Even among their own challenges, the women from Lahaina, Hawaii, have been reaching out to help others affected by the deadly and destructive wildfires in August.
They are the conduit through which the Savior provides His relief to others, taught Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson during her ministry on the island of Maui the weekend of Sept. 23-24.
She explained that the Savior often sends someone to help comfort and mourn with those who are in need. And receiving those who bring His relief also means receiving the Savior.
“Providing relief is the way we keep covenants. Receiving relief is a way we help others keep covenants,” she said.
And she brought with her a message of love from the Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, reaffirming to the women that their Heavenly Father and the Savior love them.
“They are aware of your needs, both temporal and spiritual, and you will not be left comfortless.”
The same weekend in Hawaii, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman met with youth from the Lahaina 1st and 2nd wards — many of whom lost their homes in the wildfires and have been displaced ever since.
President Freeman said she felt a strong feeling of resilience from the Latter-day Saints and from the youth in particular — “a resilience of faith that was more powerful than the grief.”
She discussed with them the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes, and rejoiced with them about the news that new green growth has been spotted on the 150-year-old Lahaina Banyan Tree, a local landmark that was damaged by the fire.
“God can and will restore trees but also people. Blessings can come from the ashes,” President Freeman said.
The two Church leaders’ outreach in Hawaii is the latest example of recent ministry visits by all nine members of the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary general presidencies around the world in September, where they testified of Christ and reached out to members and the community through devotionals, humanitarian work, one-on-one visits and more.
President Johnson in Mexico
President Johnson spoke at a BYU–Pathway devotional in Mexico City and broadcast throughout Latin America on Sunday, Sept. 17.
Giving her remarks in Spanish, President Johnson explained that a great blessing for BYU–Pathway students in Latin America is the need to learn and speak English — for many, learning English is the doorway to opportunity.
She shared her own experience learning a second language while serving in Peru as a mission leader with her husband. She included Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in her righteous desire, and her efforts to learn were combined with her efforts for personal worthiness so that she could receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
President Johnson was joining Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the devotional.
Sister Wright and Sister Spannaus in Pacific
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, visited several countries in the Pacific while on a ministry visit Sept. 8-18, sharing Christ-focused messages with children and youth in Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
During a youth devotional at the Church College Fiji campus, Sister Wright taught that children can help gather Israel by being kind and doing good. “Everyone can help to gather yourselves and others to Jesus Christ. As we gather to Jesus Christ, He leads us to the temple. It’s through temple covenants that we can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as eternal families.”
Sister Wright also met hundreds of children and youth in Kiribati and Samoa.
“We heard them sing, speak, teach and testify of Jesus Christ,” she said. “They did so with deep love and devotion, and with strong faith in the Lord. Not only should we as parents, leaders and teachers nurture and lead our little ones, but we should also step back and let them lead from time to time. As we do so, we will all feel God’s love for us, and our faith in Jesus Christ will be strengthened.”
In speaking to the youth in Fiji, Sister Spannaus shared songs from the 2023 youth album to show how music can be a powerful resource for keeping Jesus Christ in “our thoughts and helping us overcome fears and doubts,” she said.
Sister Spannaus also testified that “Jesus Christ has the power to help us. We need to have more Jesus Christ in our lives. Our lives need to be filled with Jesus Christ.”
Later in Samoa, Sister Spannaus taught the youth about their divine identity as children of God, their capacity and their potential. And she shared a heartfelt message of self-worth with residents and caregivers at Camp of Hope, a refuge for young women and child victims of abuse. She emphasized that despite life’s challenges and hardships, all are beloved children of Heavenly Father.
Sister Dennis and Sister Browning in Brazil
During their ministry in multiple cities in Brazil Sept. 8-18, Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, saw humanitarian efforts of the Church and met with many Brazilian Latter-day Saints.
The leaders held devotionals, trainings, ministering visits and focus groups with children, youth, single adults, women and missionaries.
“The people of Brazil are so warm and welcoming,” Sister Dennis said. “It was a blessing and privilege for us to be there and meet so many wonderful members of the Church during the devotionals, instruction and ministering visits.”
Some of the time Sister Dennis and Sister Browning were together. Other times they were in different cities, including Londrina, Goiânia, Campinas, Ribeirão Preto and Belo Horizonte.
“We will never forget our time among the wonderful Saints in Brazil nor the kindness shown to us while we were there. We know the Lord is very aware of each one of our Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters in that area of the world,” Sister Dennis said.
Sister Browning said Brazil was a special ministry assignment.
“There is a visible light surrounding the Saints there. I don’t think I was ever embraced by a ‘stranger’ in Brazil — only by faithful and loving members who wanted me to immediately know that I was a ‘friend,’” Sister Browning said. “I will cherish the hugs I received forever.”
Sister Browning said the devotionals and instruction meetings were a privilege.
“It was special to be able to extend love, bear testimony and offer encouragement in their lives and in their Church assignments,” Sister Browning said. “In these meetings we talked about temples of the Lord and the power, strength, learning that comes when all members (children, youth and adults) accept the Lord’s invitation to prepare ourselves to enter His House.”
President Porter, Sister Runia and Sister Yee in California
Primary General President Susan H. Porter; Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency; and Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, held training meetings and devotionals in the San Diego, California, area Sept. 15-17 and met with a group of women leaders of community nonprofit charity groups.
During the meeting with the community leaders, President Porter spoke of the desire to serve others as the Savior did in His life.
And Sister Yee 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.
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.”
During a devotional with women at the San Diego California Stake Center, Sister Runia spoke about her love for the Relief Society as she has begun a new season of service in the new Young Women general presidency.
“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.
Sister Yee in Africa
Sister Yee spent Sept. 1-11 in South Africa and Mozambique. She wrote on her Facebook and Instagram pages about the loving welcome she received.
As she was greeted by women in Mozambique, they were dressed in the same kapulana cloth. Singing “As Sisters in Zion” and “Count Your Blessings,” the women wrapped Sister Yee in the same beautiful kapulana — which represents belonging, identity and an honored welcome.
“At times I felt weary from travel, but my heart was buoyed up and became tender each time as they greeted me with such love,” Sister Yee said. “They literally wrapped me in the love of the Savior as they tied the traditional kapulana cloths around me and hugged me. Wearing the same figurative and literal kapulana, we felt unified in our love of Christ and each other. I felt the Savior’s relief through these dear sisters. I felt at home and at peace in the Relief Societies of Mozambique.”
