Judge not, President Monson counsels women
"Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out," President Monson said while offering the closing address at the General Relief Society Meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Held in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City, the meeting was translated into 82 languages and sent via satellite to 175 territories, nations and countries around the world. In addition to President Monson, Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, and her counselors, Sister Silvia H. Allred and Sister Barbara Thompson, also spoke.
President Monson began his address by asking Latter-day Saint women worldwide not to judge one another.
"None of us is perfect," he said. "I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet, for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions."
President Monson said there is really no way a person can know the heart, the intentions or the circumstances of another.
"My dear sisters, each of you is unique," he said. "You are different from each other in many ways. There are those of you who are married. Some of you stay at home with your children, while others of you work outside your homes. Some of you are empty nesters. There are those of you who are married but do not have children. There are those who are divorced, those who are widowed. Many of you are single women. Some of you have college degrees; some of you do not. There are those who can afford the latest fashions and those who are lucky to have one appropriate Sunday outfit. Such differences are almost endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?"
President Monson said he has always loved the Relief Society motto, "Charity never faileth."
"I consider charity — or the pure love of Christ — to be the opposite of criticism and judging," he said. "In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions; the kind of charity that forgives; the kind of charity that is patient.
"I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress, but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others."
President Monson said there is a serious need for charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged and aid to those who are afflicted.
"True charity is love in action," he said. "The need for charity is everywhere."
Sister Beck called the general meeting a gift to all women who desire to learn the will of their Heavenly Father and understand their "responsibilities in his plan. "Each of you is precious beyond description and known by our Heavenly Father," she told the worldwide congregation.
Sister Beck said LDS women are living at a time when there are signs of a great struggle everywhere.
"Myths and misperceptions regarding the strength, purpose and position of Latter-day Saint women abound," she said. "Prevailing myths imply that we are of lower importance than men, that we are generally sweet but uninformed, and that no matter what we do, we will never be good enough to be accepted by our Heavenly Father."
Sadly, she added, "as a result of life's difficulties and the world's popular heresies, many sisters believe the myths more than the truth."
Sister Beck said the purpose of Relief Society is "to prepare daughters of God for the blessings of eternal life as they increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes and seek out and help others who are in need."
"In this day of mistaken identities, confusion and distraction, Relief Society is a compass and guide to teach the truth to faithful women," she said.
The general Relief Society presidency has prayed, fasted, pondered and counseled with LDS Church leaders to learn what God would have them do to help women be strong, Sister Beck said.
"An answer has come that the sisters of the church should know and learn from the history of Relief Society," she said. "Understanding the history of Relief Society strengthens the foundational identity and worth of faithful women."
In consequence of this, Sister Beck said the history of Relief Society in the church is being completed and will be available next year.
"Through the history and work of Relief Society, we are connected to a great worldwide sisterhood of young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, single and married, strong and immovable daughters of God." During her address, Sister Allred suggested four ways women can increase in faith and hope: prayer, scripture study, obedience and service.
"I know Heavenly Father loves each of his children perfectly, individually and constantly," she said. "I know that as women, we have an essential part in the plan of happiness. Our best effort is all he requires from us and each of us is needed in building up the kingdom."
Sister Thompson said that by looking to the example of the Savior, women are more able to minister one to another as they act as visiting teachers.
"The women we visit teach have been entrusted to our care," she said. "Let us have love and compassion and thus make a difference in the lives of those who have been entrusted to our care."
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