Birthday Party Celebrates 172 Years of Scattering Sunshine

Following this year's theme of Scattering His Sunshine, the Relief Society celebrated it's 172nd year with the traditional birthday party. After a prayer by Secretary Anita Knowlton, Relief Society President Elaine Christensen talked briefly. President Christensen thanked all who helped plan, decorate and serve at the event, and added a few facts about the history and role of Relief Society.  "We can scatter His sunshine in small but very important ways," she said. "Even in the little things we do, we can scatter sunshine, she explained, such as giving hugs, laughter, and compliments.  We carry that sunshine in us to give to others." 

What began with 20 members, President Christensen said, has grown into a 5.5 million person entity. It was not always an automatic enrollment process as it is today, she reminded attendees, at one time members petitioned to get in and were enrolled based on "goodness and virtue." The Relief Society was then and is today a "mighty force for good," she said, "Charity never faileth." 

During the annual party held Thursday, March 27, sunshine was evident in the bright yellow decor with beautiful sunshine yellow gladiolas standing tall in mason jar vases, lemons and limes in vases with twisted vines and more glads, pitchers of water with sunny yellow lemon slices, and even dessert, where yellow plates held pieces of chocolate cake complete with lemons made of frosting on top. Complements of and compliments to Jill Jones who was in charge of the beautiful decorations. Sister Jones also recited a poem written by her mother, Lois Baker.

As the party ensued, 2nd Counselor Sophia Ford asked each attendee to select a question from the center of her table, read the question and answer it. Lots of laughter could be heard as questions such as "What did you want to be when you grew up?" and "What is your dream vacation?" or "What is the first thing you do after you wake up?" More fun followed as the sisters were asked to move to another table if she had been to Europe, again if she had ever broken a bone, and once more if she had ever been a Relief Society President. All the switching of seats allowed guests to mingle more and get to know her fellow sisters better.

As the party came to a close, the importance of Visiting Teaching reinforced the idea of helping those in need and scattering sunshine everywhere we go. 

Special thanks to the following who helped prepare and serve food: Jeanine Smith, Elaine Tucker, Carol Stephen, Margo Freeman, Peggy Walbom, Bobby Twitty and Barbara Pinder.