Keeping Our Focus on Christ
Given by Rebecca Hamblin

Story of the Sunflower: "Clytie was a sea nymph who wore beautiful green gowns woven of seaweed. Her long, golden hair floated about her at the bottom of the sea. One day a mermaid sang her a song about a golden light above the water. Clytie wanted to see it!
She swam to the surface and climbed onto the shore. She saw the golden light described in the song...It was the sun! She stood happily gazing at it all day. When she at last turned to the water, she saw her reflection. Her golden hair had become yellow petals; her green gown had become leaves. Her tiny feet had become roots. She had become a sunflower, a small image of the sun she loved.
To this day, the sunflowers turn on their stems all through the day so that they can gaze upon the sun as it travels the sky."

Clytie had become a small image of the sun just as we must become a small image of the Son of God. To become like Christ we must do as Clytie had done.

1. She had a desire to see the sun, in turn we need to have that desire to come unto Christ.
2. She took the action required. It takes action on our part to study and develop faith in Christ.
3. She engulfed herself in the sun's light. We can engulf ourselves in the light of the Savior by going to our Sunday meeting and doing those things we know to be right.

"It is amazing what darkness can do. It has an unsettling effect, altering our perception and creating a sense of unease. Uncertainty surrounds us and often the dangers that are lurking around us are hidden from our view. The best way to move forward through these perilous times is to focus on the teachings of Christ." Emily Freeman

By keeping our focus on Christ we will have the strength and ability to accomplish the purposes Relief Society and your own spirituality.

1. Strengthen your own light by increasing your faith and personal righteousness.

"To do our part under the plan of the Lord, we are to increase our faith and personal righteousness. Membership in the Church requires faith, which we nourish throughout our lives with great “diligence, and patience, and long-suffering.” Sister Julie B. Beck

We can increase our own faith by:

• Studying the scriptures
• Having sincere and meaningful prayer
• Repenting of sins
• Studying the living prophets, ect.

2. Fortify your light by strengthening home and family.

"Our ... responsibility is to strengthen families and homes. Families worldwide are being assaulted and weakened by corrupt practices and false teachings. Therefore, whether we are married or single, old or young, we have a duty to defend and practice the truths found in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' Relief Society should be organized, aligned, and mobilized to strengthen families and help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world."Sister Julie B. Beck

To make our home a sanctuary we must cleanse it of things that are offensive to the spirit and to show love to the family members that live there.

3 ways to show love:

1. Service
2. Giving
3. Verbal

3. Share your light by serving the Lord and His children.

"In my travels across the world, I have seen that the thousands upon thousands of you who do not currently have a husband or children are an incredible reservoir of faith, talent, and dedication. No one is better positioned than you to work in temples, serve missions, teach the rising generation, and help those who are downtrodden. The Lord needs you." Sister Julie B. Beck