Stake Relief Society Spring Activity -- Save the Date!

A Humanitarian Aid Project To Benefit Orphan Children In Haiti

Saturday, April 23, 9am-12pm at the Stake Center

Brunch Buffet    --   Casual Dress

"We are the Lord's hands on the earth."   - President Thomas S. Monson

My son, Matt, for the past few years has been working with three orphanages in Haiti that have about 300 children between them.  The women who began and maintain these orphanages are also Relief Society sisters.  They like us are doing what they can to help those in need.

Matt helped us decide what would be a good project and he will deliver the items for us on his trip in July.  Some of you may be aware that I have been making t-shirt dresses and shorts for these children.  We decided that our stake project needed to be easier to accommodate beginner sewers and avoid the need to serge or French seam clothing as their living circumstances are very hard on clothing.

Sisters will be able to help make hacky sacks and draw string backpacks.  Regardless of sewing or crochet/knitting ability, there will be things to work on.  Sometime in the next couple weeks someone from the project committees will be in touch with ward/branch presidencies regarding items (like sewing machines) that we will need to borrow/have sisters bring.

These children have so very little and this is a simple way to bless lives in a real way. The backpacks will be very useful for them and they love futbol, so the hacky sacks will be fun for them.

We are looking forward to this opportunity to work together as a Stake Relief Society.  The morning will be very relaxed and allow sisters to mingle as they work.  There will be a slide show of children from these orphanages.  We hope many of you will be able to join us.

-Lorie Pierce

Sabbath Day Blessings - Guest Post Series

Kristy Nunly - Eldersburg Ward

Recently, Sabbath day observance, and more specifically making the Sabbath a delight, has been a topic of discussion in General Conference, as well as Stake and Ward conferences church-wide. It’s become something of a “hot topic” at my house, as not all parties in my family can agree on what it means to keep the Sabbath day holy. As a lifelong member of the church, I grew up with certain expectations for Sunday living that my husband, a later-life convert, did not. It’s been a compromise for both of us to determine how we can keep the Sabbath day holy in our family.

As part of determining how my family is going to elevate the Sabbath, I took time to think about what the Sabbath really means to me and why it matters to keep it holy. For the most part, I’ve always been good about avoiding working on Sunday, not going to the store, attending church, etc. which seem to be the “staples” of keeping the Sabbath day holy, right? But, as I look back with a keener eye, I can see that I have certainly made exceptions and concessions, justifying certain behaviors and actions that aren’t exactly what Heavenly Father would want from me on a day set aside for His purposes. In order to make a change for myself, I decided to do a little research. This is the best way for me to gain a testimony of the concept so that I’m better able to keep the commandment consistently and joyfully.

So, why does keeping the Sabbath day holy matter? Does keeping any of God's commandments matter? We know that because of Jesus Christ's atonement the demands of justice are met and we, being imperfect, can repent and return to live with God. This is the gift of God's grace. That even though we sin, we can still return to his presence. So, with this in mind, is there really any point to the commandments at all? Pres. Uchtdorf asked, “if grace is a gift of God, why, then, is obedience to God’s commandments so important? Why bother with God’s commandments—or repentance, for that matter? Why not just admit we’re sinful and let God save us?”[1]

The answer is simple. We obey because we love God. Because we're grateful for His gift, and for all the blessings He gives us. And, we obey because He asks us to.

Sometimes obedience is hard for me. It’s not always convenient and it doesn’t always come as naturally to me as I’d like.  But, if God, as an infinite, all knowing being who loves me more than I can possibly comprehend, asks me to do something (like keep the Sabbath day holy) with His assurance that doing so will make me happy and bring me peace, shouldn't I do it? I’m thinking, yes!

Now I know that I want to keep God’s commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy, but how do I do it? What more am I supposed to do? Through my pondering, I see that it's not about rules or a list of do's and don'ts for the day. It's more about a state of mind. This is a day that I profess to be dedicated to God. So, how will that affect my behavior?

