More than 8 million women worldwide belong to the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“By giving and receiving salvation, both temporal and spiritual, we draw closer to and become more like Jesus Christ,” said Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson in her opening remarks for the World Relief Society devotional, available for viewing on Sunday, March 8.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said speaking to the women of the Church is a great responsibility.
“You have my love and admiration for who you are and your dedication to the Lord and His Church in this difficult world,” Elder Cook said. “Dear sisters, do not underestimate your capable, loving and sensitive influence and influence on those with whom you associate. You are blessing many by striving to live a Christ-like life.”
Women are invited to join their wards and stakes in observing this devotion as part of this month’s celebration of Relief Society’s 184th anniversary. The devotional will also feature remarks and testimony from Sister J. Annette Dennis and Sister Christine M. Yee, advisors to President Johnson.
On March 8, the Relief Society General Advisory Committee also released a series of discussion videos. Discussion videos can be used simultaneously with broadcast or at any time throughout the year.
President Johnson said all messages were designed with the women of the Church in mind.
Elder Cook encourages women to deepen their conversion
Elder Cook said women sometimes feel like no matter how hard they work, nothing they do is ever enough. But their work, kindness, and love immeasurably bless others and “that is enough.”
These are turbulent times when the world is in turmoil, and many of the challenges are spiritual.
“There was always opposition to everything,” Elder Cook said. “The difference today is that people who are skeptical of big, spacious buildings seem to be louder, more argumentative, and less tolerant than at any time in my life.”
I shared this counsel and comfort from the Lord found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:34: “Do not be afraid, little flock, but do good; earth and hell will be united against you; for if you are built on My rock, they will not be able to overcome you.”
The Lord also admonished us in verse 36, “Look unto Me in all your thoughts; do not doubt, and do not be afraid.”
In Alma chapter 5, Alma emphasized four qualities that make us sinless before God, which Elder Cook said are relevant to issues that exist today.
“Are we humble enough?” “Are we robbed of our pride?” “Are we no longer jealous?” “Are we mocking and persecuting our brothers and sisters?”
Elder Cook said that while much of the world discusses temporary, day-to-day economic issues, there is little discussion about returning to Christlike principles and preparing to meet God. “We need to focus on our lives and put more emphasis on spiritual matters.”
Looking back on the events leading up to the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple, Elder Cook said he is particularly moved by the faith of the women. These dedicated women made great sacrifices because they knew the eternal importance of making covenants in the house of the Lord. And the faith and knowledge gained in the temple helped them face the unknown when crossing the plains.
“I think the women of the Church today are incredibly strong and faithful,” Elder Cook said.
Elder Cook said the conditions in the world today require deepening and strengthening faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement, and the Lord has prepared His people for this time.
“I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Savior of the world. He is alive and will give us the love and guidance we need to turn to Him.”
President Johnson: “Stay with Jesus Christ”
President Johnson said he feels a deep “soul-shaking love” for the women of the Church and wishes he could tell each one of them that they can trust in Jesus Christ.
“I know life is hard. You can work hard with Jesus or you can work hard alone. It’s your choice. But when you work hard with Jesus Christ, hard becomes holy. You become a holy woman,” she said.
A woman told President Johnson about her daughter who died of cancer and another who was hospitalized after a car accident. Mother bore her testimony of serving angels and eternal families. Although her earthly experience remained difficult, she chose to persevere with Jesus Christ.
President Johnson spoke about another woman who was raising four young children on her own while their mother was diagnosed with cancer. This woman trusted Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and prepared to go to the Lord’s house to make covenants in the temple.
“While her earthly experiences remain difficult, the path forward feels easier because she has chosen to be united to the Savior in a covenant. It’s not easy, but it’s easier because she now has greater access to the Lord’s healing and strengthening power,” President Johnson said.
President Johnson explained that this woman, like Hannah in the Old Testament, was refined and became holy in the fire of adversity. That is why she can testify that when women do difficult things not alone, but with Jesus Christ, their hardships become sacred.
“Sisters, we need more of Jesus Christ. His light, love, hope, and strengthening power of healing,” she said. And the task of the holy woman is to share with others the spiritual salvation of the Savior.
Sister Denise feels heavenly love
Sister Dennis said that sometimes it is difficult to feel the love of our Heavenly Father and Savior, but it is always there. The sun is still present even on cloudy and stormy days.
“Sisters, I testify that nothing can separate us from the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Their light and love for us is as constant and constant as the light and warmth of the sun,” she said.
When Sister Denise moved to Mexico with her husband, she didn’t speak the language well and was far from her family. She was pregnant with her first baby and felt alone, lost, and afraid. But some of the Relief Society sisters wrapped their arms around her and helped her feel not alone.
“Being able to feel their love and acceptance for me lifted the cloud of darkness I was feeling and allowed me to feel Heavenly Father’s love and support for me again,” Sister Dennis said. “Sisters, we can do that for each other.”
She pointed out that the temptation to compare and judge one another comes from adversaries who seek to divide people. But women can help each other feel the Savior’s love while striving to be united as daughters of God.
Those who are suffering hardship, hardship, or loss can trust that if they remain faithful to God, their losses will be made up for, she said, adding, “Remember also God’s promise: ‘All things work together for good to those who love God’ (Romans 8:28).”
Lighten your burden with Sister Yi
A while ago, Sister Yi found herself in a difficult situation. This situation began to eat away at her thinking and deeply troubled her. Nothing seemed to change and she felt stuck and longed to be free.
One night, she asked Heavenly Father for help in prayer. And I remembered that my burdens were lifted through Jesus Christ.
“Peace began to replace the heaviness, a peace that was truly beyond my comprehension, a peace that knew this situation was in the hands of the Father and the Son and that it was not my responsibility,” she said. “When I chose to give my burdens to them, I felt their love and comfort and knew how to get the support I needed.”
The difficult situation did not go away, but it did not torment her or dominate her thoughts in the same way. The Lord lightened her burden.
“Sisters, choose to believe in Jesus Christ and seek the help you need through His atoning power,” Sister Yi said, adding, “His atonement and suffering were and are for you.”
Sister Yee pointed to the teachings of President Dallin H. Oaks in October 2015 general conference. “I believe that because of our Savior’s redemptive experience in mortality, he can comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but only to those who seek Him and ask for His help.”
Sister Yi testified that as women choose to believe in Jesus Christ, learn about Him, repent, and let the reality of His redemption permeate every part of their lives, the way they view the Lord in their lives changes.
How to watch
Relief Society devotions and discussion videos from around the world are available in multiple languages through the Gospel Library, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and the Church’s Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ YouTube channel.
