Presidency Message - March

Dear Sisters,             

I have enjoyed my time with you in Relief Society. I didn't think I was missing anything while I was serving in Primary, YW etc. I am not saying that you cannot be filled spiritually while serving outside of Relief Society; I am saying, that we need the spiritual boost we get from taking a look at our own lives from time to time.  The last few months have caused much introspection on my part. It has filled me and lifted me up to share with you your beautiful spirits, comments, and experiences.

As we take a personal inventory, I find myself and perhaps you do too; weeding out habits that have crept into our lives with non-essential fillers; gets in the way of doing good things that are so much more rewarding than some of the endeavors we get involved with in our day to day living.  We need to do a Spring cleaning of our inner houses. Repenting of things we need to repent of; getting rid of old habits that weigh us down.

Jesus taught a parable known as the "Empty House." He taught that repentance requires we fill the void left by discarded sins/habits with good actions to keep the bad actions from returning.  President Kimball stated, "The devil knows where to tempt, where to put in his telling blows, He finds the vulnerable spot. Where one was weak before, he will most easily  be tempted again. In abandoning sin one cannot merely wish for better conditions. He must make them...He must eliminate anything which would stir the old memories."

In March 2003, Elder Victor D.  Cave said, "True repentance, then, is not merely eliminating the negative in our lives; it also must involve replacing the negative with positive attitudes and actions.   

As we strive to fill our "empty houses" with good actions; we will find ourselves taking time for personal study; reaching out to others; helping lift them up and they in turn will lift us in the process; we will be walking in the Savior's footsteps and filling our lamps with oil; helping others fill theirs as we strengthen them and help them learn to walk with Christ

With love,

Linda Rogers, Assistant Secretary