Sisters Conference - Eve a Woman of Courage & Vision
One of my favorite scripture accounts in the Bible, one that shows God’s great love to mankind, is found in Genesis with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In Genesis Chapter 3 verses 6-8 it reads:
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
Adam and Eve saw that they were naked.
Adam and Eve, after partaking of the fruit, found themselves naked. They felt shame because of their nakedness and hid themselves. It is interesting to note that “naked” means “without.” Such as without clothing, without knowledge, without confidence, etc.
In Genesis Chapter 3 verse 21 the story goes on to say:
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
When God sees Adam and Eve naked and in the dark He calls them out of the darkness into the light and clothes them. Instead of shame, nakedness, stagnation, and darkness there is healing, clothing, love, progression, and light.
Eve and Adam - clothed by the Lord God.
It is important to understand that the clothing God uses to cover Adam and Eve is made from coats of skins. Which means an animal had to be sacrificed to clothe them. This garment represents Jesus Christ, the Savior and His atonement which “covers” our sins, shortcomings, weaknesses and human limitations. In our lives when we find ourselves “without” God “clothes” us. This Garden of Eden account is a beautiful story of great love from a Father in Heaven who deeply wants to provide for us what we may be without, so that we may progress in life, find joy, and one day return to and live with Him again.
Eve shows her courage and vision as she begins to understand and take hold of God’s plan of happiness for herself and mankind. In the Pearl of Great Price Eve speaks. We read in Moses Chapter 5 verse 11:
Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
I love this depiction of Eve by Sister Brockbank with the circle of eternity behind her. She understands the eternal plan for mankind and is confident before the Lord.
I spoke to our sister missionaries about becoming like Eve. We discussed how we can ask God to clothe us in life when we are naked, instead of going into shame and the importance of gaining confidence and strength as a daughter of God. We talked of being encircled in the love of our Savior and knowing who we are! We spoke of promises and covenants we make with our Heavenly Father, and how it is a marvelous thing to honor our inherent heritage of Deity, understanding we are worthy of all God’s bounteous blessings.
The sister missionaries here in Santa Rosa are strong and beautiful. Their confidence grows as they are obedient and make sacrifices for their Savior and His church. They are making a difference for good in their lives and the lives of many others. Here are some photos of a few of them.
A few of our sister missionaries. Somehow I failed to get a photo of all of us together. :( We have 43 young sister missionaries and 12 senior sister missionaries. From the top, left: Sisters Roberts, Palmer, Stringham, Estrada, Bailey, Chapman, Tibbals, Piippo, Kolowhich, Diets, and Stanley.
At the Sisters Conference we went on to have a Q&A panel discussion. Then we were presented some tips on skin care, make-up and hair care. We ended the evening making friendship bracelets, exchanging some articles of clothing, and enjoying refreshments. It was a wonderful evening. The spirit was strong and we felt the love of each other.
Here are a few more photos from the conference:
Preparing the charcuterie boards for refreshments. And practicing for the musical number. Sisters Stringham, Smart, Gabrielson, Neidens, and Christensen.
Setting up the table for refreshments. Sister Smart, Kennan, Hebdon and Quinn
Favors on the chairs in the Relief Society room.
Tables set up to make friendship bracelets.
Refreshments
Making bracelets
Invitation to the conference.
I hope you have a great week and a lovely Thanksgiving. Please know you are worthy of God’s bounteous blessings!
We are headed to Pleasanton California to be with Mark’s brother Jeff and his wife Laurie and two of their four children, Gracie Jane, and Ruby Rose for Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to being together with them!
love, Elaine Quinn