The biggest thing I am doing now in order to elevate my Sabbath observance is to get my family to church. On time. With a good attitude. And to stay for all the meetings. I have three little kids (and a perpetually late husband), so getting to church is a challenge for us. Staying at church with two very energetic toddlers and a not-quite-two-month-old is also a challenge for us. But, we’re trying. Sometimes I walk the halls the entire three hours. But, I’m there. My kids are there. So, blessings gonna come!

The thing that has helped me most in my goal to increase and elevate Sabbath day observance is deciding that I want Sunday to be different. I want this one day to be treated differently. More reverently in my attitude, actions, even my appearance. I don't think God is asking too much for me to set aside one day where I (attempt to) abandon the cares of the world and focus on spiritual growth, taking inventory of how I’m doing and where I can improve. I need that in my life! To get through difficult weeks, I really, really need that.

What is most important is that I’m trying. My husband and I don’t always agree on particular Sabbath activities, but we do agree that teaching our kids to be committed to keeping God's commandments matters. That's all I can hope to do. I'm not perfect, but I want to be a positive example to my children. To show them that I love God and that I'm willing to work. A small change, even if it’s just a change in attitude, can elevate our Sabbath observance.

---

[1] President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2015 “The Gift of Grace,” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng.

March 17, 1842

This month marks 174 years since the organization of the Relief Society under the direction of Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois.  Many of the ward/branch Relief Societies in our Stake and across the world will find ways to commemorate that occasion.  I thought it appropriate to share the story of that early beginning.  The following text is taken from "Daughers in My Kingdom".

--In the spring of 1842, the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois, worked enthusiastically to build a temple in their city. Sarah M. Kimball recounted: “The Nauvoo Temple walls were about three feet high. Strong appeals were being made by the President of the Church and others for help to forward the work. “Miss [Margaret] Cook . . . one day in conversation with me on the subject of a recent appeal for provisions, clothing, bedding and general supplies for the workmen and their families, remarked that she would be pleased to contribute needlework if it could be made available. I proffered material for her to make up, and suggested that others might feel as we did. We then [discussed] the subject of organizing a sewing society. The object of which should be to aid in the erection of the temple. “About a dozen of the neighboring sisters by invitation met in my [home] the following Thursday.”

The women who met at Sarah Kimball’s home decided to establish a constitution and bylaws, and Eliza R. Snow accepted the responsibility to write them. Then the women asked Joseph Smith to review and give his opinion of them. After the Prophet read them, he said they were “the best he had ever seen. ‘But,’ he said, ‘this is not what you want. Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and he has something better for them than a written constitution. I invite them all to meet with me and a few of the brethren . . . next Thursday afternoon, and I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood.’”

That next Thursday, on March 17, 1842, twenty women assembled on the upper floor of a building, often called “the red brick store,” where Joseph Smith had an office and a business to support his family. They met under the direction of Joseph Smith and two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elders John Taylor and Willard Richards.  Rather than pattern a Latter-day Saint women’s organization after the women’s societies that were prevalent and popular at that time, the Prophet Joseph Smith organized them in a divinely inspired and authorized manner. Early in the meeting, he told the sisters that they were to encourage “the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor— searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants—to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community.”

In a Relief Society meeting six weeks later, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught the sisters at length and then said: “This society is to get instruction through the order which God has established—through the medium of those appointed to lead—and I now turn the key to you in the name of God, and this society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time—this is the beginning of better days to this society.”

As the Lord’s prophet, Joseph Smith held all the keys of priesthood authority on the earth. Therefore, when he organized the Relief Society to function under his overall direction, he unlocked opportunities for the women of the Church to play vital roles in the work of the Lord’s kingdom. They now served under the authority of the priesthood and were promised blessings beyond those they had already received. These blessings would come to them according to their faithfulness and diligence. Knowledge and intelligence would flow to them as they received a fulness of priesthood blessings in the temple. They would receive ordinances and make sacred covenants that would help them prepare themselves and their families for eternal life.--

I have been a member of the Relief Society for 33 years.  There have been times when that has meant more to me than at other times.  I am grateful for the example of those early sisters.  They teach us much about charity, sacrifice and personal testimony.

