Something beautiful happened on Easter Sunday that I would like to tell you about. We attended an Easter Sacrament Meeting (General Conference will be broadcast next week here), and there were meaningful messages shared along with several choir numbers. At one point in the program, a female soloist stepped to the microphone and began singing a solo. Her voice was clear and she was able to sing a wide range of notes easily. As her piece was about to conclude she became emotional and could not sing anymore. The accompaniment continued and the audience looked on, watching and waiting to see if the vocalist could finish the song, and then the ladies in the choir started singing her part from behind her. They knew her piece and were filling in for her until she could control her emotions. She joined them for the last few words of the song. The ladies in the choir had her back! They filled in for her when she could no longer sing because they did not want her number to end with silence. It was an act of love and support, and Matthew and I were both affected by it. My description does not do it justice. 

Hearing the ladies in the choir fill in for the sister who could no longer sing was symbolic to me of how Relief Society sisters have filled in for me in a number of ways. I feel like I have had sisters figuratively right behind me, watching me, supporting me, and ready to step in and sing when I falter. Relief Society sisters are aware and compassionate.

These marvelous art pieces by Caitlin Connolly make me think, and I wonder what she was thinking when she drew them. I like the lines, colors, and subject matter.

Open Hands Receiving

She Wore It On Her Sleeve

Leaning On a Mother

Her Arms Grew Tired as She Held the World in Its Place

A Busy Mind

Letting Go of Some Sorrows

Lifting Up a Woman

Leaning Against Something Unknown

I really enjoyed listening to the General Relief Society Broadcast last night. What wonderful messages from the General Relief Society President and our prophet, President Nelson.

Sister Camille Johnson stated: "Your power will increase as you serve others...You see, when we bring the Savior's relief to others, we find it for ourselves."

Sister Kristin Yee shared:"Your influence is great and your gifts are needed! Look at the lives of those around you and those whom the Lord has placed within your influence.  We are nurturers to all within our sphere.  What does your stewardship of influence look like? Who has Jesus Christ placed in your life that you can love and lift and to whom you can bring His relief?"

I feel compelled to better look to those within my sphere and serve and lift them.

I am cleaning out files today and I found this, though I don't know who wrote it.

As Latter-day Saint women, we are practically obsessed with anxiously engaging ourselves in good causes.  Glancing through the hymnal last Sunday I noted...

As Sister in Zion, we, who are

Called to serve,

Are all enlisted to go

Marching, marching forward because

The world has need of willing men (and women) who all

Press on,

Scattering sunshine.

We wonder if we have done any good in the world today,

Because we have been given much and want to

Do what is right,

Keep the commandments,

Press forward with the saints,

Choose the right, and

Put our shoulders to the wheel,

And go where He wants us to go.

However, as the morning breaks

High on the mountain top,

Truth reflects upon our senses.

And, while we still believe that sweet is the work,

We also realize that we have work enough to do

Ere the sun goes down.

And thus we ask thee ere we part,

Where can we turn for peace?

I bought this book a couple of years ago and the size of the book intimidated me. I did not realize that a large portion of the book is the notes section at the end with references for each and every talk. I am grateful to have read this book because I thoroughly enjoyed reading the remarks of women from the past several decades. The voices of these women strengthened me and the truths they testified of continue to ring true. How can I possibly share a few excerpts? There is so much good wisdom in this book! Here are just a few snippets:

Where is your faith? Where is your confidence in God? Do you know that all things are in his hands? (Lucy Mack Smith, 1831, pg. 5)

Now, my dear young friends, you need not think that because we have done so much there is nothing for you to do (Mary B. Ferguson, 1879, pg. 67).

She tells all sisters by her visit that someone cares and that God cares (Alice C. Smith, 1969, pg. 173).

Theology does not prevent all hurt and anguish.  No knowledge of theology can remove all pain, weakness, or nausea from all terminal cancer.  Nor can it fill an empty stomach.  What sound theology can do is to help those who believe it to make some sense of the suffering, of themselves, and of God, such sense that they can proceed with a measure of hope, courage, compassion, and understanding of themselves even in anguish (Francine R. Bennion, 1986, pg. 217).

The more overwhelming our tasks are, the more we understand that there is only One who can help, our Heavenly Father.  Only when we draw unto him can we learn how real he is, how much he understands, and how much he is willing to help (Jutta B. Busche, 1990, pg. 239).