After hearing Sis. Joy D. Jones’ and Sis. Jean B. Bingham’s talks, I heard, unmistakably, specific challenges for all of us women. We were challenged to take a stand in the cause for Christ and to unify with our brethren. What does that mean? What must we do to meet the challenge?

First of all, I believe RS presidents need to set the vision for her ward sisters. I don’t mean dictate a random vision. I mean to learn what her sisters understand about these challenges, talk it over as a presidency, take a Sunday meeting to discuss it as a sisterhood, and implement it in every lesson, activity, newsletter, discussion, ministering visit, president visit … you get the idea. That vision needs to resonate with each sister and be inspiring enough to motivate that sister to be better at living the gospel of Jesus Christ personally and in her home.

When was the last time you read through the Church Handbook? The Handbook is not just for presidents of organizations. It is for every household to help parents in raising their children. It’s also a manual to help organizations help families follow their Savior better. Read the Relief Society section and find out how we can fulfill the challenges we’ve been given. 

Joy D. Jones

These are the challenges I heard from Sis. Jones:  

• It is our turn to “unitedly follow a prophet’s voice” and live with “steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.”
• We have unique contributions that only we—women—can make, which are vital.
• Righteous women have strength and influence, even tenfold in these latter days.
• Step forward and take your “rightful and needful place in your homes.”
• Our efforts will be counted as we practice and progress along the way.
• Following the example of Joseph Smith, we labor under difficulties, we turn to the scriptures, we develop faith and trust in God, we pray with power, and with power fight against Satan, and we recognize who we are when we focus on His light.
• Daily we seek after and receive revelation through the Holy Ghost.
• Can we “lay aside the things of this world” sisters?
• A personal relationship with the Savior will be the only way to “survive spiritually in a sin-sick world.”
• Listen for truths from our prophet and apostles that can “inspire us to change, improve, and purify our lives.”
• Jesus Christ will tell us His priority for our progression.
• Are we ready to act on the revelation we receive?
• As we become more spiritually minded, we can receive more power and ability to let go of the world and seek for something better.
• And our example will inspire our rising generation.
• Covenants bring priesthood power into our lives and direct access to God.
• It’s time to “boldly declare our devotion to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, with unshaken faith.”
• Let us discover our highest spiritual potential
• And help our fellow sisters do the same.

Jean B. Bingham

Sis. Bingham gave us a different list of challenges. She detailed how the Restoration sheds light on all the narrow thinking of tradition. She challenged us to unite with our brethren. Both fathers and mothers are needed to raise and teach children from the scriptures. Face it, men and women think differently. But the challenge isn’t to overcome those differences, but rather to build upon each of our strengths. We are opposites for a reason. How does that friction make us better people? Additional restoration takes place each time a husband and a wife show they can work together building, training, inspiring, and drawing power from their shared covenant.

Her message was clear:

The most effective way to fulfill our divine potential is to work together, blessed by the power and authority of the priesthood in our differing yet complementary roles.

Today, we need “courage and vision.” We need to “unite forces with [our] brethren to bring souls unto Christ” so men and women can become full partners in the cause for Christ. How can our Relief Society organization help us do this? How can we rally together, uplift one another, and rise to our divine potential?