Don't Miss this Special Opportunity! Women's General Auxiliary Meeting!

We hope you can join us for the upcoming Women's General Auxiliary Meeting on Saturday, May 17th!

For sisters in the RS, YW, and Primary presidencies, there will be a training from 2-5pm.

ALL sisters ages 12 and older are invited to attend a special fireside with the General Auxiliary leaders from 6:30-8pm at the Broomall building.

Come to be edified and uplifted as we join together to learn from the General Women's leaders of the Church!

**If you are able to provide rides to any of the young women whose mothers will already be at the stake center, please let a member of the RS presidency know. Thank you! **

Uniting Sisters Worldwide

Maybe you heard the recent announcement about changes to the annual General Relief Society Meeting/Young Women Meeting. Check out the November 2013 article, First Presidency Announces New General Women’s Meeting. The article states that "The general women’s meeting will be held the Saturday before each general conference and will be conducted by the general presidencies of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations. All women, young women, and girls age eight years old and older will be invited to attend."

How exciting for the opportunity to have women of all ages in the same room, learning together about what it means to be a Daughter of God!

In the past week, there have been even more changes in the auxiliary programs of the Church (Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society) in order to reach more sisters worldwide and unify efforts to serve the women, young women, children, and families of the Church. As a way to represent Young Women and leaders internationally, the newly called Young Women general board includes members outside of Utah and outside of the United States. 

Additionally, auxiliary training "will now be delivered to sisters worldwide through an integrated, global, web-based training effort that will be provided in key languages." The auxiliary training used to take place in Salt Lake in conjunction with the April General Conference. The new worldwide training will be held at the beginning of June, so as to allow the general auxiliary leaders the opportunity to be inspired by recent General Conference messages as they prepare for the training. 

Check out the Church News article to learn more about the growth and changes that will affect all of us and our families! Auxiliary Changes Designed to Unify Sisters Worldwide

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president; Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president; and Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, talk about changes that will help their organizations reach out to a growing international Church membership.

Don't Miss Ward Conference 2014! January 26 from 1:00-4:00pm

What better way to begin the new year than to be taught and uplifted by our Stake leaders!

Our Ward Conference will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  

Both V1 and V2 will be holding Ward Conferences that day, and the Stake Presidency has 

asked us to delay the start of our meetings in order to accommodate the V2 

Ward Conference meeting space requirements which will also improve our experience.

Join us as we learn more about the importance of Family History and Temple Work!

Teachings of George Albert Smith Lesson 6

Sustaining Those Whom the Lord Sustains

What a great lesson topic for the week before General Conference and the day we sustain a new Bishop and his counselors!

In this lesson, President Smith emphasized the importance of sustaining leaders (this would be a great quote to share with your family prior to the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference!):

In 1946, while conducting a session of general conference, President Smith introduced the sustaining of Church officers by explaining that it is more than just a passive act: “We now have one order of business that is customary with these Conferences; that is, the presentation of the Authorities of the Church to be sustained by the vote of the people. I hope that you will realize, all of you, that this is a sacred privilege. … It will not be just a symbol but it will be an indication that, with the help of the Lord, you will carry your part of the work.”

In fact, President Smith said that when we raise our hand to sustain someone, we are making a covenant:

It must be a source of strength to the President of this Church to look into the faces of thousands of honest men and women and observe them raise their hand in covenant with our Father in heaven, and sustain him in the office to which he has been called as president of this great Church. The obligation that we make when we raise our hands under such circumstances, is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means,—if I understand the obligation I assumed when I raised my hand—that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct him to offer them to us while he remains in that position.

This is Moses being sustained by Aaron and Hur
Exodus 17:8-13

We talked about how our loyalty and faithfulness can help ease the burdens of our leaders.  And, we talked about how the Lord chooses our leaders vs. the way the World chooses its leaders (violence, blood line, committee, vote, etc.).  The Lord prepares whom he will put into leadership positions and no one aspires to leadership.

Hebrews 5:4

 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God.

President Smith:

How grateful we ought to be to know that this work is not the work of man, but it is the work of the Lord; that this Church, that bears the name of Jesus Christ, is directed by him, and he will permit no man or group of men to destroy it. He will not permit the men who preside over his Church to lead the people into error, but he will sustain them with his almighty power. He will magnify them in the eyes of good and great men and women. He will bless their ministry and it will be fraught with success. Those who oppose and find fault will not find joy in their opposition. Those who criticize and seek to destroy the influence of the leaders of the Church will suffer the result of their wrong-doing.

