"DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM"

I'm in the primary, but my night job is Visiting Teaching Supervisor. This last Sunday we had our Visiting Teaching Conference.

Teri and I decided to do it in conjuction with the beautiful book

"Daughters in My Kingdom."

 We wanted to do a program that would properly introduce this lovely book to the ladies in our Ward.

 I read the book a number of times to pull together a program to do just that.

I loved everything I read in this book.

 It talks about how the "history of Relief Society is filled with examples of ordinary women accomplishing extrordinary things."

 As I worked to pull this together small examples of this happened as they always do here.

 Just" ask and it shall be given."

 Women came together and presented a program just as I had envisioned.

The book tells us how

 "The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus Christ."

How wonderful to know that He knows and loves us and wants women to be happy and successful in whatever we want to accomplish.

From the very beginning, women of Relief Society have been guided by the spirit of inspiration.

 As the pioneers travelled west, they did not necessarily have meetings but they continued to serve one another.

They helped one another through many trying times.

"The women found spiritual strength in each other's love and compassion. Throughout the journey as they suffered trials of illness and death, they prayed in faith for each other and comforted each other. The love of God flowed from heart to heart. These faithful pioneer women had a vision of their power and potential for service. They helped establish homes and communities. Through deeds of faith and charity, they saved souls."

 ~Bathsheba Smith

"When World War II ended Relief Society sisters worldwide had suffered much sorrow and deprivation.

Through it all, they continued to serve one another, strengthen families, and bolster testimonies.

In times of trial and uncertainty, sisters worldwide followed Mormon's admonition to "cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all."

They demonstrated their sure understanding that while all things must fail..

"charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever".

 Time and time again, women of the church stay true to their motto:

 "Charity never faileth."

Today the women of the church are stronger than ever.

 " If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates...

If you will be pure, nothing can hinder."

~Joseph Smith

President Kimball was asked if he had ever been to heaven?

 He answered that he had glimpses.

Well this past week I had glimpses.

 I had the music 'Come, Come Ye Saints' and 'Sisters in Zion' going through my head during the pioneer segment of this program.

 And of course Pat, who had family with her all week, took the time to arrange those two songs together so my friend Laurel could play them on her flute.

Pat also came up with a beautiful song to end our program and again my friend Betty along with five other beautiful voices came together in perfect harmony.

Teri always finishes with a perfect touch.

She talked of the "glimpes of heaven" that she had observed as Relief Society President.

Many have been blessed as women served,

from Sandy recovering from a brain tumor,

Barbara from cancer,

and would you believe it - two mom's with two sets of twin girls born in the last nine months!

 So many women caring for one another just as they have from the beginning.

Clarissa Williams said,

"Through our organization the gospel has been preached, the needy have been looked after, the sick have been comforted, the downhearted have been cheered..The greatest thing in the world is love. And if we keep that always in our hearts, and give it as a message to those about us, we will be blessed and will be instruments in blessing those with whom we associate."

I love these women.

They are truly a fulfillment of the vision of what Relief Society was and would become.

They are examples of ordinary women

 accomplishing extrordianry things.