My Sisters' Hands: Relief Society Presidency Message

Dear Sisters,

What a wonderful blessing it is to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in these latter days and to be blessed to be a Daughter of God! He loves us so much and cherishes who we are and knows of our everyday needs. As we celebrate the organization of "The Relief Society" this month of March may we reflect on the blessings that have come to each of us through belonging to the Relief Society. The video "My Sisters' Hands" reminds us of the sisterhood that we share. As we work and serve together we are strengthened in the purposes of the Relief Society to:
* Increase faith and personal righteousness
* Strengthen families and homes
* Seek out and help those in need

Each of these purposes have an impact on each of us as we learn and grow and strengthen one another.At the organization of the Relief Society Joseph Smith admonished the sisters to "live up to their privilege."with this encouragement as sisters we have been taught to live up to our divine potential by fulfilling our Heavenly Father's purposes for us. As we come to understand who (whose) we really are, God's daughters, with innate capacities to love, nurture and serve we reach our potential as holy women. The Relief Society was established as an integral part of the Restoration, the Relief Society helps us as Latter-day Saint women to live up to our privilege. I so appreciate each and everyone of you sisters and the gifts and talents that you share within the Centralia Stake.

Throughout this year may we focus on each of the purposes of the Relief Society as we strengthen ourselves and one another through our service to one another. We are living at a time in our day where  the  family is under attack and as sisters in the Relief Society we need to especially focus on strengthening families and homes.The families that we need to strengthen not only include our own, but those of our sisters we are asked to serve  through the watch care of Visiting Teaching.


There is a hymn that as a youth we sang often that I love and had forgotten until our daughter brought it to my mind.. By changing the word "youth" to "parents" it describes our focus to strengthen our families and homes.

As "parents" in these latter days, we stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes, Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build; the future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day and pledge we will be true.

The truths and values we embrace are mocked on every hand.
Yet as we listen and obey we know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us, the sin that would destroy
With faith, we hold the iron rod and find in this our joy.

Through test and trial we'll have our fears, but we will not despair.
We're here to serve a righteous cause; truth gives us strength to dare.
We'll learn and love and overcome; we'll sing a joyful song,
As "parents" in these latter days, triumphant, pure, and strong.

I love each and everyone of you sisters within the Centralia Stake! We each have a variety of opportunities to love and serve and be the hands of the Savior. May our hands lift one another as sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as  we strive to live and serve as HE did while here on this earth.

Love,
Sister Sallye Johnston
Centralia Stake Relief Society President