There is great power in what we can accomplish as we seek to strengthen the kingdom of God here upon the earth. As our understanding of gospel principles and temple covenants increases, so does our strength against trial and tribulation.
The formal organization of the Relief Society was discontinued prior to the exodus West in February of 1846, but the sisters did not lose their firm conviction to cleave unto the covenants that they had made. In 1867, President Brigham Young felt impressed that it was time to reestablish the Relief Society in each ward of the church. He knew that the sisters were talented. He knew the power of their influence. So he called Sister Eliza R. Snow to travel throughout the territory and help bishops reestablish the Relief Societies in their wards. She then taught:
“‘If any of the daughters and mothers in Israel are feeling in the least [limited] in their present spheres, they will now find ample scope for every power and capability for doing good with which they are most liberally endowed. … President Young has turned the key to a wide and extensive sphere of action and usefulness.’” (Daughters in My Kingdom; The History and Work of Relief Society, pg. 44)
Sister Snow also understood the influence that each individual sister could have. She counseled women to feel prepared to speak and teach in public.
“’Do not let your president have to say all… has not God endowed you with the gift of speech?… If you are endowed with the Spirit of God, no matter how simple your thoughts may be, they will be edifying to those who hear you.’” (pg. 49)
“Emily S. Richards said that Sister Snow helped her learn to speak in public:”
“The first time [she] asked me to speak in meeting, I could not, and she said, ‘Never mind, but when you are asked to speak again, try and have something to say,’ and I did.” (pg. 49)
“Sister Richards continued to improve in her ability as a public speaker, and in 1889 she spoke at the National Woman Suffrage Association convention in Washington, D.C.” A journalist attending the event described her as “‘trembling slightly under the gaze of the multitude, yet reserved, self possessed, dignified, and pure and sweet as an angel…. It was not the words themselves but the gentle spirit [that] went with the words and carried winning grace to every heart.'” (pgs. 49-50)
Don’t you just love this story?! Eliza R. Snow’s clear-cut counsel to Emily Richards has just enough humor to make it good-natured. And Sister Richards’ commitment to following the direction of her leader is inspiring. She took that small suggestion seriously and eventually spoke to a group much larger than she had probably ever imagined.
Today we are doing as Sister Snow and Sister Richards taught when we seek gospel knowledge and share our testimonies with others. We never know who will we touch or how many we will influence as we improve our understanding and gain gospel knowledge. The scriptures provide a deep wealth of information through which we can accomplish this task. Spencer W. Kimball said:
“Regardless of your particular circumstances, as you become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures, you will be more and more effective in keeping the second great commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself. Become scholars of the scriptures– not to put others down, but to lift them up!”
I LOVE this quote. It does not matter who we are, where we come from, or what we look like. Every one of us has access to the gospel of Jesus Christ through His holy scriptures. And God will speak to us individually through His Spirit as we study and seek to understand all that we learn as we read. He will help those truths to become a piece of us as they are applied and written upon our hearts. We will then be able to build and strengthen our friends, neighbors, families, and anyone with whom we come into contact.
Sister Zina D.H. Young said:
“’Seek for a testimony, as you would, my dear sisters, for a diamond concealed. If someone told you by digging long enough in a certain spot you would find a diamond of unmeasured wealth, do you think you would begrudge time or strength, or means spent to obtain that treasure?… If you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find, with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of the truth of this work.‘” (pg. 56)