When Irene Maximova joined the Church in September 1990 she had never heard of the visiting teaching or compassionate service programs. Today, as Relief Society president in the St. Petersburg (Russia) Branch and a translator of Church manuals and handbooks, she faces the challenge of teaching both the spirit and letter of the gospel.

Recently an invitation to teach Russian in the United States gave her the opportunity to reunite with Church members she met last summer during the Tabernacle Choir's visit to Leningrad, now St. Petersburg.Sister Maximova is spending February through May teaching Russian language and culture at Spring Arbor College in Spring Arbor, Mich. Prior to her teaching assignment, she accepted an invitation to visit with Relief Society sisters in California. The invitation came from Jan Fryer, Santa Monica 2nd Ward Relief Society president, who assisted with VIP hosting at receptions and banquets during the Tabernacle Choir's tour in June 1991 to Central and Eastern Europe. The two Relief Society presidents met in Leningrad. They have been corresponding ever since.

"Russians are looking for the truth," Sister Maximova said at a fireside in Santa Monica. "The Church is growing fast, bringing much-needed hope to the Russian people during a difficult time of adjustment to new freedoms and hard economic situations. Since the Soviet Union has disintegrated and economic relations have been disbanded, many Russian people have become frustrated. They are losing their patience and are dissatisfied with government policies.

"Missionaries have brought the gospel to Russia. It has not been easy. I had been taught all my life that there is no God. Inside, I felt there was a God. A new strength has come into my life knowing my Heavenly Father is there."

In her fireside address, Sister Maximova explained that although the Church is very young in St. Petersburg, members hold youth conferences for young men and young women, and have organized home teaching and visiting teaching programs. In Relief Society homemaking meetings sisters have held classes on various topics, including gardening, child rearing, first aid and home health care.

"In our Relief Society we are trying to direct our efforts especially toward the needs of those sisters who have more than two or three children," she said. "We collect clothes for children and pass them to these sisters."

Sister Maximova was baptized in Finland and, soon after her return to Russia, was called as Relief Society president of the Leningrad Branch in December 1990. Currently there are two branches, with more than 300 members, in St. Petersburg. Altogether, there are approximately 600 members of the Church in Russia.

"Since my baptism, the gospel has helped me realize my responsibilities living on the earth," she said. "My husband and relatives, who are not members of the Church, have seen great changes in me. I have become more compassionate and patient, and stronger in my faith. My life has changed 180 degrees.

"Since receiving my calling in Relief Society, I have new responsibilities of making our sisterhood strong, helping all of us support one another. This is not an easy task for us now. As Russian women, we have so many difficulties in our everyday lives. We spend so much time searching for food and standing in lines in the shops."

Sister Maximova spoke of some changes she sees in the lives of women after they join the Church. "They have more compassion for other people. I see increased consideration and respect. They are more occupied with scriptures and spiritual matters. And they ponder the scriptures as they read."

One of the greatest challenges facing Relief Society sisters in Russia is keeping the Sabbath day as a day of worship, she explained. "We are working to help sisters understand that Sunday is a day of reverence. It is a day to worship together. It is a holy day. For many, it is the only day they do not work and the only day for family outings, shopping or recreation."

She explained that Russian Relief Society sisters want to live the principles of the gospel and support Church programs. "Yet many of the principles are challenging," she said. "We have a difficult time with food storage. In the past, this has always been a Russian tradition. Russian people like to cook and have food supplies in their homes. But now, with the shortages, it is not allowed by the state [to store foodT. We have shortages of flour, cheese, milk products and meat. We have ration coupons for meat, butter, flour, cereal, noodles, eggs and sugar. We cannot get more than is allowed on the coupon."

Sister Maximova is one of seven Church members in St. Petersburg translating Church materials from English to Russian. Among the materials she is translating are lessons from Relief Society manuals, auxiliary and financial handbooks, and LDS publications.

Of the challenges faced in translating from English into Russian, she said there is no word or phrase in Russian for "visiting teacher." She said, "We are having a competition for a better translation for `visiting teaching.' The literal translation in Russian is not very good. Other phrases that do not translate well are `compassionate service' and `full-time missionary.' "

In her spare time at home in Russia, she enjoys children's literature, cooking (particularly cookies) and picking mushrooms in the forest in summer and early autumn, and reading 19th century historical books about Russia.

Sister Maximova was born in Leningrad, Russia. She began studying English at age 7. She attended the Leningrad Pedagogical Institute, emphasizing foreign languages, English and German. Having begun her career teaching at a secondary school, she is now an instructor at St. Petersburg's Technological Institute for the Pulp and Paper Industry. She teaches classes in English, including reading and translating technical textbooks.

"I have received many blessings since becoming a member of the Church," she reflected. "Now sharing the gospel with other sisters brings joy into my heart and fills me with happiness.

"As Church members in Russia, we must always remember the Lord's commandments to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. For 70 years, our society lost those good qualities. There is a Russian proverb that says, `When you do something wrong, you forget God.' We are striving to create our sisterhood on the principles of charity, mutual understanding and respect."

Sister Maximova added, "I want to express gratitude for your prayers. All members of the Church in Russia feel this. Our faith will help us meet great changes in our country. Your prayers [for the membersT in Russia will help us to stay strong in the gospel."

During her visit to Santa Monica, Sister Maximova attended a ward Relief Society board meeting. She participated in the year-long planning session for the homemaking department, sharing experiences of her sisters in St. Petersburg.

Sister Fryer said, "Irene has touched many lives during her stay here. The international boundaries melted away and the bonds of gospel love and service were apparent. So many women feel strong ties to our sisters in Russia. Having Irene here meant that they could tell her of their love and concern for them."