We also talked about how following our leaders will lead us to safety:

I know of nothing of great importance that has happened in the world that the Lord through his prophets has not advised the people of beforehand, so that they have not been left in ignorance of what was to develop, but could plan their lives, if they would, to their advantage. …

Safety :)

And how the surest way to allow the adversary to lead us away from safety is to criticize our leaders (notice the strong verb that President Smith uses in this passage):

I stand here to plead with you, my brethren and sisters, not to permit words of criticism or of unkindness to pass your lips about those whom the Lord has called to lead us. Do not be found in the companionship of those who would belittle them or weaken their influence among the children of men. If you do, I can say to you that you will find yourselves in the power of the adversary.

As a final thought, let's remind ourselves to pray for and help our leaders:

Let us sustain these men whom God has raised up to preside over us. Let us bless them, not only by our lips, but by assisting in every possible way to carry this burden that rests so heavily upon their shoulders. … Pray for and bless them and help them.

As we look forward to General Conference and serving with our new Bishop, let us pray to know how to sustain our leaders and to never succomb to the temptation of criticizing our leaders.

Notes from Sister Beck's Fireside

 

While I took notes, I know many of you did too and would love for you to add what you heard here too.

 

The Friday Fireside

We had the privilege of hearing from Sister Beck, General Relief Society President, on Friday, May 21 in a fireside at the Valley Forge Stake center. The format of the meeting was essentially questions and answers.

Sister Beck said she loves meetings like this because hearing from the members keeps the church leaders real and connected.

Q.  How are the General Auxiliary Boards chosen and what do they do?

A.  D&C 107:98 - Whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the Twelve, neither to the Seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow, notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.

There are five auxiliaries of the church that operate under the direction of the first presidency...Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, Sunday School and Aaronic PH/Young Men each with a general board.

There of 10 women on the Relief Society Board and are called to share the work. When the Presidency is released the board is released. They share the duties of the work. They are often women the presidency knew before. The board is the "farm team" for Presidencies. Sister Beck was a member of the YW board before being called to be the General Relief Society president.

Q. In a recent talk you spoke about developing the skill or ability to receive revelation as the most important ability to develop. Can you speak more about that?

A. Revelation is the Lord's way to teach us. We should crave it. The crassness of the world makes it difficult. Revelation is the key to understanding things of God. It quickens our minds and bodies.We could feel weak but the Spirit gives us power.

D&C 133:58-59 - To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth, and for the Lord’s errand in the day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two shall put their tens of thousands to flight. And by the weak things of the earth the Lord shall thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit.

Keeping the Spirit is hard when life isn't perfect. Sister Beck tells of babsitting grandchildren and trying to prepare for a talk about the Spirit. One of her granddaughters cried and screamed for hours. When she spoke to the sisters later that day she realized God had given her that experience to help her understand how it is for the young moms she was speaking to.

D&C 11: 12-14 - And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.

 Q.  What is there for single sisters over 30 in the church?

A. Establish spiritual habits. Think of it as training. What training? Sister Beck's 86-year-old mother is dealing with being a widow during the last year. Her years of scripture study, praying every morning, and temple covenants and attendance continue to help her. The pattern pays off.

Also we all need to help each other create, support and sustain marriage.

Young Women feel the loss of the cheering and clapping for them that stops when they go to Relief Society. But when we make covenants in the temple to give our all to building up the kingdom, the focus is no longer on ourselves. We don't need to be noticed but need to turn and help others and serve.

D&C 84:20 - Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

When we become a covenant people we have a lot more to give than we get. Help each other, sustain one another, look out for each other.

Other tidbits:
Scripture study: As a young mother commit yourself to spend some time every day in the scriptures, even if it's just one verse. They will have a cumulative effect on your life. She like to get a cheap copy of the Book of Mormon, write a question in the front, read with that in mind and write the answers in the back as she goes.

Tough economy: Don't spend more than you bring in. Read the pamphlet "All Is Safely Gathered In". Get out of debt. When you are out of debt you will be able to better serve.

Role of women in the church: The Lord expects his daughters to contribute equally to building the kingdom. Choosing the good part means being a part of the work. LDS women serve on councils, in presidencies, and in organizations in 30,000 units worldwide.

