News Release

Meeting About Emergencies Facing Australian Women

Julie Beck, general president of the largest and oldest woman's organization in the world, addressed women in Australia saying, "It is a time of war".

Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Relief Society, she said, are facing some of the greatest challenges that have ever faced the women of our world. She admonished those in attendance that they needed to save the rising generation, take greater care of each other, and prioritize their lives better.

Mrs. Beck addressed over 800 female members of the Church and others at the Latter-day Saint Villawood meeting house. Her remarks were broadcast to woman's groups throughout Australia and live via the internet.

Mrs. Beck pointed out that there are things only females can do to lift, support and teach the next generation. It doesn't matter if they are our children, grandchildren, neighbors, or members of our Church congregations, "Women have great power in their faith", she said. "Never turn away people who need strengthening and teach others the power of faith and prayers."

Beck taught that the "power of the Lord will be active in your life as you take care of each other...Listen," she said, "(Heavenly Father) knows you and will send you to those who need your help."

She asked that women increase their personal faith and righteousness, strengthen home and family, and find those in need.

She cautioned against adding more and more to a woman's schedule. "Slow down, you can't do everything", she reminded her audience. "Prioritize. Do the essentials that must happen in your life, then work on the necessary, then the 'nice to do' will still happen." She continued, "You might have to give up some things to do the essential. Plan your day," she suggested," to be effective when your family needs you the most. When you are tired, the Holy Spirit cannot work."

Mrs. Beck warned that we are living in a time of emergency that only women can effectively resolve.

Elder Tad R Callister, of the Seventy, and president of the Church's Pacific Area, reinforced the words of Sister Beck. He said, "Women of this day are overwhelmed and need to prioritize the things of God and He will help do the rest".

He also directed the ladies to teach the power of real prayer to their children and grandchildren. "Teach them to pray for things of eternal consequences. He wants us to receive answers to prayers," he advised.

After the meeting, Julie Beck had the women stretch out their left arm, then the right, and embrace the ladies sitting next to them in a group hug. The women lingered, visiting amongst themselves, seemingly not wanting to interrupt the feelings they had during the one hour event.

"I could have listened to her all night", commented Kay Nieuwenhuizen, assistant matron of the Sydney Mormon Temple. "I think we all wanted to snatch her up and go on a woman's retreat with her for the weekend!"

Julie Beck was on a whirlwind tour of the Pacific, which includes Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, then Samoa, Tahiti and Fiji. Mrs. Beck is president of the Church women's Relief Society with headquarters in Salt Lake City, USA. More information is available here.

 

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