Sunday Report

Dear Sisters,
As we enjoy this joyous season, let us not forget to reach out to those who are lonely and poor in spirit, for whom love and friendship are more needed than actual things.  Let us all remember the gifts the Savior gave, and seek to emulate Him in all things.

Today's Lesson 45 Joseph Smith's Feelings about His Prophetic Mission was given by Sister Walker.  The Prophet Joseph well knew that his life would be required when he had completed his mission here on earth. 

He also knew that the Saints would have to leave Nauvoo, the City Beautiful and the temple they were striving to build, to find refuge in the Rocky Mountains. 

He was also blessed to know that they would become a mighty people in their mountain home.  That must have been a great comfort for him to know that long after he had given his life to seal his testimony his work would grow and flourish under the hands of those he so carefully prepared to assume authority once he was gone. For Joseph loved the Church and he loved and cared for each member as an individual.  He was always good natured and full of fun, but that did not detract from his role as prophet of the Lord with responsibility to help the Saints understand the truths that he was charged to restore to the world.  At times he lamented that even the Saints were slow to understand the things of God that they would need to know to be able to abide the celestial law and receive exaltation.  He worried that the fact that he was a man, with attendant human frailties would detract from his ability to prepare his people as he wanted.  This can be a challenge even in our more spiritually prepared time where we can see in retrospect the divine calling that Joseph fulfilled and what it has become today.  Do we see the mantel of authority on our modern day leaders or our we blinded by their mere mortality and the fact that they walk among us?  Joseph would plead for them as he did for himself:  that others should not expect perfection from them but should bear with their infirmities if they desired to have their own infirmities accepted and overlooked.

Have a busy week but take time to reflect on the true meaning of the season and the blessings we enjoy of the gospel and family.

The Relief Society Presidency