Blessings of the Priesthood for All

Thank you to Judy for hosting our scripture group Relief Society meeting this month! It sounds like it was a wonderful discussion on Chapter 8 from Daughters in My Kingdom. Here's what Judy had to report:

Thanks Judy for being a lovely hostess!

Fortunately, we had an amazing Sacrament Meeting last Sunday that set the stage for our discussion. The new Elder's Quorum Presidency spoke (minus President Booth, who was out of town) on the Priesthood and each gave a masterful talk to which we often referred.  Some of the points we discussed were:  even though the Priesthood is the "power and authority of God by which He blesses, redeems, and exalts His children..."  men may be given the authority but they must be worthy and prepared to be able to properly use the power;  the Priesthood is a service and cannot be used on oneself;  men and women are equally blessed by the Priesthood authority on earth.  We each pointed out the parts of the chapter 8, Blessings of the Priesthood for All, which had particularly resonated with us and expressed our feelings concerning them.  We were particularly touched by Adrienne's comments about how she feels peace when she just sees our Priesthood on the stand at church and how she doesn't worry or feel sad  as a single woman because she has absolute faith that it will all work out and be made right for her.

Kim Bethers added a great deal to our night and we were so glad she joined us for the first time.  Jolene and Michaun brought delicious fruit and dip for us to enjoy throughout the evening.  We were reminded that Relief Society was organized under the Priesthood  and that there is power there which we can use to strenghen ourselves and our homes and to which we each BELONG. As Sister Barbara Smith said, "With continuing priesthood counsel and with Relief Society leaders who are called of the Lord by inspiration, the women of the Church have a divine source of direction for the work that is theirs to do and the Society provides a means to accomplish that work."

Susan, MeriAnn, Diane, Sharon, and Irene each shared thoughtful insights.   Kerri told about her father's reactivation and her mother's conversion and summed things up beautifully when it was finally time for us to part.  Since we hadn't taken time to discuss individual spiritual gifts, Kerri followed Michele's example of giving us a challenge of searching and praying to discover the spiritual gifts with which we may have been blessed.

What a blessing this group is to us in our lives!  Let's do it again on August 23rd at 7:00 p.m.!