Sister Susan Porter, a member of the Relief Society general board, served as caregiver for her husband, Elder Bruce G. Porter (1952-2016), for 13 years as he battled kidney failure. Through her various life experiences and her husband’s health challenges, Sister Porter shares what she has learned about hope, miracles, and Heavenly Father's tender love. Resources: • Susan Porter Biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/susan-h-porter?lang=eng • Elder Bruce G. Porter Biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/bruce-d-porter?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Susan-Porter.pdf

“My relationship with God is the most sacred and valuable relationship I have. (Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ) are worth paying a price to come to know, to be with, and to love.” In this episode, Sister Lori Newbold, director of training services for the Church’s Seminary and Institutes and a Young Women general board member, teaches how we can develop real and personal relationships with our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. She shares how she has been able to trust and rely on God for strength, comfort, and companionship when life doesn't go as planned. As a former Seminary teacher and principal and a licensed mental health professional, Sister Newbold also shares her love for teenagers and her confidence in their ability to develop their own relationships with the Savior and discover truth for themselves. Resource: Lori Newbold biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/young-women-organization/meet-the-young-women-general-leaders/lori-newbold?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Lori-Newbold.pdf

“‘I am a child of God, and He has sent me here.’ Think about all we know because we know that one truth.” Sister Lisa L. Harkness, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, talks about how this fundamental principle helps to navigate times in life that are confusing, tricky, or even debilitating, and still feel anchored and look toward the future with faith and hope. She shares ways to really notice the people who are most common or familiar to us, and how to enrich their lives rather than put them on a to-do list. Sister Harkness gives encouragement to hold on to covenants, which provide vision, perspective and purpose, and keep us connected to God. • BYU Idaho Devotional, "Stand and Be Not Moved" https://www.byui.edu/devotionals/sister-lisa-l-harkness • "Peace, Be Still," Oct. 2020 general conference https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/42harkness?lang=eng • "Face the Future with Faith," Apr. 2011 general conference https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/face-the-future-with-faith?lang=eng • Lisa L. Harkness biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/lisa-l-harkness?lang=eng

Through personal experiences and opportunities in her current calling, Primary General Board member Sister Jennefer Free shares ways to take difficult or traumatic things and turn them into something that can bring joy. She encourages listeners to figure out how to make the gospel work in their lives, to be lifted and inspired rather than weighed down by “shoulds” or “to dos,” focusing on righteousness rather than striving for perfectionism. Turning to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, making and keeping covenants, and developing habits of righteous devotion brings joy. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/primary-organization/meet-the-primary-general-leaders/jennefer-h-free?lang=eng

“It is my fervent wish that every woman know she absolutely belongs in the Church of Jesus Christ and is a valued member of the Relief Society.” Tune in to this special episode to hear insights and personal experiences from President Jean B. Bingham, the current Relief Society general president. President Bingham shares experiences that have shaped her life, including infertility, parenting foster children, and gaining a global perspective as she worked and volunteered as a teacher with refugee and other vulnerable populations. She shares her desire that each woman, regardless of marital status, race, background, or other category know that they belong, are loved, and are needed in the Church. She also shares her recent experiences studying the topic of priesthood power, and encourages women to take President Nelson’s challenge to study and learn more about how to access and draw upon priesthood power. Resources: • Jean B. Bingham biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/jean-b-bingham?lang=eng • Church Newsroom article, “Project Protect Begins Distributing 5 Million Masks for COVID-19 Relief” https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/project-protect-begins-distributing-5-million-masks-for-covid-19-relief • Church Newsroom article, “How Latter-day Saint Charities Is Helping the World Food Programme During COVID-19” https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saint-charities-world-food-programme-covid-19 • Church News “Women of Covenant” series https://www.thechurchnews.com/category/women-priesthood-covenant • President Jean B. Bingham’s April 2020 General Conference Talk, “United in Accomplishing God’s Work” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/34bingham?lang=eng • President Russell M. Nelson’s October 2019 General Conference Talk, “Spiritual Treasures” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/36nelson?lang=eng

