Relief Society has been going on for 150+ years, and it (we) have accomplished great things.\u00a0 We have always had great women among us.\u00a0 Okay, let\u2019s clarify that, all of us have value and the capability to do great things.\u00a0 I do believe some of us need more help than others to draw that realization out, but it is most definitely there in all of us.<\/p>\n
Sis. Thompson said, in her recent talk at the General Relief Society Meeting, \u201cSisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong.\u00a0 We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness.\u00a0 We need women to set an example of righteousness.\u00a0 We need women to be \u2018anxiously engaged in a good cause.\u2019\u00a0 We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do.\u00a0 We need to rescue \u2018all that is finest down deep inside of [us]\u2019 so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God.\u00a0 We will have help to do this.\u00a0 As Joseph declared,\u201d If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.\u201d<\/p>\n
The most important phrase in this paragraph is\u2014we need.<\/p>\n
First of all, all of us need to feel needed.\u00a0 All of us have gifts and talents, discovered, as well as undiscovered.\u00a0 When we are asked to do things, don\u2019t we respond eagerly, flattered that anyone would think us capable, happy to be a part of things?\u00a0 Yes, some of us are asked to do too much, our reputation may precede us, and maybe we like the spotlight.\u00a0 But so many sisters are not thought of and are overlooked.\u00a0 So many capable, yet quieter sisters, need to be given opportunities to stretch themselves\u00a0and see for themselves what they are capable of.<\/p>\n
Second of all, we need every sister.\u00a0 We have a big job to do: to bring the world Jesus Christ\u2019s truth; to bring the world out of darkness, that mankind may be saved; to motivate people to love themselves\u00a0because we first can love them.\u00a0 We need every sister to feel needed\u00a0because we need their talents and gifts.\u00a0 In too many wards, there are just a few women doing everything.\u00a0 We need to give opportunity to everyone, that our force of women may grow bigger and stronger, for we are all capable.<\/p>\n
Sis. Thompson continues, \u201cWe can be a righteous army of women armed with love, compassion, kindness, service, and faith. We can be a mighty force for good in this world. Then we will be what President Packer describes: \u2018The Relief Society might be likened to a refuge\u2014the place of safety and protection.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0You will be safe within it. It encircles each sister like a protecting wall.\u2019 \u00a0We must have this place of safety and protection!\u201d<\/p>\n
Relief Society leaders should always be asking their sisters what their hobbies are, what their interests are, what they have training in.\u00a0 This can be done during visits, activities, hanging out in the hallway, any time.\u00a0 Follow up with your mental list by using your \u201cresources\u201d to fulfill the further needs of your sisters.\u00a0 Create a circle where sister\u2019s needs are fulfilled by sisters.\u00a0 Use everyone.\u00a0 If something fails or doesn\u2019t go well, modify and try again.\u00a0 But do not avoid using any of your sisters.\u00a0 You, as a leader, have the choice experience of helping a sister bloom where she is planted, grow into a spectacular individual, become what God has designed her to be.<\/p>\n
Prepare and teach your army of sisters to love and need one another.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Relief Society has been going on for 150+ years, and it (we) have accomplished great things.\u00a0 We have always had great women among us.\u00a0 Okay, let\u2019s clarify that, all of us have value and the capability to do great things.\u00a0 I do believe some of us need more help than others to draw that realization […]<\/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":[49],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conference-talks","category-relief-society-challenge-ideas","tag-sis-thompson"],"yoast_head":"\n