Women

"No matter what circumstances you sisters experience, your influence can be marvelously far-reaching. I believe some of you have a tendency to underestimate your profound capacity for blessing the lives of others. More often than not, it is not on the stage with some public pronouncement but in your example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis."
James E. Faust
Ensign, Nov. 2002

September 2009 - the Home teaching message / lesson in the Ensign comes from Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 'The Influence of Righteous Women'. There are many examples of the importance of women from our scriptures, our families, our church leaders and in our community. Pres. Uchtdorf goes on to speak of the important role women play in the church.
"I hope that my dear sisters throughout the world - grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and friends - never underestimate the power of their influence for good, especially in the lives of our precious children and youth!"

My mom tells me and my sister and Ferron to get up and grab a big tub of grapes from our fridge and a big colorful bouquet of flowers and to go over to the neighbor's house with her. My mom has only had maybe five brief conversations with our neighbor Sherri, but they are always friendly and wave at each other when they see one another. Sometimes when we barbecue, my mother will make us run them over some plates just because.

Thanks to Facebook, we found out last night the neighbors pregnant teen daughter, gave birth two months early and the baby was stillborn. To make matters worse, the girl we went to school with almost died as well because of major complications that came about very rapidly. My mom told Ferron and I to stick around and just sit and watch some television or chat with the daughter about nothing important, as she wanted to be with the mother privately in the kitchen.

The circumstances were not ideal for any parent to want to discuss. My mom gave her a big hug and let her talk about whatever she wanted to. She wept with our neighbor and offered our families assistance in anyway possible. I know it meant alot for the parents to see my mom at their home because she talked to my mom like she knew her for years. I know my mom's heart was truly broken for our neighbors even though she knew very little about them. I know it was very heart breaking for me as well to see someone so young endure so much pain, both physically and emotionally. I know why my mom told us to just sit with our neighbor. I believe she knew we really do care about the traumatic ordeal their family just went through.

I have watched my own mother's face light up with happy confusion when Sis.Manzella and Sis.Backer sent over baked goods to our home for no apparent reason. Her happiness came from knowing that she is loved by really wonderful women. I know what the power of the Relief Society "sisterhood" has done to enrich our family. I have seen the joys and the compassion of LDS women in progress. I know the good it does the souls of others who are not members but will benefit from a genuine sister's need to do good works. I know that the Holy Spirit whispers in the minds of our women to use their strengths in times of joy and in times of sorrow to uplift others and many.

When all seems happy or even gloomy, a hug, a smile or a simple kind thought from a woman might be the powerful thing that motivates your day. Being part of the LDS "sisterhood" trains you to use your gifts to its utmost potential. Be genuine with with those gifts and it will come back to you tenfold.