April 7, 2025 • 50 mins
The Powerful and Majestic Role of a Woman in Zion
To be able to see our role clearly as Women in Zion and step into that role fully is to bring the power of Jesus Christ into our lives. But with the influence of the world, our view can get muddied. In this episode I get a little vulnerable and share an experience where God corrected my view and and showed me something much more majestic. The Spirit taught me something about the role of women that no one has been able to explain to me in quite the same way. I hope I am able to convey it with the same power here because it has changed me.
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Study resources:
Real Meaning of the term Help Meet
References:
Knowing Who You Are —and Who You Have Always Been
Are We Not All Mothers?
The Influence of Mothers -Joseph F. Smith
Sisters in Zion By President Henry B. Eyring
Spiritual Treasures By President Russell M. Nelson
Daughters of God By President Gordon B. Hinckley
Lessons from Eve By Elder Russell M. Nelson
Woman —Of Infinite Worth By Elder Russell M. Nelson
Let us think straight. M. Russell Ballard
Truth and the PlanBy President Dallin H. Oaks
00:00 Introduction: Woman as God's Supreme Creation
00:34 Physical and Spiritual Preparedness
01:08 Welcome to the Hope Smiling Brightly Podcast
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Amber (00:01):
President Gordon b Hinkley said, woman is God's
supreme creation of all thecreations of the Almighty.
There is none more inspiringthan a daughter of God who walks
in virtue with an understandingof why she should do so.
Rise above the dust of theworld, know that you are
(00:23):
daughters of God and that thereis for you, a great work to be
done, which cannot be left toothers.
Close quote it's just asimportant to be physically
prepared as it is to bespiritually prepared.
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(00:47):
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(01:07):
Welcome back to the Hope SmilingBrightly podcast.
I am your host, Amber DawnPearce.
Thank you so much for beinghere, and thank you for leaving
your reviews and sharing thesemessages with your friends so we
can reach more people who needmessages of hope.
(01:29):
You are listening to episode 13,the powerful and majestic role
of a Woman in Zion.
In my last podcast, I ended byleaving a question for everyone
to ponder, as I always do.
This question was, what can I doto bring more of the power of
(01:50):
Jesus Christ into my life?
And so I pondered that questionfor myself.
And as I was pondering it, Ikind of got redirected to a
different question.
What is it to be a mother inZion and how do I more fully
(02:12):
step into that role?
I love that term mother in Zionbecause as Sheri Dew, explained,
as daughters of our HeavenlyFather and as Daughters of Eve,
we are all mothers and we havealways been mothers.
(02:32):
So as I pondered and studied, Istarted to realize that God was
answering my initial questionthrough this study about what it
is to be a mother in Zion.
When we truly understand who weare and step into that role that
(02:55):
allows more of the power ofJesus Christ into our lives.
I have learned so much in thelast six weeks that I've been
preparing for this, that I'mactually going to split this
into two episodes.
This episode will set thefoundation, answering that first
(03:16):
question of just what is it tobe a mother in Zion?
And the next episode willanswer, how do I fully step into
that role as a mother in Zion?
But who is this episode for?
It is not just for women.
In fact, I think it's equallyimportant for men to listen.
(03:38):
And no it's not just for womenwho might question their value.
This is for anyone who wants agreater understanding of the
majestic role of womanhood.
So as I was preparing for thisepisode, I decided to ask my
amazing community on socialmedia what kind of questions
(03:59):
they have when it comes to theirrole and worth as a woman.
I got so many responses, it wasa little overwhelming, and as I
pondered how to approach all ofthese perspectives and
questions, the spirit remindedme that nothing will be more
(04:24):
powerful to each individualperson than personal revelation.
So my goal today is to simplyoffer perhaps a different lens
to look through as you seekanswers and inspiration to your
questions about womanhood.
(04:46):
To start, why is it so importantfor us to understand what it is
to be not only a woman andmother, but a mother in Zion, or
a synonymous phrase, a mother inIsrael in October, 2024, the
prophet invited us to helpgather scattered Israel and
(05:08):
prepare the world for the secondcoming of the Lord where he will
reign in the new Jerusalem.
Joseph F.
Smith explained that as a rule,the mothers in Zion, the mothers
of Israel, are the very bestwomen that live in the world.
The best that can be foundanywhere.
(05:29):
We are able to lead andinfluence in such a way as
others cannot do, who aredestitute of the privileges,
blessings, and endowments sofreely conferred upon the
mothers in Israel.
Close quote and President Eyringfurther explained You sisters,
your daughters, yourgranddaughters, and the women
(05:51):
you have nurtured will be at theheart of creating that society
of people who will join inglorious association with the
savior.
You'll be an essential force inthe gathering of Israel and in
the creation of a Zion, peoplewho will dwell in peace in the
new Jerusalem.
(06:14):
So I have to set this up alittle bit before I really go
into depth.
So bear with me for a second.
Our role is similar to that ofEnoch.
We are at the heart of creatinga Zion people.
But before Enoch could step intohis role to create a Zion
people, there were things heneeded to see that could only be
(06:36):
seen through the spirit In Moses6 35 it says, and the Lord speak
unto Enoch and said unto him,anoint thine eyes with clay and
wash them.
And thou shall see.
There are things the Lord wantsus to see that will help us to
(06:58):
fully step into our role as amother in Zion and accomplish
what he needs of us.
But as Elder Scott said, I.
Your trust in the Lord must bemore powerful and enduring than
your confidence in your ownpersonal feelings and
experience.
This fallen world has muddiedour view.
(07:21):
We've drawn conclusions fromreal experiences, and it might
be hard to accept that some ofthose conclusions are
inaccurate.
Thankfully, the power of thename of Christ taken upon us in
the temple can help cleanse themud of this world away so that
(07:42):
we can see things that we havenever seen before.
There is beautiful instructionin Proverbs three where it says,
be not wise in th own eyes.
It shall be held to thy naveland marrow to thy bones, But
part of perhaps walking awayfrom our own wisdom, we need to
(08:07):
be open to what it says inverses 11 and 12.
Despise not the chastening ofthe Lord, neither be wary of his
correction, for whom the Lordloveth, he correcteth.
We cannot see if we are notwilling to receive correction.
(08:27):
Or if we believe that ourthinking is in no need of
correction at all.
But I promise you, I am not hereto correct or chasten anyone.
That's not my job.
I'm actually here to share withyou how the Lord chastened and
corrected me.
(08:49):
It's gonna get a littlevulnerable and honestly
embarrassing for me.
It's not something I reallywanna share, but I'm willing to
if it will help someone see moreclearly what it is to be a
woman, a mother in Zion, andfully step into that role.
(09:10):
In October, 2019, presidentNelson gave a talk titled
Spiritual Treasures andEncouraged Women to Labor with
the Spirit to understandpriesthood power.
He warned that it would not be aquick or an easy process, but
that it would require the samethings that the Lord instructed
(09:32):
of Emma and all of us inDoctrine and Covenants 25.
And so he invited us to studyit.
I eagerly accepted thatinvitation, but I had no idea
the significance of what theSpirit was about to teach me.
President Nelson was not kiddingwhen he said this endeavor would
(09:55):
require me to put aside thingsof the world and its false
philosophies and that I would berequired to examine my life
meticulously.
On October 15th, 2019, I kneltdown in prayer asking to be able
to see what the Lord needed meto see in this journey.
(10:18):
As I finished my prayer and wentto open to doctrine Covenants
25, something unexpected,humbling, and powerful happened.
I don't know if I can evendescribe it adequately, but I'll
try.
I hadn't even found the rightpage before the Spirit filled my
(10:44):
mind in an instant withknowledge that I had been
missing my entire life.
One verse from D C 25 came intomy mind with clarity.
In verse five, it says, and theoffice of thy calling shall be
for a comfort.
(11:05):
Unto thy husband in hisafflictions with consoling words
in the spirit of meekness.
