Sister Mary Ellen Smoot
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The Relief Society Declaration, home, family and personal enrichment meetings and the visiting teaching program are tools that have been carefully evaluated and "are now in place to help sisters expand their inner strength through service and unity.
"How do you and I become so converted to the truth, so full of faith, so dependent on God, that we are able to meet trials and even be strengthened by them?
"It does not take much living to find out that life almost never turns out the way you planned it. Adversity and affliction come to everyone . . . And yet, I am sure you know many who go forward with faith. You are drawn to those people, inspired by them and even strengthened by their examples.
"When we are truly converted, our focus shifts from self to others. We can find inner strength through service. Nothing would please the adversary more than for us to be distracted by selfish concerns and appetites. But we know better. Service will help us stay on course."
Such service was exemplified when 1,000 quilts made by church members were sent by the Humanitarian Center to Albania and Moldova to meet a need in that area.
"Another way we can develop inner strength is by striving for unity in our families, stakes, wards and presidencies . . . Unity of purpose, thought and feeling are exalting qualities. When we can put aside our differences and value each others' strengths, great things happen.
"As the kingdom of God rolls forth, we must unite our efforts in saving souls."
