Today's Latter-day Saint Women

21/11/2023

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2022-10-2030-kristin-yee?lang=eng

Sister Yee teaches that we are blessed as we follow the Savior on the healing path of forgiveness.

17/11/2023

https://news.byu.edu/intellect/byu-student-uses-the-gift-of-language-to-bless-others

For first-generation college student Sarah Davila, growing up near the sunny Florida coast consisted of playing on the beach, learning English in school and making traditional Colombian food with her mom. Davila’s parents had moved to the United States a few months before Davila was born, hoping t...

03/11/2023

https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2023/10/30/23939185/hannah-speirs-dancing-usher-texas-rangers-latter-day-saint-down-syndrome

Hannah Speirs is a Latter-day Saint with Down Syndrome who likes to dance while working as an usher at Texas Rangers’ home baseball games.

03/11/2023

https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2023/10/1/23897771/president-emily-belle-freeman-october-2023-general-conference-covenant-relationship-christ

“No matter the heaviness of our story, or the current course of our path, He will invite us to walk with Him,” said Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman.

03/11/2023

https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2023/11/2/23943613/family-services-counseling-mental-health-tools-single-mother-story

Family Services from the Church of Jesus Christ helped a single mother of three gain the tools to help her mental health. Here’s what she said about going to a counselor.

03/08/2022

https://www.thechurchnews.com

How prayer, family support and the words of her patriarchal blessing helped former University of Utah athlete MyKayla Skinner during her unlikely journey to the Olympic medal podium.

01/08/2022

Jenna Carson, a returned missionary and Harvard Divinity School alum, to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force.

19/07/2022

Meet Rachael Startup, a beautiful young woman, and a returned missionary, having served honourably in the Canada-Winnipeg Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It is rare to see her without a smile spread across her face, a twinkle in her eye, and an obvious love and appreciation for friends and family. Life, she realizes, is wonderful.

Yet, there are moments...

Do we not all have our "moments"? For some they may come more frequently than for others, but there they are just the same. Sister Startup shares a little of her story:

"There is opposition in all things which I think includes emotions too.

"The past few weeks have been awesome! I been able to spend so much time with those I love, which is something that means a whole lot to me. ❤️ But the thoughts of feeling lonely and worthless still seem to sneak in.

"Last week those feelings popped up once again, so I prayed that I would have a friend “find” me that day. To my surprise it actually happened. I was in line with my brother to get a snow cone when, in front of me, someone turned around and said 'Is that Rachael?'

"I couldn’t believe it!

"It was one of my very good friends from high school who actually no longer lives anywhere near here, but here she was visiting for the week. What are the odds?!

"Yesterday I had a super great day, with many people I love having crossed my path, but by the time I woke up this morning I had those feelings of loneliness and worthlessness back with me.

"Satan has a way of attacking our happiness.

"So while in Church partaking of the sacrament I prayed that once again I could be 'found'. Literally, right when I walked out of the chapel I was approached by someone who, to my surprise, told me that I was awesome. I was shocked.

"But then it didn’t end there.

"Right after second hour ended someone came up to me telling me that they were thankful for my sharing my story on social media and to please not stop. Like what?!

"So to you wonderful people who made an effort to say those sweet words to me THANK YOU! I have no doubt God trusts and loves you. Thank you for following those promptings. 💕

"Prayers like that don’t always get answered so promptly and so clearly, and I honestly don’t know how it all works but I do know that each and everyone of us is loved by many, especially God. 💕

Though I do sometimes experience depression and have those feelings on occasion, I know I am loved by God, my friends, family, and 'second' families. 😉

"So please know I love you too! 💕"

10/07/2022

“About seven years ago, my husband came to me and told me he had been struggling with his beliefs for years and didn’t want to go to church anymore. He had served a mission, we had been married in the temple, had four children, and I didn’t see this coming at all. I didn’t really know what to do or think.

“We had recently moved from New York City, and I was so grateful for our time there because living in such a diverse environment had taught me that God loves all of us and wants everyone to return to Him, regardless of where we are in our faith. I found myself drawing on this experience as I prayed to know what to do. We both agreed that our family and our relationship was more important than anything. He was still the same person I knew and loved, just in a very different place than I was spiritually. It wasn’t the right choice for us to put a wedge in our marriage because he was struggling with something different than I was.

“Initially, I was nervous about our family and friends and their reactions, but everyone was very supportive, and our community and congregation didn’t treat us any differently or like outcasts. It has been a great example to me of Christlike love. I have come to realize that everyone is dealing with their own personal struggles, and I am grateful that my experience has helped me to grow in my capacity to understand others’ trials and to be able to listen without judgment. One thing is certain: we are here to love. As Christians, we are called to love people where they’re at, without expecting them to change.

“Heavenly Father has blessed us with the wonderful gift of families, where we can practice lifting each other up and making each other feel safe. It’s very important to me that everyone in my home feels loved and valued, regardless of what they believe.

“Finally, something that gives me peace is knowing that my heavenly parents and Savior know me personally and are aware of my needs and desires. They know that I am truly doing my best.” —Hailey

11/06/2022

Megan Sanborn spoke on diminishing selfishness through being a good neighbor.

Megan Sanborn Jones, chair of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, delivered Tuesday’s devotional address. She spoke on diminishing selfishness through being a good neighbor.

11/06/2022

‘[Women] need to realize their purpose and their identity and their destiny because of who they are as daughters of God,’ leader says.

