“This isn’t a story about cancer, it’s a story about coming to know our Savior.” In this episode, Sister Amy Wright, the new second counselor in the Primary general presidency, teaches how we can rely on the sanctifying, healing and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to endure our own individual journeys. She shares her experience battling stage 4 ovarian cancer and how she found joy through service in a time of overwhelming pain and fear. “When I focused on myself, when my thoughts turned inward, the world became a very dark place. But when they turned outward, not only was there light, but even in the midst of the greatest suffering, I was able to experience joy.” Sister Wright also shares the lessons she learned serving on the Young Women Advisory Council, and how she has felt the Lord’s love for her and her family through her calling to the Primary. Resources: Amy Wright Bio: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sister-amy-wright Latter-day Saint Women Podcast episode: Sister Susan Porter | Pressing Forward with Hope https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/latter-day-saint-women/susan-porter-pressing-forward-with-hope?lang=eng Church News: What the new Primary general presidency taught about perfection and worth at BYU Women’s Conference https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-04-29/byu-womens-conference-primary-general-presidency-perfection-211700 Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Amy-Wright.pdf

“Sometimes things don’t turn out the way we think they should, but that’s ok because we can rework things, we can be flexible, we can walk through the mud a little bit, we can cross a frozen river, we can do anything that the Lord asks us to do because we know that He is with us and we too can cleave unto our covenants...This is what Emma would have done, and what she did, and what she would want us to do.” On this episode, we welcome back Church historian and author Jenny Reeder, who helps us better understand Emma Smith’s life and her character. Through her extensive research, Jenny shares with us the insights she’s gained into Emma’s partnership with Joseph Smith, her great responsibility in compiling the first hymn book to unify the early Saints, and how she may have been able to process her tragedies and move forward. Together, we learn about Emma’s significant role in the restoration, and how her contributions can inspire us to fulfill our roles in the ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Jenny-Reeder.pdf

How do you move forward with faith and hope when your righteous desires go unmet? How do you find belonging and meaning when your life path doesn’t fit “the mold” or what you anticipated or expected? In this episode, we talk with Mindy Booth Baxter, a member of the Relief Society Advisory Council, about the “revelation-led leaps of faith” that led her away from a successful career in New York City to culinary school, new opportunities to serve, and marriage in her 40s. Sister Baxter courageously shares her personal journey with infertility, and how she has found healing through turning to God and Jesus Christ in her suffering. She offers hope and understanding to others struggling with infertility and provides helpful suggestions on how we all can better minister to and comfort those we love. Resources: Mindy Booth Baxter Bio https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization/this-is-your-relief-society/general-leaders/mindy-booth-baxter?lang=eng Elder Neil L. Andersen BYU Devotional Speech, "A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous" https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neil-l-andersen/a-compensatory-spiritual-power-for-the-righteous/ President Henry B. Eyring BYU Devotional Speech, "A Law of Increasing Returns" https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/henry-b-eyring/law-increasing-returns/?fbclid=IwAR0gpMJ3EPSHUH_Y1qcGXGCaDgtw0Ay6Q2_bXV9Nzzj2-m8um17o_ZcQISc Elder Richard G. Scott General Conference Address, "Finding Joy in Life" https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/finding-joy-in-life?lang=eng Ministering Resources https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ministering?lang=eng&cid=rdb_ministering_eng_ministering_churchofjesuschrist-org Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Mindy-Booth-Baxter.pdf

Born in mainland China and raised in Hong Kong, Annie Wong was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after meeting missionaries as a teenager. Annie now works as the Church Communication Director over the entire Asia Area, the first native Chinese woman to serve in this position. In this episode, Annie shares how the influence of missionaries, friends, and gospel mentors helped deepen her personal conversion to the gospel and prepare her for important opportunities in education and leadership. Annie shares what personally motivates her to build the reputation of the Church in Asia, and offers her perspective on the powerful influence of women who lead with love and by example.  Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Annie-Wong.pdf

Colleen Terry Scoresby, a beloved seminary and institute teacher, shares some of the many lessons she’s learned through her trials--that God is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving. From her years as a single member of the Church to her diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer, she’s put her trust in God’s timing, knowing that He always keeps His promises. She urges listeners to move forward in faith, be the best version of themselves, and not wait to feel joy. Resources: President Nelson: Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/49nelson?lang=eng President Dallin H. Oaks: Timing https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dallin-h-oaks/timing/ Elder Renlund: Infuriating Unfairness https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/25renlund?lang=eng Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Colleen-Terry-Scoresby.pdf Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Colleen-Terry-Scoresby.pdf

Salote Tukuafu from Tonga, a member of the Primary General Advisory Council, shares lessons she learned from her childhood about being faithful, being kind, and being generous. She tells the inspiring story of her grandfather’s conversion to the restored gospel and the legacy of faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ he built for his family. Sister Tukuafu describes her responsibilities on the advisory council, and the interfaith efforts she’s been involved with to address various social issues. She also shares the difficulties her family experienced when her husband was diagnosed with leukemia when their children were very young, and how she learned the importance of letting God be in charge of our lives. Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Salote-Tukuafu.pdf

