I’m sitting here after watching “Meet the Mormons” for the second time (was able to see a preview screening and then went with two of my children tonight — the show came out a day early where I live). I’ve got many thoughts swirling around in my head. What can I share about the experience I’ve had with this film?

Because, you know, I’m Mormon (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). So what else would I say on a Mormon website except that I liked the film?

Let me say this. Honestly, I went in a little skeptical, maybe even nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect. A movie about Mormons on the big screen? Would I like it? What if I didn’t? (That’d be awkward, being a Mormon blogger and all.)

I loved it. (And I loved it even more the second time around.)

I am a fan of documentaries, so that may have something to do with it. The cinematography is breathtaking, especially in the scenes of Costa Rica and Nepal. The stories are real and diverse. They capture the fact that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an international faith.

As I’ve read reviews, I have seen people echo what I have felt — that “I think the [stories and the] challenges were diverse enough that somebody could identify with just about any one of them.” (There are some other gems from that article from “famous Mormons” that resonated with me as well.)

But the main reason I loved the film is because of how it made me feel. My son said something similar: “Mom, I didn’t have any major spiritual experiences with the movie, but I just felt good through the whole thing. That was evidence enough to me that truth was being shared.”

What kind of truth? Even if you take out the “Mormon” element (which is more understated than I expected it to be), the film explores the importance of family and the joy in and need for service to others. It encourages not giving up in hard times, and living life wholeheartedly. For Mormons, these principles connect to our faith in Jesus Christ, but these are true principles that can inspire regardless of religious belief, or even if you don’t identify yourself as a person of faith. They connect to so much of what it means to be human.

I left this film the way I feel when I engage with inspiring narratives. I left wanting to be a better person. I left wanting to face my own challenges with more hope. I left wanting to hear more stories!

And yes, I left feeling more surely the reality that God knows and loves all of His children. Tonight, as I watched the film, I felt that in a personal way — that He knows me. I was reminded, again, that He really is intimately involved in our lives — even when we don’t know it, see it, or even believe it. The last story about Dawn, in particular, really hit that truth home to me.

There is a very real message that we all matter to God, and that we each have something to offer this world. The song at the end of the documentary (“Glorious,” sung by David Archuleta) also reiterates this reality. The song in context of the film was one of the things my daughter loved most. She’s usually one who shares a lot with me, but Mary-like, both times we watched the film, I could see that she just wanted to ponder what was left in her heart after experiencing it all. (In fact, the first time she asked me kindly but directly to stop asking her what she thought!)

I hope you will take the opportunity to experience the film if it is in an area near you. (If it isn’t, you can request it here.) In my opinion, the film is not pushy or preachy. It’s informative without being impersonal. I do think that most people will find something that resonates, in the stories and/or in the simple yet powerful principles that are reflected in the narratives.

Note: All proceeds of the film will be donated to the Red Cross.

The post Thoughts about the Meet the Mormons documentary appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Yes, Pikus-Pace is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Read her Mormon.org profile here — obviously written before Sochi.) If you look at photos of her wearing her silver medal, you might also see her wearing the Young Women torch necklace (see our Facebook page) or the Young Women medallion. The torch is a reminder to stand and shine Christ’s light to others, and the medallion is a symbol of years of work of goal-setting and faith-building efforts through the Personal Progress program.

You’ve probably already heard her Skeleton story — from being at the top of the charts in the sport a decade ago (and, looking back, realizing that her sport came before family), to missing the Turin Olympics due to a freak (and serious) leg injury (a bobsled ran into her), to barely missing a podium spot in Vancouver, to retirement after Vancouver, to re-entering her sport after a devastating miscarriage (at 18 weeks) and prayerful, partnership-focused consideration.

The catch to her coming back to compete? Her family would travel together to everything.

How was this possible? Friends and family helped, and eventually she got a sponsorship, but the story that brought me to tears this week was about a couple who had a chance meeting with Noelle and decided to quietly hand her a card with a $30,000 check in it a week before they were set to start traveling.

