Sunday Lesson: Mar 6th

The Relief Society is celebrating its 174^th birthday on March 17^th. Our theme for our activity this Thursday is “We are a light to the World.” The reason I wanted to about this today is so that I could remind you all how special are. We finished up visiting teaching interviews recently and I am always astonished by the good works and concern that you all have for each other. Not only do you think about others, but you take time to do small (yet big) things for one another. 

It is wonderful that the Relief Society is a restored work. Eliza R. Snow (2^nd RS Pres) said, “Although the name may be of modern date, the institution is of ancient origin. We were told by our martyred prophet that the same organization existed in the church anciently.” We know little about a formal women’s organization at the time of the Savior. But the restoration of an ancient pattern is significant. Elder James E. Talamge of the 12 said, “The world’s greatest champion of women and womanhood is Jesus the Christ.” It has been really enlightening reading about the change Christ brought to women while he was on earth. I want to talk about women in Christ day and how he was towards women.

In Christ's day men and women were physically segregated. Men and women “should not mingle.”This physical segregation led to emotional segregation, which developed into misunderstandings. Women were seen as a cause of temptation, so they were veiled, silenced, and kept away from men as much as possible. Especially in the city, Jewish women were discouraged from going outside in order to avoid being seen by men. Marketplaces and council-halls, law-courts, gatherings, and meetings where a large number of people are assembled, and open-air life with full scope for discussion and action – all these are suitable to men both in war and peace. The women are best suited to the indoor life which never strays from the house . . . A woman should seek a life of seclusion. Even in the home, though, if a male guest came for a meal, the women and girls were not to eat at the same table, but could silently interact with the company as a servant. Synagogue worship was also segregated. Men were commanded to attend their Sabbath worship services, but women were not. If a woman chose to attend a synagogue service, she sat separately. Women did not read the Scriptures, give their opinion, teach, or pray verbally during the service, but they were allowed to listen in silence. Segregation often inhibited a woman’s ability to contribute within her community, to serve outside of her home, to join in public worship, and to access education. {taken from Here}

What changes did Christ make for women? How did He act around women?

The four Gospels describe Jesus refusing to follow the traditional social barricades that impeded relationships between men and women. As we read, the Lord speaks to women (John 4:7-27), motivate  them toward education (Luke 10:39-42), heals them (Mark 7:25-29), asks them to speak out as witnesses (Matthew 28:5-10), touches them (Mark 5:30-34; Matthew 28:9), and teaches the eternal nature of their marriage relationships (Matthew 5:3-11; John 17:21; Ephesians 5:25, 31). This was considered scandalous.

Jesus did not live by these segregating restrictions for women. He refused to isolate women and treated them as valued individuals. He allowed women and children to join the group of five thousand and later the group of four thousand who gathered to hear Him teach in Galilee (Matthew 14:21; 15:38). He refuted those who wanted to send the women and children away (Mark 10:13-14; Matthew 15:23). He welcomed women to stay in the same room as men (Luke 7:38-40). He did not segregate the unclean, whether they were sick or sinful or social outcasts. Jesus did not silence women, but spoke with them respectfully. {taken from Here}

How does knowing how Christ treated women make you feel towards him?

When I was reading about all of this and Christ’s love and respect for women I couldn’t help but feel even more love toward him. Such gratitude. He understands us. He appreciates us. He wants us engaged and involved in his work.

In the book, Daughter’s in My Kingdom. It talks about what Female Disciples did in the New Testament. Much of it sounds like what we do today. This is His restored organization.

     Women journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death and Resurrection, women continued to be faithful disciples. They met and prayed together with the Apostles. They provided their homes as gathering places for Church members. They participated in the work of saving souls, temporally and spiritually. I add.. they were doers..

Relief Society “is a temporal and a spiritual work,” said Sister Stephens. “That is what the women did in the Savior’s day, and that is what we continue to do.”

 So, what is it that we are celebrating about the Relief Society?

1- Who we are. 2-  What our work is. 3- Those who have gone before. 4- Our purpose.

Celebrate “who we are” 

“The First Presidency has told us who we are: beloved daughters of Heavenly Father and dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ who are part of a great worldwide sisterhood,” said Sister Burton, noting that there are almost 7 million Relief Society members in 185 different countries. “We are sisters,” she said. “We are covenant women,” added Sister Reeves. “The ordinances we receive and the associated covenants we keep set us apart from the world,” noted Sister Stephens.

Celebrate “our vital part” in the work – What is our work?

"This is our opportunity to be unified in the work—not just the temporal work, but the spiritual work,” said Sister Stephens. She said women are looking to accomplish something big. “But the extraordinary thing is that we do small things behind closed doors—small and simple things that make an extraordinary difference.”

Sister Stephens said as women “act on a prompting to do a small and simple thing, that small and simple thing may mean the world to someone else.”

Sister Reeves said Latter-day Saint women should petition the Lord about the needs of their sisters. Then they can express the love that He expresses. He is so anxious to bless our lives, and we help Him with His work.”

Celebrate those who have gone before - In Christ day and in 1842 when the Relief Society was organized.

The Relief Society was organized in Nauvoo, Illinois, on March 17, 1842. On that day, 20 women met with the Prophet Joseph Smith as he began what he later called “a select Society separate from all the evils of the world, choice, virtuous, and holy”

Today, we celebrate the significant contributions of past Relief Society leaders. “Their inspiring influence continues. “We have many of their words in Daughters in My Kingdom, side by side with modern-day prophets.”

Celebrate the purpose of Relief Society –

The purpose is to… Prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by:

-         Increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and personal righteousness

-         Strengthen families and homes as you make and keep sacred covenants

-         Seek out and help those in need.

-         Work in unity with priesthood holders (Sister Burton added)

Sister Burton said understanding the purpose of Relief Society will not only bless the lives of individual women, but it will also help them bless the lives of others “in their homes and families and also in their communities.”

Julie B Beck, former RS Pres.   -  Relief Society is a way of life. It is a way of keeping covenants. It is a discipleship that unifies us. 

I want to close with a quote from President Utchdorf. He said “Exaltation is our goal; discipleship is our journey. As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as peaceable followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change. Your whole being will be filled with light.” 

The light is Christ. The way we keep that light is by being his disciples. We can do that by serving those around us. I know that by being actively involved in the Relief Society will help us have the light of Christ with us always.