Church service as we know it defines us as a peculiar people. No where else in religious worship are so many giving so much without remuneration. Not only do we have a lay clergy, we have a fully functioning, 100% volunteer institution which includes teachers, secretaries, clerks, administrators, musicians, counselors, social workers, missionaries, writers, preachers, artists, publishers, nurses, farmers, seamstresses, and hard laborers of all sorts. I am so used to the way we do things, I never noticed that it was unusual. I was surprised to learn that in other churches, Sunday School teachers are paid. Organists, choirs, secretaries, nearly everyone who contributes time and effort to a church, fills out a W-2 first. Our unique approach to church service makes us truly peculiar!
What's more, we enjoy a peculiar opportunity as women in the church. In what other era of time have women in mass, received inspired calls and been set apart through priesthood authority to perform needed tasks in the building up of the kingdom of heaven on earth? In the history of the Restoration, such service by women was not immediate. The establishment of the Female Relief Society didn't come until March 17, 1842, twelve years after the organization of the church. A group of sisters, headed by Sarah M. Kimball, desired to organize themselves in order to provide work clothing for the workmen of the Nauvoo Temple. Sister Eliza R. Snow drew up a constitution. When presented with the constitution for his approval, Joseph Smith responded :
But this is not what you want. Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and He has something better for them than a written constitution. Invite them all to meet me and a few of the brethren in the Masonic Hall over my store next Thursday afternoon, and I will organize the sisters under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood.
He later said, "The Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized." The Nauvoo Relief Society lasted for only two years as an organized body. But the spirit of Relief Society did not cease and was carried on in an unofficial capacity in Winter Quarters and across the plains and into the colonization of Utah. In 1866, 23 years later, in response to the coming dangers of the railroad, the Relief Society was officially reinstated. Likewise, Brigham Young organized what was called the Retrenchment Society in 1869 to protect his daughters from the influence that the railroad brought to the valley. Ella V. Empey, age twenty-three, was chosen as president. This quickly spread beyond President Young's family and eventually became the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Society.
For women, widespread opportunities for service outside the home coincided with new opportunities of all sorts; religious, educational, artistic, and political, which began to find a voice first in this nation and not until the close of the 18th Century. Prior to this time, unless a woman was a queen by birthright, her role was fixed in the home. Women of faith played a passive role in the day to day work of worship. Most could not read and had no personal access to the scriptures. Looking from this perspective, just think what a wonderful time it now is to come to earth! For 290 generations, our mothers practiced their agency within strict boundaries. This began to change less than 10 generations ago. I wonder if we appreciate this great privilege we enjoy?
It is not by chance that we came at this time, dear sisters. Each succeeding generation brings stronger spirits, who were reserved to come in these last days. There is much work to do, and it is wonderful that we have the honor to consecrate ourselves to do it. When we look at the statistics and we listen to the stories of the great work that is going forth throughout the world, we must reflect with gratitude that as sisters in Zion we are able to take such an active role in this work.
President Hinckley stands as a tremendous example to us of devoted service. He was always so involved with the work that he didn't take time to reflect where it was leading him, and he was always so surprised when the calls for greater responsibility came to him, but he always accepted them. He was like Nephi, the Book of Mormon prophet whose people came to the land Bountiful, rich with fruit and honey, and beheld the sea after 8 years in the wilderness. There the voice of the Lord told Nephi to "construct a ship, after the manner that I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters." 1 Nephi 17:8. What was Nephi's immediate response? Did he look at the ocean and contemplate the fact that he had never built even a raft, let alone a seaworthy vessel to carry a large group of people over an ocean of unknown size to who knows where? No. He merely said, "Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?" He rolled up his figurative sleeves and said use me!
And that is the same attitude Gordon B. Hinckley developed from a very early age. While serving as the first area president over the vast Asian region of the earth, he learned more than ever before to lose himself in the work. During this period he commented in a stirring speech at BYU:
"What a tremendous thing it is to be a part of a Church that has a great heritage, . . That speaks of faith and courage and sacrifice and giving. If we ever lose it, we had better close up shop. Without sacrifice there is no true worship. . . . As you go forward with your ambitious programs, forget yourselves now and again. Lay aside your selfishness; lose yourself in the service of others and in some great cause."
This invitation inspires a strong natural desire in me to get involved. I enjoyed heavy involvement in many good causes as a youth. And my discovery of a long searched for answer brought me into this church at the age of 16, and introduced me to the greatest cause of my life. I love serving in the kingdom. My desire is driven by my testimony of Jesus Christ. There is nothing I'd rather be doing than serving the Lord. My very best efforts have been spent in church service.
