Sunday Report

Sunday's lesson was the Presidency Message given by JoAnn Bohlin, based on the talk given by Sister Julie B.Beck, General President of the Relief Society at the recent General Women's Broadcast.  Sister Beck began by emphasizing how much each one of us is known and loved by our Heavenly Father, and how our life experiences are preparing us for our place and responsibilities in the eternal world.  She went on the underscore how important each one of us, as Relief Society sisters, is  to our families, our communities, the Church and Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. 

Though the Church has grown larger and more diverse, we still have much in common with the women and mothers everywhere who have embraced the gospel and are striving, as are we, to bring the light of the gospel to their children and loved ones, and to make their homes havens of light and peace, which they also seek to share with all they meet.  Because these are in very deed the last days of this earth, there are signs of great struggle everywhere around us, actual, physical struggles and mental and spiritual struggles.  Even our position within the Lord's Church is questioned by some who see us as of lesser value than the men, without power or influence. 

These ideas are just a sample of the many myths and misconceptions that exist in our world about the Lord's Church and about any form of truth and righteousness.  Such circumstances were foretold in the scriptures and are very recognizable in our day. (2Nephi 28:20-22)  Our world has grown more demanding and self centered, apathetic about crucial things, and more enticing toward the lures of the adversary with which he seeks to disrupt the Father's plan for us.  It is so very important that as faithful daughters of Heavenly Father and followers of Jesus Christ, we do not, for even a moment, allow ourselves to be led astray by worldly enticements.  Prayer, scriptures, the words of the living prophet, covenant keeping, all these will help save us from becoming "of the world." 

Relief Society ,organized by divine inspiration by the Prophet Joseph Smith and placed under the direction of the priesthood, is an added layer of defense to watch over, teach and inspire Heavenly Father's daughters in such perilous times.  Its purpose is the heart of the defense it affords us, for in seeking to increase faith and personal righteousness, to strengthen homes and families, and to seek out and serve those in need, we will become stronger in our abilities to turn from the siren call of the world to the invitation of our Father to prepare ourselves for the glories of the eternal world.  As righteous women we need to seek an outpouring of revelation to resist the distractions, fight evil and spiritual destruction and rise above personal disasters and that will come as we are inspired to pursue the worthy goals of this great organization. 

By studying the history of this great organization we can we will learn what we are to do and how to prepare for eternal life.  The activities of Relief Society prepare sisters to serve in all areas of the Church and also in the community.  We can learn how to take care of essential things which will save and sanctify us and things which are necessary to make us personally self reliant and useful in the Lord's kingdom.  The history of Relief Society is a Spirit-filled story of strong, faithful purposeful women.  Our stories are no different. We do what we must do with little expectation of applause, for this is how the Lord taught that one should serve. Through the history and work of Relief Society we are connected to a great world wide sisterhood filled with diversity and yet united by faith and righteousness and shared aspirations of returning to live with our Heavenly Parents and our loved ones once more.

We must be strong and immovable daughters of God.  Through the history of Relief Society we can learn the principles, purposes and patterns we are to follow as we do the work of Relief Society, the work we have been entrusted with in the premortal world.  This next year will bring a wonderful new volume of the history of Relief Society.  This organization, operating in an inspired way can replace fear, doubt and selfishness with faith, hope and charity, and we well go on to write the history of this sacred organization with our own stories of selfless service and spiritual triumph.

Great lesson Sister Bohlin!  

Next Week Gospel Principles Lesson 20 Baptism  by Sister Pringle

The Relief Society Presidency