Taught by Ellen King
Our lives have meaning, purpose and direction
Ponder the RS Declaration
We have had the guiding influence of the Relief Society Declaration for 10 years now. It is an inspiring document that stands up to the test of good mission statements.A good mission statement is short, memorable, and contains emotion. Ours is not short but it is easy to hold certain phrases in your mind for a time to ponder them.
Meaning, purpose, and direction...we know who we are, we know why we are here, we know where we are going. Not many women in this world can say that.
Worldwide sisterhood, united in devotion...6 million women, in 170 countries believe this and join with us, women we don’t even know, but share this belief in common.
Our devotion to Jesus Christ...at the center of it all, the very heart. We covenant to keep Him there, to always remember Him.
Faith, virtue, vision and charity...that’s the title of our blog! That faith, virtue, vision, and charity are manifest in 9 ways. They are our faith in action. Beautiful!
Focus on this phrase
We are dedicated to strengthening marriages,
families, and homes.
Dedicate - give ourselves entirely, give our talent to a good cause, consecrate our time, set apart for sacred use, with whole-hearted fidelity, be devoted to a cause.
Ourselves - in our many roles: daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, student, coworker, or visiting teacher.
Strengthening - to make strong or stronger, reinforce, give added support to, fortify, toughen, bolster, boost, step up, substantiate, confirm.
Sister Julie Beck, the General Relief Society president reminded us,
Our homes need to be strong, secure, and safe havens that protect our families from the storms of life. They must serve as a refuge from the struggles and trials that surround us. We cannot let our homes be weakened or destroyed because of our neglect, indifference, or oversight.President Monson counseled,
...we should not let [the stress of our lives] get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know.… We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.Mary Ellen Smoot said in a speech to the World Congress of Families in 1999,
Our homes need to be strong, secure, and safe havens that protect our families from the storms of life. They must serve as a refuge from the struggles and trials that surround us. We cannot let our homes be weakened or destroyed because of our neglect, indifference, or oversight.
The full extent of your influence
President Faust said in 1999 - when the declaration was presented...You sisters do not know the full extent of your influence. You sisters enrich all of humanity. All human life begins with you. Each woman brings her own separate, unique strengths to the family and the Church. Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. ... It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.Sisters, choose one thing to work on this month in this area. Say to yourself every morning, "I am dedicated to strengthening marriages, families, and homes." Hold that thought in your mind and ponder what you can do.
I know you are out there doing your best everyday. And I commend you.
I know that if you turn to Heavenly Father every day he will help you dedicate yourself to strengthening marriages, families, and homes in whatever role and capacity you may have.
I know that the church is true and I'm grateful that our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction.
Sister Ellen King
wonderful lesson
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