Relief Society Has Blessed My Life

These women provided a meal for a grieving woman they didn't know and who wasn't a member of their church. They still have no idea the impact they made.

Has anyone provided service to you that had such an impact that you still remember it over 20 years later? I can answer "yes" to that question. That service was provided to me in December 1998. My husband, Vic Harrison, had recently passed away due to complications from a bone marrow transplant in Dallas, TX. The two years prior to his passing included a cancer diagnosis, doctor visits, chemo and radiation treatments, remissions and relapses, hopes dashed and fears realized, financial hardship, a six-week stay in Dallas, and stress beyond comprehension. I was Vic's caregiver that whole time, becoming a quasi-trained nurse and psychiatrist, insurance billing expert, and the family breadwinner. After Vic's death, I was a funeral planner, estate executor, and family mediator. At the end of those two years I was worn out, stressed out, and facing financial uncertainty. And, I was grieving the death of my husband. I think you get the picture.

Even though we lived in Aztec, NM, Vic's funeral was held in Montrose, CO. Vic had spent his summers there as a youth with his sheepherder grandfather, and that area held a special place in his heart. Before we left for Dallas, we purchased a plot for Vic at the same cemetery in Montrose where his grandparents were buried. We had a simple service at a local funeral home. My sister-in-law, Jeannie, told me that she would take care of the family meal after the funeral. It was one less thing that I had to worry about, so I gladly relinquished that duty to her. I assumed she would make arrangements at a local restaurant. I was surprised when we gathered at the local LDS church building. Jeannie informed me that we would have our family meal at the church.

We entered into a large room where, to my surprise, rectangular tables were set up displaying a variety of homemade casseroles, salads, rolls, desserts and drinks. Another 6-8 round tables with chairs were set up with table clothes and centerpieces. The room looked so nice and inviting. About 4-5 women were there ready to serve us. I couldn't believe what I was looking at. We didn't know anyone at this church. Though Jeannie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she lived in Denver. I then expressed something like "these women don't even know us. We don't even go to their church. Why would they go to such a great effort for strangers?" Her answer to me, "That's what our sisters in Relief Society do. It doesn't matter that they don't know you. We take care of everyone and anyone in need."

My emotions were already on my sleeve due to the sadness of the day, and I couldn't hold back the tears. I was so touched by these women's service, not only for me, but for the rest of our grieving family and friends. At the end of the meal, they wouldn't even let us help them clean up. They sent us away with leftovers, hugs and heartfelt condolences. I didn't know it at the time, but in less than a year, I would become a part of this wonderful society of sisters. It was, in part, due to the example of the Relief Society sisters in Montrose, Colorado. God was in my story that day, and it was no coincidence that I crossed paths with these women.

I have now been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and of the Relief Society organization for 21 years. I have been blessed by the service of the women in this organization, collectively and individually, on many occasions. In return, I have had the opportunity to serve my sisters in their time of need. I have also had the opportunity to serve those that I didn't know during their times of trial and hardship. I have been able to prepare and serve meals at many funerals over the years, and it has never felt like a burden. In fact, it is one of my favorite acts of service. I have been blessed by the service I have received and the service I have given.

I have enjoyed the camaraderie with my sisters as we have served with each other. I have been part of a number of service projects with my ward and stake sisters: making quilts and blankets for local organizations; making knitted caps for babies in the NIC unit; putting together hygiene kits that would ultimately be used throughout the world; collecting clothes, shoes and used eye glasses that were then delivered to Deseret Industries for use in their programs; and most recently the sisters in the Bloomfield, NM Stake made over 800 masks that were then sent to the Navajo Nation. Also, If you ever want to be inspired by an army of over 10,000 righteous women performing service, then go to the annual BYU Women's Conference in Provo, UT. Then, watch in awe at the variety of service projects completed in just a two-day period. It is an amazing sight. Jeannie was right, we take care of everyone and anyone in need, a member of the church or not.

On March 17, 2021, the Relief Society organization celebrated its 179th anniversary. From its humble beginnings in 1842 with only 18 women in attendance at the first meeting in Nauvoo, Illinois, it has grown to the largest women's organization in the world today, numbering in the millions, and including women on every part of the globe. Emma Smith, the first Relief Society president, said of this organization, "we are going to do something extraordinary." She was right. The history of Relief Society is filled with examples of ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things as they have exercised faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. President Boyd K. Packer once said of this organization, "This great circle of sisters will be a protection for each of you and for your families. The Relief Society might be likened to a refuge - the place of safety and protection. You will be safe within it. It encircles each sister like a protecting wall."

I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization and to surround myself with kind, thoughtful, loving women. I am a better person because of my association with this worldwide circle of sisters. I don't know the names of the sisters in Montrose, Colorado all those years ago who, not only provided service to me as a young, grieving widow, but also planted a seed in my heart. They have no idea the impact they had on my life, and I will be forever grateful to them for their example of Christ-like love.

Note: If you want to learn more about the history and purpose of the Relief Society organization, I suggest you read Daughters in My Kingdom, the History and Work of Relief Society. Also, I have included a short video on the "My Inspiration" page about this organization. I have also included a video of sisters singing the Relief Society theme song, "As Sisters in Zion." Check it out.

In December 2015, I was called as the Bloomfield, NM Stake Relief Society president. Our newly called presidency decided to attend the the 2016 BYU Women's Conference in Provo, UT. We got to spend two wonderful days with our worldwide circle of sisters, over ten thousand strong. My first counselor, Traci Bentley and my second counselor, Marleen Dugger, made the trip with me. Over five years later, we're still together in the Stake Relief Society presidency. I love these two women. They truly are my sisters. Marleen and I attended the 2018 conference. The three of us, along with sisters from our stake, had our trip planned for the 2020 conference, but then COVID ruined everyone's plans. We're shooting for 2022. If you haven't attended this conference, you don't know what you're missing. It's a wonderful, spiritual and uplifting experience.