I went to an Alex Boye concert the other night and really enjoyed myself. His way of Africanizing a song is moving and great fun to listen to. He also has a way of teaching the importance of touching lives, which he always sets out to do with his singing. Strange, but true, I relate almost everything around me to Relief Society and women. And this concert, for me, was about learning from Lionesses. 

He showed a picture of himself crouched in front of a lion, talking to the audience about overcoming youth angst and having courage. He continued with other descriptive terms such as confidence, security, owning one’s self, standing up, fearing nothing. There were probably others, but this already had my head spinning.

First of all, the lion is my most favorite animal in all the world, and I’m an animal lover extraordinaire. I had a stuffed lion, as a child, and it had a pull string. I still hear his mighty roar, and afterward, him saying, “I’m a friendly lion.” During the Millennium I plan on asking for a lion buddy. I hope my other animal pets will welcome him into the fold.

But seriously, my lion thoughts went almost immediately to Sister Julie B. Beck’s talk about the Lioness at the Gate. As mothers, we need to be watchful, maybe even predatory, in guarding our children. I searched for and reread her talk and relearned some important things that are worth being reminded of.

Personal Revelation

She talked about having personal revelation and using it to protect our families. In another talk she gave, she said, “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important ability that can be acquired in this life” (May 2010).

Rebekah is also mentioned in her talk. I love Rebekah and her example!! We know the story of how, by personal revelation, she understood the importance of making sure the birthright was reversed between her twin boys. Sis. Beck hits home when she says,

“Without a Rebekah, the house of Israel would not have been brought forth. … We each are pivotal in our families, and the success of the house of Israel is now dependent on millions of Rebekah’s who understand what their place and mission is on the earth.”

What Rebekah did was key to the plan of salvation as is what our mission is in our own homes. That is a powerful thought!

Priorities

How do we become modern-day Rebekahs or any of the great women in our scriptures? In her talk, Sis. Beck shares what she has learned about setting priorities. Her list consists of “essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things.” When our priorities are in the right place, we have enough time to do the Lord’s work, our own important work at home, and even enough time to fulfill our own little desires that often take up all of our time. Every year, I set my priorities and struggle all year long to keep them. But I keep trying because hope is still in me.

 Lionesses at the Gate

A faithful woman is a lioness guarding the gate of her home, and things matter to that family because they matter to her. We, as lionesses are the great influencers of the home. Think of those Lamanite mothers. Every single one of them showed their influence and power through their 2060 boys. There was not one mother who was weak. Likely, their Relief Society supported one another in their guardianship. Supporting one another in righteousness is one way we can fulfill our purpose in Relief Society.

Sis. Beck gave a great talk. Go and read it and let personal revelation continue while learning from lionesses.