Photo by Scott G. Winterton

Monu Harris directs Salt Lake area Relief Society choir during general meeting in Conference Center.

"You are all heaven sent," President James E. Faust told women gathered for the General Relief Society Meeting Sept. 28.

"Our theme tonight is 'Lord, here am I; send me,' " President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, said. "This profoundly simply statement is so appropriate as I address you sisters this evening because so very many of you demonstrate so well this willingness to step forward and serve. You are the beautiful adornment of the human race. Your role as sisters is special and unique in the Lord's work. You are the nurturers and the care givers who have, as the Prophet Joseph Smith said, 'feelings of charity and benevolence.' "

President Faust was the main speaker during the annual general meeting telecast via Church satellite from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Seated on the stand on this pleasant fall evening were President Gordon B. Hinckley and his first counselor, President Thomas S. Monson. Also present were Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Cecil O. Samuelson of the Presidency of the Seventy.

Women filled the Conference Center, where for the first time translation into other languages was provided within the building. Women throughout the Church also listened to proceedings in meetinghouses via satellite.

Also offering remarks were members of the Relief Society general presidency, including Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society general president, and her counselors, Kathleen H. Hughes and Anne C. Pingree.

Photo by Scott G. Winterton

Members gather outside after meeting on warm fall evening.

At the beginning of the meeting, on large screens in the Conference Center, a video was shown during which Sisters Parkin, Hughes and Pingree spoke from the grounds of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and other sites in Nauvoo. They spoke of the establishment of the Relief Society organization by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the role of that organization in the building of the temple.

In his address, President Faust said: "This Church could not have achieved its destiny without the dedicated, faithful women who, in their righteousness, have immeasurably strengthened the Church. Over the years the sisters of the Church have faced challenges as great as yours are today. Your challenges are different from those of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmothers, but they are very real.

"I rejoice that the opportunities for women in the Church and in the world are increasing. We hope that you will enhance these expanding opportunities by bringing to them your sublime feminine touch. These opportunities are really without limit. When the Prophet Joseph established this organization he 'turned the key for the emancipation of womankind,' and 'it was turned for all the world.' Since that key was turned in 1842, more knowledge has come to the earth and to women than has come in all of the history of the world."

President Faust said there are four enduring concepts of this society, which are:

Photo by Scott G. Winterton

"You are the beautiful adornment of the human race. Your role as sisters is special and unique in the Lord's work."
\\\\—President Faust

• "First, it is a divinely established sisterhood.

• "Second, it is a place of learning.

• "Third, it is an organization whose basic charter is to serve others. Its motto is 'Charity never faileth.'

• "Fourth, it is a place where women can socialize and establish eternal friendships."

Continuing, President Faust directed some remarks to younger sisters participating in Relief Society at age 18. "The Relief Society curriculum is focused on basic doctrine and will give you the opportunity to study the gospel and increase your spirituality. The curriculum is relevant for all mankind, not just wives and mothers. All sisters, including you younger sisters, need to be 'remembered and nourished by the good word of God.' "

President Faust spoke of the Lord's special concern for the widows, which "is abundantly evidenced in the scriptures. Of course this concern also extends to all single mothers. They have so many demands placed upon them. They must provide the food and clothing and the other necessities for the family. They also need to nurture their children with an extra amount of love and caring."

He then read an excerpt from a tender letter from the son of a single mother: "I will be eternally grateful for her sacrifice in setting an example by teaching us how to work and how we should live. The wisdom of the Proclamation on the Family rings especially true to me now because of the experiences we shared as a family."

Photo by Scott G. Winterton

Women file onto grounds of Conference Center Sept. 28 for General Relief Society Meeting.

In addressing single sisters, President Faust spoke of their "distinct errand of influence as angels of mercy to parents, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, as well as other family members and friends. In the Church there are endless opportunities to love and nurture."

President Faust shared the example of Margaret Anderson of Centerville, Utah, who lovingly cared for her aged mother, her aunt and her disabled sister. She influenced hundreds of children as a school teacher and continues to volunteer each week, helping children learn to read. Her acts of service have blessed members of her ward. "She truly has blessed the lives of countless individuals."

". . . All of the sisters anywhere in the world can inherit and benefit from the blessings of the Lord for women," President Faust continued. "The Prophet Joseph Smith said, 'I now turn the key to you in the name of God . . . knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.'

"This blessing of knowledge and intelligence comes to all righteous women in the Church, regardless of their race or nationality, and irrespective of whether they are new in the Church or descendants of one of the first 20 members in Nauvoo in 1842."

President Faust continued: "Now a word to you sisters who are married. In a very substantial way, you sisters make our homes a refuge of peace and happiness in a troubled world. A righteous husband is the bearer of the priesthood, which priesthood is the governing authority of the home. But he is not the priesthood; he is the holder of the priesthood. His wife shares the blessings of the priesthood with him. He is not elevated in any way above the divine status of women."

Wives who sustain husbands in bishoprics, stake presidencies and other priesthood callings are a great blessing to the Church, President Faust said. "No one knows more than I what a strength a supportive wife can be. Since our marriage, my Ruth has sustained and encouraged me in the many callings I have had for almost 60 years. I could not have served one day without her loving support. I am most grateful to her and love her deeply."

President Faust added: "We are all heaven sent, but what we are able to accomplish in the Lord's work depends to a large extent on our willingness and ability."

Performing music for the evening was a Salt Lake area Relief Society choir, directed by Monu Harris and accompanied by Bonnie Goodliffe. Tamara Oswald also performed on the harp, and Jeannine Goeckeritz played the flute. Offering the invocation and benediction, respectively, were Shirley F. Sainz and Allison Barlow, both members of the Relief Society general board.

E-mail: julied@desnews.com