Covenants Provide Power, Blessings Amidst Turmoil, Relief Society Leaders Tell Haitian Saints

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By Mary Richards, Church News

In a recent devotional broadcast to chapels throughout Haiti, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson told the sisters of the Caribbean nation that they are in her prayers.

“We are reading the news about the physical challenges that you’re having to deal with day in and day out, and our hearts are with you, and our prayers are for you,” President Johnson said in the June 8 online broadcast where she was joined by her counselors, Sister J. Anette Dennis and Sister Kristin M. Yee.

President Johnson told Haitian women they are precious in the eyes of Heavenly Father and the Savior.

“They know you. They’re aware of the challenges that you’re facing, and they want to help you,” she said.

Sister Yee shared examples from the scriptures of people making and keeping covenants with God and being prospered.

“Oftentimes we find ourselves in less-than-ideal circumstances. But that does not mean that the Lord cannot prosper us, because He will — in very personal and precise ways — if we remain faithful to our covenant relationship,” she said.

These prosperities may not be monetary, but could be strength, health, strengthening of connections and relationships, and the ability to feel the Savior near.

Sister Dennis invited the women to remember the times when they have felt the Savior’s help and seen His hand in their lives — and share that with others in their lives.

“It is so important that we help our children and other family members deepen their testimonies of the Savior and his ability to bless us and strengthen us,” she said. “That will come as we talk more of Christ at home, and as we study more of his words through the scriptures and the words of the prophets.”

President Johnson said keeping covenants calls down the powers of heaven and entitles covenant-keepers to priesthood power — which will increase their capacity to address the challenges they face.

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Training for Haiti Women Leaders

President Johnson began a training for ward and stake women leaders by thanking them for their willingness to serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“The work you are doing can be joyful, in spite of challenging circumstances,” President Johnson said. “We know that there is joy in this work, because we are doing the work of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, and are invited to have the Spirit to attend us.”

President Johnson and her counselors taught and trained about the first and second great commandments, ministering, councils and other topics while expounding upon President Russell M. Nelson’s teaching of the three identities that matter most: child of God, child of the covenant and disciple of Jesus Christ.

“Your responsibilities serving in your ward, in Relief Society or Young Women or Primary — wherever you serve — those responsibilities flow from your identity as a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ,” President Johnson said.

She invited them to ask their Heavenly Father in prayer to help them know they are children of God.

Sister Dennis said that as the sisters in Haiti make and keep covenants with God, they can have priesthood power in their homes to strengthen themselves and their families.

“Sisters, what a blessing it is that you have a temple in your country,” Sister Dennis said. “We don’t know the situation you have right now, and how difficult it may be to go to the temple. But the fact that you have a temple in your country is such a blessing, and blesses your sisters and brothers.”

Sister Yee reminded the women that Relief Societies should counsel together with a focus on Jesus Christ.

She also spoke about single women in the Church — who she said are daughters of God, disciples of Jesus Christ, and her peers and friends.

“As you have single members in your ward, look for opportunities to see them as the Savior sees them — as fellow covenant-keepers and disciples of Jesus Christ, as sisters in the Gospel because they are and can contribute.”

The devotional and training came at the request of the Caribbean Area presidency. At the end of the training, Elder Eduardo Gavarret, General Authority Seventy and President of the Caribbean Area, thanked the Relief Society presidency for their message.

He emphasized the principles they shared: “Loving God with all our hearts, and our neighbor as ourselves, having faith in Jesus Christ, and embracing the gift of His infinite Atonement,” he said.

Reaction From Haiti Members

Baptiste Mirlaine, the Relief Society president in the Delmas Ward in the Haiti Port-Au-Prince North Stake, said after the meetings that her understanding regarding her role is increasing.

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“I have learned that when we keep and obey God’s commandments, we will receive spiritual strength to be more engaged in the covenant path,” she said.

Laurie Dorianne Ester Luana said her testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ has been increased, adding “those two meetings have been opening my mind regarding the sacred responsibility I have.”

As the Young Women secretary in the Torcelle Ward, Haiti Port-Au-Prince North Stake, she said she learned she has been called to help the young women “clearly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, helping them stay close to our Heavenly Father and helping them have their own spiritual experiences and enjoy all the blessing God the Father is reserving for them.”

The first counselor in the Torcelle Ward Young Women presidency, Lucien Love Sabine, said she is grateful for the privilege Haitian sisters have to serve Heavenly Father and help gather Israel on both sides of the veil.

“My testimony regarding the love God has for us is increasing, and I know we are not alone. Even though the situation is very difficult for us here in Haiti, I know our Heavenly Father is always among us, and as He promised in the scriptures, He will be giving us the Holy Spirit for our guidance,” Sabine said.

Mirlaine expounded upon that: “I know, as Haitian sisters, if we keep and observe God’s commandments, our spiritual light will change our environment and our beautiful country.”