As you read through our Visiting Teaching message this month, I hope Eliza R. Snow’s quote strikes a chord in every one of us, as sisters in the kingdom:

“If any of the daughters and mothers in Israel are feeling in the least circumscribed [limited] in their present spheres, they will now find ample scope for every power and capability for doing good with which they are most liberally endowed…Pres. Young has turned the key to a wide and extensive sphere of action and usefulness.”

I have come to know this year that women in the Church have always been respected and given power and responsibility. It is the world, and its limiting attitudes, that has pressed upon the men and women of several generations to misguide, misuse, and misrepresent the sphere of womanhood.

Well, sisters, we’re back! We, as women of God, have the power within us to do this magnificent work of the Lord. This work, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of mankind, is a glorious work that unites us as we save souls.

This knowledge alone makes understanding our organization’s history so important; so we don’t get lost ever again.

After studying this great history of our Relief Society, we have learned that our sisters of long ago were strong and capable. They were vital to the  beginnings of this last dispensation. Joseph Smith told those women that women of all dispensations have always actively magnified their callings and brought to pass much good in the work of the Lord.

Second John is written to the women of the Church. Joseph Smith told us that the “Elect Lady” is all of us. We each have a calling to work in the kingdom of God. We are great. We are strong. We have power. And we have the right to call upon the powers of heaven.

So, what does an Elect Lady do?  She raises her children in truth and love. Because we are agents unto the Lord, we have to stop thinking exclusively “our own children” and “our own households”. Most definitely, those of us who are mothers cannot afford to slack off. We must be diligent and valiant in our efforts in raising a righteous generation. But our responsibility, as women in the Church, grows exponentially when we realize that we are carriers of the gospel to the world with our examples, our knowledge, our stand on morality, and our love for all humankind.

Interestingly, this chapter can also be interpreted as speaking to “The Church”, often viewed as the feminine, guarding over her membership—children.  The Church is the walled city that protects, nurtures, and loves those within. As we await the Bridegroom, even Jesus Christ, it is crucial that “she” knows the scriptures in order to teach “her” children the truth that will bring them back to the presence of God.

The epistle closes with verse 13: “The children of thy elect sister greet thee.” As sisters, we must work diligently, so that our children can greet one another in the gospel throughout all generations of time.

We must seek after truth. We must teach with love. We must teach the commandments. We must be the finest examples of righteousness. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). Who is saying this? John? A Mother? The Church? God Himself? All of the above.

Emma Smith said we are going to do Something Extraordinary.

Eliza Snow’s example, as Brigham Young’s confidant, is a clear message that women are important in bringing about the work of the Lord.

Belle Spafford taught us that as daughters of God we have the power of influence. We can quietly go about influencing those around us, by our example, our suggestions to do what is right, and our ability to teach truth with power and love.

Julie Beck reminds us today that we have the ability to seek after personal revelation to guide us, direct us, encourage us, and give us the answers we need to make wise choices. We are not alone. We have direct access to Heavenly Father. He needs us to lead and influence the world.

We have been led by great women. There are great women all around us. We are great. May we all reach our greatest potential by being humble, faithful, and valiant.

For more ideas, see Chapter 4 of Daughters In My Kingdom