Along with this verse came anoverwhelming flood of memories
of my subtle actions andattitude towards my husband over
(11:26):
our entire marriage.
You see, my approach when itcame to men was anything but
comforting, consoling, or meek.
The world had offered me aperspective of what it is to be
powerful and significant as awoman, and I completely bought
(11:48):
it.
It's nearly impossible to livein this world and not be
influenced by what Eliza arsSnow described, where some
people not only recognize thatwomen's status should be
improved, but are so radical intheir extreme theories that they
would set her in antagonism toman assume for her a separate
(12:12):
and opposing existence.
I believe that because of a fearand belief that I had that men
thought they were better thanwomen and would exercise control
given the chance I had to besure to prove them wrong.
I had always bristled at thewords, submit preside.
(12:34):
I decided that to ensure no onewould ever take control of me, I
had to take control first.
I thought real power of a womancould be best seen, independent
of a man's influence.
The spirit showed me the damage,my attitude, and actions did to
(12:58):
my kind and patient husband, andhow it stumped the progress and
unity in our marriage.
I sat and sobbed, and sobbed atwhat I had never been able to
see until this loving butpainful correction, and despite
(13:20):
my husband's immediateforgiveness and efforts to
console and reassure me.
I continued to cry for many daysas I came to terms with what I
had been shown.
The exact thing I thought waspower was actually completely
stripping me of it.
(13:42):
And in those remorseful days,God showed me real power.
The power I had been devoid ofpower is understanding who you
are through the eyes of God, andyou cannot completely understand
and respect the majestic realityof what it is to be a woman
(14:07):
without understanding andrespecting the majestic reality
of what it is to be a man andvice versa.
So I'll share with you a journalentry from that time that sums
up what I learned.
I wrote, I will come to valuemyself more as I learn to value
(14:32):
my husband more.
I will have increased power inmy life as I honor my husband.
Priesthood power in my life isgreatest within the triangle of
the Lord, my husband and I.
If I truly want to understandhow to draw upon God's power in
(14:52):
my life, it has to include myhusband, and the same applies to
him.
I can truly say that I've feltwhat it is to sacrifice a
broken.
Heart to give up ideas Ipassionately thought were true,
and instead see and accept God'scorrection felt like my heart
(15:20):
was literally breaking.
Again.
We cannot live in this worldwithout being influenced by it.
Therefore, we cannot leave theworld behind and come closer to
God and his thoughts, his ways,with without experiencing this
broken heart.
It's a part of the process sincethat day as I've walked away
(15:44):
from philosophies that are nolonger worthy of my time and
energy.
I have seen President Nelson'spromise fulfilled in my life
where he said that the changesin your perspective, feelings
and spiritual strength willamaze you.
I also saw something that SheriDew said come to pass in my
(16:09):
life.
She explained it is the spiritwho reveals to us our identity.
What, which isn't just who weare, but who we've always been.
And that when we know our livestake on a sense of purpose, so
stunning that we can never bethe same again.
(16:29):
What an incredible spiritualtreasure that experience gave
me.
But President Nelson's promisethat this would not be a quick
or easy process was true aswell.
Here we are almost six yearslater, and I just gained another
life-changing perspective that Ihumbly hope I can communicate to
(16:53):
you through the spirit, and Ihope it will be a treasure to
you as it has been to me.
This goes back to the promptingthat started this whole podcast,
realizing that drawing the powerof Jesus Christ into my life
would require me to gain agreater understanding of what it
is to be a mother in Zion.
(17:14):
As I pondered and prayed aboutthis, I went to the one place
President Nelson also promised,would open the heavens to me and
arm me with God's power, thetemple.
Every time we go to an endowmentsession at the temple, we review
the creation of the world.
Very basic stuff.
So basic that I was failing tosee something truly profound.
(17:41):
Now, I knew God didn't createwomen as second class, but there
were things I saw in the storyof the creation that honestly
made me feel that way.
So this time as I pondered, Iwanted to know what could I
learn from Eve, the mother inZion, the mother of all living.
(18:03):
I thought about the basiclessons in the creation of the
world that I had always tried toapply to my life, that things
had to be created in a correctorder, and likewise in our own
lives, we need to plan and notget ahead of ourselves.
One thing created to support thenext and the next so that we are
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sure that we get to the desiredend result in the creation.
It wouldn't have made sense tocreate animals without creating
vegetation first, because whatwould sustain their life?
As I pondered this process, thespirit whispered, don't stop
there.
Keep going.
(18:44):
I okay, so I started goingthrough the pattern again from
the beginning, starting with thefoundational knowledge that each
creation is brought intoexistence to support whatever
comes after it in fulfilling itspurpose.
And in doing so, fulfills thepurpose of its own creation, So
(19:08):
let's go through this together.
The measure of earth's creationas a foundation for all that
would be created after it.
And now that there was somethingto shine upon dividing light
from darkness, and then theheavens divided from the waters
and the waters gathered so dryland could appear and give place
(19:32):
for plants to grow upon it.
The measure of plant's creationto provide joy and nourishment
to all created after it lightsplaced in the firmament to guide
day and night for all life thatwas about to be created.
The measure of foul and fish andland animals creation to provide
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joy and nourishment to all thatwould be created after it.
The measure of man's creation toprovide for all that would be
created after him.
And what was created after Man,woman.
Truly the crowning creation, theultimate creation that all of
(20:22):
creation was established toprovide for was woman.
The purpose of light, sky,water, earth, the sun, plants,
animals, man, all revolvedaround the creation and purpose
(20:45):
of woman all put in place tohelp her fill the ultimate
measure of her creation.
It finally clicked the wordsthat I had heard spoken by
prophets over and over again,words that I was hearing but
(21:06):
could not hear because honestly,I thought they were being spoken
to placate me.
Words like, woman is the crownand creation, the supreme
creation, the highest holiestservice assumed by mankind.
Finally, what President Hinkleysaid was ringing true when he
(21:28):
stated then as his finalcreation, the crowning of his
glorious work.
He created woman.
I like to regard Eve as hismasterpiece.
After all that had gone beforethe final work, before he rested
from his labors, I do not regardher as being in second place to
(21:52):
Adam Close, quote, in God'sperfect plan, perfect order,
each creation was made tosupport every creation that
would come after it.
So let me state this again indifferent words.
Each life would fulfill themeasure of its creation.
(22:12):
Only by helping all that wascreated after it to support and
sustain the life and role ofwoman being its ultimate
purpose.
We let that sink in for asecond.
Truly mind blowing and humblingall at the same time because
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what was created after woman,nothing.
God's purpose was complete.
And from then forward, everyhuman body in existence that
would house the spirits createdby our heavenly parents would
come through the body of woman.
(22:56):
President Nelson said, all thepurposes of the world and all
that was in the world would bebrought to not without woman, a
keystone in the priesthood arcof creation.
Close quote, such magnificentpower, could not be independent,
encapsulated within one being.
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It was necessary that this wasnot something she would be able
to do on her own.
She understood her humbling roleand the incredible value of all
that was created before her, andall that would be created after,
through her.
In return and in gratitude, sheinstinctively desired to serve
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and nurture all of it.
Our prophet also has said tohelp another human being.
Reach one's celestial potentialis part of the divine mission of
woman as mother, teacher, ornurturing saint, she molds the
clay.
She molds living clay to theshape of her hopes.
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In partnership with God, herdivine mission is to help
spirits live and souls belifted.
This is the measure of hercreation.
It is ennobling, edifying, andexalting.
Close quote.
Now, who would God choose toentrust with the incredible role
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of protecting and providing away for his supreme creation to
fill the measure of hercreation?
It would have to be a being asequally as humble, capable, and
magnificent.
So as part of this perfect planhe created, man, remember just
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like the creations that precededhim, the measure of man's
creation was to provide for allthat would be created after him.
