1. Genesis 23-24 The Greatness of Sarah! Genesis 23:1-2
It is often noted that Abraham is the father of the faithful and a tremendous example of faith and righteousness. Yet Sarah stood by his side throughout his life, not often in the limelight, but always as a great example of womanhood, faith, and righteousness. The Doctrine and Covenants speaks of the righteous as being the seed of Abraham, but Peter also suggested that righteous women can be called the daughters of Sarah (1 Peter 3:1-6).

2. What is the “Law of Sarah?”
We also get “the law of Sarah” from Sarah’s good name. It is found in Doctrine & Covenants 132:65.
What is the “Law of Sarah?”

3. What was the date of the organization of the Relief Society?
What are the five areas of emphasis in the Relief Society today?
What was the date of the organization of the Relief Society?

4. 1. Spiritual Living 2. Homemaking 3. Social Relations 4
1. Spiritual Living 2. Homemaking 3. Social Relations 4. Mother Education 5. Cultural Refinement It was organized on March 17th, 1842 in Nauvoo in the Red Brick Store. It was the same location where the first “endowments were given on May 4th, 1842.

5. Three Main Purposes of the Relief Society:
Provoke the brethren to good works!
Correct morals and strengthen virtues in the community!
Administer relief to those in need.
The Relief Society is the oldest and largest women’s organization in the world.

6. Genesis 24
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah. He was born in 1900 B.C. Esau and Jacob were born twenty years later.
Rebekah seemed to be more concerned about being the right kind of person then trying to “find” the right person.
Righteous living will do more to ensure an eternal marriage than will concern over finding a mate.

7. “Marry in the Covenant”
Genesis 24:3
“Marry in the Covenant”
Thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell.

8. Genesis 24 Finding a wife for Isaac This chapter contains one of the most remarkable stories of commitment and faith in the scriptures. The following items are of interest: Genesis 24:2, 8 the hand on the thigh Genesis 24:12-14 the servant exercised great faith Genesis 24:16 The JST said that the woman was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen

9. Genesis 24:19 Rebekah drew water for 10 camels
Genesis 24:19 Rebekah drew water for 10 camels. She was a willing worker. Genesis 24:58 “I will go” To leave her home, go to a new country, marry a man she had never met would be a tremendous challenge. Genesis 24:67 When one contemplates the faith and beauty of Rebekah and how the servant of Abraham was led to her by the hand of the Lord, the comment “and he loved her” is not surprising.

10. “When the satisfaction, security and needs of another become more significant to one than his own satisfaction, security, and needs, then and only then does the state of love exist.”
Harry S. Sullivan

11. President Gordon B. Hinckley explained how the phrase “elect lady” relates to the women of today, including young women: “Each of you is an elect lady. You have come out of the world as partakers of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You have made your election, and if you are living worthy of it, the Lord will honor you in it and magnify you” (Conference Report, Oct., 1984, 110).

12. Womanhood:
Brigham Young said when you educate a man, you educate a man, when you educate a woman you educate a posterity!

13. “It is our sisters who carry the burden of the work
“It is our sisters who carry the burden of the work. We talk about the missionary work of the Elders who go forth to proclaim the Gospel; we talk about the great pioneer work of the early settlers of this country, but I wish to say here that it is the mothers at home who are making the sacrifice for the boys to go into the mission field. It is the mothers who stand the hardships far more than the men. Men are engaged in many activities, but without the devotion and absolute testimony of the living God in the hearts of our mothers this Church would die” (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report April 1930, 23).

14. 2. Preparing to earn a living outside the home.
Sister Camilla Eyring Kimball taught that every girl and woman should have the desire and ambition to qualify in two vocations:
1. That of homemaking.
2. Preparing to earn a living outside the home.

15. We want our sisters to be scholars of the scriptures…
“Before you fall in love with a choice young man, fall in love with the scriptures, for they will help you to prepare for the future spiritually” (President Kimball, New Era, July, 1981, 8).

16. “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies?
The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods?
Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?

17. When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this.
“Finally remember: When we return to our real home, it will be with the ‘mutual approbation’ of those who reign in the ‘royal courts on high.’ There we will find beauty such as mortal ‘eye hath not seen;’ we will hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal ‘ear hath not heard.’ Could such a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly Mother? (Elder Neal A Maxwell, Conference Report, April 1978, 13-15).

18. Mothers have a sacred role
Mothers have a sacred role. They are partners with God, as well as with their own husbands, first in giving birth to the Lord’s spirit children and then in rearing those children so they will serve the Lord and keep his commandments. Could there be a more sacred trust than to be a trustee for honorable, well-born, well- developed children (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, November, 1978, ).

19. The role of the successful mother is a lifetime of dedication
The role of the successful mother is a lifetime of dedication. It is the most exacting and difficult of all professions. Anyone who would say apologetically, “I am only a homemaker, “has not fully appreciated the importance and intricacy of her profession (Camilla Eyring Kimball, Ensign, March, 1977, 58-59).

20. “Men and woman have complementary, not competing, responsibilities
“Men and woman have complementary, not competing, responsibilities. There is difference but not inequity. Intelligence and talent favor both of them. But, in the woman’s part, she is not just equal to man, she is superior! She can do that which he can never do, not in all eternity can he do it. There are complementing rewards which are hers and hers alone” (Boyd K. Packer, Priesthood Restoration Fireside, May 7, 1989).

21. Motherhood is near divinity
Motherhood is near divinity. It is the highest, holiest, service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say God bless you and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours (First Presidency, Messages of the First Presidency, vol. 6, 178).

22. President Hinckley added,
“How grateful I am for mothers. I think it’s been the mothers who have been the great carriers and purveyors of faith throughout the history of the Church. I believe that with all my heart” (Pres. Hinckley, Church News, May 20, 1995).
President Kimball said,
“No greater honor could be given to a woman than to assist in bringing forth children. A woman will find no greater satisfaction and joy and peace and make no greater contribution to mankind than in being a wise and worthy woman and raising good children.

23. Doctrine & Covenants 25 Doctrine & Covenants 25:16 “My voice unto all”
v. 2 faithful and virtuous
v. 3 “elect lady”
v. 4 “murmur not”

24. v. 5 “comfort” v. 6 “go with him” v. 7 “expound scriptures”
v. 10 “lay aside things of the world”
“seek for a better”
v. 13 “cleave unto thy covenants”