Mormons talk about how important marriage and family are. It’s wonderful to see such a powerful, primetime-sports example of a family who lives that reality. Did you watch the video showing how she jumped into the stands to get to her family? And how she said, “Remember who you are and what you stand for!”? I love to see how Noelle and her husband works together (he even designed and built her sled: e.g., “For Pikus-Pace, the custom sled is a reminder of the couple’s enduring partnership. ‘It’s never been only me crossing finish line,’ she said. ‘It’s always been us.'”) I love seeing their determination to make this dream work, and only make it work if the family could do it together. Although their situation is definitely unusual, and the miracles that made this possible were significant, the principles of putting family (and faith) first are applicable to us all. (See this simple photo of Pikus-Pace attending LDS Sunday church meetings in Sochi.)

I’m reminded of a quote we read yesterday in Relief Society:

“Do you spend as much time making your family and home successful as you do in pursuing social and professional success? Are you devoting your best creative energy to the most important unit in society–the family?” (Joseph Fielding Smith)

p.s. Besides the smile and tears I experienced as I watched the last run online, hearing the commentator talk about how she started her run with eyes closed (the commentator assumes in prayer), and how it was her family that was everything as she did that last run, I cracked up to hear that she has 2 kilos of chocolate taped into her sled.

** Image from Noelle Pikus-Page Facebook fan page.

The post Noelle Pikus-Pace — Miracles, Medals, Marriage, and Motherhood (and chocolate!) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I’m not really sure how to write this. I only ever discuss controversial things with my husband because I know that he will still love me and not think worse of me. But my heart has been stilled and I think now is the time to attempt to find words for the thoughts in my heart. I hope that my friends are still friends, even if we now find ourselves in opposite fields of view.

I believe in love, that it is our guiding force, our most prized possession, and one of the most inspiring emotions. I guess that is why this debate is so close to our hearts. We don’t want anyone to feel hate. We want to give our love wings and not have to admit that sometimes our imperfect human love can be wrong. I have loved the wrong people in my life. Love in and of itself is not wrong, but can be misplaced and misused. Love can be a strong willed emotion and run away with our hearts.

I hold a strong belief in my God and what he has spoken to me. He has spoken to me in many ways and we’ve discussed many things. I also know that not everyone has heard Him. If I had not heard Him I would believe many different things than I do now.

So I can see how I would think if I did not know the things I do. I believe that all men are created equal. I believe that people should be treated equally. Equality is a sentiment that speaks to the godlike qualities in all of us. But I know that though mankind is inherently good, our knowledge and understanding is limited. We have been given wonderful gifts to be able to reason together and find truth in the world, but we have only found a tiny portion of the truth that is out there to be told. We cannot understand all things, but we must stand by the things we know and allow ourselves the room and the time to be able to learn the rest.

I do know beyond anything I can form into words that God loves His children and desires for them all to be happy. All of them. Every single one. I also know that he wants us to feel love for another and experience the beauty and strength of family through the sacred institution of marriage between man and woman.

For some of you those two concepts seam mutually exclusive, but to me they coexist peacefully. Please do not think that I believe that some deserve happiness and not others. Please do not think that I believe that some are more worthy of love than others. Please do not think that I believe that some should have more rights than others. Please do not believe that I do not understand why others feel differently or that I can not respect them and their beliefs. I believe that people are created differently with separate and glorious traits and wonderful but different roles to fill and challenges to face. Each is an individual and deserves to be treated uniquely, not exactly the same as every other, but with respect to their own challenges and successes, according to their own needs.

I want to love everyone. I have troubles sometimes, but the great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself is one of my favorites. It is hard to disagree with someone you love, to risk losing relationships with best friends, ex-lovers, neighbors, and friends because you stand for different things. But my hope is that just as I respect any person who stands up to protect and honor another person, they will respect me for standing for what I believe what I believe will protect my family. I have respect for those that wish to formally acknowledge the sacrifice of committed relationships. However, I have greater respect for the Creator who knows all truth and created all people. He can tell how all things work and I cannot, so I must rely on His guidance to navigate the murky water of mortal experience and cling to the truth I do know.

