December Message

Dearest Sisters,

As I consider how quickly the year is coming to a close and wonder if I have done all I set out to do-if I have accomplished my goals and grown in testimony and love of the Savior – I ponder what the new year may bring and think of the words of Louise Fletcher Tarkington:

“I wish that there were some wonderful place in the Land of Beginning Again
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches and all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door and never be put on again.
We would find all the things we intended to do but forgot,
And remembered too late:
Little praises unspoken, little promises broken, and all of the thousand and one
Little duties neglected that might have perfected the day for one less fortunate.
It wouldn’t be possible not to be kind in the Land of Beginning Again
And the ones we misjudged and the ones whom we grudged
Their moments of victory here,
Would find in the grasp of our loving hand-clasp,
More than penitent lips could explain.
For what had been hardest we’d know had been best,
And what had seemed loss would be gain;
For there isn’t a sting that will not take wing,
When we’ve faced it and laughed it away;
And I think that the laughter is most what we’re after
In the Land of Beginning Again.” And so on –

As sisters in Relief Society we have enjoyed a year of “Finding Joy” in so many areas and one particular lesson that Sister Hadfield taught us is still vivid in my memory in that we “choose to be happy regardless of what circumstances we face in life and not be discouraged.” All of our lessons through the year have pointed us in ways where we can find joy.

We have opportunities to begin again as we face each new day with courage – each new year with added commitment to strengthening our own conversion. Thank goodness for Christmas! Where we are reminded of the Savior’s love for all of our Heavenly Father’s children and the reminder to think of others and share that love that we receive from him. The Lord in trying to teach Simon Peter said, “Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat: but I have PRAYED FOR THEE, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (sisters too) Could the Savior be praying for us as well? Do we sometimes feel we are being “sifted as wheat”? Conversion is a step by step process. Striving for strong testimony day by day.

As we focus our attention in the coming year on doing those things that help our testimonies to grow and having that faith that the Lord is praying for us and wants us to succeed, we can find lasting joy in helping others and lifting their burdens. There is great need all around us – can we each find time to reach out and share that love and in doing so have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thank you for your love and support to us as your sisters in Relief Society.

Zelma Christensen