Be of Good Cheer

I was driving with my oldest son a few years ago and asked him:

"If I die before you have children, what will you tell them about me?"

He told me that was a strange question but he'd give it some thought. Later on he said to me, "I know what I'd tell them. I'd tell them you were funny."

YES!!!!!!!!!! That's perfect.

Last year I also asked my 11yr old son the same question. He said “I’d tell them that you THINK you’re funny.”

I LOVE a good laugh. I enjoy making others laugh and be happy.

Many years ago when I was a young adult, we were up in Redcliffe for a young adult conference. It was early morning...maybe 1am. There was a bunch of people already down at the beach so my sister and I along with our friends, walked down to the beach.

The group was there alright. They were sitting on the cement steps that lead down to the beach. I thought it would be so funny if I was to leap over the stairs, right onto the beach in front of everyone and go "BOO"....or something like that. It was going to be soooo funny. I took a little run off and as I hit the top step to jump to the sand, my feet didn't move. Instead of jumping to the sand I fell SMACK onto the cement steps. Hitting each one on the way down. I was on the beach with everyone around me. I decided that was the funniest thing EVER!!! Although I was in pain I saw the funny side of it and to this day I WISH it was on video so I could see it. I joked about the 'beached whale'. I could hardly breathe. It turned out I had broken a few ribs but it was still FUNNY.

The topic of this evening has been "Be of good cheer".

I'd like to think that I am 'of good cheer' altho my daughter would say that I find the negative and make fun of it. For example:

People tell me there's a light at the end of the tunnel. In my life it has turned out that the light was a TRAIN!!!!!

Life isn't passing me by.....it's trying to RUN ME OVER!!!!!!!!!!!

People have put their arm around me and said "This too shall pass"....I say "So do kidney stones and they're not much fun either!!!!!!!!!"

So I will accept the negative comment from my daughter. I 'embrace' it.

Three years ago I injured my back and ended up in the ER. They told me I had to stay on my back for a week. I couldn't go downstairs. I couldn't sit up. It was awful. The next week I had a little skin cancer removed from my nose one day, that night my husband and I rolled over in bed at the same time and I got head butted right in the stitches. Blood everywhere. He couldn't drive me because he had no licence, (which is a whole other story!!!!!!) so I drove myself up to the ER. Got home at 3am then got up to teach seminary. Another morning I was walking up to the gate at the chapel to unlock it for seminary and fell over scraping my knee really badly and injuring my foot. By the end of the lesson I could barely walk so it was back up to the ER I went. This was all in the space of TWO WEEK!!!!!!!!! I figured there were three options. 1. I was earning Frequent Flyer Miles. 2. One more visit and I’d get a set of steak knives. 3. Legally change my name to Job. Sure I tried to make light of the situation. I tried to crack jokes but I was sick of it.

There was another time that I came home from teaching seminary and on the way upstairs to my bedroom I said to my husband I QUIT!! I quit being a mother, I quit being a wife, I quit the papers (I help one of my brothers with his paper delivery every week for the past 8 years), I quit...I just quit".

Now nothing had happened in seminary that morning or anything that I can even pinpoint to make me really feel that way or lose it. I had just had it. Of course I couldn't quit. I still had to go down and make sure that the lunches were actually done and that they'd leave the house.

Have ya ever had one of those days?

Sister Hinckley had a delightful sense of humor. She said: "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache" (Virginia H. Pearce, ed., Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999], 107)

There are many things in this life that cause us to feel stress.

Those of us who have children and are racing around doing lunches and chasing kids to get dressed in the morning and then have a child say "MUM!! What about my cooking??!" (For their home Ec. class) or "MUM! I need the deposit for camp today" or "MUM!! Where are the cookies you said you would cook for our class today?" Sometimes happening ALL in the ONE morning.

Of course husbands and children are not the only causes of stress. There are stresses with work, cars, family relationships, drivers that don't use their blinker, telemarketers calling when you are already happy with your phone company etc. There are also those things "in the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see" that many of us deal with ALONE.

I think we have all had worries or things that get us down in our lives but the key is not what this is but how we deal with it..

A lot of the time we may not be able to get rid of what causes us to be down or stressful....ie; the husband or the kids. But maybe we can find ways to help us cope with it.

I'm not talking about overcoming depression. That's a whole 'nother ballgame. I will say that if you feel like you are dealing with depression...GET HELP!!!! Medication has been a God send in my life on more than one occasion.

So the scripture goes: D&C 61:36 And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;

In the Savior's last discourse to His disciples the first thing He said to them was, "Let not your heart be troubled." (John 14:1) And His closing words were, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Let me tell you a story of someone who is an example of being of good cheer.

In 1993 Pres Hunter was giving a talk at BYU. His talk made the news that night. Not because it was unusual for a church leader to speak at BYU but because while he was giving his talk a guy came up to him at the pulpit and grabbed him. The guy was holding a briefcase and claimed there was a bomb in it. He tried to get Pres Hunter to read a letter he had typed but Pres Hunter refused. The 15 - 17 000 people in the congregation began to sing "We thank thee oh God for a prophet". Finally the man was overpowered and Pres Hunter again began his speech about 'challenges'.