I know that families matter and must be protected. So I stand with the family, for traditional marriage, and for the divine roles of men and women.

I hope my friends are still friends. I hope we can stand for different things and still stand next to each other, that we can hold our beliefs and still hold each other in our hearts. We each must choose what we believe will bring the world closer to whatever heaven we seek. Hopefully we can still travel along with each other and one day learn from our Father just how this all fits and how much He truly loves us.

Monica Lynn is wifey and momma dedicated to making life beautiful. You can follow her adventures at {domestic artistry}

From the February 2014 Ensigns article “Get Informed, Get Involved”:

As the ways of the world become increasingly distant from the Lord’s ideals, members of the Church will find themselves needing to speak up on issues of common concern. President Gordon B. Hinckley warned that a small minority may “make their voices heard until those in our legislatures may come to believe that what they say represents the will of the majority.” He reminded us that “we are not likely to get that which we do not speak up for.

“Let our voices be heard. I hope they will not be shrill voices, but I hope we shall speak with such conviction that those to whom we speak shall know of the strength of our feeling and the sincerity of our effort. Remarkable consequences often flow from a well-written letter and a postage stamp. Remarkable results come of quiet conversation with those who carry heavy responsibilities.”⁹

Such a proposition may be daunting—to voice unpopular views and to stand up for our opinions and beliefs when others may disagree—but when we stand with the Lord, we never stand alone.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “My challenge is that we join with people of all faiths who feel accountable to God in defending religious freedom so it can be a beacon for morality. We caution you to be civil and responsible as you defend religious liberty and moral values. We ask that you do this on the Internet and in your personal interactions in the neighborhoods and communities where you live. Be an active participant, not a silent observer.”¹⁰

The post How I Stand for the Family — by Monica appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Strikedowns related to gay marriage, such as what has happened in Utah and in other states, deeply concern me for many reasons. I have long been an active and involved advocate of protecting traditional marriage; I do not believe it is in the best interest of our society to allow gay marriage. I am concerned that the voice of millions of people on this matter in various states is being cast aside by judicial fiat. I believe that religious freedoms are connected to the dynamics we have seen unfold over the years as well. I believe that the rights of children to be born to a mother and a father need to be represented in our laws and public discourse.

Although I know that most of my friends and I would agree on the “what” of these concerns, what I am finding is that we don’t always agree on the “how” to take action. That can prove to be both a bit of a frustration when we don’t agree, but in my mind, it can also can be a reminder that there are many ways to take a stand for what we believe is good, right, and true.

I’ve been thinking about this more this week as I have engaged in conversation with friends about this rally. I think it provides a simple case study for what I would like to communicate with this op-ed.

Some friends, whom I deeply love and admire, are passionate about attending this rally, and feel it is nothing short of the duty of anyone in the area to do so. To give a glimpse of the passion of these friends of mine, I invited one of the women who is helping promote the rally to write an essay about why she has chosen to attend. (Hint: For her, it’s about much more than standing for traditional marriage. She is a daughter of immigrants and to her this rally represents an opportunity to celebrate the freedoms her parents worked so hard to come to enjoy.) She and I have had several conversations over the past few months about issues related to faith, family, and freedom that have inspired me.

I had the privilege of talking with the woman who spearheaded the rally and she is simply a mom trying to follow through with something she feels strongly about. I admire her grit and commitment and am amazed at what she has been able to organize. Another friend may be flying from out of state to attend. She is a fearless defender of the family and of religious freedom.

On the other hand, with regard to this rally, I have heard from others — friends who are equally passionate about these things that matter so much to us as Mormons (faith, family, freedom), friends I also deeply admire  —  who feel there is perhaps more room for personal decision and revelation with regard to events like this. At the very least, they are not necessarily feeling the same pull to go to this particular event.

