As most of you know, I was recently called to be the Relief Society President in my ward.
It’s a small ward of about 170 members, and we’re a married student ward, so everyones about 30 years old and younger.
Honestly, it sometimes feels more like I’m a Young Women’s President rather than a Relief Society President with how young everyone is…
Anyway, for the sake of you, future Relief Society Presidents who will have this calling for the first time, I’ve decided to create this Organization Series.
I’ll be as transparent as humanly possible with the hopes that you’ll do so much better than I did my first time around.
Receiving the Call
I was pulled into Bishop’s Office on a Sunday Morning.
We had moved into the ward about a month before, and I was already assigned to serve as a Relief Society Activities Committee Member.
Nothing felt out of the ordinary. I knew some sisters would be moving out of the ward soon but I figured if I were supposed to get a “bigger” calling, my husband, Ezra, would be here too.
I stepped into Bishop’s office and he greeted me with that sinister smile all Bishops wear when they’re about to entrap you into a 6-month to three-year commitment without pay.
Just kidding
He welcomed me in and eventually extended the call to me to be the Relief Society President. I didn’t feel overwhelmed or stressed, probably because I connotatively asked for it starting Other Than A Mom and all…
But he told me I had about five days to figure out who my counselors were gonna be.
This is probably where I got the most nervous.
Understanding the Assignment
Two years before, my mom got called to be the Young Women President of her new ward back in Arizona. She said being new was an advantage because she had no prior knowledge or history with anyone and would have to wholly rely on revelation.
Her presidency was a well-oiled machine with how efficiently everyone worked together.
I wanted to have that kind of revelatory experience. And what better way to put my faith to the test than now, when I have to pick counselors out of a ward where I know no one.
Two days later, I went to the Laie, Hawaii Temple with the hopes of receiving my answer to who my counselors should be.
I had all the sisters names written out, no photos attached. I said a prayer and told Heavenly Father that I knew I could get the names I needed, that I could have this beautiful revelatory experience, but also that it would be up to me and my faith and that I’d need His help. I then looked over the list and read each name, paying close attention to way I felt when that name was read.
Anytime I felt something, I highlighted their name.
After the first round, I had about twenty names highlighted. So I repeated the same process until I got three, as I felt impressed to also submit a name for my secretary.
All three of them accepted the calling, and we were sustained as a presidency the following weeks.