What an immense responsibilityto be required to provide
spiritually temporally all thatwas needed for God's supreme
(25:16):
creation.
Not only that, he would alsohave to protect her so she could
do her glorious and primary workof bringing life into this world
and nurturing it.
Now, God would not set up hischildren for failure.
He knew man would need somethingto help him be successful in
(25:40):
this truly astonishing role.
And so Adam was given priesthoodkeys, understanding that he
would have to answer to God forhow he used them, for, they
could only be used to bless andempower others.
Starting with Woman Eve wasendowed with this priesthood
(26:05):
power.
So together as husband and wife,they could experience all the
blessings of God's power intheir union and help their
children to fill the measure oftheir creation.
And onward.
Elder Ballard explained, men andwomen have different but equally
valued roles.
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Just as a woman cannot conceivea child without a man, so can a
man.
So a man cannot fully exercisethe power of the priesthood to
establish an eternal familywithout a woman.
In the eternal perspective, boththe procreative power and the
priesthood power are shared byhusband and wife.
(26:49):
Quote.
Eve had a very different role,but likewise was provided every
means necessary to fulfill it.
Innate qualities, priesthood,power, and a righteous man whose
every work would be to providefor her crowning work to be
completed.
Man was also given qualitiesthat would help him to provide
(27:13):
and protect.
These qualities could easily beused un righteously for the
wrong kind of power anddominion.
So in the Lord's wisdom, he gaveman the responsibility to hold
the priesthood, knowing it wouldteach him to use his innate
qualities in a righteous way.
(27:35):
Man could not complete hissacred responsibility in its
fullness, fill the measure ofhis creation and return to God's
presence without sacrificing anyselfish desire and learning how
to use this power for others asGlenn L.
Pace stated, Adam's ability toobtain the purification
(27:58):
necessary to get back into thepresence of God was dependent
upon his continuous associationwith Eve.
Did you hear that?
What a sacred role of woman tohelp man return to God's
presence.
Elder Matthew Cowley taught.
That men have to have somethinggiven to them in mortality to
(28:22):
make them saviors of men, butnot mothers.
Not women.
They are born with an inherentright, an inherent authority to
be the saviors of human soulsand the regenerating force in
the lives of God's children.
What a perfect plan that wouldrequire man to need a woman and
(28:46):
woman to need a man for withoutEve.
how could Adam fill the measureof his creation and what use
would priesthood keys be?
And without Adam, how could Evefill the measure of her creation
and what use would her power tocreate life within her body?
(29:06):
Be.
Eve understood this.
Eve knew who she was and this iswhy she was able to see the need
to make the difficult choice topartake of the fruit.
It was because of her uniquecreation and her desire to fill
the measure of it that helpedher to see.
So I will drive the point homeagain.
(29:29):
Part of seeing the overwhelmingimportant role you have as a
woman is to see the overwhelmingimportant role that men have and
vice versa.
Part of the reason the role ofman is so significant is because
of the significance of who he iscalled to protect and provide
(29:51):
for the supreme creation.
Part of what shows how a womanis so valuable is seeing the
lengths gone to all that wascreated for her benefit and in
order to help her fill themeasure of her creation.
Is it no wonder man and womanshould honor each other?
(30:15):
What a sacred responsibilityboth men and women have.
Elder Meryl g Bateman said, whena man understands how glorious a
woman is, he treats herdifferently.
When a woman understands that aman has the seeds of divinity
within him, she honors him notonly for who he is, but for what
(30:40):
he may become.
And understanding of the divinenature allows each person to
have respect for the other.
What kind of supreme creationwould we be if we did not see
and have deep gratitude andrespect for every creation
before us?
Every creation whose measure,whose purpose was to sustain our
(31:04):
life so we could fulfill ourpurpose.
Since nothing was created afterus, we have the responsibility
to turn back and honor andnurture all that was created
before us.
And we have been given everymeans necessary to fill our
primary role to nurture andgather all life, whether we have
(31:28):
children or not, husbands ornot, we must find our unique way
to nurture the lives of all ofGod's offspring.
So let's look briefly at othermisconceptions that might come
up as we review the story of thecreation.
(31:48):
We just debunked the theory thatwoman is inferior because she
was created after man.
But this new lens can help ussee lots of things differently
now., what else are we lookingat incorrectly?
What about the thought thatbecause woman was created from
the rib of a man, that woman issecond class seen through the
(32:13):
lens we just discussed, perhapsthat is a symbol, an incredibly
important reminder of the sacredrole.
God gave man to love and carefor woman as if she were his own
flesh, helping him see thesignificance of what he is
required to do.
(32:34):
In Ephesians five, it says, hethat loveth his wife, loveth
himself for no man ever yet,hated his own flesh, but nourish
and cherish it.
But nourisheth it, no, butnourish and cherisheth it for
this cause.
Shall a man leave his father andmother and shall be joined unto
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his wife and they too shall beone flesh.
Let every one of you inparticular, so love his wife,
even as himself and the wife.
See that she reverence herhusband.
Okay, here's another hangup.
What about the scripturereferring to woman as a help
meet for him upon first glancethat's another thing that could
(33:21):
make someone feel second class.
But what if it means that Evewas created to help him meet the
measure of his creation and whatwas the measure of his creation
to sacrifice all to support her.
(33:41):
I also remember when I learnedthe real meaning of the term
help meet my husband was beingset apart to serve in the stake
presidency, and I wasquestioning the importance of my
role.
Then the presiding generalauthority kindly asked if he
could speak to me first.
He proceeded to share with methat the Hebrew translation of
(34:04):
help meet ezer kenegdo, ezer,meaning, strength, and also a
word used in the Bible to referto the savior and Kenegdo
meaning opposite orcorresponding to helping me to
(34:24):
see that as a woman, I hadstrength and saving power equal
but opposite to my husband.
If you are curious to take adeeper dive into the meaning of
help meet, I will link afantastic article that goes more
in depth on this explanation inthe show notes.
(34:45):
Alright, now it is time toaddress the elephant in the
room.
What about those lives that looknothing like this plan?
What about those who do not seethemselves fitting into the plan
(35:06):
set forth in the creation of theworld about men and women and as
stated in the familyproclamation?
Bear with me here as I explainsomething incredibly important
in addressing this.
Satan's goal is not just todestroy families and every
(35:29):
single truth in the familyproclamation that is
lightweight.
A simple means to an end.
He knows, he must be verymeasured, careful, calculated if
he's going to reach his end goalbecause it is huge and he needs
(35:51):
to lead us there little bylittle because there is no way
we would buy it otherwise.
We would scoff at it and sayimpossible.
So, let me go back a little bit.
Before God called any prophet ofthe Old Testament, they needed
to understand the foundation ofhis plan.
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Why is the creation of the worldtaught over and over again to
Moses, to Enoch, to Abraham?
Why?
And for us, why is templeattendance so important?
Why go back to the creationevery time we attend a Temple
Endowment session?
Why the repetition?
(36:32):
Well.
The world is trying to destroyGod's plan, destroy the roles of
male and female, and we need aconstant reminder of the purpose
for which God created this worldand the magnificent role of male
and female that the world is soset on destroying.
And because if we are to surviveand conquer in these last days,
(36:56):
there are principles we cannever forget..
Principles about the magnificentand powerful role of both man,
woman, and Jesus Christ asestablished by Elohim, plural
for Gods as life progressed inthe fallen world.
(37:18):
Not every man's life and woman'slife has followed the pattern of
Adam and Eve.
This can cause some of the mostpainful and devastating
experiences.
Those who never marry, those whoare never able to have children,
single parents, those with aspouse who does not treat them
(37:41):
as they should?
Those who have same sexattraction don't feel their
gender.
So what do we do?
The world's solution is to erasethe standard.
Do away with the eternal truthslaid out in the family
proclamation.
