Thanks for an Amazing Service Day!

Layton South Stake Service Day was a success! This is due to the wonderful Sisters of the Layton Utah South Stake. We are so thankful for all of you.

Total service completed included the following:

• 1,250 pantry packs for Bountiful Pantry as well as food donations to Layton High Pantry and local individuals/families 
• Kindness cards for pantry packs 
• 100 monster craft bags for Layton Hospital 
• 75 worry dolls for assisted living and Layton Hospital 
• 42 letters to missionaries 
• Around 300 reusable t-shirt bags made for Bountiful Pantry

We also completed many projects for the Festival of Trees:

• 720 crafts, including dog bones, nativity, chocolate candy bars, etc. 
• 12 quilts
• 100 table runners
• 40 gnomes

Below are just a few images from the day of service. Click here to see more!

Getting to Know the Parkway Branch

The Parkway Branch is a special part of our stake, serving the residents of Sunridge Assisted Living Center (at the corner of Layton Parkway and Angel Street). The leadership of this branch is unique: four brothers serve in the branch presidency and their wives make up the Relief Society presidency. We thought it would be fun to spotlight this special Relief Society presidency and get to know the Parkway Branch better. See the next post for service opportunities at Sunridge.

Lanez Davies, RS President

Blaine and I have been married for 42 years. We were both raised in Bountiful, Utah, and moved to Layton 4-1/2 years ago. We love living here! We have five children and 11-1/2 grandchildren. I love working in the Bountiful temple as an ordinance worker and also enjoy traveling, family history, and reading.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Parkway Branch. It's hard to express the love we have for these wonderful people. We have the privilege to learn from their life experiences, testimonies, and wisdom. These faithful saints teach us how to endure to the end and come unto Christ. To share in their lives is truly a blessing!

Nancy Faldmo, First Counselor

Jon and I are the parents of four beautiful girls, grandparents of 13. Both of us were born and raised in the Salt Lake area. We moved here in 2002, "temporarily."  Jon is a photographer, woodworker, handyman, and dutch oven cook. I am trying to retire from nursing after working for 46 years in many areas. I love scouting, sewing, cooking, reading, and gardening.

Serving in the Parkway Branch has taken me full circle with my life experiences. I started my nursing career in rehab/geriatrics, fell in love with newborn/maternity, private duty, loved urgent care, now back to end of life care. I love meeting these sweet people who are earning how to endure to the end. They teach me so much more than I can ever teach them: compassion and patience come to mind. Slowing down is another. Appreciating the small things. Family.

Sharon Moore, Second Counselor

I was raised on a small farm in Oasis, Utah. I like small-town living. When we moved here in 1988, Kaysville and Layton seemed like pretty big places since we came from Castle Dale. I have eight children, four boys and four girls. I would say my hobbies include gardening, sewing, and making tied quilts. I learned to do most of these as a child and kept it up more as a matter of necessity than enjoyment, but I have learned to love working with my hands in this way.

I have really enjoyed serving in the branch. It has brought me out of my comfort zone, and I am still adjusting. The residents are amazing people, and I love hearing their stories and getting to know them. They have so much to teach me, and I have so much more to learn.

Brenda Auton, Secretary

I was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and lived in Sioux Falls from fifth to 12th grade. I married my loving husband in 1980. We have five children, and four are married, with 14 grandkids as of right now. We moved to Layton in 1986 and Greg Sargent in the stake hired us out of college. We have lived in the Greenbriar Ward ever since. I just took up the piano again after 39 years. I really enjoy practicing and learning new pieces. I also enjoy doing family history, as well as spending time with the grandkids and family in the area. I love boating with family and friends. Ken and I are planning on serving a mission in about four years.

I have absolutely loved serving in the Parkway Branch at the care center with my hubby. The people there become like your family. I love them like my parents. They lift my spirits. They are a great example of enduring to the end. They are so grateful for any service you render to them. When they pass, it leaves a big hole in my heart. I am a better person for knowing each and every one of them. I get to serve with three other couples that I laugh and cry with and love like family. This is the best calling for my husband and me right now in our lives.

Angels Were Singing to Me

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
by Lindi Salmond

To quote a good friend, life gets heavy. It can be burdensome, tiring, scary, and overwhelming. Sometimes I find myself deep in these feelings. Life feels like just a lot of work.

At some point in my misery, Heavenly Father gently reminds me to return to Him, remember my covenants, and give my burdens to him. If, at this point, I listen to his counsel and find Him through scriptures, prayer, and temple attendance, my days become lighter. It is just like those first rays of sunshine breaking through an overcast sky.

