So, what DO we have in common with the early sisters of the Relief Society?  And what can we possibly learn from their examples?

The early sisters settled in a land that was barren and harsh.  There were no stores to buy what they needed.  If their family had a need, they had to grow their own reserves, make it themselves, barter for it, or do without.  They sacrificed their homelands, leaving behind established cities, so they knew what conveniences were available, but they had to start from scratch in an inhospitable country.  They were living in a culture where women had few rights.   But these women, as well as the men, were learning about a new way of life, a higher level of thinking, a new gospel standard.  The gospel brought wholeness with it.  God’s way was available to all those who sought to understand and live accordingly.

Today, we have the exact same problem…only opposite.  We live in a gluttonous land.  We can buy anything in this world for money.  Yet, our families are still starving and in need.  We must fulfill these needs by the strength of our righteousness, by conserving our expenses, sharing our increase amongst our neighbors, and doing without.

We can look to our early sisters for the example of strength, perseverance, dedication, and good will.  Many of these women came from different countries.  There was a language to learn, a way of life to adopt, many sacrifices to make.  Yet, the sisters helped one another, accepted one another, encouraged one another, and shared all that they had with one another.

We no longer share the way our early sisters did.  I think that’s a problem.  Our needs are different but no less needful.  We can take the example of our early sisters by opening our arms toward one another and not judging inappropriately.  Instead of fulfilling a duty or obligation, we can sacrifice our time.  While our family’s time must be treasured and prioritized, we can accept callings whenever we are called, or volunteer before the call comes.

There may be no more need to weave our own cloth, bake our own bread, or share our own household with a sister wife, but there is still a need to strengthen our own testimonies, feed our marriages, and raise our families with a firm standard of righteousness.

Indeed, there is much we can learn from our early sisters.  All they had was each other.  In a world such as ours, all we have is each other.  Instead of depending on an income, a cheap thrill, and the world with all its delights let us leave the world behind, avoid debt and dependency, and ban together against the world and its ugly influences.

Our early sisters challenged the world to a higher standard, succeeding with better medical practices, women’s political voice, and continuing education.  These needs are still great in our day and must be pursued.

I believe the early sisters understood that their homes had to be in order so that communities could work in tandem to better the world.  Today, our homes are unorganized as we fight off the influences of the world.  It is difficult to influence the community for good when our homes are in chaos.

The early sisters realized their mission, their purpose, and the destiny of the inhabitants of the earth.  Their clothes might have been gray from their lye-soap washings, but their spirits were bright and shining.  Pure and clean.  Gleaming white and fiery red.  In our day we have no excuse for walking in the gray area.  We must make the choice to walk in the light, and bathe in the refreshing waters of the Atonement, and keep ourselves unstained from the world.