As the world’s expectations for women change with the seasons, nothing is as empowering as Heavenly Father’s plan for his daughters.
The modern world has opened up exciting opportunities for women. But with these opportunities, we often feel increased pressure. When we want to look beautiful, the world says, “Look perfect.” When we want to be strong, the world says, “Forsake men.” When we want to be mothers, the world says, “Build your career.” So what is God’s plan for his capable daughters?
To help us understand what we are capable of, President Russell M. Nelson addressed the women of the Church in a talk entitled “A Plea to My Sisters.” In it, he relates why women are “vital associates” in furthering God’s work on earth. He champions women who have leadership skills, saying that the Church needs “women who can speak with the power and authority of God!”
One of the gifts Heavenly Father has given to women is the ability to “make important things happen.” God has always raised up righteous women to further his work. One such woman was Esther, whose mighty courage saved her people in biblical times. Another is Sister Linda K. Burton, who introduced the “I Was a Stranger” initiative and spearheaded a service campaign that has influenced countless lives.
As we listen to the Spirit and humbly raise our voices, we can speak with the authority of God. He wants us to listen to the “special intuition” he provided us with as daughters, sisters, friends, aunts, wives, and mothers.
The world’s expectations pale in comparison to the potential God has in store for us. Our Heavenly Father wants us to reach our greatest potential: to become like him and our Mother in Heaven. Let us be courageous. Let us cherish virtue. Let us embrace our divine roles as daughters of God.
Watch or read “A Plea to My Sisters” to discover President Russell M. Nelson’s full challenge to Latter-day Saint women.
Source: lds.org
—Sophia Parry, Mormon Insights
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Find more insights
Read or watch Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson’s talk “Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion” to discover ways to build your testimony as a woman in the Church.
Watch this video clip to hear Sheri Dew’s thoughts about being a woman in the Church.
Take a look at another Mormon Insights article, “The Divine Role of Women in the Church,” by Katie Hollingsworth.
This article is so inspiring. Personally knowing my worth and potential can be difficult as a woman, especially with the influence of the world. However, after learning what a woman’s potential is and how God sees me, this gives me more confidence in my role as a woman. Having confidence in yourself can be difficult, but I think that the world puts so much more pressure on women to be perfect that they often do not realize their full potential or feel like they have to settle. Women are strong and amazing in God’s eyes, and as women, we need to realize these things for ourselves.
I love this! Thank you for sharing your firm belief in the power that women can have in the world. Many people seem to think that LDS women are treated as inferior, but I find that in Heavenly Father’s plan, His daughters are empowered and cared for more than I have seen anywhere else.
I love this article and I totally agree with Kiana’s and Rebecca’s comments! I spent a long time struggling with my place in the church as a woman, but I found that when I let the unimportant things go and focused on the divine perspective, it was so much easier to see what incredible things were in store for me. A woman’s potential is endless. I love being a woman and knowing that God has a special and unique plan for me.
When I wonder what God wants for us, I am always reminded that I have absolutely no idea because I’ve been raised in a culture, with on way of thinking, with one way of establishing your worth. There isn’t just one way of being precious, and the way you know what is your contribution is to first make it. Make the choice.
I truly appreciate how you’ve called out the outrageous pressure the world puts on us as women to be flawless and self-sufficient at everything. And I’d like to point something out: When has a man ever been called as Bishop if he is not married? A team of husband and wife is so spiritually powerful because it’s a team ordained of God, and as a woman in the Church, I don’t feel the least bit shorted or underprivileged just because the world says I should feel that way.
Great article. I have never felt inferior as a woman. In fact, I have felt strongly that my influence is HUGE. We as women can shape our world through our love and our decisions in the home. I have loved the story of Esther since I was a little girl. I want to be brave like her.
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