While meeting with a group of women leaders of community nonprofit charity groups in the San Diego, California, area, Primary General President Susan H. Porter spoke of the desire to serve others as the Savior did in His life.
And Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, spoke of the mission of the Relief Society — one of the largest women’s organizations in the world.
“We provide relief — the Savior’s relief — both temporally and spiritually to sisters and their families,” Sister Yee said.
Joined by Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, the three general officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with the community women leaders at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in Old Town on Saturday, Sept. 16, reported a news release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Andrea Estrada, executive director of Birthline of San Diego County. said it was beautiful to be with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about serving others.
“This was a room full of women who are already filling needs. And now we saw other women doing the same work, and we are going to try to meet those needs. So why not see what else we can do,” said Estrada, whose organization serves expectant mothers and women with children from infancy to kindergarten.
“Seeing that we are not alone in this ... it helps you feel that the work that you’re doing isn’t in vain,” she said.
Shamine Linton is the founder and CEO of Sharia’s Closet, which provides no-cost emergency clothing to families.
“It was important for me to be here to connect because connection is the key,” Linton said. “How can we provide a service if you’re not knowing what I’m doing, and I don’t know what you’re doing as a partner agency? Because we’re all in this together.”
About the meeting, President Porter said, “It was marvelous to see all of those who are acting on these beautiful feelings in their hearts to bless God’s children.”
And Sister Yee said: “It is humbling and a great privilege to be among such sisters and [see] that desire to do good in the world. This is [what] the Savior would have us do.”
Estrada said she enjoyed meeting with the women leaders.
“I loved seeing that even though they were women of great influence, their heart is so transparent. And you could see it in the way they speak when they talked about their love for serving the sisters and even just wanting to share the heart of Christ,” she said.
Linton looks forward to inviting other women to share and connect in the future. Another meeting of nonprofit and interfaith organizations has been scheduled for November.
Devotionals and meetings with members in San Diego
On Friday evening, Sept. 15, President Porter, Sister Yee and Sister Runia spoke at a devotional for hundreds of Relief Society sisters in the San Diego California Stake Center.
“We’re all members of Relief Society, and we’ve been called by the Lord to serve in different places in His vineyard,” President Porter said.
Said Sister Yee: “Sometimes we are dispatched to Primary for a season, to Young Women, to serve in Relief Society, to serve a mission, to serve in the temple. We are all Relief Society sisters wherever we serve. It is the same work. You bless a child, you bless a family. You bless a youth, you bless a family.”
Sister Runia began her service in the new Young Women general presidency on Aug. 1.
“Relief Society is what tethers me to this wonderful worldwide group of women. While I belong to Relief Society, my heart is with the young women right now,” she said.
On Saturday morning, the general officers held trainings for local Primary, Young Women, Young Men and Relief Society leaders.
Then on Saturday afternoon, President Porter spoke at a meeting in the San Diego California Stake Center for about 600 Primary children and their parents. Children participated in the meeting by playing the piano, leading the music, giving talks and offering prayers.
Sister Runia spoke in a devotional for young men, young women and their leaders that evening at the stake center, while Sister Yee participated a devotional for single adults in a meetinghouse in Mission Viejo.
On Sunday, Sept. 17, the leaders visited wards and attended meetings in the San Diego area, including young single adult meetings.
“We are so grateful to be here in San Diego. Whenever you can get out and visit with the members, it just strengthens your faith in Christ. So many [are] trying to follow Him and bring His light to the world,” President Porter said.
