These words from Joseph Smith:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs females possess refined feelings and sensitiveness, they are also subject to overmuch zeal, which must ever prove dangerous, and cause them to be rigid in a religious capacity—[they] should be armed with mercy, notwithstanding the iniquity among us.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Women are the most compassionate humans on the earth.\u00a0 We have a natural gift, we exude hearts capable of loving the innocent; nurturing is in our blood.<\/p>\n
BUT, we can also be the cruelest, most underhanded, belittling, cat fighters ever.<\/p>\n
Have you ever been offended by a sister in your ward?\u00a0 Have you ever been a part of a gossipy group?\u00a0 Are you the root, or merely a bud, of the ward grapevine?\u00a0 Do we overhear hurtful things about those we love?<\/p>\n
While speaking to an early group of Relief Society sisters, Joseph Smith gave a strong recommendation to them: \u201cto put a double watch over the tongue\u2026I have one request to make of the President and members of the society, that you search yourselves—the tongue is an unruly member—hold your tongues about things of no moment—a little tale will set the world on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
When men are asked if there are ever problems as they work together, the answer is typically no.\u00a0 Men just get busy and do the job.\u00a0 Women, on the other hand, can have an assortment of power struggles, quiet anxiety, pride, an attitude of chatty chit-chat, and full board gossip.\u00a0 Brother Joseph continues, \u201cI am advised to tell the Relief Society to be virtuous, but to save the Church from desolation and the sword:\u00a0 beware, be still, be prudent, repent, reform, but do it in a way not to destroy all around you\u2026but don\u2019t do more hurt than good, with your tongues—be pure in heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
How many people have left the church because someone said something cruel about them? \u00a0Maybe words were misconstrued, but they shot right through the heart.\u00a0 Anger and accusation can never be taken back and forgotten; they leave such ugly scars.\u00a0 Harsh, thoughtless words, spoken by someone who \u201cknows better\u201d, become bitter fruit borne by an ugly memory.\u00a0 The Dreadful Day of the Lord will find these words shouted on the rooftops for all to know of your hate and envy.<\/p>\n
Women have the potential to open their arms and accept all into a loving and welcoming room.\u00a0 All women can judge others in a positive, uplifting way.\u00a0 Did that sound weird\u2014to judge positively?\u00a0 Words that come out of the mouths of women can be soft, accepting, full of compassion, loving, patient, and nice, even when said behind someone\u2019s back.\u00a0 Kind words can lift a lost soul.\u00a0 An understanding look will bring acceptance and peace.\u00a0 A touch will invigorate the lifeless.<\/p>\n
\u201cSisters of the society, shall there be strife among you?\u00a0 I will not have it.\u00a0 You must repent, and get the love of God.\u00a0 Away with self-righteousness.\u00a0 The best measure or principle to bring the poor to repentance is to administer to their wants.\u00a0 The Ladies\u2019 Relief Society is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Joseph Smith\u2019s words remind us that tenderness, humility, and mercy toward others will bring people to Christ, literally saving their souls.<\/p>\n
Quotes from the Eleventh Meeting of the Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes and the History of the Church, Vol. 5.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
These words from Joseph Smith: \u201cAs females possess refined feelings and sensitiveness, they are also subject to overmuch zeal, which must ever prove dangerous, and cause them to be rigid in a religious capacity—[they] should be armed with mercy, notwithstanding the iniquity among us.\u201d Women are the most compassionate humans on the earth.\u00a0 We have […]<\/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":[5,484],"tags":[173],"class_list":["post-807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-history-of-rs","category-relief-society-challenge-ideas","tag-rs-mission"],"yoast_head":"\n
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