Women in Church

By Kausalya

KGF Branch

I’m grateful to be a woman in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I go with the voice of what President Nelson has said in a recent general conference: “We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.”¹

“‘Many churches are ruled by men, at the exclusion of women,’ said Mr. Rubin. ‘Is this the case for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?’

“‘Well,’ said President Nelson, ‘you should talk to a woman about that.’

“President Nelson then turned and looked at Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, the CEO of Deseret Book Company, and former Relief Society General Presidency member.

“‘Can you help with this answer about the role of women in the Church?’ he asked her. He motioned her into camera range.

“Sister Dew told Mr. Rubin that he would have a hard time finding a church where more women have more authority than in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“‘There are hundreds of thousands of women, right now, who have legitimate leadership opportunities and expectations. As women in the Church we teach and preach, we expound doctrine, we serve missions as full-time proselyting missionaries, and we have leadership responsibilities,’ she said.

“Then she added, ‘I actually feel ennobled by being a Latter-day Saint woman. Every opportunity for growth I have ever had has come because of the Church.’

“President Nelson looked at Mr. Rubin and said, ‘It is better coming from a woman than from me.’

“Mr. Rubin agreed. ‘That is a live testimony,’ he said.

“The message was powerful. When given the chance to talk about women in the Church, our prophet had not spoken about Church doctrine or priesthood authority. He had not spoken of his wife or nine daughters. And he did not draw from one of the many sermons he has delivered about women. Instead, he called on a woman to speak for herself.

“President Nelson’s invitation to Sister Dew seemed like an invitation to me as well. The Church needs my voice as a Latter-day Saint woman. That is what I know now that I didn’t know before the South America ministry tour.

“I will never forget the way President Nelson watched as Sister Dew answered Mr. Rubin’s question. It was a look that reflected gratitude and trust for all Latter-day Saint women.

“President Nelson’s messages to women have always been profound.

“‘My dear sisters, we need you!” he said during the October 2015 general conference. ‘We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.’

“It’s a sentiment I know he means.

“The Church needs our voices. Let’s be ready. President Nelson has called on each of us to speak for ourselves.”²