Many thanks to Pauline Colton for sharing this beautiful watercolor painting with us. Below, she shares some of her thoughts about the painting, and a few of the many scriptures that came to mind as she was working on this piece. We first shared this in 2009 but the image was not accessible. We figured it was a great opportunity to re-share. Please note the image is copyrighted, and shared with permission. More information below.

Alma 37:6 “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.”

The greatest of all the gifts of God is His Son. Christ willingly and lovingly makes the blessings, the healing and the power of the atonement available to each of us. Only by small and simple means can I be in a position to partake of the atonement.

As I worked on the drawing and design of this piece, I had many scriptures come to mind. By taking note of each scripture as I recalled it, I ended up with six pages of scriptures. I categorized the scriptures by elements in the painting. Here, I include only one reference for each category:

1. Being partakers – Alma 5:62

2. Fruit – 1 Nephi 8:10-12

3. Tree – Revelation 2:7

4. Oil – D&C 33:16-17

5. Support for the lamp – Isaiah 41:10

6. Drop by drop – Deut 32:2

7. Light of the World – John 8:12

8. Light of Christ given to man – D&C 84:45-46

9. Clay lamp – Isaiah 64:8

10. Being invited – Revelation 3:20

<font=size=”1″>Copyright Pauline Colton. Picture may be reproduced and used for for personal, non-profit use.</font=size=”1″>

The post “Be Partakers” – a watercolor painting about oil in our lamps, the light of Christ, the tree of life, and more appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This week we will celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Relief Society, the organization for women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’ll be posting (and re-posting) some posts on the topic of Relief Society. This post was originally published in 2008.

-by Michelle

I recall one of those days several years ago when I went visiting teaching. I must confess that I was not excited to go. I was tired. I didn’t feel good. I hadn’t had much downtime with my children because we have had lots of craziness (errands, doctor’s appointments, car troubles, dad out of town). More than anything, I just wanted to be cozy and comfortable at home. “Visiting teaching is never convenient,” I found myself thinking. (Truth be told, service is often not convenient.)

I printed out the lesson and mused over the title: “Blessings of Belonging to Relief Society.” I found myself wondering about why the lessons in this particular year (2006) had focused on Relief Society.

I felt the Spirit teaching and touching me during the next hour and a half, in spite of the bad start to my service. I was able to repent of my attitude and receive a clear answer to my question.

Both of our sisters had forgotten we were coming. (That happens to me almost every time my visiting teachers come!) One sister was up to her eyeballs in a big project. Even still, both sisters graciously invited us in. (Note to self: Opening my heart and my home to my visiting teachers makes it possible for the Spirit to visit, too!)

We did the usual chatting–about life, about our holiday plans (this was at Christmastime), about recent travels, about family. The conversation quickly turned to gospel discussion, and the Spirit filled our hearts with that peace that “passeth all understanding.”

The Spirit also granted understanding. It became so clear, especially during our second visit, why the lessons focused on Relief Society: to help us understand the vision and purpose of Relief Society. Since there might be some people out there wondering about what Relief Society is all about, I wanted to include some highlights of the visiting teaching messages from this particular year (usually there is a focus or theme that is woven throughout the monthly messages in a given year). 

President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918): “This organization is divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and of men. … Make [Relief Society] first, make it foremost, make it the highest, the best and the deepest of any organization in existence in the world. You are called by the voice of the Prophet of God to do it, to be uppermost, to be the greatest and the best, the purest and the most devoted to the right” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 184).

Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society general president: “We have been given an organization to build our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to feel his love, and to extend that love to all. The Relief Society is that organization” (“Transforming Transitions,” in The Rock of Our Redeemer: Talks from the 2002 BYU Women’s Conference [2003], 45).

Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), former Relief Society general president: “What is the object of the Female Relief Society? I would reply—to do good—to bring into requisition every capacity we possess for doing good, not only in relieving the poor but in saving souls. United effort will accomplish incalculably more than can be accomplished by the most effective individual energies” (“Female Relief Society,” Deseret Evening News, Apr. 18, 1868, 2).

