Charity Never Faileth

March 17th is all about good green fun. And we're having our fair share.
But most of you know that March 17th is special for another reason. It's the birthday of the world's largest women's organization. 4+ million members. I've been thinking about Relief Society today.I was a Primary teacher for about a year and a half before Spencer was born. A really challenging, but really good calling for me. I grew to love Primary. The songs. The simplicity. I'm excited for Lucy to attend and be influenced by Primary. I will be excited to serve there again someday.

But. Let's be honest with myself. The first time I walked into the Relief Society room after my release was like coming home. It was so good to be back.

I must have been a Laurel (?) when I went to my first General Relief Society meeting with my mom. Sitting in the stake center surrounded by throngs of older women I didn't know was...semi-awkward. But then the lights dimmed. And the conference broadcast began. And I was SO INSPIRED by the talks I heard. The Spirit touched my heart and left me truly changed. Forever converted to the cause of the Relief Society.

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...

That declaration was published when I was a BYU freshman. And so began "Relief Society: The College Years." Um....I can't really put my feelings into a nutshell. Can't really sum up the impact of those years. It was profound. I would not be the same person without the friendships forged in those years. And those friendships would not have been the same without Relief Society. Without the shared testimony. Without the lessons and discussions. Without the opportunities for service.

When I got married, I remember having such a hard time describing to Wes how important Relief Society was to me. How much I valued the things that happened there. How much spiritual strength I gained from the shared sisterhood. I'm not sure that it can be described or explained. Maybe only experienced.

Regardless, marriage and motherhood have given me added reasons to appreciate Relief Society.
But! I'll not elaborate forever. This post was meant to be a celebration not a memoir!

I wanted to share these words from President Hinckley. They seem an appropriate "Happy Birthday"...

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?

Who can measure the joy that has come into the lives of these women as they have mingled together, socializing in the atmosphere of the ward or branch, enriching the lives of one another through companionships that have been sweet and treasured?

Who, even in the wildest stretch of imagination, can fathom the uncountable acts of charity that have been performed, the food that has been put on barren tables, the faith that has been nurtured in desperate hours of illness, the wounds that have been bound up, the pains that have been ameliorated by loving hands and quiet and reassuring words, the comfort that has been extended in times of death and consequent loneliness?

Sometimes, on mundane mornings or long afternoons, when the things I'm doing don't seem very significant, or when I feel a little lonely, or a little low, I hum to myself a familiar tune, and review a few familiar words: "How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission...the errand of angels is given to women...to cheer and to bless...as SISTERS in Zion.