I am compelled to conclude that we simply may not all feel pressed or prompted to do the same things to take a stand for the shared ideals we believe in, but I think (or hope) we would all agree on what is captured in the following meme created from a quote in the February 2014 Ensign.

In discussions about this rally, I’ve seen people express concern that sometimes it’s fear that keeps us from action. And that can sometimes be true. Especially with hot-button issues in our culture, sometimes fear can drive us to avoid political or other topics altogether. I believe sometimes it IS better to stay silent, but when silence is driven by fear, it’s likely not the right choice.

I am glad my friends invited me to this rally, because if nothing else, it got me thinking more about why I will or will not go. (As it turns out, I have another commitment that I made a couple of weeks ago. Interestingly enough, it’s another opportunity to peacefully assemble for the cause of faith and family, just in a different way.) It gave me a chance to ask for and share my friend’s story. It gave many of us a chance to talk together about things that matter to us. It even spurred some to face their fears and take some action.

To those who believe in marriage, family, faith, and freedom, I invite you to think about how you can not “do nothing.” Be proactive, creative, and deliberate about what you do. Be “bold but not overbearing,” to coin a phrase. To claim the blessings of a robust, free society, we need the exercising of rights like the right to peacefully assemble, the right to exercise and act on religious beliefs, the cherished right of free speech. We can embrace the opportunity, blessing, and responsibility of learning to peacefully co-exist in our pluralistic society and to allow the political process to take its course.

I hope that this rally will go well and be what the organizers hope it can be. But the event will come and go. These issues are not decided in a day or with one event. Opportunities to stand for the family and for God’s plan will, I’m sure, only become more plentiful as time goes on. We are running a marathon, not a sprint. Because of that, we will each have to continually choose where and how we will get involved,and that may look a little different for each of us. I believe that sometimes (often?) if we are willing to take action, we can be compelled to use our particular skills, talents, and interests to express our positions and help the cause in which we believe.

How are you choosing to stand for the family? What talents, skills, and experience might you be able to bring to bear in the process of standing for marriage, family, children, and religious freedom? I’d love to hear your thoughts, see your memes, read your blog posts. We don’t have to be about making others change their minds, but I think we can and should be always looking for times and places to stand for what we think and believe, and finding ways to join with others in our efforts.

The post How do you stand for the family? appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

My parents are both converts to The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young and recently baptized married couple in Brazil, one of their biggest dreams was to establish their family in the “Estados Unidos” (USA), more specifically Utah, to be closer to the large body of unified saints there. What they wanted more than anything was to raise their children on high moral ground. This fact, is something they have always been proud of, “our family legacy,” as my dad always says.

So they stood in long lines, filled out many forms, and waited…and waited…for six years. Then one day their request for permanent resident status was approved. That’s when our family (I was six at the time) moved. My dad jokingly recalls, “with four pieces of luggage and eight hundred dollars.”

Through hard work, and sheer grit, I saw my immigrant family struggle to survive. We worked as janitors, we delivered news papers, we worked odd construction jobs. I don’t think I ever saw my parents sleep. But I always saw them on their knees in prayer.

Now looking back at the upbringing they were able to secure for their children, the freedom from corruption and oppression they were able to give us, the opportunity every single one of us was able to access…their struggle was worth it.

This event happening on Tuesday is actually more than just a rally for marriage…to me at least. This event is about gratitude, and exertion of liberty. This event is the opportunity to stand as a collective body of saints for what matters most -our faith, our family, and our freedom.

That’s what brings me to you now. I wanted to share my story and why I want to personally go. It’s because my parents fought for me to have this very opportunity.  I remember waking up at 4:00 am and folding newspapers with my mom and dad. It’s for them that I’m going to this rally. It’s for the sacrifices they made to give me what I enjoy today. It’s for their marriage, the mutual covenant made between each other and God Almighty. It’s for their belief that the “Estados Unidos” is truly a place where if good men dwell, they will be free. It’s for Utah, the ‘city set high on the hill’, built from the ground up… out of nothing.