Reading these quotes helped me feel more deeply why Relief Society exists. We care about service, we care about lifting the downtrodden — and we care about faith, spiritual growth, and helping others work toward salvation.

How Can You Enjoy the Blessings of Belonging to Relief Society?
Anne C. Pingree, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “When the sisters of Relief Society look ‘with an eye single to the glory of God’ (D&C 4:5), they can experience rich spiritual insights and share deep spiritual strength together. … Connections forged among covenant women in Relief Society can indeed enlighten, enliven, and enrich the journey of life because we can help each other learn how to put the Lord first in our hearts and in our lives” (“Walking towards the Light of His Love,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 112–13).

2 Nephi 25:26: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, … that [we and] our children may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Who can gauge the miraculous effects upon the lives of millions of women whose knowledge has been increased, whose vision has been extended, whose lives have been broadened, and whose understanding of the things of God has been enriched by reason of countless lessons effectively taught and learned in meetings of the Relief Society?” (“Ambitious to Do Good,” Ensign, Mar. 1992, 4).

President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: “The Relief Society curriculum is focused on basic doctrine and will give you the opportunity to study the gospel and increase your spirituality. … All sisters … need to be ‘remembered and nourished by the good word of God’ [Moro. 6:4]. Doctrine will strengthen you and help you to develop the spirituality necessary to overcome the challenges of life” (“You Are All Heaven Sent,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 111).

Anne C. Pingree, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “Each of us … can move forward without fear, finding our way to Him as we personally feel the blessings of His infinite Atonement. I know that one of the supernal blessings of Relief Society is our connection to women who also bear testimony of our Lord. My prayer is that we will ever walk side by side towards the light of His redeeming love” (“Walking towards the Light of His Love,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 113).

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985): “Intelligence, light and knowledge … are part of the promise given to the sisters by the Prophet Joseph Smith. … Relief Society sisters see the fulfillment of that promise daily as they teach children at home, in Sunday School, and in Primary, in Relief Societies, in sacrament meetings, and in daily conversation. … We encourage all our sisters to take advantage of their opportunities to receive light and knowledge in school, in personal study, and in Relief Society” (“Relief Society—Its Promise and Potential,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 4).

I really liked what Sister Pingree said about having our eye single to God. Relief Society is more than casseroles and crafts; it is an organization designed to help us gain “rich spiritual insights and share deep spiritual strength together.” The purpose of activities and service opportunities are opportunities to bring us together as sisters, to increase love and faith.

I am grateful that the Spirit helped me catch that vision yesterday as I was visiting teaching. I felt spiritually nourished and strengthened. In the end, these are the potential fruits of visiting teaching…but how easily I forget! I’m grateful that we have this opportunity to visit sisters every month, and I find that my life is blessed when I do my visiting teaching. It’s a simple program with wonderful purpose and potential. And there are countless ways that Relief Society has blessed my life.

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I read a blog post by a friend recently in which the author talked about the different books that have changed her life. My first thought was that I should do a post like that. I am, after all, a big reader. I love to read. I spend time reading everyday without fail. Certainly my list of life-changing books would be long.

So, I sat down and started making a list. Much to my surprise, all I could come up with was:

One.

The Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon has been a spiritual guide for me.  It is a companion to the Holy Bible and has deepened my understanding of all scripture.  It is a testament of Jesus Christ, and I have gained a true testimony of Him in the pages of this book. I’ve learned about His prophets and His life. I’ve found answers to questions in its pages.  I’ve gained peace and comfort from it’s pages. When I’m reading it regularly, I am a better wife and mother.

And that for me is life-changing.

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We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:

Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.

Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.

Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.

Delight in service and good works.

Love life and learning.

Stand for truth and righteousness.

Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.

Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.

The post Mormon Women in a Nutshell: The Relief Society Declaration appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Heidi

I will forever be grateful to my ancestors who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints long ago and for all that they sacrificed so that I could grow up with the gospel in my household.  One of my most illustrious ancestors is Daniel Tyler who is known for his book The Concise History of the Mormon Battalion.  He served as the sergeant of Company C of the Battalion and kept a vivid account of all their doings.

