Mormon women urged to focus on 'why' of gospel

"Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true church. Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society. Continue to strengthen homes and families. Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord's help."

During her remarks, Sister Beck — who also conducted the meeting — called Relief Society a spiritual legacy and a way of life.

"I have titled this message 'What I Hope My Granddaughters Will Understand about Relief Society,' " she said. "I hope what I say in this message will give them and all who hear or read it a clear understanding of what the Lord had in mind for His daughters when He organized the Relief Society."

 Sister Beck said she hopes her granddaughters will understand that Relief Society today is organized after a pattern of discipleship that existed in the Church in ancient times. "When the Savior organized his church in New Testament times, women were vital participants in his ministry."

As the Lord began restoring His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith, He again included women in a pattern of discipleship, she added.

Sister Beck said she hopes her granddaughters will understand the Lord inspired the Prophet Joseph Smith to organize the women of the Church under the priesthood and after the pattern of the priesthood.

"Being organized under the priesthood makes it possible for the presidency to receive direction from the Lord and His prophet for a specific work. And the organization of Relief Society enabled the Lord's storehouse of talent, time and means to be administered in wisdom and order."

Sister Beck said she hopes her granddaughters will understand that the organization of Relief Society was an essential part of preparing the Saints for the privileges, blessings and gifts found only in the temple. "I hope my granddaughters value the temple as did the sisters of the first Relief Society, who believed that temple blessings were the grand prize and great goal of every Latter-day Saint woman."

She said that she hopes her granddaughters will come to understand the important influence and capacity of the great worldwide sisterhood of Relief Society. "Since 1842 the Church has spread well beyond Nauvoo, and Relief Society is now found in more than 170 countries, where sisters speak more than 80 languages."

Early Relief Society efforts are now applied globally, she said. "As the Church has grown, Relief Society has been able to fulfill its purposes in every ward and branch, in every stake and district, while adapting to an ever-changing world," she said. Every day, she added, Relief Society sisters around the world experience the entire range of mortal challenges and experiences. One of the Lord's purposes in organizing the sisters into a discipleship was to provide relief that would lift them above challenges, she explained.

Sister Beck said her granddaughters should also know that the sisterhood of Relief Society can provide a place of safety, refuge and protection. "As our times become ever more difficult, the faithful sisters of Relief Society will help protect the homes of Zion from the shrill voices of the world and the predatory and provocative influence of the adversary.

 She said she hopes her granddaughters will understand that visiting teaching is an expression of their discipleship and a significant way to honor their covenants. "This element of our discipleship should closely resemble the ministry of our Savior," she said.

Sister Beck concluded by noting that these and other essential teachings about Relief Society are now available for her granddaughters to study in Daughters in My Kingdom: the History and Work of Relief Society.

"It will unify and align a worldwide sisterhood with the purposes of Relief Society and the patterns and privileges of disciples. It is a witness women's essential roles in our Father's plan of happiness, and it provides an immovable standard of what we believe, what we do, and what we will defend."

During her remarks, Sister Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, called charity a divine gift which individuals must seek and pray for.