Help for those in need: The Bishop has a "toolbox" to help those in need...employment services, welfare, and Addiction Recovery Program. Do you believe you can be healed? Matt. 9:27-28 - And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Feel free to post what you remembered.

e

Sister Beck: The Role of Women in God's Plan

Sister Beck just spoke to an audience of 10,000 in Rexburg, Idaho. Read the full article here.

On our role:

“We … are engaged in the work of salvation,” she said. “I hope that was one of the clear messages that came through in all the leadership training meetings we’ve had.”

... “Relief Society is part of that,” she said. “We don’t plan anything; we don’t do anything that is outside of the Lord’s work of salvation.”

On finding balance:

“We know there are some essential things that must be taken care of if we are going to achieve eternal life,” she said. “To get the spirit and know what that is we’re going to have to read the scriptures, and pray every day, and go to the temple, and fast, and do the things the prophets have told us to do.”

She emphasized the importance of the Holy Ghost in prioritizing. “No woman ever has enough time, enough energy, and enough strength to do all the good things that are in her mind to do,” she said. “We have to have the help of the Holy Ghost to take care of what is most essential.”

e

The New Church Handbook

The new church Handbook 2 has been out for several months now, so many of us have had a chance to begin studying and implementing.

The First Presidency has just broadcast another worldwide training session.

Elders Oaks said a couple of things that all the church members need to know:

1. A major theme in both handbooks is to reduce the workload of the Bishop. Partly this is done by enhancing the role of the ward council. ...They assist the bishop on matters of importance to the entire ward. Bishops, you now have the opportunity to lighten your load...delegate to ward members and especially to those in your ward council. ...The roles of EQ and HP group leaders have been significantly enhanced to help their members both spiritually and temporally. This may mean reduced temporal service such as helping ward members move.
   
2. Everyone should carefully read the three chapters at the beginning of Handbook 2. They are doctrinal, based on the scriptures, and they are extremely important. The first chapter is the Families and the Church in God's Plan.
   
   Family is first.
   
   Boyd K. Packer last November:

We must be careful that our members are not kept so busy with church programs, procedures, buildings and budgets that they have little time for the spiritual things stressed in this chapter on families, and the succeeding two chapters, Priesthood Principles and Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ.

Strengthening the family is the object of the Church.

We strengthen the Church to perform it's divine mission by strengthening its members and their families.

Watch his full talk:



Related links:
Handbook 2 can be found online
Why does the church have handbooks?
Audio, video and text from the Worldwide Training

e

New Bishopric Called

It was a busy day at ward conference today in the Valley Forge 1st Ward.  Bishop Hood, Brother Jackson, and Brother Hall were released by President Coe and a new bishopric was called.  We are so grateful for all the love and service Bishop Hood and his counselors have given the ward, and we hope they know how much we appreciate all that they've done for us.  We could feel their love for all the members of the ward and we are so grateful for the sacrifices that have been made over the past years by them and their families.

The new bishop that was called is Richard Pope, and his counselors are Brother Bruce Kneeland and Brother Thom Kinghorn. We are excited to get to know them better and we hope we can do all we can to support them and their families in their upcoming service!

Bishop and Sister Pope

Worldwide Leadership Training

The church has just issued 2 new handbooks and leadership training regarding them.

Handbook2 Administering the Church is found under "Serving in the Church" section of the new lds.org website. Handbook1 is more specific to Bishops and Stake Presidents and not available online.

Here is the video of the training and introduction if you'd like to see what was emphasized.

President Monson encouraged all of us to read, understand, and follow it. Answers to 80% of all the questions that are asked of the First Presidency can be found in the handbook.

Principles
The first 3 chapters focus on key principles for leadership and church administration, with families at the heart of God's plan.

Ward Councils
Emphasis is given to the Ward Council meetings that focus on benefiting individuals and families and less about calendaring.

"Effective councils invite full expression from council members and unify their efforts in responding to individual, family, and organizational needs."

There is no longer a separate Welfare meeting. Specialists may be called by the Bishop for employment, family finance, home storage, etc.

Activities
There is no longer a separate Activities Committee but the Bishop may assign responsibility to one or more organizations, individuals or committees organized temporarily for a specific activity.

"Activities strengthen members by giving them a sense of belonging and mutual support. Activities should help members feel connected to others their age, to their leaders, and to their families. Activities should also help members see how living the gospel brings 'the joy of the saints.' ...Leaders ensure that activities strengthen the family rather than compete with it."

