Relief Society Night Recap

 Last night we had a wonderful Relief Society night meeting.

We began with a beautiful musical number, "Daughter of a King," sung by Alison Pruitt, Angela Webb, AnnaMarie Miller, Rebecca Gubler, Sherri Nelson, and Sue Spencer, with Cindy Collyer at the piano. 

Sister Colleen Terry spoke with us. Colleen is a long-time Seminary and Institute instructor. She's also a popular EFY presenter and sought-after public speaker. After listening to her, we could understand why she's so loved. She has real talent. She currently serves as our stake Relief Society secretary, and she recently bought a lot in our ward boundaries.

Here are some highlights from Sister Terry's remarks:

• When we get to heaven after this life, we will be surprised at how well we know our Heavenly Father. (President Ezra Taft Benson, July 1975)
• We need to focus on the truth. We can't believe things into being true.
• Look objectively at a hard situation you're dealing with in your life. Remove all the emotion (hard to do!) and try to see the truth of the situation. Think about that truth. You'll walk away confident and happy.
• We come to Earth as princesses. We lose that truth (and confidence and happiness) over time as the world beats away at us.
• Knowing Who You Are & Who You've Always Been by Sheri Dew
• Alma 13 - a peek at pre-Earth personalities for current priesthood holders
• 1 Samuel 16:7 - a reminder that the Lord doesn't see us the way the world sees us
• Much of the growth in the Church in the latter days will be because people are drawn to LDS women who are distinct and different from the world in happy ways. See the direct quote by President Spencer W. Kimball on p. 95 of Daughters in My Kingdom.
• Of all our needs, I think the greatest is an increase in faith. President Gordon B. Hinckley
• Example and story of Deborah from Judges 4. Take-away idea: How could your man fail with the Lord and a woman like you at his side?
• Example and story of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1. Take-away idea: The truth is, sooner or later, things will work out. Knowing this, you can have peace now. Stories of barren women in the scriptures represent those with righteous desires that are not being fulfilled. What did Hannah do when she was sad & hurting? She fasted, prayed, went to the temple, and always sought to be the handmaid of the Lord. She trusted the priest's promise. President Hinckley (perhaps quoting Brazilian writer Fernando Sabino): "Everything will be all right in the end. If it's not all right, it's not the end."
• Satan blinds us to the truth. He is the father of all lies. Moses 4:3 Satan knows that lies will crush you.
• Focus on truth. D&C 93:23-26
• We need the Holy Ghost to know the will of the Lord. Jacob 4:13
• Colleen showed the mask she wore when she was undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. The mask was made just for her and was encoded for the machinery, so the doctors could direct the radiation at exactly the right places of her body. One day she saw a shelf with masks belonging to other people who were going through treatment for the same kind of cancer. All the masks were different. The goal for all the patients was the same: a cancer-free body. But their treatments were highly individualized. Life is like that. We all have the goal of earning eternal life, but it's dangerous to compare our "treatment" to anyone else's life and trials. We all have life experiences that are exactly tailored to us, so we can learn and grow and return to our Heavenly Father.
• When you have trials, there are two possible reasons: 1) as a consequence of your actions; or 2) Heavenly Father thinks you're ready to grow. Elder Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord"
• President Packer said during his service, he's seen shock, concern, and disappointment among the councils of the Church, but never fear. Quoted from February 29, 2008, CES evening. 
• Colleen provided audio versions of three of her favorite talks: "Applying the Atoning Blood of Christ," by Elder Neal A. Maxwell; "An High Priest of Good Things to Come," by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland ("best talk for a bad day"); and "Trust in the Lord," by Elder Richard G. Scott. These talks are not available on lds.org, but Jennifer Taylor will make you a CD if you want one, so tell her if you didn't already sign up and you'd like a CD.

Last night we also started the Family Home Evening Corner, which will be a feature at all of our future Relief Society night meetings. There will be a table set up with an idea you can use for FHE at your house. Different sisters will be asked to share their ideas. (If you have one you're eager to share, please tell Sue Spencer.) Last night's FHE idea was centered around the community clothing exchange, which will take place on Saturday, July 14, at the stake center. Each family is encouraged to teach a lesson on compassionate service. Then have each family member choose some nice clothing items which he or she has outgrown or no longer wears. Label each item of clothing with the size, written on a piece of masking tape. Hang clothes on hangers (when it makes sense to do so). Then bring them to the stake center on Friday, July 13, between 10:30 - 12:30 (or to Meg Butler's house anytime before then if that drop-off time doesn't work for you). The next day, anyone who wishes to do so is welcome to go to the stake center and choose free items from the exchange. This event is for everyone.

At the end of the evening, we had some heavenly desserts, as promised. There was cake and punch. Click here for the recipes. So many sisters had a great time visiting with one another. The evening was a great success. Thanks to everyone who helped organize it and to those who attended.