I’ve talked a lot, in the past, about how women, in the Church, have power. This power comes from the priesthood and is available to every man and woman who calls upon God to better their lives and the lives around them. The Lord is depending on us to use His power. This priesthood power is our power to work miracles in the lives around us. Sisters, use your power!

This list is specifically what can be done in Relief Society, but it can easily be adapted to whatever calling you might have at the moment. Don’t ever forget. Use the power you have to change, to fulfill your mission, to bless other lives, and to find happiness.

Read the Handbook (Handbook 2).

When was the last time you looked in this book? Give it another walk-through. It’s online, so anyone can take a look at the church’s guidelines for any calling. Section 9 covers Relief Society. Find out all of your responsibilities in order to perform them with power.

1. Home: Read about the power you have in your homes. You have the power to create a heavenly haven within those walls. Take action to bring heaven home.
2. Responsibilities: Sometimes we feel there are too many responsibilities with their callings. It’s too bad! We are responsible for one another and that’s just how the plan works. When we fail, we fail others. By finding out what all of our responsibilities are, and going to the Lord with an open heart, we will feel inspiration pour into our souls, and our minds will be able to say, “I can do that!” or “I can’t wait to get started!” or even “Thank you, Lord, with Thy help I can work miracles!”
3. Delegation: This is a skill that takes practice, so practice. Give someone else responsibility, explain the importance of that responsibility, and let them fly. Hey, and if they make an unfortunate choice, don’t be afraid to remind them, and work with them, with love and patience. Forgiveness and do-overs are part of the Plan. 
4. Purpose: Everything we do has a purpose: Ours is to build the kingdom of God and to save all souls.

Long Range Goals

Every leader needs to have long-range goals that align with the purpose of the Church. Every RS president should take the time to consult with the bishop and ward council to really ponder what her sisters need as a whole, and individually. Remember, good goals are specific, they are measurable, and they have a completion date.

1. Reason #1 for sitting up in front of the room is to watch your sisters. Watch how she socializes or reacts to comments made in class. Watch her posture. Does she look happy? Take notes, and during the week, reach out. It isn’t just the struggling, semi-active sisters who need attention.  
2. Set a long-range goal (no more than two) that is a specific need in your Relief Society. Use your discerning power to set a goal that will bless the lives of your sisters. Constantly focus and refocus this goal with every decision you make throughout your calling.  
3. Involve sisters meaningfully. Share with the sisters your goal(s) and enlist their help. Have enough going on in your Relief Society that you need the help of every sister. Delegating to, and sincerely thanking, sisters will do so much for their self-esteem.
4. Never lose focus! I repeat, never lose focus! Keep to the goal. Never change it, never modify it. Stay on it until you have achieved it.

Short Range Goals

    This is how you will reach your long-range goals.

1. Adjust as necessary. You will find some things work better than others. Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid to modify things that aren’t working. Explain what you’re trying to do for your sisters, so they aren’t lost, but can support you as you figure things out.
2. Communicate. This is SO important. Communication will create support, love, community, understanding, and help when you need it most. Use the First Sunday lesson to communicate with your sisters. Don’t teach a lesson that may be forgotten before the day ends; instead, share your testimony about the goals and enlist their help and support in how to accomplish them. Find out what new needs there are and discuss ways to offer service and love. Be inclusive as you consider, and set out to fulfill, the needs of every sister.

(Note: This post was originally written before the 2-hour block change. But, presidents can still use an occasional Relief Society time to discuss goals and inspiring testimony.)

3. Teach and Train. Without Inservice meetings, presidents need to find more creative ways to teach and train effectively. Leadership is a skill everyone can learn. Teach how to use the spirit. Train how to follow a leader to achieve a goal. Learn how to inspire others to inspire others. (this is not a typo) Inspiration is the true teacher and trainer. Sisters, use your power and inspiration to unify efforts into one well-oiled machine called Relief Society.

Train

1. Know the purpose, know the history, and know the destiny of Relief Society. Understanding what Relief Society is about will give you the power to join the ranks of elect ladies who have served this wonderful organization of women. You have power to save the precious souls of every sister under your care. Train yourself, then train them, to understand our divine place in Zion.
2. Training involves specifics set by the president to those who work under her. It also involves understanding the purposes of the divine plan. Guidelines help guide people toward their destination, so don’t leave anyone to themselves. Take them by the hand and bring them into the circle of unity.

Sunday Meeting

You have one hour, once a week, with your sisters. What can you do in one hour?  

1. Your announcement time is precious. Don’t waste it on calendaring items. Use modern technology for that. Use this time to bond with your sisters. Share immediate concerns so sisters can serve during that week. Remind sisters of the long-range and short-range goals. Be creative, be fun, be informative.
2. Train your music leader to prepare all the musical needs for that hour, including prelude music. Encourage her to prepare musical numbers, share hymn histories, hold practice time, etc. She has the power to invite the spirit first.
3. Most teachers need to be trained. All lessons can be manipulated to include an emphasis on the goal, specific needs of the ward, and to teach by the spirit. Teachers are there to lead a discussion, to spiritually edify, and motivate beyond the one hour. Encourage and support your teachers in continuing the discussion at someone’s home during the week.
4. Time for testimonies should be offered at least once a month.

(Note: Again, things have changed. But don’t be afraid to still find ways to use music, share testimonies, or supply your precious hour with needed revelation and spirit.)

RS Meetings

Did I say you had one hour a week with the sisters? Not so! We are part of an organization that touches lives on a daily basis. It is imperative that the president sees to the daily work of Relief Society. Delegation, organization, and following the spirit is the only way to succeed. Additional meetings extend that single hour on Sundays. They can help us be better wives, mothers, sisters, and humans. They can help us be more organized, more spiritual, more talented, and more knowledgeable. We can and need to do so much more than just socialize. We need to carry the power of Relief Society into our homes.

Problems

1. Every ward and many presidencies have problems. Pray first before going to the bishop. Use your power of inspiration to solve the problem yourself first. Or come up with a few solutions of your own to take to the bishop, or ward council, for discussion.
2. Be proactive. Seek inspiration. Communicate. Serve. Gather information. Counsel with your counselors, and even all of your sisters (when it’s appropriate).
3. Remember, you are there to relieve the bishop, not add to his load, or expect him to solve your problems.

Visiting Teaching/Ministering

1. Visit, visit, visit! It isn’t possible for RS presidents to visit everyone all the time. That’s why she has counselors and visiting teachers. Use them, follow up with them, make sure you know about each sister through them. Know everyone’s names. Go up to them–say something about them–so they know you know and care about them.
2. Visiting teachers have the great blessing and opportunity to serve and socialize on a one-on-one basis. This is how Christ served and this is how we can become most like Him.

Sisters, we have a work to do. The Lord has given us power to accomplish it. It is up to us to use that power, along with the aid of the spirit, to bless those lives around us. There are many sources today (specifically Daughters in My Kingdom) that will show you how others used their divine power. Learn from them.

Every sister can learn to use her power!