Uniformity and Adaptation
One section focuses on what is to uniform and what can be adapted when it comes to church policy and programs, based on the size and needs of the ward. Scriptures, Sunday meetings, curriculum and ordinances are uniform throughout the church. Staffing a ward, the format and frequency of activities, and class sizes may be adapted giving consideration to families, transportation, communication, and leadership resources.

There are specific chapters for each organization, guidance on meetings and callings and some selected policies from Handbook1.

I think it's great that this manual is available for study. It gives us all the big picture of how the church is administered, what can be expected and where the Lord wants us to focus our efforts.

e

Providing Stability and Hope

The last two things that followers need from their leaders is stability and hope. [Read part 1 and part 2 first.]

Stability

Providing a solid foundation, being someone others can count on in a time of need, provides followers with security, strength, support and peace. Let your core values be stable, to buffer for times of change.

Hooray for righteous fathers and husbands who give stability to our homes, good teachers who give our children constant support and encouragement, and great women like you who do what is right consistently in your lives.

Nothing creates stability like transparency or being open about where we are going and how we are doing. This applies in all types of organizations. Families who know a little of the family budget can help support financial decisions, vacation choices, and purchases large and small. Couples who talk openly and often about goals near and far, and even hopes and dreams will strengthen their marriage. Wards who pull together to support and help one another create a stabilizing unity.

Studying the scriptures daily, praying and holding family home evening and counsels give stability to our lives and our families. These small simple practices add up of the years and make us strong for times of adversity.

Sharing our lives with each other as sisters will strengthen and stabilize each of us. And we know that happens in Relief Society meetings, and visiting teaching and in service to one another.

Sister Beck as the leader of our Relief Society just reiterated:

This society has at its very core the responsibility to help sisters increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. Through Relief Society, sisters can receive answers to their questions and be blessed by the combined spiritual power of all the sisters. Relief Society validates the true and eternal nature of daughters of God. It is a sacred trust, a guiding light, and a system of watchcare that teaches and inspires women to be strong and immovable. Its motto, “Charity never faileth,” is embodied in all good women. April Conference link

And never failing is about as stable as you can get!

Hope

We want stability in the moment and hope in the future. Direction, faith and guidance too.

We find that in the doctrines of the gospel, in the words of our prophets, and in our experiences with the Spirit.

We can provide that for those who follow us, especially our families. In this world of chaos and complexity we need to share our testimonies with family and others as we have just been counseled to do. We need to initiate good things in our lives and families and not just react to immediate needs.

President Uchtdorf’s talks always speak of hope and something else closely related...

May we ever remember the lesson of Kirtland and hold on a little longer—even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who “endure in faith to the end”. January 2010

and this...

Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope.

As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. April 2010

and once again...

Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk. October 2009

Hope is directly tied to love, the Lord’s for us, as our ultimate leader, and ours for those who follow us. And that brings us back to the first attribute in what followers want, compassion. It is the most direct way we can be like our Savior.

Sisters, think about your leadership qualities, about those who follow you either in the home, extended family, at school or in the workplace.

Strive to the kind that builds the trust, compassion, stability and hope in others lives.

e

Photo credit

Compassion

Guest Blogger Charity Wolf

Compassion is one of the most influencing gifts we have when it comes to turning our hearts towards the Lord. I have experienced the Lords compassion in my life many times through the hands of his servants on the earth. A few years ago it was never more evident to me in my life.

Alan and I lived in Fresno, California right by family and friends. Alan came home and told me we were being transferred to Seattle, WA in four weeks. The next few weeks were a blur of learning new areas, picking a new school district, mountains of transfer paper work, and I'll confess ward shopping. The week came, we were to move. Everything was planned out the best it could be. Tuesday morning of that week, I was pulling out clothes and essentials before the movers came on Friday morning. The phone rang and I was told my younger Sister had passed away in the night. Chelsie had been in a coma for just over 9 years from a car accident. There really was not time to think; we could not change any of the moving schedule. We planned and set the funeral for Saturday of that week.

