Does someone do everything in your family? Our effort is not to get someone to do everything, not to get everyone to do everything, but to get everyone to do something.

Poem: 3 Stings
George got stung by a bee and said, “I wouldn’t have got stung if I’d stayed in bed.”
Fred got stung and we heard him roar, “What am I being punished for?
Lew got stung and we heard him say, “I learned somethin’‘ about bees today.”

You have all been stung, because you have all been called to serve in Young Women’s. I admit there are times in my life when, had I been called to serve in Young Women’s I would have at least winced, or said “What have I done to deserve this?” We all know what a commitment it is, and I am so impressed with the attitude of you leaders as you go about serving. We are talking about service and I think sometimes we forget that everything we do for our callings, attending these meetings, teaching a lesson, planning an activity, whatever, you are giving service. And I hope you know that you are also benefitting from this service through individual growth, enlarging your testimony, etc.

One more poem by the same author: Pluggin In
Peg plugged in her ‘lectric toothbrush, Mitch plugged in his steel guitar,
Rick plugged in his CD player, Liz plugged in her VCR
Mom plugged in her ‘lectric blanket, Pop plugged in the TV fights
I plugged in my blower-dryer--Hey! Who turned out all the lights?

Ever feel like you’ve blown a fuse?

I want you to meet one of my favorite quilts. You might not be impressed, but I hope you will be after I tell you about it. It is quite wrinkled, frayed around the edges, if you look closely the squares aren’t completely uniform, and the appliqued shamrocks were obviously not done by a professional. And most disconcerting of all--it is not finished.

Don’t you sometimes feel like this quilt, wrinkled, frayed, and never finished?

My great-grandmother--Granny--was of Irish descent, and very proud of it. She was not a quilter, but she did most of this and it probably meant a lot to her but never finished it. It was passed down to my grandmother, who worked on it but also never finished it. She was not a quilter either. Does this mean their patterns were not as meaningful as someone who made these other quilts? Granny was a very God-fearing, religious lady. (Did you know that St. Patrick brought the Shamrock to Ireland to plant because it was the symbol of the Holy Trinity?) She was a poet and she had a glass eye. My grandmother was not “typical”. She wasn’t a gourmet cook, she didn’t sew, she was stern, and she didn’t even go to church much until she was old. But she has had as much influence on me as anyone: She was my 1st and 2nd grade teacher, she instilled in me a love of music, she taught me to play the piano. Education was very important to her, and on her salary as a teacher she helped pay for all 10 of us to get an education after high school.

Your pattern of service in your calling doesn’t have to be like anyone elses. We are not commanded in all things. Use your handbook, don’t overlook the important parts of this program: Personal Progress, meaningful activities, Sunday lessons, and use your board, and use prayer, and then create your own pattern of service.

This song we heard, “In this Very Room” I believe was written about an upper room in Jerusalem. Mark referred to this room 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. The day before Jesus’ crucifixion, he directed his disciples to this room. This was the last time Jesus met with his disciples as a mortal, where he gave his final council to them. He said to them “I have called you friends.” And he knew he would soon be leaving them.

I visited this room about two years ago and I’d like to share with you what was happening there and what I learned. On the way to the stairs we could hear children reciting, through an open window. After climbing the stairs we looked down and could see children climbing trees and playing in the courtyard. As we passed the hall into the entrance to the upper room, a circle of Chinese people were praying. Inside the room were many groups of people, some singing, some listening to instruction, some just observing. And there was scaffolding in front of walls and pillars with signs in about 3 languages saying “sorry for the mess as we are renovating.” Because of our headphones we could hear our director speaking, he recited the words to “In This Very Room” and we sang “Love One Another.” I remember feeling very close to the spirit in this room. I realized later that it wasn’t just being in the room. It was knowing that people from all over the world (followers of Christ) flock to this room to be reminded of the things that took place here. This was where Christ washed the feet of his disciples. Imagine what Jesus must have had on his mind that day. But he stopped to teach them service by serving them. Besides being a sacred ordinance, Jesus was setting his pattern of service. This was where he taught “that ye love one another as I have loved you.” And this same day in this room he counseled Peter, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Sisters, you are in this calling because you are already coverted and committed. Jesus could be saying directly to you “When thou art converted, strengthen thy younger sisters.” Christ also reminded his disciples that he would leave them but would never leave them comfortless--and he taught them about the other comforter, the Holy Ghost. You are giving a much needed service and you too can be guided in this calling by that other comforter.

(About 1995)