Relief Society Birthday Party March 16, 2011

For our Relief Society Birthday party we had a wonderful program and got to sample food from all around the world. Enjoying some great food and some great company.

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A beautiful song by Denise Mann and Katherine Nelson

April Spotlights

Karolyn Clifford

Is from Rexburg, Idaho. Currently is working at Starbucks. She is planning on getting an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy. She graduated from BYU-Idaho with a B.S in nutrition. She minored in Theatre Arts. Her family consists of 1 older brother and 1 younger sister. For fun she likes to play the piano, sing, paint, watch movies, and hang out by the bay. For dessert she loves Frozen Yogurt

Annemarie Newell

Born in Kreuznach, Germany and lived there until she was 3. Moved to Cloumbus (Powell) Ohio when she was 3 years old and lived there until High School graduation.

Attends UCSD and is a Mathematics major, Geochemistry Minor.

She is basically an only child, but does have one step-brother.

Some of her favorite things to do are dancing, singing, watching tv and movies, making up her own recipies, and reading.

Her favorite ice cream is strawberry. She also likes fruity flavors of gelato and french vanilla.

Nooona Lee

Grew up in San Diego. She is going to Mesa College and doing liberal studies. Her goal is to be a teacher. She has 3 younger brothers and one younger sister. For fun she likes to try new things, write, and play board gams. Her favorite ice cream is white chocolate raspberry.

January Spotlights

Michelle Kirk

Grew up: In Dallas, Texas

Moved here recently from Boston, Massachusetts

She is a Program Manager for LDL Financial

Graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors in Mass Communication

Family: 3 older brothers, 3 older half-brothers

What she likes to do for fun: Snowboarding, Golf, Running, Working out, Photograpy, Painting, Travelling, Marble Sculpting, Biking, and Cooking

Favorite Ice Cream: Rocky Road

Kristy KoppenhaverGrew up in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia which is only an hour and a half from D.C.

She has lived in San Diego for a year and a half.

Graduated from University of Utah where she majored in Ballet and minored in Business

She is a dancer with the City Ballet of San Diego

Also works at Zanzibar Cafe where apparently she makes a delicious Mexican Hot Chocolate

Family: Has 2 younger brothers. Kyle is 21 and attends West Virginia University. Hunter is 15.

Also has a weiner dog Maddie and a Homeward Bound look alike cat named Sassy

What she likes to do for fun: Bike rides on the board walk, hanging out on the beach, blasting Justin Bieber in the car, and bargen shopping.

Favorite Ice Cream: Yogurtland Pistachio with raspberries and almonds on top

Ashley Camargo

Grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon

Moved here recently from Provo, UT where she went to BYU

Graduated in Biology

Currently works at Macy's

Has 3 brothers and 1 sister

Favorite thing to do for fun is Hiking

Favorite ice cream is Chocolate or Peanut Butter

Cookie Exchange

To celebrate the Christmas season we had a cookie and recipe exchange. So many delicious cookies! If you'd like to share a recipe you can post a comment.

Here's Sister Bostwick teaching us how to

make bark (the kind that you eat)

Look at all the awesome cookies!

In the world, but not of the world

On Nov 11, 2010 we had our wonderful Relief Society Program called In the world, but not of the world. We each got to take home a beautiful picture depicting the parable of the 10 virgins.

Best RS Campout EVER!

So we have the coolest Enrichment... I mean "Relief Society Meetings" committee ever and they organized the best camp out EVER! On June 18-19th we went out to Paso Picacho camp ground and pitched our tents and had a simply wonderful 48 hours together!!

What a beautiful group of Sisters!!

Straddling the log... totally darling and brilliant if I do say so myself! (yeah, my idea.) We are the cutest!

Just a little bit of silliness cause let's be honest we are crazy and great!

Friday night we had roasted hot dogs and enjoyed every one's company! Then we had an Amazing fireside by our Stake RS President, Sister Heap accompanied by her husband. They were so wonderful!

