Relief Society Broadcast Highlights

Compassionate Women

Last night I was listening to some general conference talks from 2008 and was impressed by the words of Elder Scott. Some of the things he shared that I liked were...

"Do single sisters receive the consideration and attention they deserve when they attend family wards? Do they have opportunities to serve in significant callings where they are made to feel welcome and wanted? Do they receive the required priesthood support?

The scriptures confirm that Father in Heaven saved His greatest, most splendid, supreme creation, woman, to the end. Only after all else was completed was woman created. Only then was the work pronounced complete and good.

Of our wives, mothers, grandmothers, and sisters and other important women in our lives, President Hinckley declared: “Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.”

By divine design a woman is fundamentally different from a man in many ways. She is compassionate and seeks the interests of others around her. However, that compassionate nature can become overwhelming for women who identify far more to accomplish than they can possibly do, even with the help of the Lord. Some become discouraged because they do not feel they are doing all they should do. I believe this is a feeling that many worthy, effective, devoted women of the Church experience."

I know my Mom was one of these compassionate women. I remember her making cookies for all her single senior neighbors this past year when she her cancer was really bad. Elder Scoot also talks of his wife praying to help others when she was also sick with cancer. Service is never convenient, but I pray I can be compassionate in someones hard time. My Bonus Mom is also one of these people. Many of my friends are like this too. I am so grateful to be a woman and one of Heavenly Father's best creations.

Inspiration

Last night was a really hard night for me. I think it was a combination of being tired and the trials of life. I was blessed with several thoughts of inspiration from last night to now I want to share.

First being a friends simple facebook status to be better in her life. The second was this quote. "Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm; but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves." T.S. Elliot

Third is not a new point of inspiration, but one I need reminding of often. The Savior loves me, regardless of my life circumstances. It is so good to be LOVED by someone especially when I feel down. I also feel comforted knowing that if I just ask I will receive.

Angel's

"God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face."

I have been reviewing past conference talks in preparation for our upcoming conference. The subject of Angel's has been on my mind a lot in the last week. Angel's both of earth and of heaven. Elder Holland's talk from October 2008 called "The Ministry of Angels" has been ingrained into my mind.

Some of his thoughts I love:

"Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” 13 On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” 15 Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone"

Wow! It is so comforting for me to know there are angels from the other side, among my friends, and that I can also be an angel myself. I know this gospel is true and I am striving everyday to become more heavenly.

ABC's

I have been reading the most amazing book titled "The Temple: Where Heaven Meets Earth" by Truman Madsen. I am picking up on so many concepts I feel like I am just in Kindergarten when it comes to Temple learning.

In the book Truman Madsen talk's about the ABC's of Temple worship. The acronym really helps me remember what it is all about.
A-Atonement or anointing (the temple focus)
B-Born or born again (through the spirit)
C-Covenants
D-Dedication (when we dedicate the building we are also dedicating ourselves)
E-Endowment
F-Fullness "You cannot receive the fullness that the Lord has for you without coming through the temple and having the temple come through you."
G-Glory of the Lord-D&C 93:36

If you want to know more you will have to read chapter two in the book. Wish me luck in learning my ABC's.

Excitement in the Air

I really, really, really liked the talk "No Ordinary Blessing" by Elder Uchtdorf just as much as I like Oikos Greek Yogurt!!! Conference is my favorite! I am so excited for it to come. Just as the first part of the article says we need to remember what our prophet said in the last 6 months and be able to share that with others. I like the 3 concepts he shares with us to helps us remember things from conference.

1-Members of the Church are entitled to personal revelation as they listen to and study the inspired words spoken at general conference.

2-Don't discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.

3-The words spoken at general conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months.

I'm so excited I just can't hide it!!! Hopefully I can remember these concepts too. In the meantime here is a recap of last Conference highlights.

Healing and Relief

This past weekend I was at Zion National Park. On a hike they call "Angel's Landing" we saw many little creatures. Can you imagine 3 girls freaking out over and over again? Well the creature that scared me the most were the scorpions. We saw three of them and I know the smallest ones are the most harmful. I instantly thought of this talk/video from conference. Luckily my friends reminded me that I was wearing thick hiking shoes to protect me. Oh how often I need to be reminded about repenting, needing protection, and calling on the Savior!