Caring & Watching Over Each Other by Amy Soto

 

Have you ever wondered what is happening behind the scenes in our Relief Society? Well, I’m here to give you a sneak peak into a part that has happened recently. So, sit back, relax and enjoy this post.

                               

On Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a Relief Society board meeting. Early Sunday morning the RS Presidency, District Supervisors, and other coordinators gathered in the Bean Museum. Since I have never been to a board meeting before I wasn’t sure what to expect. To start, Katy informed us that our ward was asked to be a part of a pilot program for the church for a Self-Reliance effort. We were also instructed about the recent Relief Society Auxiliary Training to tailor all Relief Society efforts to meet the goals of the Relief Society Organization.

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Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life as they:

•   Increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement;

•   Strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and

•   Work in unity to help those in need. 
Handbook 2: Administering the Church, [2010], 9.1.1

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What does this mean for our ward?

First, our ward has had a focus on self-reliance for some time now. You have probably heard the Relief Society presidency members share that one of our goals as a Relief Society is to “help our sisters help each other to help themselves”. Aligning with the pilot program would not be far from what we already have in place. But what does “piloting a program” require?

It requires that we approach what we have been doing differently. But how?

Katy invited us to discuss where we think we are as a Relief Society. How are our sisters? Are we aligned with the goals of Relief Society? And how do we move from where we are to where we need to be?

It’s not every day that I get to hear the perspectives of other sisters in Relief Society about how we are doing as a ward, but can I tell you that it was great. It was interesting to hear their different perspectives and insights. We talked about how at times it can be difficult to fulfill our callings when we are given limited guidance but expected to deliver great outcomes. It was great to hear that others were experiencing the same thoughts, feelings, struggles, and concerns that I have felt before. 

I recall one sister saying that our effort to implement this pilot effort was actually a pioneering effort that would eventually provide feedback that could potentially affect sisters of the world.

On one hand, I could feel the weight and the importance of this effort. We were being charged to try something new, something that has never been done before, and really change how we approach our work in Relief Society.

For me, and the other district leaders, this is about visiting teaching.

Although the instructions given were vague about how to implement this effort, I could feel an overwhelming empowering freedom extended to us, as sisters in our Oak Hills ward, to accomplish the goals of the Relief Society.

In essence, we have been entrusted to rely on our personal revelation and inspiration to know how to extend inspired and intentional service to each other.

On the other hand, I at first felt overwhelmed by the task. I couldn’t help but think about my own responsibilities. As a district leader we are asked to not only check in with our sisters about their visiting teaching, but we also help some compassionate service needs, we facilitate lessons each third Sunday, and now, with our Bishop’s support, we also help to facilitate monthly 3^rd Monday District FHEs. Usually, this would seem very doable, but this semester I have a lot of my plate and I could not help but feel tired and overwhelmed. I often feel like this sometimes:

But I digress.

Over time through our discussion I started to feel better. After brainstorming, we were asked to discuss what our goals were. We wrote our ideas on the board and shared our thoughts and feelings.

Katy explained that the essence of Relief Society boils down to visiting teachers – sisters serving and watching over one another.  A simple yet profound effort.

 

For example, as a district leader, I know that sisters are invited to accept a call as a visiting teacher. When they do, they are charged to provide service and watch care for each sister they are assigned. Although, it is assumed that “everyone” is a visiting teacher and it is something that we should do, it is sometimes a calling and responsibility that is not always a priority. However, as we talked as a group, Katy made it clear that the basic role that we each have in the ward comes down to visiting teaching.

After much deliberation, we decided that our goal would be: Each sister will understand the visiting teaching is her main responsibility.

This statement felt profound to me.

What would it be like to have visiting teaching as my main priority?

How would that change how I approach visiting teaching?

How would I spiritually prepare to visit my sisters?

What does this mean for the watch care that I provide?

For me, it would change everything. If visiting teaching were my main priority, I would pray for my sisters daily. I would fast for them often. I would read my scriptures with them in mind. I would do anything in my power to serve them. I would pray for inspiration to know how to bless them.

I know this post was long, but I hope it gives you insight into the effort that we are all invited to be a part of – caring and watching over each other – in the Oak Hills 8^th ward.