Are we willing to act on the words of the First Presidency? I thought I would take a closer look at what they said to women, in last April’s Priesthood session, and in October’s Women session. You may remember that all the members of our First Presidency addressed us in these sessions. This is what I’ve learned from what they said.
Henry B. Eyring
April—The Power of Sustaining Faith
When we sustain the prophet, we desire to listen to his warnings and align our lives appropriately. Not only is it important that we individually sustain him, but it is also important that we set an example in our homes and teach our children to sustain the prophet. Our sustained faith will bring unity as it did to the inhabitants of the City of Enoch.
October—Covenant Women in Partnership with God
Quoting from the prophet, he encouraged the women to serve, for this is our nature. And as we serve, we can be fearlessly faithful because that is when the heavens will open to us. Our divine mission is to mother and this is the greatest service of all.
Dallin H. Oaks
April—Where Will This Lead?
Some choices lead to greater sacrifices, which lead to greater faith and blessings. We are being asked to sacrifice worldly enticings and philosophies, and accept the happiness the plan of salvation can bring us.
October—Two Great Commandments
Most of Pres. Oaks’ talk was quoting the prophet. He reiterated the prophet’s recent address where Pres. Nelson said, “Truth is truth.” When we don’t sacrifice the world, we begin to accept the world’s distorted truth. Our zeal to love one another cannot allow us to forget the first great commandment, to love God.
Russell M. Nelson
April—We Can Do Better and Be Better
He called all of us to repentance and invited us to change, seek to be better, and strive to leave the world behind. Because this was given during Priesthood meeting, he spoke specifically to the men to repent and purify themselves in order to be worthy to use the priesthood more in their homes. “This is the only way you will keep yourself and your family spiritually safe in the challenging days ahead.”
October—Spiritual Treasures
Speaking to the women, Pres. Nelson spoke very directly about learning and using the priesthood power we have access to. If we don’t know our power, we can learn it. When we learn it, we must use it. The temple will open up our understanding and we will return to our homes “armed with God’s power.” Women are “moral compasses” and “guardians of morality.” We received a distinct warning from him: “If the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never recover.” The thought crossed my mind that perhaps women are more worldly than men. Are women struggling more in defining and accepting truths? Is a lack of understanding of the priesthood causing more women to leave the church? Do we accept the challenge of our prophet to work toward greater spiritual strength?
What I Gained from these Talks
The First Presidency stands together in unity. I don’t think I’ve heard it quite so clear, and bold before. Through the words of these men, the First Presidency, our prophet has spoken, and his counselors have borne witness. They are giving us clear instructions while offering loving and hopeful messages. It is clear to me that the prophet is calling us back to the path. Jesus Christ is coming soon and we want to be part of the group that’s ready, right? It is now our turn to act. Are we willing to:
- sustain the prophet setting an example for our families.
- take our role as “mother” seriously and teach our children the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- sacrifice the world, and have our choices reflect our Savior more.
- accept truth and while loving our neighbors always love and obey our Savior first.
- follow our priesthood-bearing-husbands in righteousness and ask them to use their priesthood often in the home.
- attend the temple more and learn how to use the power of the priesthood more in our lives, in our marriages, and in our homes.