Today I attended a Regional Training Meeting for the stake auxiliary leaders of 17 stakes in our area. We met in Torrance, at the Stake Center there. The grounds were lovely - and there was a large park in back with picnic tables and barbecues - certainly would make life easy for the Ward Activities Committee to plan picnics!
Relief Society Presidencies were taught by Jana P. Staples - who happens to be the daughter of H. Burke Peterson. When I told Dad about this, he remembered a time many years ago when we were ushers at the Tabernacle. There was a church performance one night - at least one that General Authorities got in on a pass - and we were manning the door that the General Authorities used. Elder Peterson was there with Elder Featherstone - and they had been sustained just a few days earlier. So Dad remembers that Elder Peterson showed him his badge and said, "We are really green at this. Is this the door we use?"
Just a little human interest there for you readers!
It was indeed an inspiring and spiritually fulfilling experience. Sister Staples taught us for about 2 hours - no breaks either - and I wasn't eager for her to stop!! She taught with the Spirit, sharing scriptures and experiences. She modeled techniques and behaviors for us. She had us practice in groups. She involved us all - asking us to read and enlarge upon the scriptures she had us read. She took questions. She covered everything!
I was impressed when she told us that after her call - when she and the other newly called board members met with Sister Beck - she was told, "You are good enough as you are. The Lord knows you and knows you can do the job." Would that we could all remember that when we are asked to serve in any capacity.
She focused on the responsibility we have as Relief Society leaders to guide women to Christ, to teach them to live by the Spirit. She emphasized that every thing we do must meet this criteria - or we shouldn't be doing it. She concluded by telling us that the Lord does not leave us alone. She said, "If you do His work, the sisters you teach will know His voice."
At the brief general session before we broke up into auxiliaries, Elder Tenney of the Seventy spoke to us. I was impressed with his closing remark: "If we listen, we will learn more than we hear."
I have pages of notes - and may share more in the days ahead, mostly for my own benefit, because I want to remember and incorporate the many ideas and concepts I felt were taught to us.
One important note, which you may already know, the woman formerly known as the Enrichment leader is now Relief Society Meeting Co-ordinator. And the counselors are just 1st and 2nd counselors - and each presidency can divide up the various responsibilities as they see fit. And there is a new sidebar on lds.org with lots of info for sisters to peruse. And, Sister Beck's talk in print has more in it than she actually said at the broadcast.
And the definition of a Relief Society Meeting is a meeting that can be opened with a prayer and a brief devotional!
Just a little human interest there for you readers!
It was indeed an inspiring and spiritually fulfilling experience. Sister Staples taught us for about 2 hours - no breaks either - and I wasn't eager for her to stop!! She taught with the Spirit, sharing scriptures and experiences. She modeled techniques and behaviors for us. She had us practice in groups. She involved us all - asking us to read and enlarge upon the scriptures she had us read. She took questions. She covered everything!
I was impressed when she told us that after her call - when she and the other newly called board members met with Sister Beck - she was told, "You are good enough as you are. The Lord knows you and knows you can do the job." Would that we could all remember that when we are asked to serve in any capacity.
She focused on the responsibility we have as Relief Society leaders to guide women to Christ, to teach them to live by the Spirit. She emphasized that every thing we do must meet this criteria - or we shouldn't be doing it. She concluded by telling us that the Lord does not leave us alone. She said, "If you do His work, the sisters you teach will know His voice."
At the brief general session before we broke up into auxiliaries, Elder Tenney of the Seventy spoke to us. I was impressed with his closing remark: "If we listen, we will learn more than we hear."
I have pages of notes - and may share more in the days ahead, mostly for my own benefit, because I want to remember and incorporate the many ideas and concepts I felt were taught to us.
One important note, which you may already know, the woman formerly known as the Enrichment leader is now Relief Society Meeting Co-ordinator. And the counselors are just 1st and 2nd counselors - and each presidency can divide up the various responsibilities as they see fit. And there is a new sidebar on lds.org with lots of info for sisters to peruse. And, Sister Beck's talk in print has more in it than she actually said at the broadcast.
And the definition of a Relief Society Meeting is a meeting that can be opened with a prayer and a brief devotional!
2 comments:
Very interesting Barbara.
I am going to have to miss our stake auxillary training this coming week due to traveling to californis. I am rather sad about it, too. Maybe you can enlighten me when we see each other on Saturday!? I would love to hear all of your insights!
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