Worldwide Relief Society Devotional: March 17, 2024

 


Worldwide Relief Society Devotional on March 17, 2024 at 6 PM

We invite you to join us & hear President Russell M. Nelson and the Relief Society General Presidency — President Camille N. Johnson, Sister J. Anette Dennis, and Sister Kristin M. Yee — who will speak to women during a worldwide Relief Society devotional on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
The devotional will commemorate the purpose and founding of the Relief Society, which took place on March 17, 1842. All members of Relief Society and young women turning 18 in 2024 are invited to participate. Following the short devotional messages, sisters will have the opportunity to participate in a local testimony meeting where they can share their faith in Jesus Christ.

Walk with Him: Ambie Bullock

 


How do you walk with HIM?

AMBrIE BULLOCK, ANGEL CROSSING WARD
I walk with Christ as I try to show others around me Christ-like love, patients, and service. I like to try to think about how Jesus would treat other people, and then try my best to show others his love for them, through my actions and service. Sometimes this can be hard to do, none of us are perfect, but our Heavenly Father and Savior love us so much and always give us grace through our saviors atonement as we are trying our best to be more Christ-like and walk with him. I am so grateful for this great gift we have of the atonement in our lives. Jesus Christ is the perfect example to us of love, service, and patients, and I am so grateful for his example to me and for all the love, help, and patience he gives to me and each of us every day. I can feel him walking with me as I strive to be more patient and loving, and as I strive to serve others as he did and does every day.

Walk with Him: TayLee White

 


How do you walk with HIM?

TAYLEE WHITE, ANGEL CROSSING WARD
Serving people is the best way to walk with Christ. Going to the temple as often as you can. I have gone to the temple every day for a month before it has helped me to walk with Christ. Do I fall short? The answer is absolutely I do. How do I get up ? I do what I can for myself and help those that need. I have a hard time reading so I watch living scriptures to put me close to the Lord. It helps me to understand the scriptures better. Listening to the words from hymns and other church music helps as well.

Walk with Him: Cindy Lawlor

 


How do you walk with HIM?

CINDY LAWLOR, BRIDGECREEK WARD
Dear Sisters,
I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the question, "How do I walk with the Savior?"
When I was a child, my mother involved me in presenting musical readings at different events. I remember the words to one reading in particular that left a powerful impression on my mind. "If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two, if He came unexpected, I wonder what you'd do?" That simple reading helped me to be self aware of the environment that I wanted to create in my home as I became a mother and grandmother. I placed great value on my home being a place where I would not be uncomfortable if the Savior showed up at my door unannounced.
I have experienced devastating trials in my life as well as tremendous joy. I bear testimony that the only way I have endured my heart wrenching trials was by placing my trust in my Savior Jesus Christ. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we read,
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
I found that as I experienced the death of many loved ones, the loss of material wealth, family members who have left the church, health struggles of myself or family members, and an unexpected heart- wrenching divorce, I have only been able to endure those trials because I knew the Savior has not or would never leave me alone. I have grown to trust Him as I follow the prophets in studying the scriptures daily and gaining more knowledge about Him. I listen to the scriptures and gospel podcasts as I get ready for work in the mornings or exercise after work. I enjoy listening and watching conference talks, BYU devotionals, and church videos. I love to feast on His words, even if it is only a few minutes some days. Through this learning process, I gain understanding of the Savior's attributes as I strive to become more like Him. I find peace and eternal gratitude as I use the atonement in my life to overcome my human weaknesses. I have experienced many answers to prayer and experienced many tender mercies in my behalf and that of my loved ones. I trust that the Savior will help me to see the changes that I need to make in this life to become who He knows that I can become.
I have witnessed that He hears my daily prayers of gratitude and pleadings of my heart. I do not put my trust in the arm of flesh due to human weakness, but I know my Savior understands my needs even better than I do at times. I have found that if I am patient and wait on his his timing, He will answer my prayers in His own due time. I have learned that I have to stretch my faith muscles during my times of struggle to choose faith over fear. Step by step He eventually opens doors for me through other people or through my own inspiration. I trust that He knows me better than anyone else and that He understands who I am and knows what is best for me. I have learned to place my burdens on Him and that He will bless me with patience and peace in time and in a way that no one else can give.
I understand that I must do all that I can to keep the commandments, pay my tithing, serve others, repent daily, and keep the covenants that I have made at baptism and in the temple. I trust that if I do the best that I can, that He will compensate me in the end. I understand that through keeping the covenants that I have made with Him, He will be bound to keep His promises to me. I have grown to love my Savior deeply and know that I can trust Him. These truths bring me great eternal peace and comfort. I know that no matter what I experience in this life, He will make it right in the end!

