In a devotional address given at BYU on March 13, 2001, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve addressed the role of women, and how God views them. This was a wonderful talk that I, as a stay-at-home mom, particularly took to heart. It is very uplifting and, as Elder Ballard stated, good for both women and men to read and ponder.
He begins by quoting a letter sent to church headquarters from an LDS woman who felt as though she were living a lie. Despite a strong testimony of the gospel, she doubted her value beyond that of a wife and mother. She wrote, “I long to feel that I, as a woman, matter to the Lord.”
Elder Ballard cites James E. Talmage, author of Jesus the Christ, who stated that Christ was “the world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood.” He notes various scriptural accounts that back this up: Jesus first acknowledged himself as Christ to the Samaritan woman. To Martha, He proclaimed “I am the resurrection and the life.” He reached out to His mother from the agony of the cross. And, though Elder Ballard doesn’t cite it, the Savior first appeared after His death to women. “Of this you may be certain,” Elder Ballard emphatically states, “The Lord especially loves righteous women.”
Elder Ballard goes on to cite other quotes regarding women’s value. These are very uplifting and encouraging. He then states that some of those quotes my lead women to ponder as the woman who wrote did: does a woman’s value depend entirely on her role as wife and mother? The answer, he says, is both simple and obvious; the answer is ‘no.’ “Although there is nothing a woman can do that has more far-reaching, eternal impact than to rear her children to walk in righteousness, motherhood and marital status are not the only measures of a woman’s worth.” He notes that many women are unable to attain marriage or motherhood. Does this make them worthless in God’s sight? Of course not. “Every righteous man and woman has a significant role to play in the onward march of the kingdom of God.”
Satan, however, is determined to undermine the important role of women in the world. Elder Ballard addresses many of these ways. He notes the importance of women in the Church, and how they are the glue for both their church and their home families. Satan seeks to distract us from these roles. Elder Ballard even wags a finger towards the young men, who also play a role of distraction at times.
“My earnest plea and prayer,” Elder Ballard goes on to note, “is that young men and women will understand that our sisters have always been vital and integral to the work of the Lord. Faithful women have labored valiantly in the cause of truth and righteousness from before the foundations of this world.” He goes on to cite women from the scriptures and from church history who played important roles in the gospel on earth. Though we may not hold as prominent a role as Eve or Lucy Mack Smith, he is very clear to state that the righteous – men and women – who are not as prominent or visible still play an important part in the gospel. He quotes President Spencer W. Kimball, who stated, “Both a righteous man and a righteous woman are a blessing to all those whom their lives touch.” He then goes on to note the important mission of women, and the responsibilities of all of those who have made sacred covenants. As we stand for truth and righteousness in our daily lives, we do the work of God and diminish the power of Satan. Again, he provides several suggestions for commitments we can make in our lives.
Elder Ballard goes on to counsel us to heed the words of the living prophet and apostles, as well as those from the scriptures. We must also seek to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit, which will help us to answer important questions and to make decisions that may well have eternal impacts on our lives. He reminds us that each of us controls how close we are to the Lord by how much we listen and obey. He provides ways that we can improve our ability to hear God’s voice. Among these are fasting and prayer, intensified scripture study, visiting the temple, listening to the counsel of parents and spouses, and being both obedient and penitent.
He concludes his talk by noting that, “More than ever before we need women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity.” He states again, enthusiastically and definitively, that women have value both to their Heavenly Father and to their church leaders because of who they are, a value that extends beyond their callings as wives and mothers. He urges us to draw closer to the Lord, which will enable us to feel that love more strongly.
This was a wonderful talk to study and to ponder. As a stay-at-home mom of young kids, I know that the work I am doing has an eternal value. I know that it is a wonderful thing, and most of the time, I take joy in doing it. But there are days when I feel all strung out and worn down. There are times that I wonder if “all” I am is a mother and a wife. This talk does a wonderful job of pointing out that, while we may be these things – and they are important things to be – we are also eternal children of our Heavenly Father, and He loves us for who we are, as well as for the roles we play. This was very uplifting and encouraging, and a talk I urge all to read.
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