“Our world is really divisive, and it’s really easy to think, “How are we going to fix this?” President Nelson has talked to each of us about what we can do to help gather Israel on both sides of the veil, and I believe uniting is part of that. If we each can be more intentional about the relationships in our sphere of influence and seeking to better understand the lived experiences of others, then I think that is how the world changes.” Join us this week as we talk with Liz Darger, Young Women Advisory Council member and BYU senior associate athletic director. Liz teaches the importance of understanding and truly believing in our own divinity and the divine identity of others as beloved children of Heavenly Parents. Sharing stories from her involvement in the NCAA Common Ground Initiative, Liz provides concrete ideas for making connections and becoming invested in the lives of friends, neighbors, ward members, and family who may believe or live differently. Offering loving counsel to women who may feel a disconnect from God, Liz shares advice for individuals who are struggling to receive a confirmation of their own divine identity or purpose. Finally, Liz shares her special connection with her grandmother, Arlene B. Darger, who served as the first counselor to Sister Elaine A. Cannon in the general Young Women presidency from 1978-1984. Resources: Liz Darger May 2021 BYU Devotional, “To Receive, to Covenant, and to Minister” https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/liz-darger/receive-covenant-minister/ Liz Darger 2021 BYU Women’s Conference Women’s Conference Session, “Bridges, Not Barricades: Fostering Understanding and Unity in a Divisive World” (paid registration required to view) https://womensconference.byu.edu/2021-digital-event LDS Living “All In” Podcast- Liz Darger: Establishing Home-Court Advantage https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/allin-e135-liz-darger-establishing-home-court-advantage Transcript: https://preview.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Liz-Darger.pdf?lang=eng

Sherilyn Clarke Stinson, the first female Commissioner of Family Services, shares with us her journey of infertility, adoption, education, and her transition from being a stay-at-home mom to starting a career. From her personal and professional perspectives, she reminds us of the importance of navigating the various stages of marriage, and the tools and resources available when we need help. Sherilyn encourages women who may feel discouraged by what is or isn’t happening in their lives to “let go and let the Lord bless us according to the variety of options he has in mind for us.” Resources: Learn more about Family Services and the resources they offer: https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/lds-family-services?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Sherilyn-Stinson.pdf

“We don’t have to think the same to love people; we just have to love people.” Sister Carol McConkie, a former counselor in the Young Women general presidency, shares this and other valuable insights as she reflects on representing Latter-day Saint Charities as a missionary assigned to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Carol shares the Church’s efforts to join with other leaders and organizations around the world with the intent to do good and care for those who are suffering and at risk, including the world’s most vulnerable women and children. Opening up about her struggle with anxiety and homesickness, Carol also shares how we can turn to the Savior for strength and power when faced with overwhelming tasks or heavy burdens. Resources: • Sister Carol F. McConkie biography https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/carol-f-mcconkie • Church Newsroom article about McConkie’s call to the United Nations https://news-gb.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/former-young-women-general-officer-called-to-serve-as-latter-day-saint-charities-liaison-to-the-un-in-switzerland?imageView=ElderAndSisterMcConkie.jpg • Latter-day Saint Charities website https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/ • Latter-day Saint Charities Maternal and Newborn Care https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/what-we-do/neonatal-resuscitation?lang=eng • Latter-day Saint Charities: How to Help https://www.latterdaysaintcharities.org/how-to-help/volunteer-locally?lang=eng

Through stories from her personal life, professional experiences, and Church service, Sheri Dew illustrates how we can increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation and better understand our own unique personal mission. She shares her experience serving as the first unmarried woman in the Relief Society general presidency, and urges us to build bridges to people who may not feel, for a variety of reasons, that they belong or fit in the Church. Sheri inspires us to recognize how seemingly ordinary women can be extraordinary in their faithfulness, diligence, and dedication to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. She shares the power and blessings that come from asking questions, and committing and recommitting ourselves to patterns of temple attendance, scripture study, and obedience.

