When I was almost 12 I remember sitting in the bishop’s office for my Primary graduation interview. This bishop used a lot of “stare time”. He would stare at you like he was looking through you for the longest time before he would every say anything. I was feeling already intimidated when he asked me this question: “What have you learned in Primary?” And then he did the stare thing again, and waited and waited. I don’t know if I ever gave him an answer because being put on the spot like that, my mind went quickly dysfunctional. In spite of that he did let me graduate from primary.

When Brother Lundgreen asked me to speak, and I asked him for a subject he said, “Just talk about what you have learned in Relief Society. Had I been put on the spot, I’m certain that my mind would again have become dysfunctional. But I have had some time to think about this question and today I could probably talk all day on the subject..

There was a room in Jerusalem which Mark referred to as the guest chamber. . . a large upper room of one of the “goodmen”. Today there is a Traditional Upper Room which was built by the Crusaders and is probably located over the home containing the upper room. People from all over the world flock to this room to be reminded of the things that took place here. The day before Jesus crucifixion he directed his disciples to to this Upper Room. This was the last time Jesus met with his disciples, where he gave his final council to them They were his nearest and dearest friends on the earth, he said to them “I have called you friends.” And he knew he would soon be leaving them.

I can only imagine the feelings of Jesus and his disciples on this day. Imagine for a minute, yourself, knowing it was soon your time to die, and calling your close family and friends around you, so you could give your final words of love, council and advice. How bittersweet the feelings must have been between the Savior and his disciples. As I approached this Upper Room I was awed and touched at the reverence that was shown by groups of people from all over the world who had come here to be reminded of the things that Jesus taught on his last day.

As I think back about my experience in the upper room, I realize that these t hings Jesus taught here I had learned in primary. And I certainly gained a stronger testimony of the truthfulness of these things being there in Jerusalem in the upper room, but serving in Relief Society is where I have been able to see firsthand these teachings of Jesus put into action. I’d like to share a small part of what I have learned in Relief Society.

In the Upper Room the Savior washed the feet of his disciples. Besides being a sacred ordinance, Jesus was doing this service for his friends, and also setting an example for them to do likewise. I have learned in Relief Society from people like Connie Huntsman and Bev Gerber that there are many who are following His example and go about doing good, many times with noone ever knowing.

The passover meal was eaten in this upper room, which was also Jesus’ last meal which he chose to share with his disciples. I know that food tends to be the symbol of the Relief Society, some people think that is all we do is feed people. As you know, that passover meal is a part of the celebration of Israel’s deliverance from bondage. I learned from Nancy Brozovich one day that a simple meal can mean more than just the food involved. She was my councilor at the time and for some reason, I don’t even remember why I was feeling down or overwhelmed or something. She showed up at my door with dinner. I can’t even explain why this meant so much to me but I’ve seen the same thing happen to others.

I once new someone who would not be a visiting teacher because it was an assignment and could not possibly be sincere. So instead she went about helping others but never being assigned. And I thought, I guess thats ok. I changed my mind while standing in the upper room. Christ taught his chosen disciples when he said “That ye love one another as I have loved you”. I realized that this is Christs church and the organization of His church is inspired. And if we are given a calling, or an assignment in His church that we CAN take it seriously and it will be sincere. I saw this put into action by a Home Teacher a couple of years ago. Brother Housekeeper was our home teacher and he and his wife showed up at my door with a pot of flowering plants just because they cared. This was not so he could turn in his Home teaching numbers.

I learned this again as I heard from the recipient of a visiting teacher who was living this teaching. Sister Luke was assigned to visit someone who she didn’t know, who was young married and didn’t frequent church meetings. One day as Robyn was making a visit, this sister slipped and let the cat out of the bag about her expecting a baby when she hadn’t even told her own family. Robyn was sworn to secrecy. The next day Robyn showed up at her doorstep and after making sure no one else was at home presented her with a care package of things for a baby and for an expectant mother. And they are now dear friends.

This same day in the Upper Room, Jesus counseled Peter: “When Thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” I have seen many in our ward put this scripture into action. One particular person that comes to mind is Janice Bastian, who with all her faith, strengthened me when she gave a beautiful inservice lesson on being in tune with the spirit. I will not forget how she inspired me.

And finally, in the upper room Jesus reminded his disciples that he was soon to leave them but he would not leave them comfortless, but would send the other comforter, the Holy Ghost. Just days before I left on my trip to the Holy Land we had a presidency meeting where I assigned Lanae to go to my meetings and sort of “be in charge” while I was gone for 3 weeks. She returned home from the meeting to find that her lifelong best friend and her daughter had been tragically killed. I wasn’t worried about Relief Society because Marilyn stepped in and took over, but I went on this trip knowing that I couldn’t be there for my friend and counselor who was going through this terrible time. And I was distressed over this until the day we visited the upper room, where I received the confirmation that many people, including many ward members, were being there for her, but most importantly, the other comforter, the Holy Ghost was there for her and would always be there for her..

My testimony has been strengthened through Relief Society and I know that as Jesus promised his disciples that their sorrow would be turned into joy, so can our sorrows be turned to joy through His atonement. In some of his very last words He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

(January 1996)

by Sally O Meservy