Becoming Joyful Covenant Women of Christ is a powerful talk with imagery all put into PowerPoint, helping Women visualize themselves as beautiful, diverse flowers in a garden, where the Master Gardener will watch over, guide and lift us the through the frequent challenges we face. Each are beautiful, needed and add variety. Often we find obnoxious weeds that can choke us of our great potential. A loving Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ, has made it possible for each of us to return back to live with him, as we set our priorities in line, allowing us to free ourselves from the dangers of these obnoxious weeks. Read this beautiful parallel of how the Lord is beckoning us to “Come to His Garden.”

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In some of the most notable and
momentous events on this earth, the Lord
provided, as beautiful settings for these
poignant historic and monumental events,
fine and splendid gardens.

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~ The Garden of Eden ~
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve conversed
and walked with God the Father and Jesus Christ,
and lived in the joy of their presence prior to being
cast out into a fallen state.

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~ The Garden of Gethsemane ~
As we contemplate the most significant yet agonizing
event of all time, that of the Atonement of Jesus
Christ, we can find solace that it took place
in a garden – the Garden of Gethsemane.

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~ The Garden of the Tomb ~
The Resurrected Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene
in the Garden of the Tomb, where Christ had been
laid for burial. This first appearance and testimony
of Christ’s victory over physical death brings
hope to all!

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~ The Sacred Grove ~
The Sacred Grove was also in a place of respite
where the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father
appeared to Joseph Smith. It was in this natural
garden that Joseph Smith was taught that the
Kingdom of God would be restored in preparation
for the Lord’s coming.

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“For the Lord shall comfort
Zion, he will comfort all her
waste places; and he will
make her wilderness like
Eden, and her desert like the
garden of the Lord. Joy
and gladness shall be found
therein, thanksgiving and the
voice of melody.”
— 2 Nephi 8:3

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Imagine with me another type of garden
(a metaphorical garden)
a most beautiful, exquisite, and expansive garden.

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In this garden of superb beauty is a caretaker, a Master
Gardener, who lovingly cares for every detail of His
garden. His only desire is that the flowers in His garden
sup with Him daily and partake of all the nourishment
He has to offer for their well-being. In this garden there
is every flower and tree imaginable. Their beauty
surpasses all, enhanced by their variety. Their uniqueness
and splendor is a wonderful reminder to all - of the love
that the Gardener has for His garden.

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The trees in this expansive garden give
strength, grandeur, and protection to the
flowers, as do fences and gates that
safeguard the garden from outside
predators.

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The uniqueness and variety of the flowers create a
landscape of beauty to exceed all. In the garden
are found many diverse conditions that help them
grow more beautiful and strong. Their distinct
circumstances and even hardships, experienced
while being nurtured, ultimately create a
magnificent landscape.

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At times, though, some of the flowers in the
garden compare themselves with each other, even
though each is uniquely and tenderly loved the
same by the Gardener, no matter its size, its color,
its shape, or the hardships it must grow in. He
sees their true beauty and loves them no differently.

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Some of the flowers in the garden are hardy, while
others are very fragile and require tender care, but
the Master Gardener helps them to see that their
own unique gifts of beauty and strength are
of great worth.

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The Master Gardener loves to come across a field
of wild flowers. What joy they bring! Their
greatest desire is to bring happiness to all they
come in contact with. Though it may be
difficult to find order among some wild flowers, the
Gardener recognizes their gift of joy and
contentment with life.

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At times the flowers are found growing
amidst the rocks of hardship. Even in
such difficult circumstances they can
flourish and share their great beauty.

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Often times there are flowers who feel
they are insignificant or feel lonely and
not part of the garden or worth the
Gardener’s attention.

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We are often reminded that everything
has a purpose, even if it may cause
discomfort or pain. Ultimately our joy
is more full because of the challenges
we have faced.

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As unique and radiant as the flowers
are, their full potential and ultimate
purpose are only made manifest when
they bring joy to those who visit the
garden, which will in turn help them to
forget about themselves.

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Often there are noxious (and even obnoxious)
weeds, such as “Morning Glory,” that enter
without warning. If not properly taken care of
on a daily basis, they slowly and subtly entangle
the flowers and ultimately choke them from all the
joys of being in this beautiful garden. The Master
Gardener has a plan to rid the devastation of
“Morning Glory.”

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The Gardener helps the flowers
understand that each new day is a fresh
start and that each can be renewed and
still partake of His offerings, even if
they have gone for a while without
His nourishment.

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The love that the Master Gardener has
for each flower and tree in his Garden
surpasses all. However, in order for
Him to fulfill His ultimate design, He
must have helpers that work in His
garden that act as caretakers.

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Sisters, you are the flowers in this
beautiful and spacious garden, and the
trees represent the presence and the
blessings of the priesthood.

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The priesthood can shelter us from the storms and
the entanglements of Satan if we will only utilize
their blessings and the gift the Master Gardener,
our Savior Jesus Christ, offers us. He deeply loves
each one of us and knows us personally. He sees
all that we are and what we will yet become.

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All He wishes is that we come to Him daily
and receive of His nourishment and partake
of His eternal blessings, which will bring us
immense joy and consolation even in the
seasons when we must grow amidst the
rugged rocks of life.

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Throughout our lives, we encounter the very subtle
influences of “Morning Glory.” Satan is working at
all times to slip in thoughts and influences that may
cause poor judgments. This can prevent us from coming
to the Lord to be nurtured by Him. The greatest gift of
all, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, can uproot and cast
out all sources of “Morning Glory” in our lives. It can
become our source of comfort from the ailments of life
and bring us hope and peace in a time of
discouragement, sorrow, or sin.