The very existence of my state was founded upon the backs of those who have gone before us. Courageous men, women, and children — families — that collectively gave their all for what we currently enjoy today. This is the legacy of Utah.

I want to stand with the large group of strong and courageous sons and daughters of those fathers and mothers that are counting on us to continue their legacy. I want to support this event with my presence.

-Carolina Sagebin Allen

Note: Mormon Women: Who We Are and the More Good Foundation take no official stance on events such as those mentioned above. Please remember, also, that this site is not an official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

The post How I am standing for faith, family, and freedom this week — by Carolina appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Well-Behaved Mormon Woman

Chocolate on My Cranium

Mormon Mommy Blogs

[Read the Proclamation to the World on the Family]

So far, here are posts that have been published:

The Prophetic Family Proclamation by Michael W. Towns

Glorious Womanhood by Stephanie Dibb Sorensen

Cherishing Our Individual Roles in the Eternal Plan by Laurie White

Printable of the Proclamation to the World on the Family created by Lolly Jane

The Importance of Family by Jimmy Lewis

Every Child Deserves a Mother and a Father by Amelia Summerhays 

(if you haven’t heard this young woman bravely talk for children about the rights of children, she’s worth a listen)

Confessions of a Fear Monger by J.

A Blessing at Midnight by Meredith

Sleeping in the Temple Parking Lot by Michele

See past years’ Family Proclamation Celebration posts

The post Mormon Bloggers Celebrate the Proclamation to the World on the Family appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I have mentioned before that I am a young women adviser (teacher/class & lesson facilitator). I have been anxiously awaiting the month of June for the opportunity to explore the doctrine of the priesthood more with our young women. This doctrine to me is exciting; I believe truth about priesthood to be expansive and inclusive, layered in meaning and ever-applicable to every facet of Mormon life and beyond. I think a lifetime is not enough to ponder what priesthood means, but I love pondering it.

There were so many possible ways to approach this lesson, and these thoughts are more about what I’ve learned, not necessarily what I will “tell” the young women. But what I hope for the young women this week is that they can think beyond the obvious and understandable (but I believe potentially reductive) question of “Why do only young men/men hold the priesthood?” to think about the blessings and power and opportunities and responsibilities that flow into their lives because the priesthood of God has been restored.

(Because our site is also designed to address questions from those not of our faith, I hope some of these thoughts can be helpful for those readers, too. Priesthood in our doctrine truly is more than just a who-does-what in the organization kind of thing. Much more.)

I personally believe that so much of the restoration of priesthood keys and authority is about receiving what God has to give us and then helping others also receive. The work of the restoration is, as I said above, expansive. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to have the authority within the functioning of our Church to fill the earth with a knowledge of Christ and to allow all of God’s children, living and dead, the opportunity to receive the ordinances of salvation. Young women are not bystanders in this work. I like to think about how the different restored keys relate to the work that young women can do, now.

I also think of the woman at the well. What Jesus wanted was for the woman to know and understand that what He had to give her was beyond any solution she could find on this earth. Once she came to know who Christ was, how much He loved and knew her and wanted to give her, she was compelled to testify to others so they, too, could come to Him and drink of His living water.

Even as the work of the Church is so expansive, at a personal level, to me, priesthood keys are what figuratively can open up the well for us each to come to know Jesus Christ and to partake of His goodness and His living water. Filled with His love, we then are filled with the desire to help others come to Him and feel His love and participate in ordinances and the work of salvation that bring us closer to God and each other, and make the Atonement fully effectual in our lives.

Let me say here that we as Mormons don’t believe or claim we are the only ones on the earth doing work for God. I am moved and inspired by so many of different faiths (or no faith at all) doing amazing things to serve others, to relieve suffering, to defend the family, to build faith in God, and more. My faith has been strengthened by so many not of my faith! Still, understanding priesthood keys and authority and why and how they matter can help explain what we believe our unique mission includes.

