Learning to magnify auxiliary callings
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A ward Relief Society secretary learned she can contribute to ward emergency preparedness.
A counselor in an auxiliary presidency learned how to include "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" in ward enrichment lessons.
And the chairman of Church Building Hosting said that many women learn new ways to magnify their callings.
These are just some of the reported benefits of the auxiliary open house and workshops that have been held semi-annually during the two weeks prior to April and October general conferences. And the Spring 2007 Open House, with its theme, "Invite All to Come Unto Christ," has been no different. Every auxiliary of the Church — Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Sunday School and Primary — held workshops and open house events March 20-22, 27-30 for priesthood and auxiliary leaders from throughout the Church. In addition, visitors have viewed displays in the Resource Room in the basement of the Relief Society Building.
This year the women's auxiliaries provided what might be termed a special treat as the general presidents of Relief Society, Primary and Young Women offered a joint presentation, called "Standing Strong and Immovable for Righteousness," in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. With hundreds of women in attendance during sessions on March 20-22, 27-29, Sisters Bonnie D. Parkin, Cheryl C. Lant and Susan W. Tanner, of the Relief Society, Primary and Young Women, respectively, offered their thoughts on such topics as coming unto Christ, coping with challenges and expectations, and helping young women make a successful transition into Relief Society.
"We're all the same," Sister Tanner said. "I think we have a unified purpose. And if we were to ask each of you what your personal purpose is in life, I think you would say, 'I'm striving to come unto Christ."'
To illustrate the challenges a Latter-day Saint woman faces, the three general presidents used a life-size cutout of a woman covered in sticky notes, with the various colors of notes representing the various categories of responsibilities. "This poster woman is covered," Sister Lant said, "I mean really buried, in all of the things that she has to do. Each one of these little sticky notes represents something in her life that she is expected to do... her goals, her expectations, things that she expects to do."
Sister Tanner asked, "Are all these sticky notes really helping us with our ultimate goal of coming unto Christ?... I think the word we are looking for is 'focus.' How is it that, in spite of our busyness, how is it that we can keep a proper focus so that we are prioritizing and doing the right things for the right reasons?"
The general presidents then played a visual and audio recording of President Gordon B. Hinckley speaking about the women of the Church. "If they will be united and speak with one voice, their strength will be incalculable."
Sisters Parkin, Tanner and Lant continued by discussing how women can be strengthened — through personal prayers, through scripture study and through sustaining one another spiritually and temporally.
"I think that righteousness is a condition of the heart," Sister Lant said. "It's who we really are deep down inside, not just what we do, but who we really are deep down. It's loving the Lord more than the things of the world...."
Sister Parkin emphasized the positive influence and support women can provide one another. She recalled how, as a young mother, she was blessed by the friendship of a woman 30 years older. "We need to do that for each other, we need to be there for one another, we need to bless and listen and love, and it makes a difference."
Continuing, she spoke of the power of prayer. "I know that prayer really works for me, but what I've decided is the only way I know how to do it is that the first thing that hits the floor in the morning are my knees."
Toward the end of the session, the comments emphasized focusing on Christ and how, as described by Sister Tanner, it might be wise to remove "some of the sticky notes that might not be right in alignment with that focus."
— The Spring 2007 Open House Combined Presidents' Message: "Standing Strong and Immovable for Righteousness" will be broadcast over BYUTV on Sunday, July 8, 5 p.m. and Thursday, July 12, noon.
E-mail to: julied@desnews.com