As part of a Relief Society Inclusion Committee, Sister Tracy Browning of the Relief Society general board works to understand and address the needs of those members of the Church who may feel marginalized, or feel like they don’t fit in the gospel. She shares practical ideas and examples from the scriptures of ways to be more inclusive, unified, and get to a place of belonging. By listening with empathy, offering grace, and loving better, differences can be recognized and appreciated rather than ignored, and we can see others as the Savior does. Additional Resources: • Sister Tracy Browning’s bio https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/tracy-yeulande-browning?lang=eng • Sister Eubank, By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/31eubank?lang=eng • President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson?lang=eng • Sister Michelle Craig, Eyes to See https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/14craig?lang=eng

In her powerful October 2019 general conference talk, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine Lord, Abide With Me,” Sister Reyna Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, addressed the reality of mental health challenges and taught of the hope and healing available through the Savior, Jesus Christ. In this episode, we talk with Sister Aburto and her daughter, Elena, about the personal experiences that led to Sister Aburto’s 2019 address, including Elena’s struggle with anxiety and depression and Sister Aburto’s efforts to love, listen, and learn more about mental health challenges to support her daughter. Resources: • Sister Reyna Aburto’s October 2019 general conference talk https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/31aburto?lang=eng • Sister Reyna Aburto biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/reyna-i-aburto?lang=eng • Church web page with mental health resources https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/mental-health?lang=eng • Church web page with suicide prevention and ministering resources https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/suicide?lang=eng • Suicide prevention videos from Elder Dale G. Renlund https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCR8tWKEbxo&list=PLAYgY8SPtEWH5oAfQlfGFyKk77nf-S-tH • President Russell M. Nelson’s October 1995 general conference talk https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/perfection-pending?lang=eng • Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s October 2017 general conference talk https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng • In Crisis? See suicide prevention helpline information here https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/crisis-help-lines/in-crisis?lang=eng

“Our challenges help us to realize that everybody needs help, everybody needs comfort, everybody needs love, and everybody needs healing from the Savior.” Sister Reyna Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, shares how her trials have helped her be sensitive to the suffering of others, and strive to follow the example of the Savior to empower and uplift those around her. Through the tragic deaths of family members, a heartbreaking divorce, and supporting close family members struggling with mental health challenges, she’s come to know that trials are refining, not defining, and that it is possible to find peace and build a joyful life. Watch Sister Reyna Aburto’s story in a three-part video series. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-06-0010-reyna-aburtos-story-part-1-heartbreak-and-hope?lang=eng Watch Sister Aburto’s BYU Women’s Conference Address, “What has Relief Society Been for Me?” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society/messages-from-leaders/aburto-womens-conference-2017?lang=eng

It can sometimes be difficult to see how our individual words and actions can pave the way for the Lord’s work to move forward. On this week’s episode, Haidi Fajardo, the Church Communication Director in the Philippines, shares examples of how building relationships and seeing others as children of God has brought her true joy and also moved the Lord’s work forward across this rapidly growing area of the Church. Haidi, who was born to early converts of the Church in the Philippines, shares her testimony of eternal families and the Book of Mormon, as well as the way she sees God’s love manifest in her island nation despite heartbreaking natural disasters and economic challenges. Resources: Philippines Area Facts and Statistics: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/philippines Elder Cook Concludes Philippine Ministry: meetings with volcano evacuees, nation’s president, interfaith leaders and members highlight visit https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-cook-completes-philippine-ministry News Releases and Videos covering the Church’s response to the November 2013 typhoon in the Philippines https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/philippines-typhoon-haiyan-response

“We don’t have to think the same to love people; we just have to love people.” Sister Carol McConkie, a former counselor in the Young Women general presidency, shares this and other valuable insights as she reflects on representing Latter-day Saint Charities as a missionary assigned to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Carol shares the Church’s efforts to join with other leaders and organizations around the world with the intent to do good and care for those who are suffering and at risk, including the world’s most vulnerable women and children. Opening up about her struggle with anxiety and homesickness, Carol also shares how we can turn to the Savior for strength and power when faced with overwhelming tasks or heavy burdens. Resources: • Sister Carol F. McConkie biography https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/carol-f-mcconkie • Church Newsroom article about McConkie’s call to the United Nations https://news-gb.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/former-young-women-general-officer-called-to-serve-as-latter-day-saint-charities-liaison-to-the-un-in-switzerland?imageView=ElderAndSisterMcConkie.jpg • Latter-day Saint Charities website https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/ • Latter-day Saint Charities Maternal and Newborn Care https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/what-we-do/neonatal-resuscitation?lang=eng • Latter-day Saint Charities: How to Help https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/how-to-help/volunteer-locally?lang=eng