The Relief Society was discontinued for a period of nine months. The women finally gathered again on Jun 16th, 1843. Emma desired the meetings to continue, though she was not in attendance at this one. Councilor Whitney presided.
The meeting opened with a discussion, or probably a testimony meeting of sorts, where everyone could express feelings about their helping the poor, and helping the men, as they built the temple.
Since the Relief Society began, they had collected $500 and turned $400 back out by helping people. “During the first year of the Society, much good had been done and the hearts of many were made to rejoice.”
The sisters expressed themselves one by one, a unanimous sentiment that they were doing good in the “forwarding the temple and in aiding the cause of Zion.”
Several sisters volunteered to take wagons out to solicit funds, or materials, while others offered to remake clothing, knit items, or help in some other way. They all felt the angels rejoicing at their efforts.
I would love to see this kind of enthusiasm as requests for service are laid out at our meetings. Eliza didn’t just say people volunteered; she listed their names and what they offered. I imagine this was a little bit like the angels recording our names in “the big book” up in heaven.
Councilor Whitney concluded the meeting by addressing the subject of “mothers discharging their duties toward their daughters, in teaching them to be sober and cultivate a realizing sense of the necessity of conducting with propriety in the Lord’s House.” The mothers were exhorted to instruct them with love.
Mothers teaching their daughters how to prepare for the temple. Even before the temple was completed, these sisters were counseling spiritual preparedness. What did they know back then? Not much, but enough. Everything was based on faith in their Prophet and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May we remember our role in the Relief Society: To Serve, To Help the Priesthood, and To Lead our families toward righteousness.
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