I am inspired when I read J. Richard Clarke’s talk, “To Honor the Priesthood,” in the Priesthood session of the April 1991 conference. There is always something for women to learn from priesthood meetings and I learned something from this talk.

At the beginning of the year a boy turns 12, they are enfolded into a quorum of the priesthood. They belong to it and they are taught all the ways to honor it. This is not so much the case for girls and women, interestingly enough.

Bishop Clarke tells several stories of how young boys are taught to:

• Live righteously to merit the power of the priesthood.
• Aggressively search out opportunities for quorum service.

Girls and women don’t receive that same kind of teaching. Yes, we talk about service, but when it comes down to it, service typically, only comes in the form of bringing in meals.

Charity is a woman’s calling card and it would serve us well to find more constant and creative ways to offer this kind of service. Serving one another in our Young Women’s and Relief Society organizations will create that “quorum” feel.

Men are constantly being reminded to maintain a high standard of moral decency. We have to recognize that this is a real struggle for our boys and men. Honoring the priesthood by staying pure is something young women can help with. And certainly, young women have their own struggles with purity. Pres. Nelson has spoken often about how important it is to be pure in a wicked world. Purity will keep our focus on Christ and allow us to receive precious personal revelation that keeps us pure and safe.

Another thing I think about when reading talks from the priesthood sessions is that women are being challenged regularly to study the priesthood. Memorize the Oath and Covenant of the priesthood and participate in the gathering of Israel. We are all in the business of saving souls. And the best way to save someone is to serve someone.

Women can honor the priesthood through our service and acts of charity. We can live pure lives to prepare and stay worthy to enter the temple. And we are called to participate in the final gathering. There is no greater work to be done right now.