My own 3rd great-grandmother, Nancy Naomi Tracy was part of that first Relief Society in Nauvoo.  In her personal history she wrote, "I was a member of this first Relief Society.  It was organized for the relief of the poor and every other noble purpose that comes within woman's sphere of action."

As I think about those early sister's spheres of action - spheres of influence, I am humbled and filled with a desire to emulate more fully their desires and actions.  I hope that we as sisters of the Columbia Maryland Stake will take time this month to reflect on those sisters who have come before us, who are with us now and who will follow after us and that we will allow our motto "Charity Never Faileth" to sink a little deeper into our hearts and lives.

-Lorie Pierce

Gathering As Sisters Series - YSA

Our "Gathering As Sisters" post series is designed to help us as sisters within our wards/branches see that we are part of a whole - that across the stake there are other groups of sisters gathering together in activities and service to support & teach one another and develop friendships as they fulfill the purposes of the Relief Society in building faith, strengthening families and providing relief.  Each month through the end of this year, we will share one or two highlights from activities within our Relief Societies.

We have truly been blessed with our current Handbook of Instruction that allows each ward/branch to counsel together and then plan with inspiration according to their specific needs. We hope that by sharing some of the wonderful things happening within our wards/branches, we can understand better the individual yet similar needs we share as sisters in the Columbia Maryland Stake.

-Lorie Pierce

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Our YSA Branch Relief Society:

In Febuary, the YSA Branch Relief Society decided that since we're a bunch of single ladies, it would be fun to have a "Gal"entine's Day activity to celebrate the love we "gals" have for one another. It was a great success! We did facials, manicures, and pedicures while eating ice cream and laughing with one another. We also had a lot of fun creating "gal"entine's for one another. It was a great opportunity for all of us to get to know one another better and just spend time pampering ourselves! Happy Galentine's Day! - Gina Stephens

Save The Date - General Womens Meeting

We are looking forward to our next General Womens Meeting.  This is for all Relief Society sisters, young women and Primary girls ages 8+.  It is a wonderful opportunity to gather together to mingle over a light meal and then be taught and uplifted as we view the broadcast of the General Womens Meeting held in Salt Lake City.

Postcards should be available in your ward and branches.  Please consider sharing one with sisters you visit teach who are less active or maybe need an extra bit of encouragement.

The General Womens Meeting is available to watch on the BYU channel or through lds.org and if you are unable to join us at the Stake Center, we hope you will still join us in watching the meeting via these other options.

Last fall, when we met together for a meal before the broadcast, we had over 200 sisters, young women and girls join us.  It was a delight to see so many from around the stake coming together.  It is an opportunity to strengthen friendships and begin new ones.

Details
General Womens Meeting
Saturday - March 26, 2016
6:45pm Light Meal - 8pm Broadcast
Women ages 8+
Sunday Dress
Held at the Stake Center - 4100 Saint Johns Lane, Ellicott City

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.

Did You Know? Family Search/FamilyTree and Ancestry Tools Together

Recently our ward Relief Society had a lesson focused on helping sisters understand how to use the amazing family history tools available to organize, research and prepare our ancestors names for temple work.  As I listened to the questions and comments, it was evident that there is a great deal of confusion about these tools - how to access them, what to use them for, what not to use them for, etc.

I'm certainly not an expert, but I do have a fair amount of experience in using both Family Tree (as found on familysearch.org) and Ancestry.com.  There are other tools available that the Church has partnered with, but for most people I think that covering the basics of FamilyTree/familysearch.org and Ancestry.com is a good place to start.  My hope is that this post will be enough to point sisters in the right direction and maybe answer a few questions in the process.

What is Family Tree?

