A Few Notes from the General Relief Society Broadcast

I have been so ornery today! (I think it is in partly because yesterday I totally indulged in way to many yummy yet deadly foods, all involving white sugar and/or white flour.) But I realize even more strongly that it is due to losing some of the balance that I have been so desperately seeking. Sure, I have been going through the motions, but sometimes (more often than not) I forget the WHYs of what I am doing. Especially when it comes to things of the Spirit (my favorite part of life!)

I just watched the General Relief Society annual broadcast. It was wonderful. Here are just a few of the incredible words that were spoken:

Julie B Beck, Relief Sociey General President

We need to a render more service, sincerely come to know each sister, do the things He would do if He were here, concentrate more on caring about our sisters more than our busy lists of things to do, help people grow spiritually (focusing on visiting teaching, but to me it also means throughout life!)

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Silvia H Allred, First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency

The first presidency has requested that we study the new Relief Society book "Daughters in My Kingdom" about the history of the Relief Society organization.

We learn that Charity is not a single act or something we give a way, but a way of living. How do we receive charity? Have a sincere desire, pray to be filled with Christ's love, read the scriptures daily to acquaint ourselves with the Savior's charitable examples. Joseph Smith showed charity, and Thomas S Monsen is a perfect example of charity to us today. Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down, refusing to be offended easily, seeing people as they really are, looking past physical appearances. When we serve others with charity, we serve when it is not convenient, not expecting the act to be reciprocated.

Acts of charity soften hearts. Acts of charity are guided by the Savior's examples. Providing charity helps us to overcome our own difficulties and make them seem less challenging.

Joseph Smith said, "If you live up to these principles (of charity,) how great will be your joy in the Lord's Kindgom." (paraphrased...)

All acts of charity have a healing power.

All of us should pray for charity. The Lord will crown our efforts with success.

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

If ye will cleave unto thy God, the destroyer will have no strength over thee. Retire with prayer and thy heart will be comforted.

The temple endowment brings us out of darkness and into marvelous light.

We covenant to give up all that we are, all that we possess for the Kingdom of God. Great are the blessings we receive when we cleave unto our covenants.

Joy comes from faithfulness in keeping in the commandments of God. Ammon said "How great reason we have to rejoice. My joy is full. Yay, my heart is filled with joy...." as he brought thousands unto Christ.

When members of the church keep their covenants, they feel tremendous joy amid the trials they face. "We know God will guide us and sustain us..."

Temples allow the Lord to pour out His blessings upon His people.

When people sift through our belongings after we have died, will they find evidence that we have kept our covenants?

Keeping our covenants is joy and peace, protection, and joy in times of trial.

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Forget Me Not: doesn't attract immediate attention, but has a hounding plea in its name.

5 petals, 5 symbols:

Forget not to be patient and compassionate with yourself. God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect. Neither are the people that you think are perfect. yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others, usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. It is wonderful that we have strengths and part of God's plan in our mortal existence to have weaknesses. One day, God plans to turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but we are not there yet. Be patient and compassionate with yourselves. Celebrate the tiny successes and may, like the forget me not, may seem to go unnoticed, but God notices everything.

Forget not the different between a good sacrifice for a foolish sacrifice. Losing a few hours of sleep sitting with a child having a nightmare--good sacrifice. Staying up all night to make an accessory for her sunday dress--foolish sacrifice. :)

Forget not to be happy now. We are often looking for that "golden ticket." One woman lookes so forward to being married. She would be the perfect mother and wife, with lots of children who preferred to spend all of their time with mom and dad. This was her golden ticket. but it never happened. She couldn't understand why God would not grant this righteous desire, and she became bitter. She worked with children at school, but was disliked by them and was often mean to them. This circumstance caused her to miss the opportunity to influence hundreds of children for good as a teacher. If we spend all our days looking for the beautiful bouquet of roses, we may miss the forget me nots. Never stop wishing for all the righteous desires, but don't close your heart to all of the beauty and sweetness of every day moments. Weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder to be truly happy.

Forget not the WHY of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We sometimes see the gospel as a long list of tasks to add to our already long to-do list. We focus on what and how to do what the Lord wants us to do, but we sometimes forget WHY! The gospel is not an obligation. It is a pathway, marked by our loving Heavenly Father, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressable fulfillment in the life to come. The eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the why. Let us not walk unaware of the beauty of the glorious earthly and spiritual landscapes that surround us. Seek out the exhilarating joy . It will inspire and uplift you! The what and how of obedience marks the way and keeps us on the right path, but the why of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. it magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration.

Forget not that Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you.

We are not forgotten of the Savior! no matter how dark things me seem, how insignificant you may feel, you are known and remembered by the most majestic and powerful being of the Universe. He knows our name. We are the daughters of His Kingdom. We are closer to heaven than we suppose. We are destined for more than we can imagine. Treasure the gift of membership in this glorious and true church. Continue to seek out those who need your help.

Never forget that you are a precious daughter in the Lord's kingdom.

There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget me not flower. Let it be a symbol of the little things that make your life joyful and sweet.