Sister Heap is inspired and gave wonderful insights. She spoke on 3 main points we as LDS Women can/should do:

1. We are to lead women of the world and not be led by the world.
2. Have a Spine! A spiritual spine and stand up for what is truth even when it's hard... Stay ACTIVE!
3. Care more about what the Lord thinks than anyone else.

It was a fabulous fireside, that oped up to question and answer at the end which was wonderful! What great leaders we have in both our ward and stake!!

After the fireside we enjoyed 3 of the most heavenly dutch oven desserts!! Pineapple upside down cake, Apple spice, and then Cherry chocolate... what? AMAZING! Delicious would be an understatement, even the fact that your taste buds did a little dance with every bite just doesn't seem to do them justice.. So great! Thanks to Emerald for her dutch over expertise and making all of our tummies full of this delicious goodness!

After a little girl talk around the fire and community teeth brushing time we all hit the sack for some shut eye. Some in tents, some slept out under the stars, and then others slept on a King size blow up matrice!! :) Amber and Crystal totally know how to camp out in style! Love it!

Saturday morning we had breakfast and more camp fire time which is always wonderful!

HIKING time!

We had 2 groups. One did a little nature trail around the campsite and the other went across the way to Stonewall Peak a little bit longer hike up to a little peak lookout. Both equally beautiful!

Our fearless Priesthood brethren who accompanied us on this camp out!

We made it to the top! What a beautiful view!

All in all it was one Smash Hit camp out! Spiritually highs and lots of laughs and lots of Sisters in the gospel caring and bonding together! Can't beat that! We have the best RS EVER!
Love you girls!

RS Birthday Celebration!

Happy Birthday to us Relief Society Sisters!!

Celebrating 168 years of being the greatest Woman's Organization EVER!

We Celebrated in style with a Fiesta of sorts! Complete with a Pinata filled with tasty treats!! (Thanks again Amy it was a total "smash" hit! ha ha pardon the play on words...)



The food was delicious, who doesn't love a make-it-yourself taco! And goodness knows when it comes to Relief Society you can bet there will be fantastic desserts! (I for one sampled a little of each of them and couldn't decide which was my favorite they were all so delicious!)

It was a wonderful evening of eating visiting and feeling the spirit of Relief Society! Thanks to those sisters who shared their sweet testimonies and to our good Bishop for reminding us of the power of a virtuous woman!
Thanks for coming girlies and as you can see from the pictures we have the best looking Relief Society EVER!

February RS Activity

VALENTINES DAY BLOCKS

We will be meeting on February 9th, 2010 at 7pm at the PB building to create your very own Valentines Day craft. We will be sanding, painting, decoupaging, stenciling or whatever your crafty heart desires. Please sign up in Relief Society on Sunday so we can get you your set of blocks and bring $2 to the activity for the blocks. Also, bring along any paints or scrapbooking materials you have!

Visit teaching...

With Thanksgiving this month... people are going to be busy... so take sometime to call your sisters early.

Check on them ... be their friend... invite them out... share the love!

Happy November!

Talk from RS General meeting... Take a gander! :)

Relief Society: A Sacred Work

Julie B. Beck
Relief Society General President

Ours is a work of salvation, service, and becoming a holy people.

This is a beautiful gathering of Relief Society women. Since our last general meeting, I have been blessed to visit many of you. Thank you for your faithful lives and dedicated service. In recent general Relief Society meetings, we have been taught how strong and immovable Latter-day Saint women know and fulfill the purpose of Relief Society.¹ Tonight I hope to enlarge our testimony and understanding of Relief Society as a faith-based work. I will speak of the purpose of this work and the way we accomplish it.

We know that the purpose of Relief Society as established by the Lord is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them:

1. Increase their faith and personal righteousness.
2. Strengthen their families and homes.
3. Serve the Lord and His children.

The history, purpose, and work of Relief Society are unique among all women’s organizations. In 1942, for the centennial of the Relief Society, the First Presidency of the Church said:

“No other woman’s organization in all the earth has had such a birth. . . .