To me, this is especially true with temple attendance: it is the sunshine to my soul. When I find myself in the temple regularly and consistently, my days that used to be so heavy are now filled with light. They turn from the gray days of January to the bright beautiful days of June. It’s not that the hard things have gone away--we still have thunderstorms in June! But focusing on my covenants, which in turn strengthens my relationship with my Savior, my burdens are no longer mine alone.

Covenants do that for us; they yoke us to the Savior and, unlike yoking with regular animals that evenly share the burden, He does most of the heavy lifting! When my days are bright I can, in turn, find others to help on their way.

When we say “rejoicing on the covenant path,” I can’t help but picture myself linked arm-in-arm with my dear sisters walking down the path of life. We are laughing together, serving each other in our times of need, worshiping together, and even crying with each other. That is true rejoicing to me--when we can help others, and in turn, they lift us up as well. Our covenants put us all on the same path, giving us each other. I cannot think of a better gift.

As some of you know, I have Lupus, and with that comes all sorts of different things that I deal with. Most are just nuisances. I had been dealing with a cracking voice for a few months (think teenage boy; it wasn’t my favorite). One day I was sitting in Relief Society, and one of my favorite songs was being sung for our closing song. With the way my voice had been, I couldn’t hit any high notes in songs. Usually, it didn’t bother me--I would just silently skip the parts I couldn’t reach--but I really wanted to sing this song. I pleaded with Heavenly Father to please let my voice work for just this one song.

As we started singing, I was hopeful but as we got to the first high part, my voice failed. I was so disappointed, but that disappointment only lasted a second because as I sat there silent my sisters all around me continued singing: angels were singing to me. I felt as if He was saying to me, "You can’t do it right now, but they can do it for you." The love of my Savior for me was so strong at that moment, and it came through my ward sisters.

What is rejoicing on the covenant path? To me, it is the description of this beautiful life we have been given the chance to live. Staying close to the Savior with the companionship of others as we all strive to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. I am eternally thankful for this truth in my life.

Trusting in the Lord Through a Lifetime

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.

Image from LDS.org. Used with permission.

by Jannelle L. LaFontaine 

Prayer and personal revelation are a very private and sacred part of our lives. Even on a daily basis, we are engaged in these covenant privileges. In Doctrine and Covenants 90:24 we are taught to search, pray, believe, walk uprightly, and remember our covenants.

I would like to share a story with you that I believe exemplifies these principles, especially prayer and personal revelation.

In a small rural farming community in Aroostook County, Maine, it was 1956. One afternoon, two young missionaries from Utah knocked on the door of Bob and Marian and asked if they knew anything about the Mormon church. Their answer was no, and thus began their conversion. Bob was a very quiet man and Marian was incredibly curious. She asked a lot of questions, and the answers rang true to both of their hearts. They were baptized. That was that!

Remembering to Rejoice in Our Covenants

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
By Tiffany McMinn


Just one year ago, in his first public message after being called as the new prophet, President Nelson stated that his new presidency wanted “to begin with the end in mind” as they met with media in the annex of the Salt Lake Temple. There, President Nelson said if we were “faithful to covenants made in a temple [it will] qualify us for the greatest gift of God—that of eternal life.”

In this broadcast, and specifically directing the last part of his address to “each member of the Church,” President Nelson used the phrase “covenant path” three times in three different ways:

     1-Keep on the covenant path
     2-stay on the covenant path
     3-return to the covenant path

Afterward, the Church News stated, “The power to be found in making sacred covenants was reflected in President Nelson’s address when he uttered what, since then, is already becoming something of a catchphrase around the church: ‘Keep on the covenant path.’”

Now that it has been a year, and with so many changes, do you feel like this meme on the left?

I think we could add a number 4 to the list from President  Nelson: “Keep up with President Nelson on the covenant path.”

Obviously, being on the covenant path is something our dear prophet feels we need to be reminded of. I noticed this past October conference the phrase “covenant path” was being repeated over and over again. I looked it up and found that the phrase “covenant path” was used 28 times.

21-Day Sacrifice Challenge

Photo from BYUtv

 In 2015, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson gave a BYU Women’s Conference address titled “…My Soul Delighteth in the Covenants of the Lord” (2 Nephi 11:5). She shared that she received a cry for help from a friend who did not know what to say to a Relief Society group of sisters she would be speaking to because they were greatly stressed, depressed, overwhelmed, and even some feeling without purpose.

