By Jean B. Bingham General President

found satisfaction and success in learning to labor in love and righ- United in Accomplishing teousness together. As children were born to them, Adam and Eve taught their family God’s Work what they had learned from heavenly messengers. They were focused on helping their children also under- stand and embrace those principles The most effective way to fulfill our divine potential that would make them happy in this life, as well as prepared to return to is to work together, blessed by the power and their heavenly parents after having increased their abilities and proved authority of the . their obedience to God. In the process, Adam and Eve learned to appreciate their differing strengths and supported one another in their Dear wonderful sisters and brothers, it food, some of the animals considered eternally significant work.2 is a delight to be with you. Wherever them food, and there were difficult As centuries and then millennia you are listening, I extend hugs to my challenges that could be overcome came and went, the clarity of men’s sisters and heartfelt handshakes to my only as they counseled and prayed and women’s inspired and inter- brothers. We are united in the work of together. I imagine there were at dependent contributions became the Lord. least a few times they had differing clouded with misinformation and When we think of Adam and Eve, opinions about how to approach misunderstandings. During the time often our first thought is of their idyllic those challenges. However, through between that marvelous beginning life in the Garden of Eden. I imagine the Fall, they had learned that it was in the Garden of Eden and now, the that the weather was always perfect— essential to act in unity and love. In adversary has been quite successful not too hot and not too cold—and the tutoring they received from divine in his goal to divide men and women that abundant, delicious fruits and sources, they were taught the plan in his attempts to conquer our souls. vegetables grew within reach so they of salvation and the principles of the Lucifer knows that if he can damage could eat whenever they liked. Since gospel of Jesus Christ that make the the unity men and women feel, if he this was a new world for them, there plan operable. Because they under- can confuse us about our divine worth was much to discover, so every day stood that their earthly purpose and and covenant responsibilities, he will was interesting as they interacted with eternal goal were identical, they succeed in destroying families, which the animal life and explored their are the essential units of eternity. beautiful surroundings. They also were Satan incites comparison as a tool given commandments to obey and had to create feelings of being superior or different ways of approaching those inferior, hiding the eternal truth that instructions, which caused some initial men’s and women’s innate differences anxiety and confusion.1 But as they are God given and equally valued. He made decisions that changed their lives has attempted to demean women’s forever, they learned to work together contributions both to the family and and became united in accomplishing in civil society, thereby decreasing the purposes God had for them—and their uplifting influence for good. for all of His children. His goal has been to foster a power Now picture this same couple in struggle rather than a celebration of mortality. They had to labor for their the unique contributions of men and

60 SATURDAY EVENING SESSION organize them “under the priesthood the direction of one holding priest- after the pattern of the priesthood.”4 hood keys operate with priesthood He said, “I now turn the key to you authority in their callings.8 in the name of God . . . —this is the In October 2019, President beginning of better days.”5 And since Russell M. Nelson taught that women that key was turned, educational, who are endowed in the have political, and economic opportunities priesthood power in their lives and in for women have begun to gradually their homes as they keep those sacred expand throughout the world.6 covenants they made with God.9 He This new Church organization for explained that “the heavens are just women that complement one another women, named the Relief Society, was as open to women who are endowed and contribute to unity. unlike other women’s societies of the with God’s power flowing from their So, over the years and around day because it was established by a priesthood covenants as they are to the globe, a full understanding of prophet who acted with priesthood men who bear the priesthood.” And he the divinely interdependent and yet authority to give women authority, encouraged every sister to “draw lib- differing contributions and respon- sacred responsibilities, and official erally upon the Savior’s power to help sibilities of women and men largely positions within the structure of the your family and others you love.”10 disappeared. Females in many soci- Church, not apart from it.7 So what does that mean for you eties became subservient to males From the Prophet Joseph Smith’s and me? How does understanding rather than side-by-side partners, their day to ours, the ongoing restoration of priesthood authority and power activities limited to a narrow scope. all things has brought enlightenment change our lives? One of the keys Spiritual progress slowed to a trickle on the necessity of the authority and is to understand that when women during those dark times; indeed, little power of the priesthood in helping and men work together, we accom- spiritual light could penetrate minds both men and women accomplish plish a great deal more than we do and hearts steeped in traditions of their divinely appointed responsibil- working separately.11 Our roles are dominance. ities. Recently we have been taught complementary rather than com- And then the light of the restored that women who are set apart under petitive. Although women are not gospel shone “above the brightness of the sun”3 when God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith early in the spring of 1820 in that hallowed woodland in upstate New York. That event began a modern outpouring of revelation from heaven. One of the first ele- ments of Christ’s original Church to be restored was the authority of the priesthood of God. As the Restoration continued to unfold, men and women began to realize anew the importance and potential of working as partners, authorized and directed in this sacred labor by Him. In 1842, when the women of the fledgling Church wanted to form an official group to help in the work, President Joseph Smith felt inspired to Syracuse, Utah, USA

