How many of you were able to see, listen, or read the talks given at the General Relief Society Meeting, this past weekend?\u00a0 Go to lds.org and print out their talks and read them slowly, underlining where necessary, and let your mind wander as you catch the vision of which they speak.<\/p>\n
Sis. Beck\u2019s talk outlined the purpose of Relief Society.\u00a0 Basically, if we don\u2019t know where we came from, we don\u2019t know where we are going.\u00a0\u00a0 We all need to understand, and believe, that women are a vital part of the Restoration and continuation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Quoting from her talk,\u201cThe purpose of Relief Society as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life. I would like to say that again. The purpose of Relief Society as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life.\u201d\u00a0 It would be time well spent if we pondered upon the words ORGANIZE\u2014TEACH\u2014INSPIRE.\u00a0 The following are my own thoughts and ponderings:<\/p>\n
Organize\u2014We can get a lot done individually, but we can get so much more done as an organized group of women.\u00a0 We are used to being told what to do; and frankly, we are very good at jumping up and doing what we are told to do.\u00a0 But now, I believe we need to look at being the organizers, the starters, the joiners; we can\u2019t sit and wait anymore.<\/p>\n
Teach\u2014Teaching by example is the best method of teaching—ever.\u00a0 Our neighbors (Mormon or not) are watching us.\u00a0 Let them watch; and let us watch them for opportunities to teach.\u00a0 Our children are looking for guidance and direction.\u00a0 Let us stand firm in the standards, teaching, training and radiating. The world is stumbling.\u00a0 Let us begin carrying it on our shoulders as the nursing mothers (Isaiah 49:23) we are.<\/p>\n
Inspire\u2014Each one of us, by virtue of our gift of the Holy Ghost, has the right to inspiration for the good of mankind.\u00a0 We cannot wait any longer.\u00a0 We need to act, so let\u2019s get creative and figure out ways to reach all of Heavenly Father\u2019s children-member, non-member, black, white, bond, free, rich, poor, loved, unloved.\u00a0 At the risk of sounding like a hippy, it really is love and acceptance that is going to make others respond to us.\u00a0 Are you feeling inspired?<\/p>\n
The bottom line is if we want to bring people unto Christ, we have to already be at Christ\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Our problems have to be under control (not gone), due to righteous living.\u00a0 Then we can stretch our arms out to anyone nearby.<\/p>\n
Sis. Beck quoted a scripture, \u201cIt was prophesied that in the latter days the Lord would pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(Joel 2:28-29)<\/p>\n
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.<\/p>\n
Joel is talking about the last days when wickedness is everywhere, but there will be a small group of righteous who will be in the arms of the Lord, still doing His work on the earth.\u00a0 These people will be causing miracles, visions, prophecies to happen.\u00a0 These people are US.\u00a0 If we remain righteous, in spite of growing wickedness, we will be able to do the remainder of the work the Lord needs done.\u00a0 But let\u2019s be clear, time is running out, there is much to do, and the Lord has need of us.
\nShe continues by saying:\u00a0 \u201cevery meeting, every lesson, and every activity we undertake [must] help [women] increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen their families and their homes, and serve the Lord and His children.\u00a0 The Lord expects us to increase our offering. He expects us to fulfill the purpose of Relief Society as never before.\u00a0 The only way we can accomplish this is by seeking, receiving, and acting on personal revelation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Presidency won\u2019t tell us what to do; they won\u2019t give us answers; they expect us to study it out and stretch ourselves and discover the best approach in our individual wards.\u00a0 Relief Society Presidents:\u00a0 Follow the same pattern.\u00a0 Allow members of your Relief Society to be creative.\u00a0 Don\u2019t feel you have to be in charge of everything.\u00a0 Let your sisters use their gift of revelation to fill the needs of one another.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Our little band of women (5 million) can flood the earth with our good will, our faith, our strength, our determination, our wisdom, our righteousness, and our love.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How many of you were able to see, listen, or read the talks given at the General Relief Society Meeting, this past weekend?\u00a0 Go to lds.org and print out their talks and read them slowly, underlining where necessary, and let your mind wander as you catch the vision of which they speak. Sis. Beck\u2019s talk […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,484],"tags":[359],"class_list":["post-124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conference-talks","category-relief-society-challenge-ideas","tag-handmaids"],"yoast_head":"\n