Sisters in the Gospel

1. Sisters in the Gospel

2. Marriage of my youngest Andrew Allie

3. Young Men Focus Melchizedek Priesthood

4. Melchizedek Priesthood The Melchizedek Priesthood is an order of covenanted men who work together in God’s name

5. Young Women Focus Living righteously and preparing to make eternal covenants

6. But what about after she leaves the young woman’s organization? Relief Society

7. How do we view Relief Society? • Women’s auxiliary of the Church which provides charity. • A place to learn the Gospel. • A place to learn homemaking skills. • A place for new recipes and crafts. • A place to meet new friends. • An optional activity (if I have time/desire). • 3rd hour of Sunday block, where I feel obligated to attend if I do not have another calling. • The organization for all sisters, designed to help them keep the covenants they have made.

8. The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord’s organization for sisters in the Church. The purpose of Relief Society is to assist priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of the Church by helping sisters and families come unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters and their families receive all essential priesthood ordinances, keep the associated covenants, and qualify for exaltation and eternal life. – Church Handbook

9. The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord’sorganization for sisters in the Church.

10. The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord’s organization for sisters in the Church. The purpose of Relief Society is to assist priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of the Church by helping sisters and families come unto Christ.

11. The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord’s organization for sisters in the Church. The purpose of Relief Society is to assist priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of the Church by helping sisters and families come unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters and their families receive all essential priesthood ordinances

12. The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord’s organization for sisters in the Church. The purpose of Relief Society is to assist priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of the Church by helping sisters and families come unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters and their families receive all essential priesthood ordinances, keep the associated covenants

13. The Relief Society serves under the guidance of the priesthood as the Lord’s organization for sisters in the Church. The purpose of Relief Society is to assist priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of the Church by helping sisters and families come unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters and their families receive all essential priesthood ordinances, keep the associated covenants, and qualify for exaltation and eternal life. – Church Handbook

14. Covenants And behold how great are the covenants of the Lord, and how great His condescensions (love, grace, mercy) unto the children of men. (2 Ne 9:53) • Covenants are an obligation. • Covenants are important to God. • Covenants are a blessing to us. How are covenants connected to ordinances?

15. The symbolism of the Ordinance teaches on multiple levels the deeper meaning of the Covenant

16. Ordinances Therefore in the ordinances thereof is the power of godliness manifest. (D&C 84:20) How do we gain power through ordinances?

17. Power • Power = knowledge + skill (ordinances / doctrine) (covenants) • My commitment to make and keep a promise to God, motivates me to do it.

18. Ordinances require priesthood authority • The officiator must have the priesthood. • Young Men must have the Melchizedek Priesthood before going to the temple. • Why don’t Young Women and Relief Society sisters need to be ordained before going to the temple?

19. How does Relief Society parallel the Melchizedek Priesthood? This greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom – even the key of the knowledge of God. (D&C 84:19)

20. How does Relief Society parallel the Melchizedek Priesthood? This greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom – even the key of the knowledge of God. (D&C 84:19)

21. How does Relief Society parallel the Melchizedek Priesthood? This greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of themysteries of the kingdom – even the key of the knowledge of God. (D&C 84:19)

22. Administrative Offices of priesthood Performance of ordinances Direction of Church Key: mysteries of the kingdom Knowledge of God Mysteries: knowledge of God that comes to the faithful. Endowment: greatest source to mysteries. 2 parts to the Melchizedek Priesthood

23. Founding the Relief Society • Sarah Kimball desired to help the needy by forming a “Ladies Society” • March 4, 1842 – the group moved to organize formally. • Eliza R. Snow was asked to write bylaws. • Eliza took the constitution and bylaws to Joseph Smith for approval.

24. Founding the Relief Society • Joseph said he wanted to organize the women “under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood.” • The society’s duties were to mesh with the priesthood’s.

25. Founding the Relief Society • “Females, if they are pure and innocent can come into the presence of God.” • By including women among those who were to see God, Joseph brought them into the circle of the endowed who would be cleansed and purified in the temple. • When the temple was completed, the women would understand their place in “the proper order”.

26. Founding the Relief Society The minutes have Joseph saying, “I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.” …Joseph said that women did not need priesthood to minister. Women administered by faith not priesthood. Richard Bushman Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling

27. Duties of Brothers Preside Provide Protect Duties of Sisters Influence Nurture Love “In the pre-existance, men and women each made covenants with Heavenly Father to help with the Plan” Julie Beck Duties of Men and Women

28. The power of Influence Joseph told the sisters,They were to care for the poor as originally intended but also “to assist (the priesthood); by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community, and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking.”

29. Melchizedek Priesthood – Relief Society parallel Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood includes duties (service) When you fulfill a Relief Society assignment, do you think of it as a covenant obligation?

30. What is the focus for Young Men and Young Women? Young Men Goals • Receive Melchizedek Priesthood • Receive Temple Covenants • Thereafter, be part of the brotherhood that helps them keep their covenants

31. Young Women • We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love Him. • Young Women Values: • Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity

32. These values help young women prepare to: • Strengthen home and family • Make and keep sacred covenants • Receive the ordinances of the temple • Enjoy the blessings of exaltation • Enter the Sisterhood of the Relief Society

33. Relief Society is the Covenant Organization for all Sisters It supports our very natures as we are: • An influence for good in the world • An influence for good in our wards and families • An Order of Sisters