I read about our new General RSP, Sister Bingham (65 years old), who a couple of weeks prior to that calling was 1st Counselor in the General Primary, and her visit to Uganda, with the Director of Humanitarian Services and the LDS Charities, Sister Eubanks. Sister Eubanks (54 years old) is now 1st Counselor to Sister Bingham. Most astonishing to me, besides the fact that a woman is managing/directing that entire program, is she is going to keep the position of Director of LDS Charities! Wow!
Here is that recent trip to Uganda they did. Check out the pictures!
12 days on the job and Sister Bingham addressed the United Nations! Sister Eubanks accompanied her-- here
A convert from Nicaragua, Sister Aburto (54 years old), is the 2nd Counselor. She is no stranger to the plight of those needing help. She is familiar with nature taking it's toll in devastating tragedy in her own life.
Read about all 3 women here
The world is always faulting our Church for not allowing women to really take charge. Obviously they haven't heard of RS/YW/Primary and the leadership and the gigantic responsibility they take on, while serving not only in Stake and Ward levels but on a General level (the world!)
More and more I see how we women are becoming wonderfully peculiar. You know how much I love this quote by President Kimball....
Finally, my dear sisters, may I suggest to you something that has not been said before or at least in quite this way. Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.
As I've thought about the magnitude of the task this new General RSP has responsibility for, I marvel. Not because it's such a gigantic responsibility but knowing that they are capable of carrying this cause forward in a wonderful admirable way...that is what I marvel over! That is how LDS women are. They step up to the plate and hit home runs!
The Ward I'm in is rather small right now but we have the full program of the Church and as is the way of doing things in a Ward/Branch of any size, we are called and we serve and we are released and we are called somewhere else and we serve and we are released and this just repeats itself over and over. Sometimes we have some experience in what we are asked to do and sometimes we don't but we all know the Lord will bless us to fulfill our task at hand. Our personal experience and confidence and growth just keeps on accumulating and we are used over and over and more and more.
Every single LDS woman that I know is amazing in what they accomplish...they know how to prepare delicious food for as many as 250 and set decorated tables- all in helping to feed a mourning group of family and friends. They are familiar with mortuaries and help with all things funeral related. It's a time of comforting and showing love. No one does a better job!!
They know how to organize for any function, of any sort, of any size-- from Christmas programs to meal deliveries for the sick... and the list goes on and on. Service is rendered on assignment and also privately through personal revelation. Plus they are happy to do it and happy while doing it.
I see how the Church has grown and the scope of things has grown also. Temple productions featuring thousands of youth remind me of a gigantic Roadshow. We have Stake Christmas productions that are amazing with choirs and orchestras and the whole works. We have Stake Women's Conferences that are wonderful. And the list goes on and on with the huge productions going on everywhere. We have projects in our Stake that go to humanitarian causes throughout the world.
We are being prepared to take care of lots of people and to do so with ease because of our Church experience in callings and Visiting Teaching and personal study that brings about conversion...being active and paying tithing and fast offering and whatever else we can donate, opens the windows of heaven for us and we can then share.
I find it exciting to think...Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.
It makes my heart happy to think that we have something so beautiful to share with the good women of the world ...our love and testimony of the Gospel. If they need comforting or material needs...we are the ones. We have been tutored and prepared just by living the Gospel the best that we can!! Talk about missionary work!!
Today my heart has been lit with joy! You are a part of my joy as I see you working so hard to live the Gospel, share the Gospel, and build the Kingdom.
309
As Sisters in Zion
1. As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.
2. The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.
3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.
Text: Emily H. Woodmansee, 1836-1906
Music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938. © 1985 IRI
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