After being released from her calling as general Relief Society president, Barbara W. Winder expressed thanks to those who had supported her and shared the excitement of her new assignment.

She will accompany her husband, Richard W. Winder, as he presides over the new Czechoslovakia Prague Mission, beginning in July."I will forever treasure this time in the Relief Society, filled with rich associations and experiences," she said as she addressed the closing session Sunday afternoon. "Indeed the harvest is abundant, bursting with seed for yet another season."

She observed that the work of the Relief Society focuses upon the pure and simple part of the gospel, "to develop faith and bear testimony; to render compassionate service as we care for the needy; to strengthen our families here and eternally, and to work with our `hearts knit together in unity and love one towards another.' " (Mosiah 18:21.)

She said the "yearning and desires" expressed in letters to the Relief Society presidency have become "the pleadings of our prayers."

"I am grateful for family support; grateful to have served with capable, committed counselors, general secretary and board members . . . and for the support team.

"Your prayers on our behalf have been felt. We are grateful."

She added that it has been an honor to serve with the General Authorities, "noble sons of our Heavenly Father. I have learned from them as I have observed integrity, loyalty, charity, compassion, and a stalwart devotion to Deity. How blessed I feel to have been a part of this work."

She explained that when she was called as general Relief Society president, she and her husband were in San Diego, Calif., as he presided over a mission. Now, "It is humbling to look forward with my husband to yet another challenge. I desire to support him as he has supported me so steadfastly for the past six years.

"Recently, while sitting in a mission presidents training, the challenges of our California mission flooded back into my mind. I knew we would again face similar concerns, even with yet unknown problems. In spite of these unsettled feelings . . . I felt an excitement difficult to describe. I might liken it to how we may have felt in the pre-existence as we learned of the gospel plan. We knew there would be adversities of this earth life; yet we shouted for joy at the prospect of being able to come here.

"Now our excitement causes us to shout for joy as we gather our resources and prepare for this new opportunity."