The Call to Be Holy Women Continues for Two Centuries

The call for women to rise up and be holy has been ringing since the Restoration. I wanted to know if expectations and challenges for women had substantively changed over the years.

 

Had they? They have not. My research summation? Truly realize your divine heritage and then act on it.

 

Here are seven of my favorite calls from our divinely appointed leaders from the past two centuries.

 

“We feel truly thankful that through the blessing of our Heavenly Father, we, His handmaidens are called to be co-laborers with our brethren in building up the kingdom of God upon the earth, in assisting to build Temples, wherein we can receive blessings for time and eternity….

 

Then what manner of women should we be?  Faithful in performing all the duties devolving upon us as daughters of God.  God bless you, sisters! and give you strength to do all your hearts desire to do in righteousness.”  (Mary Isabella Horne, 1877.)

 

“There is neither man or woman in this Church who is not on a mission.  That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life” (Brigham Young, 1867).

 

“Each of us has a vital role, even a sacred mission to perform as a daughter in Zion. It is a new day, the dawning of a new era. It is our time, and it is our destiny to rejoice as we fill the earth with greater kindness and gentleness, greater love and compassion, greater sympathy and empathy than has ever been known before. It is time to give ourselves to the Master and allow Him to lead us into fruitful fields where we can enrich a world filled with darkness and misery.

 

Each of us, no matter who we are, no matter where we serve, must arise and make the most of each opportunity that comes. We must follow the counsel given by the Lord and His servants and make our homes houses of prayer and havens of security and safety. We can and must deepen our faith by increasing our obedience and sacrifice. In this individual process a miracle will take place.

 

The Relief Society will begin to stretch and reach out to the millions in need. It will continue to become an organization that brings relief and rejoicing. This will happen one sister at a time. We will unite in our righteousness and truly partake of the fruit of the tree of life together. The fruits of our labors can heal the world, and, sisters, in the process they can heal us too! (Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, 1999).

 

Gordon B. Hinckley

“I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you.  I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity.  I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure.  I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve.  I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know.  If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass”  (Gordon B. Hinckley, 2002).

 

“Paul the Apostle anciently spoke of holy women.  It is the duty of each one of us to be a holy woman.  We shall have elevated aims if we are holy women.  We shall feel that we are called to perform important duties.  No one is exempt from them.  There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth”  (Eliza R. Snow)

 

“Mormon women are basically strong, independent, and faithful.  They have chosen to live by a creed and a way of life that can be demanding at best.  From the earliest days of the Church, active membership has meant faith, fortitude, denial, selflessness, and service” (Spencer W. Kimball, 1978).

 

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“I always feel happy to meet with my sisters; today I feel a peculiar sweetness and heavenly influence.  What we have heard is calculated to inspire us to action.

 

The world has a great deal of teaching and preaching done, but we want to act, for by our acts we will be judged.  it has been suggested here that we have a great deal to do, and those who are alive to their religion know that there is much to do.

 

The sisters have weighty duties placed upon them, and duties that cannot be accomplished singly but require a unity of heart and feeling.  We must be united.”

 

(Eliza R. Snow, Special Meeting of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association of the First Ward, held in the Schoolhouse, Sept 26th, 1877, as reported in the Women’s Exponent).

 

They could have all been given in October 2017 General Conference.  The Lord and His messengers always reinforce the power of our agency!  We have the opportunity, choice, and responsibility to act as directed by the Lord Himself!  What an awesome gift and purpose!