Embark! YW Camp 2015

You may wonder why a post about Young Women Camp would be featured on the Stake Relief Society blog.  It's because in just a few short years, they will become our sisters in the Relief Society and building connections with them now is important to those future relationships.

As I've talked with young women and leaders this week, it is clear that this year's camp was not only a lot of fun, but provided a spiritual impact on their lives.  I would recommend you take the time to engage the young women from your ward/branch in a conversation about their experiences at young women camp.  It's a great way to reach out to your future sisters and be uplifted yourself.

-Lorie Pierce

More a Way of Life

Recently, I had a conversation with my 18 year old daughter about visiting teaching.  It occurred to me that although she had grown up knowing that I was a visiting teacher and having seen me provide service in that assignment, no "formal" training had been provided to her.  Now, she is herself a visiting teacher, and I, along with her Relief Society leaders, have a responsibility to provide that training.  

As I pondered on the training resources available, I decided it would be of value to highlight some of them here.

- Handbook 2: Administering the Church, Section 9.5 provides information and instruction regarding the visiting teaching program and responsibilities of visiting teachers.

- Daughters of My Kingdom, Chapter 7, "Pure Religion: Watchcare and Ministering through Visiting Teaching" is an amazing chapter that recounts the history of visiting teaching and provides insights on how visiting teachers minister and serve in the building of Zion.

- Visiting Teaching: The Priviledge of Ministering is a page on lds.org with content and links provided to help us learn how to serve as visiting teachers.

- Relief Society: A Sacred Work, Julie B. Beck (15th Relief Society General President), Oct 2009 is one of the best talks given about the purposes of Relief Society and includes an inspiring and instructive section on visiting teaching.

- Responsibilities of Visiting Teachers is a training video in the Leadership Training Library on lds.org which provides a short overview linked to the Handbook 2 instruction.  It is a short, yet visual way to instruct us in our "job".

- Reporting Visiting Teaching is another training video in the Leadership Training Library which specifically addresses reporting and reminds us that visiting teaching is more about people than a task to be completed.

- Visiting Teaching in the Work of Salvation is also available in the Leadership Training Library and helps us to see the importance of our assignments in the larger picture of bringing souls unto Christ.

"Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship."  (Julie B. Beck, 15th Relief Society General President, Oct 2009)

Is visiting teaching easy?  Is it convenient?  Does it sometimes feel forced?  Perhaps No, No, Yes might be your answers - they have sometimes been mine.  But as I have thought about my own visiting teachers over the many years since I turned 18 and about the sisters I have taught - one thing becomes clear - this is the Lord's work and when we "let" Him participate with us the burden is lighter and the work is sweeter.

-Lorie Pierce

Oh, What Do You Do When The Temple Is Closed?

The Washington DC Temple will be closed from August 10-October 5 for maintenance, construction and cleaning.  We are greatly blessed to live so near a temple and have the opportunity to attend there as often as we choose.  This is a long closure, but it doesn't need to be a time of drought for us.  We can still maintain our focus and devotion to temple ordinances and worship during those weeks it is closed.

Here are three suggestions for how to fill the void and perhaps better prepare ourselves and our families for when the temple reopens.

One: Contribute your time to the Indexing effort

What is Indexing?  Historical records (birth certificates, ships manifests, death records, census records, etc) that have been digitized are viewed and transcribed by Indexers on their own computers.  Their efforts make available online astounding and growing numbers of records for family history researchers to trace their ancestors.  Without Indexers our efforts to redeem our dead would be moving along at a very slow pace.  With Indexers our ability to find our ancestors and take their names to the temple is significantly increased in speed, ease and feasibility.

Go to https://familysearch.org/indexing/ to learn more and get started.

You can even kickstart your and your family's Indexing efforts by participating in the Worldwide Indexing Event,  "Fuel the Find", August 7-14.

Two: Increase your Family History efforts

Maybe you need to start at the beginning or maybe you are somewhere in the middle, but each of us can find a way to be involved in Family History.  Here are just a few ideas....
- Log on to Family Tree (on familysearch.org) and begin verifying that the information and family connections in your tree are accurate....they might not be!
- Begin researching the gaps you find in your Tree.  Use tools such as puzzilla.org to locate "cousins"....family members who still need temple ordinances performed for them.
- Visit the Family History Center either at the Stake Center or at the Hampstead Building and get educated on what is available to you there and online.  OR talk with your ward/branch Family History Consultants to learn how to start or figure out how to move forward from where you are.
- Start gathering family photos and scanning them to preserve them digitally.  You can even upload them to Family Tree (on familysearch.org).
- Collect family stories.  If someone doesn't record them, they will eventually be lost and forgotten.  Ensure that your children and your grandchildren will remember Grandpa Anderson's "Egg Fight" story or the story of how Dad finally convinced Mom to marry him or the story of how Uncle Ken traveled through guerrilla territory in Central America on a humanitarian mission or how Great-Great Grandmother Mary Ann Ross was disowned when she joined the Church in Scotland, but remained faithful to her conversion.

