A Message from the Presidency

Dear Sisters,

We are so grateful for this new opportunity. Thank you for your sustaining votes, and your prayers and words of encouragement offered on our behalf. We know these new callings will provide us many, many blessings. Each of you have so much to give and teach us, and we are so grateful to have the chance to serve you, know you, and love you better than before.

Receiving a new calling is always a humbling experience. Often, we may find ourselves called into a capacity that we don't really "see" ourselves in. Often, we may feel overwhelmed, underqualified, and just plain reluctant to step outside of our comfort zones. But, the beauty and obligation we have as part of being members of this church is we step forward and do when called.

Frankly, I doubt very much Nephi wanted to trudge back into Jerusalem, from where his family had fled to keep their lives, into the lions' den that was Laban's home, to grovel before a man for whom he could have no respect. And then the heart-rending story of Abraham, walking the hill of sacrifice, knowing the Lord asked for the blood of his one, cherished son. His thoughts, could they be known...we can only imagine the grief and heartache, but he pressed forward, for the Lord called. And then, the greatest example of all, our dear Lord and Savior, who drank the bitterest of cups on our behalf. He soaked up and knew every pain, every sin, every filth...He, the only One who didn't deserve it.

I remember these examples when I feel bogged down. In this light? My responsibilities are small, my burden easy to bear. In my case, as in all others, our Father in Heaven will give "no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (Nephi 3:7) I have an endless supply of misgivings about my own abilities, but this calling is a partnership, a partnership in which, thankfully, an all-knowing Creator is pulling almost all the weight. And as far as my human frailties will allow it, you all are in good hands, for we are each of us, in our Father's hands.

What a blessing to serve, sisters. Let us eagerly accept these opportunities to show the Lord our devotion to Him, as we grow together in this gospel of truth.