I hope you were able to attend the women’s session of general conference that was held this last Saturday night. If you weren’t, here is the first of a four-part summary for you.
We began the conference with an opening address by Sister Julie B. Beck, entitled “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society.” She spoke of the history of the Relief Society and how it was divinely ordained of God to be for the good of the sisters and to bring relief to all those who need it. She said, “The purpose of Relief Society as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life.”
As Relief Society sisters, we have been given three fundamental responsibilities. The first is to increase in faith and personal righteousness. As we study the gospel and increase in our faith, it can become so strong within us that like our pioneer ancestors, we too will have the fire burning in our hearts that will sustain us through our trials.
The second is to strengthen homes and families. As the Proclamation to the World states, our homes and families are our most important priority, and we should allow nothing to displace them. No one else can or should fulfill our parental duties to our children. Our homes should be refuges from the evil our children face as they go out into the world each day.
The third is to serve the Lord and His children. We should always be aware of those around us who stand in need of our help, and be willing to give it.
As we seek to be worthy of the direction of the Holy Ghost, we will receive personal revelation, which will guide us as we seek to meet these responsibilities. We will be guided in how best to serve and who needs that service.
Sister Beck encouraged us to prepare ourselves to offer relief on a larger scale as we face calamites in the world in the latter-days.
She closed her address with a quote from President Kimball, in which he stated that he didn’t believe the full potential of the Relief Society had been reached yet, and that it wouldn’t until the priesthood and the Relief Society together caught the vision of just what this organization can become. We are a tremendous force for good in this world and we can do even more as we step forward and contribute those talents that we have been given for the building up of the kingdom.
Sister Sylvia Allred was the next speaker at the conference, and I will summarize her address for you tomorrow.
Related Blogs:
I Will Strengthen Thee, I Will Help Thee
Marriage Between a Man and Woman is Ordained of God
Tristi Pinkston is a full-time blogger at Families.com. Click here to read more of her articles.