General Relief Society Meeting

Tonight my Mom's stake was part of the choir for the General Relief Society meeting. My Mom received two tickets to go to the meeting so we went together. During the closing prayer the sister praying asked that we go home and share what we felt from this meeting. I doubt she was suggesting I run home and blog about it. But I thought I would share my thoughts anyway...someone out there may find it interesting (and maybe not.)

Yesterday I was explaining to Alyssa that I had to work today and then I would be going to this meeting directly after so I would not be home until late. She asked about the meeting and I explained that it was at the place where we went for President Hinckley's viewing. I told her the Prophet would be there and I'd get to see him and his counselors. She said back to me, "Wow Mom, you're lucky. There's only one Prophet in this world. People everywhere would like to see him and you get to." I was quite impressed with her thinking.

So as we get there tonight we were pretty surprised when the ushers showed us where to find our seats and we were right down in the front. We were on the lowest level, in the center section, about a dozen or so rows back! I've never sat that close before. It was thrilling. There is something different about being there. I've been to conference once before and I remember similar feelings of awe and reverence when the prophet walked in.

The RS General President, Julie Beck, is the aunt to two of my friends from growing up. I always enjoy watching her because I know her and I usually know who she is talking about. I also like her straightforward approach to her talks. I have to say I really enjoyed all three talks from the RS General Presidency. I liked their emphasis on how Relief Society isn't just somewhere you go when you're not teaching YW or Primary. It is an orginazation all sisters of the church belong to.

But for me the two most thrilling/spiritual parts of the meeting were the Congregational hymn and President Uchtdorf's talk. I don't feel like I can express very well in words the uplifting feeling I felt as 20,000 women in the conference center sang a song of praise together. It was amazing. My simple words really don't express it well. I think my Mom must have felt what I was feeling because she reached over and grabbed my hand. It was such a spiritual moment. I was also amazed to be sitting right in front of President Uchtdorf. His talk was really uplifting and I was very impressed by it.

I feel so priveledged to have been allowed to attend this conference. Unfortunately I don't get to focus on General Conference very well with small children. Maybe that's one reason I enjoyed this so much.

So, upon conclusion of this meeing I walked away deciding I am determined to do better. I'm not talking about being a better neighbor or any of that (although that is part of it too.) I'm talking about within myself. I want to work on my own faith and those little personal spiritual roller coasters that come about as I go about living my daily grind. Tonight I have been very blessed.