There is a deeper understanding we can gain from the Visiting Teaching message this month. I have broken it up into three parts: Under the Priesthood, After the Pattern of the Priesthood, and Personal Revelation
Personal Revelation
Without sounding boastful, it is understood that women are naturally closer to the Spirit. Our innate ability toward sensitive, insightful, tender emotions lends us to listen more carefully, and more readily. However, when a woman doesn’t nurture these gifts, she can become stone cold.
Neal A. Maxwell, in his beautiful language, says,
“Spiritual submissiveness means community and communion as the mind and the heart become settled. We then spend much less time deciding, and much more time serving; otherwise, the more hesitation, the less inspiration. The more we study, pray, and ponder the awesome Atonement, the more we are willing to acknowledge that we are in [Jesus’] and the Father’s hands. (Neal A. Maxwell, “Willing to Submit,” Ensign, May 1985)
Examples of women seeking spiritual guidance are replete in the scriptures. How did Rebekah know to secure the birthright for Jacob, or insist on whom he should marry? How did Zarephath know it would turn out all right if she gave her last bit of food to the man of God at her doorstep? How did Mary of Magdala know to arrive at the tomb in time to see the Savior? How do we know? The Lord gives revelation to women who pray to him in faith.
Yes, just as these women in the scriptures, we can know for ourselves, and act upon that knowledge, in our role as Relief Society. Our pattern of obedience, honor, and example will strengthen our marriage. Our pattern of love, faith, and devotion will build our family unit. Our pattern of service, care, and testimony will stand as a witness of our sisterhood.
It is through revelation that we know who we are and what is expected of us.
Heber C. Kimball said,
“We all have a Priesthood to honor, which it is impossible for us to do unless we honor ourselves…The Priesthood is also with the woman, because she is connected with the man, and the man is connected with his God. Being so connected, we must all be honorable if we are good.
“The earth is enlightened by the same light which enlightens our eyes, which is the light of Christ, which enlighteneth every son and daughter of Adam and Eve. We have, in addition to this, a holy Priesthood, and have been commanded to go forth and preach the Gospel, and teach the ways of life to all men, and not to be taught by unbelievers. We are also instructed to lead all meetings as we are dictated by the Holy Ghost. The spirit of truth is the spirit of revelation, which we may all possess. We are the sons and daughters of God. God is the great father of our race, and as a man is not perfect without the woman, neither is the woman without the man in the Lord; they depend upon each other, and are necessary to each other for the propagation of our species…We should all be alive in the performance of our duties.” (Men Ought to Practice what they Teach, Heber C. Kimball, Feb 19, 1865, JD 11:80)
We have the right to believe in the truth of these words, and God has promised we can know through our own personal revelation. Heber C. Kimball also said, “We cannot live the religion of Jesus and not pray.” It is through prayer that we can receive all necessary answers, and inspirations, to perform our labors unto eternal life.
James E. Faust laments,
“When I hear of a family breaking up, I question if family home evening and family prayers have been regularly held in that home.” Sisters, sometimes we must insist on these activities in our home, either by provoking our husbands, or assuming our role as president of our home, in the absence of a husband. It takes initiative, and personal revelation, to know what to do, and know how to do it.
“How can our priesthood leaders, already administratively burdened, be helpful to parents in order to help their children? I believe the answer is basic. ‘But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.’ (Luke 22:31-32) There needs to be a converting and a strengthening of parents. This comes about by the teaching, the understanding, and the applying of gospel principles. It is a great challenge to the priesthood leaders to have everyone in our wards, branches, and quorums be strengthened in their understanding of the gospel. (James E. Faust, “Enriching Family Life”, Ensign, May 1983)
There are sisters in every possible life situation, including those who don’t have “family”. These sisters often feel neglected, awkward, and left out in a family-centric Church. By personal revelation, these sisters can know their “place in the plan.” Don’t misinterpret the Church by allowing the world to encourage your discontent. Your place is to prove the character of patience, as well as reaching out to others in motherly service, which is often needed, and always appreciated. You can receive confirmation that the blessings will come.
As Relief Society sisters, we are blessed with the ability to seek and receive revelation to help us help the brethren. Spencer W. Kimball said,
“The Relief Society is the Lord’s organization for women. It complements the priesthood training given to the brethren. There is a power in this organization that has not yet been fully exercised to strengthen the homes of Zion and build the Kingdom of God—nor will it until both the sisters and the priesthood catch the vision of Relief Society.”
He shares an example from the 15th ward in Salt Lake City, which was led by Sarah M. Kimball (that amazing woman who organized the original sewing group in Nauvoo). She involved her sisters in every aspect of industry with innovation, enthusiasm, and occupation that certainly provoked the brethren in her ward to good works. According to records, the bishop of the ward sent his counselor to speak to those sisters, transmitting love and respect for their accomplishments; that the brethren had “no fear of the sisters transcending the bounds of the Priesthood.” Instead, he extended to them his “support and faith.” The counselor expressed hope that the sisters would sustain their officers as faithfully as the bishopric sustained them. (Spencer W. Kimball, “Relief Society—Its Promise and Potential”, Ensign, Mar. 1976).
The preaching of the gospel should be a team effort: men working with women, men working with men, women working with women. We all have been commanded to use our time and our talents for “the cause” of salvation. We should all be thrilled to work with others who desire to magnify their callings.
It is by this magnification that we will develop, line upon line, into perfect beings. If our goal is to bless those lives around us, we must rely on the inspirations of the Lord to help us strengthen our families and bless the lives of our sisters, as we choose activities that will build character and faith in Jesus Christ.
Personal revelation is about using our agency wisely. When we go to the Lord for guidance, He will open up the windows of heaven, giving us knowledge to make a choice whether or not to believe, act, understand, or do His work. A former Young Women’s president says,
“The powers of heaven are available to everyone through righteousness. Mormon teaches that ‘everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ’ (Moro. 7:16). God has given each of us power—the power to act, to choose, to serve, to love, and to accomplish much good. Perhaps it is time to take control of ourselves.” (Janette Hales Beckham, “The Power of Goodness”, Ensign, Nov. 1995).