Daughters in My Kingdom

Please see a member of the Relief Society Presidency if you have not received your copy of this important book.  You can read it online or download the book by clicking here.  Sister Chris gave a wonderful lesson about the importance of this manual in Relief Society Today so we thought we would share those words here for everyone to read.

"It will unify and align a worldwide sisterhood with the purposes of Relief Society and the patterns and privileges of disciples.  It is a witness of women's essential roles in our Father's plan of happiness, and it provides an immovable standard of what we believe, what we do and what we will defend"

"This book can teach Latter-day Saint women who they are and of their importance to the Lord." - Sister Julie B. Beck

There are many important themes that surface throughout the book.  These themes teach about identity and purpose.  Some of the themes are:

• Relief Society strengthens and supports women in their identity as daughters of God.
• Relief Society is a restoration of an ancient pattern of discipleship
• Relief Society, when it functions properly, is a manifestation of charity.
• The history of Relief Society is a history of noble, faithful women.
• Through Relief Society, women learn about and are strengthened by an inseparable connection with the priesthood.  

The book corrects many false ideas about LDS women.  Some of the truths that are found in the book are:

• Relief Society is a way of life, not just a Sunday class.  It is the way that the Lord organizes His daughters into a discipleship.
• Relief Society is a place of influence, a worldwide sisterhood.  It is not a place filled with old ladies and knitting and cliches.  It is where we can, together, have a greater influence than doing things alone.
• History confirms that members of the Relief Society have always cared about significant issues.  Relief Society sisters have been thought of as "sweet but uninformed."  The Lord has always expected His daughters to lead and influence for good, to make significant contributions to home and family and their communities, and to further His work.
• The Lord values the contributions of women.  If any woman in the Church feels that she does not measure up to what is expected of her this book will help her remember that righteous offerings are acceptable to God.  Busyness and competition are not the same as consecration and our best efforts.
• Relief Society provides a way for women to fulfill the Lord's plan.  The world teaches women that everything is about them.  Through Relief Society we learn the Lord has expectations and responsibilities that are eternal and not negotiable.
• Women have played an important part in His Church from the beginning.  The history of the Church is filled with powerful stories about women.  The Lord has always valued women.

Church News, September 17,2011

A lot of thought and detail went into this book.  The Church wanted this book to be something that was special and unique for the sisters and something that would help them realize how special and unique they are. To accomplish this, several design elements were implemented:

• The corners of the book are rounded
• There is a lot of color throughout the book (see page 105)
• The books is the same height as the international scriptures.
• The book stays open when it is laid flat, making it easier to read.

"This great circle of sisters will be a protection for each of you and for your families. The Relief Society might be likened to a refuge—the place of safety and protection—the sanctuary of ancient times. You will be safe within it. It encircles each sister like a protecting wall."  - Boyd K. Packer

In 1980, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Donna, visited a Relief Society in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia). He later recalled:

“It was not easy to obtain visas, and we used great care so as not to jeopardize the safety and well-being of our members, who for generations had struggled to keep their faith alive under conditions of unspeakable oppression.

“The most memorable meeting was held in an upper room. The blinds were drawn. Even at night, those attending came at different times, one from one direction and one from another, so as to not call attention to themselves.

“There were in attendance 12 sisters. We sang the hymns of Zion from songbooks—words without music—printed more than 50 years before. [A lesson] was reverently given from the pages of a handmade manual. …

“I told those sisters that they belonged to the largest and by all measure the greatest women’s organization on earth. I quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith when he and the Brethren organized the Relief Society. …

“The Spirit was there. The lovely sister who had conducted with gentility and reverence wept openly.

“I told them that upon our return I was assigned to speak at a Relief Society conference; could I deliver a message from them? Several of them made notes; each expression, every one, was in the spirit of giving—not of asking for anything. I shall never forget what one sister wrote: ‘A small circle of sisters send their own hearts and thoughts to all the sisters and begs the Lord to help us go forward.’

“Those words, circle of sisters, inspired me. I could see them standing in a circle that reached beyond that room and circled the world.”

Recalling that meeting, President Packer said, “I stood, for a moment, in that circle and felt the impulses of faith and courage and love coming and going on either side.”

In the book the Relief Society is likened to a fabric of lace spread across the continents.  The tighter the threads in a fabric are woven together, the stronger the fabric becomes.  It is the same with women in the church.  The more we work together the stronger we become.

Fabric is something that is international.  No matter where you are you wear some kind of clothing or you have some textiles in your home.  A fabric/texture design element is featured on each chapter headiing page.  