Erase the plan so that no onefeels the pain of life not going
(38:03):
according to plan, because thereis no plan.
But if there is no plan, therecan be no wrong.
And if there is no wrong, thereis no need for redemption.
God's solution to this problemis very different.
His solution was always toprovide a savior.
(38:28):
Someone who could heal the painof life, not going according to
plan.
Someone who experienced thisexact pain and devastation in
Gethsemane, someone who camewith the promise, to anyone who
turned to him, that they wouldbe given every single righteous
desire of their heart, whetherrealized in this life or not,
(38:49):
Jesus Christ is the plan, but ifwe follow the world, erase the
plan.
Erase right and wrong iteffectually erases.
A need for a savior.
This is who Satan wants todestroy.
In order to do this, he mustdestroy the truths in the family
(39:11):
proclamation first, presidentOak said Satan's most strenuous
opposition is directed atwhatever is most important to
God's plan.
He seeks to destroy God's work.
His prime methods are todiscredit the savior and his
divine authority to erase theeffects of the atonement of
(39:33):
Jesus Christ.
This is why President Ballardasked us that.
When it comes to the familyproclamation, please remember to
read it in the light of thesaving power of Jesus Christ.
This is why Elder Hales, as oneof those who signed the living
Christ, warned that the family,a proclamation to the world was
(39:55):
given long before we experiencedthe challenges now facing the
family, the living Christ.
The testimony of the apostleswas prepared in advance of when
we will need it most, I believe,and have already seen that just
as the family proclamation seemslike basic no-brainer, accepted
(40:17):
doctrine is now being completelyrejected by the world.
The same is going to happen withthe Living Christ testimony.
Satan is destroying the familyproclamation because of his end
goal to destroy belief in JesusChrist.
We must and will have thecourage and power to withstand
(40:39):
this, despite the fact thatelder Hale's again warned quote,
though the church in recentdecades has largely been spared
the misunderstandings andpersecutions the early saints
faced.
It will not always be.
So we have and will bepersecuted for defending these
truths, but ReassuringlyPresident George Buchanan said
(41:01):
that in the preexistence, westood loyally by God and by
Jesus, and did not flinch Godreserved spirits for this
dispensation who would have thecourage and determination to
face the world and all thepowers of the evil one, and who
would build up the Zion of ourGod, fearless of all
(41:25):
consequences.
Close quote, this is part ofbeing a woman in Zion.
This is our great work.
We must arise to the call asChrist came through a woman.
Our role can be found withinMary's.
We are vessels of the Lord tohelp bring him into this world.
(41:48):
And as Mary taught Christ who hewas and who his heavenly father
was, we must do the same for ourown children and every child of
God.
Since women is such a vitalweapon in God's plan, and
because Satan understands ourimportant role as God's supreme
creation, maybe even better thansome women do, he will stop at
(42:11):
nothing to attack us.
As Sheri Dew explained, Satanhates us because of the
influence we have on husbandsand children, family and
friends, the church, and eventhe world.
It is no secret to him that weare the Lord's secret weapon.
Close quote.
He will do whatever it takes.
(42:34):
He has even tried to take thebeautiful doctrine of Heavenly
Mother and try to use it as astumbling block.
What a low blow.
Exactly.
Something he would do.
I can see him just laughing thatsome women are walking away from
(42:54):
their covenants because we don'tknow more about our glorious,
heavenly mother than we do.
Laughing as women remove thegarment of the holy priesthood
because he has convinced themthat they were created by man to
disempower and control, when inreality they were created by
heavenly parents to empower andfree us from the forces of evil.
(43:19):
Joseph F.
Smith explained that I do notknow of any other women in the
world that have the sameconception of wife and
motherhood that the Latter DaySaints possess.
Satan is aware of thesignificant role of women, and
he has been completelysuccessful in distorting it from
the beginning.
(43:40):
Almost all of Christianity hasbelieved the lie of a
Trinitarian God and that thereis no heavenly mother.
Almost all of Christianity hasbelieved the lie created by
Satan, that Eve made an evil andsinful choice in the Garden of
Eden, and she's to be lookeddown upon for it in a
conversation I had with a goodChristian friend.
(44:04):
When as we discussed the trialswe face with our physical
bodies, she exclaimed sometimes.
I wish I could punch Eve in theface.
I was shocked and speechless ather comment.
I, some of the most preciousdoctrines that confirmed to me
that this is truly the fullnessof the gospel is that we believe
(44:26):
that Eve made an incredibly wisechoice in the Garden of Eden,
and she is to be honored for it.
And that we have a Heavenlyfather and mother whose image we
are created after.
We are taught all men and womenare in the similitude of the
universal father and mother, andare literally the sons and
(44:51):
daughters of deity.
Close quote.
Drawing, from the knowledge inthat quote, we can understand
the roles and significance ofour heavenly father and mother
by looking at the roles given toAdam and Eve, man and woman.
I trust that just like Adam, myheavenly Father presides in love
(45:13):
and righteousness and protectsand provides for my heavenly
mother and their children sothat she can do her majestic and
supreme work.
I trust that just like Eve, myheavenly mother nurtures.
All of creation and all ofcreation witnesses of her voice,
(45:36):
her wisdom and love.
We are also taught that quote,our heavenly parents work
together for the salvation ofthe human family.
I testify that our heavenlyparents are one in purpose and
have set forth this perfect planthat provides every opportunity
for both male and female to fillthe measure of their creation.
(45:59):
Elder Ballard said this matter,like many others, comes down to
our faith.
Do we believe that this is theLord's Church?
Do we believe that he hasorganized it according to his
purposes and wisdom?
Do we believe that his wisdomfar exceeds ours?
Do we believe that he hasorganized his church in a manner
(46:20):
that would be the greatestpossible blessing to all of his
children, both his sons and hisdaughters?
Close quote.
If we will understand, embrace,magnify the most noble calling
of mother in Zion, mother inIsrael.
Oh my goodness.
Such power and miracles await.
(46:41):
To end off, let's go back to thesame chapter of scripture we
started with in Proverbs three,because there is something so
beautiful to behold there.
One might easily conclude thatthere's not a lot about women in
the scriptures, but I thinkthere is more than we realize.
(47:07):
We just need to look closer inthese next verses about wisdom.
I want you to remember andrealize that the Lord refers to
wisdom in the feminine.
So what can we learn about her,about women as we read these
(47:30):
verses from that perspective?
Happy is the man that Findethwisdom and the man that gith
understanding for themerchandise of it is better than
the merchandise of silver andthe gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubiesand all the things thou can's
(47:54):
desire are not to be comparedunto her length of days is in
her right hand and in her lefthand.
Riches and honor.
Her ways are ways ofpleasantness and all her paths
are peace.
(48:14):
She is a tree of life to themthat lay hold upon her.
And happy is everyone thatretain with her.
One more verse here, andremember that wisdom is in the
feminine.
It's so beautiful.
The Lord, by wisdom, havefounded the earth by
(48:40):
understanding half.
He established the heavensIsaiah has told us, shake
thyself from the dust arise andsit down.
In other words, he's saying, getup off the ground.
Dust yourself off, and sit downinto your rightful position of
(49:04):
dignity.
Honor, authority.
So I'll say that again.
Shake thyself from the dustArise and sit down O Jerusalem.
Loose thyself from the bands ofthy neck.
O.
Captive daughter of Zion.
It is time to understand andstep into our role as mothers in
(49:28):
Zion.
Whether we have children or not,husbands or not, we must answer
the call to nurture the life ofall of our heavenly parents
offspring in our own unique waynow or in eternity, this
promise.
And Proverbs 31, 28 is yours.
(49:48):
Her children arise up and callher.
Blessed her husband also, and heprays with her.
I encourage you to bring yourheartfelt questions to the Lord
and invite his wisdom andpossible correction.
Write down anything the spirithas already taught you.
