Question about the new RS leadership

dahlia · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 04:55 PM

Do RS leaders at the national level have to be currently married? I was a bit peeved to listen to that wonderful talk supporting single parents and then see the new RS leadership are all married and with beaucoup children.

No room at the top for the single/widowed mother with <6 kids?

I often wonder, considering the missionary nature of the Church and how many people are joining who don't fit the Utah ideal of Mormon, whether there is any concern about having the leadership look like those they lead?

Wingnut · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 06:26 PM

One of the counselors who was just released has never been married. Also, if you're not familiar with Sheri Dew, look her up. She's never been married and has no children of her own, yet previously served in the RS General Presidency and is an amazing woman.

classylady · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 08:35 PM

Dahlia, if you get a chance, read some of Sheri Dew's books. They're wonderful. I think she is also the one who wrote Pres. Hinckley's biography. I could be wrong, but it seems like it was her.

Also, if memory serves me right, Sister Barbara Thompson is the unmarried sister who was just released from the RS presidency. I loved listening to her talk.

Whether married or single (divorced, widowed, or never married), the Presidencies of the Relief Society have all been wonderful women. During my life time I have learned so much from each of these sisters.

Loudmouth_Mormon · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 08:56 PM

I've been grateful for this leadership training meeting talk for many years:
General Patterns and Specific Lives - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland "The Parable of the Homemade Shirt" answered a lot of questions for me.

Vort · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahlia

Do RS leaders at the national level have to be currently married? I was a bit peeved to listen to that wonderful talk supporting single parents and then see the new RS leadership are all married and with beaucoup children.

No room at the top for the single/widowed mother with <6 kids?

You seem to be confusing "being approved of God" with "holding a general leadership position" -- or for that matter, "holding ANY leadership position". The idea that such-and-such type of people must be "represented" in general leadership to show acceptance is not true. Many in the Church fall into this trap; I hope you can avoid it.

Finrock · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2012, 07:58 AM

This is one of the trials of our faith as members of the Church. We get callings and we sustain callings knowing that all of us fall short in at least one way but probably more. However, we qualify for the work by having a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Now, think about this for a second. The Spirit knows all things. He understands the situation of all people, everyewhere, in all times. Single, married, whatever. The Relief Society president, as a person, could be completely ignorant to the plight and situation of single members of the Church, but if she lives her life so as the Spirit will be with her, then the Spirit will enhance her knowledge, enhance her feelings, and she will know how to act towards single members because she will be led by the Spirit in this thing and not her intellect or reason.

We must trust that those who God has called to be a leader will be lead by the Spirit. And if that is the case, then we need not worry what the background of the person is.

Regards,
Finrock