Sister Beck is a woman of power, a fabulous, fearless leader. I love her. I feel her calling to us as women to also be women of power and fearless leaders as well, by increasing our faith, strengthening home and family, and being of service in providing relief. I hear her reminding us of the power in personal revelation as well, inviting us to live our lives so as to be connected to heaven every day, every hour. I also feel it's essential for us to trust in the worth of women in God's plan, to know who we are. It's clear Sister Beck doesn't doubt one bit our worth before God. We need to not doubt. (That quote from Eliza R. Snow was awesome.)
Again, we are reminded of similar themes taught a couple of years ago when she gave her "Mothers Who Know" talk and when Elder Oaks talked of "Good, Better, Best" -- the need to prioritize, to actively resist distraction and the dilution of our roles as nurturers.
I am moved by the reminder of the power of personal revelation in our lives. Pres. Packer talked this morning of men living beneath their privileges in the priesthood. I can't help but feel that we as women often live beneath our privileges by not doing what it takes to really have the power of personal revelation in our lives. I know I do, anyway.
I loved what she said about how the power of revelation can be a constant source in our lives that makes it "possible to feel bathed in help even in turbulent times."
Speaking of Pres. Packer, it was awesome to listen to Sister Beck talk right after Pres. Packer's talk on the power of the priesthood. There is also power in womanhood!
There is power in the sisterhood of Relief Society. Being a faithful member of of Relief Society we can "be trusted and relied upon to make a significant contribution to the Church." I think it's important to realize, again thinking of Pres. Packer's talk, that our contribution is different from that of men. We don't hold priesthood office. But our power and influence is REAL.
There is power in Relief Society. I loved how she talked about the "combined spiritual power of all the sisters." The thought that I had is that as we each seek to tap into the power Sister Beck has talked about in being in tune with God and living up to the mission of Relief Society, we contribute to that combined power. Sister Beck taught that through Relief Society, "sisters can receive answers to their questions." As we catch and live the spirit of the Relief Society, we can be instruments to "lift...women up and out of a troubled world and into a way of living that prepares them for the blessings of eternal life." Relief Society can help us be "strong and immovable."
I think we are being reminded in this Conference about the "way of living" -- centered on Christ, Christ-centered living, and faithful family life -- that can point us toward our eternal goals.
In addition to the things listed above, Sister Beck reminded us that nurturing is also a source of power. I have felt that in my life. Listening to Sister Beck talk renews my desire to turn my heart to my children and to others to try to develop more of that gift of nurturing that God is telling us repeatedly through His leaders matters so much.
I love the reminder that our success and our worth is not measured by "outward credit or praise." I think that ties into us seeking a sense of worth in the Church, too. Again, as important and sacred as the priesthood is, priesthood office and position is not a requirement to have worth, power, and influence in God's work. I think it's essential for us as women to know that in our hearts, through the Spirit, in order to be women of power.
As Sister Snow remarked, we need to "not...as the world judges.....We know the Lord has laid high responsibility on us [as women]." We need to know that! Sister Beck reminded us that, "In a world where the measures of success are often distorted, it is important to seek appreciation and affirmation from proper sources.... Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly." We can feel and know of our worth and success through the power of the Spirit and through honest self-assessment with God's help and through doing all we can do to be righteous women...as we give our heart to trying to be the women God needs us to be and live so as to have the Spirit with us.
There is power in truth. I am grateful for Sister Beck and how she reminds us often of truths that can free us to be the women God needs us to be. There is power in her teachings.
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4 comments:
I loved what she said about seeking affirmation from the proper sources. This was a great reminder to me.
Also, because of this, it suggests that we need to be prepared to give affirmation and approval to others when they do what is right. We need to rejoice with them and cheer for them.
Another thing that was suggested to me by this is that it means that we will find ourselves increasingly subjected to opposing voices of judgment--ones from the world that disapprove of the good we do and ones from the church that do approve of the good we do. The ones from the world will be loudest of course, unless we can find ways of minimizing our exposure to those voices.
I missed Sister Beck's talk, but I look forward to listening to it tomorrow (I listen to conference talks while I get ready in the morning).
On a different topic, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blogging and comments. I especially appreciate your comments on FMH. You have an enthusiastic faith that I can relate to - thanks for being positive, faithful, cordial, and involved.
Angie
Henderson, NV
I loved her talk, too. Especially when she talked about appreciation and basically said, "Of course you're not appreciated enough. Now get over it. Remember that God sees what you do and let that be enough"
Thanks for this post, it echoes so much of how I feel. The gospel is so uplifting and supportive of the very best things - especially for women. In this world where I could easily loose myself trying to meet the worldly qualifications of what a good woman is, I'm thrilled to have specific direction from men and women of God as I chart a sure course.
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