(50:09):
And as the questions I leavewith you today, what is it to be
a mother in Zion, a woman inIsrael, to you asking God, how
do I more fully step into thisrole?
I've included links andresources that might help in
your study in the show notes.
(50:30):
And be sure to tune in for thenext episode, discussing more of
how we can fully step into ourrole as women in Zion.
And as always, please join inthe conversation over on
Instagram at Amber Dawn Pearce.
Christ is in awe of women.
Christ is calling women.
(50:51):
Christ is hope, smilingbrightly.
President Gordon b Hinkley said, woman is God's
supreme creation of all thecreations of the Almighty.
There is none more inspiringthan a daughter of God who walks
in virtue with an understandingof why she should do so.
Rise above the dust of theworld, know that you are
(00:23):
daughters of God and that thereis for you, a great work to be
done, which cannot be left toothers.
Close quote it's just asimportant to be physically
prepared as it is to bespiritually prepared.
And Thrive Life is the easiestand most delicious way to help
you do that.
It is food with a 25 year shelflife and all you do is set up a
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So go to amber.thrivelife.command set up a delivery to get 15
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(01:07):
Welcome back to the Hope SmilingBrightly podcast.
I am your host, Amber DawnPearce.
Thank you so much for beinghere, and thank you for leaving
your reviews and sharing thesemessages with your friends so we
can reach more people who needmessages of hope.
(01:29):
You are listening to episode 13,the powerful and majestic role
of a Woman in Zion.
In my last podcast, I ended byleaving a question for everyone
to ponder, as I always do.
This question was, what can I doto bring more of the power of
(01:50):
Jesus Christ into my life?
And so I pondered that questionfor myself.
And as I was pondering it, Ikind of got redirected to a
different question.
What is it to be a mother inZion and how do I more fully
(02:12):
step into that role?
I love that term mother in Zionbecause as Sheri Dew, explained,
as daughters of our HeavenlyFather and as Daughters of Eve,
we are all mothers and we havealways been mothers.
(02:32):
So as I pondered and studied, Istarted to realize that God was
answering my initial questionthrough this study about what it
is to be a mother in Zion.
When we truly understand who weare and step into that role that
(02:55):
allows more of the power ofJesus Christ into our lives.
I have learned so much in thelast six weeks that I've been
preparing for this, that I'mactually going to split this
into two episodes.
This episode will set thefoundation, answering that first
(03:16):
question of just what is it tobe a mother in Zion?
And the next episode willanswer, how do I fully step into
that role as a mother in Zion?
But who is this episode for?
It is not just for women.
In fact, I think it's equallyimportant for men to listen.
(03:38):
And no it's not just for womenwho might question their value.
This is for anyone who wants agreater understanding of the
majestic role of womanhood.
So as I was preparing for thisepisode, I decided to ask my
amazing community on socialmedia what kind of questions
(03:59):
they have when it comes to theirrole and worth as a woman.
I got so many responses, it wasa little overwhelming, and as I
pondered how to approach all ofthese perspectives and
questions, the spirit remindedme that nothing will be more
(04:24):
powerful to each individualperson than personal revelation.
So my goal today is to simplyoffer perhaps a different lens
to look through as you seekanswers and inspiration to your
questions about womanhood.
(04:46):
To start, why is it so importantfor us to understand what it is
to be not only a woman andmother, but a mother in Zion, or
a synonymous phrase, a mother inIsrael in October, 2024, the
prophet invited us to helpgather scattered Israel and
(05:08):
prepare the world for the secondcoming of the Lord where he will
reign in the new Jerusalem.
Joseph F.
Smith explained that as a rule,the mothers in Zion, the mothers
of Israel, are the very bestwomen that live in the world.
The best that can be foundanywhere.
(05:29):
We are able to lead andinfluence in such a way as
others cannot do, who aredestitute of the privileges,
blessings, and endowments sofreely conferred upon the
mothers in Israel.
Close quote and President Eyringfurther explained You sisters,
your daughters, yourgranddaughters, and the women
(05:51):
you have nurtured will be at theheart of creating that society
of people who will join inglorious association with the
savior.
You'll be an essential force inthe gathering of Israel and in
the creation of a Zion, peoplewho will dwell in peace in the
new Jerusalem.
(06:14):
So I have to set this up alittle bit before I really go
into depth.
So bear with me for a second.
Our role is similar to that ofEnoch.
We are at the heart of creatinga Zion people.
But before Enoch could step intohis role to create a Zion
people, there were things heneeded to see that could only be
(06:36):
seen through the spirit In Moses6 35 it says, and the Lord speak
unto Enoch and said unto him,anoint thine eyes with clay and
wash them.
And thou shall see.
There are things the Lord wantsus to see that will help us to
(06:58):
fully step into our role as amother in Zion and accomplish
what he needs of us.
But as Elder Scott said, I.
Your trust in the Lord must bemore powerful and enduring than
your confidence in your ownpersonal feelings and
experience.
This fallen world has muddiedour view.
(07:21):
We've drawn conclusions fromreal experiences, and it might
be hard to accept that some ofthose conclusions are
inaccurate.
Thankfully, the power of thename of Christ taken upon us in
the temple can help cleanse themud of this world away so that
(07:42):
we can see things that we havenever seen before.
There is beautiful instructionin Proverbs three where it says,
be not wise in th own eyes.
It shall be held to thy naveland marrow to thy bones, But
part of perhaps walking awayfrom our own wisdom, we need to
(08:07):
be open to what it says inverses 11 and 12.
Despise not the chastening ofthe Lord, neither be wary of his
correction, for whom the Lordloveth, he correcteth.
We cannot see if we are notwilling to receive correction.
(08:27):
Or if we believe that ourthinking is in no need of
correction at all.
But I promise you, I am not hereto correct or chasten anyone.
That's not my job.
I'm actually here to share withyou how the Lord chastened and
corrected me.
(08:49):
It's gonna get a littlevulnerable and honestly
embarrassing for me.
It's not something I reallywanna share, but I'm willing to
if it will help someone see moreclearly what it is to be a
woman, a mother in Zion, andfully step into that role.
(09:10):
In October, 2019, presidentNelson gave a talk titled
Spiritual Treasures andEncouraged Women to Labor with
the Spirit to understandpriesthood power.
He warned that it would not be aquick or an easy process, but
that it would require the samethings that the Lord instructed
(09:32):
of Emma and all of us inDoctrine and Covenants 25.
And so he invited us to studyit.
I eagerly accepted thatinvitation, but I had no idea
the significance of what theSpirit was about to teach me.
President Nelson was not kiddingwhen he said this endeavor would
(09:55):
require me to put aside thingsof the world and its false
philosophies and that I would berequired to examine my life
meticulously.
On October 15th, 2019, I kneltdown in prayer asking to be able
to see what the Lord needed meto see in this journey.
(10:18):
As I finished my prayer and wentto open to doctrine Covenants
25, something unexpected,humbling, and powerful happened.
I don't know if I can evendescribe it adequately, but I'll
try.
I hadn't even found the rightpage before the Spirit filled my
(10:44):
mind in an instant withknowledge that I had been
missing my entire life.
One verse from D C 25 came intomy mind with clarity.
In verse five, it says, and theoffice of thy calling shall be
for a comfort.
(11:05):
Unto thy husband in hisafflictions with consoling words
in the spirit of meekness.
Along with this verse came anoverwhelming flood of memories
of my subtle actions andattitude towards my husband over
(11:26):
our entire marriage.
You see, my approach when itcame to men was anything but
comforting, consoling, or meek.
The world had offered me aperspective of what it is to be
powerful and significant as awoman, and I completely bought
(11:48):
it.
It's nearly impossible to livein this world and not be
influenced by what Eliza arsSnow described, where some
people not only recognize thatwomen's status should be
improved, but are so radical intheir extreme theories that they
would set her in antagonism toman assume for her a separate
(12:12):
and opposing existence.
