How many of you were able to see, listen, or read the talks given at the General Relief Society Meeting, this past weekend?  Go to lds.org and print out their talks and read them slowly, underlining where necessary, and let your mind wander as you catch the vision of which they speak.

Sis. Beck’s talk outlined the purpose of Relief Society.  Basically, if we don’t know where we came from, we don’t know where we are going.   We all need to understand, and believe, that women are a vital part of the Restoration and continuation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Quoting from her talk,“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. I would like to say that again. 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.”  It would be time well spent if we pondered upon the words ORGANIZE—TEACH—INSPIRE.  The following are my own thoughts and ponderings:

Organize—We can get a lot done individually, but we can get so much more done as an organized group of women.  We are used to being told what to do; and frankly, we are very good at jumping up and doing what we are told to do.  But now, I believe we need to look at being the organizers, the starters, the joiners; we can’t sit and wait anymore.

Teach—Teaching by example is the best method of teaching—ever.  Our neighbors (Mormon or not) are watching us.  Let them watch; and let us watch them for opportunities to teach.  Our children are looking for guidance and direction.  Let us stand firm in the standards, teaching, training and radiating. The world is stumbling.  Let us begin carrying it on our shoulders as the nursing mothers (Isaiah 49:23) we are.

Inspire—Each one of us, by virtue of our gift of the Holy Ghost, has the right to inspiration for the good of mankind.  We cannot wait any longer.  We need to act, so let’s get creative and figure out ways to reach all of Heavenly Father’s children-member, non-member, black, white, bond, free, rich, poor, loved, unloved.  At the risk of sounding like a hippy, it really is love and acceptance that is going to make others respond to us.  Are you feeling inspired?

The bottom line is if we want to bring people unto Christ, we have to already be at Christ’s feet.  Our problems have to be under control (not gone), due to righteous living.  Then we can stretch our arms out to anyone nearby.

Sis. Beck quoted a scripture, “It was prophesied that in the latter days the Lord would pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids.”  (Joel 2:28-29)

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:     
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Joel is talking about the last days when wickedness is everywhere, but there will be a small group of righteous who will be in the arms of the Lord, still doing His work on the earth.  These people will be causing miracles, visions, prophecies to happen.  These people are US.  If we remain righteous, in spite of growing wickedness, we will be able to do the remainder of the work the Lord needs done.  But let’s be clear, time is running out, there is much to do, and the Lord has need of us.
She continues by saying:  “every meeting, every lesson, and every activity we undertake [must] help [women] increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen their families and their homes, and serve the Lord and His children.  The Lord expects us to increase our offering. He expects us to fulfill the purpose of Relief Society as never before.  The only way we can accomplish this is by seeking, receiving, and acting on personal revelation.” 

The Presidency won’t tell us what to do; they won’t give us answers; they expect us to study it out and stretch ourselves and discover the best approach in our individual wards.  Relief Society Presidents:  Follow the same pattern.  Allow members of your Relief Society to be creative.  Don’t feel you have to be in charge of everything.  Let your sisters use their gift of revelation to fill the needs of one another. 

Our little band of women (5 million) can flood the earth with our good will, our faith, our strength, our determination, our wisdom, our righteousness, and our love.