Stake Education Day 2011

Relief Society
Something Extraordinary

A brief synopsis was given on all 15 past presidents of the Relief Society. We heard funny, inspiring and sometimes sad experiences of these women who sacrificed much to bless the sisters in Relief Society. Their examples of faith and testimony strenghtened ours.
A few favorite quotes:
Eliza R. Snow:
“There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the Earth.”

Emmeline B. Wells:
“I want the sisters to study the scriptures and become familiar with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Let them be holy books unto you.”

Belle Spafford:
There are no strangers, only friends we have yet to meet.

When Belle Spafford became editor of the RS Magazine she went to her mother for advise, In response, her mother said, “The big problems and the big obstacle in the way won’t bother you. The big trees on the path will not deter you. You will go around them, you will climb over them, or you will hack them down. But the vines will trip you. Watch for the vines.”

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3 classes were taught by Jan Molloy, President Lowell Smith and Fern Hill

Here's a few highlights from their talks:

Sister Jan Molloy taught about

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE

She referred to the talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

entitled "NONE WERE WITH HIM" in the May 2009 Ensign


Elder Holland said this message is for those who are alone or feel alone or, worse yet, feel abandoned. These might include those longing to be married, those who have lost a spouse, and those who have lost-or have never been blessed with –children. Our empathy embraces wives forsaken by their husbands, husbands whose wives have walked away, and children bereft of one or the other of their parents-or both. This group can find within its broad circumference a soldier far from home, a missionary in those first weeks of homesickness, or a father out of work, afraid the fear in his eyes will be visible to his family. In short it can include all of us at various times in our lives.
because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”

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another of her quotes was this favorite:

Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey..delays, sidetracks. Smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the lord for letting you have the ride. Jenkin Loyd Jones.
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Fern Hill taught:

What Children need most:

"Give your children experience and teaching so that they can come to know for themselves and have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ"

Teaching:
D&C 109:15
And that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fullness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws, and be prepared to obtain every needful thing.

Teach our children to study and understand the scriptures.
Let them feel and hear your prayers for them
Follow the teachings of the prophets
Build trust in your child by giving them experiences showing your children that what they do matters and is important to you.
Children need parents who love them and are faithful in the gospel.

Time:
Children spell love T-I-M-E
Spend time talking, loving and teaching your children
Help them create happy memories
Improve their talents and build their feelings of self worth

Talents:
Teach your kids to do hard things..
Teach them about the law of the harvest

( we plant the seeds of hard work and then reap the rewards)
Talents can be a source of therapy or escape throughout our life

Temple:

Let everything we say and do point to the Temple:
Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Mosiah 2:6
And they pitched their tents round about the Temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the Temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.

President Lowell Smith:
Blessed by Relief Society

Pres. Smith taught us how his mother, Barbara Smith, was prepared to be the General Relief Society President
1. She was blessed with a good family and good heritage
2. She was always prayerful in her life and so had the Lord's guidance with her. She was seen praying through out the day at different times and in different places. She just knelt in prayer when she felt the need to talk to her Father in Heaven.
3. She always had a desire to save souls. He watched his mother seek the outcasts and only saw the good in people.
4. She was obedient.
President Lowell Smith concluded by saying that their family was very blessed by all that she learned in that capacity.
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Along with the the speakers, we had a fabulous lunch of many different kinds of salads, ham sandwiches, and cupcakes...(some of us ate 3 or 4)

There were quilts to be tied for anyone wanting to do service.

Thank you all for the wisdom and counsel, yummy food and our Stake Leaders for making it all happen.

We love you President Dena Smith

Counselors:

Debbie Youngberg

Sissy Hooper

and Secretary Karen Herzog
It was a wonderful day.