A couple of years ago a humor columnist for a local Utah newspaper wrote on a serious and thought-provoking subject. I quote from this article: “Being a go-to-church Mormon in Utah means living so close to fellow ward members that not much happens that the entire congregation doesn’t know about in five minutes tops.” He continues: “This kind of cheek-to-jowl (very close together) living can be intrusive. … It also happens to be one of our greatest strengths.” The author goes on to say: “At work on Tuesday, I caught the noon news broadcast on television. A van had been obliterated in a traffic crash. A young mother and two small children were being rushed to emergency rooms by helicopter and ambulance. … Hours later I learned that the van belonged to the young couple living across the street from me in Herriman, Eric and Jeana Quigley. “Not only do I see the Quigleys in church, … we ate dinner with them at a neighborhood party the night before the crash. Our grandkids played with daughters Bianca and Miranda. … “Fourteen-month-old Miranda suffered serious head injuries and died three days later at Primary Children’s Hospital. “Here’s where all that nosiness … pays off. Although the accident occurred several miles from home, the dust literally had not settled before someone from the ward stopped and was pulling through the wreckage. The rest of the ward knew about it before the cops and paramedics showed up. “Ward members went to all three hospitals, contacted Eric at work, and organized into labor squads. People who didn’t get in on the immediate-need level were frantic for some way to help. “In 48 hours, the Quigley yard was mowed, home cleaned, laundry done, refrigerator stocked, relatives fed and a trust fund set up at a local bank. We would have given their dog a bath if they had one.” The author concludes with this insightful comment: “There is a positive side to the congregational microscope my ward lives under. … What happens to a few happens to all” (Robert Kirby, “Well-Being of Others Is Our Business,” Salt Lake Tribune, July 30, 2005, p. C1). What does it mean to bear one another’s burdens? Do I have to keep such a vigilant watch over my neighbor’s that I look through my windows with binoculars….or overstep my boundaries as a concerned neighbor? Do I have to take care of every need that another in the ward has? How do I know when it is the right time for me to step in and give help to someone I know has a need? What if they refuse my help? What if I am not in a financial position to offer the kind of assistance that they need? Is it necessary to give more attention to someone in the ward than to my own family? When is the service I have given too much? Does every service I provide need to be a big production? Why is it that sometimes I hesitate and other times I jump right in and help immediately? These are all very valid questions. Often we doubt ourselves when it comes to giving or offering to give service to someone. First of all we need to understand what a burden is. “A burden is something that is carried, a load, a responsibility, a duty, something that is oppressive or worrisome” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary). The mere fact that we are human and have been placed on this earth to learn and grow means that we will encounter burdens throughout our lifetime. Burdens come in a variety of forms and degrees of severity. Some last but a short time and are relatively easy to bear while others continue for years, wearing us down emotionally and physically. “Difficulties come into our lives, problems we do not anticipate and which we would never choose. None of us is immune. The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be.” ( President Thomas S. Monson, “God Be with You Till We Meet Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2012, ) The burdens that we must endure are for our growth and our good. Class members give a list of examples: (just call them out) Grief, hunger, mistrust, loss, lack, self-esteem, safety, frustration, finances, money, relationships, worry, security, death, family, illness, grades, responsibility, secrets, stress, conflict, school, doubt, fear, guilt, etc. Elder L. Whitney Clayton, President of the Seventy, points out “Burdens that we must endure, generally speaking, come from three main sources: A natural condition of the world we live in. We have no control over these and they occur through no fault of our own. Illness physical disability natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc) (We can plan for, and even predict some of these, but we will all encounter some of these in our life.) Some burdens are imposed upon us by the misconduct of others. Abuse and addictions (burdensome for innocent family members) incorrect traditions, repression (forceful control), crime gossip, unkindness (cause others genuine suffering) Our own mistakes and shortcomings. Sin (the most difficult and burdensome to deal with)” “Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection. They invite us to yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19); Thus burdens become blessings; but they take time, effort, and faith to accept and understand” (L. W. Clayton, That Your Burdens May Be Light, Nov 2009). What are the virtues that burdens allow us to practice? (list) - yield to the enticings of the HG - Put off natural man - become a saint - become as a child - submissive - meek - humble - patient - full of love - willing to submit to all things Each of us is going to have many trials and burdens in our lives to endure and work through. The refinement that we go through by enduring our burdens helps us to develop empathy for problems that others must go through. That empathy reserve is what we must draw upon to offer our love and support to each other. The Apostle Paul taught us that we should “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2 What does it mean to bear one another’s burdens? Alma answers this question beautifully in Mosiah 18:8-9. He teaches us that our baptismal covenants require that we should be “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and [be] willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” Skipping down to verses 27-29 (Mosiah 18) And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, everyone according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those…that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. …having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.” (Mosiah 18:27-29) What do these scriptures teach us? (list commandments from previous scriptures) Keeping our baptismal covenants helps ease our own burdens as well as those whom we serve. This service of bearing one another’s burdens is a holy act that we perform. The Savior taught this principle when the righteous asked: “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:35-40 As we fulfill our covenants by bearing one another’s burdens, we must learn service and charity. Service requires action. We must do something. We cannot learn of another’s burdens and wish them away. We must act upon that knowledge and offer assistance. Service can be given in many ways and we must all be willing to serve no matter our age, income, or abilities. We each have gifts and abilities to share with others. We can help others