Have you ever looked up the long list of talks that focus on women and our potential? Very regularly, we have been given honor, support, promises, and encouragement by our leaders. Here is a list.
After reading these talks, there can be no doubt that women have, and have always had, a vital part in the Kingdom of God. And like the men, we have a responsibility resting on our shoulders.
So, what is that responsibility? What have we been called to do? Recently, we were told by our Relief Society president, Sis. Bingham, “One of the keys is to understand that when women and men work together, we accomplish a great deal more than we do working separately.”
One responsibility is to become familiar with the scriptures. Pres. Nelson called us into action with these words, “We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation.”
Along with that same admonition, Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Sound principles and eternal truths need to be frequently repeated so that we do not forget their application nor become dissuaded by other arguments.”
There are still women who either refuse to understand, or simply haven’t studied it out for themselves, that women play a necessary role as we usher in the Second Coming of the Lord. Reading these talks will help us be prepared with the right attitudes and the right feelings of responsibility.
Some women argue that the church doesn’t play fair when it comes to women. They are wrong! James E. Faust said, Holding the priesthood does not mean that a man is a power-broker, or that he sits on a throne, dictating in macho terms, or that he is superior in any way. Rather, he is a leader by authority of example. Paul’s counsel to the Ephesians included, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). As Christ lifts us all, so must we, rather than put down women or anyone. Nowhere does the doctrine of this Church declare that men are superior to women.”
Also, Pres. Faust quoted the First Presidency of the Church in a statement:
“The First Presidency of this Church has said, “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind” (Messages of the First Presidency, 6:178). The priesthood cannot work out its destiny, nor can God’s purposes be fulfilled, without our helpmates. Mothers perform a labor the priesthood cannot do.”
Our women leaders have been no less direct. Sister Elaine Cannon taught us, “The women in this Church need to be prepared—personally prepared—first, to stem the tide of error inundating the world, threatening families, short-circuiting the power of individuals. Second, though we have great men to lead us, we need to know for ourselves what is error and what is truth so that we can make valid value judgments. So much depends on this. Third, we need to grow and develop so that we are prepared to contribute. We each have a mighty errand to do. … Ours is the errand of influence. … We will, however, be more effective on our errand if we have studied the gospel, developed our skills. … Our lack of individual progress can impede the Savior’s work. I don’t want to seem simplistic, sisters, but we need to move!”
Julie B. Beck was equally direct, when she said, “Our aim is to support the women of the Church in their individual responsibilities by ensuring that every meeting, every lesson, and every activity we undertake helps them increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen their families and their homes, and serve the Lord and His children.”
And then Sheri Dew told us, “The casseroles and quilts we have made to relieve suffering are splendid acts of kindness, but no service—I repeat, no service—compares with that of leading someone to Christ.” That someone can be a child, a neighbor, or a person we casually rub shoulders with for a moment.
These talks are here for us to learn from. The promises are real. The challenges depend on us. “Sisters, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, sisters; and on, on to the victory!” (D&C 128:22)