Relief Society

Sixty years along the way and Relief Society is the largest women’s international organization in the world. Sisters you are playing a great part in the plan of our Heavenly Father. Without you the Church will not grow. You will always be there side by side with the priesthood brethren in building up the Church of God here on earth now and towards eternity.

Several years ago, at a Relief Society Women's Conference, an older woman told a story from her teen years. Her Young Women class had a special dinner at the home of one of their leaders. Instead of leaving with the others, she stayed to help clean up.

While attempting to help, she accidentally broke an antique crystal glass that belonged to her young women leader. She knew the glass was of special value because it was one that this woman's pioneer grandmother had brought across the plains to Salt Lake City many years earlier. Having broken such a priceless item, she expected her leader to be upset and even angry. Crying, she took the broken pieces of glass and tried to explain what had happened.

Although disappointed at the loss, the leader put her arm around the teenager and taught her a great lesson. She simply hugged her and said, "Oh, I love you so much more than that glass no matter how valuable it is, please don't cry." This one sentence had a powerful effect because of the love and value it expressed.

What a great way to teach personal worth. This leader took what could have been a very hurtful moment and turned it into a beautiful lesson this girl would remember all her life. This sister said it effected the way she felt about herself, increased her love for her leader, and helped her see others around her in a different light. Later, when she married and had children, she said it even had an effect on the way she treated her own children.

To me, there is a lot of rich symbolism in the Book of Mormon. One part that I have thought about often is when Lehi and his family are traveling on the boat to America. As they begin, the sailing is smooth and they make good progress. The Liahona is working and their spirits are high. Later, as the journey continues, negative attitudes set in while Laman and Lemuel try to make everyone on board the ship likewise negative and unhappy. They tied Nephi to a post and no pleading on the part of their parents seems to make any difference. A great storm that matches the emotions on board the ship arises. Rain pours down, thunder crashes and the waves rock the boat violently. Determined to hold tight to their negative emotions and feelings, Laman and Lemuel refuse to untie Nephi. For four days they go on like this. The direction of the ship is no longer controlled by those on board, but rather by the cruel waves and wind. They did not need to concern themselves with making any progress on their journey at this point because it was all they could do to keep from drowning. No reasoning would change the minds of those so determined to cause unhappiness. Finally, the storm becomes so violent that fear causes their hearts to be softened, Nephi is released, and the winds again became calm and the boat is able to progress toward the promised land.

I see this drama of the boat played out often in our lives; the people on the boat being our families, branch, etc. or even just our own individual lives and the struggles we have within. When we have good moods, positive attitudes, and clear directions as to how to attain our goals, progress is easily made and the sailing is smooth. But when the prevailing attitude is negative, the storm that is created shuts down much of our very ability to progress or even control our direction as we just try to keep from drowning. It is amazing to me how many times we like to cling to those negatives thoughts and attitudes just as Laman and Lemuel did for several days.

Our theme which can be found on the 8th verse of the 12th section of Doctrine & Covenants tells us about what the Lord requires from us as we desire to serve Him. Humbleness, love, faith, hope, charity and patience are all that is required from us. Without these very important characters one will never succeed in serving the Lord. Relief Society means service, love, humility and charity. A perfect character of a true daughter of God. If one wishes to be called a true sons or daughters of our Heavenly Father then she or he should strive to attain these qualities within himself.

Let us not be like Laman and Lemuel. Let us follow the good example of those good people who came before us. Let us continually teach ourselves to be a more better person, a more better sons and daughters of God each day of our lives.