Elder Bednar issued an invitation and a promise to our youth regarding Family History efforts.  These same promises can apply to all of us regardless of our age.

"I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah. I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead (see D&C 124:28–36).  And I urge you to help other people identify their family histories.  As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding.  And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary.  As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives."   (David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Ensign, Nov. 2011)

Three: Go to the Temple Visitors' Center

The Visitors’ Center will be open for their usual hours (10am-9pm daily) during the temple closure.  Take your family, invite your friends or simply go by yourself and partake of the sweet spirit that is present there. 

For updates on exhibits and performances visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonDCVC   or go to https://www.lds.org/church/events/washington-dc-events?lang=eng

Did You Know? Leadership Training Library

Did you know there is a Leadership Training Library available on lds.org?

As sisters in the Church we all have opportunities to serve in callings and assignments.  Often those calls to serve involve leading others.  Sometimes, we can feel inadequate and unprepared for such opportunities.  Thankfully, we don't have to wander around wondering what and how.  We have many leaders and resources within the Church to assist us.

"The Leadership Training Library of lds.org is designed to help you learn and apply Handbook principles in your calling."  (lds.org, Leadership Training Library, Library Tutorial)

What is available?  There are videos with messages from our leaders, videos about general leadership principles and videos about specific topics such as Visiting Teaching, Young Women Personal Progress, or Primary Sharing Time.  Also included is the most recent Auxiliary Training which focused on Learning and Teaching in the Home and at the Church.

How blessed we are to have these resources so easily available for our use.  The Lord truly loves us and will bless our efforts to accomplish the tasks given us.  If you haven't looked at these resources - today would be a good day to start.

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post One

In November 1991, the Columbia Maryland Stake was organized under the direction of Elder Richard G. Scott from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Sister Irene Whitlock was then called by the newly sustained Stake President, C. Brent Bargeron, to serve as the first Stake Relief Society President.  Her counselors were Judy Stephenson and Donna Schott with Kay Paulson as secretary.

Irene Whitlock served as president from 1991-1995.  During that time, their presidency had opportunities to serve alongside the brethren in building up the newly formed stake.  One such event was in 1993, when Elder Packer, Elder Scott and Elder Kofford came for training meetings.  Irene's husband, Jerry Whitlock, recalled, "That time was a great one for Irene and me.  She let me attend all the quarterly meetings (to set up the tables and to do the dishes and cleanup while the meeting was being held).  I received a special apron from the Relief Society when she was released and was named an honorary member of the Relief Society."

L-R: Elder Kofford, Elder Scott, Donna Schott, Kay Paulson, Elder Packer, Irene Whitlock, Judy Stephenson - 1993

L-R: Irene Whitlock, Judy Stephenson, Kay Paulson, Donna Schott, Elder Scott - 1993

Women's Conferences and other Stake Relief Society meetings were held to provide opportunities to strengthen and encourage the sisters of the stake.  Irene and her presidency always had the best interest of the sisters in mind as they organized stake meetings and activities.  Their presidency reached out to the wards to understand the needs of the sisters and to build a united sisterhood.

Irene Whitlock passed away at the age of 82 on December 19, 2014.  Throughout her life, she set a personal example of faith and service.  She served with graciousness and humility - always with her mind and heart focused on seeking the Spirit to discern how best to teach and lead.  She served without hesitation and gave her best effort to every assignment.  Her love of the Lord was always evident as she spoke.  Her testimony of the importance of the temple was demonstrated clearly as she served in the Washington DC Temple for 30 years, first as a volunteer answering the telephone and then later as an ordinance worker.

Even if we didn't know these women personally and maybe didn't even live in the Columbia Maryland Stake during their time of service, we have been blessed by their efforts.  They laid a foundation of righteous choices, faith & devotion in our Savior and selfless service.

