How Has Relief Society Blessed Your Life?

Susan Reinsch - Stake Relief Society President - Columbia 1 Ward

Relief Society has been an important part of my life.  Through it, I have had many opportunities to serve and learn from wonderful women who are striving in all aspects of their lives to follow the Savior.  It is interesting to look back and see how Relief Society has changed over the years.  My first calling in Relief Society was to teach the Cultural Refinement lessons.  I learned so much from studying the lives of sisters all over the world and sharing what I had learned in Relief Society each month. Today it is wonderful and fulfilling to be in Relief Society meetings where we study the teachings of our prophets.  I enjoy hearing the testimonies of my sisters and to know of their love for the gospel and the Savior.  I have made wonderful friends and learned many new skills to better my life and the lives of my family.  I have learned ways to improve my marriage and to have a better relationship with my husband and with our children.  I am so grateful that our Father in Heaven saw fit to organize the women in His church and that Joseph Smith felt that the Church was not fully organized until the women were also organized.  Thank you, Sisters, for your examples and love for each other and for all the children of our Father in Heaven that you influence each day.  Thank you for your testimonies of Jesus and Christ and for living it so valiantly.

Cheri Meiners - Stake Relief Society Counselor - Columbia 1 Ward

For me, one of the amazing things about Relief Society is meeting regularly with women who have similar ideals and goals--learning and serving together with them.  Through my Relief Society callings, including Visiting Teacher, I’ve been influenced by the goodness of many women; I've gained homemaking skills; have learned to reach out to people beyond my comfort zone; and I've grown spiritually as I come to understand my worth and role as a ‘daughter in God’s kingdom’.

Having lived in Maryland for many years, I've witnessed the strength of the sisters in this stake.  Though we are spread out geographically, I feel buoyed up just by associating together and witnessing the way you are living the gospel-- gaining knowledge, developing character, raising strong families, working to enrich our community, and serving others.  We are more than a social circle for one another.  I know that we are organized under the power of the priesthood to fulfill the important purposes of increasing our faith and personal righteousness, giving strength to our families, and reaching out to provide relief wherever it is needed.  It's a blessing to be part of this organization with you!

Marsha Searle - Stake Relief Society Counselor - Ellicott City Ward

Relief Society has blessed my life with inspiration and joy.  The strong spirit which I feel when I am there and the things which I have learned from my fellow sisters witness of the gospel has lifted, strengthened, and inspired me to grow, endure, and thrive.  I am so grateful for its influence in my life and the great power of its faithful sisters.