Sister Beck has a love and compassion for the Relief Society sisters that I can only describe as palpable. From the moment I met her, she was warm and welcoming, and it was immediately clear how dedicated she is to her incredibly demanding calling. Leading a worldwide organization of six million women is daunting, to say the least, and Sister Beck didn’t hesitate to acknowledge that fact.
“It’s never not been overwhelming,” she told me.
She was open and honest as we discussed the joys and challenges of her calling and addressed some of the major issues LDS women face on a regular basis—everything from trying to have it all to fitting in to coping with life’s disappointments. Her words were filled with wisdom and eternal perspective, and as I listened, I was surprised by how effortlessly she helped me to gain a deeper understanding of several things, including the divine purpose of Relief Society and how any woman in any circumstance can be strengthened and uplifted and significantly influence the world around her through the unity we share as sisters in the Church.
I will never look at Relief Society the same way again. Sister Beck’s testimony touched me deeply, and it is an experience I will never forget.
She also shared a moving testimony of the Restoration, of modern-day prophets, and of the infinite love Heavenly Father has for His daughters. “I wish [women in the Church] better understood who they are,” she said. “I wish they knew how loved they were by the Lord—each one of them is so important.”
When she spoke those words, I realized that, to a certain degree, I had forgotten who I was. I had allowed the world around me to make me doubt my worth and blur my vision just enough that I had gotten caught up in the short-sighted struggles of the moment—something I think we all do from time to time.
Thank you, Sister Beck, for reminding me who I am. And thank you for helping me to recognize how much influence I have because of it.
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Jamie Lawson is managing editor of LDS Living magazine. She loves traveling internationally, meeting fascinating people, and listening to 80s music. She enjoys tasting new foods but does not like to cook. She has two adorable boys who help her stay up to date on the latest technology, fashion trends, and catch phrases.