Nicole Erickson, a Church employee who helped with the manual, said that working on the project changed the way she views herself.  "I always knew I was a daughter of Heavenly Father, but I didn't really realize what that meant.  I know now after working on this book that He will take care of me no matter what."  Nicole also said that she sees other women differently now.  "I see them as strong daughters of God with great power and potential to do great things on this earth."

Relief Society, she said, "is a group of women who are organized or come together wherever they may be to help those around them, to help themselves better understand the gospel and to better themselves so they can help their families and their communities."

More than 98.5 percent of Relief Society sisters will have a copy of Daughters in My Kingdom in their own language by January 2012.  Sister Beck said this book is not a manual or a course of study.  It is a personal and family resource for us to have in our homes.  She said "it is expected of you that you read it . . .you will know how to use it once you have read it."

Sister Beck said that we all face challenges and have many questions - for example - "How do I soften my heart so my anger goes away?  How do I manage helping my children reach their spiritual potential while I am just trying to get by? "

Sister Beck said that no matter the question, answers will come with the help of studying the scriptures and this new book.  Through these two resources sisters are able to strengthen their own faith as well as the faith of those around them.  "You are doing better than you think you are, but we can be better."

Christmas Lesson & Christmas Music

Today we were most privileged to hear our final lesson in the two year course of study on the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Sis. Chris Petersen's beautiful lesson reminded us of that many important things happened in the Prophet Joseph's life that happened near Christmastime, beginning with his birth, and his soon-to-be marriage to his beloved Emma in January. Joseph received revelation around Christmastime which makes for the perfect New Year's resolution to be better, work harder, forgive more, and be more Christlike. She reminded us that on one Christmas, he spent it in Liberty Jail, without even a blanket. He wrote and pleaded to Emma to send him a blanket to keep him warm. And on the Christmas that would turn out to be his last, he was reunited with his dear friend Porter Rockwell, who had been released and returned through enemy territory to rejoin him in Nauvoo on Christmas day. If we all try to be more like the Prophet Joseph Smith, we too can be more like our Savior.

Near the conclusion of this beautiful lesson, she shared the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "Praise to the Man."

As we celebrate this season, may we remember the birth of our Savior, celebrate the blessings of this gospel and be grateful for the sacrifices that Joseph Smith, Jr. made so that we may have the restored gospel on the Earth today.

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At the conclusion of the lesson, we were privileged to hear a compilation of music celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Presidency Message - "Changing Times" - Kathleen Walker - Dec. 6, 2009

Excerpts from a delightful and inspired lesson:

I have been at this assignment 3 months now. I came to it with some trepidation - at the completion of our Temple Assignment, I was fatigued. And that experience had been so glorious, so heavenly, that I was sure anything else would be a let down. I didn't really know you and you didn't know me. But I know I had two things going for me. 1) I loved Relief Society. 2) I love the Lord and whatever he requires of me will be mere minutia compared with what he has given me.

And 3 months later, I can say, I am finding joy in this service. I love this work. And I love you. There are mornings when I can hardly wait to get to the phone and start dialing some of you. I love to talk with you and share with you and learn and grow because of you.

As I have pondered on what I would talk about today, I thought I would just share 3 months of musings. Thoughts that have rumbled in my head.

I begin with this: We know that the principles and ordinances of the gospel will never change. they do not sway with the times, they do not follow social trends. They are constant and will remain so, because they are true. But the process by which those principles and ordinances are taught do change.

Pres. Eyring, in this last General RS Meeting, spoke of this - of the evolution of RS and its enduring legacy. When you look at the history of the church and specifically of RS we find a kind of "growing up." The Primary Organization, LDS Family Services, The Humanitarian Program, the church magazines, the hospital system in the valley, all found their beginnings in the RS.
. . . .

There was a time when temple attendance was tracked. The Handbook of Instructions used to be very thick, now it is thin. The Missionary lessons were once memorized, now we have Preach my Gospel which outlines the topics but encourages teaching by the spirit. The RS Manual for next year, the average length of lesson instruction is about 2 1/2 pages compared with 7 - 12 pages.

Why?
. . . .

The more we have to rely on the spirit for guidance, the more we bless the lives of those we serve.

We know that with Visiting Teaching, the more we practice the spirit of the law the less important the letter of the law becomes. We begin to simply love and care for the sisters and think less of rushing to their homes the last week of the month to get the visiting done.

