Your intuition will do good and be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, you will be more of an example of goodness and good influence.
From time immemorial, society has relied on the good influence of women. While it is true that this is not the only positive influence in society, the foundation of women's well-being has proven to be beneficial to the welfare of all. Perhaps, because it is always there, the good influence of women is not much appreciated. I want to appreciate the influence of good women, identify some of the philosophies and trends that threaten women's strength and status, and plead with women to cultivate the goodness inherent in them.
Women are born with virtue, a divine gift that gives them the ability to instill in hearts and minds faith, resilience, compassion, and refinement in relationships and cultures. Praising the “faith without hypocrisy” that he saw in Timothy, Paul said that this faith “dwelt first in Lois your mother, and in your mother Eunice.” 1
When I was still living in Mexico, many years ago, I observed firsthand what Paul meant. I remember a young mother, one of the many women in the Church in Mexico who, by nature, exercised faith in God almost did not notice it. This beautiful woman is an example of goodness because of the natural kindness that influences those around her. In collaboration with his wife, he sacrificed some pleasure and material things in exchange for more important priorities, without hesitation. With her ability to lift, bend, and balance with her children, she looks like a superhuman. He has a lot of responsibility and often what he does is repetitive and tiring, but his will is peaceful, because he knows that what he is doing is the work of God. Like the Savior, helping others through service and sacrifice magnifies him. He is an example of love.
I have been greatly blessed by the good influence of women, especially my mother and my husband. One of the women I appreciate is Anna Daines. Anna and her husband, Henry, and their four children are among the pioneers of the Church in New Jersey in the United States. Beginning in the 1930s, when Henry was still pursuing a doctorate at Rutgers University, Anna and her sister actively participated in the school and community organizations in Metuchen, where they lived, to dispel the misconceptions of other Mormons and make them better. the community is a place for all parents who raise children.
For example, Anna volunteered at the Metuchen YMCA and her help there was invaluable. In the same year she was appointed president of the Mothers ’Auxiliary and then“ asked to run for one of the three women’s positions on the YMCA board of directors. He won without objection, and became part of the council just a few years before the Saints refused to hold a meeting in their building! ”2
My family moved to the New Brunswick Ward when I was a teenager. Sister Daines noticed me and often told me that she was confident in my abilities and potential, and as a result I was inspired to aspire higher — even higher than I had ever hoped before when she did not encourage me. Sometimes, because of the gentle warning he gave me, I avoided getting into a situation that I would definitely regret. Although she passed away, Anna Daines' influence continues to be felt and seen in the lives of her grandchildren and many others, including me.
My grandmother Adena Warnick Swenson taught me to be faithful in priesthood service. He encouraged me to memorize the blessings of the sacrament of water and bread, and explained that in this way I could say it with greater understanding and feeling. When I saw him supporting my grandfather, who was a patriarch, I had reverence for sacred things. Grandma Swenson never learned to drive, but she knew how to help young men become good priesthood holders.
There is no other place where the good influence of a woman is felt more or more than at home. The best place to raise a new generation is in the traditional family, with father and mother supporting, teaching, and caring for their children. In places where there is no such model, people try to emulate its benefits as much as they can in their respective situations.
In all situations, the influence of a mother is unmatched by any human being in any relationship. Through her good example and teachings, her sons learn to respect women and to have discipline and high moral standards in their lives. Her daughters are learning to cultivate their own goodness and to stand up for what is right, over and over again, even when most people do not like it. A mother's love and high expectations encourage her children to live right, to be responsible, to improve their education and personal development, and to continue to contribute to the welfare of others in the society in which they live. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once asked: “When the true history of mankind is fully revealed, will it feature the sound of gunfire or the melodious melodies of children? The temporary cessation of military conflict or the pacification of women at home and in the community? Is what happened in the hammocks and kitchens more influential than what happened in the congresses? ”3
The role of woman in creating life is very sacred. We know that our physical bodies have a divine origin4 and that we must experience both physical birth and spiritual rebirth in order to attain the highest celestial kingdom of God.5 That is why the role of women is so important (that if sometimes they almost die) in the work and glory of God to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” 6 As grandmothers, mothers, and role models, women serve as guardians of the source of life, teaching every generation of the importance of chastity — chastity before marriage and fidelity to one's spouse. In this way, they are the cultivating influence in society; they bring out the best in human nature; they maintain a beautiful environment where they can raise strong and healthy children.