Walk with Him: Mesha Robbins

 


How do I walk with Christ?

MESHA ROBBINS, STONE CREEK

By asking Him to walk with me. By including Him in my day to day choices & activities. By giving Him my burdens.

Life is difficult & like others, I have had multiple challenging experiences, including multiple deaths, same-sex attraction challenges in my family, health & money issues, starting when I was a teenager. I was becoming bitter & angry at everything going on & my mom (who herself was struggling with the scope of everything going on) challenged me to practice gratitude & find Christ in my life. It took a few years but this exercise changed my testimony & I learned to lean on Him as a young woman & through my mission to Bolivia & as a nurse.
Fast forward many years, through getting married & having children & getting stuck in survival mode with the busyness of life & some of the habits I gained as a young woman fell out of practice. Add an out of state move & new job & COVID & survival mode really kicked in. Then in early 2021 my youngest sister died of cancer (she was 34), she was a young mother of 4 children, the youngest wasn't even 1. Then my mom passed away 8 months later, also from cancer (she was 68). I found myself again in a dark place, struggling to understand the fairness of life & where God's mercy fits in. My years of being a nurse in hospitals caring for critically ill patients came crashing down on me, vividly recalling all the very difficult situations I had been placed in, adding to my sorrow & empty feelings about life's lack of fairness.

I found myself at a crossroads again & remembered that conversation with my mom so many years before that changed my life as a teenager & I knew what I needed to do.
Go back to Him. Place my burdens upon Him. I was drowning. It didn't happen overnight, but He carried me, He pulled me up & walked with me the moment I turned to Him. He didn't take my grief, sorrow & heartache away, but He helped me carry it.
In fact, He carried pretty much all of it. He helped me see His & Heavenly Father's mercy & love through the "infuriating unfairness".

I'm not perfect at asking Him to walk with me, but He helps me with that too. When I need help with the challenges my children are now facing, when I'm not sure how to help the Hospice patients I now see, when I'm feeling frustrated towards my husband for whatever reason. Jesus Christ is my brother & my friend & when I ask Him to walk with me, He is always there.

Walk with Him: Brooke McArthur

 


How do you walk with HIM?

BROOKE MCARTHUR, KENNINGTON WARD
As I think about this question. I remember the times when life was hard and Heavenly Father sent me the right person at the right time with the perfect message of what I needed to hear. Nobody would have known what and how I felt, except Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father speaks to us all so differently. This is one way that he is able to get through to me in hard times and when I doubt myself. I had a friend reach out and say that she 'SEES' me and that I was loved SO much by so many and she wanted to know if I was okay. During that hard time I knew I would be okay. She was another one that showed me Heavenly Fathers Love. I know without a doubt that I am being watched over and that Heavenly Father knows what I am going through. He constantly sends me a person to pick me up when I need it the most. This may be a little backwards to the question, but in these moments is when I feel like I am walking next to and with Christ the most in my life. I see him and by recognizing it and trusting him over my self doubts and life doubts. There is a peace, comfort and strength during those hard times, that I couldn't have come up with on my own.
Now these experiences are ones that have changed me and my heart. As I have seen him show up for me through other people, I try walk with Christ in showing up for other people now too, to mourn with those that mourn and to be there when someone needs a shoulder to lean on. There are lifelong friends I have gained because Heavenly Father has put us in each others paths. Sometimes, it is scary to reach out. I'm learning to not second guess myself as much anymore. Recently, I had a friend go through a faith building situation. I was grateful for her example. She texted me, "I know that God knowing he can trust me with promptings means he will continue to guide me on all things when I need Him too or when others need Him." This was so beautifully said. Because of what Heavenly Father has done for me, these are the words that describe what I will continue to strive to be like. This is one way I want to walk with Christ.

