LDS Women in the Church

If you asked me when I was little girl what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have told you, “A Mother.” I dreamed of marrying my Prince Charming, living happily ever after, and then bringing a few children into the mix.


The Family, A Proclamation to the World states, “Marriage between a man and a woman is ESSENTIAL to (God’s) eternal plan.


And President of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, Russell M. Nelson said, “My opinion is that the highest and noblest work in this life, is that of a mother.”


I clung to those quotes, excited for a bright future that included being a wife and a mother.


Colten and I just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary in August, we’ve had our ups and downs, but our marriage makes us holier AND happier.


For almost half of our married life we have tried to conceive, only to be met with the many intense emotions that come with infertility.


This has led to my own spiritual wrestle with God. I wondered, “What if I am never able to bear children? Am I worthless? Is there no place for me in God’s plan?” Which has THEN led me to wonder about the incredible, faithful women who remain single throughout their lives; as well as the women whose own personal trials have led to the death of a spouse or to divorce. Where do THEY fit in in God’s plan? The importance, and glory of being a wife and mother is not lost on me and I have a testimony of the significance of those callings. However, I did start to feel lost, and lonely, and left out within my own congregation.


For the last year or so, I’ve studied endlessly about the roles of women & read countless books about our place in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While this information applies to women who may not fit the cultural “norm” of married with kids, this information ALSO applies to those of you who are in the thick of marriage and motherhood, so don’t let me lose you here. And if you are NOT a woman, listen up, because I GUARANTEE that you KNOW a woman who could use your testimony of the incredible place that women have in this gospel. While marriage and motherhood are wonderful goals, and SO important in God’s plan, there are other roles for us, other opportunities that God wants for us. And that’s what I want to explore with you today.


  1. LDS Women are to Receive an Education


In 1974, Dallin H. Oaks, then President of Brigham Young University, said this, “One of the most important purposes of a university education is to prepare men and women to be responsible and intelligent leaders and participants in the lives of their families, in their Church, and in their communities. That kind of education is needed by young men and young women alike. In short, we make no distinction between young men and young women in our conviction about the importance of an education.”


Speaking specifically to women, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “You must get all of the education that you possibly can.”  


Women are often taught to seek education “just in case” they may need to become the breadwinner of their home. While this does happen, and having an education can absolutely assist in times of need, our pursuit of an education helps develop our spirits and our spiritual gifts whether or not we ever enter the paid work force. Our knowledge gained from education has it’s own spiritual value.


While education can happen in a formal setting- such as at a university, college, or trade school; education can certainly look different and less formal. It’s using an app on your phone to study a second language, it’s researching budgeting and wise financial practices, or reading the scriptures and having discussions about what you are reading. Pick a podcast to start listening to, check out books from the library, or research a topic you are interested in. This all counts as learning!


Last weekend we went on a family trip to Island Park, Idaho. I had a book with me called “The Nine”, which is all about the inner-workings of the Supreme Court. I have been saying for YEARS that I wanted to learn more about our government, and now I can finally say that I am learning! (Even though I’m pretty sure every single family member was shocked to find out it was MY book, and not my Grandpa’s.)

In a BYU Speech, Eva Witesman said, “Our intellectual and spiritual growth through education is a righteous pursuit and represents our willingness to fulfill a commandment of God. Investments in our own development are worthwhile because we are daughters of God, and He wants us to reach our divine potential in every possible way. We seek knowledge because it makes us more like God and brings us closer to Him”


2. LDS Women are to Participate in Temple Ordinances


Ever since Joseph Smith received the revelation to begin temple ordinances, women have been invited to participate. Women have every access to the temple ordinances, which give us access to some of the Lord’s greatest blessings. LDS.org states, “Women continue to officiate in sacred ordinances in the temple much as they did in Joseph Smith’s day.” No temple blessing is withheld from women.


Elder M. Russell Ballard, speaking to the sisters of the Church at last year’s BYU Women’s Conference, said, “Like faithful sisters in the past, you need to learn how to use the Priesthood authority, with which you have been endowed, to obtain every eternal blessing that will be yours.” In the October 2015 General Conference he said: “The Kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God.”

I’ll spend my whole life learning about the temple endowment and will probably just scratch the surface, but when I am there, I recognize the LOVE that God has for His daughters. He does not want us to stand by idly while the men do the work. He knows we are TOUGH, and He knows the glorious futures that are prepared for us.


In Daughters in My Kingdom we read this quote by President Joseph Fielding Smith, “It is within the privilege of the sisters of this Church to receive exaltation in the kingdom of God and receive authority and power as queens and priestesses.”


