A hymn, commissioned by the Relief Society general presidency and performed by a choir of sister and senior missionaries, was a highlight of the Church's General Relief Society meeting Sept. 27.

The musical number, written by Eda V. Ashby and Alice W. Johnson, reflected the conference's theme, "Choose That Good Part."

Heidi Swinton of the Relief Society general board said the choir was intended to represent women of all ages from all parts of the world.

During the song's interludes, four Latter-day Saint women shared their testimonies of the gospel and how it has impacted their choices.

"I was living in New York City, swept away by worldliness of the theater," said Sister Janet Edwards, a 25-year-old sister missionary from New York City who worked in costume design on Broadway before her mission.

"With the tragic events of 9/11, I painfully realized my life was not one of eternal joy. I was serving the wrong master; I had forgotten Jesus Christ must come first. On that day I made the greatest decision of my life — I chose the Lord, His peace and happiness."

Sister Galina Pershina, a 30-year-old Temple Square missionary from Russia, also shared her story. "When I joined the Church my family asked me not to try to convert them," she said. "While on my mission my mother fell seriously ill. My Relief Society sisters in Russia wrapped loving arms around her. When she is with them she feels the same spirit I feel; she feels close to me, she feels the love of Christ."

Sister Pershina's family — although not members of the Church — heard the meeting live, at 3 a.m. their time, from the LDS stake center in Saratov, Russia. An estimated 100 members also gathered at the stake center to view the live satellite broadcast and show their support for Sister Pershina.

Sister Florence Chukwurah, a Nigerian member of the Relief Society general board who holds a nursing degree, said during her testimony that she chose early in life to break from poverty and seek God diligently. "I decided to be obedient to my parents and elders," she said. "I decided to be serious with my schoolwork. I make up my mind to work hard with my hands. The Lord heard my prayers. He crowned my efforts with blessings for me and my family."

The final testimony was shared by Sister Donna S. Packer, wife of President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve. She spoke of choosing a witness of her own.

"In our daily trials we cannot live on borrowed light," she said. "Nor can we lean forever on the spiritual knowledge of others. We must come to know for ourselves. And only the Holy Ghost has power to seal the witness upon our very souls that Jesus is the living Christ. This I know."

sarah@desnews.com