"We carve souls — our own and others — every day," said Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, general president of the Relief Society.

"Let's determine now to make those souls 'pure and chaste,' " she said during the Sunday morning session. "Create homes filled with love and serenity. Create means to relieve suffering. Create enduring testimonies of eternal truths in ourselves and those we can influence."

Sister Smoot emphasized that everyone can be a creator by taking advantage of opportunities all around.

"Have you ever coaxed a smile from a baby? Have you ever taught someone to forgive? Have you fasted and prayed for those who were ill? Have you helped someone learn to read? If you have done these things, you have been creative," she said.

"Together your General Relief Society presidency, under the direction of our priesthood leaders, created a declaration for our Relief Society sisters around the world. The declaration reminds us who we are, and Home, Family and Personal Enrichment night has been set aside to develop these skills.

"Do we recognize in our own lives the opportunities for creation that are there? Do we prize the gifts, talent and choice spirits that God has given to us? Do we share the creations of our hearts, minds and hands with others?"

She told of the recent effort of the Church to collect 30,000 quilts for refugees in Kosovo. The effort soon expanded to more than 125,000 quilts that provided help to disaster victims across the globe.

Sister Smoot suggested four ways to answer the question, "What will I create of my life?"

"First, go where the Spirit directs. Be still and listen. . . . Immerse yourselves in the holy word of the prophets both ancient and modern and the Spirit will speak to you. Be patient, ask in faith, and you will receive guidance in your creative efforts."

"Second, don't be paralyzed from fear of making mistakes. Thrust your hands into the clay of your lives and begin.

The time for procrastination is over. Begin! Don't be afraid. Do the best you can. Of course you will make mistakes. Everyone does. Learn from them and move forward."

"Third, support others along the way. Every person on this earth is unique. We all have varied interests, abilities and skills. We are each at different levels physically, spiritually and emotionally.

"Finally, rejoice. Creation isn't drudgery. Creation flows from love. When we do what we love, we rejoice along the way.

"If you are unhappy, if you are feeling weary, troubled or disillusioned, may I ask you to try something? Instead of dwelling on your trouble, focus instead on creating something remarkable, something of eternal significance. Nurture a testimony, strengthen a relationship, be of service, go to the temple."

Further, she said, "We are a joyful people. We are participants, walking across a bridge of time at one of the greatest moments of the history of this world. This is not a time for dragging feet or stooped shoulders."