Sisters, we have been told over and over again our responsibilities in this church and there are still those who doubt, and argue, and demand more. Are we magnifying the priesthood as women? This is our most important responsibility. I quote from Gordon B. Hinckley’s talk this week (Priesthood session, April 1989),
“Each of us is responsible for the welfare and the growth and development of others. We do not live only unto ourselves. If we are to magnify our callings, we cannot live only unto ourselves. As we serve with diligence, as we teach with faith and testimony, as we lift and strengthen and build convictions of righteousness in those whose lives we touch, we magnify our priesthood.”
Yes, priesthood. While men hold the keys and authority of the priesthood, women receive power because of the priesthood. And only with that power can we succeed in our spiritual responsibilities.
I love this quote from Zina D. H. Young (3rd Relief Society General President) and have used it often as I speak to women about our Relief Society organizational responsibilities.
“Sisters, it is for us to be wide awake to our duties. The kingdom will roll on, and we have nothing to fear but our own imperfections. May God bless you and endow you with energy and determination to act.” (Zina D. Young, Special Meeting of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association of the First Ward, held in the Schoolhouse, Sept 26th, 1877, as reported in the Women’s Exponent)
As members of our Relief Society organization, we have been called to save our families by teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have also been called to save one another by building one another up, helping and serve one another, and upholding the gospel of Jesus Christ in which we all share.
Mary Isabella Horne was serving as the Stake Relief Society president of the Salt Lake Stake when Brigham Young called her to preside over the new Retrenchment Association, he wanted to organize. She served in both capacities at the same time for years. Retrenchment for the women was designed to help women prioritize their spiritual natures. This is another quote I’ve used often:
“We feel truly thankful that through the blessing of our Heavenly Father, we, His handmaidens are called to be co-laborers with our brethren in building up the kingdom of God upon the earth, in assisting to build temples, wherein we can receive blessings for time and eternity. In all the ordinances received in the house of the Lord, woman stands beside the man, both for the living and the dead, showing that the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. Then what manner of women should we be? Faithful in performing all the duties devolving upon us as daughters of God. God bless you, sisters! and give you strength to do all your heart’s desire to do in righteousness.” (Mary Isabella Horne, President of the Retrenchment Assoc., 1877)
We are meant to be co-laborers with the men in this church so that the priesthood can be used to its fullest. Priesthood isn’t meant to divide men and women. It’s actually meant to unite us by using our innate and God-given abilities to further the work of Jesus Christ. Used together, our power is magnificently magnified.
Another great quote by a great woman, Belle Spafford (9th Relief Society General President).
“The spirit of the gospel will always exist within this Society in direct ratio to the strength of the testimonies of the women who make up its membership. A knowledge of the gospel, obedience to its teachings, a willingness to keep the commandments of God on the part of Relief Society women are prerequisites to their well-being as individuals and to the well-being of Relief Society as an organization.” (Belle Spafford, “The Spirit of the Gospel, The Soul of Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, March 1949).
When we magnify the power of Jesus Christ (the priesthood!) in our lives, we will be the most useful in His kingdom.