“Members [of Relief Society] should permit neither hostile nor competitive interests of any kind to detract from the duties and obligations, the privileges and honors, the opportunities and achievements of membership in this great Society.”²

If our membership in Relief Society is so important, we need to know what sets us apart from every other woman’s group or organization. Everything we do in Relief Society matters because Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, visited Joseph Smith and, through him, the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. Relief Society is part of that restoration. The Prophet Joseph Smith defined the purpose of the Relief Society and instructed the sisters in their purpose, just as he taught priesthood leaders in Kirtland and Nauvoo their priesthood purpose and work. Ours is an organization that continues to be led today by prophets, seers, and revelators.

Relief Society is unique because it was organized after the “pattern of the priesthood”³ and we operate on a general and local level under the direction of priesthood leaders. We work in partnership with priesthood leaders, who hold keys which give them authority to preside in the name of the Lord. We operate in the manner of the priesthood—which means that we seek, receive, and act on revelation; make decisions in councils; and concern ourselves with caring for individuals one by one. Ours is the priesthood purpose to prepare ourselves for the blessings of eternal life by making and keeping covenants. Therefore, like our brethren who hold the priesthood, ours is a work of salvation, service, and becoming a holy people.

President Boyd K. Packer has taught that “the Relief Society has very broad responsibilities.

“Attendance at the Sunday meeting is but a small part of your duty. Some of you have not understood this and have set aside much of what Relief Society has meant over the years—the sisterhood, the charitable and practical parts of it.”

He explained:

“The Relief Society, the Prophet [Joseph] told us, is organized after the pattern of the priesthood. When a man holds the priesthood, . . . it requires full dedication and loyalty. . . .

“Membership in the priesthood magnifies the man and the boy. Wherever he is, whatever he does, no matter with whom he associates, he is expected to honor his priesthood. . . .

“If you sisters follow after that pattern, . . . you will serve your organization, your cause—the Relief Society. . . .

“Service in the Relief Society magnifies and sanctifies each individual sister. Your membership in Relief Society should be ever with you.”⁴

Working in the Lord’s Way

When our purpose is clear, it naturally follows that there is an appropriate way to carry out our responsibilities. Let us review how the faith-based work of Relief Society is to be administered. One of the most precious commodities we all have is time. Most women have many responsibilities and never have sufficient time to do everything their hearts and minds want to do. We show respect for the Lord and the sisters when we use Relief Society time in an inspired way.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught: “A wise man once distinguished between ‘the noble art of getting things done’ and ‘a nobler art of leaving things undone.’ True ‘wisdom in life,’ he taught, consists of ‘the elimination of non-essentials.’ ” President Uchtdorf then asked: “What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstarted things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?”⁵ We can apply his questions to all Relief Society meetings and work.

Relief Society Sunday Meetings

We hold the weekly meeting of our society on Sundays as part of our regular three-hour block of meetings. It is amazing to contemplate that every Sunday, all around the world, thousands of groups of sisters are gathering to increase their faith, strengthen their families, and coordinate their efforts to provide relief. Our Sunday meetings are only 50 minutes in length, so we begin those meetings by taking care of essential business that will help us be more unified and effective in our Relief Society work. We keep our business brief, dignified, organized, and in keeping with who we are and what we are to do.

Just as the sisters in the first Relief Society meetings received instruction from prophets and apostles, we study the words of Church leaders today. What a blessing it is to have correlated resources that teach doctrine and principles to help us live the gospel in our personal lives and homes. Because this work is based on faith, Relief Society lessons are most effective when inspired teaching takes place and “[she] that preacheth and [she] that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.”⁶

Additional Relief Society Meetings

All of our meetings and activities are meetings of Relief Society sisters. For the past number of years, we have called additional Relief Society meetings home, family, and personal enrichment meetings. In response to concerns about the complexity of that title and the different interpretations about the purpose of those meetings, a decision has been made that the name “home, family, and personal enrichment” will be discontinued effective now. In counsel with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it was determined that rather than give these additional Relief Society meetings a new title, all such meetings and activities will now be referred to simply as Relief Society meetings. Individual Relief Society meetings that are held during the week can be called whatever they are: Relief Society service, classes, projects, conferences, or workshops.