economically, spiritually, physically, and socially. Our gifts of service can be large or small…don’t pass up the opportunity to help someone because you think it won’t be big enough or good enough. Often a service that may seem small and insignificant to you is huge to the recipient and an answer to their prayer. One point that is very important to remember as we strive to serve others: It is not our job to take away another’s burden but to help them bear it. We can’t fix everything, nor should we try. The load or stress that we each carry is part of our personal refinement process. Taking it completely away from someone deprives them of that growth and learning. However, we are under covenant to help them get through that struggle emotionally, spiritually, physically, and socially. We must lift them up, buoy them up, help them cope, and help them find tools to work through the burden themselves, but never take it away. Charity is the purest form of love we can attain. It is the love that Christ has for us. President Kimball said, “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Teachings of Presidents of the church: Spencer W. Kimball, 2006, p. 82). What does it mean if I offer service to someone in need and they refuse it? Does that make me a failure? Does that mean they don’t like me? No. Everyone has the right to accept or refuse our acts of kindness, service, and charity. It is very easy to give help to others, but it is very difficult to accept it ourselves. Why are we like that? We don’t want to appear less than perfect to others. But do you know what… we all need help. Christ gave us the most perfect example of our choice to accept or refuse service from one another. In John 13: 4-17 we read: “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean… So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: … for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”(John 13:4-17) This beautiful example of service given by Jesus, teaches us that we must avail ourselves to others. We must allow people to serve us and we must serve others; no one is better than the other. Each one of us will go through difficult times with burdens too heavy for us to carry alone. We need help to get through those times. Humbling ourselves to accept the service and charity offered by others lifts us, lifts them, and both are strengthened. When we give service or bear one another’s burdens, we do not have the right to make judgment upon those we serve. That is not our place or our burden to carry. King Benjamin teaches this principle beautifully in Mosiah chapter 4. It is our duty to give aid, to lift, to teach, to help, without judging, giving with that Christ-like love that we receive from our HF through others. (Mosiah 4:21) King Benjamin further instructs us: “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.” (Mosiah 4:27) Our first responsibility is to care for the needs of our family; then we should help all who need help. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to “… succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. (D&C 81:5) President Kimball reminds us that “So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds!” (Teachings of Presidents of the church: Spencer W. Kimball, (2006), 79-88). In Ezekiel 34 we are given the Savior’s example of service. Reading through the chapter we find such words as strengthen, bind up, bring again, seek, search, deliver, bring them out, gather, and feed. These are all action verbs. The Lord wants us to actively seek, serve, and save others. (Kathy K. Clayton, Apr 2011 BYU/RS Women’s Conference) In Isaiah 6:8 Jesus once again demonstrates His willingness to serve. “Here am I, send me.” We must model ourselves after this example. We need to develop the disposition of “Here am I, send me.” We need to teach our children to follow this example as well. Examples of service: Hailey Norris, the 17 yr old, daughter of my VT companion, demonstrated action, lifting up another, and compassion for a lady in a store parking lot several weeks ago. Hailey and her friends noticed a lady looking quite distressed and like she had been out in the heat for a long time. Hailey asked the lady if she needed some help. The lady said that she had been asking for several hours for someone, anyone to help her change a flat tire. Many people ignored her, walked by her, and just left her stranded. (Does this remind you of a parable we know?) Neither Hailey nor the lady knew how to change a tire, Hailey didn’t even know what lug nuts were or what the long handle did…BUT, she figured it out and changed the tire. As she was trying to figure out what to do ideas came into her mind, she was given what she needed to change that tire. The lady was so appreciative of Hailey’s service that she offered to pay her. Hailey refused any money but told her to “have a better rest of the day.” As Hailey recounted this experience to her mother, mom found this to be a teaching moment for Hailey. Mom explained to Hailey that the Holy Ghost was helping her to help this lady. What a beautiful example of service from a Young Woman. Even though Hailey didn’t know what to do…she did something. Hailey didn’t walk away, she didn’t tell her I’m too busy, or I don’t know how. She worked and fumbled through until the two of them figured it out. I never cease to be amazed by the willingness I see in some to serve, no matter their personal situation. Sometimes the service required of us is very physical, back-breaking work; other times it requires our faith and prayers; and other times it requires a listening ear, a hug, or something as simple as a note or a text saying “I was just thinking of you today.” Often those simple acts come at the time they are most needed. Listen to that small voice and act upon those promptings. You may be the one HF is trying to use to get a message to his child who is in need. I love examples of service that are given by our small children. I have some sweet little neighbor girls that come to my house with beautiful pictures, cards, and flowers at random times. They come and visit me, they tell me stories of their day, they sing and dance, and even play the piano for me. These girls are little rays of sunshine in my life. (Ask for more examples of service rendered or received.) Lucy Mack Smith said “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.” (Daughters in My Kingdom, 25). “When you love, watch over, and serve others in small and simple ways, you are actively participating in the work of salvation, God’s work, ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’” —Carole M. Stephens “…we all have burdens to bear and burdens to share. An invitation to bear one another’s burdens is an invitation to keep our covenants.” —Linda K. Burton As members of the church, we have a sacred responsibility to bear one another’s burdens. Draw upon those life experiences you have had to develop an increased capacity for love, compassion, and understanding. Become an effective responder when you see a need. Give comfort, show compassion, lift another, and teach others by your example. As we keep our covenant to bear one another’s burdens, we draw closer together as a family, as a ward, as children of God – what happens to one happens to all. I say these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.