So thinking of my young women, I have thought about what a young woman can do, now, to drink of Christ’s living water and to share it with others. More specifically, what blessings, opportunities, and responsibilities are hers as part of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, made possible through priesthood keys? These are the kinds of questions I plan to ask the young women. Following are some of my own thoughts about this. In another post, I’ll share more of the things I’ve read that have helped me ponder these questions.

– She can receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation (receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost), as the Savior has taught is necessary for salvation (John 3:5). [A whole lifetime could be spent studying what these ordinances mean and why they are important, but the bottom line is that they are about pointing our souls and minds to Christ and His Atoning sacrifice, and choosing to commit and submit our lives to God. He then promises to keep us clean through the Atonement and to someday receive us into His kingdom.]

– She can receive the sacrament each week, which keeps the promised blessings of baptism and confirmation alive and present in her mind and heart. The continued promise of having the Holy Ghost with her is a gift beyond price.

– She can go to the temple to serve and receive the ordinances of authorized baptism and confirmation on behalf of those who have died and not been able to receive them. Joseph Smith taught much about the importance of baptism for the dead in Doctrine and Covenants 128. (I recently went with my children to the temple for the first time and that scripture came alive to me all the more. This work that the youth do in the temples MATTERS, a lot. God works across generations. This work is about binding generations to each other and to God.)

– She can do family history work to learn more about her family and also to make temple ordinance work possible for her own flesh and blood who have passed on. This service centered on the temple both helps her remember and ponder her own baptism and confirmation, but also can bless her life with more of God’s power and strengthen family ties and a sense of belonging and understanding of herself.

– She can serve by doing indexing work to make it easier for others to do their family history and/or temple work.

– She can study the scriptures every day and be familiar with and loyal to the teachings of modern-day prophets, thus tapping into the power of the authorized channels (prophets) God has used throughout all dispensations of the gospel for revealing gospel truth, particularly truth about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is a way to connect with God, to drink of living water every day.

– She can serve as a missionary, both formally when she turns 19, but also informally now. The Holy Ghost can help her know what to say and how to reach out and teach others in simple ways. Sometimes it’s just about letting people ask questions.

– She can receive her patriarchal blessing, which can help her understand all the more her eternal worth and help her gain insight into her specific, personal mission and blessings for her here on earth and beyond.

– She can serve in callings when called. In our church, youth start serving formally in their teenage years, working directly with adult leaders, including those who have keys. They formally become part of the body of Christ that is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12.

Consider this quote:

e.g., “When a bishop places his hands on the head of a [young women] class president, it is with the full power of the priesthood that he gives her the delegated authority to lead her class. Her calling to serve is no less potent or real than that of the Sunday School president, the Relief Society president, or any other position in the ward.” See Young Women and the Blessings of the Priesthood for more thoughts on this topic. )

– She can be a force for good in her home through the power of covenants and by participating in family councils.

I’m reminded of Sister Beck’s teaching that women (and I think this can extend to young women) have a responsibility and opportunity to

“help your home be a home that is blessed every hour by priesthood power. It isn’t just when Dad is there. It’s not just when Mom is there. It’s not just when a priesthood ordinance or blessing is being performed. It’s every hour as covenants are kept” (emphasis mine).

– She can study, ponder, and champion the doctrine of marriage and the family. [The work of the priesthood is all about . helping individuals and families come to Christ. Eternal life in our doctrine is not just about life with God, but about life within families, with God. This is a key reason why temples are so important to Mormons. The doctrine of eternal families is a key doctrine, part of the living water that has been revealed through the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.]

– She can be a force for good in her community through service and example, by letting the light of the gospel shine out through the way she lives her standards and the way she loves and reaches out to help others.

– She can prepare to receive temple ordinances for herself when she becomes an adult. [More layers of the doctrine of the priesthood are understood in the ordinances of the temple…doctrine to be pondered over a lifetime.] She can prayerfully continue to keep her heart open to what the Spirit can and will teach her about the priesthood and her role as a woman in God’s plan as she continues faithfully seeking insights.

