Relief Society

I taught Relief Society for the first time on January 13th. When the Bishop called me to be a teacher, he asked if I had ever taught Relief Society before. I laughed and said, "I've never really BEEN to Relief Society before".

I will be 40 this year, and thus have been a member of the Relief Society for nearly 22 years. I have been in Primary probably 21 of those years. I am really excited about the opportunity and think it comes at a good time in my life.

My nephew's wife had this quote on her blog,

“We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.”

-Lucy Smith

I really enjoy this quote as I really do cherish the women in our ward. I was recently thinking about the influence they have had on me and how so many little pieces of my life are based on things I have learned from them. But these little tiny pieces add up to make me who I am. And I love and cherish them for that.

I am thankful for their examples, their testimonies, their strength. I admire the way they live their lives.

When one sister in our ward was initially diagnosed with what ended up being terminal cancer, she said, "I've done harder things than this". She attended church and served to the very end, all frail and yellow and thin. She left behind three young daughters and a testimony that continues to strengthen those that knew her. Whenever things get a little rough, I think of Cindy. I actually repeat her words, "I've done harder things than this", and keep going.

Over my mirror in my bathroom where I can read it every day is a vinyl quote I received from Polly Luekenga. It is from Mother Teresa and says, "We cannot do great things, but we can do small things with great love." I remind myself of this when I feel like I'm not doing or being enough.

> I know my ward does not have the market share of good women. Darren's parents are getting older and are having a hard time performing many of the daily tasks that need to be done. We are not there as often as we would like to be. The Relief Society has stepped in with meals, cleaning, visits. They really are performing the "errand of angels". I have found myself wanting to serve more here locally, figuring that while my sisters in SLC are helping do the things I can't do, I can be helping serve those here in the place of someone else.

Even though I have not attended weekly Relief Society lessons for most of my life, I still absolutely feel part of this organization. I do feel like the women I associate with live up to the words of the song, "As Sisters in Zion" It is a good feeling.

(The only video I could find of the song is the one that is combined with "We'll Bring the World His Truth). But man what a great mixture.



I love this gospel. It is true. I know it. I live it. I love it.