I’m realizing more and more just how profitable it is to search the scriptures, learn from them, then teach the beautiful doctrine that is in them. First, there is no way we can remember everything that is in those pages, so they must be read over and over again, and Second, as we confront all the many experiences life brings, those pages will speak to us anew. Finally, we owe it to one another, as sisters in this Society, to bolster one another from the words of our Lord, and Savior, and the Holy Ghost, not just from personal opinion.

In the blog world, there is a segment of women who are dissatisfied with the gospel. Many of them feel the gospel (and Church), excludes women; therefore, there is no place for them here. The world would have us believe it’s time to rear our heads and stand our ground of equal time and importance.

The Brethren admit that women deserve more real time, as opposed to pedestal time, and they are working toward doing just that. It’s okay to provoke the Brethren to good works (according to Joseph Smith), but our focus should not be about equal time, as the world sees it. It should be about securing our salvation. Unfortunately, the world inches into our lives ever more, ever more.

Sis. Beck, and her counselors, have spoken frequently on the worth of women, their strength in the past, and their important purpose in the future. Through personal revelation, women have the responsibility to “know for themselves” their place in the kingdom of God. Indeed, each of us has a place waiting for us.

Recently, Sis. Allred addressed this in a Sacrament Meeting. After hearing her words, I went home, searched and pondered the scriptures for myself, and now would like to share with you my thoughts.

In Mosiah, Chapter 4, King Benjamin has just finished his speech and the multitude has fallen to the earth because they realize just how human they are, and full of sin. They feel the absolute need for the atoning blood of Christ in their lives to return back to their Father’s presence, and having faith, they beg for it. Within a sentence, they feel the Spirit come upon them and they are filled with joy at the knowledge that they have been cleansed.

Further in the chapter, in verse 11, these steps are spelled out in more detail: 1) We know of His goodness when we taste of His love. 2) We need to remember that. 3) We are unworthy creatures, still loved by Him — We need to be humble of that incredible and undying fact. 4) We need to call on Him daily. He loves us, He wants to help us, but He does require that we turn to Him first 5) Because it is our faith in His Son that must be proved –never His love for us.

Verse 12 tells us just how worth it these simple steps are to do:

And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

Now, let’s turn to 1 Kings, Chapter 17. Elijah was hiding from King Ahab. The Lord was directing him to places of safety. There were many widows around, but apparently God knew of a widow in Zarephath that was faithful enough to take Elijah in.

This poor woman was found collecting sticks to bake the last of her flour and oil into a biscuit for her and her son. Then they were prepared to await death by starvation. Elijah comes along and asks her to make the biscuit for him, then they could have what was left. He tells her upfront that the Lord will fill her barrel and cruse and she goes and does his bidding.

This woman was a widow, so we know she hasn’t had it easy. Perhaps she has already proven her faith many times before. She and her son must have been rationing their food already, so she was probably hungry. Everyone was suffering in the draught. She may not have understood everything that was happening, she may have wondered how it would all work out. She may have even hesitated for a bit. But she did what she was asked. If there was any complaining, it didn’t stay long. Perhaps she didn’t complain at all.

But it’s not over yet. After this act of faith, she is again tested when her son falls ill and dies. Why would the Lord put her through this all over again? This is an example of remembering, even, and especially, through the hard times. This widow had faith, and she proved it again when she testifies to Elijah.

If you look at the footnote of verse 18, it cross references to Job 13, where Job is testifying of his own faith in God. This woman was faithful even to the end.

Are we this faithful? Or do we complain blindly? Do we expect to understand everything and lose faith when we don’t? Can our Heavenly Father trust us as He has asked us to trust Him? Are we humble enough to be reminded over and over again? Do we really know that God loves us? Is our faith steadfast enough to prove ourselves trustworthy? Isn’t that what we committed to do before we came down here?