These additional meetings can be valuable supplements to Sunday instruction, especially for sisters who serve in Primary or Young Women or who are unable to attend Sunday meetings. These meetings also provide a wonderful place to bring our friends of other faiths and to include Relief Society sisters who do not actively participate in the Church. All Relief Society members and their friends are invited and welcome. However, sisters should not be made to feel that attendance at these meetings is mandatory.

Under the direction of the bishop, the ward Relief Society presidency can use these meetings to address spiritual and temporal needs of individuals and families in the ward and to strengthen sisterhood and unity.

When sisters meet for Relief Society meetings during the week, they have the opportunity to learn and accomplish the charitable and practical responsibilities of the Relief Society. This is where they learn and practice skills that will help them increase their faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and provide service to those in need. These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord’s plan. It is here that women learn and apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance, and they also increase in sisterhood and unity as they teach one another and serve together.

The ward Relief Society president oversees all Relief Society meetings. As part of this responsibility, she counsels regularly with the bishop regarding how these meetings can help meet the needs of individuals and families in the ward.

The Relief Society presidency prayerfully considers how often they should hold Relief Society meetings during the week and where they should hold them. They then make a recommendation to the bishop, taking into consideration the time commitments of sisters, family circumstances, travel distance and cost, financial cost to the ward, safety, and other local circumstances.

These meetings are usually held at a time other than on Sunday or on Monday evening. They are generally held monthly, but the Relief Society presidency may recommend that the meetings be held more often or less frequently. Efforts should be made to meet at least quarterly. At least one member of the ward Relief Society presidency should be in attendance at every meeting. Under the direction of the stake presidency, the stake Relief Society presidency may plan and carry out one or two stake Relief Society meetings each year for all Relief Society sisters in the stake.⁷

Relief Society leaders prayerfully counsel together about the topics that will strengthen sisters and their families and about the best ways to teach those topics. The Relief Society president ensures that these plans are approved by the bishop. She also ensures that the plans are consistent with current policies about activities, including policies about finances. Although the Relief Society president oversees these meetings, she may ask her first or second counselor to assist her. She may also recommend another sister in the ward to be called to serve as the Relief Society meeting coordinator to help the presidency plan and carry them out.

Meetings can focus on one topic or be divided into more than one class or activity. Generally, teachers at these meetings should be members of the ward or stake. Each year, one meeting may commemorate the founding of the Relief Society and focus on its history and purposes.

In planning Relief Society meetings held during the week, leaders give priority to topics that will fulfill Relief Society purposes, such as marriage and family, homemaking, provident living and self-reliance, compassionate service, temple and family history, sharing the gospel, and other subjects requested by the bishop.⁸

When we plan, we ask what the Lord needs us to learn and become in order to be prepared for eternal life. In the wisdom of the Lord, every ward has its own unique characteristics, which no other ward shares. This can be compared to the DNA that identifies every human being as unique. Every bishop has the responsibility for his specific ward. Each ward Relief Society president has a calling to assist one bishop. Each bishop and Relief Society presidency have had hands laid on their heads to receive inspiration for their particular responsibilities and not for any other ward or group of Relief Society sisters.

If we work with this understanding, we will seek revelation and work in companionship with a bishop to fulfill the purposes of Relief Society in our own wards. As a result of operating in this way, if sisters and families need to be prepared for emergencies, the Relief Society can organize, teach, and inspire that preparation. If sisters and families need to prepare for the temple, the Relief Society can organize, teach, and inspire sisters to do that. If a bishop needs young single adult women to share the gospel and bring their friends back into activity, the Relief Society can organize, teach, and inspire that work. If mothers need to learn how to nurture and care for their children, the Relief Society can organize, teach, and inspire that work. If sisters need to learn and improve homemaking skills that will help their homes become a center of spiritual strength, then the Relief Society can organize, teach, and inspire that work. As has happened throughout our history, if priesthood leaders need to accomplish something significant, they can call upon the Relief Society to help them.

