{The Errand of Angels}

Tonight I had the opportunity to join with women from around the world in watching the General Relief Society Meeting Broadcast at our stake center. I must say, I have been looking forward to this spiritual rejuvenation for some time. :) It's always a wonderful meeting, and I thoroughly enjoyed being there with my ward sisters. I look forward to the day when I can watch it with my actual sisters, sister-in-law and mom...don't know when that will be, or if, but it sure would be fun!

I wanted to jot down a few things that came to mind (in italics), and also what was talked about in brief from these wonderful leaders we have.

♥

Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President

• "Visiting teaching isn't just a task. It's a way of life."
• How have I served and loved the sisters I visit teach? Have I talked heart to heart or just face to face?
  
• In her testimony she stated, "I rejoice to know that the Lord knows us enough to lead and guide us." I echo her words.
  

♥

Hymn 309 - "As Sister's in Zion" - I noticed that at the end, the text was sung as "Oh, give us the wisdom to truly succeed" and really liked that. Below I've typed out the words so you can read them...they describe perfectly the purpose of the Relief Society.

As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up His kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

Oh, give me the wisdom to truly succeed.

♥

Sylvia H. Allred, 1st Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency

• "Rise to the occasion."
• The Lord prompts a bishop to extend callings. He (the Lord nor our bishop) would never set us up for failure...so I should just buck-up and rise to the occasion!
  
• "The Relief Society was divinely organized to assist the priesthood and to build the kingdom." We are responsible for the sisters we've been asked to visit teach - the bishop cannot physically look after and watch over EVERY SINGLE PERSON, every single day. That's where we come in. If there is something needed, we can let the bishop know there is a need.
  

♥

Barbara Thompson, 2nd Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency

• {Mind the Gap}
  
• "Believing vs. Knowing we are Daughters of God: Don't allow doubt and uncertainty to fill your mind."
• "Transitioning from Young Women's to Relief Society: Comfort the weary and strengthen the weak"...don't allow the {gap} to happen.
• "Believing in Jesus Christ vs. Being Valiant": I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. Am I being valiant to His teachings and doing? or just thinking?
  

♥

Hymn 85, "How Firm a Foundation" - There are seven verses to this song, and I love each of
them equally, though one stood out to me this night. Verse three reads:

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Up held by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

Doesn't that just make you want to stand on the rooftops and shout from the top of your lungs that life is going to be okay? That you're going to be okay? That He knows our worries and to trust in Him? I thought so. But maybe you'd do it a bit more reverently...not so much shouting.

♥

President Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor in the Presidency of the Church

• "Charity is born of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
• "Charity. Never. Faileth. Moro. 7: 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—"
• "The legacy of Relief Society is passed from heart to heart."
• My heart and soul are at peace and I am full of gratitude for my loving Savior
  

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If you didn't have the opportunity to watch this wonderful meeting and partake of its uplifting goodness, or you're just curious about this broadcast, click HERE to go to the link to the broadcast to watch or listen to it. If you're interested in learning more about the church, click HERE.