March is the birthday month of our organization. I hope everyone is considering reviewing a part of our Relief Society history as your celebration.
Mormon Times is publishing an article, written by me, each week of this month (March 2011), commemorating the Relief Society. I hope you’ll take a look. Starting last week, the articles will be both on-line as well as in the Deseret News.
Now, on a completely different note…I just had a thought:
Have you ever sat in on a Relief Society lesson, where an interesting discussion was beginning, but cut short because of time? Or maybe someone made a comment that made you feel uncomfortable, but you didn’t know how to respond? And of course, as you continued thinking about it during the week, you came up with the perfect (most loving) response, but of course, it was too late.
Well, here’s my thought. Granted, it doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes Sundays are rigid, rushed, and maybe too progressive of our time. Sometimes there’s just not enough time to get your visiting done (I didn’t say visiting teaching, just general visiting).
What if we were able to continue that “cut-short” conversation the next Sunday? Maybe the teacher could be notified and work it into her lesson. Or maybe, a group of interested sisters could get together during the week to continue the discussion.
If there is anyone who tends to think slowly, like I do, then these options give us more time to think things through, enjoy the chat, not feel rushed or pressured, and even allow us to share of one another a little more.
What would happen if, in our Relief Societies, we shook things up a little bit, occasionally? I’m not thinking radical changes. I’m thinking changes that ultimately bring us closer together, reveal character, invite shared history, that sort of thing.
Instead of teachers standing up and giving us a prepared speech, what if a teacher didn’t prepare a lesson at all, but opened up a specific topic and let us teach each other? What if the teacher promoted randomness for forty minutes?
I remember once upon a time, for a RS lesson, we passed around a baby blanket. Whose ever lap this blanket landed on, they were expected to bear their testimony, or at least share their thoughts. What an idea! Total randomness. What if a sister was given the opportunity to vent, or share a trial she’s going through. Would it work if the other sisters offered insight, experience, scriptural strength?
Actually, that’s where sisters can fail one another. A judgment is passed and offenses fly. What if sisters were immune to hurt feelings, and we actually learned to rely on one another in an open, nonthreatening atmosphere? It can happen, I’ve seen it. But I’ve also seen it backfire.
Anyway, it would be an interesting experiment…
Maybe my ward is in the minority but many of our Relief Society lessons develop into conversations within a group dynamic with sisters sharing stories, experiences and opinions. I taught this past Sunday on the topic of Self-Reliance and there were many sisters who contributed to the lesson. I hardly ever feel like I am lecturing or giving a prepared speech. I have the material we always end up teaching each other.
I have LONG been interested in learning more about more the more recent history of Relief Society to “confirm” my earliest memories of this evolving organization. I paid close attention to Sister Beck’s comments last fall as she shared the importance of knowing “our” history in order to strengthen us.
I got the impression a new book about the history of Relief Society would be forthcoming, but have not seen one yet. I also thought there must be one or works on this topic already published and I’ve stumbled upon a few titles. When I read this month’s articles in the Mormon Times and discovered your blog, LDS WOMEN OF GOD, however, I found what I was looking for.
Thank you for your work, and I will definitely share this site with my friends and sisters. It is fascinating.
Thank you, Jan.
I was so interested in your article in Mormon Times about Sarah Kimball. I had to tell you, Jan, how much I enjoyed it, and will certainly share your blog with others out here in the Santa Maria 3rd Ward.
Thank you so much, Kathy. I appreciate your support. Hope to see you soon.
Dear Jan:
I just read your article on Sarah Kimball in the Mormon Times. I’m assuming her maiden name was Granger. Was she the daughter of Oliver Granger mentioned in D&C 117? Just curious
Glad you caught the article. No, I am not related to the Grangers, but I wish I were. What a great family. Oh wait, I guess we’re all related!
Yes, the Lord was indeed addressing Sarah’s father, Oliver Granger. This man was a Methodist minister, but when he first learned of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he converted, and never looked back. He, and his family, remained faithful and dependable to Joseph Smith ever after.