We searched the scriptures and the teachings of prophets for answers. She took me at my word and brought one thorny question after another. I told her, "Bring your scriptures and every question you have.
And she and I began to meet for gospel study sessions. She had a great bishop and an off-the-charts Relief Society president, both of whom worked with her. "Are you willing to work for it?" Again, "Yes."Īnd she was. I asked, "Do you want a testimony?" "Yes," she said. What if my family isn't going to be together forever?" Through sobs she blurted, "I'm not sure I believe the Church is true anymore, and I'm scared. How, then, do we strengthen our faith so that we can defend the faith?įour years ago, a marvelous young woman who had just graduated with honors from BYU called me, distraught. Make no mistake about it: You are here now because in the beginning our Father chose you to be here now. God has reserved spirits for this dispensation who have the courage and determination to face the world and all the powers of the evil one.and build up the Zion of our God fearless of all consequences." has required apparently the most valiant men and women to come forth. Cannon taught that "because of the.magnitude of the work to be accomplished. You and I are "the weak and the simple," but we are not here now by accident or without the Lord's endorsement. But the world's condition today is no surprise to the Lord, who told the Prophet Joseph that we are living in the "eleventh hour," that this is the last time He will call laborers into His vineyard, and that His vineyard has become "corrupted." But the Lord also declared that in the midst of all this moral and spiritual chaos, the fullness of His gospel would be "proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world." And He promised that if we would open our mouths, they would be filled.
Our society seems determined to set aside any semblance of faith or right and wrong. We can defend the faith only if we have faith. But we cannot stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ unless we can bear witness of Him. We can express a hope, a wish, or a belief. We can't testify of a wish or a hope or even a belief. We can only bear witness of what we know. She finally said, "That is beautiful." That day I experienced the sublime beauty of standing as a witness and bearing witness of truth.Ĭonsider the miracle of it! Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know what is true with enough surety to testify of truth. And that I have experienced the Savior's healing, enabling power again and again.Īt that point, the Spirit flooded the room and we were both in tears. That every good thing that has ever happened to me has come because of my membership in His Church. I told her that Jesus Christ hasn't just made a difference in my life, He has made all the difference. She basically opened the door for me to testify. Her demeanor softened, and then she asked how the gospel affects me personally. And one of those promises is that He will give us greater access to His power."Īs I spoke, the Spirit filled the room and disarmed her. We believe that when we make promises to God to follow His Son, He in turn makes promises to us.
But if you're asking if I believe I have greater access to God's power than you do, the answer is yes! That is one of the blessings of joining this Church. I'm not saying that He is more likely to bless me than you.
"I am not saying the Lord loves me more than He loves you or that I'm better than you. "Now, do not misunderstand what I'm saying," I quickly added. But I couldn't bring myself to sell our doctrine or our privileges as women short. What a loaded question! My brain began to spin in search of a truthful but politically correct answer. She paused and then asked: "Are you saying that you believe you have more access to God's power than I do?"
ANSWERING DOCTRINAL HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL QUESTIONS HOW TO
And I explained that my focus had long been on learning how to gain full access to that power. She'd done her homework and asked good questions, though one of them was predictable: "How do you feel about not being eligible for priesthood ordination?" I outlined the extensive leadership opportunities women have in the Church and then explained that, as a woman endowed with power in the temple, I had complete access to God's power-or priesthood power-for my own life. She was intrigued that a female was leading a Church-owned media company and asked me for an interview. I invite you to invite the Holy Ghost to speak to you so that you hear what you need to hear.Ī couple of years ago a reporter from an international broadcasting network visited Salt Lake City researching a story on women in the Church. Now, we are not here today to listen to me speak. They are dear friends and remarkable exemplars. It is a privilege to be here-especially with President and Sister Gilbert.
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