Leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last night met with local leaders of the Church in Christchurch.
Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Pacific Area president of the Church, accompanied by his wife Sister June Pearson travelled to Christchurch with Sister Linda S. Reeves of the Church’s Relief Society general presidency, and Sister Carol F. McConkie of the Church’s Young Women general presidency. They came to listen and learn from— and then train—volunteers serving in leadership positions in Christchurch congregations.
Sister Pearson, borrowing a line from a familiar church hymn, counselled those in attendance—predominantly women leaders—to “Be safe through inspiration’s power.”
“Qualify for and seek and act on personal revelation,” she said. “We never have to walk alone. We can turn our hearts to our Father in Heaven—He will hear and answers our prayers.”
“Heavenly Father loves you and you are precious to Him,” added Elder Pearson. He taught that “through personal revelation, gentle impressions will come to your mind and heart about things you should do to help yourself, your family and others.”
He suggested to “write down these divine impressions then pray for help to further understand what you should do next.”
Sister Reeves—who along with Sister McConkie had travel from their homes in Utah, United States—assured those in attendance that the Lord had sent them.
“We felt it would be best to come to areas in the Pacific that haven’t been visited by Church leaders from headquarters in a long time. Heavenly Father sent us here because of the love He has for you.”
As part of a discussion where local leaders of the Relief Society, the Church’s women’s organization, and Sister Reeves exchanged ideas, she emphasized that “with half of the women in the Church being single, many need support both emotionally and temporally.”
But in addition, she encouraged leaders—some of which are single themselves—to personally focus on and help other single women focus on personal discipleship.
“Personal discipleship is important within a marriage and as a single woman,” she said. “We want everyone to be on the covenant path, to go to the temple and make sacred covenants.”
Sister Reeves concluded her training by praising local leaders for all they are doing. “You’re incredible women. You are powerful members of the Church. Heavenly Father is so aware of you. And He has placed you here to help others who need his help.”
The Relief Society is one of the largest and oldest women’s organizations in the world. Its members strive to live daily by its motto: “Charity Never Faileth.”
Sister McConkie addressed separately the women leaders of the Church who teach and strengthen teenage girls, all of whom are members of the Young Women’s organization.
She stressed to the leaders that the work they do will have a positive effect on the young women they serve.
One area that needs attention, according to Sister McConkie, is the impact of technology on young women. “We need to encourage our young women to find positive ways to use technology,” she said. “There are good websites to go to.”
She also counselled to encourage young women to share good, wholesome things on their phones and computers. “They could use #sharegoodness which connects them to others who desire to share good things.”
She suggested the leaders help girls to know the Church has many good places on the internet to visit.
“Our young women need to realize they are different, not ordinary or common. They have a divine nature. They have a divine identity that will help them rise above the bad things in the world.”
She expressed the great blessing it is for young women to learn how to become disciples of Jesus Christ. She encouraged local leaders in their efforts to love and serve those they teach.
“It’s a powerful work we are in. It doesn’t happen overnight, but step by step, day by day. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass,” she concluded.
Sister Reeves and Sister McConkie visited Church members in Melbourne earlier this week and will travel to Wellington tomorrow and complete their South Pacific visit in French Polynesia.
The visiting women are accompanied by their husbands, Mel Reeves and Oscar McConkie III.
Other Church leaders in attendance in Christchurch included Elder David Thomson and President Jared Ormsby.