I think it is the very fact that I made a bold choice to say yes to an invitation to be baptized at the age of 16 and espouse an unknown religion of strangers, without looking back, that makes me feel such a kinship to the early pioneers of the church. I have been adopted by choice and I fully claim my Mormon heritage and hold it dear to my heart. Stories of men and women who left their families and homelands, all that was familiar and comfortable, for the sake of their testimonies touch me very deeply. I'd like to share a few stories of early latter-day saint women who paved the way for us to serve in our callings and give and grow as we do today.
Elizabeth Ann Whitney, wife of Newell K. Whitney, was a counselor to Emma Smith, in the first presidency of the Nauvoo Relief Society. Born in Connecticut in 1800 with no religious instruction, she moved to Ohio at the age of 18 where she met her future husband. They were married in 1822 and settled in Kirtland. She was naturally religious, despite her lack of training, and while seeking spiritual guidance one night with her husband, had a marvelous spiritual experience in which they were told to prepare themselves to receive the word of the Lord, "for it is coming." Within months, Elizabeth Ann heard Parley P. Pratt teach the message of the restored gospel and she believed and was baptized before her husband, who followed her lead. Elizabeth was determined to devote her life to her religion.
In the first patriarchal blessing meeting held in the Kirtland Temple, Elizabeth was blessed with the gift of inspirational singing. Joseph Smith promised her that if she would rise upon her feet she should have the pure language. She stood and sang with the gift of tongues in the pure language of Adam and Eve. Eliza R. Snow wrote of this event, "It was nearer to heavenly music than anything I ever heard." and this unusual and sacred gift continued with Elizabeth the rest of her life.
In Nauvoo, she was ordained and set apart by Joseph Smith to administer to the sick and comfort the sorrowful. As counselor in the Nauvoo Relief Society, she took the helm in the second year due to the absence of Emma Smith. She conducted the meetings of the 1100 member society, organized a visiting committee to search out the needy, directed charitable activities, exhorted members to faithfulness, and served as a model for her Mormon sisters, whose faith was magnified in good works.
Elizabeth became the second woman in this dispensation to receive her temple endowments and this from Joseph Smith before the completion of the Nauvoo temple. She became the first mother in Isreal to give birth to a child born "heir to the Holy Priesthood and in the New and Everlasting Covenant in this dispensation," and after the temple was completed in 1845, Elizabeth Ann was one of the first three women to perform the temple initiatory rites, and worked every day thereafter as a "Priestess" a title given to all female temple workers at that time, which she continued to do in the Endowment House in Utah. Elizabeth Ann ever remained faithful and devoted to the restored gospel and enjoyed a rich spiritual life.
Eliza R. Snow, grew up in Ohio, with five brothers and sisters. Her family was very religious and belonged to the Baptist church until they were baptized in 1835 after Joseph Smith came to their home and told them about his vision. This talented poet and well educated woman became a teacher to Joseph Smith's children in Kirtland. Though Eliza loved elegant, feminine clothing with yards and yards of material and elaborate trim, she gave all that she owned to the building of the Kirtland Temple.
In December 1866, Brigham Young called Eliza to reinstate the Relief Society and organize societies in each ward. She and a group of "leading sisters," supervised the founding of more than 300 ward societies before her death in 1887.
Eliza's twenty-year administration saw the expansion of the society's work into various areas. Under her direction the women purchased properties and built Relief Society halls; they also established cooperative and commission stores, set up a grain-storage program and built granaries, provided scholarships for women to attend medical schools, and operated schools for nurses and midwives in the Intermountain area, operated a hospital, founded a newspaper, staged mass meetings to express their views on political issues, and promoted women's suffrage. "Greatness is usefulness," and "there is no limit to what we can accomplish," were frequent themes of Eliza Snow.
Sister Snow was instrumental in the establishment of the Primary and was appointed supervisor over the first Young Women's Retrenchment Society as well. What an incredible legacy she has left for women, and the entire church!
Aurelia Spencer Rogers lived in Nauvoo and at the age of twelve, lost her mother. Her father was left with six children to raise. Aurelia and her older sister Ellen cared for the younger four brothers and sisters as they fled Nauvoo. In Winter Quarters, Brother Spencer was called to serve a mission, and the older girls brought the family across the plains without him. During the trek westward, Aurelia met Thomas Rogers, and they later married in Salt Lake, and settled in Farmington. Of the twelve children born to Thomas and Aurelia, five died as babies.
In 1878, the bishop of their ward called a meeting for the mothers to discuss the problems that were developing in town with the children. There were many discipline problems and parents had become concerned. He discussed with the mothers, the importance of guiding the minds of young children. Aurelia took the discussion to heart and felt that it would take a united effort to effectively influence the children for good.
