Role of Sisters in the Family

We recognize that there are enormous forces arrayed against women and families. Recent studies find there is deterioration in devotion to marriage, with a decrease in the number of adults being married.18 For some, marriage and family are becoming "a menu choice rather than the central organizing principle of our society."19 Women are confronted with many options and need to prayerfully consider the choices they make and how those choices affect the family.

When I was in New Zealand last year, I read in an Auckland newspaper of women, not of our faith, struggling with these issues. One mother said she realized that in her case, her choice about whether to work or stay home was about a new carpet and a second car that she didn't really need. Another woman, however, felt "the biggest enemy of a happy family life was not paid work—it was television." She said that families are TV rich and family-time poor.20

These are very emotional, personal decisions, but there are two principles that we should always keep in mind. First, no woman should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heaven's plan. Second, we should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home. We rarely understand or fully appreciate people's circumstances. Husbands and wives should prayerfully counsel together, understanding they are accountable to God for their decisions.

You devoted sisters who are single parents for whatever reason, our hearts reach out to you with appreciation. Prophets have made it clear "that many hands stand ready to help you. The Lord is not unmindful of you. Neither is His Church."21 I would hope that Latter-day Saints would be at the forefront in creating an environment in the workplace that is more receptive and accommodating to both women and men in their responsibilities as parents.

You valiant and faithful single sisters, please know that we love and appreciate you, and we assure you that no eternal blessing will be withheld from you.

The remarkable pioneer woman Emily H. Woodmansee penned the text of the hymn "As Sisters in Zion." She correctly asserts that the "errand of angels is given to women."22 This has been described as "nothing less than to do the direct and immediate bidding of our Father in Heaven, and 'this is a gift that … sisters … claim.'"23

Dear sisters, we love and admire you. We appreciate your service in the Lord's kingdom. You are incredible! I express particular appreciation for the women in my life. I testify of the reality of the Atonement, the divinity of the Savior, and the Restoration of His Church, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

 

1.

Wallace Stegner, The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail (1971), 13.

 

2.

Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us (2010), 233.

 

3.

See Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 1.3.1; see also Moses 5:1, 4, 12, 27.

 

4.

In Andrew D. Olsen, The Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Pioneers (2006), 445.

 

5.

See "Leaves from the Life of Elizabeth Horrocks Jackson Kingsford," Utah State Historical Society, Manuscript A 719; in "Remembering the Rescue," Ensign, Aug. 1997, 47.

 

6.

Combined and shortened from an e-mail written by Monica Sedgwick, stake Young Women president of the Laguna Niguel California Stake, and a talk given by Leslie Mortensen, stake Young Women president of the Mission Viejo California Stake.

 

7.

In an article titled "Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?" (Wall Street Journal, Mar. 19–20, 2011, C3), a thoughtful Jewish mother advocates for dress standards and modesty and acknowledges the example of Mormon women.

 

8.

"The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129.

 

9.

See Putnam and Campbell, American Grace, 244–45.

 

10.

See Putnam and Campbell, American Grace, 504.

 

11.

Mosiah 4:26.

 

12.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:56.

 

13.

Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), page 22.

 

14.

See Handbook 2, 6.1.

 

15.

See Handbook 2, 4.5.

 

16.

See Emily Matchar, "Why I Can't Stop Reading Mormon Housewife Blogs," salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs. This self-described feminist and atheist acknowledges this respect and says she is addicted to reading Mormon housewife blogs.

 

17.

From conversations with Nuku'alofa Tonga Ha'akame Stake president Lehonitai Mateaki (who subsequently served as president of the Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Mission) and stake Relief Society president Leinata Va'enuku.

 

18.

See D'Vera Cohn and Richard Fry, "Women, Men, and the New Economics of Marriage," Pew Research Center, Social and Demographic Trends, pewsocialtrends.org. The number of children being born has also decreased significantly in many countries. This has been called the demographic winter.

 

19.

"A Troubling Marriage Trend," Deseret News, Nov. 22, 2010, A14, quoting a report on msnbc.com.

 

20.

See Simon Collins, "Put Family before Moneymaking Is Message from Festival," New Zealand Herald, Feb. 1, 2010, A2.

 

21.

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Women of the Church," Ensign, Nov. 1996, 69; see also Spencer W. Kimball, "Our Sisters in the Church," Ensign, Nov. 1979, 48–49.

 

22.

"As Sisters in Zion," Hymns, no. 309.

 

23.

Karen Lynn Davidson, Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages, rev. ed. (2009), 338–39.

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