At BYU's Women's Conference we were reminded the importance of being a covenant keeper to God and to our loved ones.

Are you planning a Relief Society Activity? Here are 30+ Fun relief society activity ideas your congregation will LOVE!

In my ward we always have refreshments first:-) The plan for the activity is as follows: 6:30 Bless Refreshments/Socializing 7pm...

The Boulder Stake Relief Society conference, “Something Extraordinary,” on Feb. 22, 2014, focused on the capabilities of Relief Society sisters. The theme of the conference came from a statement by…

Get inspired by these two lists of hundreds of service and activity Ideas for Latter-Day Saints (LDS).

Here's 100+ Relief Society Activity Ideas to help you as you're planning your next shin dig with your ward or branch.

At BYU's Women's Conference we were reminded the importance of being a covenant keeper to God and to our loved ones.

DeAnna Murphy serves as a Stake Relief Society President in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also runs Strength Strategy where she consults businesses, coaches, and individuals.

Oh Family Home Evening.... Who doesn't need help in this department???? lol... Here is what our Relief Society did to help the sisters with their Monday Night FHE's. Our theme was Secrets of a Successful FHE. Here is a picture of our invitations. For a blank copy CLICK HERE And here is what the posters looked like that we put on both sides of the foyer. As they arrived the sisters were led by some foot prints into the Primary Room. We had Mission Impossible and Pink Panther music playing. Our Bishop IS THEE COOLEST and he agreed to be the one who passed out the TOP SECRET folders as the sisters arrived. Inside the CONFIDENTIAL folders were 2 talks on FHE. One was by President Hinckley and the other by Elder Bednar. For their talks, click HERE and HERE. On the inside of the folder was a place to write any notes and thoughts from the night. We had 3 sisters speak. One talked on having FHE with young children, one talked on FHE with mixed aged kids, and the last speaker talked on having FHE as an empty-nester. We also talked about games to play, blogs that are great helps, and most importantly, TREATS. ~For a list of great FHE blogs CLICK HERE ~For free printables for stories from the Scriptures CLICK HERE. These are made so that you can print, laminate, put a magnet on the back and stick on a cookie sheet. Who needs flannel??? ~For games from sugardoodle CLICK HERE ~For simple treats CLICK HERE ~And for 30 Emergency FHE lessons click over HERE At the end we made 'FHE in a Jar' jars and FHE charts. For handouts to print CLICK HERE (mormonshare.com) and for the printout of this FHE in a Jar label, CLICK HERE Our FHE charts were made from.. get this... PAINT STICKS, CARDBOARD, WIRE and CLOTHESPINS!!! Kinda cute, huh? Here's how to make them: Glue paint stick onto a piece of cardboard and glue clothes pins on the sides (tacky glue) . Write the FHE assignments on the clothespins with permanent marker. Drill 2 small holes and the top and attach wire (curled by wrapping it around a pen). You can also add scrapbook paper to the clothespins, ribbon to the wire, and distress the edges with ink. And pictures of family members and rotate them each Monday Night so everyone gets a turn for each assignment. Add the name at the top and WALLAH!!! You have a cute inexpensive FHE chart!!! Here are some handouts to pass out at the end. The saying is quoted from Elder Bednar's talk. CLICK HERE and HERE to print your own. You can print, laminate and add a magnet to the back!