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“And now, the plan of mercy could not be
brought about except an atonement should be
made; therefore God himself atoneth for the
sins of the world, to bring about the plan
of mercy, to appease the demands of justice,
that God might be a perfect, just God, and
a merciful God also.”
— Alma 42:15

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I see all of you as the most
beautiful women in the
Lord’s garden of life . . .

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even though there may be some who are
feeling a bit wilted or malnourished, or
feel they are not worth the Savior’s love
and attention.

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I can assure you that each one
of you is worth the
Lord’s deepest love and
attention.

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There is not one of us that He
does not understand or cannot
relate with. He knows each of
our joys AND our pains, sorrows,
and heartaches.

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Sisters, I have been called to be one of the Master
Gardener’s many helpers!
I can clearly see the beauty found within each of you.
By aligning our lives with Christ, partaking of the
wellspring of nourishment He freely offers, and by
being faithful to the covenants we have made,
we will see our inner splendor that shines brighter
than any physical beauty.

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How grateful I am for the strength that
surrounds the women of the church by
their goodness, and the power and the
protective care of the priesthood that
each of us can utilize.

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Sisters, did you know that you too are
the Lord’s helpers?
How might each of us be an assistant
or helper in the Lord’s great work?

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Perhaps by being:
A Visiting Teacher
A Neighbor
A Friend
A Sister
A Grandmother
A Daughter
A Mother
A Wife

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Each of you is a daughter of our Father in
Heaven. Each is a member of this wonderful
sisterhood. Laurels, you are soon entering into
the most glorious gathering of Relief Society
sisters in history. Your preparation will help
you to be more effective helpers in this, the
Lord’s most important Work of Salvation.

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Because of the covenants we have made
with our Father in Heaven, we are
blessed immensely and also carry the
privilege of living our lives to
exemplify Him.

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Our joy will be great in His eyes and our joy will
be magnified as we “sup” with Him daily AND
share of this great joy with others.
How we do this is by following the Relief Society
Purposes,
which are....

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“Increase faith and personal righteousness,
strengthen families and homes,
and seek out and help those in need.”
— Relief Society Purposes

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“Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice,
and cleave unto the covenants which
thou hast made.”
— D&C 25:13

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“A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy,
or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the
worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most
women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a
million things, most of which are important. …
Sister Julie Beck’s “Priorities”
From April 2010 BYU Women’s Conference —

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… A good woman must constantly resist
alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that
she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and
that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with
personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this
life confidently. The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on
personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be
acquired in this life.”
Sister Julie Beck’s “Priorities”

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As Sister Beck speaks of the importance of
prioritizing our lives, I believe this is the very
thing that allows finding the joy the Master
Gardener, our Savior Jesus Christ, speaks of.
Sister Beck often speaks of prioritizing with
these three categories.

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“Essential”
Daily Scripture Study
Daily Prayer
Temple Attendance
Sacrament Meeting Attendance
In the “Essential” category are those things that help us to
obtain Eternal Life. Some of these are:

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“Necessary”
Temple and Family History
Sharing the Gospel
Church Service
Compassionate Service
Cooking, Cleaning, etc.
In the “Necessary” category are those things that help us to
become self-reliant and serve our family and the Lord,
such as:

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“Nice to Do”
Vacations
Going out to lunch
Reading a novel
Crafts
Etc.
In the “Nice to Do” category, are things that will not save us
but are enjoyable, and more so when the other two categories
are accomplished first. Such as:

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It is critical that we prioritize, as Sister Beck
has counseled us. As we do, our joy will be
more replenished and full, and we will also be
more effective as helpers in the Lord’s
Garden.

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“Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax
stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and
firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls
with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the
sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh
because of their yielding their hearts unto God.”
— Helaman 3:35

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In President Thomas S. Monson’s closing remarks
at the April 2011 General Conference, he states:
“We face many challenges in the world today, but
I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful
of us. He loves each of us and will bless us as we
seek Him through prayer and strive to keep His
commandments.”

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“But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it
beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and
with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall
take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto
everlasting life.”
— Alma 32:41

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________ Peter Lassig story ________
I would like to briefly tell you of a man that I spoke with last year.
His name is Peter Lassig. Bro. Lassig was at one time the gardener
for President Kimball. Years later he was asked to be the gardener for
the grounds at Adam-ondi-Ahman to beautify those surroundings. He
was also assigned to help beautify the Salt Lake City temple grounds
and oversaw the creation of the gardens on the top of the Conference
Center. How might the Church’s efforts to beautify and take care of
sacred grounds relate to us? Sisters, if the church is beginning the
process of preparing these sacred grounds for the Lord, should we not
be more anxiously engaged in such a righteous cause as putting our lives
and the lives of our families in order, to become spiritually and
physically prepared for the time when the Lord comes again?

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Where can we find our garden as a refuge?
We will find our refuge as we serve in the
temple frequently, partake daily of the
scriptures, and pray fervently to a loving Father
in Heaven, and as we faithfully serve our
family and God in
His Kingdom.

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As we contemplate the singularity and beauty of
each individual sister in this stake, we come to
appreciate how the Lord is specifically concerned
with and devoted to the uniqueness that lies within
each of us and our capabilities and purpose in this
great work of salvation.

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We are His ministering angels here on earth to help
strengthen the eternal bonds we are building. As
sisters, we should love, honor and cherish one another,
as we unite with the sacred splendor of the priesthood
and receive the sanctifying power of the atonement in
our daily lives. We are all His helpers in this
immense and wonderful work in the church. We are
beautiful and tender flowers, Daughters of God, who,
with His supply of nourishment, will find ourselves -

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“Becoming Joyful Covenant Women of Christ.”

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This talk was given on
January 28th, 2012, by Renée W. Packer