Catching the Vision and Spirit of Relief Society
I went visiting teaching yesterday. I must confess that I was not excited to go. I was tired. I didn’t feel good. I hadn’t had much downtime with my children because we have had lots of craziness (errands, doctor’s appointments, car troubles, dad out of town). More than anything, I just wanted to be cozy and comfortable at home. “Visiting teaching is never convenient,” I found myself thinking. (It really rarely is.)
I printed out the lesson and mused over the title: “Blessings of Relief Society.” I found myself wondering about why the lessons this year have focused on Relief Society. I even noticed some complaints I have heard about these lessons and about Relief Society creeping into my consciousness. (How easily negativity can try to take root!)
Fortunately, the Spirit was merciful enough to teach and to touch me during the next hour and a half, in spite of the bad start to my service. I was able to repent of my attitude and receive a clear answer to my question.
Both of our sisters had forgotten we were coming. (That happens to me almost every time my visiting teachers come!) One sister was up to her eyeballs in a big project. Even still, both sisters graciously invited us in. (Note to self: Opening my heart and my home to my visiting teachers makes it possible for the Spirit to visit, too!)
We did the usual chatting–about life, about our holiday plans, about recent travels, about family. The conversation quickly turned to gospel discussion, and the Spirit filled our hearts with that peace that “passeth all understanding.”
The Spirit also granted understanding. It became so clear, especially during our second visit, why the lessons focused on Relief Society this year: because we need to catch the vision of how important and divine Relief Society is! The very fact that there are complaints about Relief Society and its programs and purpose demonstrate that sometimes we just don’t understand.
This made me want to go back and review the visiting teaching messages from this year. I decided to share some highlights.
President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918): “This organization is divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and of men. … Make [Relief Society] first, make it foremost, make it the highest, the best and the deepest of any organization in existence in the world. You are called by the voice of the Prophet of God to do it, to be uppermost, to be the greatest and the best, the purest and the most devoted to the right” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 184).
Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society general president: “We have been given an organization to build our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to feel his love, and to extend that love to all. The Relief Society is that organization” (“Transforming Transitions,” in The Rock of Our Redeemer: Talks from the 2002 BYU Women’s Conference [2003], 45).
Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), former Relief Society general president: “What is the object of the Female Relief Society? I would reply—to do good—to bring into requisition every capacity we possess for doing good, not only in relieving the poor but in saving souls. United effort will accomplish incalculably more than can be accomplished by the most effective individual energies” (“Female Relief Society,” Deseret Evening News, Apr. 18, 1868, 2).
How the devil must rejoice when we don’t rejoice in the blessings and power that are possible as part of the Relief Society! If you find sometimes that your vision of Relief Society feels a bit blurred, consider the following:
How Can You Enjoy the Blessings of Belonging to Relief Society?
Anne C. Pingree, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “When the sisters of Relief Society look ‘with an eye single to the glory of God’ (D&C 4:5), they can experience rich spiritual insights and share deep spiritual strength together. … Connections forged among covenant women in Relief Society can indeed enlighten, enliven, and enrich the journey of life because we can help each other learn how to put the Lord first in our hearts and in our lives” (“Walking towards the Light of His Love,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 112–13).2 Nephi 25:26 [2 Ne. 25:26]: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, … that [we and] our children may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Who can gauge the miraculous effects upon the lives of millions of women whose knowledge has been increased, whose vision has been extended, whose lives have been broadened, and whose understanding of the things of God has been enriched by reason of countless lessons effectively taught and learned in meetings of the Relief Society?” (“Ambitious to Do Good,” Ensign, Mar. 1992, 4).
President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: “The Relief Society curriculum is focused on basic doctrine and will give you the opportunity to study the gospel and increase your spirituality. … All sisters … need to be ‘remembered and nourished by the good word of God’ [Moro. 6:4]. Doctrine will strengthen you and help you to develop the spirituality necessary to overcome the challenges of life” (“You Are All Heaven Sent,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 111).
Anne C. Pingree, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “Each of us … can move forward without fear, finding our way to Him as we personally feel the blessings of His infinite Atonement. I know that one of the supernal blessings of Relief Society is our connection to women who also bear testimony of our Lord. My prayer is that we will ever walk side by side towards the light of His redeeming love” (“Walking towards the Light of His Love,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 113).
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985): “Intelligence, light and knowledge … are part of the promise given to the sisters by the Prophet Joseph Smith. … Relief Society sisters see the fulfillment of that promise daily as they teach children at home, in Sunday School, and in Primary, in Relief Societies, in sacrament meetings, and in daily conversation. … We encourage all our sisters to take advantage of their opportunities to receive light and knowledge in school, in personal study, and in Relief Society” (“Relief Society—Its Promise and Potential,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 4).
