A lesson in calling your grandma

By Neha Tara Mehta

The Manhattan New York Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 125 Columbus Avenue. | Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The teacher stood towering over the podium. Like many of the women in the classroom – all members of the Relief Society – Rachel Hope, the teacher, was impeccably turned out in a formal dress, business jacket, and vertiginous pumps.

Hope’s students were part of the Young Single Adults Ward of the Manhattan New York Mormon Temple at 125 Columbus Avenue. Like all Mormon women above 18, they were members of the Relief Society.

Hope would soon put forth a question that would lead many into a cathartic space.

“Think of someone who you know for a fact loves you. How do you know these people love you?” asked Hope.

Hands went up across the room, first tentatively, and then with greater resolve.

“My mother has seen the absolute worst in me, and is still there for me…She really does loves me,” said one of the young women.

“Unconditional love,” Hope noted, nodding.

“My father used to do Daddy-daughter dates when I was growing up,” said Karen Zelnick, the president of the Relief Society.

“My father travels to New Jersey on work from California, and comes to visit me in New York looking to do fix-it things in my apartment,” said Hope, offering a personal anecdote.

Hope soon shepherded the class to the point she was making: “Show people you love them versus telling them you love them.” Quoting from the New Testament, she said, “If ye love me, feed my sheep. [John 21:16].”

“In the last one week,” she continued, “think of how you went out of your way to help anyone.”

She then turned the conversation to the obligation of the women to love others. “I believe we need to help others feel the Heavenly Father’s love for them. We are his tools. We need to seek opportunities to be his messengers.”

Hope ended her talk by throwing out a challenge to the class. “Go out of your way to make someone a priority this week. Call your grandma and tell her you love her.”

After Hope’s address, it was time to close the meeting with hymns and a prayer.

As the voices in the room converged to sing Hymn 142, Sweet Hour of Prayer – one of the favorite hymns in the room because it is easy to follow along – Shayla Osborn, a Relief Society member who had sniffled the most during Hope’s talk, made her plans for the day.

“Like I feel after every Sunday Relief society meeting, I feel uplifted. I want to go out and do some good stuff,” she said, gathering her coat as she prepared to leave. “So I will call my grandmother in Utah today. It’s been a month since I spoke to her.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 at 3:25 am. It is filed under Neha Tara Mehta, News, View From NYC. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.