He said: " Life has a fair number of challenges in it........ Indeed, you may be feeling that you have more than your share of problems.

"....... we must not walk on our lower lip every time a few difficult moments happen to confront us.

".......I reassure you that things have been worse and they will always get better. They always do--especially when we live and love the gospel of Jesus Christ and give it a chance to flourish in our lives."

HOW can we be of good cheer then? How can we do it when the world around us seems to be caving in?

I'm not talking about being a Pollyanna and acting like everything is wonderful or drawing a big happy face on as if that's going to take care of everything. There is no sin in being sad or crying when things go wrong. I think the problem comes when we dwell on those things and lose sight of the 'plan of happiness'.

Here's a few ideas. Some of them I have tried. Some of them you will roll your eyes at.....just like I did. But who knows...they just might work. What works for one may not work for another.

• Have realistic expectations for yourself—Heavenly Father doesn't expect you to be the perfect. Just that you are doing 'all you can do'.
• Learn to say "NO"
• Put on makeup.
• Paint your nails.
• Shave.
• Stop and look at a sunset
• Own an outfit that just makes you feel like you look good (a special friend of mine has a 'happy skirt'. It's a cheerful colour and she just feels happy when she wears it)
• Have a hobby (sewing, scrapbooking, blogging).
• Read the Ensign and scriptures.
• Attend the temple.
• Dance like no one is watching.
• Join a gym (I did that once but it didn't work. They didn't explain to me that I needed to actually GO and do stuff!!)
• Girls' overnight trip. (I did this with a group of friends last year. It was good for the soul. I hope to do it again soon.).
• Get online. Join Facebook. Add me as a friend!
• Laugh.
• A tub of chocolate double fudge brownie ice cream and two spoons
• Choose your battles.
* Talk it out with someone who can give you perspective, not just sympathy
* Count your blessings - really name them one by one
* Serve somone else - even in a very small way
* pray "When sore trials came upon you, did you think to pray?"

In spite everything which may be discouraging or frustrating, in spite of anything which causes you to feel lonely or overwhelmed .. . . there is hope smiling brightly before us, and angels WILL attend... help and comfort give us to our journeys end.

Many of you have read or heard about Anne Frank who hid from the Nazis with her family in a tiny space. They were in that cramped situation for over 2 years! They had to remain completely silent from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm every day! In her journal she described their hiding place as "a little piece of blue heaven, surrounded by heavy black rain clouds."

I suppose we can't imagine what her circumstances were like, just as I can't imagine your circumstances nor you mine. But I do know that attitude is a choice. We can create and enjoy "a little piece of blue heaven" even at times when we are "surrounded by heavy black rain clouds." So this year let's keep the 'plan of happiness' in focus which leads us to 'good cheer'.

Sisters in Zion

I LOVE my sisters. One of my favourite things to do is to just spend time with my sisters. There’s no agenda. Just get together to talk. Whenever we’re together you can be sure there will be lots of laughing. It can be a great therapy session.

People who don’t know me have come up to me and said “You have to be a Leneham. You girls all look like each other”. I remember one friend saying that although he can tell us apart, if he were to try and pick who is who simply by listening to us he wouldn’t be able to. So we must sound similar too.

I LOVE my sisters but I want to talk about my OTHER sisters. The rest of you!

Sisters like Kirsten F. We were pregnant at the same time with our third child. We served in Primary together. We have laughed and we have cried together.

* Kristie G. and Alison B. we go WAY back. I was their YW’s leader. They threw me a surprise party when I turned 21. We would have so much FUN on camps together.

* Lynda I. I found out that she was baptised by someone whose music I have loved for over 20 years now. I love to be able to share that with her.

* Sis Palau....If you’ve never had a Sis Palau hug then you’re really missing something.

I know some INCREDIBLE women of FAITH who are an example to me. Nicky M., Roslyn T., Cheryl E., Wilma M., Theresa F., Leanne G., Louise M.. Just to name a few. Some of these women probably didn’t even know that I have watched them over the years and admire them. Their testimonies and continued service strengthen ME.

I LOVE being with YOU! I don’t go to the Relief Society retreats so I can stay up all night....because I DON’T like to...I love my sleep and my own bed too much. I just LOVE to be surrounded by my SISTERS in the gospel. I don’t go to ‘midnight madness’ or ‘super Saturday’ because I need more stuff around the house...NO....I go to be with YOU.

When I have impressed my husband by doing something he didn’t think I was able to do I love to break out in song and sing “I am woman hear me roar”. I really like that song. I guess it would be the woman’s anthem out there in the world.

Listen to the words:

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

Now compare it to another song about women:

As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

While Helen Reddy’s song is powerful in showing that a woman can do anything in an “In your face” kind of way, ‘As sisters in Zion’ shows there is more to being a woman. It involves tenderness and ‘the errand of angels’ as we seek the blessings of God and are tutored by the spirit.

This song we love and know so well, was first published in a Relief Society publication back in 1874 as a poem. There are ten verses in all. The first and the last are the same.

