Friday, September 23, 2011

Women's Conference

The Relief Society General Presidency
Silvia Allred, First Counselor; Julie Beck, President; and Barbara Thompson, Second Counselor
“We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.”
- Thomas S. Monson

There is not a one-size-fits-all Mormon woman. They are married, divorced, single or widowed; they are daughters, mothers, aunts and grandmothers. They are often homemakers, and some may have other challenging vocations.
 
President Julie Beck says that regardless of the roles, each woman has in common the opportunity to be a part of an organization that teaches how to build faith in Jesus Christ, encourages study and self-improvement, emphasizes the divine worth of women, exercises charity and service, strengthens families and creates a system of support and friendship.

Relief Society sisters worldwide are invited to view the satellite broadcast of the general Relief Society meeting, which will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) and will be broadcast to many areas of the world.

All sisters 18 years of age and older are encouraged to gather together in meetinghouses to view the broadcast.

Video of the broadcast will also be available live in American Sign Language, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish at conference.lds.org. Additional languages will be available as a live audio broadcast at the same site. Archives of the broadcast will be available in those same languages at the same site within 24 hours. Live audio will also be available in English at mormonchannel.org.

If you are in the Whittier area, the broadcast begins at 5 p.m. in the Whittier Stake Center on Mulberry.  The broadcast will be followed by an enchilada dinner. 

Within the structure of the Church, women have opportunities to be leaders, give sermons during worship services and offer congregational prayers. They take an active role in the Church's welfare program by teaching self-reliance principles and helping resolve individual temporary and long-term needs. There is also an extensive home visiting program in which women of the Church call on one another regularly with support and encouragement.

When Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society in 1842, he explained the purpose of the Relief Society was "relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan, and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes."

Relief Society is the largest, and oldest women's organization in the world.  Whether it's fostering literacy throughout the world, providing needed immunizations for children in poverty stricken areas, or bringing in a meal for a family in crisis, Relief Society is there.  I'm proud to be a part of it! 

And, on a (sorta kinda) related note: Happy Autumnal Equinox!  Thus begins my absolute favorite time of year.  From here on in the weather gets cooler and (at least here in Southern California) there is an increased chance of rain (my favorite).  Next weekend is the semi-annual General Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City (I can't wait!), then starts the slide into all my favorite holidays.  What's not to like?

To all my lovely readers - thanks for spending a few moments with me each day!  Hope this finds you happy, healthy and feeling loved wherever you may be in the world.

1 comment:

ellen said...

Marianne, I love your blog and the uplifting messages of encouragement and faith. You are such a source of inspiration, love, faith and hope. Thank you.