We all know how difficult it is to get sisters out to activities…or meetings. People are as busy as they want to be, and it doesn’t matter what century you live in. I have read many Relief Society reports, from early on, that mention the lack of a solid attendance, so the problem has been around for a while.
I thought this article, in the August 1, 1873 Women’s Exponent, showed an interesting perspective.
LADIES ASSOCIATIONS
A Plea for their holding meetings
Not infrequently do we hear such expressions as the following, from the lips of unreflecting ladies, more especially the young and nonchalant. “I think a woman’s place is at home, looking after her own affairs, instead of being off at these meetings.”
However, these thoughts do not appear to trouble them while they are “somewhere else,” gossiping, perhaps, or killing precious time away in some light manner.
The questions may be propounded with propriety, have such ladies ever attended the meetings, held by the Relief Societies and Retrenchment Associations, in this city and the settlements throughout the Territory? Have they any ideas concerning the teachings given, or the benefits to be derived from the many wise suggestions made by women of experience and profundity? Benefits in all forms which the gaining of understanding comprises. Do they realize that by attending these meetings, they may learn in a few moments time, things that may prove to be of the greatest value to them at some future period? Or received some intimation that may help them out of present difficulties if they happen to be in them?
All young children are liable to take cold and be choked with croup. If a child be so afflicted whose mother attended the Retrenchment meeting where a remedy for it was stated, that little one is spared the pain of suffocation for the seemingly long time it would take to send for “grandma” or “Auntie.” For its mother knows as well as another, that pulverized alum mixed with honey and given to her child, and a piece of thick brown paper saturated with oil and placed upon the lungs, will afford it relief. Then, there is so much time, trouble and suffering, and probably the life of an infant saved by a mother’s having gone to meeting.
She might have learned so simple a lesson at home, had some one chanced to acquaint her with it. But it should be remembered that while she was learning it at meeting, a hundred others, perhaps, were learning it at the same time, who otherwise might never have heard of it.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Does a woman, professing to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, manifest fear of offending the Lord when she treats lightly the commandments which He gives for the guidance of His people, through the mouths of His Prophets? When cast down and troubled in spirit, can she go to Him for strength and consolation, with the same faith she might have enjoyed had she joined with her sisters in seeking wisdom from the only proper source, and given a portion of her time to instruct and bless others. All may seem bright and fair with her at times, but it will not always be so. And when her trials and temptations come, she can call on others for aid and sympathy much more graciously if she has imparted freely of the light with which she was blest formerly. Or if she has associated much with intelligent women possessing the Spirit of God and full of integrity, holding sweet counsel with them, and treasuring up wisdom, she will be better prepared to sustain herself and to assist others in hours of adversity.
Want of time is the excuse made by many for neglecting these important social duties; but time is saved more frequently than lost by observing them.
“Work! Work! Work!” has been too long a motto not clearly understood. Labor is honorable in all, but not constant, unmitigated drudgery; performed with the idea of laying up treasures and amassing a fortune.
Application to work is healthful training for every individual. But there should be a diversity of employment; and there is no better change of work for woman, than that from household cares and duties, to social industry, of an instructive and enlivening character, such as will aid in all other labors cheering and blessing, and quickening all the faculties, so that after requirements are performed with greater ease and more satisfaction.
Sometimes the language is a little too much for us to decipher, but the point is when our meetings have value, and fulfill needs in our own families and in our communities, we ought to consider setting aside time to attend and learn something. Who knows that something might happen where what we learned in a Relief Society meeting won’t end up changing our life in some way. Who knows who’s life we might change by our being there.
I do feel meetings need to have a purpose and goal in place in order to have value. I also feel meetings should be short and orderly, and be mindful of the time spent. There are meetings for visiting and there are meetings for business, and then there are meetings with a good mix of both. I also feel people tend to pick and choose what meetings they prefer to attend, and this can lead to some poor choices.