This week, I’m covering the Priesthood session of October 1991. I guess what I learned is in the form of an obvious question: Are we feeling the responsibility as we prepare for the Coming of the Lord? I believe we have been given all the tools necessary to be completely responsible, and fully accountable, for our greatest asset: our families.

David B. Haight shared a very funny story about his football days. This was in the days when it was a brand-new sport. Schools who could afford it could buy the necessary equipment, but Elder Haight came from a very small, rural school that didn’t have any money. All they had was enthusiasm and a Chemistry teacher who had seen a game played once, thus was selected as the new football coach. For their first game they were playing a school that knew what they were doing. As he puts it, “After just two plays, we had no desire to have the ball. … Our goal was to get rid of the ball—it was less punishing.” The final score was 106 to 6.

Clearly, they were not prepared, and the price paid was cuts and bruises and maybe a little mortification. But they all survived. Pres. Nelson has been trying to teach us that our time to prepare is becoming short. And if we’re not as prepared as we should be, we’re going to suffer a whole lot worse than cuts and bruises, and a little mortification.

Gordon B. Hinckley closes the session with a talk that makes me feel very sober and concerned. This session was the Priesthood session, so Pres. Hinckley, speaking to the men, was very blunt in his delivery. Sometimes, I wish our leaders would speak to the women like that, but I think women, overall would react differently. Men have been taught and are duty bound. Women, sadly, don’t have that foundation and talking to them bluntly will simply offend them. It’s too bad, because women need to be reined in as well, in my opinion.

In his talk, Pres. Hinckley speaks directly to men who take advantage of the goodness of their wives. Where many women sacrifice their careers, desires, and even looks, men often enjoy the workplace so much they are tempted to dump their wives for younger and prettier models. This talk was a dynamic call to repentance. A strong reminder to appreciate your sacrificing wives. Love her enough she still feels valued, beautiful, and loved.

Another thought ran through my head, though. Women also have a responsibility here. There are women who forget their responsibility to the home and family as well. What of them? It seems a woman’s excuse these days is she has one or two kids that take all her time, and she is exhausted and doesn’t have time to get anything done. But what is really happening is she doesn’t have enough “me time.” Or she takes too much “me time” at the expense of her family time.

Having raised six children myself, I get it. There isn’t a lot of “me time” during those early years. I lost my mind many, many, many times during that period. In fact, I still look for it when I have a free minute or two. But the family is what is at stake here. And as we all know, families are under attack and falling apart everywhere, and no one really feels the responsibility of that.

What are we going to say to the Lord when He asks about our families?

Pres. Nelson is inviting us to prepare to answer that question. Women need to understand their role in the priesthood. The priesthood is available to give us power and ability to overcome our trials. We need to gather Israel, the most important being our very own children, teaching and training them to have testimonies. Focusing on these invitations will energize any mother who is too overwhelmed to think straight. I can testify that putting God first makes life easier, more fulfilling, and families end up stronger.