Using Relief Society meetings appropriately will increase the ability of the Relief Society to work in powerful ways with priesthood leaders in every ward. As Joseph Smith said in the Doctrine and Covenants:

“Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

“You know, [sisters], that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.”⁹

Relief Society and priesthood leaders, this message will serve as your current official policy regarding additional Relief Society meetings. Should you have questions regarding anything we have taught here after studying this message, please counsel together in your own wards and stakes to discover the solutions you need.

Visiting Teaching

Much of the essential Relief Society work we do doesn’t happen in meetings. Let’s focus now on learning about visiting teaching. Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf. This is one duty we have in the Church where we are certain to have the help of the Lord if we ask for it. This is one responsibility that is certain to increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families as we become partners with the Lord. A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching.

Because this is the Lord’s program of individual watchcare for His daughters, the policies regarding visiting teaching are approved by the First Presidency as outlined in the Church Handbook of Instructions. Because visiting teaching focuses on individual sisters, Relief Society leaders do not organize women into groups for the purpose of visiting teaching.

The bishop, who is the ordained shepherd of the ward, cannot possibly watch over all of the Lord’s sheep at one time. He is dependent on inspired visiting teachers to help him. We know we should each choose to be a friend to everyone in our ward, but the bishop and Relief Society president have the responsibility to receive revelation as to who should be assigned to watch over and strengthen each individual sister. Ideally, every sister should watch over and strengthen at least one other sister in her ward. It is our blessing to pray for another sister and receive inspiration as to how the Lord would have us care for one of His daughters.

Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship. We demonstrate our faith and follow a pattern established by the Lord as we report on our assignment every month. If our watchcare were primarily about reporting that every sister in the ward heard the Visiting Teaching Message printed each month in the Ensign and Liahona, it would be much more efficient to read it aloud to everyone in a sacrament meeting. Our reports are most helpful to the bishop and the Relief Society president when we inform them of the spiritual and temporal well-being of sisters and how we have been able to serve and love them.

How grateful I am for all of my visiting teachers who, over the years, have demonstrated their faith as they have served, taught, strengthened, and loved me in inspired ways.

Welfare and Compassionate Service

Our compassionate service and assistance with the welfare needs of individuals and families are an outgrowth of visiting teaching. A Relief Society president learns of the needs of people in her ward through visiting teachers and her own visits to ward members. Sometimes she organizes us to help others, and at other times we serve “according to [our] natures,”¹⁰ following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Many years ago I learned from Sister Camilla Kimball, wife of President Spencer W. Kimball, to “never suppress a generous thought.” By following her counsel, we can know with certainty that our Father in Heaven knows us personally because He sends us to be His hands and heart to those in need. As we do so, our faith in Him is strengthened.

Conclusion

We live in a happy and exciting time of growth in the history of the Church, and Relief Society is part of making that history. Joseph Smith said, “Let every man, woman and child realize the importance of the work, and act as if success depended on his individual exertion alone; let all feel an interest in it, and then consider they live in a day, the contemplation of which animated the bosoms of kings, Prophets, and righteous men thousands of years ago—the prospect of which inspired their sweetest notes, and most exalted lays, and caused them to break out in such rapturous strains as are recorded in the Scriptures.”¹¹

I rejoice to know that the Lord loves us enough to guide us in this work through prophets, seers, and revelators and that we belong to a Church that operates with continuing revelation. I feel a certainty that as each sister does her part to ensure that the purposes of Relief Society are fulfilled, angels will be our associates and we will be participants in amazing miracles. We celebrate and give thanks for the essential, sacred work we have been given, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

NOTES
1. See Julie B. Beck, “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 108–11; “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 109–12.
2. First Presidency, “To the Presidency, Officers, and Members of the Relief Society,” in A Centenary of Relief Society, 1842–1942 (1942), 7.
3. Joseph Smith, quoted in Sarah M. Kimball, “Auto-biography,” Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 1, 1883, 51.
4. Boyd K. Packer, “The Circle of Sisters,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 109–10.
5. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “As You Embark upon This New Era,” in Brigham Young University 2008–2009 Speeches (2009), 2; see also Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living (1937), 162, 10.
6. D&C 50:22.
7. These meetings may include service, classes, projects, conferences, and workshops. One of them may be held in conjunction with the general Relief Society meeting. The stake Relief Society presidency may form committees to help as needed.
8. See reliefsociety.lds.org for additional guidance regarding these topics.
9. D&C 123:15–16.
10. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 451.
11. Teachings: Joseph Smith, 144.

