Relief Society

Today’s the anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what being a part of this worldwide sisterhood means to me. I can’t think of a time when it hasn’t been a part of my life. I used to attend monthly homemaking meetings with my mom when I was young. I loved watching her making crafts; super Saturdays were especially fun! My mom let me come with her a lot and I’m grateful for that early exposure to the Relief Society. She didn’t make me go to the nursery with the other kids but let me be a part of whatever she was doing.

Later, as I turned 18, I really looked forward to going to Relief Society. It was a rite of passage, I felt, and when I was told I couldn’t attend, it was disheartening. Michelle and I were informed that because we were a couple months shy of our 18^th birthday and that they talked about things in Relief Society that we weren’t ready to hear about, we couldn’t go. Both Michelle and I thought that was crap! As did our parents.  So, we met with our bishop and after “threatening” us that we’d be given Visiting Teaching responsibilities, we were allowed to join the ranks of the 11^th Ward Relief Society. In spite of this rocky beginning, I knew it was the right place for me. I was given a great VT partner who was a great example to me and I was even called to be the RS pianist!

I was a part of my home ward Relief Society for a little less than a year. Soon after I graduated from high school, my stake created a Young Single Adult Ward and I started attending church there. Our humble Relief Society was small but we were mighty. It was there that, at the age of 20, I was called to serve as the Relief Society president. I served almost two years and little did I know how much that calling would come to help me in the following few years.

In January 2009 I was called to serve as the secretary to the Stake Relief Presidency. I held this calling for almost two years again and enjoyed nearly every minute! :o)  Out of the four of us, I was the only one who had ever served as a Relief Society president. Crazy! I learned a lot in the short time I was with them and was definitely sad to have to leave when the Young Single Adult program was changed and I left my home stake.

Last Sunday, I was once again in my home stake, with that same presidency, participating in the RS Anniversary Celebration. It was good to be there and it felt like “home”. There’ll always be a soft spot in my heart for that stake and the all the sisters with whom I was able to rub spiritual shoulders.

I heard, once upon a time, a quote that said something like “Relief Society needs you and you need Relief Society.” I believe that with all of my heart and am thankful for all the experiences, good and bad, that I’ve had in the time I’ve been a part of the R.S. Here's to 60 more years!!!