We heard beautiful remarks first from Teresa Muse and Susan Fisher about the innate value of women. Sister Colleen Terry from our stake Relief Society presidency was the featured speaker for the program. She showed up in a whirlwind at the tail end of what she calls "Throw-me-Down Thursday," but you never could have guessed it from seeing or hearing her.
Colleen began by pointing out that great truths were restored with the restoration of the gospel. John 8:32 teaches us that the truth will make us free. The gospel is truly a blessing to women because it acknowledges and celebrates them as equals with men.
Did you know that in 4th century Christianity St. Augustine didn't do any favors for womanhood? He was an immoral man, and some of his choices made him unhappy. Consequently, he became embittered toward women, going all the way back to Eve. He taught that Eve had taken the forbidden fruit and cursed mankind and was, therefore, bad. And all women were like Eve, so they were also bad. From this theory came the notion (still held today in some churches) that celibacy is a "higher road" than marriage. Also from this theory came the idea (also still held today in some churches) that babies need to be baptized shortly after birth. Originally, the idea behind baby baptism was that the babies needed to be cleansed from the evil influences of the women who bore them; today infant baptism is more a tradition than an outright insult to women. Still, you can see how a negative view of women from so long ago has had lasting ramifications for women.
In contrast, the restored gospel teaches that Eve was glorious. Moses 6:63 teaches that all things (the seasons, the sun...including women) bear record of God.
The book Women of Light by Jack R. Christianson teaches that women may well be considered the ultimate symbol of Christ. Satan seeks to thwart God's plan by degrading women. We can see so many examples in our world today of practices that degrade women. Satan also works on us directly by whispering that we are not enough--not pretty enough, talented enough, smart enough, spiritual enough, good enough. We need to turn off the messages of the world and guard against the pressure to become crass.
Dr. Phil said that you teach people how to treat you. You need to remember your divine nature. You are a daughter of God. Your value is not tied to what other people think of you! Colleen talked to the Young Women, especially, to remind them that their value is not based on what others think, especially boys. For women and girls in the world today, there is just so much pressure to be "hot." It's easy to start thinking that if you aren't a sexy guy magnet, you aren't worth much. That's just wrong.
Heavenly Father created Eve as a "help meet" for Adam. Sometimes people joke that women are created only to do men's bidding. In truth, women have a divinely appointed role to keep the fires of faith burning. Women can keep the "wolves" away.
Proverbs 31:10 says a virtuous woman is more valuable than rubies. There is much symbolism in rubies. Being red, they can remind us of the blood of Christ. It is easy to draw parallels between the role of women in the world and the role of Christ as our Savior.
In the October 1979 General Conference, President Spencer W. Kimball said, "Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This 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." Click HERE for a link to the full talk.
Sisters, don't let the world drag you down. You are daughters of God, glorious and beautiful, and can be such a force for good in the world.