- Lorie Pierce

**Note - a correction has been made since the original publication of this post.  The visit of Sister Chieko N. Okazaki originally referenced did not occur during Sister Whitlock's time as president.  It was not until 2002 that she visited and it will be addressed in a later history post.

Highlights from Stake Conference

Saturday - June 13, 2015 - Adult Session

President Steve Towne (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- What sign do you want to give the Lord?  (Elder Russell M. Nelson, General Conference April 2015, "The Sabbath Is a Delight")

- We are not perfect.  That's why we have the sacrament, so we can come to the table of the Lord to renew covenants and recommit.

Sister Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- If we follow the plan Heavenly Father has given us, we can make it.  The challenges of life won't defeat us.

- We were not promised to have the challenges of life taken away, but that we can overcome them.

President Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- What was your experience in the temple and how has it changed your life?

Sister Gams (Stake Primary Presidency):

- Councils at home and in the Church work as a group for the greater good. They provide opportunities to serve.  Opportunities that bless our lives.

- We are not alone.  We are in it together.

Chris Rhodes (YSA Branch):

- He shared his conversion story and testimony of the plan of salvation.

- I choose now to use my agency to follow the path.

President Steve Peterson (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- Showed a clip from a training video in which Sister Rosemary Wixom (Primary General President) taught that as families and ward councils we should be thoughtful of children and adults with children in our Sacrament meetings; that we can all be better at helping families with children in those meetings.

- He gave us an assignment to council together in our homes and ward/branch councils about how to improve our Sabbath observance and as a result our Sacrament meetings.

- If we improve our Sabbath observance, we will increase our faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

President James Mitchell (Columbia Maryland Stake President):

- He quoted from Elder Bednar and Elder Packer regarding the basic purpose of the Church being to make available ordinances to unite parents and children.  All that we are doing points us to the temple.

 - He compared the multi-generational families in the Church to the trees in a forest.  That there is a cycle from the trees producing seed that grow into forests which produce more seeds and more trees.  He noted that even the decaying trees of the forest provide nutrients to the soil to strengthen the forest.  He explained that in the Church the cycle is within ordinances - baptism, endowment, sealing and from that sealing children come and grow up to be baptized, endowed and sealed to a spouse to continue as family units.  He then said that there is often a break in the cycle between baptism and endowment...and that the greatest factor in that break down is weak Gospel teaching and modeling in our homes.

- Sabbath observance and teaching is key in our homes.

- He encouraged us to revisit the talk "The Sabbath is a Delight" by Elder Russell M. Nelson.

- He encouraged us to read the hymn "More Holiness Give Me".

- Don't let the ground cover of your life take over your Sabbath or take over your life.

- Remember what's important is Jesus Christ and Family.  The Sabbath is a great time to remember Jesus Christ and to strengthen our families.

- Live by every word - Not just listen

- He encouraged us to listen to the prophet, the apostles and our local leaders.

Sunday - June 14, 2015 - General Session

Sister Valentin (Columbia 3rd Branch):

- She spoke on missionary work and reminded us that we can all invite others to come unto Christ.

- Heavenly Father wants us to bring others back with us.

Brother Zac Knudson (Columbia 2nd Ward):

- He spoke on how to make our testimonies stronger.  He compared strengthening our testimonies to how Moroni prepared his people to protect themselves from the armies of the Lamanites.  (see Alma 48)

Sister Folger (Washington DC Temple):

- We need to fight like the Nephites to stay out of bondage to Satan.

- Families can protect themselves from the influence of evil through temple covenants.  Attending the temple provides a protection.  She quoted President Ezra Taft Benson and President Vaughn J. Featherstone who taught of the power of temple ordinances and that as we visit the temple unseen angels will attend us.

Brother Folger (Washington DC Temple):

- D&C 18:15-16  refers to both missionary work and temple work -- in both we are inviting souls to repent by offering ordinances to them -- we are bringing souls unto Christ

Sister Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- The Book of Mormon is tangible evidence of Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove.

- The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings happiness, joy and peace.  It lifts the burdens this world brings.

President Richards (Maryland Baltimore Mission):

- He encouraged us to look around at who was not there and reach out to them.  Love them as families love one another and our stake will grow to become two.

Sister McGinn (Columbia 1st Ward):

- What do I know? What do I believe?

- She shared her personal testimony answering those questions.

Brother McGinn (Columbia 1st Ward):

- My name is Boyd McGinn.  I am a Mormon.  I know who I am and where I am going.

