Linda S. Reeves
On March 31, 2012, Sister Linda Sheffield Reeves was named as the second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency during the April General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (frequently called the Mormon or LDS Church). She served with Linda K. Burton, president, and Carole M. Stephens, first counselor. The presidency was released on April 1, 2017.
At the time of her call to the general presidency of the largest and oldest women's organization in the world, she was serving as the first counselor in her ward’s Relief Society presidency. Previously, she served with her husband when he was president of the California Riverside Mission and also served as stake Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Young Single Adults adviser, Sunday School teacher, and Primary chorister.
She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in special education. She is married to Melvyn K. Reeves and they are the parents of 13 children.
During her first speaking assignment, Sister Reeves joined in an open discussion with Sister Burton and Sister Stephens at the annual Women’s Conference held at Brigham Young University.
Sister Reeves said that as a young mother of four young children she struggled with all she needed to do. She went to the temple with her husband and asked the Lord how to deal with daily duties.
- “What came to me and my husband is that every day we needed to have personal prayers and prayers with our children. We needed to read scriptures individually and with our children. On Mondays, we needed to have family home evening, and we needed to attend the temple as much as we could,” she explained.
Concentrating on those four things helped her prioritize the most important responsibilities. A sweetness and confidence blessed their home as they carried out the instruction they had received from the Lord, she said.
- “Concentrate on those important things ... and everything else will fall into place. It doesn’t mean that all will be easy, but peace and happiness will come as individuals do the most essential things first,” she said.