MAY 2020 61 ordained to a priesthood office, as innumerable ways. . . . In [Church] tandem bicycle in races short and noted previously women are blessed callings, temple ordinances, family long. To successfully compete on with priesthood power as they keep relationships, and quiet, individual that vehicle, the two riders must be their covenants, and they operate with ministry, Latter-day Saint women and in harmony. They have to lean in the priesthood authority when they are men go forward with priesthood same direction at the right time. One set apart to a calling. power and authority. This interdepen- cannot dominate the other, but they On a lovely August day, I was dence of men and women in accom- must communicate clearly and each privileged to sit down with President plishing God’s work through His do his or her part. The captain, in Russell M. Nelson in the reconstructed power is central to the gospel of Jesus front, has control over when to brake home of Joseph and Emma Smith in Christ restored through the Prophet and when to stand. The stoker, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, near where Joseph Smith.”12 the back, needs to pay attention to the Aaronic Priesthood was restored Unity is essential to the divine what is going on and be ready to give in these latter days. In our conversa- work we are privileged and called extra power if they lag behind a little tion, President Nelson talked about to do, but it doesn’t just happen. It or to ease up if they get too close to the important role women played in takes effort and time to really counsel other cyclists. They must support one the Restoration. together—to listen to one another, another to make progress and achieve President Nelson: “One of the understand others’ viewpoints, and their goal. most important aspects that I am share experiences—but the process Alison explained: “For the first reminded of when I come to this results in more inspired decisions. little while, the person in the captain restoration of the priesthood site is the Whether at home or in our Church position would say ‘Stand’ when we important role that women played in responsibilities, the most effective needed to stand and ‘Braking’ when the Restoration. way to fulfill our divine potential is we needed to stop pedaling. After a “When Joseph first started to trans- to work together, blessed by the while, the person who was the stoker late the Book of Mormon, who did power and authority of the priest- learned to tell when the captain was the writing? Well, he did a little, but hood in our differing yet comple- about to stand or brake, and no words not much. Emma stepped in. mentary roles. needed to be said. We learned to be “And then I think of how Joseph What does that partnership look in tune to how each other was doing went into the woods to pray near their like in the lives of covenant women and could tell when one was strug- home in Palmyra, New York. Where today? Let me share an example. gling and [then] the other tried to pick did he go? He went to the Sacred Alison and John had a partner- up the slack. It’s really all about trust Grove. Why did he go there? Because ship that was unique. They rode a and working together.”13 that’s where Mother went when she wanted to pray. “Those are just two of the women who had key roles in the restoration of the priesthood and in the Restoration of the Church. No doubt, we could say our wives are just as important today as they were then. Of course they are.” Like Emma and Lucy and Joseph, we are most effective when we are willing to learn from one another and are united in our goal to become dis- ciples of Jesus Christ and help others along that path. We are taught that “priesthood blesses the lives of God’s children in Provo, Utah, USA

