Deseret News | New guidelines for weekday Relief Society meetings

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New guidelines for weekday Relief Society meetings – LDS Church News

kenny | 8:56 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I saw this coming awhile back probably like many others.Its the priesthood that directs this church. It's the priesthood that directs Relief Society,the church scouting program,primary,sunday schools, missionary and welfare activities,education on all levels and on and on.If the priesthood is allowed to direct this work then all the programs of the church especially on the ward level will be blessed accross the entire world.We live in exciting times.

Chris | 12:55 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Saw what a while back, tell the DN readers when the LDS priesthood didn't direct the LDS releif society,let alone any other program in the LDS church. Where have you been kenny?

Gwen | 2:31 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

This is a huge set back for women in the church. I find it very sad and telling of our LDS society.

Comments continue below

Huge setback??? | 2:56 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

How is it a set back?

She is simply reminding everyone of the way things have worked from the foundation of the Relief Society.

Perhaps it is more of a reminder to the Bishops to take an active part working "with" the RS President as opposed to 'not'. The Bishop is the head of a ward. It makes sense to get his backing.

BUt I bet everyone connmected with the church knows that most wards are driven by the sisters.

Sort of like the old adage, "The man is the head of the household, but the woman is the neck that turns the head."

suzyk | 3:13 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

We'll always have negative comments. If you know anything about the LDS Church you know that we all work together. The Bishop is the father of the ward and oversees each organization. There is a President and counselors for each program in the church, e.g. Relief Society, Primary, Priesthood, etc. They all know their responsiblities well and take them seriously. To: Kate and Four..if you feel you are done..you were really never part of this wonderful Church. Pray about it and I would be willing to say you will have a change of heart and will have a desire to be a faithful member as your made your baptismal covenants. Change is good in our lives. It helps us be more humble, less stringent in our way of thinking and gives us an opportunity to grow spiritually, emotionally and physically. Sister Beck is an inspiration to all who are willing to accept her counsel for it comes through the First Presidency which receives it from God. What could be more righteous.

Laurels | 3:16 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

"A Relief Society has much in common with a quorum in its purpose, in its meetings and the way it operates."

The RS is an extension of the priesthood. It should be patterned similarly. This comment by President Beck implies some changes may be coming.

For instance, the YM and Priesthood Quorums meet together each Sunday. Why don't the YW and RS?

At age 14, YM are called to be home teachers with an adult partner. Why isn't this pattern also followed with the YW? Wouldn't it be beneficial for girls to learn about VT in their youth?

Additionally, the exclusivity President Beck mentions that takes the form of "lunch bunches" and "Super Crafty Saturdays" are long overdue to be abolished as a RS sponsored activity.

The women in Nauvoo raised funds for the building of the Nauvoo Temple. The RS organization ran a silk production effort in 1876 and collected and stored wheat. They campaigned in 1895 to get women the vote and the right to hold public office.

In addition to caring for the poor and sick, the RS should be promoting meaningful activities like they have done in the past.

Go President Beck!

Blessed by the RS | 4:13 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

This is marvelous. I have been greatly blessed through my association with other women who have been there to help at times in my life when our family has needed it - during sickness and so forth.

To meet once a month for a purpose in line with the mission of the Church will help everyone stay focused on important needs during difficult times.

Anonymous | 4:24 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Amen!

kenny | 4:54 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

To Chris: you missed my point.

Sister Beck is right on target, and she knows it.

There will be conflict in this church concerning the men vs the women and their rolse.I think people who see this as a take over by men really dont understand the priesthood.The priesthood is not a mens organization.The priesthood is the authority that binds husband to wife to children,husbands and wives as equals,husbands acting as the active part of that priesthood,wives in a passive role but never the less both are needed,both vital, not one or the other but both. A woman has a role in that priesthood that her husband holds. This is what I see is happening in the RS today, the welding of that role: the husband (priesthood holer)+ wife (RS sister) = Priesthood in the family.We have been moving in this direction for years. Now it is happening to a greater degree.Its up to the saints to accept it and live it.

A Man's Perspective | 6:42 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Sister Beck is inspired of God. Overall, women have a higher activity rate than men in the Church, and attend the temple more than men. That should put a dagger through the heart of all the comments that say that men "rule" in the Church and women are somehow "under" the men. Those are false theories. When I was in a Bishopric, 90% of my time was working with the women in the ward - and I am not exaggerating. The men (Elders/High Priests) had a few hundred dollars in their budget. The RS had thousands of dollars in its budget. Men are often the target of mild bashing and (sometimes) severe chastisement. Women are praised.

