Our Very Own Bathsheba Smith

 Sister Bathsheba W. Smith served as the fourth Relief Society general president [from 1901 to 1910], and was born May 3, 1822, in Shinnston, WV.



She wanted to help women with their roles at home as wives and mothers. There were classes on prenatal care, marriage and child rearing.



Let us remember our very own West Virginian Woman of Virtue!

Women (and Men) of Virtue

“It is as obligatory upon a woman to draw into her life the virtues that are fostered by the Relief Society as it is an obligation for the men to build into their lives the patterns of character fostered by the priesthood.”

Boyd K Packer

Did you Know?

In the very early days of Relief Society you were accepted in as a member based on your goodness and virtue. I am sure there was a very good reason for this, but I am relieved that it is not so today!

Everyone is invited to Jackson's Mill!

Emma Smith, a Virtuous Woman

I recently read Doctrine and Covenants  25, which is a revelation for Emma Smith. We are promised the same blessings as Latter Day Saint women! This is a beautiful chapter to read and ponder upon.


And if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion.
Doctrine and Covenants 25:2

Oh and I found this quote amusing:

Emma Smith taught that “it was high time for mothers to watch over their daughters and exhort them to keep the path of virtue.”

Quote of the Day by the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith counseled: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (History of the Church, 5:134–35).

How Our Theme Came to Be

Our theme for the Conference is Women of Virtue. A famous scripture which goes along with the theme is Proverbs 31:10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

I will soon have three daughters in Young Women's. Over the past few years the YW themes have made an impact on my girls and my whole family. Last year their theme was the Thirteenth Article of Faith:

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).

You can read more about the theme here

I looked up Virtue in the Guide to the Scriptures. Being virtuous is being pure, and having integrity and strength.

Becoming a virtuous woman may start in Young Women's but isn't it a lifelong quest to develop all these things within us? We are striving to become perfect. It is a lot to live up to. We will fall down, but that is why we need the Savior to lift us back up.

This quote by President Uchtdorf is so reassuring:

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

It’s wonderful that you have strengths.

And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.

God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

More from Forget Me Not talk 

Some wonderful links to scriptures that go along with our theme:

Proverbs 31

Let Virtue Garish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly

Remember Faith, Knowledge, Virtue

Quote of the Day by the Prophet Joseph Smith

Speaking to the sisters, the Prophet Joseph said: “Don’t be limited in your views with regard to your neighbors’ virtues. … You must enlarge your souls toward others if you [would] do like Jesus. … As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand—let them be enlarged towards others—you must be longsuffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men!” 

^{More form this talk:   Charity Never Faileth by}

Silvia H. Allred

^{General Relief Society Broadcast is Saturday Oct 29 2012. Watch live on lds.org}

Food Drive Items to Bring

Here are the details from the Beverly Food Pantry: Please bring one (or more) of the following items:

• canned vegetables and canned fruit
• canned soups (vegetable, tomato, noodle)
• dry beans
• instant mashed potatoes
• canned ravioli and canned spaghetti
• Spam
• tuna
• Pork 'n beans
• cereal
• jelly
• lots of Peanut Butter
• boxed mac 'n cheese
• oatmeal
• jello
• koolaid

Service and Crafts at Jackson's Mill

• We are having a Food Drive at Jackson's Mill. The Stake Relief Society Presidency has selected a food pantry in Beverly WV. All donations of non-perishable food items will be taken there. Our cause is to help the people of Elkins who were hit by the storm during the summer. Please ask the sisters to bring canned items for those in need.

• Another act of service that will be available act Jackson's Mill is making crocheted jersey lap quilts. Sister Wilson has asked for donations of yarn for this project. There will be instructions on how to make the quilt. You can take it away to finish. When it is done, give away this gift of the heart. Your service of love and time will make this quilt dear to someone you care for.
• The craft will primarily be putting together some FHE binders. Some cutting and sticking may be required, at a level all can easily achieve. What a fantastic product to come away with.
• Also for those crafty, creative people, how about making your own bath salts? This will be an activity available at the Spa Party! Come and pamper yourself!