She was inspired to respond, “As counterintuitive as this may seem, I felt compelled, in a way I could not deny, to encourage [this sister] to offer a 21-day experiment to her Relief Society sisters. So I emailed back, 'Invite the sisters to make a sacrifice of time to the Lord by increasing their time in family history and in temple work for the next 21 days.'”

The experiment worked! She reports, “[Although] they were in distress, they focused on their covenant of sacrifice, they let that covenant be 'paramount,' and they were exactly obedient. And what happened? Their distress fell away!”

God’s love for us is real. He desires us to turn to Him so we may have joy. Through her entire BYU Women's Conference address, Sister Nelson bears a strong and insightful testimony of covenants. The privilege, the perspective offered, and the power of these beautiful exchanges of love between God and us are thrilling.

We are extending the same 21-Day Sacrifice Challenge to you, the Relief Society sisters and Laurels of our stake. We desire each of you to continue to be lifted and to feel joy! If you were to start TODAY, your 21 days would be complete on February 16th.

Please read or listen to the address by Sister Nelson. She will inspire you.

Click here to read the talk transcript.
Click here to see a video of the talk.

Your distress can and will fall away! Let’s go forward and rejoice on the covenant path.

Covenants Guide Us Back to God

by Lindsay Wall 
Women's Conference Publicity Chair

I know that the covenants we make and keep can truly lead us back to our Heavenly Father. I remember thinking many times in my life, especially during trials, that I wish Heavenly Father would just tell me exactly what I need to do! I wished He would just lay it all out for me, and I would do it. Then, one day, I realized He already has!

He has given us these covenants and simple commandments as a guide to follow so that we can feel the Spirit, so we can be blessed here on earth and for all eternity. I know that Heavenly Father gave us covenants because He loves us and He wants every opportunity to bless us--and the blessings are even greater than we can imagine! Keeping our covenants really can make us rejoice in life! We can be at peace and know the steps we need to follow.

Photo from LDS.org; used by permission

With that in mind, I also know that no matter how good we are at following and keeping our covenants, there are always going to be trials that make things hard. I know that not one of us is perfect and that the simple path He’s given us can seem really rough and full of temptation at times.

The best part, though, is that Heavenly Father has planned for that too. He’s molding us into who He wants us to be, and he’s also made a way for us to get back on course if we ever wander off. Keeping our covenants can get us through those hard times and make us stronger.

I know that our covenants were made for us to become closer to the Spirit, which helps us in every aspect of our lives. I know that there are so many things I, myself, need work on to become better at keeping my covenants, and I also know that that’s normal! This is the reason we’re here on earth--to be tested and to show that even when we falter, that we can get back up and try and do better at keeping our covenants the next day.

You're Invited: Stake Women's Conference 2019

Please save the date!

Layton South Stake Relief Society women's conference 

"Rejoicing on the Covenant Path" 

Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 12-2 PM at the stake center

Keynote speaker 

Sister Linda Reeves 

previously Second Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, 

now Assistant to the Matron at the Bountiful Temple

Laurels invited

A light lunch will be served

See you there!

Meet the New Stake RS Presidency

L-R: Janae, Shauna, Andrea, Tiffany

Dear Sisters of the Layton South Stake,

In the short time we have been serving as the new Stake Relief Society Presidency, we have felt such an increase of love for you amazing women. This past month we were able to visit all of the ward Relief Society Sunday meetings to put faces with names and get to know our sisters a little better. As we have visited each ward, we have been humbled by your goodness. From inspired discussions and deep-hearted testimonies shared, to discussing who needed extra prayers for the upcoming week--you sisters have inspired us! Thank you for all you do. We love you!

Tiffany McMinn
Shauna Cleverly
Janae Poulson
Andrea Dover

About Us

Enjoy these stories written by family members about our new stake Relief Society presidency.

What Does Christ Offer Me?

Several women in our stake share their testimonies of what Jesus Christ means to them. (This video was shown at the 2018 stake women's conference.)

Women Who Know

"Ye shall meet together oft." (3 Nephi 18:22) What a blessing it is to meet together each Sunday to partake of the sacrament and strengthen our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 As a stake relief society presidency, we attend the meetings where the young sister missionaries in our stake speak before they leave and when they return from their missions. Today we were uplifted by the testimony of a beautiful daughter of God who will leave her family in three days, five days before Christmas, to serve the Lord in Atlanta, Georgia. We were touched by how articulate she was and her beautiful testimony of Jesus Christ.

President Russell M. Nelson said, "We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world. We need women who are devoted to shepherding God’s children along the covenant path toward exaltation; women who know how to receive personal revelation, who understand the power and peace of the temple endowment; women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly."

