The sisters, neighbors and friends of the B7 Ward Relief Society gathered on Thursday evening, March 28 to celebrate the 177thnanniversary of the inspired creation of this – the world’s largest women’s organization - by the Prophet Joseph Smith on March 17, 1842.
It was a full house, with beautiful decorations, including every table decorated for the Birth-“tea” party with tea pots and cups donated for this use by Sister Linda Walden and a luscious centerpiece and candlesticks donated for this use by Sister Ilaina Carter from her Flower Bar store in Ancestor Square. The finger food was tasty provided by generous sisters, including Sisters Lauretta Swansborough and Vicki Dove who created an assortment of delicious cupcakes and Brother Charles Dahlquist who made the scrumptious tea cakes.
The program included cello music provided by Melissa Larson and her friend Gentry Lowe from Dixie High School orchestra class and talks on ChariTY, HumiliTY and SimpliciTY.
In a short program, Sister Chardell Wilkes spoke on charity reminding us, “it can be a great challenge to love others, especially if their actions have hurt us. As the scriptures teach, charity – the pure love of Christ – ‘seeketh not her own.’ (Moroni 7:45) If we are to come unto Christ and become like Him, we must learn to truly love others.”
Sister Pam Bingham spoke on humility, sharing a little of her pioneer heritage, which began in St. George. Her 3rdgreat grandparents were born and raised in England, when in 1851 they heard some Elders preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their testimonies of its divinity were such that they were willing to make any sacrifice asked of them! In 1853; they gave up their home, their business, loved ones and everything dear to them to come to America! In a company with over 300 other converts they boarded the sailing ship Falcon. After about seven weeks the ship landed at New Orleans. They then spent 12 days traveling up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa where the saints were divided into companies to cross the plains to Salt Lake City. In 1861, these grandparents of mine were among those chosen to leave Salt Lake and travel South to settle Saint George.
Upon arrival they lived in dugouts until they could get a home built. This grandfather of mine built three carpentry shops in which he built beautiful furniture. He also made the spindles for the spiral staircase in the tabernacle. He was in charge of the upholstering in the Saint George Temple while Pam's great-great grandmother Harriet attended the Temple often doing work for our direct and kindred dead. These grandparents left so much behind in their native England and ended up in this area when it was little more than sand and sagebrush to follow a Prophet.
Sister Julie Welch spoke on simplicity using as a basis for her talk an old Simplicity pattern for a child’s article of clothing. She was quick to note there was a time when there were no patterns for creating clothing, but through the years such resources began to develop. Were they simple? Yes, but only if we followed the instructions. The same is true with living the gospel. We have patterns, including the scriptures and modern-day revelation, but they are only simple resources if we follow the directions from our ward and stake leaders, our general authorities … and from our loving Heavenly Father.
Thanks to all who came out and special thanks to the food committee including Janet Labrum, Vicki Dove, Zella Dahlquist, Susan Foley and Terri MacDonald with additional assistance from the RS Activity Committee including Rachel Halgren, Shar Simkins, Linda Walden and Tiffany Thomas.