62 SATURDAY EVENING SESSION women carry out much 3. Joseph Smith—History 1:16. of the work. Women 4. Joseph Smith, in Sarah M. Kimball, “Auto-Biography,” Woman’s Exponent, need to be willing to Sept. 1, 1883, 51; see also Teachings of “step forward [and] Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith take [their] rightful (2007), 451. 17 5. Joseph Smith, in “Nauvoo Relief Society and needful place” Minute Book,” 40, josephsmithpapers.org. as partners rather than 6. See George Albert Smith, “Address to the thinking they need to Members of the Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1945, 717. do it all by themselves 7. See John Taylor, in Nauvoo Relief Society or wait to be told what Minutes, Mar. 17, 1842, available at to do.18 churchhistorianspress.org. According to Eliza R. Snow, Joseph Smith also taught John and Alison were united not Seeing women as vital participants that women had been formally organized only as they pedaled their bicycle, but is not about creating parity but about in previous dispensations (see Eliza R. they were united in their marriage as understanding doctrinal truth. Rather Snow, “Female Relief Society,” , Apr. 22, 1868, 81; Daughters in My well. Each desired the happiness of than establishing a program to bring Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief the other more than his or her own; that about, we can actively work to Society [2011], 1–7). each looked for the good in one value women as God does: as essen- 8. See Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign or another and worked to overcome tial partners in the work of salvation Liahona, May 2014, 49–52. the not-so-great in him or herself. and exaltation. 9. See Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” They took turns leading and took Are we ready? Will we strive to Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 78, 79. 10. Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” 77. turns giving more when one part- overcome cultural bias and instead 11. “But the restored gospel teaches the ner was struggling. Each valued the embrace divine patterns and prac- eternal idea that husbands and wives are other’s contributions and found better tices based on foundational doctrine? interdependent with each other. They are equal. They are partners” (Bruce R. and answers to their challenges as they President Russell M. Nelson invites Marie K. Hafen, “Crossing Thresholds and combined their talents and resources. us to “walk arm in arm in this sacred Becoming Equal Partners,” Ensign, Aug. They are truly bound to one another work . . . [to] help prepare the world 2007, 26; Liahona, Aug. 2007, 28). 19 12. Gospel Topics, “Joseph Smith’s Teachings through Christlike love. for the Second Coming of the Lord.” about Priesthood, Temple, and Women,” Becoming more in tune with the As we do, we will learn to value each topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. divine pattern of working together individual’s contributions and increase 13. Personal correspondence. 14. See Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My in unity is critical in this day of “me the effectiveness with which we fulfill Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, first” messages that surround us. our divine roles. We will feel greater 95–97. Women do possess distinctive, divine joy than we have ever experienced. 15. Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” 97. 14 16. See General Handbook: Serving in The gifts and are given unique respon- May each of us choose to become Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sibilities, but those are not more—or united in the Lord’s inspired way to 1.4, ChurchofJesusChrist.org. less—important than men’s gifts and help His work go forward. In the 17. Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” 97. responsibilities. are designed and name of our beloved Savior, Jesus 18. “My dear sisters, whatever your calling, All whatever your circumstances, we need needed to bring about Heavenly Christ, amen. ◼ your impressions, your insights, and your Father’s divine plan to give each of inspiration. We need you to speak up and His children the best opportunity to NOTES speak out in ward and stake councils. 1. See Genesis 3:1–18; Moses 4:1–19. We need each married sister to speak as fulfill his or her divine potential. 2. See Moses 5:1–12. These verses teach of ‘a contributing and full partner’ as you Today, “we need women who have Adam and Eve’s true partnership: they had unite with your husband in governing the courage and vision of our Mother children together (verse 2); they labored your family. Married or single, you sisters 15 together in providing for themselves and possess distinctive capabilities and special Eve” to unite with their brethren in their family (verse 1); they prayed together intuition you have received as gifts from bringing souls unto Christ.16 Men need (verse 4); they obeyed the commandments God. We brethren cannot duplicate your to become true partners rather than of God and offered sacrifices together unique influence. . . . (verse 5); they learned (verses 4, 6–11) “. . . We need your strength!” (Russell M. assume they are solely responsible and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” 97). or act as “pretend” partners while their children together (verse 12). 19. Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” 97.

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