– She can prepare to serve in her future — including preparing for the eternal roles as wife and mother if the opportunity comes (and trusting in God’s promises if those opportunities don’t come in this life); preparing temporally so as to have skills that can enable her to have influence in other ways that she may feel guided to in her life; and ultimately to prepare to be present (either in the flesh or after death) when the Savior comes again.

These are just some of my thoughts, but on Sunday, I look forward to hearing the insights of the young women about how they feel the priesthood has blessed their lives. I believe I love this year’s theme for the youth, because the notion of standing in holy places sums up so beautifully how young men and young women alike can tap into the power and blessings that are available to them through priesthood ordinances and covenants. It’s not just those who hold the priesthood who benefit from the priesthood; the priesthood keys restored in this dispensation benefit us all and are designed to benefit all of God’s children — across all the nations of the earth, and throughout all generations since the beginning of time. As was described in the article above for young women,

“the priesthood to the lifeblood that flows through every part of the body [of Christ — see 1 Cor. 12]. The power and blessings of the priesthood nourish each member and are the source of strength just as blood is to the body. It circulates throughout, that power of God that ‘worketh all in all.'”

And these keys help us prepare the world for the Savior’s Second Coming:

The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.
Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.

The post Discussing Priesthood with Young Women appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This year’s Women’s Conference provided me with a wealth of material to ponder and integrate into my life. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the classes I attended.

“Lord, who needs me today? Tell me her name.” -Elaine S. Marshall quoting her then Relief Society President – Ann Madsen

I have used this sentence prayer in the days since Women’s Conference and by doing so I have invited the spirit of revelation into my life. Names and faces have been provided and opportunities for service made manifest. I was not surprised when the names provided were my own husband and children, but other names have been provided as well. I’m printing this quote out and taping it onto my bathroom mirror, it’s just that good.

“How many spiritual experiences have we missed because we ran to tell instead of lingering and waiting on the Lord?” – Paraphrasing Camille Fronk Olson.

Eric Huntsman and Camille Fronk Olson co-taught a class on women disciples where they felt that the reason Mary Magdalene was privileged enough to be the first person to see the Lord in His resurrected form is clearly recorded in the gospel of John: she lingered. Since hearing these words I have tried to linger longer when I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence. This Sunday I made a point to find the mothers of children who had born their testimonies in Primary and tell them word for word what their child said. We stood and hugged, with tears stinging as we marveled at the faith of children. If I had hurried home (as I normally do after church) I would have missed these sweet moments with my friends.

“The best ways to preserve traditional marriage and families is to participate in them.” 

This was a summary thought I had after listening to Stacey Edgington and Ann Takasaki’s class entitled Defending, Preserving and Protecting Traditional Marriage. Stacey Edgington taught, “There are absolute truths. It is important to create an environment where eternal truths can be taught. We need to 1. understand the doctrines of God  2. teach them to our children 3. be examples of discipleship by living and teaching truths to our posterity…. How we live will preserve the sanctity of marriage.” When the Women’s Conference transcripts come out, this will be the first talk I re-read. Another great quote they shared in the class was from Spencer W. Kimball, “Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.” I was impressed by the strength and tenderness of these women and the compassion they showed while still standing firm in the defense of traditional marriage. This class stood out from the pack as a must read from Women’s Conference.

“Be brilliant in the basics.” – Julie B. Beck 

Stacey Edgington quoted Julie B. Beck in the Protecting Traditional Marriage class as a method for preserving family life. What are the basics? Personal and family prayer, consistent Family Home Evening and scripture study, tenderness, work, eating meals together. When I got back home from Conference I felt re energized in my commitment to live the basics. In lieu of the large family calendar that used to loom over me in my office daily, I have transferred all of our appointments to my phone and compiled a small checklist that lives in my kitchen.  My Monday through Sunday wipe board is where I tally check marks when I complete “the basics.” This way I can prioritize what is truly important and let work assignments, piano lessons, and book club meetings get the second tier level of importance they deserve.