Family Tree is an online program found on the Church's site familysearch.org.  It was created from the records submitted to the Church over many years from various sources.  As an example - when I was a teenager (1970's) every family in our Stake was asked to submit a 4-generation pedigree chart with family group records.  Those records were all sent to Salt Lake and became part of the Church family history archives.  When those archives were digitized, they eventually became part of Family Tree.  That's only one example of a source, but it gives you an idea - and hopefully suggests to you that just because a person/or family and their info is there in "your" Family Tree doesn't mean it's necessarily accurate.  I know my parents tried to submit accurate records back then, but there were bound to be errors made.  Their research was only as accurate as the records they were able to access and those were not nearly so numerous as today.

Family Tree was created as a collaborative tool.  It enables family members around the world to add to, correct, document and work together in research in order to create a more accurate family tree.  The purpose of doing that is two fold: first, fix the errors that exist within the Church records as shown in  Family Tree; and second, find the ancestors who need to have their temple ordinances completed.

The biggest error we can make is to forget that Family Tree is a collaborative tool.  It is not our personal online family tree.  It belongs to anyone that links to you through all those branches on your tree - 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousins, three times removed - they all can contribute and change the data there.  Hopefully, they and you will provide your sources when they or you make those changes and corrections.  By providing the sources, you allow others to understand your work and then build on it.

Family Tree is essential in temple work.  It is the tool whereby we identify ancestors and then prepare their information and print the cards that we take with us to the temple.

Family Tree is linked to familysearch.org and does provide quick research ability for those people in your tree.

If you are new to Family Tree the best place to start is by clicking "Get Help" in the upper right corner and then clicking "Quick Start to Family Tree" in the drop down menu.  There are other helps in that menu to get you going and answer questions.  Each ward/branch in our Stake should have Family History Consultants that can also help you get going.  And our Columbia Maryland Family History Center  and the Family History Center in Hampstead are great resources for help as well.

What is and Why use Ancestry.com?

Ancestry is a privately owned genealogy and family history company.  Among other things, they provide members the ability to create a family tree online and to use their amazing amount of online records.  About a year ago, the Church created a partnership with Ancestry that allows Church members to have a lifetime free membership to Ancestry.  What does that mean?  Well previously, I would pay around $300 per year to maintain my membership to Ancestry.  Now I have all of what I had before - only without the annual membership fee.  AND in that partnership they have embedded software into the family trees that allow members to connect their ancestry trees with their Family Tree on familysearch.org.  Which saves time!

The ability to create a family tree online - 

Since your tree on Family Tree/familysearch.org isn't yours exclusively (remember it's really everyone's tree) - you need a place to build your own family tree.  On Ancestry you can build that tree and choose whether to make it private or public and whether to invite other family members to be editors.  It is a place to have a working tree - one that you change and correct as you work through the questions in your family line.  Then when you are confident in the work identifying a person/family, you can easily connect that information to Family Tree/familysearch.org and, using that tool, move forward with temple ordinances.

Use their amazing amount of online records -

While the Church family history records are huge and their indexing efforts are providing more and more online resources every year - the records available through Ancestry are truly astounding and serve to complement what can be found on the Church's site.  Admittedly Ancestry is not the only good online record search engine worth using and many records may still need to be researched offline - however since the records at Ancestry are now available to Church members for free - in not using this resource you are really missing out on something that could simplify your family history research significantly.

I hope this helps a little at least.  I know I've only covered a bit of what could be asked & answered and I've only covered Ancestry.  But the Church has other partners in the family history efforts.  You can learn more about the others at https://familysearch.org/ask/#/partners/ - found under the "Get Help" tab on familysearch.org.  Also from our ward Relief Society discussion was the following handout -

D&C 110:14 & 15 reads:

Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

I have a great love for family history work and the temple ordinances that are associated with the seeking of my ancestors.  We have truly been blessed with the resources to hasten the work for our kindred dead.  I know they are waiting for us to turn our hearts and our time to them.

- Lorie Pierce

(with special thanks to Beverly Christensen)