Sister Carol F. McConkie, former First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, has now been serving as vice president of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Geneva for about a year. She shares her insight

02/06/2022

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/how-many-of-these-women-are-familiar-to-you?lang=eng

Women in the Old Testament

31/05/2022

A few weeks ago, I asked my friend Yvette, a refugee from the Congo, what I could teach her and her friends to help them acclimate to their new life in the United States. Yvette said, “Teach us how to cook in America! We do not know how to cook or bake the things our children have come to love.”

28/05/2022

Love to Sing? 2022 Choir Audition Cycle Starts June 1! May 27, 2022 Facebook Twitter E-mail Print If you—or someone you know—has expressed interest in becoming a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, the once-a-year online audition application period opens on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. ...

17/05/2022

The Women In Our Lives
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkUwh1YUMtE

President Gordon B. Hinckley honors the divine gifts possessed by women and testifies of their importance in God’s plan. The entire address is available here...

16/05/2022

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/the-idea-of-mothers-in-zion-made-me-mad-until-i-learned-what-it-meant?lang=eng

As a middle-aged woman with no kids, I have sometimes struggled with the concept that “we are all mothers in Zion.” “No,” I would think to myself. “We are not ALL mothers. Pretending we are doesn’t help.” That changed when I learned for myself what that phrase truly meant.

16/05/2022

FSY helps youth build faith in Jesus Christ and receive their own personal testimony, according to Young Women leaders, who answer other who, what, and why questions youth may have about FSY.

16/05/2022

https://news-sg.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sister-jean-b-bingham-and-sister-bonnie-h-cordon-ministers-to-saints-in-asia

Sister Jean B. Bingham and Sister Bonnie H. Cordon ministers to saints in Asia

14/05/2022

Alfred Makaafi is one of many missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world connecting with their families this Mother's Day.

14/05/2022

Yes, mothers are honored, revered, and made to be saints—perfect even. But are moms perfect? Is that what is expected of us, needed from us? Will we fail in our role if we are anything less? These are questions many mothers, myself included, have struggled with.

14/05/2022

Who can find a virtuous woman? This is an age-old question that can both inspire and intimidate. The saintly sister described in Proverbs 31 is nothing short...

13/05/2022

Primary Children’s Hospital is celebrating its 100th anniversary in Salt Lake City.

12/05/2022

Sister Neill F. Marriott told BYU students to focus on Christ and act on His strength, “for when we are focused on and yoked to the Lord, He becomes the doer of our deeds.”

11/05/2022

https://news-ca.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/from-mother-of-five-to-mom-of-200

“Mom” is a title that fits Lisa Harkness comfortably. She has worn it for 28 years while raising her own five children and is now informally called “mission mom” by more than 200 young missionaries serving in the Canada

05/04/2021

I can't stop smiling! What a glorious spiritual feast we enjoyed this Easter weekend. So many personal prayers and questions were answered.

I should have expected it with the way the week began – we as general presidencies met over fifty new sisters who have been called to serve as international Area Organization Advisers – a brand new calling in the Church.

It was truly a historic day!
Sitting in my chair, watching each cherished face appear on screen as we gathered for a worldwide meeting – from Japan to Johannesburg, from Spain to Sao Paulo, and me right here in the United States – I couldn’t help but think back to the very first Relief Society meeting held by Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow, and their small group of faithful sisters. Look how far we’ve come!

These women of God will be part of an effort to better support the members of the Church in their region. As general officers, we’ll meet with them regularly to provide training and resources as they support stake Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society leaders in their area. I believe that we will soon recognize these area advisors as a vital voice for women, young women, and children at all levels. They are part of the Lord’s work of gathering Israel!

Maybe last year felt like the world held still.
Maybe it has seemed like were stuck in place.
But not in the work of the Lord.
His work continues to roll forward!

Sisters, I hope you know you are needed.
You are wanted.
And now more than ever, you are called!

30/03/2021

A young adult shares how studying Christian traditions has made Easter more meaningful.

29/03/2021

I’ve always loved Easter. As a child in a scratchy lace dress and too tight shoes skipping along the path from my house to the chicken coop, I would coax the mama chickens aside to gather a few eggs for dyeing in beautiful arrays of colors and patterns.

As a teenager, I came to the realization that Easter was a time to remember Him, to think not just of the reality that he died for me but that he LIVED for me. He didn’t merely give his life; He gave His love—that was the ultimate gift He could give us.

Later in life, I found myself as a busy mother trying to hear Him so that I could feel and know without even seeing His face, just as Mary did when she witnessed that HE LIVES!

He does live.

He knows me in my moments, and I want to know Him.

Yes, I still love Easter Sunday, but I marvel that He too had a journey before that first Easter morning. on Palm Sunday, let us join together with President Russell M. Nelson to make this week a special and sacred week by truly remembering Him.

Join us in watching this video from President Nelson, which you can see by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3flyKuj. I look forward to celebrating a special Easter with you next Sunday at general conference.

Artwork used with permission from the artist, Mark Mabry.

23/03/2021

The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences began an initiative this month to connect female students with the resources they need to be successful in life after graduation.

23/03/2021

On the east facing wall of my home office hangs a vibrant painting. The colors are rich and striking, but it’s the image of four women of different ethnicities that warms my heart. With arms intertwined, they appear to be dancing, the long lines of their dresses flowing into each other. I was plea...

05/03/2021

Have you ever tried to explain your job to someone? People ask me all the time, “What exactly do you do?” The truth is, I had no idea what a General Officer did until I became one. You may not know that General Presidencies are typically called to serve for five years; it’s a full time calling. In addition to representing our specific organizations, we also participate in committees and councils that focus on other Church efforts. We get to have a voice in all aspects of Church leadership, and I love getting to see it first hand. Over the next week, I’ll be sharing with you a glimpse of what we do day-to-day. Stay tuned, and be sure to check my Facebook stories today!