He was born in 1819 and was introduced to the Book of Mormon through a meeting he attended at his neighbor’s house.  The Mormon missionaries were there and Daniel, aged 15 at the time, picked up the book and began to read.  It took only a few pages in order for him to feel a strong desire to be baptized into the church but his father was opposed to it.  Later his sister braved her father’s objections and joined the church.  Soon, their parents and brothers followed.  Daniel, however, was still afraid to tell his father the secret he had harbored in his heart for months.

Finally, Daniel’s father asked him a question.  Daniel writes, “On my father asking if it was not hard for my sister, parents and brothers to leave me, I broke completely down and wept aloud.  I was baptized the following Wednesday.”

Daniel Tyler was instrumental in the building up of the church in Europe.  He was called to serve as a mission president of the Italian/Swiss/German/French Mission in 1854.  While there, he received a letter from Professor Karl G. Maeser, a German citizen who was interested in the church.  Professor Maeser was subsequently baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, emigrated to Utah, and was one of the founding fathers of Brigham Young Academy, now known as B.Y.U.

Despite his stony expression and military stance in the photo above, Daniel Tyler was a kind man who loved to share his testimony with others.  He suffered many trials and tribulations in the course of his life but he never denied his testimony of the gospel.  I am so thankful for men like him who endured many hardships to bring the gospel to so many.

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I have been a member of the Church all my life. My husband and I raised seven children and I am a contented grandmother of thirteen. I love doing many things: Family History, reading, keeping up with politics, gardening, attending and working in the temple, collecting dolls, and playing the violin.

The more I attend the temple, the more honored I feel to be able to be there. I am grateful to be a worker to help those who come as they participate in sacred ordinances and take time be in this place that for us, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the holiest place on earth.

This Easter, I was asked to play my violin for the temple workers in the early morning prayer meeting.  I didn’t hesitate to accept, but had an extra challenge to be able to play well, because I have had fibromyalgia for about eight years, and the pain and shaking make playing very difficult.  I worried, and took my problem to the Lord in prayer, asking him to help me perform in a manner He would approve of, and to help me overcome my fibro, just for this once.

The piece I chose to play was “The Holy City.” It is an inspiring, stirring, classic piece based on a verse in Revelation where John sees The New Jerusalem.  I have always loved it. But because I would have to play at 6:30 am, it would be hard to get my hands dextrous enough to do it correctly.  Some mornings I arose early to practice, but I was half asleep as I played, and it sounded terrible.  I was really worried, but kept on practicing and praying, neglecting to make dinner and do housecleaning. I tried not to look at the things piling up around me.  I just “sawed!”  Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who picked up the slack in the kitchen and did the laundry for us.

The night before I was to perform, I hardly slept. I dozed for two hours, then got up and practiced to keep my fingers warm, the notes in tune and consistent, and my vibrato steady, then went back to bed and dozed again. I prayed as I played. At last it was 3 am and I rose for the final time,  got ready and practiced while my husband got ready.  I was frightened and shaking with nerves.  I went on my knees to ask my Heavenly Father to be with me and help me to play in a manner worthy of his holy house.

We arrived at the temple a little before six, and I felt peace and quiet there, and was able to calm down.  I changed into my white dress [we all wear white in the temple] and walked down to the chapel.  My accompanist and I had time to go over it once, and I felt comfortable and prepared. I glanced at my sisters and brothers, dressed in pure white and smiling, and felt their love and support very strongly.  The Lord’s Spirit was there.  My husband sat beside me to silently cheer me on, and when the time came to get up and play, I felt Heavenly Father soothe my nervousness and help my playing  project his love at this Easter time to my fellow temple workers.

When we finished and I sat down, my husband whispered, “Perfect!”  After the meeting, I received compliments from just about everyone, and all throughout the morning they came up to express their love.  Some said it brought tears to their eyes.

I knew that my Heavenly Father helped me to play in a “heavenly” manner in His house, and took away my physical problem for those few minutes.  I felt His spirit there with me, and will never forget that rare privilege.

