Announcements

Lunch Bunch: January 11^th will be our first lunch bunch of the year! It will be held at the Sizzler here in Orem at 11:30. Everyone is invited, especially those who have birthdays in the month of January. Call Bonnie Williams, 801-221-7720 and/or see you there.

Happy Birthday to:

1/5 Laura Felt 1/19 Linda Rogers
1/7 Kathryn Bell 1/25 Jenn Fenn
1/9 Tricia Faragher 1/26 Deborah Threet
1/14 Barbra Wardle 1/26 Ischalyn Hansen
1/14 Patsy Carter 1/27 Amy Kroc
1/14 Toni Handy 1/31 Joanne Arroyo

January Visiting Teaching Message:

Eliza R. Snow recalled the Prophet Joseph Smith teaching that “although the name [Relief Society] may be of modern date, the institution is of ancient origin.”¹

Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, visited Joseph Smith and, through him, restored the fulness of the gospel to the earth. Relief Society was part of that restoration. The organization of the Church was not complete until the sisters were organized.²

In the coming months, each Visiting Teaching Message will give us the opportunity to learn more about the history of Relief Society and its part in the restored gospel. For many reasons, understanding our history is not only important but essential.

First, an understanding of our history inspires us to be the women of God we need to be. By following the examples of noble Latter-day Saint women, we can learn from the past how to face the future.³

Second, our history teaches that the same principles that existed in the early Church are our foundational principles today. This knowledge and our purposes—to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need—draw a connection between our past and our present.

Third, as we value our history, we can better share our spiritual heritage. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “You pass the heritage along as you help others receive the gift of charity. … The history of Relief Society is recorded in words and numbers, but the heritage is passed heart to heart.”⁴

Finally, understanding our history helps make us an effective part of the future of Relief Society. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) explained, “We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future