1 of 3 of 35
I’ve had the privilege of being in my ward’s Relief Society presidency for about 2 years, and during much of that time, the president has given me the task of selecting General Conference talks for our teachers to reference. I cannot overstate what a joy this has been for me. Prayerfully taking this on feels like a simple way I can obey the two great commandments; to love God and to love others (see Matthew 22:36-40).
That love has grown as I have taken seriously this opportunity to be a small part of the education arm of the church – identifying aspects of our doctrine and modern day revealed truths that might produce enlightening conversation during our bi-monthly discussions in that sacred and soul-enriching space. That heaven/haven feeling truly does exist in our ward, in North Carolina, USA.
Because of the seriousness of the task, I have sometimes felt compelled to sort of scrutinize the long list of talks. Which talks do the sisters in our ward need? Which ones will help the sisters grow in light and truth and love of our Savior? What have the female leaders of the Church said, specifically?
This is how I came to a startling realization; 1 of 3 of 35 talks in the most recent General Conference (April 2024) were delivered by women, and directed to the general membership of the church. Wow!
Allow me to clarify.
In five sessions, talks were shared by 35 church leaders from around the world. The three women who spoke were Sister J. Annette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, and President Susan H. Porter, Primary General President.
We can infer that Sister Dennis directed her message to all, as she didn’t indicate otherwise. However, the same can not be said for the other two talks! You need look no further than the first sentence of each talk! Sister Spannaus: “Dear young friends, today I would like to speak directly to you—the youth of the Church.” And President Porter: “Brothers and sisters, I feel joy as I respond to an impression to speak to children!”
1 of 3 of 35. Is that figure not alarming? Is this a fair representation of what the members value, regarding leadership? Is there not space for more testimonies from women? What is lacking causes me to personally mourn for what could have been. With faith and hope, I look forward to future General Conferences, and pray that more women will have the opportunity to deliver messages to the general membership of the church, and more people who listen to and read those messages will be able to learn from women leaders, and their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
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