If you missed the Relief Society Broadcast, you can listen and read the transcript here. I invite, and encourage, you to watch it. It’s easy to glaze over it as just a nice meeting, but they gave us some great and meaningful direction.

The Relief Society Presidency spoke, as well as our dear prophet. Here are some of what they said to us, along with my thoughts.

Sis. Johnson said that “we all belong to a society of women divinely instituted to bring the love and relief of Jesus Christ to others.” Specifically, they had the Primary and Young Women presidents say that they too are still a part of Relief Society even though they are serving outside of the Relief Society hour on Sunday. Sometimes we forget about these sisters, or worse, these sisters simply feel forgotten. They also pointed out that they meet all together, and have their offices together, in the Relief Society building. They meet and work together toward a common purpose. Are they offering this information as a suggestion of unity and combined efforts within ward units? After all, we are all on the same team.

When you read through the transcript, I find it interesting that they didn’t break it up into who was speaking. The message comes across as one voice. Again, I see a message there. We are to be unified.

One of them said, “As we develop our covenant relationship with God, all our other relationships in our lives will be elevated.” It made me think of the way we use our time. Sometimes, our priorities are a little mixed up, but when we put God first, everything in our lives either falls out of the way or becomes more focused. Ultimately, as consecrated sisters, we are to put the Lord and His work first. By doing so, together, we can change the world.

This short list was repeated several times by each of them:

• Live your covenants.
• Embrace time with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
• Go to His holy house.
• Pray and study.
• Minister as He would.
• Learn how to access His covenant blessing of priesthood power.

We are all concerned for our children, because they are growing up in an ugly world. But, we were told how to create a safe and peaceful home. We were also reminded that we can heal our families by doing Family History and Temple Work. (Super powerful statement!) Homes are where the most violence is occurring in our day and age. It’s also where the most love and peace can be found, if it is nurtured.

The main message seemed to be to honor our covenants, recognizing that by keeping our covenants we are surrounded by priesthood power. Think about it, each one of us has access to more priesthood power than any ordained priest or pastor, male or female.

There is specific power attached to our prayers, our fasting, our time spent in the scriptures, our service in the temple, and our work in family history. How wonderful to be told that we have a divine endowment that allows us to literally change lives, if we perform these sweet labors.  

Likely, in the Pre-earth life, we used our agency to not only choose Heavenly Father’s Plan, but to volunteer to come at this time so we could have priesthood power to influence all those around us. No other time has had this privilege. Or for us to be part of this incredible army of righteous women. Unity simply adds to our power. 

Pres. Nelson said, “I know how crucial your part is in building up the Kingdom of God.” I bet he does! And we cannot fail him, or our Lord and Savior.

He blessed us with these profound blessings:

• I bless you with increased spiritual discernment.
• I bless you with increased ability to find joy in offering relief to others.
• I bless you with increased wisdom to discern what is needful and not run faster than you are able.
• I bless you with increased courage to live up to divine privileges.
• I bless you to realize your power to change lives and also change the world. 

The messages from our leaders were powerful and wonderful to listen to, but the highlight of the evening was the testimony meeting we had after the broadcast. Many of the sisters I talked to expressed how wonderful it was to be together as sisters; to feel that unity. And to hear one another’s testimonies!

Sisters, we have been given instruction from the leaders of our organization, and our living prophet. We are so blessed to receive this direction so we can participate in the gathering of Israel and help one another prepare for the coming of our Savior.