Sister Beck is a good woman. Moving the RS a bit away from giggle/gossip sessions to be more service-oriented, if that happens, is a good, righteous move. My guess is she came up with this mostly on her own. We men in the Church honor and admire the women. To you women who don't want to be part of this and leave: you will be missing out.

michaelm | 10:25 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Anyone who spends any time in Ward leadership knows the RS President runs things even in Bishop lead meetings like Welfare or Ward Councils the Bishop my technically be in charge and preside but it is the RS President in most wards who does most of the talking and drives the work or lack there of that gets done. And far too many RS meetings have devolved into craft classes and gossip sessions. Its time for the RS to step up and take an active roll in the service of the Ward. This clarification is a reminder about what RS is supposed to be doing, not taking away anything from it. RS programs that focus on pot lucks and hot glue guns are not making the most of the talent and potentials of the many capable women in it's groups. And having served and live all over I can tell you I've yet to met a church leader who would not welcome those willing to step up and serve. Unless you're doing to be self serving or political. If you think the RS is not cutting it where you are step up and help.

Barbara | 11:14 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Thank you Sister Beck! I totally agree with what you have said. We are a world wide church and the needs of the sisters, as you stated, in Chile are different than the needs of sisters in Bountiful, Utah. The negative comments are most likely from the core of Utah saints. AS I have found out,Church life outside of Utah is very different from the Church life in Utah.

Ghost Rider | 12:10 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

As a former bishop, I am left wondering what many of you are complaining about. The RS has not changed in any shape or form. In my years as a bishop and in a few bishoprics, the RS had significant input into activities and how to help the ward. These women were diverse in their abilities and talents. I have read through all of the articles about the changes in the RS and find nothing that would cause the type of ridiculous postings as found above. Please point out the issues you object to as I don't see what you are talking about.

Anonymous | 10:50 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

blah

Barbara | 4:47 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

To Ghost Rider & Kris: Thank you. I totally agree. The RS has NOT changed. I too wonder what these women are talking about. It's gotta be a "Utah thing"

Befuddled. | 4:54 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

My oh my, this seems to have struck a cord with the minders of the "oppressed" women in the church.
I'm going to bet one thing. Whether or not Julie Beck had much input on the changes or not, I have no doubt she brought a ton of one-on-one research to the table. She seems like that kind of leader.

KatieG | 8:23 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

Thank you Sister Beck! I have to wonder about some of the responses to this article. These changes are not about Priesthood domination over Relief Society, it is a call to return to the fundamental roles of relief society-which are and always have been about service, unity, and learning the gospel and how we can apply it in our lives. Relief Society is not about being a social club and never has been. Since a Bishop councils with so many, and is the Father of the ward, he has valuable insights as to the needs of the sisters. His insights and guidance from the Holy Ghost coupled with the RS Prez's insights and guidance from the holy ghost allow RS meetings to fill the diverse needs of RS sisters across the globe.

Sister Beck is inspired of God and I thank her for her courage and for her strong leadership and good example.

Hope | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009

As a convert to the LDS church I concur with KatieG.
This church is about giving service to and for others regardless of their religious affiliation. We are a world wide church and have to realize that there are different needs in other countries and we need to adapt accordingly! We need to support and strengthen each other in this great calling! The RS organization within the church gives all the sisters the opportunity to set a good example to others! Let's all move forward with an eye single to the glory of God and be more open minded! God bless Sister Beck!

Suzie Q | 6:07 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

As a Relief Society president for 2 1/2 years, I am very glad to get this direction. We women do, sometimes, want to go a little hog-wild, such as the glass grapes back in my mother's day! It is important to re-focus on what is important. We need to stay in line with the goals of Relief Society. We need to make sure that the time we spend putting together meetings is on the most important things.

LDS Mom | 10:48 a.m. Nov. 3, 2009

Sister Beck is in tune with the times. When my grandmother and mother were young women in relief society they were paying dues, having carnival like bizarres, and never met in the summer. In 1980 (30 years ago)that changed, and women were blessed with an every Sunday program which strengthens us spiritually...while weekday enrichment actvities may serve the "social club" needs in us, they do not move women to greater action in the cause of building Zion. We had resin grapes in our home too. Recently it has been everything from vinyl lettering to elaborate gifts of the season. I find no interest in those things, one because it becomes clutter in my home and doesn't edify it while collecting dust,secondly it wastes precious time, and last it takes us away from the purpose of R.S.
The one thing this all proves is that Sister Beck has received revelation under the mantle of her calling and I sustain her as an inspired leader and daughter of God.

in defense of crafts | 6:44 p.m. Nov. 21, 2009

Hey, I miss the good ole days when we did crafts. Crafts were an opportunity to make something with our hands and express ourselves and beautify our homes, while strengthening our sisterhood. Not everyone likes crafts, but those times were certainly not meaningless. It's just that life has become more intense. Maybe crafts have to be put on the back burner, while we seek educations, for example.

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