The time came and went so fast. The next thing I really remember is sitting in a rental house outside of Seattle. Most of our worldly things were put in place except for some things in the garage that I need to unpack. The move had worked out well. But, I was never more sad and alone and my spirit was never more broken. One morning I was sitting in my house crying, trying to unpack, feeling like no one knows what just happened to me. Chelsie was just gone and the world just went on, no one even knew she was missing. To say the least my heart was aching. I was arguing in my heart with the Lord why this had to be and that he could not have really cared about me. We had not been to church yet and we didn't know anyone. I remember that morning saying to the Lord if you really love me why am I all alone?

About a hour later there was a knock on the front door. The Relief Society President and my new visiting teachers were there with flowers and a meal and had an hour or two to help me in any way they could. I was very embarrassed (be careful what you and your house looks like when you tell the Lord you feel alone) and grateful for the compassion that these Sisters were able to show me.

I know the Lord sent these Sisters on His errand that day. To me compassion will always be remembered as a work of the Lord. It takes each of us Sisters to work together. We are leaders in our area, in our homes, and in the Lord's church, if we choose to take the time to find out where we can serve.

Fostering Trust and Having Compassion

In a previous post, I introduced the idea that followers expect four things from their leaders: Trust, Compassion, Stability, and Hope. [Read part 1 first, then part 3.]

Let’s look at the first two.

Trust

Trust is the foundation of leadership. It means honesty, integrity and respect. Lasting friendships, loving marriages, smooth collaboration with coworkers, successful businesses, are all built on trust.

How do you convince a person of your honesty? They just know. Over time others see your behavior and know they can depend on you.

Another key to building trust is being authentic or real, even if that means letting those around you see your flaws. Didn’t you love the few personal words President Monson had to say about his wife during conference. Don’t you cringe at the phoniness of most politicians as they try to create a false trust. Don’t you cherish those who see you for what you are and love you anyway.

Compassion

We all know what this is...caring, friendship, and love. Caring and compassion have such an impact on the lives of those around. When others care about us we are more likely to be more productive, stay with an organization, and reflect that caring to others.

Visiting teaching is where we do this best. Be there for your sisters. Devon Linn would love to visit everyone in the ward and take dinner and lift everyone. She can’t, of course. But you can. Be a leader in this special calling.

President Monson sums it up, “ Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”

(To be continued)

e

Photo credit

What Followers Want

The blog theme for April is Empowerment and how we feel empowered in the church.

One way we are empowered as women in the church is the leadership opportunities that come our way...leaders as parents in the home and leaders as perhaps the only church member in our extended families. The experience and skills we gain through callings in the church prepare us for leadership at school and in the workplace as well. So, it’s important for all of us to understand what makes the right kind of leader and to try to emulate those qualities.

Lest you think I’m being presumptuous about knowing what followers want, I’ve just been reading several leadership books lately for work, so I’ve been pondering leadership and following.

I read a lot of business books and some of them are a whole lot of...um...malarkey. You know empty rhetoric, nonsense.

So I have to “test” them for truth, usually by seeing if I can apply the principles elsewhere.

In the book, Strengths-based Leadership, I have found some thoughts that ring true.

Each time I've read a statement I’ve thought about my roles as a leader at work, as a mother, and as church worker. I think about those who lead our country, our communities, my workplace, the church, and think about my husband.

Effective leaders
The most effective leaders understand their follower’s needs

At work this is not always evident. Sometimes managers have personal agendas, and some know how to turn a phrase or work a room, but overlook the real needs of their team.

At church it is clear. Our leaders are ordinary people like us and so they understand the ups and downs of life. And, as an added bonus, they can be and are guided by revelation and inspiration in our behalf.

As a parent it is a must. You soon learn what each child will do in a given situation. You come to know what their weaknesses and strengths are and what they need from you as a parent.

Followers know what they need from a leader
A Gallup poll, conducted with more than 10,000 followers, asked, “What leader has the most positive influence in your daily life?” and then “List 3 words that best describe what this person contributes to your life.” (Try it yourself before reading on.)

No, the tops words weren’t vision, wisdom, humility or humor.

Followers need trust, compassion, stability and hope.

Think about it. Isn’t that what you want from a good leader?

Think about the leaders in your life...Jesus Christ, church leaders, bishops you’ve had through the years, and your parents. Think about the head of the PTA, your professor, your employer, the leaders of our country.

Think about yourself. Yes, we are all leaders in some way or other. And we could all do with a little more practice in the things that count to those who follow us.

How do you create more trust, compassion, stability and hope in your lives and for those that follow you? I’d love to hear.

(To be continued)

[Read part 2 then part 3.]

e

Photo credit