Here's 100+ Relief Society Activity Ideas to help you as you're planning your next shin dig with your ward or branch.

In this podcast, Kurt interviews Mary Alice Hatch, who is serving as the Relief Society President in her California ward, and Søs Gram, who is serving as a Stake Relief Society President in Germany. Sister Mary Alice Hatch Mary Alice Hatch lives in San Clemente, California. She is originally from Potomac, Maryland, a mother of […]

This past weekend I had the opportunity to decorate for our Stake Women's Conference. I was told that the theme was "Look Up" and that I n...

This Relief Society Flier is all done for you, ready to edit, adapt print and go! I have spent time planning and preparing each activity to hopefully make some lives easier and make things less stressful for fellow activity planners so they can focus on the FUN and CONNECTION. BUY MORE, SAVE MORE! 20% off 3+ items - Code: TWENTY 30% off 5+ items - Code: THIRTY 40% off 10+ items - Code: FORTY Attached is a PDF that will have a print to access your flier. If you don't already have a Canva account you will need to get one (it is FREE and you will LOVE it!) then the flier is all done and ready to edit as a template. If for ANY reason you can't access it or have any issues please contact me and I am happy to help. Enjoy! ****How do I get my printables after I purchase?**** Once an order is placed you will be able to see a link to the Downloads page. There you can download all files from the order. These downloads are available after payment is confirmed. This is usually automatic but can take a few minutes. ****What does my purchase include? **** The purchase of this listing includes a PDF at 8.5" by 11" ****How many can I print? **** You can print as many as you'd like!!! You are welcome to print this as many times as you'd like. Purchasers are prohibited from reselling the file or the printed product. Also buyers are prohibited from sharing or giving this file to others. This purchase is for personal use only. Note: All printers are different as well as computer monitors so colors on prints may differ. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

On Saturday 7th September Madison and I were privileged to meet with Relief Society ladies in our ward (church congregation) for a her...

RS Activity, Relief Society Activity, Night with the Patriarch, Patriarchal Blessings,

Explore top Relief Society activity ideas for memorable gatherings. Fresh & creative inspirations await!

of Sunnyvale

Looking for service projects ideas for your group, your family or yourself. I've compiled a list of 60 ideas. Check them out!

Every year the Women's organization at church, which is called the Relief Society, celebrates the birth of the Relief Society in March. As...

#1 -Click HERE for copy of the play This is a play about the Women of Nauvoo! The First Relief Society Meeting where Joseph pr...

Perfect questionnaire to help the sisters in your ward know more about their ministering sisters. Keep in a main binder, then make copies when reassignments happen. Note: This file is for personal and non-profit church use only and may not be shared, sold, or mass-produced. Sole design copyright remains with kwBALE Designs

On Saturday 7th September Madison and I were privileged to meet with Relief Society ladies in our ward (church congregation) for a her...

