Relief Society at that time was at 8:30 am on Sunday morning, a challenge for any college student, but especially for the night owl that I was. I was called to be the chorister, so I had to be there every week, and on time. Every Sunday morning I dragged myself out of bed and left my roommates snug in theirs, and went to Relief Society.
I remember our teacher, an elderly lady with kind eyes, who taught us from her fountain of wisdom and faith. I remember feeling that Relief Society was something special. I knew my roommates were really missing out.
I don’t think I felt well a single Sunday morning that year, but I was glad I "had" to go to Relief Society.
I don’t remember when I came across this quote for the first time, but it has always shaped my attitude about Relief Society:
"The program of the Church is the plan of salvation, and Relief Society is a part of that plan. Sisters, it is your duty to attend Relief Society just as it is the duty of the brethren to attend their Priesthood meetings."
"There is something pathetic about those of our sisters who sit at home waiting to be enticed to Relief Society. Some sisters seem to pour over the offering of Relief Society like a fussy diner searching a menu for something to excite the taste. If you are absenting yourself from Relief Society because 'you don't get anything out of it,' tell me, dear sister, what is it that you are putting into it?" (Boyd K. Packer)
Relief Society has changed over the years. I’m old enough to remember The Relief Society Magazine, putting $2 into a special envelope for annual dues, and Homemaking meetings in the middle of the week. We used to have Spring and Fall Socials, bazaars, and lessons on literature, mother education, and other cultures.
But some things don’t change. It is still a place where we find friendship, where we help one other, and where the lives of individuals and families are bettered.
It really is something special.
It is something you wouldn't want to miss.
"Relief Society is not optional! Attend it, contribute to it, devote yourself to it— great blessings await you, now, and forever."
(Boyd K. Packer)
4 comments:
Thank you! What wonderful quotes from Pres. Packer. I never truely enjoyed RS until I was out of college, but then again, I didn't put much in to it.
What a great post! I too love Relief Society. That quote from Pres. Packer is wonderful! I think everything in the church is like that; you get out of it what you're willing to put in.
having never felt part of Relief Society, it is interesting to read Pres. Packer's quotes.
How do you get involved when you serve in other places? A struggle for many of us in Primary.
My introduction to Relief Society was also a memorable one. I would hardly call the teacher elderly, but she was definitely one of the wisest, most faithful women I have ever been taught be. Of course, this woman was my mother. She taught excellent lessons and always invited the Spirit into the room. I believe she was called to teach me as a high school graduate, because my first two years of college would be filled with young teachers who often said the opposite of truth and chased away the Spirit. Thank you mom for making my RS Beginnings so special.
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