I believe that because of a fearand belief that I had that men
thought they were better thanwomen and would exercise control
given the chance I had to besure to prove them wrong.
I had always bristled at thewords, submit preside.
(12:34):
I decided that to ensure no onewould ever take control of me, I
had to take control first.
I thought real power of a womancould be best seen, independent
of a man's influence.
The spirit showed me the damage,my attitude, and actions did to
(12:58):
my kind and patient husband, andhow it stumped the progress and
unity in our marriage.
I sat and sobbed, and sobbed atwhat I had never been able to
see until this loving butpainful correction, and despite
(13:20):
my husband's immediateforgiveness and efforts to
console and reassure me.
I continued to cry for many daysas I came to terms with what I
had been shown.
The exact thing I thought waspower was actually completely
stripping me of it.
(13:42):
And in those remorseful days,God showed me real power.
The power I had been devoid ofpower is understanding who you
are through the eyes of God, andyou cannot completely understand
and respect the majestic realityof what it is to be a woman
(14:07):
without understanding andrespecting the majestic reality
of what it is to be a man andvice versa.
So I'll share with you a journalentry from that time that sums
up what I learned.
I wrote, I will come to valuemyself more as I learn to value
(14:32):
my husband more.
I will have increased power inmy life as I honor my husband.
Priesthood power in my life isgreatest within the triangle of
the Lord, my husband and I.
If I truly want to understandhow to draw upon God's power in
(14:52):
my life, it has to include myhusband, and the same applies to
him.
I can truly say that I've feltwhat it is to sacrifice a
broken.
Heart to give up ideas Ipassionately thought were true,
and instead see and accept God'scorrection felt like my heart
(15:20):
was literally breaking.
Again.
We cannot live in this worldwithout being influenced by it.
Therefore, we cannot leave theworld behind and come closer to
God and his thoughts, his ways,with without experiencing this
broken heart.
It's a part of the process sincethat day as I've walked away
(15:44):
from philosophies that are nolonger worthy of my time and
energy.
I have seen President Nelson'spromise fulfilled in my life
where he said that the changesin your perspective, feelings
and spiritual strength willamaze you.
I also saw something that SheriDew said come to pass in my
(16:09):
life.
She explained it is the spiritwho reveals to us our identity.
What, which isn't just who weare, but who we've always been.
And that when we know our livestake on a sense of purpose, so
stunning that we can never bethe same again.
(16:29):
What an incredible spiritualtreasure that experience gave
me.
But President Nelson's promisethat this would not be a quick
or easy process was true aswell.
Here we are almost six yearslater, and I just gained another
life-changing perspective that Ihumbly hope I can communicate to
(16:53):
you through the spirit, and Ihope it will be a treasure to
you as it has been to me.
This goes back to the promptingthat started this whole podcast,
realizing that drawing the powerof Jesus Christ into my life
would require me to gain agreater understanding of what it
is to be a mother in Zion.
(17:14):
As I pondered and prayed aboutthis, I went to the one place
President Nelson also promised,would open the heavens to me and
arm me with God's power, thetemple.
Every time we go to an endowmentsession at the temple, we review
the creation of the world.
Very basic stuff.
So basic that I was failing tosee something truly profound.
(17:41):
Now, I knew God didn't createwomen as second class, but there
were things I saw in the storyof the creation that honestly
made me feel that way.
So this time as I pondered, Iwanted to know what could I
learn from Eve, the mother inZion, the mother of all living.
(18:03):
I thought about the basiclessons in the creation of the
world that I had always tried toapply to my life, that things
had to be created in a correctorder, and likewise in our own
lives, we need to plan and notget ahead of ourselves.
One thing created to support thenext and the next so that we are
(18:23):
sure that we get to the desiredend result in the creation.
It wouldn't have made sense tocreate animals without creating
vegetation first, because whatwould sustain their life?
As I pondered this process, thespirit whispered, don't stop
there.
Keep going.
(18:44):
I okay, so I started goingthrough the pattern again from
the beginning, starting with thefoundational knowledge that each
creation is brought intoexistence to support whatever
comes after it in fulfilling itspurpose.
And in doing so, fulfills thepurpose of its own creation, So
(19:08):
let's go through this together.
The measure of earth's creationas a foundation for all that
would be created after it.
And now that there was somethingto shine upon dividing light
from darkness, and then theheavens divided from the waters
and the waters gathered so dryland could appear and give place
(19:32):
for plants to grow upon it.
The measure of plant's creationto provide joy and nourishment
to all created after it lightsplaced in the firmament to guide
day and night for all life thatwas about to be created.
The measure of foul and fish andland animals creation to provide
(19:56):
joy and nourishment to all thatwould be created after it.
The measure of man's creation toprovide for all that would be
created after him.
And what was created after Man,woman.
Truly the crowning creation, theultimate creation that all of
(20:22):
creation was established toprovide for was woman.
The purpose of light, sky,water, earth, the sun, plants,
animals, man, all revolvedaround the creation and purpose
(20:45):
of woman all put in place tohelp her fill the ultimate
measure of her creation.
It finally clicked the wordsthat I had heard spoken by
prophets over and over again,words that I was hearing but
(21:06):
could not hear because honestly,I thought they were being spoken
to placate me.
Words like, woman is the crownand creation, the supreme
creation, the highest holiestservice assumed by mankind.
Finally, what President Hinkleysaid was ringing true when he
(21:28):
stated then as his finalcreation, the crowning of his
glorious work.
He created woman.
I like to regard Eve as hismasterpiece.
After all that had gone beforethe final work, before he rested
from his labors, I do not regardher as being in second place to
(21:52):
Adam Close, quote, in God'sperfect plan, perfect order,
each creation was made tosupport every creation that
would come after it.
So let me state this again indifferent words.
Each life would fulfill themeasure of its creation.
(22:12):
Only by helping all that wascreated after it to support and
sustain the life and role ofwoman being its ultimate
purpose.
We let that sink in for asecond.
Truly mind blowing and humblingall at the same time because
(22:35):
what was created after woman,nothing.
God's purpose was complete.
And from then forward, everyhuman body in existence that
would house the spirits createdby our heavenly parents would
come through the body of woman.
(22:56):
President Nelson said, all thepurposes of the world and all
that was in the world would bebrought to not without woman, a
keystone in the priesthood arcof creation.
Close quote, such magnificentpower, could not be independent,
encapsulated within one being.
(23:19):
It was necessary that this wasnot something she would be able
to do on her own.
She understood her humbling roleand the incredible value of all
that was created before her, andall that would be created after,
through her.
In return and in gratitude, sheinstinctively desired to serve
(23:42):
and nurture all of it.
Our prophet also has said tohelp another human being.
Reach one's celestial potentialis part of the divine mission of
woman as mother, teacher, ornurturing saint, she molds the
clay.
She molds living clay to theshape of her hopes.
(24:06):
In partnership with God, herdivine mission is to help
spirits live and souls belifted.
This is the measure of hercreation.
It is ennobling, edifying, andexalting.
Close quote.
Now, who would God choose toentrust with the incredible role
(24:30):
of protecting and providing away for his supreme creation to
fill the measure of hercreation?
It would have to be a being asequally as humble, capable, and
magnificent.
So as part of this perfect planhe created, man, remember just
(24:55):
like the creations that precededhim, the measure of man's
creation was to provide for allthat would be created after him.
What an immense responsibilityto be required to provide
spiritually temporally all thatwas needed for God's supreme
(25:16):
creation.
Not only that, he would alsohave to protect her so she could
do her glorious and primary workof bringing life into this world
and nurturing it.
Now, God would not set up hischildren for failure.
He knew man would need somethingto help him be successful in
(25:40):
this truly astonishing role.
And so Adam was given priesthoodkeys, understanding that he
would have to answer to God forhow he used them, for, they
could only be used to bless andempower others.
