Jo's Lesson: Celebrating Relief Society

Celebrating Relief Society

On 17 March we celebrate the 174th birthday of the Relief Society.

To have a better understanding and appreciation of the Relief Society, how it can bless our lives, and enable us to bless the lives of others.

We are spirit daughters of God.

History of RS: In 1842, Joseph Smith recognised the highly-organised nature of the Latter-Day Saint women, and their desire to help in the building of the Nauvoo Temple.  The sisters had originally drafted a constitution and by-laws. The Prophet declared this offering to be pleasing unto the Lord. He organised them under the priesthood. The Relief Society has been organised under a divine and inspired manner.

How does being a member of the Relief Society inspire and uplift you? How does it help you rise above the world? How does it help you make changes in your life? How does it encourage you to serve others? How has Relief Society helped you realise the divine woman you truly are?

Get a copy of the Relief Society Declaration and read it often. Realise your purpose, your meaning and your direction.

Linda K Burton, General Relief Society President, said, "Each Spring, LDS Women commemorate the founding of the Relief Society. Know we are celebrating so much more than just a birthday."

We celebrate:

• Our Purpose
• Our Power
• Our Sisterhood
• Our Covenants with Heavenly Father
• Our Blessings we have received
• Our participation in the three-fold mission of the Church (Proclaim the Gospel, Perfect the Saints, Redeem the Dead)
• Our service to our fellow human beings
• Our Faith in Jesus Christ

How can we help each other? We each have significant contributions we can share with one another.

We can work in unity with our priesthood leaders. They are there to help and serve us.

We are part of a great worldwide sisterhood with seven million sisters. We are dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ. We are marvelous women! We must cherish one another. We must watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, so we may all sit down in Heaven together.

Inspired Topic: Are You Prepared?

"Those who are wise and faithful will be prepared when the Lord comes again."  --Joseph Smith

Sisters, perilous times are coming again. We know this is the Last Harvest and Christ is returning soon.

Are you prepared?

In D&C 106:4–5 we are warned, "...the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night— Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief."

How are you prepared?

Prepare yourselves spiritually.  Prepare yourselves temporally.

I often speak of how my life is governed by Plans.  Fr'example, I've got a 5-year plan (education), a 20-year plan (raising Their Ladyships), and a Thousand-Year Plan (my eternal salvation).

Everyone should have a Thousand-Year Plan. After all, aren't we sharing the same goal?

I encourage you all to prepare yourselves now, while there is time and room.  When the disasters and destruction which has been foretold falls upon us, we are not going to escape unscathed. Bad stuff is going to happen to many of us. But if we are prepared, the Lord will be with us during that time. (D&C 63:34)  This will be an advantage for the righteous.

But only if they are prepared. (I am in favour of gaining as many advantages I can to help me in those last days. How about you?)

To start your preparations, here is a list of ways you can prepare now. Please add to this list as you see fit; this is only a beginning.

Spiritual Preparation	Temporal Preparation
Personal Prayers	Keep your body physically healthy
Scripture study	Keep your mind mentally healthy
Attend meetings	Be financially stable
Give service	Build up your food storage
Serve cheerfully in your callings	Laugh often
Attend the Temple	Plant a garden
Treat your family well	Spent time with your family
Gain an education	Gain an education
Practice Christ-like attributes	Live within your means
Pay your tithing	Learn new skills
Family History	Read more
Lead by example	Lead by example
Share the Gospel with others	Be reliable
Desire to increase spiritually	Desire to grow as a person

Do not think that where you at is adequate and you can be complacent. Many people make that mistake. Acknowledge the good you have already accomplished, but also seek to improve on that. There is always something you can do better, something you can improve on. Increase the quality of your actions, your deeds, and your preparation.

Those who are inadequately prepared are going to get caught short.  They will regret their lack of preparation. You have the power Right Now to not be one of those. I encourage you to exercise it.

Relief Society Lesson Schedule - Apr-June 2014

January-March 2014 Quarter 1

We encourage you to read through the lessons before each Sunday to enrich your Sabbath experience. See links below to individual lessons. Alternatively download the magazines and manuals to your smartphone or data tablet device through the Gospel Library app. Subscriptions to hardcopies of the Ensign and copies of "The Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith" manual are available as well.

1st Sundays - Inspired Topics from the RS Presidency
2nd & 3rd Sundays - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Joseph Fielding Smith
4th Sundays - Teachings for Our Time - Taken from Conference Talks April 2014 General Conference.
5th Sundays - Bishopric's Messages

Accurate as of 4 May 2014. This information is subject to change, especially as TfoT subjects become available.
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6 April
Inspired Topic

13 April
General Conference Videos (Sat 12 April & Sun 13 April)

20 April
Ch 8: The Church and Kingdom of God

27 April
Teaching for our Times:  TBA

4 May
Inspired Topic: Getting the Whole Family Involved in Family History (Intro to "My Family: Stories that Bring Us Together")

11 May
Ch 9: Witnesses of the Book of Mormon

18 May
Ch 10: Our Search for Truth

25 May
Teaching for our Times:  TBA

1 June
Inspired Topic

8 June
Ch 11: Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith

15 June
Ch 12: The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

29 June
Teaching for our Times: TBA