My parents taught me not to put anyone on a "pedestal," but in my mind and heart Sister Julie B. Beck keeps making her way up there for me with every word of wisdom that spills forth from her lips!
The Lord couldn't have sent us a more noble example, a more wise and courageous woman to lead us through this particular phase in the history of the world. I know that I have grown exponentially under her tutelage.
I cannot possibly list all the lessons that I have learned from her, but I will name a few that have set a bright and glorious direction for my life. And for that, I will be eternally thankful to this great spiritual leader!
Sister Beck taught me to understand The Doctrine of the Family and to teach it powerfully to my children.
She taught me the value of having a Mother Heart and many things that Mothers Who Know do and understand. Things that many Mothers were afraid to speak aloud today, she courageously spoke.
She taught me that there is "eternal influence and power in motherhood." And that as women, one of the most important things we can do is understand how and be worthy to receive personal revelation for our lives.
I could go on with this list. Certainly this wise woman was a handmaid of the Lord in the work that she has done in her role as President of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As her name suggests, Sister Beck "beckoned" us to leave the "middle ground," to become fully committed to our roles as women and mothers, to become dedicated to the promises we made before coming to earth and in the temple, and to stand up and be counted as being on the Lord's side.
As a result of her beckoning, I have left that middle ground. I have inched further and further onto holy ground, to a place where the Lord can use me and teach me about what he expects of me in this life. As I have done so, I have felt the Lord strengthening me as a person, and as a mother.
If all women "had been, and were and ever would be like" Sister Beck...the very powers of hell would be shaken forever.
She taught me that there is "eternal influence and power in motherhood." And that as women, one of the most important things we can do is understand how and be worthy to receive personal revelation for our lives.
I could go on with this list. Certainly this wise woman was a handmaid of the Lord in the work that she has done in her role as President of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
But what did she actually do for us? How would I sum up her work?
As her name suggests, Sister Beck "beckoned" us to leave the "middle ground," to become fully committed to our roles as women and mothers, to become dedicated to the promises we made before coming to earth and in the temple, and to stand up and be counted as being on the Lord's side.
As a result of her beckoning, I have left that middle ground. I have inched further and further onto holy ground, to a place where the Lord can use me and teach me about what he expects of me in this life. As I have done so, I have felt the Lord strengthening me as a person, and as a mother.
If all women "had been, and were and ever would be like" Sister Beck...the very powers of hell would be shaken forever.
Good-bye to the amazing Sister Beck! We love you!!!
Ditto to all you said! I love Sister Beck!
ReplyDeleteI will miss her too. She is worthy of being emulated! I listened to a speech she gave once- not the typical place- Perhaps Mormon channel where people asked her about women and the priesthood and the temple and such. LOVED how she answered. She told them they were asking the wrong questions and to Pay attention very closely next time they were in the temple. That sealed the deal for me!
ReplyDeleteSigh. I know I wasn't the only one who felt like Sister Beck's release was a punch in the stomach. I will miss her firm statements elevating motherhood. She's amazing.
ReplyDeleteI was serving as a Bishop when Sister Beck gave her talk "Mothers Who Know". I asked my wife if it would be appropriate to send her flowers. I thought she was wonderful, and would always watch RS Conference when she spoke. She nudged us all in the right direction. I admire her greatly.
ReplyDeleteI agree...
ReplyDeleteI actually said, "No! You can't release her!" to the television today when they announced her release. I know that change has to happen, but I will really miss her. I think her message of embracing motherhood resonated with so many. I know that I am on my way to being a better mother and wife because of her counsel and lessons.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I agree with everything!
A-Men!! A-Men!! A-Men...I am feeling very sad about her release although I knew her time was coming to a close. What a GREAT lady!
ReplyDeleteI was so sad to realize they were being released today! I had only discovered how amazing she is this past year. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about her.
ReplyDeleteI was SO sad that she was released today! I will really miss her!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I have never before cried when a general officer has been released, but I couldn't help but shed a few tears today when her and her counsellors were released. Each one of those three amazing women have touched my life in a very special way. Thank you Sister Beck, Sister Allred, and Sister Thompson for all you have done over the last 5 years! You will be sorely missed but I know that the Lord has even more great things in store for you all!
ReplyDeleteSister Beck has been great but wait until you get to know Sister Burton. She is awesome!! (She's in my stake and we love her!!) Such a kind and loving person.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know I wasn't the only one torn up about Sister Beck's release. I really liked the direction Relief Society was heading. A big sigh...
ReplyDeleteWhen they announced it I guess I gasped pretty loud, cause my roommates said, what is your problem? MY PROBLEM??? tHAT WOMAN IS AMAZING! Excited to get to know a new one though :)
ReplyDeleteThe best part was her swan song last week...when she taught the online RS training. It totally was her and taught me so much.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! I ♥ Sis. Beck! Such a courageous and strong woman who knows what it means to be a daughter of God.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I feel like as a result of her strong leadership there are more stay-at-home mom's in this coming generation. Such a strong woman who stands for what's right no matter what. I'm surely going to miss her!
ReplyDeletePS - I just found your blog and started following. It's so wonderful to see what you do and see others striving for the same goals. Great ideas too!
Well, welcome Amanda!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI was in YW when Sis. Beck was called to the YW presidency, and then a few years after I "graduated" into RS she was called as the RS presidency and I remember thinking "Hooray! I love Sister Beck!" So I have "grown up" with Sis. Beck, so to speak. Her release was a lot like when Pres Hinckley passed away (although Sis Beck is still around and I imagine will be writing LOTS of books! I will probably amass a nice collection of anything she writes... in fact, I think I may have all her talks and transcripts of her Q&As on Mormon Channel bound into a book for my own study) At the risk of sounding blasphemous I would say Sis Beck was pretty close to being a prophetess. She testified of Christ with a boldness and sincerity that we usually only hear from the apostles.
ReplyDeleteSince I was about 14 I knew that I wanted to be just like Sis Beck when I grew up.Still do.
That said - I look forward to getting to know the new RS presidency! Fresh faces always help give a new perspective :D
I am excited to get to know her! I wonder if the Mormon Channel RS Q&A could do a "getting to know you" interview with her.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post JC. As I have stuggled with motherhood this week, reading this brought my frustrations back to an Eternal perspective and my role as a mother and leader in my family as seen by Heavenly Father. I cried as she spoke today,and will miss her too.
ReplyDeleteA-M-E-N. Very sad to see her tenure come to an end, but I can't imagine this will be the last we'll see of her. She is much too insightful to never be heard from again. Love, love, love her defense of women and her insistence that we step up and be what the Lord expects of us.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss her!
ReplyDelete=)
I loved your last line - so true! And so many more of us are better prepared to be some Holy Rollers ourselves by following her example.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post...When she was being released, and I raised my hand as a vote of thanks, I thought to myself, raising my hand doesn't seem like enough. I can only hope she feels the many prayers and hands that ascended - throughout the world - to give her an honest and heartfelt vote of thanks.
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad that I sent you the link to her article that got you started on this journey!! haha
ReplyDeleteYou should check out my blog post for today...the first one, that is!
Yes, I am, DAwn! Thank you!
ReplyDelete