CES Fireside for Young Adults

A couple weekends ago Sister Dalton gave a great talk on being virtuous sons and daughters of God. If you didn't get to watch it... check it out, at:

CES Fireside for Young Adults

Congrats to Kat Elder!!!

She's getting hitched! Congrats Lady!

Coming soon... Enrichment

“Kit Construction Extravaganza”

Enrichment Night

Oct 13^th @ 7 PM PB Building

We will be making Hygiene and food kits and learning the essentials of emergency preparedness.

General Relief Society Broadcast and Dinner

Ladies ... Ladies.... Ladies...

Here we have an amazing opportunity to be both physically and spiritual fed by great men.

The General Relief Society meeting will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, broadcasted to the Stake Center on Mt. Abernathy at 5:00 PM. Speakers will include a member of the First Presidency, as well as the members of the Relief Society general presidency.

Immediately following a dinner will be provided by our loving Priesthood at the Institute Building (9527 La Jolla Farms Road La Jolla, CA 92037)

Please come and share in this most memorable occasion.

***Also don't forget General Conference is the first weekend of October! ***

Stake Relief Society Enrichment Day

"Come and Rejoice!"

Stake Relief Society Enrichment Day

When? Saturday, September 12 10 am- 1 pm

Where? Mt. Abernathy Stake Center at 4741 Abernathy Avenue

Expect:

Keynote speaker

Educational classes

and Delicious lunch!

Hope to see you there! :)

Dr. Laura Love Test

I'm a huge fan of Dr. Laura and I thought this was an interesting test ... good questions to ask yourself if you are dating someone seriously or just want some good suggestions on what to look for in a "special friend".

happy dating!

- Beth :)

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is the top female radio personality in America. A licensed marriage, family and child counselor, Dr. Laura's internationally syndicated radio show airs on over 450 stations in the U.S. and is heard by 18 million listeners each week.

Are you ready to take Dr. Laura's "Is it Love?" test? After taking this test, you'll quickly know whether your relationship has a good chance of growing into a long-lasting relationship, and maybe even marriage. Print this page, and then answer each question with "yes" or "no." After taking the test, check your score results below. Afterwards, have your boyfriend/girlfriend take the test to see how you compare. Most importantly, be honest! Your future happiness depends on it.

1_____ Can you say there's no jealousy in your relationship?

2_____ Is your relationship free of drug and alcohol abuse?

3_____ Can you say you're never asked to compromise your moral values?

4_____ Do you appreciate and enjoy each other's family and friends?

5_____ Have you discussed your long-term goals for faith, family and career in detail?

6_____ Do you have complete confidence in each other?

7_____ Has experience shown him/her to always be truthful and open with

8_____ Does he/she always follow through on promises and commitments?

9_____ Do you talk openly and easily with each other about everything? (Including this test?)

10_____ Do you both listen carefully to one another and try to understand each other's point of view?

11_____ Do you practice the same faith by praying and going to church together regularly?

12_____ Do you both agree that marriage is forever?

13_____ Do you refrain from using manipulation or blackmail to get your own way?

14_____ Do you like spending time together doing different activities? (Not just watching TV, mall shopping or talking on the phone together. I recommend volunteering for church, charity and civic projects -- or joining school clubs, bands, debate teams or sports programs.)

15_____ When you have a disagreement or the going gets tough, do both of you respond respectfully with patience and understanding?

16_____ Have your family and friends told you they approve of your relationship -- that they feel it's making you a better person?

17_____ Do you limit your physical relationship to holding hands and simple kisses?

