As a young adult, Susie Mullen lived in California and had a spectacular professional dancing career, but she felt unhappy and had deep questions about God. When an unexpected career opportunity took her to Provo, Utah to coach ballroom dance, Susie was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and nurtured in her faith by new friends and colleagues. Susie eventually joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and today she serves as a member of the General Relief Society Council. In this episode, she shares how as parents, spouses, neighbors, and brothers and sisters in the gospel, we can follow the example of Jesus Christ to nurture others wherever they are on the gospel path, loving them and inviting them closer to Jesus Christ. Susie encourages listeners to foster an inclusive, nurturing environment in their homes, at Church, and anywhere they have influence, helping others feel the love of the Savior through our own loving words and actions. Resources: Susie Mullen Biography: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/susan-marie-mullen?lang=eng Susie Mullen RootsTech Video: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/rtc2021/session/blessings-of-temple-and-family-history-grandma-gene-my-ministering-angel

“I knew in my mind, in my heart, in my whole soul that the Book of Mormon was true. And that was a sweet and precious moment when the prayers of a longing child were answered,” shares Young Women General Advisory Council Jeri Cahoon of the time when she came to know the Lord for herself, even though it was a little later in life than she anticipated. Over the past several years, Jeri has served with her husband as mission leaders in the Mexico Saltillo Mission, served in the presidency of the Salt Lake Inner City Mission, and through her profession has been a designer for the Temple Department. In this episode, she shares her lessons learned from a lifetime of experiences, and listeners will be inspired by her insights from infertility and adoption to learning Spanish and stretching her capacities through service.

Join us this week for a conversation with Dorah Mkhabela, matron of the Johannesburg South Africa Temple and former Young Women general board member, and her daughter, Thembi Mkhabela Carter. Dorah and her husband Jackson joined the Church in South Africa as young parents and have faithfully served in the Church for decades, raising three children in the gospel. Dorah shares how she has grown in knowledge and faith through years of study and service, and Thembi offers what she has learned from her parent’s humility, devotion, and great love. Resources: • Dorah Mkhabela Biography: https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-02-14/biographies-for-new-yw-board-members-42043 Transcript: https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/2021-03-0086-86-dorah-mkhabela-and-thembi-mkhabela-carter-saying-yes-to-service-in-south-africa-eng.pdf

Earlier in her life, General Relief Society Council member Rebecca Mehr experienced the pain and disappointment of divorce. In this episode, Rebecca shares how the divine help available to women through priesthood power and authority has shaped her eternal perspective on trials and hope. Rebecca offers insights into the hard-earned lessons learned through her unexpected life experiences, and the ultimate joy of becoming a stepparent and grandparent through her second marriage to Daniel Mehr in 2007. To those in the midst of life's messiness, Rebecca offers her assurance that the Lord "consecrates our afflictions for our gain." Resources: • Rebecca Mehr Biography https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/rebecca-mehr?lang=eng • Church News Article: Rebecca Mehr: Essential partners in the work of salvation and exaltation https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-10-21/women-priesthood-covenant-rebecca-mehr-partners-salvation-exaltation-195852 • President Dallin H. Oaks: The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/04/the-keys-and-authority-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng • President Russell M. Nelson: A Plea To My Sisters https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/a-plea-to-my-sisters?lang=eng • President Russell M. Nelson: Spiritual Treasures https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/36nelson?lang=eng Transcript: https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/2021-03-0085-85-rebecca-mehr-how-priesthood-power-offers-divine-help-to-every-woman-eng.pdf

“Attention has long been focused on [early] missionaries’ sacrifices, but comparatively little attention has been paid to their faithful families. These supportive missionary wives and children are unsung heroes of the Restoration, who made sacrifices at home so that the gospel could go forth into the world.” Chad M. Orton, a curator with the Historic Sites division in the Church History Department, shares incredible stories about the challenges faced by many wives and children of early missionaries, and how their roles allowed for missionary work to prosper and the Church to grow. Resources: • https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/those-they-left-behind-a-look-at-missionary-wives-and-children/