It's nice to have an activity for your sisters to work on together as they begin to gather at an event. This is a quiz that may be fun to have on the tables as sisters sit down for the evening. *Forgive the crazy "formatting" - as it was taken off another RS blog/website and I couldn't adjust it... The questions are in bold italic, and the answers are in bold (no italic). (I have this saved as a word document as well as a PDF - please leave a comment, or send me an email and I'll send it to you so you can adjust it to what you need...) 1. What was the first auxillary organization in the Church? Priesthood Relief Society 2. What is the Relief Society Motto? Home, Family & Personal Enrichment Charity Never Faileth Cleanliness is Next to Godliness 3. Who was the longest serving General RS President? Belle S. Spafford Eliza R. Snow Emma Smith 4. The Relief Society is the oldest and largest women’s organization in the world. What date was it officially organized? Mar 20, 1832 Mar 17, 1840 Mar 17, 1842 Mar 20, 1842 5. Who was the first General Relief Society President? Emma Smith Barbara B. Smith Eliza R. Snow 6. The RS was organized under the direction of which President of the Church? Joseph Smith Brigham Young Wilford Woodruff 7. Who was the General RS President in the Susquicentennial Year? Amy Brown Lyman Barbara B. Smith Elaine L. Jack 8. Who was the General RS President during the centennial celebration in 1942? Amy Brown Lyman Belle Spafford Barbara B. Smith 9. During the drought of 1879 the RS made an interest free loan to the church. What was it they loaned interest free? $20,000 cash Garden seed for the next spring’s planting 30,000 bushels of wheat 10. During World War 1 (1917-1919) the Red Cross had an approximate membership of 50,000 women in the US. Of that number, approximately how many were also members of the RS? 35,000 42,000 47,000 11. Who is the current General RS President? Julie B. Beck Amy Brown Lyman Bonnie D. Parkin 12. How many hymns did Eliza R. Snow write in the current hymn book? 10 12 14 13. Select three of the hymns written by Eliza R. Snow. How Great the Wisdom and the Love; Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses; O My Father In Our Lovely Deseret; Hold to the Rod; Silent Night I am a Child of God; Count Your Blessings; Choose the Right 14. Who was the mother of Eliza R. Snow? Emma Smith Rosetta Leonora Pettibone (Snow) Barbara B. Smith 15. How long did it take to write the Relief Society Declaration? 3 hours 3 days 3 months 3 years 16. Which General Relief Society President threatened to leave her husband because he had a bar in the house? Belle S. Spafford Amy Brown Lyman Emma Smith 17. On June 3, 1918, why did the President of the United States, Heber Hoover, write a letter of appreciation to the church? For the copper donated from the Salt Lake copper mine for the war effort For the contribution by the Church and Relief Society in the purchase of war bonds For the contribution of wheat and flour for war use 18. How many sisters were admitted as members when the Relief Society was founded? 14 18 26 34 19. Which Relief Society President was also the president of the National Council of Women? Rosetta Leonora Pettibone (Snow) Belle Spafford Elaine L. Jack 20. What General Relief Society President was also the chairman of the Childhood and Family Committee of the National Council of Women? Barbara B. Smith Amy Brown Lyman Bonnie D. Parkin 21. When did the Visiting Teaching program begin? 1843 1860 1943 1960 22. When was the Relief Society Building dedicated? 1946 1951 1956 1961 23. How long after the establishment of the church did Emma Smith make a selection of hymns for the church? 3 hours 3 days 3 months 3 years 24. Which General Relief Society president enjoyed cruising on the steamer "Maid of the Iowa" with her husband? Emma Smith Eliza R. Snow Barbara B. Smith 25. Who are the "Singing Mothers"? Emma Smith and her two Counselors Eliza R. Snow and her two Counselors Combined Relief Society Choirs 26. Which of the following is a program from which the Relief Society has never been responsible for: Church Compassionate and Welfare Services Educational Program Nurse Training Church Building and Construction Temple and Burial Clothing Departments 27. What was the actual official name of the Relief Society when it was first organized in 1842? The Benevolent Society of Nauvoo The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo The Benevolent Relief Society Sisterhood of Nauvoo 28. What circumstances initiated the organization of the Relief Society? A desire of the sisters to: Unite in building work clothes for those working on the temple Unite and bring to the attention of the brethren the mess left after Church and Priesthood meetings Get out of the house and have a social club for activities 29. Which General Relief Society President postponed and eventually canceled the grand centennial Relief Society Celebration titled "Woman’s Century of Light"? Belle S. Spafford Amy Lyman Eliza R. Snow

Teaching Tools for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints working in Primary, Young Women's, Seminary, and Relief Society.

