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Show Relief Society Conference ; he Relief Society has played important roles in the lives of three General Authorities, it was discovered in individual interviews prior to the opening of the Relief Society conference. President Marion G. Romney, second counselor in the First Presidency, Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder James E. Faust, Assistant to the Twelve, were featured speakers during the officers meeting and the general session of the Relief Society conference. President Harold B. Lee also spoke, urging the women during his unscheduled appearance to support their husbands. In his office prior to conference, President Romney said, Ive been acquaint1 ed with Relief Society throughout my life. My mother was a stake Relief Society president, and Ive lived with a devoted Relief Society worker for quite a few years ho said, smiling, as he recounted some of the experiences his wife, Mrs. Ida Jensen Romney, has brought into his hfe through her Relief Society work. I remember when she was a counselor in the Relief Society of Monument Park Stake, in charge of administering welfare work under the direction of bishop. She had quite a desire to help help themselves. One time, she had me put her sewing machine m the car and take it to a family who didnt have a machine, but needed some clothes. She sent her own machine so the mother of that family could make clothes for her children, President Romney said. I also remember she used to bring ome children to our home to let them 1 a bath in our tub. said his earliest Packer iecoLet;n 0j Rcijcf Society is in relation to thv visiting teachers. I can remember see (W0 sisters coming up the street to our Elder Packer said. My mother attehiC(j Relief Society, and the Relief Society ca,1e t0 her. In a brief, but effh.jVCi staiement, (the I I I f -- Er ne, Elder Packer said, The church is a family; the Relief Society is the sisterhood. Elder Faust said hes had the blessings of Relief Society through his mother, and in his own home, through his wife. "Now the Relief Society has accountability for another member of my family. he said. My daughter, Lisa, is 18 and is among the newcomers to the Relief Society program. President Romney spoke at the general session of Relief Society conference, and Elder Packer and Elder Faust spoke at the officers meeting, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Also speaking at the genera! session were Mrs. Belle S. Spafford, Relief Society general president, and her counselors, Mrs. Marianne C. Sharp and Mrs. Louise VV. Madsen. President Romney emphasized the importance of the home. The home has its prototype in heaven a heaven where perfect order is maintained by a government established upon family organization, a patriarchal government, he said. This divine government was the protoheaven type for the government inspired first established among men." He stressed that the Lord Himself united Adam and Eve in the holy bonds of wedlock, establishing in earth the institution of marriage, patterned after the older prevailing in heaven. Surely it is an impelling incentive to know that we as the children of God, through obedience to the laws of the gospel, may be reunited for all eternity with our heavenly parents in that celestial home. It seems to me, however, that the incentive does not reach its culmination until one realizes that through the new and everlasting covenant of celestial marriage, God has made available to us the means by which w'e may have an, eternal home of our own. President Romney said he could think greater present need than an understanding of and obedience to gospel of no Mrs. Belle S. Spafford opens session as Elders Boyd K. Packer and jjames E. Faust, with their wives, and Mrs. Hcrold B. lee look on. gles into the wa ni, secure, comforting feeling that they have a place in the church, which church includes babes in arms, children, teenagers, married folks, as well as younger and older singles." Mrs. Spaffords address at the officers meeting also reflected her concern to see all women in the church be served by the Relief Society program. In her official report and instructions, Mrs. Spafford reported on the growth of the Relief Society membership, and explained the new correlated reporting system, and reported that more than six million visits were made to homes by visiting teachers during the past fiscal year. She gave statistics on compassionate service rendered (495,009 visits to the sick and homebound; 44,600 eight-hou- r days bedside nursing care assistance at the time of death in 23,500 cases, and 1,313,500 hours of compassionate sen ice). Explaining the need for an organization such as the Relief Society, Mrs. Spafford said, Experience has taught us that acts of kindness and charity performed independently by a person arc good and should be encouraged. Nonetheless, we must recognize that there are certain distinct advantages when such services are organization identified. Organization effort, generally speaking, is more orderly and more justly directed, and lesouices