3. LDS Women Can Serve as Full-Time Proselyting Missionaries & as Member Missionaries


A 1980 Ensign article taught me this “We have record of missionary activity by more than 200 Latter-day Saint women prior to 1898.  Many elders called to the Hawaiian Islands were accompanied by their wives, often even with an official calling. Some sisters were sent to teach in the mission school in Hawaii. Some traveled to other lands as genealogical missionaries, and some women were even given missionary callings before they traveled abroad or went to study at distant universities. However, none of these sisters was called in a strictly proselyting capacity, and none is listed on the official missionary records of the Church.


But in 1898, inspired by the unique contributions of lady missionaries in the field and the favorable impressions they made, President George Q. Cannon announced: “‘It has been decided to call some of our wise and prudent women into the missionary field.”


Think about this,1898 was still 22 years before 1920, which is when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote. LDS Women were serving proselyting missions 22 YEARS before the United State’s government let them vote for their political leaders.


In October 2012, our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson announced the missionary age change, allowing women to begin serving missions at age 19. An answer to the prayers of so many, including my own sister, who left on her mission to Halifax, Canada just one year after the announcement, at age 19.


All of us, women included, are encouraged to be “member missionaries” wherever we go. Women participate in the work of salvation, which includes member missionary work, convert retention, activation efforts, temple and family history work, teaching the gospel, and caring for the poor and needy.


What a wonderful spirit women bring to missionary work, both as full-time sister missionaries, and as daily member missionaries.


4. LDS Women are to be Leaders


LDS Women are called to leadership positions in the Relief Society, Young Women’s Organizations, and the Primary. We are given the opportunity to pray in church meetings, and speak in meetings at the local level (such as in sacrament) and on the general level (like in General Conference.) Women are called to teach Sunday School and Primary which allows them to instruct both males and females. When women serve as the president of the Relief Society, Young Women, or Primary, they also participate in council meetings and decisions that are made concerning the members of the Church in their ward, stake, branch, etc.


When the missionary age change announcement was made, sister missionaries began serving as leaders in the field (positions previously only filled by Elders) and the Mission President’s wife was given more responsibility as well.


In my years as a young woman, I had a leader named Sister Gentry. I remember one time for an activity, we went on a hike that seemed to go on for ages. We were climbing Malan’s Peak and let’s just say I wasn’t the most cheerful to be around. Sister Gentry stayed behind with me as I took my time going up the mountain. While catching my breath I said, “Do you know how much farther it is?” she said, “Just look Brooklyn. Look at how far we’ve come. THAT is what I want you to focus on.” Sometimes when I start the negative self-talk that often comes, I remember her words, spoke to me 10 years ago, and I try to focus on how far I have come and the progress I am making.


She took her calling seriously, and her leadership inspires me to this day.


5. LDS Women are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ


LDS.org has a section about Women in the Church that states, “As a disciple of Jesus Christ, every woman in the Church is given the responsibility to know and defend the divine roles of women, which include that of wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. They stand strong and immovable in faith, in family, and in relief.”  


While preparing this talk, I asked around for any resources in regards to my topic, one woman told me that she has spent a few months studying every single interaction that Jesus had with women. She bore her testimony of the LOVE Christ has for us, and I was reminded of a quote by Elder James E. Talmage, “The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ.”


The Savior taught women in multitudes and as individuals. Women journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave what they had to assist in his ministry. Even after his death and resurrection, they continued to be faithful disciples and met and prayed together with the apostles. They valiantly participated in the work of saving souls, temporally and spiritually.   


The apostle Paul wrote of women who, both in Church positions, and by their own choice, served the Saints of his time. His description of one righteous widow identified characteristics of many women in the early church: “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”


Sister Julie B. Beck, the fifteenth Relief Society general President taught, “Through Relief Society we practice being disciples of Christ. We learn what He would have us learn, we do what He would have us do, and we become what He would have us become.”


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I testify of the remarkable place that God has for women in his gospel. After months and months of studying, I have come to believe that it is an honor, and a privilege to be a woman. And I believe that the honor and glory of womanhood is not reserved ONLY for the women who become wives and mothers, but is there for all of us, if we strive to live the words of Jesus Christ, of our prophet, and of our leaders. These things I say, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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One by One by David A. Bednar // Book Review

A huge thanks to Deseret Book for sending me a free hardback copy of this book to review. As always, opinions are my own.
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I am a huge fan of Elder David A. Bednar. His conference talks always inspire me to increase my knowledge of the gospel and become closer to the Spirit. Anyone else feel the same way? 

I've read quite a few of his books, and if I'm being honest, a lot of the information goes over my head. He's just SO knowledgeable! However, when I saw his new book, One by One, I got so excited because this is a topic I love learning about! The book is all about the pattern of how Christ ministers to and loves individuals. One by one!


