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\nIt was requested of me that I share with you some of the thoughts that came out of the original Minute Book.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Over the years a variety of General Authorities, including our Relief Society leaders, have quoted from it.\u00a0 There might be more, but two talks, in particular, focus completely on the original Relief Society and quote a lot from the Minute Book:
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Relief Society and the Church by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, 1992 May Ensign
\nIn Elder Oaks\u2019 talk he shares with us what Emma Smith said, \u201cEach member should be ambitious to do good.\u201d\u00a0 (I hope that ideal never ends; it should define us.) He quotes John A. Widtsoe as saying, \u201cTo save souls opens the whole field of human activity and development; relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance\u2014relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of women.\u00a0 What a magnificent commission!\u201d\u00a0 (This is a great talk)
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSomething Extraordinary\u201d by Sheri L. Dew, 1992 March Ensign
\nThese talks were given at the 150 year celebration of Relief Society.\u00a0 Sis. Dew gives us a great overview of our sisterhood.\u00a0 She quotes Sis. Elaine Jack as saying, \u201cThe women in this church must be singular in purpose.\u00a0 We must seek first the kingdom of God.\u00a0 We need each other.\u00a0 We must connect in ways that comfort and sustain rather than compete.\u201d\u00a0 (Such a fantastic talk)
\nHere are some quotes taken directly from the Minute Book:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe popular institutions of the day should not be our guide\u2014that as daughters of Zion we should set an example for all the world.\u201d\u00a0 Eliza R. Snow
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and give instruction that we may all sit down in Heaven together.\u201d\u00a0 Lucy Mack Smith
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNothing is so much calculated as to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand and watch over them in tenderness.\u201d\u00a0 Joseph Smith
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOur duties to each other, seek out and relieve the distressed, that each member should be ambitious to do good\u2014that the members should deal frankly with each other, to watch over the morals and be very careful of the character and reputation of the members of the institution.\u201d\u00a0 Emma Smith
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c[I] rejoiced at the formation of the society, that we might improve upon our talents and prepare for those talents and blessings which God is soon to bestow upon us\u201d Bishop Newel K. Whitney
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe design to act in the Name of the Lord\u2014to relieve the wants of the distressed, and do all the good we can\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Sarah Cleveland
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe can enjoy the privilege of associating together to converse on the things of the Kingdom, to comfort and edify each other while passing through this vale of tears.\u201d\u00a0 Elizabeth Ann Whitney
\nDo you feel the spirit of these words?\u00a0 The world cannot offer us what the Lord has promised us.\u00a0 We have work to do, sisters.\u00a0 We need to refocus our objectives.\u00a0 May we follow earnestly the messages from our leaders and stop making excuses.\u00a0 If we could reach our efforts toward one purpose; one goal, that of preparing ourselves and our loved ones for eternal life, we could have an astounding influence upon the world.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0 It was requested of me that I share with you some of the thoughts that came out of the original Minute Book.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Over the years a variety of General Authorities, including our Relief Society leaders, have quoted from it.\u00a0 There might be more, but two talks, in particular, focus completely on the original Relief […]<\/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":[5],"tags":[78],"class_list":["post-40","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-history-of-rs","tag-minute-book"],"yoast_head":"\n