I am currently serving as the secretary in our Stake Primary Presidency. I loved this recent Stake Activity Day event! Feel free to copy anything you'd like from the activity. We had a committee of around 20 people working on it and it was incredible. Everyone magnified their responsibilities and I have to say it turned out to be quite a memorable event for the girls. This was our poster (I took our stake name off to make it generic). Our invitation. We printed them as 4x6 pics at Costco. We based the theme around the Wizard of Oz but adjusted it to fit our desired goal. Our theme was "There's No Place Like Home with Our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ." Our focus was trying to prepare the girls to attend the temple someday and then eventually return to live with Heavenly Father. Outside entrance area. They made poppies out of tissue paper and also had pictures of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow. When the girls entered the building, they were greeted with a yellow brick road and some giant lollypops. These lollypops were made of pool noodles and duct tape. Clever! I'm pretty sure we took a lot of these ideas from Pinterest and then just did our own variation. The sign told the girls to follow the yellow brick road to the cultural hall where everyone was meeting up. We borrowed this sign. Super cute! We had a sign-in table where each of the leaders grabbed a basket with all the information and booklets for their wards (one leader per ward). Hey, that's me at the table! Everyone met in the cultural hall and the theme was introduced. This was the Gospel Standard we focused on. Here's a close-up on the stage decorations. Someone in our stake strung lights across the room and then they hung these fun clouds on them (made out of batting). Photo area where they could take pictures of individuals or groups of girls. We had little props for them to hold up too if they wanted them. There were 5 stations for the girls to visit, each with their own theme and activity. Each station lasted for 20 minutes. We made booklets for the girls to take with them and use at the stations. It will put the various pages with the stations they went with. Here's a link to the PDF folder that has the booklet and some door signs. Cover of the booklet First page inside the booklet. Back cover of the booklet. Station 1: If I Only Had a Brain Faith in God: Developing Talents #4 - Make an item from wood, metal, fabric, or other material, or draw, paint, or sculpt a piece of art. Display your finished work for others to see. Gospel Standard: I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family. The girls each made these cute temples with a Gospel Standard on them. They had two tables for painting the wood and then two tables for making the paper tag to attach with ribbon. The girls used old t-shirts to stay clean while painting. We just took old t-shirts from around the house and then cut the back so the girls could put them on as a smock. The leaders dressed up as scarecrows and the sister missionaries were great helpers that afternoon. Station 2: If I Only Had a Heart Faith in God: Serving Others #3 - Make a list of the qualities you like in a person. Choose one quality to develop in yourself. Discuss how showing respect and kindness strengthens you, your family, and others. Gospel Standard: I will seek good friends and treat others kindly. Loved how these leaders dressed up as Tin Women. They even had silver faces! They gave an analogy about relating the Tin Man and his oil can to the Parable of the 10 Virgins. From the Faith in God booklet, the girls were challenged to "Make a list of the qualities you like in a person. Choose one quality to develop in yourself. Discuss how showing respect and kindness strengthens you, your family, and others." They wrote their quality on a paper "brick" and added it to the yellow brick road. After they made their brick, they played a game called "Fruit Salad" using the qualities they discussed. It was nice for them to get to be active and move around. Station 3: If I Only Had the Courage Faith in God: Learning and Living the Gospel #6 – Tell a story from the Book of Mormon that teaches about faith in Jesus Christ. Share your testimony of the Savior. Gospel Standard: I will choose the right. I know I can repent when I make a mistake. At this station, the girls were able to learn about Abish from the Book of Mormon. They wrote down how they would be brave like Abish. They also roll played various hypothetical situations and how they could be brave like Abish in those cases. Abish’s father taught her to believe in Jesus Christ. In her city, not many people believed in Jesus. After Ammon came to her people and taught King Lamoni, Abish knew that Heavenly Father wanted her to share the gospel with the people. She was finally able to tell everyone about Jesus. Our cute leaders dressed as courageous lions! They made these "lion" popcorn bags for the girls to take home with them. Basically they just copied lion faces to glue on the bags and then cut fringes on the top of the bag and folded it over to look like a mane. Station 4: T-shirts and Dresses and Skirts, Oh My! Faith in God: Developing Talents #9 - Learn about and practice good nutrition, good health, and good grooming, including modest dress. (We only did the modest dress portion. The rest of the requirement would be done at home.) Gospel Standard: I will dress modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and myself. We took an idea from an article called “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” by Laurie Walker in the November 2009 New Era magazine and based our station off of that. HEAD: Put your hands on your head and make sure your shirt doesn’t pull up and show your skin. SHOULDERS: Put your hands on your shoulders to see if they are covered. Make sure you aren’t showing more under your armholes and that the buttons on your shirt aren’t straining. KNEES: Make sure your clothes go to your knees. TOES: Touch your toes. Make sure your shirt doesn’t droop down in front and that your shirt doesn’t slide up in back. Make sure your skirt and shorts are modest when you bend over. The focus wasn't to make girls feel guilty but rather to inspire them to be prepared for the temple. "Dorothy" showed them ways to take a questionable outfit and make it modest and gave them wonderful advice on preparing for the temple. The room was decorated with white clothing - blessing outfits, baptism dresses, wedding dresses, etc. She encouraged each girl to "see yourself in the temple." We had a giant mirror with a temple outline on it that each girl had the chance to look in and imagine herself going there someday. Station 5: I Have Been Changed for Good Faith in God: Learning and Living the Gospel #7 – Read Doctrine and Covenants 89. Discuss how Heavenly Father blesses us when we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom. Help plan and conduct an activity to teach the Word of Wisdom to others. (We only discussed how we are blessed by living the Word of Wisdom. The rest of the requirement would be done at home.) Gospel Standards: I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me. I will use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reverently. I will not swear or use crude words. I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father. I will only listen to music that is pleasing to Heavenly Father. This station had a continuation from the "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" class. We had Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba to represent good and evil. They also decorated the backdrop to show the contrast. These ladies stayed in character and helped the girls learn how to make good choices. EYES: I watch movies and shows that are good and make my “spirit” happy. I will look for the good in others. EARS: I will listen to good music. I won’t listen to gossip. If I hear crude words, I can sing a Primary song in my head. MOUTH: I will not gossip. I will not swear. I will live the Word of Wisdom by eating good food and saying NO to things that are bad for my body. I will stand up for others. I will always tell the truth, even when it is hard. NOSE: I will not be “NOSEY.” I will be respectful of others. They served these delicious fruit pizzas at the beginning of class. They were a ton of work and we really appreciated all those that created them in the super hot kitchen. They were dressed like "Auntie Em." We included the recipe in the booklet in case the girls wanted to try making the fruit pizzas at home with their families later. COOKIE CRUST ¾ cup butter (softened) ¾ cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 egg 1 ½ cups flour Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add in egg, then add flour, and mix until thoroughly combined (do not overmix). Roll cookie dough about ¼ inch thick. Place on pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes until golden brown on edges. FILLING ½ of 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk 6 oz package cream cheese (softened) 2 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla In medium bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well. When crust is cool, spread cream mixture on top of crust and top with fruits of your choice such as strawberries, pineapple, bananas, kiwi, etc. At the end of the activity, everyone met up again in the cultural hall and had a re-cap of the theme. They sang all four verses of "I Am a Child of God." This emphasized our theme of wanting to return home to be with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again someday.