We know that when we have an opportunity to fulfill a welfare assignment, or help at a funeral or take a meal in, that the spirit with which it is done, makes the difference between an act of charity and an imposition.

All of this brings me to the new instructions regarding the once called (Home Family and Personal Enrichment) Enrichment Program and now called Relief Society Meetings.
. . . .

This program is pushing us to live by the promptings of the spirit.

1. To offer things that will meet the spiritual, temporal, emotional and physical needs of the sisters in our ward.
2. These new RS Meetings will be held during the week (for us it will be on the 3rd Tuesday). They will generally be held monthly.
3. The bishop oversees the program, but under the direction of the RS Pres, in the same way priesthood quorums function.
4. The once Enrichment leader is now called "The RS Meeting Coordinator". In our ward it is Jenna Pratt, with 2 assistant coordinators, Coco Peterson and Jan Ingebretson. She also has a committee of helpers and has access to anyone on the RS Board (or in the RS).

We will begin this new program in January and will meet on January 19 for our first meeting. We have identified, with the Bishop's help, some of the needs that we feel the sisters of this ward have. If there is something you would like this program to cover, something that you need help in, something you are interested in, are capable of teaching or that you think would benefit others of this ward, please step forward and share with us. This program is for you. It is a supplementary program to the Sunday RS. it is not mandatory for entrance into the Celestial Kingdom, but can greatly enhance our knowledge, our skills and our interests and build a sense of camaraderie and sisterhood in this ward.
. . . .

I believe it is one more evidence that the Lord is hastening his work. We are being prepared to stand on our own feet and be accountable for our own lives! The spoon feeding is diminishing and the spirit of the law, as opposed to the letter of the law becomes the empowering principle. In the end we will each be accountable for our own salvation We will not slide in on the coattails of our parents, our husbands, our children or our best friends.

The result of this self empowerment will be that we will move UP. As you know, MOVIN UP is our theme this year . . . taken from the movie UP. We hope to have a ward movie night in Jan, in which we see that movie.
. . .

One final plea: Please connect with those you visit teach. The Christmas season can be one of loneliness. Get on your knees and pray for guidance and then get on your feet and become the Savior's hands. Reach out in love.

Ch. 43 He Was a Prophet of God: Contemporaries of J. Smith Testify of His Prophetic Mission

Eliza Roxy Snow Young, Lorenzo Hill Hatch, and Mary Alice Cannon Lambert were three of the contemporaries who testified of the prophet Joseph Smith.

Eliza R. S. Young was the second general president of the Relief Society, wrote hymns, and is buried in the Salt Lake Cemetary. She knew the prophet Joseph before crossing the plains to Utah. Of Joseph she said "In the cause of truth and righteousness--in all that would benefit his fellow man, his integrity was as firm as the pillars of Heaven. He knew that God had called him to the work, and all the powers of earth and hell combined, failed either to deter or divert him from his purpose." (played by Joann Nance)

Lorenzo Hill Hatch was a young man when he knew the Prophet Joseph. He lived in Nauvoo when he was 16, and was a builder. His original level, found in his home in Nauvoo, which has now been restored, was likely used on the Nauvoo temple. (The one Barbara Harvath brought to the lesson.) Lorenzo crossed the plains, was sent to settle Lehi, settled the 4 Corners area of the state. [He is the many great grandfather of Barbara Harvath, and the young man portraying him in the photo.]

Mary Alice Cannon Lambert emigrated to Nauvoo as a young girl from England. She first met the Prophet Joseph as she got off a river boat and landed in Nauvoo. "I knew him the instant my eyes rested upon him, and at that moment I received my testiony that he was a Prophet of God. . . . He was not pointed out to me. I knew him from all the other men, and, child that I was (I was only fourteen) I knew that I saw a Prophet of God."
Brigham Young (David Ingabretsen), the Second President of the Church: "I feel like shouting, hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the kingdom of God on earth and sustain it. These keys are committed to this people, and we have power to continue the work that Joseph commenced."

Wilford Woodruff (Jim Gish) "President Joseph Smith Jr arose and addressed the congregation for teh term of three hours, clothed with teh power, spirit, and image of God. He unbosomed his mind and feelings in the house of his friends. He presented many things of vast importance to the minds of the elders of Israel. Oh, that they might be written upon our hearts as with an iron pen to remain forever that we might practice then in our lives [see Job 19:23-24]."

Our fabulous technical crew (holding the level that Lorenzo Hill Hatch used in Nauvoo).

Thanks Barbara and all of her participants for this wonderful readers for such a stirring presentation of the testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith.