Latter-day Saint Women Podcast

Many women in the Church across the globe serve in Church Communications callings, or volunteer positions, building key relationships and performing bridge-building outreach to government, academic, and interfaith leaders and organizations in their communities. In this episode, we talk with Julia Fellows from Alabama, U.S.A., who serves as the Church Communications Director for the North America Southeast Area. Julia shares how she saw the Lord prepare her for this demanding calling, and how women can see and feel the Lord’s love and guiding hand in their lives. She shares inspiring examples of Church outreach throughout the southern United States, including to the Black and LGBTQ communities, and shares how Church members everywhere can better share the love of the Lord in their own communities. June 2020 Church Newsroom article: President Nelson Shares Social Post about Racism and Calls for Respect for Human Dignity https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-shares-social-post-encouraging-understanding-and-civility June 2020 Church Newsroom article: Prophet Joins NAACP Leaders in Call for Racial Harmony in America https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/prophet-naacp-leaders-racial-harmony-america-op-ed February 2019 Church Newsroom article: Church Donates $2 Million to the International African American Museum- Elder Bednar presents donation at RootsTech https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-donation-2-million-international-african-american-museum-center-family-history

As a recent temple matron of the Salt Lake Temple, former Primary general president Rosemary Wixom shares how our efforts to attend the temple, increase our understanding, and reflect on our covenants bring power into our lives. In this episode, we discuss how to improve our temple experience, regardless of where we are on the covenant path. We talk about ways to learn more about the temple and where to go when we have questions. Rosemary shares her love of the temple, the Savior, and the inspiring members of the Church she met every day as the temple matron. From her lifetime of service, she reminds us that the Lord honors our commitments and sacrifices, and we can have hope, peace, and comfort among turmoil and at times of isolation. For more information about temples, visit temples.churchofjesuschrist.org “Let This House Be Built unto My Name”, Elder David A. Bednar, April 2020 General Conference https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/44bednar?lang=eng Rosemary Wixom Biography: www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/rosemary-m-wixom General Conference talks given by Rosemary Wixom: www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/speakers?speaker=Rosemary-M.-Wixom

Sisters Bonnie H. Cordon, Michelle D. Craig, and Becky Craven of the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints With recent adjustments to the Young Women organization, one thing that hasn’t changed and will never change is the focus on Jesus Christ. You will love hearing from the Young Women general presidency, Sisters Bonnie Cordon, Michelle Craig, and Becky Craven, as they share about the process of receiving revelation to guide the recent changes, with insight into the revised Young Women theme and the focus on each young women's identity and purpose. Through their stories, sincerity, and openness, you’ll feel the presidency’s unity and the love they have for each other and especially for the women of the Church. As they discuss the legacy of the Young Women program and their current responsibilities, you’ll be inspired to cherish the gift of repentance and to seek the joy that comes from hearing the voice of the Lord and receiving personal revelation. “The Lord [gives us revelation] in a very normal and natural way, and we can have confidence in our life to realize the Lord is speaking to us.” – Sister Bonnie Cordon (30:30) “All of us, at times in our lives, are completely overwhelmed by our life circumstance or by what we’re asked to do, but just know that as we’re consistent in doing the small and simple things and as we’re trying to seek revelation and going through that work and that process, as we rely on Jesus Christ and His Grace that we will be made equal to those things that we’re being asked to do.” – Sister Michelle Craig (32:05) “We talk about this being a new theme, but the reality is that it is an extension of what we have been doing in the past, because we believe in living prophets, we believe that Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, we believe that this is a living Church and that revelation reigns. … For the lives of our young women at this time, this is very relevant to them as it teaches them their identity and their purpose and their belonging.” – Sister Becky Craven (24:05) Read more about the Young Women general presidency by reading their full bios here: Bonnie Cordon https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/bonnie-h-cordon?lang=eng Michelle Craig https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/michelle-craig?lang=eng Becky Craven https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leader/becky-craven?lang=eng Learn more about recent changes to the Young Women organization and theme here: Young Women Website https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/young-women-organization Revised Young Women Theme https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/content/pdf/children-and-youth/PST_PD60009546_YoungWomenTheme_Wallpapers_750x1334_FINAL.jpg?lang=eng "Beloved Daughters" Bonnie H. Cordon, October 2019 General Conference https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/33cordon?lang=eng

"Drifting, Dreaming, Directing", Ardeth G. Kapp, At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women Bonnie Oscarson served as the 14th president of the Young Women organization, leading young women worldwide through a period of great change and growth from 2013-2018. She joins us today to share her experiences from a life of service in the Church, and to discuss the life and teachings of another great leader of Young Women from our history, Ardeth G. Kapp. The discussion today focuses on themes from Kapp's especially relevant 1980 BYU Women's Conference address, "Drifting, Dreaming, Directing," where she encourages women to direct their lives along the gospel path and seek conversion from personal revelation. "When changes come, and they always will, for some it may be a test to survive because their foundation is based on practices alone, without an understanding of the eternal, unchanging principles." - Ardeth G. Kapp "Our greatest dreams will be fulfilled only as we come to understand fully and experience the blessings of the priesthood, the power of the priesthood, and the ordinances of the priesthood in our own lives." - Ardeth G. Kapp "All individuals are what they are and where they are by a composite of choices that direct their life each day. The responsibility of directing is not only for our own lives, but also for others who may be looking for the light." - Ardeth G. Kapp