“Elaine, You cannot live your life in Gethsemane, Jesus was already there. You must find yourself in another garden.” – Elaine S. Marshall quoting her mother

Due to the fall of Adam, all of us will find ourselves confronted by the ugliness of mortality. The longer I live the more I am convinced that this “rock bottom” moment is part of the plan.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I believe that mortality forces us to choose Jesus Christ (or some form of God) or to arrogantly choose a path that ultimately leads to spiritual death. I recently found myself in the Garden of Gethsemane fighting a crippling battle with anxiety. The racing thoughts, panic attacks and my self defeating beliefs took me to a very dark place. A friend felt prompted to send me her testimony of the power of Christ’s atonement and what equated to the first two steps in the 12 step program for addicts and co-dependents as used by our church. Using her prescribed method and humbly recognizing that I was fallen and that Jesus Christ was and is the “way, the truth and the life”out of my hell I began to pray in such a way that light and healing began to pour into my heart and mind. I had found my way into another garden through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

“Charity is the pure love of Christ.” – Moroni 7:47

Kevin J. Worthen turned my life upside down when he shed a new perspective on this well known scripture. I have always thought this verse of scripture as a description of Christ’s love for us. His perfect love is what we aspire to have when interacting with our brothers and sisters here on earth. But in a simple story that Brother Worthen shared about a time when he was annoyed with an ill performing co-worker that turned into a teaching moment, Kevin Worthen found that choosing to love God (that first great commandment) quickly led his heart to loving his brother as himself (the second great commandment.) Brother Worthen taught me that when I struggle to love another, try loving God is a path to charity. With that in mind, let’s read Moroni 7:47 again “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” Doesn’t Kevin Worthen’s take on this scripture make charity so much more achievable? What a lovely thought!

Two other themes that I saw throughout the entire Conference were understanding the doctrines of the Priesthood and feeling joy despite hardship. I recommend the broadcasts and written transcripts to you as edifying and worthwhile material for study and learning. We will be linking to these talks in the near future to make it easy for you to find and enjoy.

Let me just leave you with the scripture theme for the 2013 Women’s Conference at BYU:

Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice: for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end. D&C 100:12

The post Notable Quotables from the 2013 Women’s Conference at BYU appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Michelle

While I was at the school soccer game yesterday, watching my two oldest play, my youngest called.”Mom, when you get home, check your email. I sent you a message.”

She sat next to me with her head on my shoulder as I opened my email and read her short-and-sweet message.

I thought you would like to share this on your site.

She was right.

p.s. Later I discovered that this was produced in a collaborative, non-denominational effort by several faith groups to celebrate motherhood and family. Many thanks to those who made this beautiful video.

The post To Every Mother: A non-denominational Mother’s Day video appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Sister Peggy Worthen gave a powerful talk in BYU Women’s Conference to parents who have children who wander or struggle. She infused her thoughts with the tender feelings that have come from personal experience. Her focus was on the parable of the Prodigal Son, reflecting on what the mother of the prodigal might have felt and done.

The following talks/articles were referenced in her talk and could have some insight for any who have loved ones who are struggling.

“Your lives, your friendships, your marriages, your families, your neighbors and coworkers currently constitute the sample of humanity which God has given you. We are each other’s clinical material, and we make a mistake when we disregard that sober fact. No wonder, therefore, we feel stress at times.”
-Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Jesus, the Perfect Mentor

Lost and Found: Pondering the Parable of the Prodigal Son by Robert L. Millet

The Other Prodigal by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Covenant Marriage (he also reflects on covenant parenting) by Bruce C. Hafen

Her husband, Kevin J. Worthen followed up with a talk about the reality and doctrine of God’s perfect love for all of us.

There may be times when we want to go Home to God for a day to rest. Elder Worthen See the story of a mother found in this talk:http://bit.ly/ZqByWb

And also shared the story of Jonathon Napela, which can be found in this article.

The post When Loved Ones Wander or We Are Each Other’s Clinical Material appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.