This past April saw the establishment of a momentous occasion: the first General Women’s Meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Saturday at 6:00 p.m. marks the second gathering of LDS girls and women of all ages, races, nationalities, and backgrounds.
I am anticipating this weekend like I anticipate Christmas.
In my mind, the launch of the General Women’s Meeting earlier this year couldn’t have been more inspired. In a culture where many women struggle to feel needed, included, and valued, the April session came as a healing balm, answering the concerns of a diverse body of women and endowing them with purpose. Leaders called women to the grand work of keeping sacred covenants and building unity among diversity. Where before the church held separate sessions for young women and adults, this combined meeting broadened the umbrella of sisterhood. For the first time in church history, the invitation was extended to girls starting at the age of 8, when the baptismal covenant is first made. Every detail of the meeting advocated unity in diversity: from a 12-year-old offering the opening prayer, to a medley of “I am a Child of God” sung in nine different languages, to a video montage depicting covenant-keeping women in all walks of life. Truly, the General Women’s Meeting is fostering a sense of worldwide sisterhood.
We live in a world where womankind is consistently trivialized, objectified, and demeaned. Our society is slowly, but surely addressing the inequities between the treatment of men and women. However, perhaps the ultimate solution comes from within.
As women, we are socialized to compete and compare amongst ourselves rather than unite in common cause. It seems like every message we are bombarded with tells us we aren’t good enough unless we are thinner, better dressed, “happier” than someone else. Advertisements, social media outlets, and superficial reality shows all reinforce a spirit of competition rather than cooperation with other women.
I wonder if this is Satan’s most cunning tactic against us as women—to have us compare ourselves to one another and tear each other apart…to have us so consumed with having a more picturesque life and bagging a better man that, in the process, we reduce others, and ourselves, to objects rather than individuals with unique beauty, talents, and worth. As we dehumanize one other, it only makes it more acceptable for men to do so.
Nonetheless, with Emmeline B. Wells, the fifth general president of the Relief Society, I stand to say, “I do not think it is the nature of women to crush each other. Women are most all universally peace makers.”
We need to ensure that we are not allowing ourselves to be acted upon by the negative influences of comparison and competition. We must take charge and work together to promote the value of womanhood. Only when we decide to reject the drive to compare and compete will we be able to fully work together as sisters in Zion to build the cause of women.
Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley, once said, “Oh, how we need each other…It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other.”
In my own life, I have experienced the unique grace and empowerment found in sisterhood. From roommates, to visiting teachers, to professors, the women in my life have been pillars of strength and guideposts in discovering my individual potential and life path. In losing myself in ministering to the doubts, fears, and pains of my sisters, I have felt the Atonement heal wounds in my own heart.
When women are united, it is truly a sight to behold. This, I believe is the power of the Relief Society. Such an empowered, inspired group of women with a wealth of perspectives and abilities stands as a mighty force in advancing the work of salvation and the welfare of the world.
As Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, stated this past April, “As individuals, we are strong. Together with God, we are unstoppable.”
Let the ya-ya sisterhood live on!
By: Emilee Wolfe