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Women’s Divine Roles and Responsibilities

Doctrinal Overview

“No greater recognition can come to you in this world than to be known as a woman of God. No greater status can be conferred upon you than being a daughter of God who experiences true sisterhood, wifehood, and motherhood, or other tasks which influence lives for good” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 102; or student manual, 350).

Principle

As women pattern their lives according to the plan of salvation, they can better achieve happiness in marriage.

Student Manual Readings

Selected Teachings from “Women’s Divine Roles and Responsibilities” (347–49)

“To the Mothers in Zion,” President Ezra Taft Benson (352–57)

“Women of the Church,” President Gordon B. Hinckley (357–60)

“The Joy of Living the Great Plan of Happiness,” Elder Richard G. Scott (360–63)

“We Are Women of God,” Sister Sheri L. Dew (364–66)

Suggestions for How to Teach

Discussion. Ask: How do women contribute to the development of the Church? Read the following statement by President Spencer W. Kimball:

“Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days … will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world” (“The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 103–4; or student manual, 351).

• What did President Kimball say the women of the Church must do to help the Church grow?

• What do you think it means for the women of the Church to be “distinct and different” from the women of the world?

Explaining that the eternal salvation of the world depends on the Church growing to its potential. Much of the Church’s growth is dependent on the women of the Church fulfilling their responsibilities as daughters of God.

Suggestions for How to Teach

Group work. Divide the board into four equal sections. Above each section write the following headings: Practices Women of God Should Avoid, and Responsibilities and Privileges of Women of God.

Divide the class into four groups and assign each group a different talk from the student manual readings. Give them fifteen minutes to go through their talks and find teachings related to the headings. Have a member of each group report and discuss their findings, while another group member summarizes them on the board.

Review with the women in your class the invitation by Sister Sheri L. Dew, who was then a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, found on page 366 of the student manual (“I invite each of us to identify at least one thing we can do to come out of the world and come closer to Christ. And then next month, another. And then another”). Testify of the divine responsibility that the daughters of God have in the eternal salvation of all mankind. Encourage the men in your class to respect and honor the women in their lives.

Conclusion

The divine roles of women include being daughters of God, sisters, wives, and mothers. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

“Our Heavenly Father endowed His sons and daughters with unique traits especially fitted for their individual responsibilities as they fulfill His plan. To follow His plan requires that you do those things He expects of you as a son or daughter, husband or wife. …

“… Each has individual traits that best fit the role the Lord has defined for happiness as a man or woman” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996; 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 73; student manual, 361).