Walk with Him: Cindy Ortolani


 

How do you walk with HIM?

CINDY ORTOLANI, PHEASANT PLACE WARD
“How do you walk with Christ”
I looked back on the stake Facebook post and realized it was just a few weeks before I had a double lung transplant that I commented. It has now been a little over three years and I continue to hold his hand every day.
In and out of the hospital several times. Once with Covid for 3 weeks.
The week after the transplant I asked the doctors every day if I was dying. The first two weeks of Covid I did the same thing. My husband came every day to stay with me and each day I asked him for a blessing. I was so weak and tired and hallucinating that I couldn’t even pray for myself. The first week of Covid I couldn’t have any visitors. The first few days I was in the ICU, on high oxygen. But, I felt every prayer that was given on my behalf. I felt the Spirit so strong. I felt other spirits as well, my parents, grandparents I’m not sure but I knew they loved me and were praying for me too. Prayer in Heaven, who knew?
I’ve tried to prepare myself and my family for my death. We will all have a turn, mine may just come sooner than later. I pray for comfort and guidance. While in the hospital I’ve pleaded to live. I’ve promised and compromised and cried with my whole soul. I’ve prayer to see others the way Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ see them, to help life their burdens as so many others have lifted mine. That has made my life so much better, relationships better.
With any kind of transplant because of the medication some will end up having to get a kidney transplant as well.
I ended up on dialysis during my Covid episode so my kidneys have not fully healed. I’m now going to be put on the kidney transplant list and I start dialysis again next month.
A few weeks ago I had so much fatigue and pain I couldn’t do anything for very long. My life was spent in a recliner. I was going to have my husband give me another blessing and as I was thinking about it, I remembered President Nelson telling us “So many wonderful things are ahead. We will see the greatest manifestation of the Saviors power that the world has ever seen. He will bestow countless privileges , blessings and miracles upon the faithful.”
I decided to pray for myself and ask for a miracle. “Take away my pain and fatigue and heal me.” I knew I might not get what I asked for but just a few days later I woke up feeling better that I have in a very long time. I’ve had more energy that I’ve had in a long time. My lab numbers were even improved. I felt that it was a tender mercy and a true miracle. I accepted it for what it was, the love of my Heavenly Father and elder brother Jesus Christ. I truly feel blessed everyday that I am able to spend with my husband, my beautiful daughter her loving husband and my sweet and adorable granddaughters.
I do walk with Him every moment and when I can’t walk, I know he is still there with me.

Women's Conference 2024: Walk with Him - Join us!

 


SISTERS OF THE LAYTON UTAH SOUTH STAKE,
Tomorrow, Saturday, February 24th, will be the annual Layton Utah South Stake Women’s Conference from 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon with a luncheon to follow. We hope that you will all join us in this amazing event.
It is a great time to gather as sisters and to feel of the love the Savior has for each of us. This year’s theme – Walk with Him – is an opportunity for us to reflect on the Savior’s love and the importance of having Him by our side at all times. As we learn to Walk with Him, our lives are changed for the better!
Over the past few months, the committees and those who will be speaking, performing, and sharing their testimony have worked tirelessly to prepare messages that will uplift and strengthen each of us. What an opportunity we have to hear inspiring messages, feel of the spirit, and enjoy incredible sisterhood! I have said it many times – there is a power that comes when we join together as sisters. A bond and strength of sisterhood that will bless the lives of many!
I hope you will join us on Saturday to be uplifted and strengthened. The conference will be held at the Stake Center. I look forward to seeing each of you there and encourage you all to attend in person, but if you are unable to attend you can get the broadcast link from your ward Relief Society President.

With love,
Ericka Schade, Layton South Stake Relief Society President

Walk with Him: Meredith Hall

 

How do you walk with HIM?

