Serving in Relief Society

My Position on Serving in Relief Society

The definition of Relief Society is compassion. As I serve as the first counselor in Relief Society I have ample opportunity to give compassionate service and love to the sisters in my ward. This has been extremely difficult for me as I would not say that compassion is one of my better character traits. I have always been the type of person to hide my problems or solve them myself. I don't ask for help. It has been a blessing for me to reach out to the sisters in my ward and search deep inside myself to see their feelings. To feel with them and give them the love that they need to sustain their trials. I met one of my favorite sisters on a cold and wet Saturday. She had just lost her husband and was battling with alcoholism. She was intoxicated the day I met her and very obviously hurting. I hugged her, sat with her, talked to her and helped her get her home in order. Since this time she has been a blessing to our family and is now preparing to go to the temple. I love this part of my calling.

Quotes

1.Sister Rosemary M. Wixom – April 2015 Conference “Returning to Faith” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/returning-to-faith?lang=eng

“My friend thought if Mother Teresa could live her religion without all the answers and without a feeling of clarity in all things, maybe she could too. She could take one simple step forward in faith—and then another. She could focus on the truths she did believe and let those truths fill her mind and heart.”

2.Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 22.

“We are all pilgrims seeking God’s light as we journey on the path of discipleship. We do not condemn others for the amount of light they may or may not have; rather, we nourish and encourage all light until it grows clear, bright, and true.”

3.Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 18

“Brothers and sisters, in this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try to be ‘perfect’ men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels.”

4.President Henry B. Eyering- April 2015 “Is Not This the Fast I Have Chosen?” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng

“When we offer succor to anyone, the Savior feels it as if we reached out to succor Him.”

5.President Henry B. Eyering- April 2015 “Is Not This the Fast I Have Chosen?” 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng

“Other storms and tragedies will come across the world to people the Lord loves and whose sorrows He feels. Part of your fast offering and mine this month will be used to help someone, somewhere, whose relief the Lord will feel as if it were His own.”

6.President Dieter F. Uchtdorf –April 2015 “On Being Genuine” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/on-being-genuine?lang=eng

 “So this stake president went back to his councils, and together they shifted their focus. They determined that they would not allow “the hungry, … the needy, …the naked, … the sick and the afflicted to pass by [them], and notice them not.””

7. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf –April 2015 “On Being Genuine” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/on-being-genuine?lang=eng

“With patience and persistence, even the smallest act of discipleship or the tiniest ember of belief can become a blazing bonfire of a consecrated life. In fact, that’s how most bonfires begin—as a simple spark.”

8. Elder M. Russell Ballard-April 2015 “The Greatest Generation of Young Adults” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-greatest-generation-of-young-adults?lang=eng

“Balance your life with spiritual experiences that remind and prepare you for continued, daily ministering to others.”

9. Elder Bednar - October 2014 “Come and See”  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng#d

 “As members of the Church, we do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest.”

10. Elder Quintin L. Cook- April 2015 “The Lord is My Light” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-lord-is-my-light?lang=eng

“Our ward family is important to our progress, happiness, and personal effort to be more Christlike.”