Two verses that are fun:

2 We’ll turn from our follies, our pride and our weakness,
The vain, foolish fashions of Babel despise;
We’ll seek for the garments of truth and of meekness,
And learn to be useful and happy and wise.

3 We’ll wear what is sensible, neat and becoming
The daughters of Zion—the angels of light;
We’ll work with a will, while the angels are scanning
Our aims and our actions from morning till night.

I think the best three verses were chosen.

It was written by Emily Woodmansee. Emily and her sister Julia were part of the Willie handcart company. Emily walked all the way while Julia wasn’t able to and was carried in a handcart. Emily’s first husband deserted her and their two children. She later married again and had a further 8 children.

Janice Kapp Perry was asked to put the three verses we know, to music so it could be included in the 1985 hymn book. So now we have this beautiful hymn.

I have loved Relief Society since I was a little girl.

I grew up attending midweek activities with my mother. I was happy when I was home sick from school on the day that Homemaking was on. I’d be playing in the nursery area and I’d hear the women talking and laughing. I’d hear plates knocking around. I loved it.

There’s not too many here who would remember the bake sales and the bazaars that the Relief Society would put on in order to raise money for the ward budget. I remember sitting in the little booth in the shopping center car park while the sisters sold the goodies. I loved being around the Relief Society sisters even back then.

When I turned 18 it was not a problem to be in Relief Society. I LOVED being there.

I love to be numbered among you. Any opportunity that is mine that I may serve you, I am happy to do so.

Back to the hymn.

Although I could spend a whole evening on discussing this hymn bit by bit. Tonight I’m just going to pick out a couple of my favourite parts.

We’ll start with:

The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

Oh my goodness! Are these not the most beautiful words to be spoken about women?! I’m sure we can all think of women who have touched our lives. Who have been on the errand of angels and have been there for us when we needed them the most. Whether it’s a meal or help doing the dishes. It could even be a walking buddy or my favourite....someone to sit and talk to. Regardless of how big or small. You sisters have been angels to someone at some time. You have cheered and have blessed and I thank you.

Sister Hinckley has said:

“I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, Wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, Perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenck’s lawn.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone else’s garden.
I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and Tears of a friend on my shoulders.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

The women who founded the Relief Society consisted of eleven married women, two widows, six unmarried women, and one whose marital status is unknown. They ranged in age from three teenagers to one woman in her fifties. They were all converts, and some had been converted when they were very young. They lived in different sections of town and in varying economic circumstances.

Our Stake is like that first Relief Society-We are a diverse group of sisters. Coming from different parts of the world and different family backgrounds. Though there are differences we remain sisters in Zion.

Elder Faust spoke to the Relief Society sisters back in 2002 and had this to say:

“I believe the four great enduring concepts of this society are:

First, it is a divinely established sisterhood.

Second, it is a place of learning.

Third, it is an organization whose basic charter is to serve others. Its motto is “Charity never faileth.”

Fourth, it is a place where women can socialize and establish eternal friendships.”

Which leads me to my most favourite part of the song. The very beginning.

“As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together”

We ARE sisters. And I love when we work together.

Elder Faust spoke of the socializing and eternal friendships that can be made in Relief Society.

I have a cookbook that is well worn. It's pages are falling out and it's covered in the ingredients that have been used in the recipes over the years. I was asked by the RS presidency to put together a ward cookbook back in 1992. I was a little taken aback by the request but I had great response and terrific support. In fact I did very little except come up with how I wanted the book to be and what I wanted in the book and the sisters ran with it.

I love this book NOT because I had anything to do with it or that I have recipes included. No...I love this book because I see the names of the people who submitted recipes and I think about them and ask that question...”Where are they now and what are they doing?”

These sisters were an important part of my life and learning as a young wife and mother. They helped me when my children were sick and when I was sad and lonely. They helped as I grew in the gospel. I LOVE these sisters.

In D&C 130:2 we read “that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.”

Sis Parkin said: “Whether we serve in Primary or Young Women, whether we're active or less so, whether we're married or single, whether we're spring chickens or fall hens, we all belong to Relief Society. We need your voices, your feelings, your hearts. Relief Society needs you. And you know what? You need Relief Society. When you don't participate, you're depriving yourself and you're depriving Relief Society.”

Earlier this year I spent a great deal of time with a sister I’d known MANY years ago when I was just a child. This woman scared me. I didn’t like her. But this year we talked friend to friend. It was a special experience for me. And just a few months ago I got to have lunch with her daughter (we were Laurels together). I mentioned this to my friend and said I could not believe the change in her mother. Her daughter also recognized this change and said “You know what happened? She started going to Relief Society.”

The theme of this fireside tonight is: Hearts knit together in faith.

We need each other. As in knitting the yarn becomes stronger, so do we as we join together. The different colours and patterns of yarn knitted together makes for a beautiful object. Our Relief Society too, with all the differences we have, when knitted together in faith, is a beautiful thing.

I look forward to the eternities where we can enjoy our continued sisterhood only with the eternal glory mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants. When we can sit down together in the eternities and reminisce about the times we had together here on earth.

It is my prayer that we will ever remember that we ARE sisters in Zion and let’s all work together. And in doing so our hearts will be remain eternally knitted together.