I really liked what Sister Pingree said about having our eye single to God. If we look to Him, He can help us see beyond casseroles and crafts and see Relief Society as an organization designed to help us gain “rich spiritual insights and share deep spiritual strength together.” When we do have activities and service opportunities, we can see them not as empty exercises to check off a list, but rather as opportunities to bring us together as sisters, to increase love and faith. I am grateful that the Spirit helped me catch that vision yesterday as I was visiting teaching. I felt spiritually nourished and strengthened. (I always do! But how easily I forget!)
The Lord needs us all to catch (and keep!) the vision of Relief Society, because, as Eliza Snow said, “United effort will accomplish incalculably more than can be accomplished by the most effective individual energies.” May we all seek the Spirit to help us see the divine purposes of Relief Society and the blessings available to us as covenant daughters of God and sisters in the gospel. He can help us see what our leaders have tried to teach us this year: that the Lord created this organization to help us as women come unto Christ, build faith in Him, teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom, feel God’s love in our lives, understand our divine worth and purpose, strengthen and protect our families in the gospel, receive the blessings of the priesthood, and serve and love each other.
What are your feelings about Relief Society?
December 16th, 2006 15:55
Michelle, thank you for this excellent reminder of what Relief Society is all about and what it can do for us and help us to do for others.
I have always liked RS, but can be a real slacker when it comes to participating. I forget the vision. The lessons this year and your post both remind me that I miss important things when I slack off. It also reminds me that, “United effort will accomplish incalculably more than can be accomplished by the most effective individual energies.” Eliza R. Snow had the vision that we need to capture. Being a “loner” is not what Heavenly Father wants me to be, nor is it what’s good for me, and RS can give me an opportunity to meet with the sisters and get to know them and love them, and it can give me an opportunity to do things for them, just as they do things for me.
Again, thanks for your insights!
December 16th, 2006 20:02
I love Relief Society, and I have really enjoyed the VT messages this which have tried to help us catch the vision of how privileged we are to be able to belong to it.
Even though the enrichment activities have not always been very interesting to me, I have always enjoyed the fellowshiping that happens when we get together as sisters.
I know some women in the Bloggernacle aren’t fond of the lessons, but I think they are wonderful. Even when I have attended lessons in third-world countries, where the teachers were inexperienced, the words of the prophets helped enlighten our minds and strengthen our testimonies of true principles.
December 17th, 2006 00:19
Mary,
I like how you expanded on the idea of not being alone…of the community that RS provides. I think it was Sister Hinckley who said something like, “We need each other.” I think this is so true.
RoAnn,
I also agree with you about the lessons. While the teachers do have a responsibility to teach with the Spirit, we were reminded in Conference by the SS general president that we also need to receive by the Spirit. I think sometimes we underestimate our responsibility to get something out of Church meetings and programs.
Enrichment is something I always love, not necessarily because of WHAT we do but because we are together. (Invariably, I end up liking what we do, too, by the end of the evening. I can only think of one time I didn’t like it and it was because the topic was canning and I was simply overwhelmed!)
Thank you both for your comments.
December 24th, 2006 00:56
Thanks for the reminder. As a MANY YEAR veteran of Primary I sometimes lose sight of the powerful sisterhool RS has to offer.
December 24th, 2006 14:59
Thanks, Belladonna. I think we all need the reminder once in a while.
It’s too easy to think of it as a class on Sunday.
“Too many sisters…think that Relief Society is merely a class to attend. The same sense of belonging to the Relief Society rather than just attending a class must be fostered in the heart of every woman. Sisters, you must graduate from thinking that you only attend Relief Society to feeling that you belong to it!”
Boyd K. Packer, “The Relief Society,” Ensign, May 1998, 72
December 27th, 2006 23:45
This is a great post. Being in Primary, I often miss the Spirit I would feel by being in a room full of women, feeling the Spirit, and just loving each other. That’s why I make every effort to attend all Enrichment meetings and do my visiting teaching –I want to be a part of RS, and I think sometimes women in Primary forget that they ARE a part of RS, no matter where they serve.
What I really appreciate the most about this post, however, is how wonderful it is to hear about why women in the church are so blessed to have RS. I’m tired of hearing women complain about RS (among other things) and how their place in the church is so “second-class”. Thank you for reminding us all that RS is so important, divinely made, and essential for us to help each other. I really needed to hear this…
December 27th, 2006 23:46
Sorry –after reading my comment I realize that I’m very, very, very tired and I didn’t make much sense…
December 28th, 2006 00:47
Cheryl,
I’m glad this was helpful for you.
Well, maybe it’s because I’m very, very tired, but your comment made perfect sense to me.
February 8th, 2007 17:03
Dear Sisters,
I really enjoyed all your comments. Many of them hit right where we are going to focus in our ward for our Relief Society Birthday Celebration. We as individual sisters are important, and Relief Society is important.