Basically we get a "guided tour" through the scriptures showing us all the ways that our Savior ministers one by one. Elder Bednar also shares some really inspiring stories from his own life. I found myself making notes in the margins and sharing what I was learning with other people.
This book is one of those books that is bound to stay on the Deseret Book Bestseller List for quite some time, I'm sure of it! 

WHERE TO PURCHASE: 




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Rent Your Empty Space for CA$H with Neiybor

This post contains affiliate links. This means, if you make a purchase through our links, we'll receive a small portion 
of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This post is sponsored. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog!

Do you ever wish you could make a little bit more money each month? Or are you tired of paying self-storage unit prices to store your stuff? I have the solution for both!

Neiybor is kinda like the AirBnB of storage, it connects people with unused space with those who are in need of storage. A renter can save 50% on average compared to traditional self-storage. This opportunity lets Utah homeowners turn unused space into extra monthly income. 


Just think, a 5X5 space in your home could pay for Christmas! Pretty cool right??

Neiybor was featured on Good Things Utah and I am sure it is going to explode. Think about AirBnB, or Uber... these businesses TOOK OFF for a reason, and I believe Neiybor is going to do the same. 

How to Rent Your Space

The spaces in most demand are 10X10 (which makes around $60/month), Outdoor Vehicle/RV/Boat Space ($60-$100 depending on size), and Indoor Vehicle/RV/Boat ($80-$150 depending on size.) However, all spaces are needed!! 

1. Go to Neiybor.com and click Sign Up
2. Use your Facebook profile to sign up (I love when I can do this!) or create an account 
3. Create a Rental Space (measure, describe, take photos, and then wait for the renters to roll in) 


Find a Space

1. Go to Neiybor.com and click Sign Up
2. Use the search bar to find rental space near you
3. Compare rental spaces to find your best deal



It's SO SIMPLE. I'm kinda geeking out over it because I think this is such a cool idea. I've been telling all my friends and family about it, so I figured I might as well share it with all of you!

Let me know if you decide to rent your space or rent space to use, I want to hear your experiences!



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2017 Books Part One

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog. 
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I've done a LOT of reading so far this year. Probably more than any other year in my life! I've been trying to put my phone down more often, and instead read. I'll often set a time for 30 minutes and once I'm done with that reading time, I can get on social media if I choose. I've read so many good books that I wanted to share with you, so I decided to start sharing them in a series for you... because ain't nobody got time for writing about 39 books in one sitting...So here's the first 7 books I read in 2017.

1. Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

It seemed to make sense to read a book about habits at the beginning of the year. I gave it 5/5 stars because I seriously loved this book! It was actually my second time reading it and I loved it as much as I did the first time.

2. Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She is Both Too Much and Never Enough

This was another 5 star book. I love Jess Connolly so I was pretty sure I would love this book, and I did! It really did fill me with hope and understanding that God has a plan for me, and that I don't have to please anyone but him.

3. Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer

I must've started 2017 out with a bang because I gave this 5/5 as well! If you've seen the movie, The War Room, it's all about the power of prayer and it's ability to change us. This book is written by the main actress in the movie, who happens to be a popular Christian author and speaker. I highly recommend if you're looking to shake up your prayer life.

4. Speak: How Your Story Can Change the World by Nish Wieseth

This wasn't a super page turner like some of the other ones, but I did enjoy it and gave it 4/5 stars. She's not LDS but has LDS friends and lives in Utah, but I feel like some of her comments about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints could be confusing if you didn't know much about the doctrine. That part made me drop it to a 4, but overall I loved the message and it encouraged me to share my story and my voice about things that matter to me.

5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

It might not have been fair to only give this 3/5 stars because the main reason I gave a lower score is because of the language. Lots of language that I don't love to read... but the story kept me up late reading and reading in every spare minute. A great novel to lost in.

6. Happy Place: Living the Disney Parks Life by Scott Renshaw

5/5 because anyone who knows me knows I am OBSESSED with Disneyland! This book had so many fun stories about other Disney Parks fans. If you're a Disney Parks fan, you'll love this book. If you think Disney fans are freaks, this book will make you think we're even weirder. Consider yourself warned.

7. The Four Year Carrer for Women by Kimmy Brooke

GoodReads says I gave this book a 4/5 but looking back I'd change that to a 3. Uplifting and inspiring for network marketers. Easy read, but nothing super original.


Have you read any of these books? What are you currently reading?

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My Favorite Books for Direct Sales + Multi Level Marketers

(This post contains affiliate links. That means I may make a portion of income from your purchase, but your price will stay the same. Thanks for supporting my blog- you're supporting foster care purchases & the occasional Diet Coke run. It  means the world to me!) 