She discussed her thoughts with Eliza R. Snow, then serving as general president of the Relief Society. "Could there not be an organization for little boys wherein they could be taught everything good, and how to behave?" Sister Snow discussed this idea with the first presidency who later gave their approval. Sister Snow wrote to the Bishop in Farmington to ask his permission to organize the children in his ward. The bishop asked Sister Rogers to preside over this organization.
"I felt willing, but very incompetent. From that time my mind was busy thinking how it was to be managed . . . While thinking about what was to be done for the best good of the children," she recalled, "I seemed to be carried away in the spirit, or at least I experienced a feeling of untold happiness which lasted three days and nights. During that time nothing could worry or irritate me; if my little ones were fretful, or the work went wrong, I had patience, and control in kindness, and managed my household affairs easily. This was a testimony to me that what was being done was from God." One thing Sister Rogers realized was "As singing was necessary, it needed the voices of little girls as well as boys to make it sound as well as it should." Sister Snow concurred the organization must include girls and suggested it be called Primary. Sister Rogers was set apart with her two counselors on August 11, 1878. They gathered the names of 224 children and invited them to the first meeting which was held on August 25 in the rock chapel in Farmington. And in less than a month, other primaries were organized throughout the territory.
It is interesting to note that both the Relief Society and the Primary were ideas conceived by women, to address particular needs they were aware of, and presented to their priesthood leaders. The Doctrine & Covenants tells us we "should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, [doing] many things of [our] own free will" (D&C 58:27) These sisters desired to do good, and were inspired with ideas of how to do it, proving the Lord's promise to us in that "If ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work," and "even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation." (D&C 4:3, 11:8)
Actually, for me, service is quite self-indulgent. It has made me rich! I never feel like I have to do anything, I choose to do it, it is a privilege and an opportunity. For I love to learn and grow. And church service has abundantly supplied me with a chance to progress and learn and grow. I have developed so many new skills and increased in ability and confidence with each opportunity. I also get a chance to use my talents in so many diverse ways. I have rich wonderful relationships with those with whom I have had the chance to serve. Thank heavens for service.
King Benjamin told his people in his closing address to them: "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" We come to know Christ as we serve in his name. A powerful reward! We become like him as our hands, hearts, and mouths , touch, love, and teach his children. There is no limit to the good we can do, and if we are faithful, we "shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life."
We don't have to wait till the next life for our rewards. We love those we serve. Even a little contribution to someone else's growth, binds me to them eternally. My rewards are found in the faces of little ones I have taught a song to coming out of nowhere with a "Sister Woods!" and throwing their arms around my waist. Or a note passed down the pew to me with a precious bit of artwork and love from a child. One mother reported that her four year old daughter said one night, "I want Sister Woods to be part of our family." Do I ever have to wonder for a moment if my efforts are worth the sacrifice? No. Not at all.
When life has been it's most intense for me, and there has been precious little left to share with anyone else, that little bit of sharing I have been asked to contribute has often been the sweetest balm I have had in the face of my afflictions. Immediately preceding my divorce, I moved into a tiny one bedroom apartment that fell within new ward boundaries. My first assignment was to be Nursery Leader. Supporting myself financially for the first time in my life, and reeling in the aftershock of such emotional trauma, feeling ripped away from my home and ward and support system, I could hardly function without breaking down into racking sobs. But focusing on those precious guileless children for 2 hours a week, who could not, and would not, judge me or wound me, and loved me freely and openly, helped me find at least a little balance in my life. Having that pure experience of making them smile and teaching them to pray and love church during this period of my life, was like a strong hand reaching out to still my tempest tossed craft.
I would be lost without a calling, I thrive on them. And when I can do more, I do. And when I cannot do as much, I do what I can. And I know that the Lord is pleased with whatever I am able to contribute.
I am not alone in this great harvest of blessings. I want to share some stories of women who have recently experienced great rewards through serving in their callings. One of those sisters is in the Deland 1st Ward, Jonna Greene. When she was first called to be the Primary Chorister a few years ago, she did so feeling uncertain about the work and her ability to do it. But she has discovered that in fact, Primary is her niche, and she is a woman transformed. Starting only with the willingness to do what was asked of her, she discovered an arena for her own creativity and ability to love and share. She became a beloved chorister and loved the work she could do. She serves with confidence and love which spills over into her roles as mother and wife and friend. Like Jona, when I have needed a special new skill to perform my calling, I have found it came to me. And when I was finished with that calling, I got to keep the skill to use elsewhere!