Time after time we witness young women who are strong and are fulfilling this call from a prophet of God. They choose to venture far from the comforts of home and carry the light of Jesus Christ to the world. It is truly inspiring and a blessing to get to know and listen to these young sister missionaries from our stake. #LightTheWorld

The Purpose of Relief Society

On May 9, Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President, announced that she and her counselors have updated the Relief Society purpose.

Photo from LDS.org. Used with permission.

She said in a post on Facebook:
"When we were newly called as the Relief Society General Presidency, we sought the Lord earnestly to know what essential things He would have us focus on to continue moving His work forward. We were impressed that He would first have us help His beloved daughters understand the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that their faith and righteousness might increase. Second, we considered the critical need to strengthen families and homes and felt that the Lord would have us encourage His beloved daughters to cheerfully cleave to their covenants. When covenants are kept, families are strengthened. Finally, we felt He would have us work in unity with the other auxiliaries and with our priesthood leaders, striving to seek out and help those in need to progress along the path. Focusing on these things helps prepare us for the blessings of eternal life.

"Recently, we have updated the Relief Society purpose wording to reflect the additional insights the Lord blessed us with.

"'Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life (see Moses 1:39) as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and work in unity to help those in need.'"

"We hope you will study and focus on the purpose of Relief Society and come to understand the divine identity and eternal work and purpose that each sister in Relief Society has. How does understanding this purpose bring hope and meaning into your daily life and actions?

"The updated Relief Society purpose poster and bookmark are now available online and through Distribution." Sister Burton noted that further information and resources can be found in Handbook 2, the talk "Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?" and the updated materials.

Stake Relief Society Newsletter, January 2017

Visiting Teaching: I Feel God's Love for Me

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? This is the final installment in the series of posts.

I have a visiting teacher that found out I was sick when my husband was out of town. She came over and shoveled the snow from my driveway and sidewalks and then brought me dinner that night. It meant so much to know that someone cared about me and wanted to help me.
*

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

When I moved into the ward, my visiting teachers were my first friends in the area. They made me feel welcomed and loved. When I had my baby, my visiting teachers were so great, and I knew I could call them if I needed anything.
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I was a young mother with no family near. My visiting teacher took me under her wing and taught me lots about being a mom.
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Visiting teaching blesses me by letting me feel of God’s love for me. It strengthens my testimony of the gospel and helps me see my purpose.
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My visiting teacher gives me friendship. I appreciated her cleaning my house!

Stake RS Newsletter, June 2016

Dear Sisters,
Hooray for summer! “Some old fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

In Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk during General Conference “Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me” he talked  about the diverse family circumstances of children and youth in the church today. He quoted from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”. He said, “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity…Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children…Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs and to teach them to love and
serve one another and observe the commandments of God.” He said that even though this is the ideal pattern of the Lord, there are many children who do not belong to “picture perfect” families and that we need to be “thoughtful and sensitive” to individual circumstances. He quoted President Monson who said: “Help God’s children understand what is genuine and important in this life. Help them develop the strength to choose paths that will keep them safely on the way to eternal life.” He then challenged us to “open our arms and our hearts a little wider….these youth need our time and our testimonies.”

As I recently listened to this talk it made me think about how grateful I am for the many women in our stake who faithfully accept callings to serve in Primary and Young Women. Those of you who have a weekly opportunity to “lead, guide and walk beside” the precious children of our Heavenly Father may never know the impact of your love, concern and prayers for them. Your testimony and righteous example as you teach gospel principles will influence the decisions they have to make in a world that is in chaos. We recognize and appreciate your service.

It is my prayer that each sister in our stake can be that teacher, friend, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother that will reach out to the children and youth in your ward and in your families. In closing Elder Andersen said, “Let us think about them, welcome them, embrace them and do  everything we can to strengthen their love for the Savior.” Jesus said, “Whoso shall receive one such child in my name receiveth me.”

We love you and hope you have a wonderful summer!
Nancy Nilsson, Heidi Fitzgerald, Jennifer Erickson and Katy Mansfield

Visiting Teaching: Creating Friendships

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? Over the next few weeks we'll feature their responses.

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

I have had visiting teachers who came faithfully each month and also visiting teachers who don’t come or call as frequently. Either way I have always felt of their love and concern for me.
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My visiting teachers have touched my life by the love they show.
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I once was given a unique opportunity to visit teach someone that I did not get along with. She had done something once when we’d served together that offended me, and it was hard to be humble and put those feelings aside when I was assigned to be her visiting teacher. Being in her home and having the chance to serve her helped me see her in a different light. It was a blessing for me to be humbled and to forgive as I let go of past offenses and saw the good in this sister.
*
Through visiting teaching I have made some really great friends. Some of them are people I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know if I wasn’t assigned to visit them. But I am so grateful I got the opportunity. I truly cherish and love the sisters I visit teach. I am so grateful I got the opportunity to get to know them and serve them.

