If you didn’t have a chance to watch the General Relief Society Meeting last night, you can watch the entire meeting by video.
There are also highlights from the meeting, both in video and in text, available here. The full transcripts will be available on Tuesday, September 27th.
We’ve found a few blog posts from Mormon women bloggers who have already written about the meeting.
Velda writes:
I went into Women’s conference today praying for some help, as I’m really struggling to get some things right lately, from dating, to making dinner, to responsive web design. And I’m really, really ridiculously tired all the time. I don’t know whether it’s because I’m overwhelmed, or if I’m overwhelmed because I’m so tired, but whatever it is, it’s giving me trouble….
Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk really stuck with me, though; it was just what I needed tonight….
– Be patient with yourself. God knows you’re not perfect, and God also knows that person you’re comparing yourself is not perfect, so stop punishing yourself. Don’t forget your tiny successes — God doesn’t.
– The difference between good and foolish sacrifices. Need help differentiating? Ask: “Am I committing my time and energy to the things that matter most?”
– How to be happy now — Don’t put happiness on hold waiting for your “golden ticket.” Those who are most happy know how to see the beauty in everyday moments. Notice the blessings you have.
– The WHYs of the Gospel: Don’t just focus on the WHATs and HOWs. “The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation, but a pathway.”
– How much the Lord loves you: YOU are not forgotten.
President Uchtdorf’s talk also reached this blogger, who said:
Of lately I have felt as though I am of no worth to anyone. Who could love someone who is so unhappy with themselves. I’ve become so sad because I feel I have no purpose or I don’t know what my purpose is yet!!! But after hearing his words I knew that I was being such a fool!
I am here for a reason, and I chose to be here.
I felt as though he was speaking to me…every word describing what I had been going through lately.
Stress about school, grad school, about being PERFECT, meeting someone who will love me for me, living up to what is expected of me, the future…just all this stuff!
President Uchtdorf’s talk was obviously memorable and struck a chord in many women, but there was much to ponder in all the talks. Sister Beck has such a vision of Relief Society and the worth and value of women in God’s work. Themes of charity and covenants were addressed by Sister Allred and Sister Thompson. We are being urged to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and instruments in His hands, helping to prepare for the Lord’s Second Coming.
Here are a couple more blog links:
Emily at Housewife Class shares some of her thoughts and some brief highlights of each talk.
Kathryn at Well-Behaved Mormon Woman shares some of her thoughts:
Each talk resonated with me in different and very personal ways. I felt inspired, uplifted, lovingly chastised… but above all, I felt the love of my Father in Heaven. I hope you did, too. I feel a deeper desire to love others better. Too many are hurting. I know I’m not alone in my feelings, but I can’t deny how short I fall when it comes to being charitable, not only toward myself, but also to others. I think that’s what has struck me the most, as I’ve studiesDaughters in my Kingdom. Our ability to develop charity is at the very heart of Relief Society. It has everything to do with making and keeping covenants. As we keep our covenants, we become more like Jesus Christ, and others are blessed as He would bless them. In this manner, we ultimately come unto Him.
Kathryn also shared some of the summaries from the LDS Church News.
Read a summary of Sister Beck’s talk on Relief Society.
Read a summary of Sister Allred’s talk on charity.
Read a summary of Sister Thompson’s talk on covenants.
Read a summary of President Uchtdorf’s talk about five things not to forget (forget-me-nots).
How do I put this in a nice way? I was put off by Sister Beck constantly speaking to her granddaughters instead of addressing the millions of us women. That’s like going to a YW conference and having the speaker talk to our grandmothers instead of us.
As I listened to her talk, I think there was purpose in her rhetorical tool of choice. I think she is talking to the rising generation, speaking with a vision for not just the present, but the future of RS. I don’t think we are fully understanding and harnessing the power of womanhood in God’s plan, and of RS as a key part of the Church.
Note, for example, something she said at a conference in Idaho:
“We depend on you, the rising generation of women, to breathe new life into Relief Society … that it will be the shining light of the future, working side by side with brethren who hold the priesthood to help build the kingdom of God and prepare the Earth for His coming.”
http://lds.org/church/news/sister-beck-emphasizes-relief-societys-role-in-gods-plan-?lang=eng
So while I can understand where you are coming from, I think there was a message within the message. And if some of us of the ‘older’ generations can also catch that vision (AND help pass it along the next generations), all the better.
I love Sister Beck. I think she has a vision that is far down the road. Working closely with the Young Single Adults in our area, I know that we are losing many of them. Many don’t see the need or the purpose of Relief Society. We need to pull them back in and help them see the vision of this great work. We need them to catch the importance of being women of faith and charity in an increasingly harsh and immoral world. We need their strength and vitality.
Sister Beck’s talk also reminded me that I need to be more steadfast and diligent in my responsibilies as a woman of the gospel so that I can perhaps be a light for those not yet sure of their way.
I received my copy of “Daughters in My Kingdom” yesterday. What an inspired book!! Thank you Sister Beck.