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I know this is the true Church of our Savior Jesus Christ and that we are led by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

My story:

My life challenges started at a very early age. I was eight years old when I was first molested. He was a friend of the family and I had a child’s love for him. He broke my heart and severely injured my spirit. Unable to tell my parents, my trust of people around me was shaken. I became very insecure and frightened of life. When I reached my teens, my insecurities and lack of participation in school activities became evident and a concerned counselor started drawing me out and I felt comforted by his concern. But, once again my life was jolted when he betrayed my trust. One day he offered me a ride home. I accepted his kind gesture. I soon realized he had other intentions. We took a ride into the hills near our town and the unspeakable happened. Once again I was shaken to the core and afraid to go to my parents. I had no idea how to deal with any of this and so I pushed the thoughts and feelings deep inside. I didn’t have any close friends at school and my insecurities became overwhelming.

I started going to a neighborhood church and felt some comfort but still I had no answers to why bad things were always happening to me. I was convinced that bad things only happened to bad people ant that I was being punished. I met a boy who belonged to another church and we started dating. School became increasingly harder for me to deal with. When I was sixteen and my boyfriend nineteen I convinced my parents to allow me to get married. I was then dropped out of school.

A couple of years into my marriage my husband and I started having very heated arguments. We were both so young and immature. It became an abusive relationship with my husband using physical force. After our son was born, I decided that the best thing for both me and my son was to leave this marriage. I was more fearful for my son than for myself. Once again I was left with the thought and feeling that I was a bad person.

It was very hard being a single mom at the young age of nineteen. I started having severe migraine headaches that often made it hard for me to go to work, or be a mother. I started suffering with depression as well. I had long since stopped going to church, I couldn’t see the point. My friends changed and my lifestyle became one that I am now ashamed of. And soon drugs became an escape from all my worries. At least I thought so at the time.

Even though this was a time of spiraling out of control, I did meet a man who was stable and who had healthy life goals and was willing to be a father to my son, and so, we were married and a year later we had a daughter. I still suffered with migraines and depression. I was also still painfully insecure and that was a problem for my very outgoing, enthusiastic husband.

At some point all of these physical, mental and social challenges became too overwhelming. Prescription drugs and illegal drugs became a part of my life again. I was what you would call a “functioning addict.” My marriage of seventeen years ended and I really went into a tailspin. I became so frightened of life. I was completely convinced that my life had no worth.

Mid-October 2004 I tried to end my life. I was found unconscious, barely breathing and rushed to the hospital. I was put on a respirator. My two sisters, one in California, and the other in Utah, were contacted by my former husband who is a doctor. They have since told me they thought they were coming to bury me.

After five days I regained consciousness and was taken off the respirator. My two sisters were standing by my bedside. Both my sisters have been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since they were in their teens. One of my sisters reached over the safety bar on the bed and laid her hand on my arm and asked me if I would like a priesthood blessing. At the same time that she asked that question there was a whisper in my other ear. Jesus whispered, “Are you ready to do it my way?” I knew it was Him because of how specific those words were to me. I also knew it was Jesus because of the love, warmth and comfort that fell on me. I have never felt such love in all my life! Such pure love! I said yes to both questions. Any questions I had about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were answered in that moment.

It’s my testimony that Jesus lives and his Atonement will make everything right. Heavenly Father’s love has healed me. I do not suffer from depression, overwhelming insecurities, nor do I feel like I’m a bad person. As my faith grows and my knowledge of the gospel grows I realize that bad things happen to good people. We are here to be tested. Our lives are subjected sometimes to those who choose to use their agency in a negative manner. When those times befall us, He will comfort us.

Before I was baptized, I worried about forgiveness. I worried about whether Heavenly Father would forgive me if I couldn’t forgive those who had trespassed against me. Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” I talked to Elder Hansen (who was the missionary teaching me and who would be baptizing me) about my concerns and he suggested that I fast and pray. I also talked to the local Relief Society President. Sister Hunt loaned me her scriptures and showed me how to use the Topical Guide and the Bible Dictionary. I took her scriptures home, fasted, prayed and read scriptures that night and the next day. I can’t really say that I had any earth shaking revelations, but at some point, an indescribable peaceful feeling came upon me. I no longer had any ill feelings left and I was able to pray sincerely for those who had hurt me. I then felt like I could enter the baptismal waters and enter into those sacred covenants and start my journey of enduring to the end.

