Introducing the new General Relief Society Presidency

During the 182nd Annual General Conference for Latter-day Saints, three new women were called and sustained as members of the General Relief Society Presidency.  Julie B. Beck and her counselors accomplished a great many things in their 5-year tenure and the women of the church appreciate all of their hard work and efforts during that time.  We are now looking forward to all the wonderful things yet to come from the following sisters who were called to lead the biggest women's organization in the world:

Introducing the new LDS Church General Relief Society Presidency: Sister Linda K. Burton, center, Sister Carole M. Stephens, (L) and Sister Linda S. Reeves (R) (IRI photo)

*182nd General Conference - THIS weekend!*

Just a reminder that General Conference is this weekend!  (3/31-4/1)  The four general sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain time.  (That's 9am and 1pm for us in GP.)  You can watch/listen to the conference sessions online at lds.org or on BYU TV.

2/26 RS Lesson: "It Is Better to Look Up" - Carl B. Cook

This past Sunday, Sister Goff presented a wonderful lesson based on a talk taken from the November 2011 Ensign that was given by Carl B. Cook of the Seventy at the October 2011 General Conference.  The complete talk can be accessed online through the lds.org link: "It Is Better to Look Up," where you can read, print out, share, and listen to Carl B. Cook's message.


Sister Goff began by reading a story from the talk about an encounter that Carl B. Cook had with President Monson in the elevator of the Church Administration Building.  Upon seeing Elder Cook looking somewhat overwhelmed and discouraged, President Monson advised him that, "It is better to look up!"  President Monson was referring to looking toward Heaven and Heavenly Father to seek out  direction in life.  As we look upward, we are looking toward immortal answers as opposed to downward which is limited to mortal results. 


Sister Goff then asked the RS sisters what generally keeps us from looking upward during difficult times.  Some of the answers included: fear, sin, and emotional/physical pain.  It was said in the talk that we must build our spiritual muscles by looking up.  At first, it may be difficult, but over time our muscles will strength and it will get easier to look toward Heavenly Father for answers.


The discussion then went on to define what it means to look different directions.  When we look along the same level, it indicates that we may not see change.  If we look up, however, it will lead us to progress and hope.  A sister added that another direction that we look may be to the side.  (i.e. Comparing ourselves to others.)  The ultimate judge of our actions is God, so if we want to seek approval or criticism, it is best to look up to see how we are doing as we face life's trials.  Sister Goff reminded us that we are not called to serve on Earth to master the tasks presented to us, but instead to simply do our best and we shall be blessed.  Another sister reminded us that is also important to never look back at the past.  The sins and poor choices from before could be holding you down from looking upward.


Overall, it is important to focus and hear what is important.  Don't let the distractions of life keep you from losing focus on the eternal perspective.  Ways we can look up include: prayer,  reading scriptures, acts of service, listening to and following the guidance from church leaders, and doing temple work.  If we continue to look up as President Monson and Elder Cook advise, we can be healed from the experiences that weigh us down.  


Thank you to Sister Goff for presenting such a great lesson and for all the sisters who brought the spirit to our meeting through sharing their personal insights, which made the lesson even better!  We pray that the sisters who were not able to be in attendance this Sunday will make it to our future meetings.

1/22 RS Lesson: "Forget Me Not" -President Uchtdorf

This Sunday's lesson was from a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at the September 2011 general Relief Society meeting.  The complete talk can be accessed online through the lds.org, "Forget Me Not," where you can read, print out, share, and listen to President Uchtdorf's message to the women of the church.


As President Uchtdorf reflects over a walk with his wife and daughter through a beautiful garden, he is reminded of the simple beauty of the forget-me-not flower that grows among all the other "glorious blooms."  Though he realizes that it could be easy to overlook such a small flower, he finds that "it is just as beautiful, with its rich color that mirrors that of the bluest skies."  


It was the five pedals of the forget-me-not flower that "prompted [him] to consider five things we would be wise never to forget."

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself:   God is aware that His children are not perfect.  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  Even the smallest of successes are noticed by Him.  We must not take these personal improvements for granted, for they will strengthen us to become the great spirits God knows we are capable of being in the long-run.
2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice:  We need to ask ourselves, "Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?"  "There are so many good things to do, but we can't do all of them."  "Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective."
3. Forget not to be happy now:  It is okay (and good) to work toward higher goals and achievements, but it is important not to overlook the simple things we experience and obtain as we strive for something better.  "The happiest people...are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."
4. Forget not the "why" of the gospel:  We sometimes focus too much on the "what" and "how" of the gospel.  (How we are supposed to live, what guidelines we must follow, etc...)  It is important to be aware of why we are doing what we're doing.  Keeping the eternal perspective in mind is important in becoming Christ-like.  When we do this, "the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and delight."  
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you: "You are not forgotten."  Each and every one of us is "known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe!  You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!"

In closing, President Uchtdorf hopes that the symbolism of the little forget-me-not flower will remind us of the simple joys in life and that each of us are "destined for more than [we] can possibly imagine."