18_____ Have you seen each other during good times and bad? (Virtues shine during adversity. Never rush to marriage. -- you'll miss critical signs of good or bad character traits.)

19_____ Do you both stay away from pornographic magazines, videos, Internet, etc.?

20_____ If your future spouse had a serious accident that maimed or disfigured him/her for life, would your love remain strong? Could your love survive without physical expression?

21_____ Do each of you dress, speak and act modestly?

22_____ Can you admit your own shortcomings and discuss them openly?

23_____ Are you both generous in making sacrifices for others?

24_____ Does your sweetheart already have the qualities needed to be a super spouse and a wonderful parent for your children?

25_____ Are you willing to give up power and let your loved one control some of the important decisions and circumstances? (True love means frequently surrendering your will to meet your loved one's needs and wishes without violating your moral values.)

Here's the Scoring . . .

Scoring: Give yourself one point for each "yes" answer and zero points for each "no" answer.
(Her score?____ His Score?____)

22 to 25 pts. "Solid as a Rock!". . . It's True Love! Congratulations on a very strong relationship.

19 to 21 pts. "Looking Good!". . . You're relationship has good potential. With a little work, you can become "Solid as a Rock."

15 to 18 pts. "Warning Signals!". . . It might be "Infatuation." Work on the "No's." Take the test again in 6 months and again in 12 months. Hopefully your scores will improve and your relationship will grow. If your relationship doesn't greatly improve within a year, you should consider ending it.

Below 15 pts. "Red Alert!". . . Sorry, this may be painful to hear, but it's probably time to say "goodbye." It's either blind infatuation or there are other serious problems. (If you're married and you scored below 15 points, don't give up -- get some good marriage counseling ASAP.)

No More Strangers

I was thinking of the conference theme and how it applied to my life. The Statewide YSA conference theme of "No More Strangers" has many applications. I think the obvious one is to not be strangers with eachother. There are so many Young Single Adults here in California and we could accomplish so much for good if we were united and focused. This conference gives us a place to gather, having been the temple to complete over 50,000 ordinances and holding onto that spirit, we will be able to receive personal revelation for ourselves and unitedly as and a YSA group. Our Bishop told us that with that spiritual backing of going to the temple and having met and invited everyone in our ward to this conference, we will have a spiritual experience at this conference. I believe that to be true as well.

I also thought of "No More Strangers" to be a question, are we strangers with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? I think the conference can be a place where we can turn back to Heavenly Father and Christ and recommitt ourselves to not be strangers with them. It is us that causes ourselves to not know them. So, I hope we can all come away with a greater need and desire to become closer to our Savior, that we will recognize him in our lives as much as he knows and recognizes us.

Let's have a wonderful time at the conference!

Statewide YSA Conference

The Statewide YSA conference is August 8th-9th. Please register by going to www.californiaysa.org It takes about 2 minutes to do! So easy. Also, remember to read how to pay for the conference. It does cost $28 if you register before July 1st! So jump on board, this will be such a great event. Remember to invite your VTing sisters to attend as well!

More Campout news!!!

So this Friday and Saturday is the kick-off event of the summer--the Relief Society Campout! Come and hangout with some of your old friends and make new 0nes. We will be meeting at the stake center (4741 Mt Abernathy Ave) and leaving in 2 groups--one at 5 and one at 6:30. Don't forget your sleeping bag and flashlight! If you happen to have a tent, please bring that, too. Also remember any food you might have signed up to bring. Hmmm...I think thats about it. See ya under the stars!

***If you have any questions, contact Cassie Bryan at 858-431-9762 or cassio83301@hotmail.com.

RS Campout!!!

The Relief Society Campout will be held June 5-6 at the Boy Scouts Headquarters in Balboa Park. We will have 2 groups carpooling over from the Stake Ctr--one at 5 and one at 6:30 Friday evening. You will need to bring a sleeping bag--we will pass out a list of guys in the ward you can borrow from if you do not have your own. We will have a lot of fun games and you will have the opportunity to learn some archery and shoot some BB guns! Should be an awesome time! Hope everyone can make it!