Farewell (Friday Favorites)

Last weekend, as part of our Church's twice-a-year General Conference, the Relief Society presidency was released and new sisters were called.

Sister Julie B. Beck served wonderfully with her counselors Barbara Thompson and Silvia Allred.

In honor of their service, here are some of my all-time favorite quotes from Sister Beck:

"Sisters, get over yourselves!" (from the Mormon Channel Q&A about Visiting Teaching)

"This isn't a problem that can be solved on the blogosphere." (from the Q&A about Charity)

"The difference between Young Women's and Relief Society is that in Relief Society we don't get up and clap for you anymore" (paraphrased from a training my sister went to)

"I have learned that a good woman with the help of the Lord can usually work two to two and a half shifts. However, no one can work all three shifts. You have to prioritize where you are going to spend your energy." (2010 Women's Conference)

"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently." (from this talk at General Conference, April 2010)

"Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are “becoming less valued,” in the culture of the gospel we still believe in having children. Prophets, seers, and revelators who were sustained at this conference have declared that “God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that “in the eternal perspective, children—not possessions, not position, not prestige—are our greatest jewels.” Faithful daughters of God desire children. " (Mothers Who Know, General Conference October 2007)

&

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all." (Mothers Who Know, General Conference October 2007)

So much wisdom here.

One of the best talks by her that has been a great help to me in prioritizing and finding balance in my life is this one:

Choose Ye This Day


It was given just ten days after Sister Beck's father died. I'd be honored if you'd read it.

I will miss Sister Beck and her counselors, but I look forward to getting to know the new General Relief Society Presidency.

Do you have a favorite quote by Sister Julie B. Beck?

Comments

Emily M. said…
I loved a QA session she gave at a tri-stake meeting in PG. Someone asked her for her two-minute VT pep talk. She said, paraphrased: "There will always, always be problems with visiting teaching. You don't like your companion or she doesn't like you or your schedules don't fit. Get over it." I love that.
Jannet said…
I followed your link and read the talk. I had never read it before. I loved it. Thank you for sharing.
I especially like the thoughts on shift work. I have been crashing and burning during that second shift, the most important one. Time to make some changes!