RS Message

The first Sunday of  October, our Relief Society President wanted to have a meeting where all RS sisters could attend and be inspired to learn from the new book Daughters in My Kingdom.  She had the RS, YW and Primary Presidents speak.  Louise, the RS president, spoke on what we could learn from the book.  Cheryl, the YW president, spoke on the World Wide Circle of Sisters.  I loved how she pointed out that no matter which hallway we served in within the ward, we were all connected through the RS.  The same is true outside of our ward.  I was asked to speak on living up to our privileges.  Here are my notes:  (these are for my records, don't feel obligated to read!)

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There once was a man whose lifelong dream was to board a cruise ship and sail the Mediterranean Sea. He dreamed of walking the streets of Rome, Athens, and Istanbul. He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage. Since money was tight, he brought an extra suitcase filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers, and bags of powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.

He would have loved to take part in the many activities offered on the ship—working out in the gym, playing miniature golf, and swimming in the pool. He envied those who went to movies, shows, and cultural presentations. And, oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing food he saw on the ship—every meal appeared to be a feast! But the man wanted to spend so very little money that he didn’t participate in any of these. He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but for the most part of the journey, he stayed in his cabin and ate only his humble food.

On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him which of the farewell parties he would be attending. It was then that the man learned that not only the farewell party but almost everything on board the cruise ship—the food, the entertainment, all the activities—had been included in the price of his ticket. Too late the man realized that he had been living far beneath his privileges.

The question this parable raises is, are we as Relief Society sisters living below our privileges when it comes to the gifts, and blessings that are our opportunity and right as daughters in God’s kingdom? (story from talk by President Uchtdorf; adapted to apply to RS)

My assigned topic is living up to our privileges. What does this mean?

As I've sought to understand what it means to live up to our privileges, an analogy has been presented to my mind. Each of my children have certain privileges they enjoy and certain privileges that are withheld. For example:

Greta (2 years old) has earned the privileges of feeding herself, making a few limited choices on what to eat, sleeping in a bed she can get out herself. She does not have the privilege of wearing underwear or being left in a bathroom unattended.

Tessa (4) has the privilege of wearing underwear, and being able to go in the backyard whenever she wants. She does not have the privileges of being in the front yard by herself. She is not allowed to pour milk by herself, cook or do laundry by herself.

Chandler (11) has all of the privileges his sisters have. He can also come and go more freely than the younger two, but he is not allowed to drive or cook without supervision.

Caleb (16) is earning the privilege of driving; he can cook, but he does not have the privilege of going places without answering in detail to: who, what, where, when, why and how.

Over the years Cache has earned many privileges and now has gained the full privileges that I can give. But it also has come with more responsibility. He is enjoying the freedom young adulthood brings, but he now has to cook, clean, do laundry and pay his own way.

Privileges expand as we learn, take on greater responsibilities and obey. They expand as we grow into our responsibilities. So, how do I grow into the privileges Heavenly Father will grant to me? I need to learn and then do my duties. This RS book can help! Some are outlined on pages 21, 51, 115, 123 for specific ideas, other duties are within the pages and some will be presented to my mind as I read. While these are things I must take responsibility for, they are ultimately the things that I can do to have a better life. Think of my little Greta never earning the privilege to wear underwear. Her life will be better when she eventually takes on that responsibility—and it is something that will bless her life ever more, even if she forgets that privilege is hers.  Right now, she doesn't even comprehend what privilege awaits her and how much better that will make her life.   

As we learn from this RS book and learn and grow in our roles as RS sisters, our lives will improve. Taking on greater responsibility can seem daunting, but we each can pray to know our path and how to fulfill the responsibilities we each have. Our lives do not have to all the be same--what is right for one, may not be the answer for another. As we act on what we receive, we will be living up to our privileges and angels, guidance and Heavenly help cannot be held back.

To paraphrase a few tidbits from the last chapter: We live up to our privilege by fulfilling God's purposes for us. Relief Society helps us know our purpose. Through Relief Society, we receive a vision and assurance of our identity as daughters of God (see p 171) God loves us and has grand purposes for us to fulfill. The Lord has endowed us with an innate desire to serve and bless others, and He has entrusted us with a sacred responsibility to use our gifts to help save His children. (p 171-172) Daughters of God live up to their privilege by following in the footsteps of those who came before and acted in faith. To live up to our privileges is laying aside the problems and temptations that beset us and run the race the Lord has given us.

What are these privileges that I'll receive as I fulfill my responsibilities?  To name just a few:

It is my privilege to know I am loved unconditionally by God. It is my privilege to have help with my problems. It is my privilege to know how to meet the responsibilities I have. It is my privilege to have opportunities to serve. It is my privilege to save lives with my nurturing influence.

To paraphrase/quote President Uchtdorf again: As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell you how to live up to your privileges as God's daughter.

I testify that as we learn our duties, and fulfill our God-given responsibilities, the powers of heaven will not be held back--they cannot be. Help will come in so many ways. To repeat Joseph Smith “The angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. If we are pure, nothing can hinder.”