Sisters gathering in small, informal study groups in Kellybrook, Hodge Park and Rush Creek Wards are strengthening their faith, deepening friendships, and receiving a spiritual boost to their week.

Rush Creek

Two or three times a week a small group of sisters meets at the Tillitson’s home outside of Liberty and discusses either a conference talk or the “Come Follow Me” Sunday School lesson.

“Prayers are answered, revelation is given and unity is formed and love for one another is formed at a deeper and greater level than we can really achieve with meeting together twice a month,” said Jen Tillitson, Relief Society President (Rush Creek).

Melanie Morris (Liberty Ward) attends the Rush Creek study group and has found it spiritually rewarding. 

“Reading and studying Jesus the Christ and now conference talks, have helped shape my life in ways that have impacted my life,” she said.

Kellybrook Scripture Sisters

The Scripture Sisters from Kellybrook Ward hold their study group on Marco Polo. 

“[Scripture Sisters] allows sisters to be able to still feel connected and share their thoughts and uplift one another, but do it on their own time,” said Jenner Porter who helped organize the study group and other Relief Society groups in their ward about a year ago.

“I love having a scripture group on Marco Polo because I can listen to it on my own time and respond in my own time,” said Tricia Kehr. “It’s always so difficult getting a group of women together when we all have such different schedules! I am a truck driver and drive over nights so this is the only way I would be able to participate in a group like this. Not only does it help me feel closer to the women in my ward, but closer to God as well.”

“Using Marco Polo is a flexible way to develop and deepen friendships,” said April Hagen. “Being able to listen and contribute whenever it is convenient means I’m able to participate despite my busy schedule! I love the friendships I have made in this group and have enjoyed adding this form of study to my spiritual learning.”

Hodge Park Inklings

Hodge Park’s Inklings study group also connects on Marco Polo. They follow the weekly schedule shared by General Young Women’s President Emily Belle Freeman on her Instagram Inklings. After reading the assigned talk and watching Freeman’s discussion online, group members share their own thoughts on Marco Polo throughout the week.

“I love being a part of an evolving discussion regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Lindsay Nicholas. “This group continually challenges me to evaluate where I’m at in my spiritual journey. I leave our discussions lighter, more grounded, and more willing to try again. Each week my faith is strengthened, and the Spirit is felt. This group has helped me remember that the Lord is in the details of my life and that, as we walk together, He turns small inklings of faith into confident discipleship.”

“What I have loved about our weekly general conference study group is it gives me more purpose in deep diving into each conference talk,” said Amber Nielsen. “Knowing that I’m going to discuss it with others really helps me to read it with more intention. I have also loved the diversity of age and life experience…I learn a lot from them.”

Each ward’s study groups are small, with four to six sisters participating regularly.  

“I find it to be a blessing in my life. I love the extra depth that it gives to my personal gospel study,” said Becky Allison (Kellybrook Ward). “My testimony has grown as I’ve studied with these sisters. I’ve experienced an increase in personally applying the principles we discuss because I’m thinking about them more and more deeply.”

“The study groups are a safe place and love is there,” said Sister Tillitson. “The Holy Spirit resides in that space. When two or three get together in his name the Holy Spirit can edify, and it can teach and it can change lives. And lives have been changed because of that.”