other than time and effort are usually more available. The service is less inclined to be merely temporary in nature, rather than to be continued until the underlying cause of the distress is reached by its healing influence. Mrs. Marianne C. Sharp, in her adEmphasizing that Relief Society is a dress, said it is a privilege to live in this charitable organization, Elder Packer day when the gospel has been restored, related in a moving story how members that choice spirits have been reserved to can be of assistance. He told of attending come forth in the last days, and that the. the funeral of a young mother who had young generation is great in spirit and died, leaving seven children in the care will be great in accomplishment. of her husband. Great faith was shown These present years are years of by the young father, Elder Packer said,, but greater than the tempopreparation, sisas he explained how a Relief Society ral preparation is the spiritual preparater went to assist with two of the tion, she said. younger children at the funeral. She then named some things that need Elder Packer paid tribute to Mrs. to be done to prepare ourselves spiritualSpafford, and related the story of her ly: We need to rejoice that we are not call to serve in a ward Relief Society, left to winder to and fro, but that we while still a young wife and mother. have a shepherd and He has a prophet That organization is for my mother. here on earth to whom He manifests His she had said to the bishop issuing the will. We need to listen and obey the sure call. Elder Packer said Mrs. Spafford word of the prophet of God. had asked to be released several times, Mrs. Louise W. Madsens address had but the bishope perservered in her as its theme. The path to wisdom truth staying in the presidency. is the highest way, the way in which all He then mentioned some successes doubt and uncertainty are dispelled and that have come into Mrs. Spaffords life, and surety are realized, she knowledge and said her powerful and inspirational said. We live in a world of pleasures, influence has been felt not only in the temptations and self indulgence. This church, but also throughout the world. kind of world makes wisdom difficult to acquire unless we learn to discipline Elder Faust centered his remarks on ourselves. Nevertheless, the way of wisthe new accountability the Relief Society dom is always open. has for younger w'omen in the church. Mrs. Madsen pointed out that peace is Asking his daughter Lisa, to stand, another blessing which must be earned. Elder Faust said, There are tens of It comes only wih righteous living and thousands of faces like Lisas for whom constant mre "Some concern. guarding of oneself from wronghave should you calm serenity of peace is a The are doing,. younger Young Adult faces. Some of benediction God, she said. older are Others faces. Interest Special idenMrs. Madsen cautioned the women, Special Irerest faces. Each has an You will become as small as your contity; each u, special; each is an individual with sepal ate hopes and needs," he trolling desire, as great as your dominant said. Elder Faust challenged the Relief aspiration. Society leaders to become acquainted Mrs. In concluding her remarks, with these young women, and learn what Madsen challenged the Relief Society their needs are. leaders that they must pray without ceasHe told the leaders he did not want to ing to cbtain a testimony of the truth. see these young women separated from she said. "To unStudy is imperative, the mainstream of society or of the derstand religious truth, it must be studchurch. "I want to include all adult sin ded. Truth must.be practiced as well. 1 1 CHURCH WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 6, 1973 It teachings concerning our homes. seems the consensus of those who write and talk about the subject is that there is an alarming breakdown in the discipline and stability of the home, with resulting moral decay in every segment of our society. Our own homes are not immune from these infections," he said. Continuing, he said, We church members must strengthen our defenses against these evil forces. There are too many delinquents among us; there are too many of our brides and grooms who do not get married in the temple. There are too many divorces, too many broken homes, too many children growing up without being grounded in the knowledge of the gospel. President Romney then quoted Docand urged trine and Covenants fi8: that parents would teach their children to seek righteousness. Elder Packer recounted an experience he had while in England earlier this year. I heard on the news that there was going to be a gas strike, he said. The government officials were asking postal employes and delivery hoys to report things they saw that indicated that there might be a need for help among the people on their routes. I immediately thought about the priesthood and the Relief Society organization. Thank the Lord for a program like the Relief Society that would see two sisters going to various homes, taking care of the elderly and the needy, Elder Packer said. 25-3- |