"Season of Awakening", Elaine A. Cannon, At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women Virginia Pearce Cowley, former first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, shares her insights and experiences as we discuss self-worth and developing a relationship with God, as taught by Elaine A. Cannon, a former Young Women general president, in an 1981 fireside. Join us for a discussion about ways we all can better know and trust in Heavenly Father's unique plan for us, and how to find joy and satisfaction in pursuing a Christ-centered life. Full discourse https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/part-4/chapter-42?lang=eng&highlight=women%E2%80%99s%20meeting%7CElaine%20A%7CCannon%20speaking%7CCannon "We believe that each of you should develop a sweet and saving relationship with the Lord, because when you have that, everything else will begin to fall into place." - Elaine A. Cannon

The Savior continually taught His disciples and followers to be one, but developing unity as a family, ward unit or team can be a real challenge. Join us as we explore a 1962 discourse by former Relief Society board member Louise W. Madsen (1909–1987) about how working to develop unity with others and with God gives us power. Guest Matt McBride, director of publications for the Church History Department, shares insights on Madsen's life and contributions to the Church, including supervising the creation of the Nursery program for children. "What is this power we may obtain? Since it derives from our unity with God our Father and his son Jesus Christ, is it not in the words of Micah 'to do what is good, to do what the Lord requires of us, to do justly and to walk humbly with our God'? Is it not the privilege to serve we seek, the moving force of compassion to feel? Is it not the power of God-given strength and his blessing of knowledge we cherish? Is it not the power of unselfish thought and action, selflessness, the ability to rise above fault-finding and petty-mindedness we desire? The power to be instrumental in saving souls has been accorded to Relief Society. To build firm testimonies to the divinity of the Savior and of the gospel is our ultimate purpose. Charity, the true love of Christ, is our guiding principle." - Louise W. Madsen Full Discourse https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/part-3/chapter-37?lang=eng

"Latter-day Saint Women in Today's Changing World", Belle S. Spafford, At The Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women Women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live in countries all around the world, speak hundreds of languages, and encounter unique challenges, but they do have one thing in common: they are doing their best to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Join us for a discussion with Lisa Olsen Tait about an empowering address given in 1975 by former general relief society president Belle Spafford, highlighting the important role women play in the Church, their communities, and in the world. “Women owe it to themselves to develop their full potential as women—to exercise their mental capacities, to enlarge upon their talents, and to increase their skills—in order that they may give to the world the best they have.” - Belle S. Spafford “The church can enable women of the world to determine what should receive priorities in their lives. Latter-day Saint women have at their command the firm and infallible guidelines that lead toward the full development and total usefulness of womankind.” - Belle S. Spafford Full Discourse https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/part-3/chapter-40?lang=eng&highlight=Spafford%7CBelle%20S.%20Spafford

"Serious Reflection Precedes Revelation", Maurine Jensen Proctor, At The Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women Finding time for reflection and pondering isn’t always easy, and can be particularly difficult when taking care of children; or when you have serious challenges or poor health; or when you’re extremely busy with work, a project or even a calling. James Goldberg from the Church History Department shares insights into a talk given by Maurine Proctor Jensen at a BYU Women’s Conference. Join us as we discuss ways to receive revelation even through our busy, chaotic, distracting and at times distressing lives. “The Lord … gives us inspiration when we don’t realize we’re getting it.”- Maureen Jensen Proctor Full Discourse https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/bonus-chapters/bonus-6?lang=eng&highlight=Scot%20Facer%20Proctor%7CMaurine%20Jensen%20Proctor%7CMack%20Smith%7CJoseph%20Smith

"Get A Life", Elaine L. Jack, At The Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women In need of a pep talk? Former Relief Society general president Elaine L. Jack's 1993 devotional, "Get A Life," will challenge you to deepen your gratitude for the life you live and to "choose life" by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. On today's episode, guest Elizabeth Kuehn, Joseph Smith Paper's project historian specializing in women's and gender history, discusses Jack's direct, but loving message, her go-getter nature, and how she empowered women around the world during her service. "Get a life. We are sons and daughters of God. We have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are called to rise, not wallow. Brothers and sisters, let’s get a life." -Elaine L. Jack "At times when I feel overwhelmed or alone, unsure or defeated, I remember that I have a Savior who understands and loves me. His atonement was personal; it was for me. He knows. He understands." - Elaine L. Jack Full Discourse https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/part-4/chapter-45?lang=eng&highlight=Jack%7CElaine%20L.%20Jack

"Cultivating Life's Eternal Values", Mary J. Wilson, At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women We all have many things competing for our time, and we're faced with making difficult choices about how to spend our limited time, energy, and means every day. Mary J. Wilson, a former Relief Society general board member, taught how we can each cultivate a joyful and meaningful life as we choose to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew C. Godfrey, the managing historian of the Joseph Smith Papers, joins us to discuss Mary J. Wilson's talk given in 1949, and her encouragement to develop a pattern of life based on eternal principles of sincere and abiding faith, prayer, and interested in and love for our fellow man. “The most important responsibility resting upon any individual is to build a worthwhile and meaningful life.” - Mary J. Wilson Full Discourse https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/at-the-pulpit/part-3/chapter-34?lang=eng&highlight=Wilson%7CMary