MEREDITH HALLs, ANGEL CROSSING WARD
I had no idea when I became a wife, mother, and recently a working woman, how hard it would be for me to find time to walk with Christ. I had no idea how exhausting mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually it would be for me. The basic little things like prayer, reading scriptures, going to church, and visiting the temple which used to be so easy and delightful to do when I was younger and had less responsibilities are now things that require so much more from me. I have to make a consistent and frankly stubborn effort to try to do those little things that help me remember Him and feel closer to Him because I know they make all the difference whether I feel it at the time or not.
Though a lot of times I’m struggling to stay awake to read scriptures or pray, or have to reschedule my temple appointment for the 4th time, I know He blesses me for my small, meager attempts to try to find Him and learn to walk with Him.

Walk with Him: New Testimony Series


Check out our new Testimony Series: WALK WITH HIM in honor of Women's Conference this Saturday! Read beautiful testimonies from our wonderful sisters. Some testimonies are up already & more are coming! See you Saturday!

Walk with Him: Nicole Reschke

 


How do you walk with HIM?

NICOLE RESCHKE, KENNINGTON WARD
I walk with Christ by trying to see and love others the way He does. This means working on withholding judgment, extending kindness and service to others, and being more patient than I naturally am. This also means trying to be forgiving of others’ shortcomings (as well as my own) as I extend Christ’s grace to those around me.
As I continue to take steps to do this (even when it’s really hard!), I’ve found more happiness and love in my life and in my relationships with my kids, husband, other family members, friends, and even strangers. And when I inevitably fall short of these goals, I try to extend myself Christ’s grace, love, and patience as well. It’s a lifelong journey to walk with Christ and learn to love like He does, but I know He will support me as I keep trying and doing my best.

Walk with Him: Lisa Skinner

 


How do you walk with HIM?

LISA SKINNER, 37TH WARD
I walk with Christ by cleaving to all my covenants and trusting in His promises!

Walk with Him: Taunya Bingham

 


How do you walk with HIM?

TAUNYA BINGHAM, GREENBRIAR WARD
I was asked to share how I walk with Christ. I have become so grateful for the Savior the past several years. I’ve always had a relationship with Him, but as I have mostly been shut in my home the past five years, my relationship has grown closer.
When we moved into this home, we had sold our home that we planned to stay in our entire lives, but it had had a mold problem. We had finally rebuilt it, but had to sell it to pay back the money it cost to fix it at last. When we moved into this home, we did not own anything but a couple items of clothing, a toothbrush, a card table and an air mattress. One of my dear friends from our old ward gave me a picture of the Savior. I immediately hung it on our wall and looked at it every day. I was recovering from a difficult surgery after being diagnosed with a very rare disease and was so grateful for that picture. As the years have gone by our home is filled with things again. One of them is a picture of the Savior or a temple in every room. I love going to sleep at night with the Saviors face watching over me, and I love seeing pictures of Him and the temple as I walk around my home each day.
I don’t really have anything profound to share, but I know the basic things that I do that we’ve all been taught make the biggest difference in my life. I start each day and end each day with a prayer. Since I can’t really go many places due to my health, I have all the time in the world to spend in my scriptures and reading conference talks. I always make sure that I start my day with some time in the scriptures and reading a conference talk. When our children were small and life was crazy and busy, I often only had time to read just one verse before collapsing into bed. And I know that Heavenly Father and the Savior appreciated that effort just as much as he appreciates the efforts I make now. I still get dressed for church each Sunday even though we watch from home. I am so grateful for technology that has brought church back into my life. Before that I would read the Ensign and my scriptures during church. I never pictured my life like it is now. And I do wish that things could be different with my health. But I always feel peace, and calm. I often tell Heavenly Father in my prayers how much I wish things could be different so that I could be out loving and serving my family and in the church like I want to be so desperately.
I don’t understand why I have to have the health struggles I do. But I am grateful to know that the Savior walks beside me each day. I know that by doing the simple things I have been able to keep the spirit in my life and in my heart. I am so incredibly grateful for that. By doing the little things each day to invite the Savior into my life and home, He walks with me and I walk with Him. I love Him and can’t wait for the day that I can personally thank Him for carrying me through these difficult years.