Sunday Report

Today's lesson was a presidency message presented by Sister Vach. She was setting the tone for the activities that will be part of Relief Society this year, as we seek to follow the counsel of Sister Beck to use the time we are given to help the sisters progress in the three main areas that will help them grow personally, and allow them to better help their families and those they come in contact with, be strengthen for the challenges of this world.

Sister Beck and her counselors have been instructed to study the history of Relief Society to learn what this organization has experienced and how the sisters have coped with and grown from the experiences they have had. We know that we have been urged not to dwell on the past but to go forward with hope and faith, especially in our own lives and with things that cannot be changed. We also know that much wisdom can gained be learning about and understanding history. for it allows us to see objectively the kinds of mistakes that are made by individuals and societies, and thus become wiser and better able to avoid pitfalls that may come our way.

Both viewpoints have their validity and should be applied in the appropriate situations. In reviewing the history of Relief Society, Sister Beck and her counselors noted three things that have defined the needs and the strengths of the sisters from the early days of this organization through the tumultuous twentieth century and into the second decade of the twenty first century.These three things have always been and are now formally known as the three fold mission of Relief Society.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Chris is the foundation of each sister's testimony and needs to be constantly renewed and nourished by the usual ways: prayer, scripture study, pondering and seeking to be obedient to the commandments.

This faith gives the motivation and the ability to fulfill the second responsibility of each sister's stewardship: strengthening home and family to protect this basic unit of the plan of salvation from the attacks it is receiving from so many sides in an ever increasingly wicked world.

Faith also is the motivator for the third responsibility of the sisters of Relief Society: offering relief to any and all that we can, physical relief when needed, and spiritual and emotional relief when necessary. It also includes the relief from the evils of this world that comes as the gospel is brought to a nonmember, or a less active is encouraged to place the gospel in the center of her or his life where it can give strength and succor against the ills of mortality. It brings freedom to those on the other side who cannot progress without the ordinances that must be performed for them in the temple.

As a Relief Society Presidency we are committed to spend our time and energy giving each sisters opportunities to be strengthened in her faith, learn ways to strengthen home and family, and to serve by bringing relief to those who need it, whatever the need might be.

Elder Neil Anderson in a conference talk spoke to and of the rising generation and to those who shepherd them through their youth: parents, teachers, leaders, grandparents and friends. This is the choicest generation reserved for the most challenging of times and it is necessary that those who are nurturing and preparing them must be strong in the fundamentals of the gospel, starting with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ours is a permissive society, purposely filled with countless distractions that would divert us from the strait and narrow way that would lead back to our Heavenly Father.

The Church is very aware of a wiles of Satan and how the world seeks to side track the righteous efforts of the Saints. With knowledge of the best of the newest developments that can both bring the voice of the living prophet to all the world and bring into every unwary home the filth and evil that has corrupted the world since the beginning of time, the Church has decided to use wherever possible the wonders of modern technology to further the cause of the gospel and the Church to the widest possible audience. Mary shared with us a wealth of resources that the Church has made available, at no cost, to the members, to help them increase in faith and righteousness, learn how to strengthen home and family and how to serve and bring relief to those on both side of the veil who need to be lifted and supported.

The sisters can pick and choose from a multitude of opportunities to help them fulfill the mission of Relief Society whether they serve in Primary, YW, the library, R. S or anywhere else in the Church, for we are all Relief Society sisters. Mary has included the link to a site where these resources are showcased. Take time to find the help that you might need to fulfill your stewardship as a daughter of God. Check out these links. The information and help offered here is amazing.

http://radio.lds.org/eng/ click programs and then explore the MANY offerings. Each has a description of its content.

http://mormon.org/ This is where you can read other PROFILES that Elder Ballard is encouraging all of us to make up for ourselves. This whole website has been updated and this "new" mormon.org is quite different than the last. Check it out.

And here is the Eyring quote several of you asked for.

"At some moment in the world to come, everyone you will ever meet will know what you know now...They will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone offered you."

Next week Gospel Principles Lesson 24 The Sabbath Day given by Sharon Pringle

Have a great week!

The Relief Society Presidency