This is Part 2 of Our Powerful Destiny from a Voice from 1946. You can find Part 1 here.

This post continues with an article written by Leah Widtsoe, for The Relief Society Magazine, back in 1946. When I read it, I was amazed how she nailed so many things. She writes frankly, and her warnings are still valid for our day.

When the priesthood was restored, it was bestowed on all the righteous male members of the Church, but the blessings accruing therefrom are for the benefit of all Church members, men, women, and children. This is a wise provision, for as the mothers of men, potential or actual, women have a calling, which is so time-and-energy consuming that added duties would be burdensome. In one of the Prophet’s instructive discourses to the sisters, “he spoke of delivering the keys of the Priesthood to the Church, and said that the faithful members of the Relief Society should receive them in connection with their husband, that the Saints whose integrity has been tried and proved faithful, might know how to ask the Lord and receive an answer” (D.H.C. Vol IV, page 604). The sisters should accept this as a challenge to be wise and circumspect, and truly in harmony with God’s laws and ordinances, or they may lose this precious gift.

She is quoting what he told the sisters in one of the early meetings of Relief Society. So, what is this challenge she gives her readers? In my experience, the temple teaches us, repeatedly, about our connection with the priesthood through our husbands.

There are more women without husbands in our time than in her’s, or Joseph’s, so understanding that the priesthood is the power of God becomes necessary to understand what she is challenging us.

At another time the Prophet stated to the sisters: “I now turn the key in your behalf, in the name of the Lord, and this society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth.” This glorious promise is for us today, as well as for the women of the past, and should stimulate every woman in this Church to participate in the activities of Relief Society.

This glorious promise applies to our day as well. The turning of the key of knowledge and power to this society gives us all the power we need in order to apply our faith in Jesus Christ, save souls, and give aid to the poor.

The Present Speaks

That the women of the Church have profited and do appreciate these blessings is proven by the continual growth of the Society. From the original eighteen members at the organization meeting, it has grown to a membership of over 102,000, with active groups in most of the civilized countries of the world today. The program includes the provision for the mental and spiritual growth of the members, as well as for the care of the poor or ill or needy in any way. The promise of the Founder is being fulfilled! But growth and Church membership demand progress.

Today, our Society has grown to 7.1 million in 188 countries and territories. What is she suggesting by saying our growth demands our progress? It makes me think of Spencer W. Kimball’s quote of our being distinct and different from the world.

What of the Future?

And now to us all today comes the challenge of the Future! What may we, the members of Relief Society do to help heal our sick and war-torn world? How it needs the administrations of the Great Physician, the Father of us all!

I often wonder whether the women of the world and especially of this Church, really understand the great power that they possess. If every mother were to impress upon her young and growing child that to love is so much more fun than to hate, that men are essentially good and are intended to love righteousness and that everyone’s difficulty may be settled by finding out what is right and then doing it—if that could be done, then wars would be impossible. The mother has this definite responsibility because through nature it is she who gives birth to and nurtures the child most closely during his early formative years when his character for his entire future life is being formed.

I can’t help but wonder, are we spending too much time questioning the gospel, getting too caught up in worldly activities, and forgetting our responsibilities to nurture our children in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Watch for Part 3 which will complete this article. She continues to bring up important points worth considering in our day, including the “greatest job on earth.”