Sisters, I do not want to praise you so much as we sometimes do on Mother's Day that bothers you. You do not have to be perfect; 7 I do not say you are perfect (except for one sitting near here). I mean whether you are single or married, whether you have children or not, whether you are old, young, or in between, your example of goodness is important, and perhaps we are ignoring it and you. There is no doubt that there are trends and forces that exist that weaken and even let go of your influence, which is detrimental to individuals, families, and society as a whole. Let me mention three reminders and warnings.
The harmful philosophy that undermines the good influence of women is the disregard for marriage and motherhood and simple housewife. Some even openly despise being a housewife, arguing that it degrades women and that the tedious upbringing of children is an exploitation of them.8 They ridicule what they call the “mommy track” as a profession. This is not right or just. We do not diminish the value of the success achieved by women or men in any meaningful work or profession — we all benefit from those successes — but we still recognize that there is nothing better than being a mother and father in the family. No successful profession, and no amount of money, power, or human recognition can surpass the incomparable reward of the family. Whatever a woman possesses, there is no other place where she can use her good influence more fully than this.
The view of sexuality is a threat to the example of women's well-being in many respects. Deliberate abortion for personal convenience or for nothing to say in society destroys a woman's very sacred power and destroys her example of goodness. The same is true of immorality and obscene dress that not only degrades women's personality but also emphasizes the lie that a woman is beautiful if she is attractive.
There is a long-standing culture in which women are expected to preserve their femininity while giving reason to the immorality of men. This culture is obviously unfair, and it should just be criticized and not accepted. With that rejection, one would expect men to raise their standard of morality, but the opposite has happened — women are now encouraged to be immoral based on this culture that favors men. If in the past women's standards of honesty and responsibility were higher than men's, now there are rude sexual relationships, fatherless families, and growing poverty. This immorality committed by both men and women undermines the good influence of women and degrades all society.9 In this futile relationship, men are “losing responsibility” and women and children are more suffering.
The third disturbing thing comes from those, who seek equality, who want to eliminate the difference between man and woman. It often even encourages women to have masculine traits — to be more aggressive, courageous, and combative. It is now common to see movies and video games of violent women, killing and destroying. It is heartbreaking to see men in such roles but it is undoubtedly more disturbing when women commit violence.
Former Young Women general president Margaret D. Nadauld taught: “There are enough strong women in the world; we need loving women. Enough rude women; we need kind women. Enough disrespectful women; we need refined women. Enough of the famous and rich women; we need women of faith. Greed is enough; we need more goodness. Pride is enough; we need goodness. Enough fame; we need more purity. ”10 With this blurring difference between woman and man, we lose the different but complementary gifts of woman and man that, when combined, create a better whole.
I plead with women and young women today to nurture and cultivate the good influence inherent in you. Preserve that natural goodness and the unique gift you had when you were born into the world. Your intuition will do good and be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, you will be more of an example of goodness and good influence. To the young women I say, keep that good influence even when you do not have it fully. Make sure your speech is clean, not rude; make sure your dress reflects modesty, not arrogance; and that your conduct is pure, not immoral. You cannot lead others to goodness if you yourself are not good.
Sisters, in all your fellowship, your relationship with God, your Heavenly Father, is the source of the influence of your goodness, which you should always put first in your life. Remember that Jesus' power came from His faithfulness to the will of the Father. He never deviates from what pleases His Father.11 Strive to be that kind of disciple of the Father and the Son, and your influence will never fade.
And do not be afraid to use that influence without fear or reason. “You are always ready to answer every [man, woman, and child] who pleads the cause of your hope.” 12 “Preach the word; strive in the season, and in the season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ”13“ Bring up your children in light and truth. ”14“ [Teach them] to pray, and to walk. righteous before the Lord. ”15
With these advice to women, do not let anyone deliberately misunderstand it. In praising and encouraging women to be good influences, I do not mean that men and young men should no longer fulfill their duty to stand for truth and goodness, that their responsibility to serve, sacrifice, and preach is not as burdensome as that of women or be concerned. just for women. Men, let us join the women, let us help them with their burdens, and increase our own influence on the good in our spouse.