Anyone who knows me knows I am a voracious reader. Especially as of lately.

In October 2016 I joined Monat, which is a direct sales shampoo company! I fell in love with the products, joined for the discount and decided to share this magical shampoo with friends. But I wanted to gain as much knowledge about the profession as I could, I was SO clueless about it.

So I compiled a list of my favorite books related to business, marketing, and direct sales to help you start your own collection that will help you achieve your dream life through Direct Sales, whatever company you are with.





Go Pro by Eric Worre was given to me as a gift from my sponsor. I devoured it in days and realized I did actually have a passion for this type of work! I really wanted to success. I think this is a great introduction to Network Marketing and can help solidify your belief in it as well as how to treat it like a professional job.


Get Over Your Damn Self had some great advice. I found it to be pretty salesy, but I just took it all with a grain of salt. Romi obviously knows what she is doing! Following her advice might be tricky but you will reap benefits!



Creating Magic is a book about the Disney Way of doing business & how to create magic for your customers. I LOVE Disney, and I've had amazing customer service experiences from them, most of us have! They have an unparalleled reputation for it. This focuses on the leadership side of things, but many can translate into running your business even if you don't have a huge team yet.




Be Our Guest is another Disney book (surprised? LOL) about perfecting the art of customer service. This is another great book that focuses more on the actual customer experience. It has GREAT advice for improving your customers experience! I think so much of this can be applied!



Rock Your Network Marketing Business is another easy read, but chock full of great quotes! This book taught me the best advice in Direct Sales... just. don't. quit.!! 



My friend Michelle Mccullough just launched this book the Make it Happen Blueprint. I "attended" her online course the Marketing Blueprint in December and learned so much. I'm still trying to piece it all together in bite size chunks that can improve my business. This is also a great book just for improving your life! Want to crush it in life & business without burning out? Michelle can teach you all her tips & tricks! 



Did I miss one of your FAVORITE books? Tell me below!

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$200 Target Gift Card Giveaway


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GIVEAWAY DETAILS
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Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 4/21 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.


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3 Ways to Carry the Spirit of General Conference Throughout the Year + a FREE month of Deseret Bookshelf PLUS

This weekend is General Conference! Which to me is seriously one of the most wonderful times of the year!! I love the feeling I have throughout the weekend and how rejuvenating and motivating it is. I wish that feeling could last all year.

So I've been experimenting with different ways that I could MAKE that feeling last all year and I wanted to share my top THREE ways that you can keep that spirit of #LDSConf with you in the 6 months between each conference.



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1. Use Conference Talks for Family Home Evening


When my husband & are on an FHE kick (it doesn't happen all that often...) we like to read conference talks together and share our thoughts and feelings. We often read one and then can talk about it for 30+ minutes. The church published magazines (Ensign, New Era, & The Friend) all have great ideas each month for incorporating conference talks into your Family Home Evenings.


2. Use Deseret Bookshelf PLUS for Gospel Learning 






















Have you heard about Deseret Book's new subscription offer? It's called Deseret Bookshelf PLUS. It's AMAZING! For just $9.99/month ($6.99/month for Platinum Members) can listen to unlimited audiobooks + access to over 1,500 eBooks.

There are so many books by our General Authorities that you will have available to you. There is something so powerful about hearing (and reading!) the words of those who are in tune with the spirit. Want to read...?

Broken Things to Mend by Jeffery R. Holland
Increase In Learning by David A. Bednar
No Ordinary Women by Elaine Dalton
The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright (THIS IS ON MY TO READ!)

These (and many more are INCLUDED in your Deseret Bookshelf Plus. I'm seriously obsessing over it you guys!! You can even try it for FREE for an entire month! Use it on your commute, while you're at work, before going to bed, while taking a bath, etc. We spend so much time staring at our phones, we may as well be reading/listening to something worthwhile!

I usually prefer to read, but some days I just want to snuggle up in bed and listen, and that's why I love that this app gives you both options!




3. Set General Conference Quotes as your Phone Background

As soon as the conference starts the LDS bloggers get their fingers ready and make BEAUTIFUL prints of the most prominent quotes. For the longest time I had the quote, "Many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential." by Elder D. Todd Christofferson set as my wallpaper. Our lives are busy and it was a reminder that although there are lots of good and important things I COULD be doing with my time, only a few are really ESSENTIAL.

So choose a quote you love and put it on your phone (or wall!) so you can reminded of what you learned in General Conference.

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So now... tell me what YOU do to keep the spirit of General Conference alive throughout the year!



Thanks to Deseret Book for sponsoring this post, all opinions are my own.
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