I love the gospel! I love Relief Society and am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve you. My desire is for each of you to have joy in the gospel, peace in your homes and safety from the perils of the world. As I’ve reviewed the messages from our last General Conference, I have noticed an underlying theme – the need for spiritual strength. As the world increases in unrighteousness, we must strengthen ourselves spiritually so that we may receive the guidance we need to stand in holy places in spite of what is going on around us. Elder Larry R. Lawrence said, “If spiritual growth is not a priority in our lives, if we are not on a course of steady improvement, we will miss out on the important experiences that God wants to give us.”
How can we grow spiritually and be prepared to receive these important experiences?
- First, we must decide. We must express to Heavenly Father our desire for spiritual strength. In so doing we have knocked and He, through our Savior, will open the door.
- Second, we must trust in the Lord. We must trust that He will grant us spiritual strength as we strive, in righteousness, to receive it. Elder Vern P. Stanfill said, “As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight.”
- Third, we must heed the promptings we are given. We are strengthened each time we hear and answer a call from the Lord. We become better able to recognize promptings because we have practiced by listening AND heeding.
Love, Sis. Michelle Holt - President
