What President Nelson told women about spiritual strength and influence

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Written by Sidney Walker, church news

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quantified the “life-refining influence of God’s covenant women” in a Relief Society broadcast worldwide in March. Said it is impossible.

“Sisters, never underestimate the extraordinary power within you to positively influence others. …If the world loses the moral righteousness of women, it will never recover.” he declared.

In a message titled “Women’s Influence,” President Nelson, a world-renowned cardiac surgeon who served as an Apostle for 34 years before being set apart as the 17th President of the Church in January 2018, said: He named two people who influenced him. than anyone else.

“I love my brothers and I cherish the privilege of working with them. But the two people on this planet who have influenced me the most are the 10 people who passed away suddenly at the age of 78. My wife Danzel, the mother of my children, and my wonderful wife of the past 18 years, Wendy.

“They changed my life,” he said. “They have enriched my life.”

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President Nelson explained that women who have made covenants with God have the ability to receive the Spirit and a “strengthened moral compass” that gives them the ability to receive personal revelation and discern truth.

“Sisters, we need your voices teaching the doctrine of Christ. As women, we need the ability to see through deception and reveal truth. We need your inspired wisdom in our wards, stake councils, and other places of influence around the world. Your families, your church, and the world need you.”

As a prophet and President of the Church, President Nelson has repeatedly expressed respect for women, taught about their spiritual strength and influence, and encouraged them to live worthy of their divine privilege. .

Below, let’s look back at some of his messages aimed specifically at women.

“Helping Scattered Israel Unite to Shape the Future”

In his second general conference as President of the Church, President Nelson exhorted women: [his] Pray to understand their spiritual gifts, and “to cultivate, utilize, and expand them even more than ever before.”

“In doing so, you will change the world,” he said in his talk, “Sister Participation in Israel’s Gatherings,” delivered during the General Women’s Session in October 2018.

President Nelson expressed a “prophetic appeal” to the women of the Church to “help gather scattered Israel and shape its future.” He encouraged them to take a 10-day fast from social media, read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, attend the temple regularly and participate fully in Relief Society.

She also provided background on two major announcements from last general conference, ministering and priesthood quorum reorganization, and how women “were key to each.” explained.

“The desire to serve is inherent in righteous women,” she said, adding, “When you see a visiting sister in need, you respond immediately and then You have been available throughout the month, so how you visited our teachings has inspired an upward shift in our ministering.”

Additionally, as Church leaders struggle with how to help the men of the Church more effectively fulfill their responsibilities, “we have carefully considered the example of Relief Society,” President Nelson said. Ta.

Relief Society brings together women of all ages and stages of life. “Each decade of your life brings its own unique challenges, yet you were there week after week in fellowship, growing together, teaching the gospel together, and making real change in the world.

“Now, following your example, Melchizedek Priesthood holders are members of the elders quorum,” he said. With a wide range of ages and church experiences, these brothers are now able to build stronger fraternal bonds, learn together, and bless others more effectively. ”

President Nelson concluded: “Dear sisters, we need you. We need your strength, your conversion, your faith, your leadership, your wisdom, and your voice. Masu.”

Understand that you have the power of God

One year later, in the October 2019 General Women’s Conference, just three days after announcing a historic policy change allowing women, youth, and children to serve as witnesses in sealing and baptism ordinances, President Nelson Taught women about the power of the priesthood, the covenants, and the holy temple.

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In a talk titled “Spiritual Treasures,” he said, “Heaven is just as open to women who are endowed with the power of God flowing from priesthood covenants as it is to men who hold the priesthood.” ” he said.

“I pray that the truth will be written into the hearts of each of you, because I believe that the truth will change your life. Sisters, I pray that you will have the power of the Savior to help your families and loved ones. You have the right to use it liberally.”

President Nelson asked the women to prayerfully study Doctrine and Covenants 25 and all the truths they could find about the power of the priesthood.

“As your understanding increases and you exercise faith in the Lord and the power of his priesthood, your ability to utilize this spiritual treasure that the Lord has given you will increase,” he promised. “As you do so, you will be sealed in the Lord’s temple and be part of an eternal family filled with love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”

President Nelson warned that the enemy will always devise obstacles to prevent women from understanding the spiritual gifts they have been blessed with and can be blessed with.

“Unfortunately, some failures can be the result of other people’s wrongdoing,” he says. “Some of you have felt marginalized, disbelieved by priesthood leaders, abused or betrayed by husbands, fathers, or people you thought were friends. I am deeply saddened that some of you have felt left out, disrespected, or misjudged. Crime has no place in the kingdom of God.”

Conversely, President Nelson said he is excited to learn of priesthood leaders who are eager to include women in ward and stake councils. “I am inspired by each husband who demonstrates that his most important priesthood responsibility is to care for his wife. I admire men who treat their wives as equal partners.”

Women have been blessed with a unique moral compass since the beginning, she said. “Dear sisters, your ability to discern truth from error and to be the guardians of society’s morals is of great importance in these latter days.”

President Nelson concluded by blessing him, “that you may understand the power of the priesthood that is vested in you, and that you may strengthen it by exercising faith in the Lord and in his power.” .

“You are the women he foresaw.”

During the April 2022 General Women’s Session, Church leaders shared a video on the role of women featuring words from President Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church, and President Nelson. The video, released in May 2021, is titled “You Are the Women He Foresaw.”

President Kimball’s words, read aloud by Sister Camilla Kimball while hospitalized during General Conference in October 1979, were clear: Much of the great growth that will come to the Church in the last days will come from the efforts of many good women throughout the world, will be drawn to the church.

“The day President Kimball foresaw is today. You are the women he foresaw,” President Nelson, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said in the video. His comments come from the October 2015 general conference talk “A Desire to Our Sisters.”

“Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous life will draw unprecedented numbers of good women and their families from all over the world to the Church.”

President Nelson said the kingdom of God is not and cannot be completed without women who can make and keep covenants and speak with the power and authority of God.

He continued: “Dear sisters, whatever your mission, whatever your situation, we need you.

Impressions, insights and inspiration. …Whether married or single, you sisters have unique abilities and special intuition that you have received as a gift from God. We brothers cannot imitate your unique influence. …

“Dear sisters, I thank you and bless you to reach your full stature and fulfill the measure of your creation as we walk arm in arm in this sacred work. Together, we will help prepare the world for the Lord’s Second Coming.”

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