What does it take to be a great and faithful leader in our church?

During this General Conference (April 1984) two great and faithful leaders were released, after years of service, and two new leaders were sustained. Elaine A. Cannon, as Young Women General President served for six years while Barbara B. Smith, as Relief Society General President, served for almost ten years.

As the leader for Young Women, Sis. Cannon expressed her greatest concern that the youth would have strong enough leaders, in church and at home, to raise this next generation.

“We must raise up a generation that is prepared to make wise choices, to stand and to withstand. We must raise up people who will desire to make the holy covenants and keep them and learn the word of God and share it.”

She testified that blessings will come to homes that turn to the scriptures when problems and misunderstandings arise. Her talk was geared for those parents who literally shape the future lives of a covenant generation.

There is a lot of pressure on parents to perform their most important duty. Sis. Smith said,

“The women of the Church have an important work to do. That work requires great strength of character, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a pure heart that will be a light unto the world and a bulwark of righteousness against the darkness that covers the earth with contention and evil.”

Doesn’t that sound like a well-defined purpose for Relief Society?

How grateful we are for righteous leaders. And how important it is to look at their example to become the great and faithful leader we all have inside us. We have all been called to the work. Our homes are where our leadership is most needed and we, together with our husbands, have a great responsibility on our shoulders.

Thank you, Sis. Cannon and Sis. Smith for your faithful service. And thank you to all the other past and present leaders who continue building Zion through their faithfulness.