specific reasons.

5. At the end of the prayer, stay on her knees with her eyes closed and listen.

Sister Karen testified that if we feel the spirit on a regular basis in our lives, we can know that we are right with God.

Quote - Faith

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?” We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward", Ensign, May 2008, 87-90

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

Relief Society Commemoration Video

March 17 marks the anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society in 1842. Watch the video Relief Society—An Enduring Legacy to commemorate this worldwide sisterhood. You can also download this video.