An Historic Event

Dear Sisters,

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the first Semi-Annual Women's Conference held at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.  It was a tremendously Spiritual experience that helped to uplift and inspire all in attendance.  I was particularly moved when all around me young girls ages 8-11 stood and sang the first verse of "Teach Me To Walk In the Light":

Teach me to walk in the light of His love,
Teach me to pray to my Father above,
Teach me to know of the things that are right,
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.

To which the Young Women and Relief Society sisters replied:

Come, little child and together we'll learn
Of His commandments that we may return
Home to His presence to live in His sight
Always, always to walk in the Light.

Never before has that song meant more to me than it did last night, as I was brought face to face with my responsibilities as a Covenant Daughter of God.  We have the wonderful privilege of being tasked with the righteous rearing of all of our Father's children, young and old!  As we serve those around us, we are helping them to walk in the Light with us!  As we use the Atonement we are walking in the Light!  As we faithfully fulfill our callings, we are walking in the Light!  I don't know of a better place to be than surrounded by my family and sisters in Heavenly Father's Light.  May you always find yourself basking in the Light of His love is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Sister Cook

Sister DeLeeuw
Sister Manzione
Sister Mauchley

You Are So Loved

Dear Sisters,

I am so grateful to be sharing a message with you!  As we have prepared to bring you our annual Stake Women's Conference we have pondered, prayed, fasted, and hoped.  This Conference is months in the making.  At times it has been frustrating and time consuming, but tonight as I prepare some special items for the conference all I keep thinking is how much you are loved!  The women in our Stake are precious daughters of a Heavenly King!  Beautiful--inside and out.  Strong, courageous, inspiring, and stalwart.  We love you so very much and it amazes me to think of the love I have for each of the sisters in our stake even though I may not know them personally.  I know you feel this, too.  As you keep watch over the sisters in your flock, rest assured that the Lord is watching as well.  He loves you and those you care for...so much more than you can comprehend!

Sincerely,
Eileen DeLeeuw
Denise Manzione
Shelly Mauchley
Christie Cook

Spread the Love!

For this month's message, I hope you'll enjoy this article by Jason Wright of the Deseret News.  The original link for this story is here.

"About a year ago, I discovered a new Asian fusion restaurant. I'm not sure how many times I drove by and saw the signs before I ventured in. But I'm sure glad I did.

It's called Wok Zone in Winchester, Va., and the food is outstanding, the prices are fair and the service is fantastic.

Since then, I've shared my love of Wok Zone with as many people as I possibly can. And why not? It may sound silly, but I found something delicious that's brought me happiness and I have confidence others will enjoy it, too.

I'm not naïve. I accept that not everyone will be interested. They may have a similar restaurant they’re already happy with. Their taste may be completely different or perhaps Asian food simply isn't their thing.

But has that stopped me from sharing? Absolutely not. I've offered my discovery liberally, knowing that even if they disagree, our friendships are on solid ground — I'd never know if I didn’t ask.

I suspect you've done the same. And it’s not just great food we're excited to share. How many times have you seen a movie, read a book or tried a new diet that you couldn't wait to share with someone else?

That's what people do. We exercise agency, decide what’s important to us and then desire to share that discovery with others. Our instincts tell us that what's good for us will be good for those we love.

Oddly enough, my restaurant experience reminds me of another discovery.

As a teenager, I discovered for myself that the church I’d been attending was the most delicious thing in my life. I'd been going with my family for years to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but never really partaken of the full menu — I'd only nibbled here and there. Once I did, I loved it and I couldn't wait to share with my friends.

I introduced the LDS Church to my two closest friends of that era. One joined the church a few years later while attending BYU with me and I was honored to attend his wedding in the temple.

My other friend investigated the church and decided he wasn't interested, but it didn't affect our relationship in the least. I respected his faith, he respected mine and our families remain very close all these years later. He’s one of the finest Christians I’ve ever known.

How many others have I shared my Mormon faith with in the years since? Not enough. For some reason the older I’ve gotten, the tougher it’s become.

Why is it easier to broadcast something as temporary as my affection for a new restaurant than to share something as eternal and lasting as my faith?

Shouldn’t we approach missionary work with the same level of enthusiasm?

Recently, I’ve spent time pondering and evaluating everyone I’ve ever personally shared my faith with. I can’t recall a single soul who’s become offended, asked me never to call again or ridiculed me for opening my mouth. Many have said “Thanks, but no thank you." But none have said, “How dare you share something that brings you such happiness?”

If you stop and do the same — consider everyone you’ve made a deliberate effort to share your religion with — can you find anyone who’s ended your friendship as a result of your bold testimony?

No matter our faith, whether Protestant, Presbyterian, Methodist or Mormon, we should all desire to share what's delicious to us with others. And what if we don’t?

I understand in the next life it's unlikely anyone will approach me with tears in their eyes and tell me how much they wish I had introduced them to my favorite Chinese restaurant.

But isn’t it possible someone could approach me and ask why I never shared my faith? “You had something so precious in your life, a faith that I could have relied on and a community of believers that would have strengthened my family. Why didn’t you tell me?"

I don’t want to have any of those conversations. Do you?

I invite everyone to share what matters most. If it brings you happiness, share it. If it brings you comfort and peace in a troubled world, share it. If it bonds your family together, share it with other families.

If it’s so delicious, then tell the world why. Because it’s likely to be the most important discovery you’ll ever share."

Sincerely,

Sister DeLeeuw

Sister Manzione

Sister Mauchley

Sister Cook

Families Can Be Together Forever

Sisters,

This year's Primary theme is Families Can Be Together Forever.  In a world where the family is constantly undervalued, under scrutiny, and even under attack, these five words give Latter-Day Saint families HOPE.  While the world may "pervert the ways of the Lord," you can rest assured that His Church, under the direction of His chosen prophets will never succumb to the world's ideal of marriage and family.  While it is important to love those around us as our Heavenly Father does, it does not mean that we need to "give in" to others' points of view.  What is important is our own individual testimonies of family and that, yes!, we can be together forever.  I encourage you to take this message into your sisters' homes this year.  Fill them with the hope this message brings and help them renew their commitment to keep sacred covenants that will help ensure their family stays together eternally.

Love,
Eileen DeLeeuw
Denise Manzione
Shelly Mauchley
Christie Cook

The Family: A Proclamation to the World