I continually share my testimony of how we, as the women in the church, work with the men, to bring to pass the blessings of the priesthood. Too many of us still think that the men ARE the priesthood, which is not doctrine. The men are caretakers of the priesthood. Through this gift, they are able to bestow the saving ordinances on each individual, and together we are able to bless the lives of all of Heavenly Father’s children with the power of the priesthood.
When I read Pres. Henry B. Eyring’s talk, from this past conference (April 2011), I kept seeing how the Relief Society sisters should be doing this very same thing he talked about. He gives three ways to learn better the duties of the priesthood in our lives.
- The president must sit in council with the members of his/her quorum.
- Each member must kindle great love for one another through our faith in Jesus Christ.
- All purposes must point to the labor of the salvation of men and women.
You’re probably wondering what I’ve been smoking lately, but seriously, I hope you feel that Relief Society is under this same condemnation. Men always get “the talking to” during Priesthood Meeting, but that doesn’t mean we women are off the hook. We too must pick up the pace and perform these duties.
Sit in Council
So, how do we sisters fulfill his first point? We aren’t a quorum and we don’t really have an opportunity to sit in council with one another. We have been told that our lesson time is valuable and must not be eaten up with announcements. I have suggested in the past that we use Fast Sunday as an opportunity to plan our purposes. Maybe a meeting during the week could provide time to counsel together. I challenge you to find a way to sit in council with your sisters.
One problem is women, as a whole, don’t understand that there is a responsibility attached to being a member of the Relief Society; therefore, there is no demand for their time. We have become too casual in our belonging to the greatest women’s organization on the earth.
Whenever we meet together, it is important that the leader (president or teacher) “treats the opinions of [the sisters] as if we were the wisest [women] in the world.” The value of meeting together gives us an opportunity to “pray together…then ask each to speak…[allowing] a feeling of peace [to settle on us].” When we counsel together, do we use prayer to strengthen us, encourage even the shyest person to speak up, or participate with a valued assignment, and do we feel peace, love, and worth amongst one another?
Have Love For One Another
The second point is to have love for each other that comes from great faith. We are all members of the same church; we believe the same gospel; we know we are all children of a loving Father. Providing opportunity to learn the gospel together, whether it be on Sunday, or another day of the week, we must teach pure doctrine, provide an atmosphere that invites the Holy Ghost, allow people to speak freely, and offer a true learning experience that urges the individual to gain in faith in the Lord, as well as love for the sisters. It is difficult to reach every sister. Do our sisters feel comfortable with one another? Have they learned something, and been rejuvenated for their effort of joining the sisterhood that day?
Sharing the Responsibility of Salvation
The third point is for all the sisters to feel a shared conviction toward our duty as Relief Society sisters. We should feel it, down to our very bones, the desire to “labor for the salvation of all men [and women]”.
“This shared conviction brings unity in [sisterhood]. It must go down into our hearts so deeply that neither the many demands on our efforts in the bloom of life nor the trials that come with age can turn us from that purpose.” (from Pres. Eyring’s talk)
Do we teach and promote the cause of Relief Society?
If we, as sisters, humbly turn to one another, unifying in strength and duty, we will be strengthening the power of the priesthood on this earth. The Lord’s work will be accomplished. The saving of souls, starting with our children and our children’s children, will be our gift to our Father in Heaven as His blessings flow freely all around us.
I wish I knew the title of this painting. I believe it was painted by Dr. Ricardo Yepez. All I know is that I am in love with it!