I am a 37-year-old mother of six children. I have recently had the opportunity to understand more deeply the motto of the Relief Society: "Charity Never Faileth."

Several months ago my husband passed away. I became a single mother, along with about 75 other women in my ward. As Relief Society president, I had seen the love and compassion the sisters in our ward exchanged with one another. But the experience I had personally was overwhelming.The day I received word about my husband, there began a constant stream of expression of love and kindness that continued for many weeks. The first thing I received was about a month's supply of dinners. There was so much food brought in that I had to freeze much of it. I assured my good friends that I didn't need any more food, but everyone insisted that they wanted to do something to help. I think prehaps the service they gave to me blessed them as well.

I realized how creative our Relief Society sisters are as offers to help me continued. My children were tended, driven to activities, taken shopping and taken out to eat. They were given special attention of every kind.

I had sisters offer to do my gardening, laundry, housework, shopping and errands, as well as offering me their shoulder and their companionship. I so much appreciated the way my counselors took over the work of the Relief Society as I took several weeks off to sort out my life before I returned to fulfill my calling.

During this time the sisters in the ward made me a beautiful quilt with the Salt Lake Temple embroidered on it. This gift I will always cherish as a reminder of my own temple marriage and the influence that Relief Society has been in my life.

During this trial, my spiritual, emotional, and physical needs were taken care of by my Heavenly Father. But it was through many inspired Relief Society sisters that these needs were met. I have long since known that the various programs and activities of Relief Society have been a blessing to the widows in our ward. I have come to realize that even more. The organization of the Relief Society has been founded upon the principles of love and compassion. And our members are learning, in word and deed, how to have the love of Christ in their lives and that truly "charity never faileth." (1 Cor. 13:8.)