Starting with Woman Eve wasendowed with this priesthood
(26:05):
power.
So together as husband and wife,they could experience all the
blessings of God's power intheir union and help their
children to fill the measure oftheir creation.
And onward.
Elder Ballard explained, men andwomen have different but equally
valued roles.
(26:25):
Just as a woman cannot conceivea child without a man, so can a
man.
So a man cannot fully exercisethe power of the priesthood to
establish an eternal familywithout a woman.
In the eternal perspective, boththe procreative power and the
priesthood power are shared byhusband and wife.
(26:49):
Quote.
Eve had a very different role,but likewise was provided every
means necessary to fulfill it.
Innate qualities, priesthood,power, and a righteous man whose
every work would be to providefor her crowning work to be
completed.
Man was also given qualitiesthat would help him to provide
(27:13):
and protect.
These qualities could easily beused un righteously for the
wrong kind of power anddominion.
So in the Lord's wisdom, he gaveman the responsibility to hold
the priesthood, knowing it wouldteach him to use his innate
qualities in a righteous way.
(27:35):
Man could not complete hissacred responsibility in its
fullness, fill the measure ofhis creation and return to God's
presence without sacrificing anyselfish desire and learning how
to use this power for others asGlenn L.
Pace stated, Adam's ability toobtain the purification
(27:58):
necessary to get back into thepresence of God was dependent
upon his continuous associationwith Eve.
Did you hear that?
What a sacred role of woman tohelp man return to God's
presence.
Elder Matthew Cowley taught.
That men have to have somethinggiven to them in mortality to
(28:22):
make them saviors of men, butnot mothers.
Not women.
They are born with an inherentright, an inherent authority to
be the saviors of human soulsand the regenerating force in
the lives of God's children.
What a perfect plan that wouldrequire man to need a woman and
(28:46):
woman to need a man for withoutEve.
how could Adam fill the measureof his creation and what use
would priesthood keys be?
And without Adam, how could Evefill the measure of her creation
and what use would her power tocreate life within her body?
(29:06):
Be.
Eve understood this.
Eve knew who she was and this iswhy she was able to see the need
to make the difficult choice topartake of the fruit.
It was because of her uniquecreation and her desire to fill
the measure of it that helpedher to see.
So I will drive the point homeagain.
(29:29):
Part of seeing the overwhelmingimportant role you have as a
woman is to see the overwhelmingimportant role that men have and
vice versa.
Part of the reason the role ofman is so significant is because
of the significance of who he iscalled to protect and provide
(29:51):
for the supreme creation.
Part of what shows how a womanis so valuable is seeing the
lengths gone to all that wascreated for her benefit and in
order to help her fill themeasure of her creation.
Is it no wonder man and womanshould honor each other?
(30:15):
What a sacred responsibilityboth men and women have.
Elder Meryl g Bateman said, whena man understands how glorious a
woman is, he treats herdifferently.
When a woman understands that aman has the seeds of divinity
within him, she honors him notonly for who he is, but for what
(30:40):
he may become.
And understanding of the divinenature allows each person to
have respect for the other.
What kind of supreme creationwould we be if we did not see
and have deep gratitude andrespect for every creation
before us?
Every creation whose measure,whose purpose was to sustain our
(31:04):
life so we could fulfill ourpurpose.
Since nothing was created afterus, we have the responsibility
to turn back and honor andnurture all that was created
before us.
And we have been given everymeans necessary to fill our
primary role to nurture andgather all life, whether we have
(31:28):
children or not, husbands ornot, we must find our unique way
to nurture the lives of all ofGod's offspring.
So let's look briefly at othermisconceptions that might come
up as we review the story of thecreation.
(31:48):
We just debunked the theory thatwoman is inferior because she
was created after man.
But this new lens can help ussee lots of things differently
now., what else are we lookingat incorrectly?
What about the thought thatbecause woman was created from
the rib of a man, that woman issecond class seen through the
(32:13):
lens we just discussed, perhapsthat is a symbol, an incredibly
important reminder of the sacredrole.
God gave man to love and carefor woman as if she were his own
flesh, helping him see thesignificance of what he is
required to do.
(32:34):
In Ephesians five, it says, hethat loveth his wife, loveth
himself for no man ever yet,hated his own flesh, but nourish
and cherish it.
But nourisheth it, no, butnourish and cherisheth it for
this cause.
Shall a man leave his father andmother and shall be joined unto
(32:56):
his wife and they too shall beone flesh.
Let every one of you inparticular, so love his wife,
even as himself and the wife.
See that she reverence herhusband.
Okay, here's another hangup.
What about the scripturereferring to woman as a help
meet for him upon first glancethat's another thing that could
(33:21):
make someone feel second class.
But what if it means that Evewas created to help him meet the
measure of his creation and whatwas the measure of his creation
to sacrifice all to support her.
(33:41):
I also remember when I learnedthe real meaning of the term
help meet my husband was beingset apart to serve in the stake
presidency, and I wasquestioning the importance of my
role.
Then the presiding generalauthority kindly asked if he
could speak to me first.
He proceeded to share with methat the Hebrew translation of
(34:04):
help meet ezer kenegdo, ezer,meaning, strength, and also a
word used in the Bible to referto the savior and Kenegdo
meaning opposite orcorresponding to helping me to
(34:24):
see that as a woman, I hadstrength and saving power equal
but opposite to my husband.
If you are curious to take adeeper dive into the meaning of
help meet, I will link afantastic article that goes more
in depth on this explanation inthe show notes.
(34:45):
Alright, now it is time toaddress the elephant in the
room.
What about those lives that looknothing like this plan?
What about those who do not seethemselves fitting into the plan
(35:06):
set forth in the creation of theworld about men and women and as
stated in the familyproclamation?
Bear with me here as I explainsomething incredibly important
in addressing this.
Satan's goal is not just todestroy families and every
(35:29):
single truth in the familyproclamation that is
lightweight.
A simple means to an end.
He knows, he must be verymeasured, careful, calculated if
he's going to reach his end goalbecause it is huge and he needs
(35:51):
to lead us there little bylittle because there is no way
we would buy it otherwise.
We would scoff at it and sayimpossible.
So, let me go back a little bit.
Before God called any prophet ofthe Old Testament, they needed
to understand the foundation ofhis plan.
(36:11):
Why is the creation of the worldtaught over and over again to
Moses, to Enoch, to Abraham?
Why?
And for us, why is templeattendance so important?
Why go back to the creationevery time we attend a Temple
Endowment session?
Why the repetition?
(36:32):
Well.
The world is trying to destroyGod's plan, destroy the roles of
male and female, and we need aconstant reminder of the purpose
for which God created this worldand the magnificent role of male
and female that the world is soset on destroying.
And because if we are to surviveand conquer in these last days,
(36:56):
there are principles we cannever forget..
Principles about the magnificentand powerful role of both man,
woman, and Jesus Christ asestablished by Elohim, plural
for Gods as life progressed inthe fallen world.
(37:18):
Not every man's life and woman'slife has followed the pattern of
Adam and Eve.
This can cause some of the mostpainful and devastating
experiences.
Those who never marry, those whoare never able to have children,
single parents, those with aspouse who does not treat them
(37:41):
as they should?
Those who have same sexattraction don't feel their
gender.
So what do we do?
The world's solution is to erasethe standard.
Do away with the eternal truthslaid out in the family
proclamation.
Erase the plan so that no onefeels the pain of life not going
(38:03):
according to plan, because thereis no plan.
But if there is no plan, therecan be no wrong.
And if there is no wrong, thereis no need for redemption.
God's solution to this problemis very different.
His solution was always toprovide a savior.
(38:28):
Someone who could heal the painof life, not going according to
plan.
Someone who experienced thisexact pain and devastation in
Gethsemane, someone who camewith the promise, to anyone who
turned to him, that they wouldbe given every single righteous
desire of their heart, whetherrealized in this life or not,
(38:49):
Jesus Christ is the plan, but ifwe follow the world, erase the
plan.
