{"id":9592,"date":"2018-05-14T20:00:33","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T02:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldswomenofgod.com\/?p=9592"},"modified":"2018-05-15T09:58:23","modified_gmt":"2018-05-15T15:58:23","slug":"council-meetings-by-the-handbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/14\/council-meetings-by-the-handbook\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Meetings by the Handbook"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is so fascinating to me that these conference talks are so applicable to us today. Without fail, I have easily gleaned valuable, and informative help\u00a0<\/span>from these talks for my life, calling, and personal inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, this session is from the October 1979 Welfare session<\/a>. Sis. Barbara B. Smith was asked to speak on the Relief Society Role in Priesthood Councils.<\/a> Is that relevant, or what?<\/span><\/p>\n

She uses words like \u201cimplement,\u201d \u201cperspective,\u201d \u201cpersonal experience,\u201d \u201cmeet human needs as they truly exist,\u201d and \u201calleviate suffering and fulfill needs.\u201d Do these words cause you to reflect on your own RS council meetings and how you might create additional meetings of value to you and your sisters?<\/span><\/p>\n

Reading her talk inspired me to go to Handbook 2<\/a> to glean information. I believe this is real\u00a0<\/span>inspiration on my part because who really studies the handbook, right? We don\u2019t go to the handbook often enough and it\u2019s amazing how much information is in there. Because it\u2019s available online, any of us can, and should, read through the first few chapters occasionally. There is such great information available for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>I simply explored what it said about Ward Councils and so much is relevant to our new Relief Society councils. Because these councils are meant to be somewhat of an open forum, all of us can be inspired with ideas to bring to the table for discussion and solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The number one essential tool for every ward, I discovered, is the Ward Mission Plan. Do you know your ward\u2019s Mission Plan? Find out what it is and offer it up for discussion in Relief Society. The ward council will most likely have worked out a clear vision for the ward. If not, there\u2019s nothing wrong with any president of that council making suggestions to do so. Ward mission plans focus on the ward\u2019s needs and will likely change from year to year with the hope and objective that members are growing better and stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are four basic missions of the church, each one to be emphasized according to the needs of the ward, and inspiration of the ward council:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To Proclaim the Gospel<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. To Perfect the Saints<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. To Redeem the Dead<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. To Care for the Poor and Needy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Likely, your mission plan will focus on one or more of these areas. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Handbook states that most work happens outside ward council. So, how does that apply to what we\u2019re trying to accomplish in Relief Society? How do we see if our councils are working? How do we incorporate words such as \u201creport,\u201d \u201cevaluate,\u201d \u201cdecisions,\u201d \u201cgoals and assignments,\u201d \u201cfollow up\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

    In the Handbook, under Relief Society<\/a>, there is a pretty long list of ideas keeping sisters focused on the work of the Lord and becoming better people.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Welfare<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Emergency Preparation<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Temple and Family History work<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Missionary Work<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Retention & Activation<\/span><\/li>\n
    6. Compassionate service\/Local Needs<\/span><\/li>\n
    7. Humanitarian Work<\/span><\/li>\n
    8. Marriage and Family<\/span><\/li>\n
    9. Homemaking<\/span><\/li>\n
    10. Self-Reliance\/Provident Living<\/span><\/li>\n
    11. Physical Health<\/span><\/li>\n
    12. Career Development<\/span><\/li>\n
    13. Financial Training<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Why are these categories important for women to learn about and discuss? Council meetings aren\u2019t the time to learn how to do something, they are a time to plan or strategize when and how best to learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

      How do we make our council meetings \u201cmeet human needs as they truly exist\u201d? And how do we allow inspiration to work in our council meetings?<\/span><\/p>\n

      Sister Smith\u2019s talk gave me inspired ideas and I know it can do the same for you. Just \"\"<\/a>remember,<\/span><\/p>\n