“Sometimes we get overstimulated by news, and by people talking, and by social media, and by everybody’s opinions, and maybe with all the noise we don’t always hear the Spirit and what the Lord has to teach us. If we block out all of that noise, we can allow for music to teach us what’s true.” Dr. Sonja Poulter, director of BYU Women’s Chorus and previous member of the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square, shares the powerful impact music can have on our lives and worship. As a member of the hymnbook committee—a small group tasked with compiling a new worldwide hymnbook for the Church—Sonja gives insight into the global nature of the song submissions and review process. She shares her love for the women she works with as director of BYU Women’s Chorus, and her admiration of their passion and individuality. Sonja encourages women to find ways to incorporate more music into their lives and their study and their homes, and urges everyone to allow themselves to sing, regardless of musical abilities. Resources: Updates on Hymnbook revisions: https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-11-10/hymnbook-revision-update-childrens-songbook-submissions-elder-soares-197455 YouTube video featuring BYU Women’s Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaXGOsqUKQg

Barbara Thompson served as the second counselor to President Julie B. Beck in the Relief Society general presidency from 2007-2012. Barbara is known and loved for her practical, down-to-earth nature, her decades-long service as a social worker, and her wit and sense of humor. Join us as we talk with Barbara about the lessons she has learned from both general and local Church service, including the process of personal revelation, the need for unity, and the value of counseling together. Barbara shares her testimony that despite our age, marital status, trials, or difficulties, Heavenly Father knows us and we are His precious daughters. Resources: Barbara Thompson bio: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/barbara-thompson?lang=eng Barbara Thompson General Conference talks: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/speakers/barbara-thompson?lang=eng Daughters In My Kingdom https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/daughters-in-my-kingdom-the-history-and-work-of-relief-society?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Barbara-Thompson.pdf

Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are teachers. Women teach formally and informally, both in large and small settings to children, teenagers, women, and to mixed groups of adult men and women. Women also teach in the home, which has been emphasized recently as the center of gospel learning. The opportunities women have to influence and strengthen others through teaching the gospel is exciting and faith-promoting, but it can also be intimidating or overwhelming. In this episode, Kaylen Walton Nelson, a full-time Seminary teacher, shares practical tips for creating greater belonging, conversion, and relevance in any teaching situation, and why those three principles matter. Kaylen also shares how women can learn more about opportunities to teach Seminary or Institute part-time or full-time, and how she has come to more fully love and embrace her opportunities to gather Israel as a teacher and leader in the Church. Resources: To learn more about opportunities to teach Seminary and Institute, see the link below: Careersearch.churchofjesuschrist.org Teaching in the Savior’s Way https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-in-the-saviors-way/teaching-in-the-saviors-way?lang=eng The Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-teaching-and-learning-a-handbook-for-teachers-and-leaders-in-seminaries-and-institutes-of-religion?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Kaylen-Nelson.pdf

We are often quick to acknowledge God as the source of good in our lives, but we can sometimes forget the power and influence of the adversary. In this episode, Relief Society general advisory council member Lori Draper highlights some of the tactics Satan employs to distract, discourage, and isolate women from God and one another. Drawing on her professional experience as a social worker and sharing personal experiences raising a family in New York City, Lori reminds women of the goodness of our Heavenly Parents and the power that comes from trusting in God. Resources: Lori Draper Bio: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/lori-draper?lang=eng Life Help Information and Resources: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/families-and-individuals/lifes-challenges/hope-and-help?lang=eng Devil, Bible Dictionary: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/devil?lang=eng

Heaven stands ready to help us in whatever righteous role we find ourselves. This is the message newly called Primary General President Camille Neddo Johnson shares in this episode of the Latter-day Saint Women podcast. Sister Johnson gives insights into how she raised three sons and served in various church callings while also managing a successful career as a lawyer. She shares how she prioritized her family amid the chaos that can be everyday life and was blessed when she sought and expected heaven’s help. She encourages listeners to find the little opportunities to fill our days with things that are inspiring and uplifting, even if we just have little slivers of time here and there. Sister Johnson shares her love of children all over the world, and her hope that they can learn to recognize how they feel the spirit in their individual ways. Resources: Sister Susan D. Porter Episode https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/latter-day-saint-women/susan-porter-pressing-forward-with-hope?lang=eng Sister Amy A. Wright Episode https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/latter-day-saint-women/amy-wright-not-a-story-about-cancer?lang=eng Carol Costley Episode https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/latter-day-saint-women/carol-lawrence-costley-when-we-see-ourselves-in-others-it-changes-everything?lang=eng 2021 BYU Women’s Conference with the Young Women General Presidency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s479tiDDCSc&t=464s Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Camille-N-Johnson.pdf