Visiting Teaching: Touching Lives

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? Over the next few weeks we'll feature their responses.

Photo from LDS.org, used with permission

This may not be typical, but by being a visiting teacher, I met one of my very best friends. I remember sitting in this woman’s home (I was new in the ward and didn’t know her). As I presented the lesson she nodded, and I thought at that moment—she gets me! It was a moment I (hopefully) won’t forget. She continues to be a great friend, and I’m so grateful for this blessing of visiting teaching.
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I like how visiting teaching helps you get to know people you probably wouldn’t have gotten to know. I don’t think we realize how we have the power to touch others’ lives.
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Through visiting teaching, I have truly felt the love my Father in Heaven has for me. My prayers have been answered through visiting teaching.
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My first visiting teacher was my first friend in the ward. She made me feel so loved, and we had a wonderful friendship because of her love and care. Years later, and in a different ward, she became my visiting teacher again! I was so excited! She’s the only visiting teacher I’ve had that I feel really loved me.

Relief for Refugees: This Is Who We Are

In the recent general and women's conferences we heard heartfelt calls from church leaders, asking us to prayerfully seek ways to offer relief to the many refugees who are suffering around the world. Click to view the new website which has been launched as guidance: IWasAStranger.lds.org

Image from LDSMediaTalk.org. Used with permission.

From the General Auxiliary Presidencies:
"What can our role as women be in the last days to prepare the earth for the coming of Christ? What can we do to reach out, to love, to nurture, and to minister as He has invited us to do? We each have the invitation as women and young women to open our eyes and our hearts to see those among us who may feel alone, afraid, or uncertain so that we are no longer strangers (see Matthew 25:35–36; Ephesians 2:19).

"With our divine nature as women, we can be a light in a darkening world. We can give hope, love, and care to those around us. We are not asked to 'run faster than [we have] strength.' Although we can work together, we are not asked to organize large efforts. Instead we are each asked to seek personal revelation about whom the Lord would have us strengthen and love as individuals and as families. The Savior invites us to participate in a personal ministry of love and to remember His words: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these . . . , ye have done it unto me.'"

"This is not a program; it is who we are."

Visiting Teaching: Bringing Unity

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? Over the next few weeks we'll feature their responses.

Image from LDS.org. Used by permission.

My visiting teachers have made me feel loved. I haven’t felt like I “needed” service, but the service they gave me was their love.
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Visiting teaching helps me get to know the sisters in the ward better than I would otherwise. It brings unity to a ward.
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One of my first visiting teachers in this ward became one of my best friends. She helped make me feel so welcome in the ward, and as I was new, it had a huge impact on me.
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Several years ago I was assigned to visit a sister who was not active and whose lifestyle was very different from mine. I assumed she would not want to be visited and that we’d just be dropping something off each month. She actually welcomed our visits and we became close friends. Soon we started walking a couple times a week early in the mornings. She was wonderful to listen to my problems and not judge but just offer support.

Visiting Teaching: It's Nice to Know Someone Is Thinking of Me

Some women in the stake were asked: How has your life been touched by visiting teaching or a visiting teacher? Over the next few weeks we'll feature their responses.

I have been blessed with wonderful visiting teachers. When I have been going thru trials they text, email, or just stop by to see how I am doing. It’s so nice to know someone is thinking of me.
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The little (and big) acts of service have meant the most, including:

- helping me fold laundry while we visited
- helping with my children & laundry when I was sick
- using their talents to bless me
- bringing yummy treats for me and my family
- a visiting teaching partner (with an inactive husband) called me from the hospital needing a ride home, not knowing who to call, but knew I loved her and would help.

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My life has been touched because many of the women I have visited have opened my eyes to so many things, whether it is a new perspective or a new understanding. It may be that she has a hobby or talents I am unfamiliar with and I learn more about it. Maybe they are in a different stage of life that gets me to think of another, besides myself.
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I was matched up to be companions with a young mom who had just moved into the ward. Through visiting teaching and my interaction with her, I found a best friend and great example. She was so selfless and was always looking for things to do both with our visiting teachers and with others. She truly taught me of someone who is Christlike and pulled me into the ward as I didn’t have kids and didn’t fit in. She is still one of my best friends to this day, and she taught me what visiting teaching is really about.