“Your life isn’t going to be what you thought it was going to be and how you planned, but it’s going to be better than you could ever imagine.” Rosemary Thackeray is a public health professor, a BYU administrator, and the current BYU Women’s Conference Chair. In this episode, we talk with Rosemary about her decision to earn a Ph.D. and how she drew upon her professional expertise as a Young Women General Board member. She shares how she was comforted and guided by personal revelation when both her parents passed away in 2019, testifying of her deep trust that Heavenly Father keeps His promises as we live in faith. Rosemary invites women of all ages to participate in BYU Women’s Conference on April 29-30, 2021 to be strengthened and unified with women of faith around the world. Resources: 2021 BYU Women’s Conference Information https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/event/2021-byu-women-s-conference https://womensconference.byu.edu/ Rosemary Thackeray 2020 BYU Women’s Conference Address: “The Lord Knows You and Is Aware of You: Having Eyes, Ears, and Hearts to Gather Safely in Christ” https://womensconference.byu.edu/sites/womensconference.ce.byu.edu/files/rosemary_thackeray.pdf Abuse: Help, Healing, and Protection https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/abuse?cid=rdb_v_abuse&lang=eng Protecting Children and Youth Training https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/church-safety-and-health/protecting-children-and-youth?lang=eng Young Women Camp Guide https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/young-women-camp-guide?lang=eng February 2020 Evening With a General Authority: Elder David A. Bednar https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/an-evening-with-the-general-authorities/2020/02/bednar-full?lang=eng Bishop Gérald Caussé 2013 BYU Devotional: “For When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong” https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gerald-causse/weak-strong/ Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Rosemary-Thakeray.pdf

“Depression thrives in secrecy, but shrinks in empathy.” On today’s episode, Jane Clayson Johnson shares her own experience with clinical depression and the valuable insights she’s gathered through interviewing others about their stories. She discusses the unique challenges members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may face when their ability to experience joy--in a faith centered on a plan of happiness--is inhibited by depression. When we work to overcome mental health stigma, understand mental illness, “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” we can create opportunities for healing and hope for the future. Additional Resources: • Reyna Aburto and Elena Aburto | Mental Health: Receiving Help and Giving Support https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/listen/series/latter-day-saint-women/reyna-aburtoand-elenaaburto-mental-health-receiving-help-and-giving-support?lang=eng • • Sister Reyna Aburto’s October 2019 general conference talk https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/31aburto?lang=eng • • Church web page with mental health resources https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/mental-health?lang=eng • • Church web page with suicide prevention and ministering resources https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/suicide?lang=eng • • Suicide prevention videos from Elder Dale G. Renlund https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCR8tWKEbxo&list=PLAYgY8SPtEWH5oAfQlfGFyKk77nf-S-tH • • President Russell M. Nelson’s October 1995 general conference talk https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/perfection-pending?lang=eng • • Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s October 2017 general conference talk https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng • • In Crisis? See suicide prevention helpline information here https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/crisis-help-lines/in-crisis?lang=eng • Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Jane-Clayson-Johnson.pdf

“The most important thing I’d love women to know is that Heavenly Father loves (you), of course, and that He wants to be in the details of your life. He wants to be invited in to help. He knows our hearts, and He knows the things that bring us joy, and He really wants to be a part of that.” In this episode we talk with Tania Torea, the Assistant Communication Director for the Church’s Pacific Area based in New Zealand. Tania shares how her faithful and courageous ancestors and the beautiful customs and traditions from her Maori culture have influenced her for good. Through personal experience, Tania reminds us that the Lord knows the desires of our hearts, and through prayer we can bring about miracles in our lives and receive peace and help in times of difficulty. Resources: https://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/button-article?imageView=IMG_2308-min.JPG https://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-communication-director-will-support-congregations-and-communities-in-new-zealand-and-pacific-islands Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Tania-Torea.pdf

“The sisterhood we share in the gospel crosses all kinds of boundaries and barriers. We are there to lift each other and help each other; sometimes we’re down, and sometimes we lift others who are down, but we are in this together.” Ruth Todd joins us to discuss her opportunities and lessons learned from her successful career as a news anchor and journalist, the exciting and challenging time she spent as a Church spokesperson, and her responsibilities serving as a member of the Young Women General Advisory Council. She talks about the importance of building bridges and making connections that help us learn from and love others. She shares her insights from the new Young Women theme and the value in aligning our identities with being a daughter of Heavenly Parents. Ruth also encourages listeners to do the best they can while putting the gospel first, through all the chapters of life. Transcript: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/latter-day-saints-channel/bc/mormon-channel/images/audio/lds-women/pdf/Ruth-Todd.pdf