General Conference Report, “Relief Society Attendance,” pp 9-10; “Now to the sisters in the Church I say that attendance at Relief Society, in an important way is not really optional. It is as obligatory upon a woman to draw into her life the virtues that are fostered by the Relief Society as it is an obligation for the men to build into their lives the patterns of character fostered by the priesthood”. – Boyd K. Packer, September 30, 1978
Romans 12:1, 4-9; “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good”.
There are a few key items to take note of in our bible passage today.
The definition of dissimulation is hypocrisy. If you’re serving out of love isn’t it hypocritical to serve because you’re told to do so?
Paul tells us that while we’re all members of one body we all have different callings. It’s just like a family. There’s a mom, dad, kids and each person fills a different role, but sadly the Mormons have a difficult time grasping this concept.
The body of Christ works cohesively because the HS is working through each of us and our different callings that God has laid upon our hearts. Ministries, churches, missions, etc, all have a different focus, but our callings are tied together by glorifying God and serving as an extension of His power through our hands.
Being ‘obligated’ to attend Relief Society or Priesthood Meetings isn’t the work of God. This is the work of man! If I have to show up every Tuesday night for a meeting because I ‘have to’ I can guarantee I won’t be there serving God, nor would I be there willingly. God’s power is manifested to others by the caring hearts and outstretched hands of His people and won’t be seen in callings dealt out by those in charge who have no clue as to what purpose God has called you for.
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