- He also shared his personal testimony.

President Steve Peterson (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- Happy Sabbath Day!

- He referenced Elder Nelson's talk, "The Sabbath Is a Delight".

- He spoke about fasting in relation to keeping the Sabbath holy - that it can be a change - a day of doing something different - a separate day

- He referred to D&C 84 and spoke of how through the ordinances of the Gospel the power of God is manifest.

- He asked us to consider the sacrament as an ordinance...Do we prepare ourselves for the sacrament as an ordinance like baptism and temple ordinances even though it happens every week?  And How can that preparation to partake of the sacrament help us make the Sabbath a Delight?

President Steve Towne (Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency):

- He spoke specifically to the Primary children (and the rest of us).

- It's okay to do good things even if you don't know all the reasons behind it.  The Savior taught that if any man will do His will they will understand His doctrine.

- Just as Adam was taught by an angel because he was faithful in offering sacrifice - we will have people who will help us understand.

- The sacrament is to help us remember what the Lord has done for us.

President James Mitchell (Columbia Maryland Stake President):

- He read the 3rd verse of "More Holiness Give Me" .  The Lord makes it possible for us to be cleansed and purified.

- Jesus Christ is mighty to save.  He is the only way.  He has all power to cleanse from all unrighteousness.  President Mitchell used Alma the Younger as an example.

- Conversion is a life long process.  The Lord changes us.  We become men and women of God.

- He taught us from President Uchtdorf's talk "The Gift of Grace".

- Grace opens the windows of heaven.  Weak things can become strong.

- The good news of the Gospel is that we have a chance because of Jesus Christ.  We can each change and have our hearts changed.

- We keep the commandments not to earn our way in, but because we love God.

- Our obedience is how we reach out to accept the gift.

- The real manifestations of God's love are His commandments.  Let us rejoice that He loves us so much that He gives us commandments.

- What we do on the Sabbath demonstrates our love for God.

- We should do all in our power to heed the prophets and apostles. They are telling us to keep the Sabbath more holy.

- He concluded with his testimony and encouraged everyone to strengthen their testimony of Jesus Christ by studying the Book of Mormon.

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A special thanks to all who participated musically.  The songs shared were uplifting and beautiful.

Daughters in My Kingdom

In 2011 the Church published a book entitled, "Daughters in My Kingdom - The History and Work of Relief Society".

In the 2010 General Relief Society Meeting, Sister Julie B. Beck (then serving as the Relief Society General President) introduced the upcoming publication with these words:

"Our presidency has prayed, fasted, pondered, and counseled with prophets, seers, and revelators to learn what God would have us do to help His daughters be strong in the face of “the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth.”  An answer has come that the sisters of the Church should know and learn from the history of Relief Society. Understanding the history of Relief Society strengthens the foundational identity and worth of faithful women.

In consequence of this, a history of Relief Society for the Church is being completed and will be available for our use next year. The preparation of the history has been an inspired and revelatory experience.

As we have studied the history of Relief Society, we have learned that the Lord’s vision and purpose for Relief Society was not of a sleepy meeting on Sunday. He had in mind something much, much bigger than a women’s club or special-interest entertainment group.

He intended Relief Society to help build His people and prepare them for the blessings of the temple. He established this organization to align His daughters with His work and to enlist their help in building His kingdom and strengthening the homes of Zion."

The foreword of this book contains a letter from The First Presidency as follows:

Dear Sisters:

In grateful recognition of the blessing of Relief Society in the lives of Church members, we have directed the preparation of Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society. We pray that this book will be a blessing to you and to those whose lives you touch.

We express our love and admiration for you and recognize that you are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father and dedicated disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are part of a great worldwide sisterhood. Guided by your motto, “Charity never faileth,” you help strengthen families and build up the kingdom of God on the earth.

We encourage you to study this book and allow its timeless truths and inspiring examples to influence your lives.

We testify that the Lord has restored the fulness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that Relief Society is an important part of that restoration. Relief Society sisters have a glorious heritage. We pray that this volume will be an important resource for preserving that heritage.

The First Presidency

We invite and encourage all the sisters of our Stake to read this book.  It is not only interesting, but it is uplifting - and couldn't we all use more uplifting in our lives?  

There are options for reading it - you can read it online via lds.org, download it from lds.org, read it with the Gospel Library app or you can order a hardcopy of the book via store.lds.org.  There is also a page dedicated on lds.org to Daughters of My Kingdom with videos and links to resources.