Relief Society Meeting - Finding Joy

Last night we had a Relief Society meeting (formerly known as Enrichment) - it went well. Andrea did a wonderful job putting the program together. The theme was "Joy in the Journey" - does that sound familiar? It was taken from the idea that I got from a ward a year ago...do you remember our 31 day journey?

We took that idea and shortened it to seven days. I thought the message was beautiful and it was nice to listen to several different women and their different journeys and perspective.

Here is how we broke it down:

Day One: Read President Monson's talk: Finding Joy in the Journey
Day Two: List 100 things you are grateful for.


Day Three: Re-read Jay Hess's story and write your family a note in 25 words or less.
Day Four: Re-read Borghild Dahl's story, and write down a difficult experience you have had and how it helped you.
Day Five: Life is short. Replace an unimportant thing today with an act of service.

Day Six: President Monson thoroughly enjoys musicals. List 5 things you enjoy and schedule to do one of them in the next month (make time for your interests).
Day Seven: Write a note to a family member you have been neglecting.

DAY THIRTY TWO

"I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth, are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead find joy in the journey - now." --President Thomas S. Monson "Finding Joy in the Journey"

"Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime, ...we each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage..." -- Elder Neil L. Andersen "You Know Enough"

Thank you for participating in this journey - I have enjoyed hearing from you and knowing that together we are strengthening each other. I would love to hear anything you have to share (experiences, suggestions, stories, feedback and anything else). My journey has just begun --- feel free to check back often!

Joy in the Journey Handouts

These are some pictures from the Relief Society that originally put this program together. If you are thinking about sharing this with your ward I thought this would be helpful. The top picture shows a countdown calendar of all the days assignments. Every week they gave the sisters a bag with all the items needed for those days. Does that make sense?

I know a few ladies are using this program - please share with the rest of us what you are doing.

DAY THIRTY ONE

"Sisters, now more than ever we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare truth with strength, faith and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what they have asked us to do." -- Sister Barbara Thompson (from her talk, Now Let Us Rejoice)

Is your life bearing witness that you love our Heavenly Father and Saviour Jesus Christ? Are you doing what they have asked you to do? Ponder these questions and journal your thoughts.


P.S. Tomorrow will actually be the last day in our "Joy in the Journey" program. I would love to hear any of your comments and suggestions.

What did you get out of this?

Are you implementing this program in your ward or stake? Please share with us.

DAY THIRTY

If you have never read this sacred document - please take the time to read it and print it out for yourself. It is written for the world to understand the importance of families. The picture above is hanging on my wall with black and white photos glued to a matte surrounding the proclamation.

Read "The Family, A Proclamation to the World". Journal how this proclamation has blessed your life. This would be a great FHE lesson.

(For FHE, we went through the proclamation paragraph by paragraph with our children and explained it to them. I printed the proclamation and then cut it up into paragraphs which we then glued onto a poster board. I let the kids draw pictures about the proclamation around the edges. We spent two weeks reviewing this with our children.)

DAY TWENTY NINE

I know it is spring break and many of you might be gone! I know life gets busy - I hope you finish the journey! Only a couple more days - hang in there.

Sister Beck mentions that we should "help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world," a refuge from evil. One way we can do this is to be aware of what we let into our homes via the TV and computer. Place a small picture of Christ (could be a pass along card) and place it on your TV or computer to remind you that your home is a sanctuary. Read and mark Helaman 5:12.

DAY TWENTY EIGHT

I didn't pre-schedule this post and I slept in a little today! That's what happens when I go to sleep two hours later than I usually do! Thank you for your patience.

Read and mark Luke 10:38-42. Read the Relief Society Declaration (this is a link to print a bookmark with the declaration if you don't have one). Are you always choosing the "good part?" Journal your thoughts on whether you are more like Mary or Martha.

Mary Ellen Smoot has two wonderful talks about the purpose of the Relief Society and one that goes through the declaration line by line: 1) Rejoice Daughters of Zion and 2) A Recipe for Our Time (scroll down to find this message).

Are there any men participating in the journey? This program was originally designed for the Relief Society. Here is a quote that explains the importance of understanding the Relief Society program. President Spencer W. Kimball stated a number of years ago that “there is a power in this organization that has not yet been fully exercised to strengthen the homes of Zion and build the Kingdom of God—nor will it until both the sisters and the priesthood catch the vision of Relief Society.”

