“My Turn” is the closing number in the program I present. I wrote it to accompany the final chapter in the book Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society. It contains a take-away message that each one of us needs to consider: What can I give?
Sometimes we feel fearful and inadequate, and this song begins with that sentiment. But as we learn about and come to act upon the impressions we feel through the Holy Spirit, we can gain courage and confidence in our divinely given gifts. God has given each one of us unique talents and abilities through which we can bless His children and the world! And He will be right by our sides as we seek to share His light!
President Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church, urged Latter-Day Saint women to “lead the world and to lead especially the women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and that is purifying.” (Daughters in My Kingdom, pgs. 179-180)
“Throughout the history of the Lord’s restored Church, female disciples of Christ have lived up to this standard. Like Esther, they have been faithful and courageous in the face of difficult challenges. They have found purpose in their lives, as Esther did when her cousin Mordecai asked her, ‘Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ (Esther 4:14)” (Daughters in My Kingdom, pg. 180)
We are here for such a time as this, and we are doing a great and joyful work! We have the Lord’s sure promises as we follow His counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 25. “Verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom… Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better… Cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.”
“When the Prophet Joseph Smith told Relief Society sisters to ‘live up to [their] privilege,’ he combined that exhortation with a promise: ‘The angels cannot be restrained from being your associates… If you will be pure, nothing can hinder.’” (Daughters in My Kingdom, pg. 181)
I know that this is true. Angels are our associates as we go forth with righteousness and the power of God. We can unite with all who have gone before us and add our own personal stories to theirs. The women we read about in Daughters in My Kingdom are our fellow travelers. Can we see ourselves in their journeys?
“With an assurance of Heavenly Father’s love for [us] and a testimony of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, [we] can rise above ordinary thoughts and ambitions and be part of ‘something extraordinary’”. (pg. 181) Hopefully each one of us can say, “Now it is my turn—my turn to serve and to bless, my turn to share and to lead, my turn to lift and strengthen and to write a chapter on the pages of Relief Society’s history” and even the history of the world!
Recently Sister Joy D. Jones spoke to the membership of the Church in April’s General Conference. I was very touched by her words. Her talk motivated me to revisit my efforts to share this music and this message with a renewed effort. I love that she talks about our faithful and unique contributions as VITAL. When I hear that word I think about the nurses who cared for me after the births of my sweet children. They would come to my hospital room frequently to test my “vitals”; my heartbeat and my oxygen, the necessary functions of my physical life!
Just as the heart and lungs are absolutely essential to the survival of the body, so is our faithful ministry VITAL to the spiritual survival of all those within our reach.
So, let me pose this question… What do you feel inspired to do?
Sisters, it is our turn right now. It is a marvelous time to be a disciple of Christ. Through Him, all things are possible.
Love,
Michelle