Invitations
2024 Worldwide Relief Society Devotional
Sisters, we enter the covenant path at baptism. “We enter it more completely in the [house of the Lord].”1
We invite each of you to prepare for and receive the blessings of endowment in the house of the Lord. Worthy sisters who desire to receive their own endowment may do so if they are at least 18 years old; have completed or are no longer attending high school, secondary school, or the equivalent; one full year has passed since their confirmation; and they feel a desire to receive and honor temple covenants throughout their lives.2
President Nelson has said:
“If I could speak to each man or woman who longs for marriage but has not yet found his or her eternal companion, I would urge you not to wait until marriage to be endowed in the house of the Lord. Begin now to learn and experience what it means to be armed with priesthood power.”3
I offer my testimony that President Russell M. Nelson is the Lord’s mouthpiece on the earth today. He has articulated repeatedly and clearly that when we bind ourselves to Jesus Christ through sacred priesthood covenants in the house of the Lord, we may draw upon God’s power and we need never feel alone!
Sisters, if you are endowed, stay recommended to the Lord by keeping your recommend current and by attending the house of the Lord regularly. The Lord is making His temples more accessible to His covenant children.
Our beloved prophet has invited us to do the “spiritually invigorating” work of “labor[ing] with the Spirit”4 to understand how we may draw upon God’s power—priesthood power—to help our families and those we love. I humbly reiterate that invitation and add my testimony to President Nelson’s that “your power will increase as you serve others. Your prayers, fasting, time in the scriptures, service in the temple, and family history work will open the heavens to you.”5
Several months ago, I had the sweet opportunity to address a women’s conference in South Korea. Nearly 1,400 Relief Society sisters gathered for the event, which culminated in a devotional in which I shared a message from President Nelson that you, dear sisters, are loved by Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the prophet; that you are necessary to preparing the world for the Second Coming of the Savior; and that you are precious daughters of God.
At the conclusion of my remarks, I left the speaking platform to sit with the sisters while we enjoyed a closing video rendition of “I Am a Child of God.” As soon as the meeting ended, the sister sitting directly behind me asked if we could take a picture, and then she whispered to me, “He loves you!” It was a tender moment where I was reminded of that vital truth. And then I had to depart quickly to catch a flight.
About a week later, I received a message from my new friend, who explained that she had come to the women’s conference struggling with some negative thoughts and memories. When I was speaking, she had a thought come to her that I needed to feel God’s love for me. She explained, “I kept thinking that the Lord wanted you to hear that He loves you.”
She wrote: “For me, it’s often much easier to feel the Lord’s love for someone else than it is for myself. Maybe that is why this whole thing happened—because He knew it’s how I could feel His love. Maybe I needed it more than you. But regardless, I felt a strong desire—like the Lord wanted me to tell you He loves you.
“While I don’t shy from promptings, it seemed like a silly daydream to tell you. I was one woman in a large crowd … but then I suddenly found you sitting right in front of me! So I asked for a picture when the meeting was over, and though you had to run to the airport, you were so gracious and let me take a photo of us. And I got a moment to give you a hug and whisper some version of hoping you can feel the Lord’s love for you as strongly as you help all of us to feel His love.
“And then I felt His awareness and love for me, despite my struggling with negativity. …
“He knows me so well.
“He was willing to let me serve you in order to feel His love so clearly again. I pray the tender mercy was twofold, and you felt His love as strongly as I did.”
My new friend, my Relief Society sister living in South Korea, delivered spiritual relief to me by communicating the love of Jesus Christ and was blessed to find her own relief in Him, a confirmation of the Savior’s enduring love for her.
You see, when we bring the Savior’s relief to others, we find it for ourselves.
And as we act as His eyes and ears, as His lips and hands—when we seek to emulate Him—our desire for a covenant relationship with Him will increase. Our understanding of how to draw upon His priesthood power will be enlarged as we bring His relief to others.
President Nelson has taught, “Entering into a covenant relationship with God binds us to Him in a way that makes everything about life easier.” He did not say that making covenants makes life easy. “But yoking yourself with the Savior means you have access to His strength and redeeming power.”6
Sisters, I offer testimony, my complete conviction, that President Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God and speaks for the Savior, whose Church he leads. Please listen to his words, accept his invitations, and draw hope and strength from his promises.
We testify that we are beloved daughters of God.
That as women and members of the Relief Society we have a vital role to play in preparing the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. That we have access to God’s power—priesthood power—in accomplishing that divinely appointed work. That the work goes forward one by one. And that Jesus Christ is relief.
In the sacred name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.