Dear Sisters,
We have been in the Relief Society Presidency for a little over two months now and you probably have noticed some changes. Some of you are wondering why we are sitting in front. We want you to know that it was not our idea. We were asked to sit in front by our stake leaders. We were told that we are to preside over our meeting. We wanted to know more on presiding and found a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer titled,Principles of Leadership (Teachers Manual Religion 180R Conducting Successful Meetings…). We would like to quote some things he said: “Paul told the Corinthians that “all things” were to be done “decently and in order” (see 1 Cor 14:40; emphasis added).”
President Packer: “I will be speaking about what I call the unwritten order of things. My lesson might be entitled “The ordinary things about the church which every member should know.” Although they are very ordinary things, they are nevertheless, very important. I give my first illustration of this unwritten order of things so simple a thing as this: The one who presides in a meeting should sit on the stand and sit close to the one conducting. It is a bit difficult to preside over a meeting from the congregation. The one who presides is responsible for the conduct of the meeting and has the right and the responsibility to receive inspiration and may be prompted to adjust or correct something that goes on in the meeting. That is true whether it be an auxiliary meeting presided by the sisters or any of our meetings.”
As uncomfortable as we feel sitting in the front, we have seen the wisdom in it. We were told by our stake leaders we would be inspired. As we look into your beautiful faces on Sundays, we have been blessed with wisdom and have been inspired. We call it revelation.
So Sisters, let’s work in harmony, goodwill, peace, concord and mutual understanding. Let’s move forward in unity and love.
With Love,
The Morningside Relief Society Presidency
Oriana Erekson
Toni Gull
Maxine Radcliffe
Julie Christie
