I’ve selected what I think are the greatest concerns we, as women of the church, should be focusing on.  I realize this is a bold statement and I welcome any additions to this list.  But if you agree with me, please comment and share your experiences.  I am posting them as separate goals, and they are not in any particular order, because I feel they are all equally important.

GOAL #5   TEMPLE ATTENDANCE & FAMILY HISTORY IS THE PROOF OF OUR DESIRE FOR THE ETERNITIES

We are a temple going people.  If we want to learn about Jesus Christ, we should go to the temple.  If we want to save souls, we should go to the temple.  If we want to be greeted by anyone in heaven, we should do family history work.  If we understand there is a chain of family that exists and must be lengthened, we need to do family history work and go to the temple often.

Temple and family history work is not for “old people”.  It is for people who know and understand the Plan of our Father.  If we want to be saved, we must save others.  If you come from a family that claims to have “all the work done”, there is still much to do (family histories, cousins and in-laws of direct lines, organization, sharing information with others, etc.).

It is our responsibility to know who we come from.  We need to know the names of our ancestors.  By knowing our “people”, we know who we are.  Culture is a good thing and should never be allowed to die.  Much is lost when we lose our culture.

I guess it’s safe to say we each have two cultures:  our earthly culture and our spiritual culture, and both are important.  When we research our family history, we honor our earthly culture.  When we attend the temple, we honor our spiritual culture.  I hope culture has a place in the eternities.  The painting at the Family History Center that shows all the people of the world in their native dress is really wonderful.  Yet, we are all one culture in our beliefs, hopes, and love for the Lord.

Relief Society is not just a Sunday lesson. It is meant to bless our lives daily, weekly, and always. We can help one another bring our families into the fold by working side by side, keeping our culture alive, and attending the temple together sharing each other’s temple cards.