Thoughts from Joburg: Influence of One

Ron and I were given the remarkable assignment of traveling as Security for Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President, for the final ten days in May to six cities in the southern half of Africa. She was accompanied by her husband and two members of the Area Presidency and their wives in separate legs of the tour; Elder F. Michael Watson and Elder Dale G. Renlund, both members of the The First Quorum of the Seventy. Her itinerary included Harare, Zimbabwe; Cape Town, South Africa; Maputo, Mozambique; Roodepoort, South Africa; Lubumbashi and Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In each venue Sister Beck presented three hour training sessions which began with a 30 minute discussion with priesthood leadership, a two hour training session with Relief Society women and invited priesthood, and concluding remarks by Elder Watson or Elder Renlund. Sister Beck spoke at two Sunday gatherings; 479 members attended the first in Harare and 628 attended in Lubumbashi. Most of these people walked great distances over dusty roads.

Sister Beck is a relaxed, gifted teacher who connects quickly with people through her sincerity. She is genuine in all settings, unpretentious and approachable. She openly shared experiences from her life living in Brasil from ages 4-9 when her father was a mission president there. In Maputo she spoke in Portuguese learned during those early years.

Throughout various countries and congregations I watch Sister Beck minister to women and men, listening to their concerns and opening scriptures to them for their edification and learning. As she engages people in one-to-one conversation or teaches groups through discussion and roleplays, Sister Beck gently extends her arm and places her hand upon the person's shoulder. This quiet, simple gesture validates and empowers people as she listens to and exchanges sincere words with them.