I know I’m not alone on this journey. I know that I can call on Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, to help me through any challenge and he will give me the strength to endure.

—

Editor’s note: This post originally appeared on this site on June 12, 2008.

The post When Bad Things Happen to Good People: One woman’s journey to overcome the effects of abuse and addiction appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Heather L.

As I was standing by my fence watching my son go by on his bike, a knothole caught my eye.

All I could see through it was a bit of dirt. Not very exciting.

I turned my camera and took a shot from the bottom of it – a little chunk of beautiful blue sky. [Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t do the sky justice, but you get the idea.]

I often feel like all I understand of life is the little muddy chunk.

How many times I’ve wished I could see more! Like the owner’s manual on my kids?! Or how long a particular problem was going to last? The end result of a cautious choice? How often I’ve wished I could see the beautiful blue end from the muddy beginning.

But life isn’t made to be that way.

God sent me here to learn to live by faith, obedience, diligence, patience, all of which I’d never learn if I knew the answers ahead of time.

Hard as it may be, not being able to see more helps me grow in faith, humility, strength, and gratitude. Ultimately I am more blessed as I become more willing to submit my will to God’s “big picture” view.

After all, He built the fence. He puts in the knotholes. He knows the end from the beginning. He wants me to succeed, and will provide a way.

All I need to do is go forward with faith, like Nephi of old:

“I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

So maybe I can’t see the whole big picture right now.

But I can ask for help, listen to the Holy Ghost, and move forward with faith that God will “prepare a way.” He will put “holes” where I need them. I just need to look for them with hope, rather than focusing on the dirt. Then the light will shine through and brighten my journey through mud and meadow on the way to the beautiful blue end.

The post We Believe: Walking by Faith and Eternal Perspective appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

My name is Katy, short for Kathryn. I’ve been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since I was baptized at the age of eight years old. My parents were raised Mormon. My grandparents were raised Mormon. Their grandparents were raised Mormon…..I could keep going back to my pioneer relatives who crossed the plains, but that’s not why I am who I am.

My parents taught me from a very early age that I needed to find out for myself who I was and what my purpose on this earth was, if there was any. I had the best mom and dad. They made sure I knew I was loved and cared for. They made sure my three brothers and two sisters felt the same. But they also wanted me to learn how to stretch my “wings” and fly on my own.

When I was a senior in high school, I hung out with a wide variety of friends. Our own little “breakfast club” if you will. We had Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, Agnostics, and even a Pentecostal minister in our group. I looked forward to lunch period every day, because we had the best conversations…about anything and everything. We’d discuss our religions, our own personal beliefs, our fears, our hopes, our individual relationships with God….and what was so cool was that we “got” each other.

I loved to answer their questions about Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, how I wanted to one day be married in the temple and why it was such a sacred place to me. It was in those conversations with my friends that I realized my own testimony of the beliefs I’d been taught my entire life. I knew what I was sharing was true, was right, was real, and was what I needed in my life forever.

After high school, I continued on to college and on in my journey of self-discovery. When I was 21, I met Dave, who was also a member of the Mormon Church as I was. We fell in love and were married in the temple for time and all eternity, not just till death. That has been such a comfort for us, knowing that even after this life, we will be together forever as we keep the commandments of God and strive to be like our Savior, Jesus Christ. We’ve been married for over 10 years and have three beautiful children. My oldest, our Hannah, just turned eight and made the decision to be baptized.

I enjoy being a stay-at-home mom. I enjoy serving in my community and in my church. I love my children and feel it is my responsibility to be the best mother I can so that they can have every opportunity I had as a child to learn and to grow and to become who it is they want to be. I want them to gain a testimony of how special they are, as is every child in this world. That they are children of God, that they have a Savior who loves them and knows them and wants them to have every happiness possible.

May every person in this world one day feel those same things in their hearts as I hope my children do.

– – – – – – –
Read more Portraits of Mormon Women. If you are a Mormon woman who wants to submit a Portrait (of you or a Mormon woman you know), email us at gmail, username ‘mormonwoman’

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