LESSON SUMMARY JUNE 1, 2014

 WHAT RELIEF SOCIETY MEANS TO ME, taught by Sue A. 

Purposes

Gospel purpose -- Bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.  

Moses 1:39

Church purpose --

1.  Provide saving ordinances & covenants that go with them

-baptism -- Mosiah 18:8-10

  -temple covenants -- gospel of love, chastity, sacrifice & law of consecration

Relief Society purpose --

History of RS -- founded in 1842 by Sisters who wanted to do good in their community.  Support the men working on the Nauvoo Temple.  Pattern at that time was to organize ladies societies with elected leaders, bylaws, etc.  They started to do that, but Prophet Joseph Smith came and said no -- don’t be a secular society.  Organize as part of the priesthood.  Once that had been done, the church was fully organized.

RELIEF part -- giving service and charity.  GIving to others -- inside and outside the church

   Q -- How have you received service thru RS?  Or given…..

• Sister Bliss discussed how her mother and family received a lot of help from the relief society when her mother was sick
• Susan explained her overwhelming support from the relief society during her recent difficult times
• Becca J explained how she got the relief society engaged in helping a non-member neighbor

   Q -- How would you like to see our PA2 RS give service -- inside and outside the church?

• Be open with what you need
• Accept help
• Be in tune with the spirit
• Be on lookout for those who might not have service otherwise

SOCIETY part -- we need sisters and friends

Q -- How have you made/kept friends thru RS?

• Stay in touch- make an effort

Externally we are lots of different kinds of women.  At All Hands Meeting in Feb, Catherine did chart of ages/marriages/kids, etc.  We are all over the map.

I’d like to mention some other ways that we are different, and yet the same.  

We look at life differently, and yet come to the same conclusion that we want to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and live His Gospel.

Happened in another context last week to re-read Richard Poll’s talk in PA1 Sacrament meeting in August 1967.  You can find it in several places on the internet.  

Liahona’s vs. Iron Rodders -- Some just grab the commandments and march forward.  Others have to ask and find their own way.  Both are equally faithful.  I love John Bytheway statement, “I have lots of questions, but I don’t have doubts.”    I feel that way, too because I’ve felt the spirit in my life and know that God lives.  I know that someday, somehow my questions will be answered.

This week I also listened to a Mormon Channel interview of Elder Perry and his wife by Sherri Dew.  Sister Perry said that she is more Martha than Mary.  Luke 10:38-42.   Some of us are good at sitting and holding hands and listening.  Some of us are better at making sure the meals are cooked and the laundry is done.  Both are necessary.

Pair share -- talk to a neighbor about your own attitudes and behaviors.  Do you feel like you are an iron-rod or a Liahona person?  Or do you identify more with Mary or with Martha?   Or can you see through your life how you have grown from one to another?

Share with the whole group

I come from a long line of RS Sisters.  My mother told me stories of playing on the lawn outside people’s homes when her mother made RS visits as President of Long Beach Ward and Stake RS.  I grew up watching my mother prepare to teach the Shakespeare lessons that they did in RS, and we all sewed things that were sold at the annual ward Bazaar.  I’ve become such good friends with women I have visit taught, and especially with my VT companions.  As we drive around town and share ways to serve our Sisters, we become closer.  We provide Relief and enjoy our society together.  It can’t get much better than that.

Thank you Nettie W, Katie S and Donna P for sharing your testimony about what RS means to you.

Thank you Sue for the wonderful lesson!