I had to throw together a Relief Society Activity super fast, and this is what we did. It turned out AWESOME!!! I took my ideas from thes...

Our first Relief Society Activity of the year! We wanted to loosely use the idea of New Year's Resolutions and highlight topics that invite ...

If you haven't plan for your Relief Society additional meeting yet, it is not too late! I'm sharing you my Relief Society Additiona...

Speed Friendshipping is a fun way to get to know each other and lots of laughs are guaranteed!

Another fun activity! In April, we planned an activity that focused on topics that pertain to Emergency Preparedness. We had such fun ...

The story of The Hundred Dresses was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season for our Relief Society Activity.

This is a fun activity to get to know your sisters in your ward better, eat a yummy treat, and share a short spiritual message with the theme “The fruit of the Spirit”.

Speed Friendshipping is a fun way to get to know each other and lots of laughs are guaranteed!

This Relief Society Flier is all done for you, ready to edit, adapt print and go! I have spent time planning and preparing each activity to hopefully make some lives easier and make things less stressful for fellow activity planners so they can focus on the FUN and CONNECTION. BUY MORE, SAVE MORE! 20% off 3+ items - Code: TWENTY 30% off 5+ items - Code: THIRTY 40% off 10+ items - Code: FORTY Attached is a PDF that will have a print to access your flier. If you don't already have a Canva account you will need to get one (it is FREE and you will LOVE it!) then the flier is all done and ready to edit as a template. If for ANY reason you can't access it or have any issues please contact me and I am happy to help. Enjoy! ****How do I get my printables after I purchase?**** Once an order is placed you will be able to see a link to the Downloads page. There you can download all files from the order. These downloads are available after payment is confirmed. This is usually automatic but can take a few minutes. ****What does my purchase include? **** The purchase of this listing includes a PDF at 8.5" by 11" ****How many can I print? **** You can print as many as you'd like!!! You are welcome to print this as many times as you'd like. Purchasers are prohibited from reselling the file or the printed product. Also buyers are prohibited from sharing or giving this file to others. This purchase is for personal use only. Note: All printers are different as well as computer monitors so colors on prints may differ. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Last Thrusday we had our Stake Primary leadership meeting. {I'm the second counselor in the Stake Primary} Our theme for the meeting was...." If I listen with my Heart" {a new primary song} We had a sister from the Mariposa...

