Yesterday was the General Relief Society meeting broadcast.  And, thanks to my friend Meagan, I actually went to it. I’ve never been before because I normally wait until the talks are released in the Conference edition Ensign or watch it on the Internet. I’m glad I actually went to it.

The meeting was opened with singing “Redeemer of Israel,” one of my favorite hymns. Almost immediately after I began to sing with the congregation, I got choked up. I didn’t cry, but I found it difficult to sing because my throat kind of closed. I don’t know if it was feeling the spirit so strongly or the song itself since it’s one of my favorites (probably both).

All three members of the presidency gave talks, like they normally do, as well as President Monson. I enjoyed every one of them. However, my favorite talk was by Sister Barbara Thompson, the second counselor. I think I enjoyed her talk to so much because she’s single and doesn’t have any children. It helped me realize that even though Corey and I don’t have kids after almost ten years of marriage, we’re okay. Getting married and having children is very personal and individual. Yes, there are certain standards that the members of our church should follow, but there are always exceptions that can be made. We’re not expected to follow commandments blindly and do things just because everyone else is. We are supposed to commune with God and do what we feel’s right for us based on our communion with God.

Sister Thompson’s talk wasn’t about being single or not having kids; her talk was about family. She mentioned she was probably the one asked to give the talk because she’s never messed up with her kids since she doesn’t have any (ha ha). It was a nice perspective to hear about family from her point of view because I felt I could relate to her. Even though we may not be parents, we’re still members of a family, whether it be as a child, sibling, spouse, or aunt/uncle. And in the bigger picture, we’re all members of God’s family. Thus, we still have responsibility to help strengthen our own family as well as God’s family. I look forward to reading it when the Ensign comes out in November.