Faith in Jesus Christ and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bring Mormon women together in communities across New Zealand and worldwide.
The Church’s ‘Relief Society’ is one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the world. Mormon women and their friends meet together each Sunday in thousands of congregations globally. They also meet at other times for various activities.
These gatherings take on many different forms but at their core is a desire to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, help each other, and reach out into the community to serve those in need.
A group of Mormon women in the Auckland suburb of Sunnynook recently came together for an evening of socializing and service. Among other activities, the women sorted and packed donated clothing that will go to young missionaries about to embark on missionary service.
Television cooking personality Paula Midgley dropped by to share some recipes and other tips. Auckland City Councilor Julie Parfitt also attended the event, titled, ‘Finding joy in the journey.’
Mormon Newsroom states: “Latter-day Saint women draw strength and inspiration from their identity: they understand themselves to be daughters of God with a purpose in life, and they strive to cultivate the attributes of divinity—such as holiness, wisdom and charity—within themselves. They honor their bodies and minds as sacred gifts, rejecting anything that demeans them. They seek to fulfill their potential and their capacity for joy through worship, study, service and earnest efforts to live a Christ-centered life.”
“They believe that by divine design, women and men experience the most growth, joy and fulfillment together, not in isolation. Through collaborative and unique efforts, they each provide indispensable contributions at home, at church and in the community.