Erase right and wrong iteffectually erases.
A need for a savior.
This is who Satan wants todestroy.
In order to do this, he mustdestroy the truths in the family
(39:11):
proclamation first, presidentOak said Satan's most strenuous
opposition is directed atwhatever is most important to
God's plan.
He seeks to destroy God's work.
His prime methods are todiscredit the savior and his
divine authority to erase theeffects of the atonement of
(39:33):
Jesus Christ.
This is why President Ballardasked us that.
When it comes to the familyproclamation, please remember to
read it in the light of thesaving power of Jesus Christ.
This is why Elder Hales, as oneof those who signed the living
Christ, warned that the family,a proclamation to the world was
(39:55):
given long before we experiencedthe challenges now facing the
family, the living Christ.
The testimony of the apostleswas prepared in advance of when
we will need it most, I believe,and have already seen that just
as the family proclamation seemslike basic no-brainer, accepted
(40:17):
doctrine is now being completelyrejected by the world.
The same is going to happen withthe Living Christ testimony.
Satan is destroying the familyproclamation because of his end
goal to destroy belief in JesusChrist.
We must and will have thecourage and power to withstand
(40:39):
this, despite the fact thatelder Hale's again warned quote,
though the church in recentdecades has largely been spared
the misunderstandings andpersecutions the early saints
faced.
It will not always be.
So we have and will bepersecuted for defending these
truths, but ReassuringlyPresident George Buchanan said
(41:01):
that in the preexistence, westood loyally by God and by
Jesus, and did not flinch Godreserved spirits for this
dispensation who would have thecourage and determination to
face the world and all thepowers of the evil one, and who
would build up the Zion of ourGod, fearless of all
(41:25):
consequences.
Close quote, this is part ofbeing a woman in Zion.
This is our great work.
We must arise to the call asChrist came through a woman.
Our role can be found withinMary's.
We are vessels of the Lord tohelp bring him into this world.
(41:48):
And as Mary taught Christ who hewas and who his heavenly father
was, we must do the same for ourown children and every child of
God.
Since women is such a vitalweapon in God's plan, and
because Satan understands ourimportant role as God's supreme
creation, maybe even better thansome women do, he will stop at
(42:11):
nothing to attack us.
As Sheri Dew explained, Satanhates us because of the
influence we have on husbandsand children, family and
friends, the church, and eventhe world.
It is no secret to him that weare the Lord's secret weapon.
Close quote.
He will do whatever it takes.
(42:34):
He has even tried to take thebeautiful doctrine of Heavenly
Mother and try to use it as astumbling block.
What a low blow.
Exactly.
Something he would do.
I can see him just laughing thatsome women are walking away from
(42:54):
their covenants because we don'tknow more about our glorious,
heavenly mother than we do.
Laughing as women remove thegarment of the holy priesthood
because he has convinced themthat they were created by man to
disempower and control, when inreality they were created by
heavenly parents to empower andfree us from the forces of evil.
(43:19):
Joseph F.
Smith explained that I do notknow of any other women in the
world that have the sameconception of wife and
motherhood that the Latter DaySaints possess.
Satan is aware of thesignificant role of women, and
he has been completelysuccessful in distorting it from
the beginning.
(43:40):
Almost all of Christianity hasbelieved the lie of a
Trinitarian God and that thereis no heavenly mother.
Almost all of Christianity hasbelieved the lie created by
Satan, that Eve made an evil andsinful choice in the Garden of
Eden, and she's to be lookeddown upon for it in a
conversation I had with a goodChristian friend.
(44:04):
When as we discussed the trialswe face with our physical
bodies, she exclaimed sometimes.
I wish I could punch Eve in theface.
I was shocked and speechless ather comment.
I, some of the most preciousdoctrines that confirmed to me
that this is truly the fullnessof the gospel is that we believe
(44:26):
that Eve made an incredibly wisechoice in the Garden of Eden,
and she is to be honored for it.
And that we have a Heavenlyfather and mother whose image we
are created after.
We are taught all men and womenare in the similitude of the
universal father and mother, andare literally the sons and
(44:51):
daughters of deity.
Close quote.
Drawing, from the knowledge inthat quote, we can understand
the roles and significance ofour heavenly father and mother
by looking at the roles given toAdam and Eve, man and woman.
I trust that just like Adam, myheavenly Father presides in love
(45:13):
and righteousness and protectsand provides for my heavenly
mother and their children sothat she can do her majestic and
supreme work.
I trust that just like Eve, myheavenly mother nurtures.
All of creation and all ofcreation witnesses of her voice,
(45:36):
her wisdom and love.
We are also taught that quote,our heavenly parents work
together for the salvation ofthe human family.
I testify that our heavenlyparents are one in purpose and
have set forth this perfect planthat provides every opportunity
for both male and female to fillthe measure of their creation.
(45:59):
Elder Ballard said this matter,like many others, comes down to
our faith.
Do we believe that this is theLord's Church?
Do we believe that he hasorganized it according to his
purposes and wisdom?
Do we believe that his wisdomfar exceeds ours?
Do we believe that he hasorganized his church in a manner
(46:20):
that would be the greatestpossible blessing to all of his
children, both his sons and hisdaughters?
Close quote.
If we will understand, embrace,magnify the most noble calling
of mother in Zion, mother inIsrael.
Oh my goodness.
Such power and miracles await.
(46:41):
To end off, let's go back to thesame chapter of scripture we
started with in Proverbs three,because there is something so
beautiful to behold there.
One might easily conclude thatthere's not a lot about women in
the scriptures, but I thinkthere is more than we realize.
(47:07):
We just need to look closer inthese next verses about wisdom.
I want you to remember andrealize that the Lord refers to
wisdom in the feminine.
So what can we learn about her,about women as we read these
(47:30):
verses from that perspective?
Happy is the man that Findethwisdom and the man that gith
understanding for themerchandise of it is better than
the merchandise of silver andthe gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubiesand all the things thou can's
(47:54):
desire are not to be comparedunto her length of days is in
her right hand and in her lefthand.
Riches and honor.
Her ways are ways ofpleasantness and all her paths
are peace.
(48:14):
She is a tree of life to themthat lay hold upon her.
And happy is everyone thatretain with her.
One more verse here, andremember that wisdom is in the
feminine.
It's so beautiful.
The Lord, by wisdom, havefounded the earth by
(48:40):
understanding half.
He established the heavensIsaiah has told us, shake
thyself from the dust arise andsit down.
In other words, he's saying, getup off the ground.
Dust yourself off, and sit downinto your rightful position of
(49:04):
dignity.
Honor, authority.
So I'll say that again.
Shake thyself from the dustArise and sit down O Jerusalem.
Loose thyself from the bands ofthy neck.
O.
Captive daughter of Zion.
It is time to understand andstep into our role as mothers in
(49:28):
Zion.
Whether we have children or not,husbands or not, we must answer
the call to nurture the life ofall of our heavenly parents
offspring in our own unique waynow or in eternity, this
promise.
And Proverbs 31, 28 is yours.
(49:48):
Her children arise up and callher.
Blessed her husband also, and heprays with her.
I encourage you to bring yourheartfelt questions to the Lord
and invite his wisdom andpossible correction.
Write down anything the spirithas already taught you.
(50:09):
And as the questions I leavewith you today, what is it to be
a mother in Zion, a woman inIsrael, to you asking God, how
do I more fully step into thisrole?
I've included links andresources that might help in
your study in the show notes.
(50:30):
And be sure to tune in for thenext episode, discussing more of
how we can fully step into ourrole as women in Zion.
And as always, please join inthe conversation over on
Instagram at Amber Dawn Pearce.
Christ is in awe of women.
Christ is calling women.
(50:51):
Christ is hope, smilingbrightly.
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