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Thursday, March 22, 2018

April 2018 Kanesville Stake Relief Society Message


April, 2018

Dear Sisters,
What a blessing it is to be a member of the Relief Society! As a newly called member of the Stake Relief Society Presidency I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit several wards in our stake. During each visit I have felt an outpouring of sisterhood. I’ve been touched and inspired by your love and concern for each other and your sincere desire to serve and care for the sisters and families in your wards and neighborhoods.
As I’ve reflected on my visits with you I’m reminded of the selfless love described in the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi’s husband and sons had died. She loved her daughters-in-law very much and knew that as widows their future with her would be extremely difficult. Naomi exhibited great courage and selflessly released the women from the tradition which required that they remain with her. She encouraged them to return to their families enabling them to remarry or be cared for by their kinsman.
Ruth understood the hardships that lay ahead but she loved Naomi and she loved her Heavenly Father, and so she stayed. When a grief-stricken Naomi decided to return to her own country, Ruth demonstrated her faith and love by leaving behind her home to serve and care for Naomi all her days. Although these women came from very different cultural and religious backgrounds, a sisterhood was formed. Despite hardship they were faithful, they supported each other in righteous living and they worked together to overcome the trials of life. Both Ruth and Naomi exhibited charity and compassionate service, even though the circumstances of life were bitter.
Bitter experiences come into the lives of us all. Fortunately, the Lord understands how difficult it is to meet life’s trials on our own. That is why he gave us the gospel—and that’s why he gave us each other!  Loving service as Ruth exhibited is the hallmark of true sisterhood.  Like Ruth, as we follow the example of the Savior continually reaching out in tenderness to those around us we can recognize quiet opportunities to love and serve one another.
As we pray daily for Christ-like compassion and opportunities to serve we will be led to sisters who may be lonely and isolated, to those longing for acceptance and friendship. We will be guided to others who simply feel they don’t belong or who believe that their physical, emotional, or spiritual burdens block them from full sisterhood and the blessings of the gospel. As sisters in Christ we must draw our friends and neighbors nearer to us.  Through humble service and sincere love, we can help all our Heavenly Fathers precious daughters feel welcome and wanted.
I am thankful for Relief Society and the opportunity it provides to demonstrate love in action.  I pray that we will follow the wise counsel of Sister Lucy Mack Smith who taught that “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.”  (Lucy Mack Smith, in Relief Society Minute Book Nauvoo Illinois, Mar.24, 1842)

Love,

Jill Merritt
2nd Counselor