The General Relief Society Presidency seems very focused on what they are telling us.\u00a0 After rereading their talks, I would like to point out some things that struck me as important.\u00a0 Whatever any of us get out of it, it\u2019s clear that we are being asked to make a clear choice and stand up against the world and its devices.<\/p>\n
Starting with Sis. Thompson\u2019s talk on Visiting Teaching, there can be no more excuses.\u00a0 If we are to truly love our fellow sister, we need to reach out and visit her.\u00a0 She quoted Jude, in the New Testament, who said, \u201cAnd of some compassion, making a difference\u201d.\u00a0 When we visit one another, we can make a difference.<\/p>\n
I bear you my witness that when you visit teach for the right reasons, you will gain as much as you offer.\u00a0 Really listening to her, helping her, teaching and communicating with her will make a difference.\u00a0 And as you walk out the door, you will feel light and love encircle you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sis. Allred talked about being steadfast and immovable.\u00a0 This was very much the message of General Conference.\u00a0 We must pick our side, stand strong against the buffetings of Satan, and bring others along.\u00a0 Every day we need to do something that bears that witness.<\/p>\n
She gave an example of a family who traveled a very long distance to seal their family in the temple.\u00a0 On the way back their two children got sick and died.\u00a0 I almost couldn\u2019t believe my ears when she said that.\u00a0 But when she revealed that the mother was satisfied that they were safe as an eternal family, I could nod my head in agreement.\u00a0 To be sealed as a family should make us fearless, because we understand where we are in The Plan, and we believe what will come in the end.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Heavenly Father expects those who are strong to strengthen the weak, and your own faith will be strengthened as you strengthen and care for His children.\u201d\u00a0 I know that this is what we are to do today.<\/p>\n
Sis. Beck reminds us once again that we are daughters of God and that he loves us.\u00a0 Many of us seem to need to hear this over and over again, because the world would give us doubt.\u00a0 But sisters, we need to move beyond this knowledge.\u00a0 We are all busy, we all have good and bad days, we all are being tested, but more than anything else we need to be personally righteous, we need to strengthen our families and homes, and we need to serve others.\u00a0 Sis. Beck keeps banging this into our heads.\u00a0 Stop feeling sorry for yourself, have faith, and get to work.<\/p>\n
I am thrilled that the history of LDS women, and the Relief Society, will be addressed.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry she didn\u2019t share some history with you in her talk, but you can find many stories in this blog.\u00a0 But this is the message to remember.\u00a0 The early sisters were great because they had faith, they taught their children, and they happily served the community, the Church, and one another.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything we do on this earth will qualify us, or not, to live with our Heavenly Father.\u00a0 If we want to know Him, we must sit in His temple.\u00a0 So many temples are going up all over the world that it is possible to get there.\u00a0 If a temple is too far away still, be worthy, and receive, a temple recommend.\u00a0 That is the next best thing.\u00a0 The early sisters understood the importance of temple worship.\u00a0 By understanding their efforts, we can feel a collaboration with them into our day and purposes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, Pres. Monson spoke on something that should shake every one of us to the very core.\u00a0 He told us to leave our judgments at the door, and never let them enter in and do irreparable damage.<\/p>\n
How many of us have ever been offended?\u00a0 By someone you thought knew better?\u00a0 And it made you feel so sick inside you struck out at someone else? And the cycle continues over and over and over again.<\/p>\n
He told a story about the day he was called as the newest apostle.\u00a0 His wife couldn\u2019t find a seat, until someone kindly let her sit in the \u201cspecial\u201d chairs.\u00a0 Grumbles immediately began pointing fingers desiring to exclude her.\u00a0 Until they learned that she was now married to someone \u201cspecial\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Have you ever excluded someone intentionally, made them feel outcast in any way?\u00a0 Have you ever judged someone merely by the words of someone else?\u00a0 Do you make excuses to not visit that sister you don\u2019t know very well, or who doesn\u2019t run in your circle of friends?\u00a0 Do you enjoy a little too much the casual discussion of fellow ward members?\u00a0 Or are you tolerant, lenient, kind, and ever loving?<\/p>\n
As usual, our leaders have spoken words to make us move.\u00a0 We cannot stand idly by anymore.\u00a0 And as Pres. Monson said, \u201cMay we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The General Relief Society Presidency seems very focused on what they are telling us.\u00a0 After rereading their talks, I would like to point out some things that struck me as important.\u00a0 Whatever any of us get out of it, it\u2019s clear that we are being asked to make a clear choice and stand up against […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"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":[21,441,484],"tags":[388,110,151,316],"class_list":["post-2260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conference-talks","category-ministering-messages","category-relief-society-challenge-ideas","tag-attitude","tag-conference","tag-relief-society-work","tag-visiting-teaching"],"yoast_head":"\n