DAY TWENTY SEVEN

"Relief Society is to help women 'plant and make grow...a testimony of (Jesus Christ) and of the gospel.'"--Julie Beck.

Take time to reflect on the divine organization of Relief Society. Enjoy a bag of popcorn and reflect on this quote "These popcorn kernels are like dormant seeds in the cold winter ground. As they lie in this bag they never progress to their full potential or grow to what Heavenly Father has created them to become; until they are exposed to heat. Like these "seeds" to your testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel. Does it lie dormant of does it grow when exposed to a little heat? Ponder and journal your thoughts."

DAY TWENTY SIX

Women: Read "Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society," by Sister Julie Beck. This recent article, Focusing on the Lord's Work of Salvation, by Sister Beck shares how the Relief Society can make a difference in the world. It's a must read, also!

Men: Read "To Learn, to Do, to Be" by President Thomas S. Monson

Underline phrases that inspire you as a Relief Society sister. Journal your thoughts.

DAY TWENTY FIVE

Quote for women: "Relief Society has within its commission some of the most remarkable service opportunities on earth which are available to all sisters." --Julie Beck

Quote for men: "[I]t is a privilege to hold the priesthood: 'It is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others'". -- President Monson

Perform a random act of service today --pray for guidance and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Journal how you felt when you were finished.

Everyone Can Create - DAY 24 Supplement

This beautiful video is your gift today! What are you going to do with this powerful gift of creation?

DAY TWENTY FOUR

Read Genesis Chapter 1, the account of the creation. We are all children of the Supreme Creator. Today spend time creating something: try a new recipe, work on a talent, do a craft, make something for your home. Appreciate your creativity.

Please feel free to share - I would happily post any pictures for everyone to see. Email them to tiffwinward@hotmail.com

DAY TWENTY THREE

Reread President Uchtdorf's account about cooking (from day 21). Make a recipe card for a happy home and post it in your home. Just for today, accept all compliments with a simple "thank you!"

Recipe for a happy home: Ingredients: 1 cup of common sense, 1/2 cup justice, 1 cup of love (sifted), 2 tsp. of sense of humor, 1 tsp. spice of nonsense. Directions: Mix well and enjoy

How many are still participating in this journey? Please shout out if you are here by leaving a comment - even if it's just "hello". I know we started out with 85+ participants - how big is our group now?

DAY TWENTY TWO

Read and mark D&C 46:11-26. Take a moment today to list your accomplishments, talents and abilities. Really think about them and pray to have Heavenly Father reveal them to you.

DAY TWENTY ONE

Read "Happiness, Your Heritage" by President Uchtdorf. Ponder and mark the passages that impress you. Journal your feelings.

DAY TWENTY

Read and mark D&C 50:14, 22 (the scriptures are online). "As we fervently prepare using the scriptures and approved church materials, and ask the Lord for help, He will give us the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, and we will know what to say so that all are edified" said by Barbara Thompson.

Locate your pass along card (get one from your bishop) and prayerfully consider who you will share it with. Place it in your purse or wallet and pass it along before we complete this journey.

DAY NINETEEN

As brothers and sisters in Zion we truly "can do something extraordinary today!" Journal ways you will go the extra mile to "be a mighty force for good in this world".

Women: Read the talk, Now Let Us Rejoice. "I know...we can do something extraordinary today. We can be a righteous army of women armed with love, compassion, kindness, service, and faith. We can be a mighty force for good in this world." -- Sister Barbara Thompson

Men: Read the talk, O Ye That Embark. "It is not surprising that we feel from time to time nearly overwhelmed. Your thought that 'I'm not sure I can do this' is evidence that your understand what it means to hold the priesthood of God." --President Henry B. Eyring

DAY EIGHTEEN

Read and mark Mosiah 18:9, "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrections, that ye may have eternal life."

Look up compassion in the topical guide and study some of these scriptures. Journal your thoughts.

DAY SEVENTEEN

President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls." Serve someone anonymously today. Pray to be guided to someone that needs you and follow that prompting.

I challenge you to post a comment and let us know how you served someone today!

DAY SIXTEEN

Julie Beck said, "We can do the work of the Lord in His way when we seek, receive, and act on personal revelation. Without personal revelation, we cannot succeed." Read your own personal revelation...your Patriarchal Blessing. If you don't have one, talk to the bishop about obtaining it.