My Dear Sisters,

What a glorious week-end we have just experienced with the inspirational talks from the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I loved hearing what they counseled us to do and feeling the love that came from each of those who spoke. The glorious music always lifts my soul and when everything is over, I feel a little sad. I guess I wanted more.

Think of the great blessing of having five new temples in the world: Lisbon, Portugal; Indianapolis, Indiana; Urdaneta, Philippines; Hartford, Connecticut; and Tijuana, Mexico. I remember as a young girl, there were only a few temples on the earth with most of them in the United States. Now there are over 130! I am over-joyed to thing of the work that will roll forth in the areas where new temples will be available.

"Gratitude is a divine gift that should be cultivated, President Thomas S. Monson admonished Church members Sunday morning at the 180th Semiannual General Conference. "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude," President Monson said.

On the Saturday before conference we were blessed to hear from the Relief Society General Presidency. Sister Beck opened with this wonder statement: This meeting is a gift to all of Heavenly Father’s daughters who desire to learn His mind and will and understand their responsibilities in His plan. I have visited many of you this past year, and my heart has been touched as I have looked into your eyes, hugged you, laughed with you, cried with you, and listened to your grief, joy, and triumph. Each of you is precious beyond description and known by our Heavenly Father. As daughters of God, you are preparing for eternal designations, and each of you has a female identity, nature, and responsibility. The success of families, communities, this Church, and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness. Oh, dear sisters, how we love and pray for you!

Sister Silvia Allred talked about being steadfast and immovable in the gospel. She gave three questions for us and three answers that I thought were wonderful.

She said: "I am grateful to be part of this gathering of faithful women across the world. I have met thousands of you in different countries. Your faithfulness and devotion have strengthened me. Your examples of goodness and commitment to the gospel have inspired me. Your quiet acts of selfless service and your words of testimony and conviction have humbled me.

I will ask each of you tonight the same questions I have asked many of you in our conversations:
1. What helps you be steadfast and immovable as you face the challenges that try your faith?
2. What sustains you through trials and adversity?
3. What helps you endure and become a true disciple of Christ?

Some of the answers you have given me include:
1. Your knowledge that Heavenly Father loves you and cares for you.
2. Your hope that through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice, all the blessings promised to the faithful will be fulfilled.
3. Your knowledge of the plan of redemption.

Sister Barbara Thompson spoke of Visiting Teaching. She said something that helped me to resolve to do better:

"Not all experiences related to visiting teaching are warm and wonderful. Sometimes it is hard, such as visiting a home where you really aren’t welcome or when it is difficult to meet with a sister with a very busy schedule. It may take longer to build a good relationship with some sisters. But when we truly seek to love, care for, and pray for the sister, the Holy Ghost will help us find a way to watch over and strengthen her.

President ThomasS. Monson is a master at ministering as the Savior did. He is constantly found visiting and helping others. He has said: “We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. . . . We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”

“And no one can assist in this work except [she] shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to [her] care.”

The women we visit teach have been entrusted to our care. Let us have love and compassion and thus make a difference in the lives of those who have been entrusted to our care."

I hope you have a wonderful month of October. I urge you to read the October Ensign that has beautiful articles about the Temple so that you can more readily feel the Spirit of temple work. I love you and love being able to serve with you.

Pat Romney