My friend Jolene Hoeveler shared a story of a sister she felt prompted to call as a counselor in the Relief Society presidency in New Hampshire a few years ago. Jolene had to wonder what possessed her to ask for Sue. She was only partly active at best and used every excuse in the book for not fulfilling her responsibilities. Both she and her husband smoked and she talked of straightening up, but never put her money where her mouth was. But though this was very frustrating to Jolene the spirit told her to hang in there with Sue. Though that presidency ended, the impact of it helped Sue keep her eye on her goal. Within two years, despite serious personal struggles Sue persevered and was called to be the Relief Society President herself. This time she thrived and was an excellent president. She and her husband have since been sealed with their children in the temple, and just attended the temple marriage of their oldest returned missionary son. Sue continues to work toward her goals, regardless of what trials she has had to endure as she and her family serve as an integral part of the kingdom in New England.
Sister Marjorie Hinckley accompanied her husband on a number of his tours of Asia and became very attached to the Asian people. She commented to an interviewer, "Their many talents....seem to unfold as they apply the gospel in their lives. For example, one discouraged woman in Hong Kong was working in a dingy food establishment when the missionaries found her. Five years later she is managing a prosperous export-import business, has a fine family of children, and is an officer in the Relief Society." I'm sure we all know of similar stories of how faithfulness has transformed lives.
I believe with all my heart in the promise Nephi quoted over and over,
"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment 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
"And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness." 1 Nephi 17:3
It has been manifest in my life. I have chosen to be a mother first, when I was married, I did not work outside the home. I did not pursue a professional career in the arts though I knew I could succeed in that forum. I watched as many of my classmates went on to professional careers, and though it tugged at my heartstrings to do so, I have never seriously considered joining them. Since my divorce, I have avoided work that placed demands on my time that would interfere with my family life. I am not independently wealthy, and I have many bills to pay just as all of you have, but somehow I have not spent much time worrying. I have rather placed myself in the Lord's good keeping. And he has kept me well. My needs have been met, along with many of my desires. My children walk in righteousness. What greater reward could I ask?
I will tell you how he has given me a greater reward. I have never hesitated to use my talents to serve in his kingdom. And though the professional world with it's standards and demands has not been a part of my life, much, my talents have grown as if I had been professionally involved. They may be a little dusty, but they have grown, I sing better, I paint better, I act better. I have gained much and lost little. And I am fully assured that the purposes for which I was blessed with these artistic gifts have been and will all be fulfilled in my life. There were years when I often tossed through the night and soaked my pillow longing to know why I was given these gifts if I could not use them.
I can relate well to President Hinckley who often thought with longing about his plans to attend graduate school. It was especially difficult as he tracked the educational accomplishments and professional careers of his good friends and missionary companions over the years while he was aptly nick-named "the slave" at the Church Office Building.
Would he trade what he sacrificed for what he has gained? Knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skills, relationships, one-ness with our Savior, realization of our divine nature, and the joy of participating in the realization of these things in the lives of those we serve. These rewards are the reason we came to earth. Great will be our eternal sorrow if we do not learn this truth during mortality. For we will recall all we planned and promised to do, and fully see that we might have done it, and how small and hollow sounding will be any and all of our excuses.
I and all of us here today can look at our lives, and consider what we have heard this day, and find ways to follow President Hinckley's admonition, which President Watkins has reiterated, to try a little harder, to do a little more. And I promise, our reward will not be little.
I conclude with a song I wrote in 1981 for my ward Relief Society Anniversary Celebration.
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Deb -
Here's some references for your talk on service --
D&C 4: We can become qualified for any calling with these tools. Our mission in this life: 1) Keep the commandments. (Intellectual, emotional, physical) 2) Teach the commandments. (Not where we serve, but how we serve)
D&C 75:3-5 & 28-29 D&C 60:2-3 & 13 D&C 58:27-29 D&C 68:30
1 Cor. 15:58 Matt. 10:39 Jer. 31:16 1 Cor. 9:19
Cross D&C 4:3 with 11:8 & 14:4
Cross D&C 4:4 with 15:16
Cross D&C 4:5 with Matt. 6:24 and Duet. 10:12-13
Cross D&C 4:7 with Matt. 21:22
God cannot make an able man willing but he can make a willing man able. Cross with Isaiah 40:28-31
And of course my favorite: Helaman 10:1-11: How the Lord feels about intense service. Lesson: the more we use our agency to conform and serve the Father's will, the more he can trust us & bless us with greater freedom and power.
When we serve intensively, willingly, passionately, so that our faith is put to the maximum test --- rewarded with spiritual experiences that match our input -- very rich and passionate.
Well -- there's my 2 cents.
Love,
MeMona (Ramona Zabriskie)