Click to enlarge Hi Sisters! Events for the week: TONIGHT 6/28 Why I Believe Fireside 7pm Val Vista Building (our building) PLEASE ATTEND! MONDAY 6/29 FHE at SONOMA RANCH PARK 7:30pm! KICKBALL!!!! (Val Vista East on Juniper, next to the elem. school) WEDNESDAY 7/1 - WATCH YOUR EMAIL FOR THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER! FRIDAY 7/4 Clean the church 5:30 pm PLEASE HELP OUT! AND DATE NIGHT 7pm meet at the church! AZ Science Center- free admission!!!! Thank you activities committee! These are so awesome! Break the Fast will be held this Sunday 4pm at the church building! It is a POT LUCK! If you can help out by bring something, please email Allicia [email protected]. WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE BREAK THE FAST COMMITTEE! PLEASE bring something! :) THANKS!!! ALSO: Awesome turn out to FHE this week! Thanks to everyone who came! : ) Come help clean the building - 5:30 PM Friday DATE NIGHT - AZ Science Center 7:00PM meet at the church to carpool (YOU NEED TO BRING A DATE! IT'S FREE!!!!) THE BLOG - Check out the RS Blog later this week for more updates! If you have pictures from activities, please send them to [email protected] so we can add them to our blog! Happy 4th of July! IF YOUR ARE NOT GETTING EMAILS FROM RS (check your spam) PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] July Lesson Schedule PLEASE BRING YOUR MANUAL! July 5—RS Presidency Message July 12—Ch. 36 “Receiving the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple” July 19— Ch 37 “Charity, the Pure Love of Christ” July 26— Gen Conf Talk (April 2009) July Visiting Teaching Message: Visiting Teaching Message Qualify for and Partake of Temple Worship Ensign, July 2009 Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned. How Can I Prepare for Temple Worship? Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: "The temple is the house of the Lord. He directs the conditions under which it may be used, the ordinances that should be administered, and the standards that qualify us to enter. … Personal worthiness is an essential requirement to enjoy the blessings of the temple. We prepare by obeying the commandments and seeking to do God's will" ("Holy Temples, Sacred Covenants," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 113). Elder David B. Haight (1906–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "We who would attend the temple must be living in a manner which helps us be worthy to enter and fully partake. … We examine our worthiness to enter the temple in … interviews with priesthood leaders. Our signature, with theirs, on our temple recommend testifies of our worthiness to enter the temple" ("Come to the House of the Lord," Ensign, May 1992, 15). What Are the Blessings of Qualifying for and Partaking of Temple Worship? D&C 110:7: "I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house." President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95): "Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow. Let us go not only for our kindred dead, but let us also go for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety which is provided within those hallowed and consecrated walls. The temple is a place of beauty, it is a place of revelation, it is a place of peace" ("The Great Symbol of Our Membership, " Tambuli, Nov. 1994, 6; Ensign, Oct. 1994, 5). D&C 38:32: "I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high" (see also D&C 95:8). Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "The temple endowment blessings are as essential for each of us as was our baptism. For this reason we are to prepare ourselves that we may be clean to enter into the temple of God. Temple work is an opportunity to perform our personal endowments and covenants for the living and also perform these same ordinances for the redemption for the dead. It is for this reason we are instructed in the scriptures to build temples and prepare our lives to be worthy to partake of the sacred temple ordinances and covenants. …" ""The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Temple ordinances guide us to our Savior and give us the blessings that come to us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" ("Temple Blessings," in Brigham Young University 2005-2006 Speeches [2006], 1, 4). President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008): "Every man or woman who goes to the temple in a spirit of sincerity and faith leaves the house of the Lord a better man or woman. There is need for constant improvement in all of our lives. There is need occasionally to leave the noise and the tumult of the world and step within the walls of a sacred house of God, there to feel His spirit in an environment of holiness and peace" ("Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53). © 2009 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Rights and use information. Privacy policy

If you would like a copy of this program you can find it here. Last year when I wrote my script for the Reenactment of the First Relief Society I actually also wrote a script highlighting each one of the 15 women who have held the position of “General Relief Society President.” My intent was to…