For months, after Sister Beck announced that a history of Relief Society was being written and made available to each of us, I looked forward in anticipation to reading it. It was difficult to restrain myself from requesting an early copy from my bishop when I learned from LDS Distribution that there was a box full of them sitting in his home ready for distributing the following Sunday. Needless to say, I readily accepted this gift from the Lord and began to read it cover to cover. I then began a study of each chapter. Coupled with my scriptures and prayer, Daughters in My Kingdom became a source of light and direction in my life. I was reminded of who I am, and who the Lord wants me to become. Initially, when speaking about this book, the title tripped me up until I recognized the significance of the 2 letter word "in." It was more natural for me to say, Daughters "of" My Kingdom. I learned that if I wanted to become a daughter "in" His kingdom, I needed to pattern my life after the women I was reading about and align myself with the principles that past and present prophets and general Relief Society leaders taught.
As I began to recognize and follow these patterns and principles, I experienced more spiritual power in my life. I felt a greater power to fight temptation, a greater power to obey, a greater power to love, a greater power to expand my circle of influence, and a greater power to share the gospel, especially my love for the Relief Society. It isn't difficult to give non members a copy of Daughters in My Kingdom and share with them the wonderful organization that I am a member of. Who would not want to be interested in an organization that strengthens a woman's faith in Jesus Christ, strengthens her family, and provides relief to others? We know that there are women out there who are searching for this in their lives.
Now, as a newly called ward Relief Society President, I feel prepared to organize the work of Relief Society in my ward with confidence. In my calling, I use this beautiful book everyday as a resource to teach, to uplift, to counsel, and to align my service with the Savior. I carry my worn, marked up Daughters in My Kingdom with me everywhere I go, knowing that I will use it. There have been a couple of times I have lost it, and I frantically looked for it because I have recorded impressions and personal revelation in the margins. It has become, and continues to be, a conduit of instruction from the Lord for me.
From not only studying Daughters in My Kingdom often, but applying what I learn from studying it, I understand more fully the purposes of Relief Society and what the Lord expects of me. I know that as we align ourselves with the purposes of Relief Society, together, as Relief Society sisters in the Kennewick Stake, we will move the Lord's kingdom forward in this area of His vineyard and do "something extraordinary."
Denise Benham, Kennewick Park Ward
