Let’s face it, there’s been a lot of talk lately about Mormon women. Perhaps these sentiments are true for some. They are not true for me! Never in all the time that I’ve been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and that’s all of my life) have I ever felt inferior or second-rate because I happen to be female. I’ve never felt as if I am somehow less important in the eyes of the Lord and in the Church because I’m a woman. I’ve never once been envious that I do not hold the Priesthood, that I can never be a Bishop (spiritual leader of the local Church unit). Why should I be envious when I already have the most wondrous of gifts – Womanhood?
Consider the following quotes:
“Women are the real architects of society.” (Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist and novelist)
“Womanhood: the highest place of honor.”(President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church until his death in 2007)
Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th called Prophet and President of the Church who passed away early this year)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints honors and respects women. The men of the Church, the priesthood holders, are taught to honor the sanctity of womanhood. The Relief Society is the Church’s organization for women. This inspired program brings women of the Church together in the spirit of a sisterhood in Christ. Relief Society meetings on Sundays gives women of the Church the opportunity to learn about the Savior and to learn from each other. We share and celebrate our lives and experiences as women, as daughters and sisters, and as mothers.
Every year a Women’s Conference is held at Brigham Young University. This year, the Women’s Conference will be held on May 1-2. Women’s Conference provides a spiritual lift for Latter-day Saint women from all walks of life. Many women attend this Conferene with their daughters making it a special annual event just for them. Those of us who live outside of Utah can also participate via BYU Television. BYU Broadcasting tapes the Conference every year and rebroadcasts them all over the world on BYU Television. You can access it on their web site. You can also view videos of previous Conferences on their site. Their archives go back to 1997.
Some Stakes (group of congregations or wards, generally about three thousand to five thousand members in five to ten congregations) around the country also hold their own Women’s Conference. Our Women’s Conference for our Stake is going to be held on March 8. It is open to both women of the Church and to any other woman who wishes to come and learn with us. We’ve been looking forward to this Conference for a while for it promises to be a day of fun and inspiration.
Sisters, womanhood is sacred in the eyes of God. When I reflect on the faith and long lasting influence of women from the Scriptures and from my own life, I find that I have no desire to be anything but the best woman (and all the roles that come with this wondrous title) I can be.
