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
