“And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit”

by Julie B. Beck
Saturday Morning April 2010

Take a look around the world. It doesn't take long to realize that we are living in troubling times. So how are we, as mother's, supposed to 1) raise a family in the way they should go and 2) increase our faith and personal righteousness.

Sister Beck gives us some tools to help along the way.

Personal Revelation

"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."

At Women's Conference in May, Sister Beck gave a talk similar to this about our priorities. She said to divide our list into 3 categories: Have to do, Need to Do, and Would like to do. The top category should be filled with things that will bring us closer to God. ie Temple Attendance, Personal Prayer and Scripture study

There is so much that needs to be done and it is impossible to get everything done, but, as she reminds us, personal revelation can help us along the way.

She says here,

"The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."

However, we must do our part to be worthy to receive personal revelation.

"Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed."

Relief Society—Teaching, Inspiring, and Strengthening

"Additionally, the Lord in His wisdom has provided a Relief Society to help His daughters in these latter days. When Relief Society functions in an inspired way, it lifts women up and out of a troubled world and into a way of living that prepares them for the blessings of eternal life. This society has at its very core the responsibility to help sisters increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. Through Relief Society, sisters can receive answers to their questions and be blessed by the combined spiritual power of all the sisters. Relief Society validates the true and eternal nature of daughters of God. It is a sacred trust, a guiding light, and a system of watchcare that teaches and inspires women to be strong and immovable. Its motto, “Charity never faileth,”7 is embodied in all good women"

I personally have felt the benefit of being involved in such a large sisterhood. I have been spiritually fed, physically fed, and mentally fed over the years. When we lived in Arizona, a friend of mine had her first baby. She is not a member of our Church but I called and told her that I was bringing dinner over to her. She could not believe that I would be willing to help her like that. I told her this is what we do ... help and strengthen our sisters.

Measuring Success

"Good women always have a desire to know if they are succeeding. In a world where the measures of success are often distorted, it is important to seek appreciation and affirmation from proper sources. To paraphrase a list found in Preach My Gospel, we are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit. When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us.9 Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly."

I know that I am not perfect, not even close, but I am always working on being a better person. I think it is so important that everyone knows who they are and especially that they are a "Child of God" who knows and loves them personally.