Since the beginning, much of the strength of the Church has come through the service, faith and devotion of faithful women, President James E. Faust said during the General Relief Society Meeting Sept. 28.

"As the noble daughters of God, the sisters over the years have stood firm and true in the spirit of faith," added President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency.From the Tabernacle on Temple Square, President Faust represented the First Presidency at the annual Relief Society meeting, which was telecast via the Church satellite to 3,000 meetinghouses in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Also attending the meeting were President Gordon B. Hinckley and his first counselor, President Thomas S. Monson; and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Harold G. Hillam of the Presidency of the Seventy, priesthood advisers to the Relief Society.

Other speakers were Relief Society Gen. Pres. Elaine L. Jack, who also conducted the meeting, and her counselors Chieko N. Okazaki and Aileen H. Clyde, who addressed the topics of faith, hope and charity. (Please see coverage of the presidency's addresses on page 4.) Also present were members of the Young Women and Primary general presidencies, members of the Relief Society general board; and former Relief Society general presidents Barbara B. Smith and Barbara B. Winder, and the counselors with whom they served.

An inspiring moment during the evening was when a choir of Relief Society sisters from BYU stakes sang a rendition of "Now Let Us Rejoice," directed by Tracy Turek and accompanied by Bonnie L. Goodliffe. After the last musical notes faded in the historical edifice, Pres. Jack stepped to the pulpit and explained that this hymn was sung by the original members of the Relief Society during its organization in 1842.

In his remarks, President Faust referred to the Church's "Proclamation on the Family," read in the General Relief Society Meeting Sept. 23, 1995, by President Gordon B. Hinckley. (Please see Sept. 30, 1995, Church News.)

"Because you mothers are the heart and soul of any family, it was appropriate that it was first read in the General Relief Society Meeting," President Faust explained. "I revere the influence and accomplishments of Relief Society. It is the greatest women's organization in the world. You are especially privileged to belong to this wonderful organization. My life has been richly blessed because of Relief Society.

"For the daughters of God, doing the Savior's work does not, of course, include the use of priesthood keys, authority or powers. But it does include building faith by testimony and example. It includes teaching the doctrines of salvation. It includes following the Savior's example of love for all mankind. It includes the ministering to others . . . ."

Continuing, President Faust said: "Your God-given role as nurturers has never been more needed. This gift is unique to your womanhood. Men are not so endowed with these gifts. The highest expression of this gift is motherhood, but it is also manifested in many other ways. One of these is the great intuition enjoyed by women.

"How can any faithful sister in this Church feel that she is unimportant if she is to do the work which the Savior did?" he asked. "Inherent in this is the forgetting of self and the serving of others."

Assuring the women of the Church that their counsel, advice and input are needed, President Faust admonished: "You sisters who sit in the ward and stake councils should feel free to share your special wisdom and experience in those councils. Then, when the bishop or stake president makes a decision, all will wish to support it.

"You are appreciated and valued far more than you realize. We are mindful of your many challenges, which are often overwhelming and exhausting in this unsettled world. These challenges come in many forms to each of you."

President Faust spoke of such challenges as financial and health problems, the struggle for spiritual well-being, the rearing of families, single motherhood, worry over wayward loved ones, disabilities, death and loneliness.

"Despite all of this, greater blessings are coming to women than ever before," he continued. "Women now have never had greater opportunities for education and travel. But in the eternal scheme of things, your role is infinitely more vital, and it carries the promise of spiritual blessings greater than these temporal benefits.

"To meet the challenges of the eternal every day, every sister will be strengthened by daily communion with our Heavenly Father through prayer. Scripture study will be beneficial in bringing spiritual reassurances. Attending sacrament meeting, partaking of the sacred emblems and the renewal of our covenants will be a weekly source of strength."

President Faust explained that those trying to cope with myriad challenges of complex times need the sisterhood of the Church more than ever before. He quoted Lucy Mack Smith from the minutes of one of the first Relief Society meetings: "We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together."

President Faust continued by encouraging the bearing of testimonies, which benefit both the one testifying and those listening; attending the temple regularly; and accepting calls from priesthood leaders as well as visiting teaching assignments. "In rendering compassionate service individually and as a group you lose sight of your own problems and do the work the Savior did.

"Sisters, we live in the greatest time in the history of the Church. Your opportunities to serve and bless others are endless. Your contribution to the work of God has never been greater. Your unique and special contributions are greatly needed to strengthen our homes, to teach our children and youth, and to help others. Your example of righteousness is indispensable to the on-rolling of the kingdom of God."

Offering the invocation on the evening was Cherry B. Silver of the Relief Society general board; the benediction was given by Verda Mae Christensen of the Salt Lake Rose Park Stake.