Carol Lawrence-Costley believes in the power of stories to validate experiences, change hearts, and foster unity and compassion. In this episode, Carol shares her own story: a daughter of Jamaican immigrants born in London, England who joined the Church as a young teenager in the 1970s. Now serving on the Young Women Advisory Council, Carol also shares what she has learned listening to the stories of those different from her, and how as Church members we can grow together in unity and love when we listen with open hearts and see our common faith in Jesus Christ. Resources: Carol Lawrence-Costley Leader Biography: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/young-women-organization/meet-the-young-women-general-leaders/carol-costley?lang=eng Gospel Topic Essay: Race and the Priesthood https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng Relief Society General Presidency and Advisory Council Video: “Just Like You” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2019-05-1000-just-like-you?lang=eng J.B. Haws 2019 BYU Devotional: “Wrestling with Comparisons” https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/j-b-haws/wrestling-with-comparisons/ Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Carol-Lawrence-Costley.pdf

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or stressed from a Church calling, assignment, or in your efforts to live the gospel of Jesus Christ? In this episode, Andrea Veronica Munoz Spannuas, Relief Society Advisory Council Member, offers wisdom and ideas for replacing feelings of anxiety surrounding service and gospel living with joy and peace. Sharing her personal experience serving and leading in the Church as a young convert in Argentina, Andrea asserts that youth are ready and able to lead, and that Jesus Christ multiplies our efforts in service to be more than enough. Witnessing of God’s love and sharing valuable lessons learned, Andrea also tells the story of her family’s experience with adoption. Resources: Andrea Veronica Munoz Spannaus bio: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/andrea-veronica-munoz-spannaus?lang=eng Church News: Why Young Women class presidencies are needed now more than ever https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-10-08/young-women-general-presidency-class-presidencies-needed-pandemic-195072 Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Andrea-Spannuas.pdf

“The young women who are now the young adult women and the mothers and the leaders in the church are doing and becoming exactly what I prayed they would become and do. It is such a joy for me to see that and to see these valiant young women taking their place and shaping this dispensation.” In this episode, Sister Elaine S. Dalton, 13th president of the Young Women organization, provides ongoing encouragement to “her” young women in the various roles they have. She shares her thoughts about the new Young Women theme and the impact these truths can have on our lives. She talks about the premature death of her father, and the strength that has come from the scriptures and understanding her inherent identity as a daughter of Heavenly Parents. When thinking about Sister Dalton’s legacy, her focus on connecting with individuals is obvious in her timeless statement: “One virtuous woman led by the Spirit can change the world.” Resources Access all of Elaine S. Dalton’s general conference talks: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/speakers/elaine-s-dalton?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Elaine-S-Dalton.pdf

"The gospel takes us out of the moment that we’re in and gives us a bigger picture of the purpose of life, of why we’re here, the bigger picture of immortality and eternity, and the bigger picture of relationships.” On this episode, we talk with Wendy Ulrich, a member of the Relief Society general advisory council, an author, and a psychologist. Wendy brings her years of experience and various perspectives to discuss the topic of uncertainty. While navigating everyday feelings of uncertainty due to the pandemic, in our marriages, during major life decisions or changes, or with our own beliefs, Wendy shares principles we can use and rely on to deal with this uncertainty. She answers questions like, how can we have hope? How can we give up needing to be in control? What happens next? In the midst of this anxiety and confusion we may feel, as we live our values, look for opportunities to grow, and trust in the Lord, we can find peace, calm, and meaning in our lives. Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Wendy-Ulrich.pdf

Can you name five women from Church History? In this episode, Church historian and Harvard PhD Melissa Inouye shares the intentional effort to include Latter-day Saint women in the Church’s Global Histories project, with a goal that more will know and learn their names and stories. She reminds listeners that because the majority of Church members live outside the United States, most of our history as a Church is also outside the United States. Sharing the stories of six faithful Latter-day Saint women from Nigeria, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Honduras, and South Korea, Melissa offers her perspective on how we can be strengthened and unified as we see “their” stories as “our” stories. Resources: Global Histories https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/landing/global-histories?lang=eng Latter-day Saint Women Podcast episode: Ryan Saltzgiver | Women of Faith: Stories from Global Histories https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/latter-day-saint-women/ryan-saltzgiver-women-of-faith-stories-from-global-histories?lang=eng Church History blog: Global Histories https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/global-histories?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Melissa-Inouye.pdf

Raising four children in New York City, Janet Nelson had many opportunities to step out of her comfort zone to serve and learn from others of different backgrounds and beliefs. In this episode, Janet, a former Young Women advisory council member and high school math teacher, reflects on how she found her best self and some of her best friends through ministering, getting to know her neighbors, tutoring refugees, and other service opportunities. Janet also teaches how the Lord has helped her problem-solve and navigate complex challenges and opportunities through personal revelation. Resources: Janet Nelson Church News Biography https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-02-14/biographies-for-new-yw-board-members-42043 New Area Organization Advisers Strengthen the Global Church https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-international-area-organization-advisers-strengthen-global-church Just Serve https://www.justserve.org