In the most recent Church Handbook updates, both Relief Societies and Elders Quorums have been invited to “counsel together for five to ten minutes about relevant challenges, needs, and opportunities.” But every ward has members with cultural, generational, and even economic differences—how do you respond to concerns you don’t understand or can’t relate to?
Sister Sharon Eubank recently shared an experience she had firsthand with President Russell M. Nelson that taught her about listening and trust.
When President Russell M. Nelson was working on his 2019 general conference talk, “Spiritual Treasures,” he invited Sister Sharon Eubank and the other members of the Relief Society General Presidency at the time, President Jean B. Bingham and Sister Reyna I. Aburto, to his office.
After they arrived, he handed each sister a draft of his upcoming talk in a binder and a pencil. Sister Eubank recalls him saying, “I really want your feedback on this talk.” The three women quickly pointed out great lines and messages throughout the talk. But After a few comments, President Nelson said, “No. That’s not what I need you to do. I want you to give me feedback because your perspective is different than mine.”
Going through the talk a second time with that invitation in mind, the Relief Society Presidency members were able to point out sections and phrases that were tricky or may not come across the way President Nelson intended them to. Those comments led to a few more questions from President Nelson, and, ultimately, this response, as shared by Sister Eubank in the recent Instagram video from Magnify:
In the end, he said, “I don’t understand what you’re telling me. I don’t feel that little sensitivity at all, but I trust you.” And then he changed the talk.
That comment and experience have left a deep impression on Sister Eubank and gave her a greater appreciation for conversation, perspectives, trust, and unity in the Church.
That phrase, “I don’t understand, but I trust you,” was really meaningful to me. And for us to be able to teach fearlessly, I think we have to follow that example. Invite other people to share their perspectives that we may not understand, and then trust them. … That understanding of other points of view is really important.
You can watch Sister Eubank’s full video in the Instagram player below.
For more insightful thoughts on councils and ministering, check out the articles linked below.
► Did you know Relief Society meetings can start with a council?
► 3 hurdles that keep us from ministering—and how to get over them
► How do we hold a Relief Society council? Ideas and sample questions for your next meeting
