Sisters in the Gospel

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Sisters in the Gospel
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Marriage of my youngest
Andrew
Allie
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Young Men Focus
Melchizedek Priesthood
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Melchizedek Priesthood
The Melchizedek Priesthood is an order of
covenanted men who work together in Gods name
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Young Women Focus
Living righteously and preparing to make eternal
covenants
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But what about after she leaves the young womans
organization?
Relief Society
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How do we view Relief Society?

• Womens auxiliary of the Church which provides
  charity.
• A place to learn the Gospel.
• A place to learn homemaking skills.
• A place for new recipes and crafts.
• A place to meet new friends.
• An optional activity (if I have time/desire).
• 3rd hour of Sunday block, where I feel obligated
  to attend if I do not have another calling.
• The organization for all sisters, designed to
  help them keep the covenants they have made.

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The Relief Society serves under the
guidance of the priesthood as the Lords
organization for sisters in the Church.
The purpose of Relief Society is to assist
priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of
the Church by helping sisters and families come
unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters
and their families receive all essential
priesthood ordinances, keep the associated
covenants, and qualify for exaltation and eternal
life. Church Handbook
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The Relief Society serves under the
guidance of the priesthood as the Lords
organization for sisters in the Church.
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The Relief Society serves under the
guidance of the priesthood as the Lords
organization for sisters in the Church.
The purpose of Relief Society is to assist
priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of
the Church by helping sisters and families come
unto Christ.
11

The Relief Society serves under the
guidance of the priesthood as the Lords
organization for sisters in the Church.
The purpose of Relief Society is to assist
priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of
the Church by helping sisters and families come
unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters
and their families receive all essential
priesthood ordinances
12

The Relief Society serves under the
guidance of the priesthood as the Lords
organization for sisters in the Church.
The purpose of Relief Society is to assist
priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of
the Church by helping sisters and families come
unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters
and their families receive all essential
priesthood ordinances, keep the associated
covenants
13

The Relief Society serves under the
guidance of the priesthood as the Lords
organization for sisters in the Church.
The purpose of Relief Society is to assist
priesthood leaders in carrying out the mission of
the Church by helping sisters and families come
unto Christ. The Relief Society helps sisters
and their families receive all essential
priesthood ordinances, keep the associated
covenants, and qualify for exaltation and eternal
life. Church Handbook
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Covenants

• And behold how great are the covenants of the
  Lord, and how great His condescensions (love,
  grace, mercy) unto the children of men. (2
  Ne 953)
• Covenants are an obligation.
• Covenants are important to God.
• Covenants are a blessing to us.
• How are covenants connected to ordinances?

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The symbolism of the Ordinance teaches on
multiple levels the deeper meaning of the Covenant
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Ordinances

• Therefore in the ordinances thereof is the power
  of godliness manifest. (DC 8420)
• How do we gain power through ordinances?

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Power

• Power knowledge skill
• (ordinances / doctrine) (covenants)
• My commitment to make and keep a promise to God,
  motivates me to do it.

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Ordinances require priesthood authority

• The officiator must have the priesthood.
• Young Men must have the Melchizedek Priesthood
  before going to the temple.
• Why dont Young Women and Relief
  Society sisters need to be ordained before going
  to the temple?

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How does Relief Society parallel the Melchizedek
Priesthood?

• This greater priesthood administereth the gospel
  and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the
  kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God.
  (DC 8419)

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How does Relief Society parallel the Melchizedek
Priesthood?

• This greater priesthood administereth the gospel
  and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the
  kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God.
  (DC 8419)

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How does Relief Society parallel the Melchizedek
Priesthood?

• This greater priesthood administereth the gospel
  and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the
  kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God.
  (DC 8419)

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2 parts to the Melchizedek Priesthood

• Administrative
• Offices of priesthood
• Performance of ordinances
• Direction of Church

• Key mysteries of the kingdom
• Knowledge of God
• Mysteries knowledge of God that comes to the
  faithful.
• Endowment greatest source to mysteries.

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Founding the Relief Society

• Sarah Kimball desired to help the needy by
  forming a Ladies Society
• March 4, 1842 the group moved to organize
  formally.
• Eliza R. Snow was asked to write bylaws.
• Eliza took the constitution and bylaws to Joseph
  Smith for approval.

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Founding the Relief Society

• Joseph said he wanted to organize the women
  under the priesthood after the pattern of the
  priesthood.
• The societys duties were to mesh with the
  priesthoods.

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Founding the Relief Society

• Females, if they are pure and innocent can come
  into the presence of God.
• By including women among those who were to see
  God, Joseph brought them into the circle of the
  endowed who would be cleansed and purified in the
  temple.
• When the temple was completed, the women would
  understand their place in the proper order.

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Founding the Relief Society

• The minutes have Joseph saying, I now turn the
  key to you in the name of God and this Society
  shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence
  shall flow down from this time. Joseph said
  that women did not need priesthood to minister.
  Women administered by faith not priesthood.
• Richard Bushman
• Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling

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In the pre-existance, men and women each made
covenants with Heavenly Father to help with the
Plan Julie Beck
Duties of Men and Women

• Duties of Brothers
• Preside
• Provide
• Protect

• Duties of Sisters
• Influence
• Nurture
• Love

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The power of Influence

• Joseph told the sisters, They were to care for
  the poor as originally intended but also to
  assist (the priesthood) by correcting the morals
  and strengthening the virtues of the community,
  and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking.

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Melchizedek Priesthood Relief Society parallel

• Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood includes
  duties (service)
• When you fulfill a Relief Society assignment, do
  you think of it as a covenant obligation?

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What is the focus for Young Men and Young Women?

• Young Men Goals
• Receive Melchizedek Priesthood
• Receive Temple Covenants
• Thereafter, be part of the brotherhood that helps
  them keep their covenants

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Young Women

• We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves
  us, and we love Him.
• Young Women Values
• Faith
• Divine Nature
• Individual Worth
• Knowledge
• Choice and Accountability
• Good Works
• Integrity

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These values help young women prepare to

• Strengthen home and family
• Make and keep sacred covenants
• Receive the ordinances of the temple
• Enjoy the blessings of exaltation
• Enter the Sisterhood of the Relief Society

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Relief Society is the Covenant Organization for
all Sisters

• It supports our very natures as we are
• An influence for good in the world
• An influence for good in our wards and families
• An Order of Sisters

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