What Mormon Women Want

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Joyce Anderson

The world always clamors for our attention. As covenant women, we have to be diligent with how we spend our time and the things we work for and involve ourselves in. In order to stir up contention and to divide us, individuals, the media, and social groups engage in divisiveness and the politics of destruction to get Latter-day Saint women to contend with each other. So I asked over 100 friends and acquaintances what Mormon women want. Is it material things, or mostly things of a deeper nature? Although, I will not argue with my friend who said she’d like a nap and someone else to pick up the house once in a while, most of my friends indicated that they want spiritually lasting things over the things of this world.

So how do we do this? How do we obtain those spiritual, long lasting, eternal wants? And most importantly, what will we do about it?

The first idea, and the one that was most expressed by my friends, was the desire to be better at building Zion. Several said they felt like this could be accomplished if we ministered to each other better without excuses. I remember a few years ago our ward’s Relief Society President gave a presentation during class about turning Visiting Teaching into an opportunity to minister to each other, as Christ ministered to others. It was so revolutionary to me to think of Visiting Teaching in this way. Because the Lord establishes patterns for us to follow, learning to recognize and follow the pattern of Christlike ministering is something that everyone should strive for.

How did Christ minister to people? First, he saw them as they really were. He was and is able to do that, because he knew us before we were born. He knows us by name as we are here on earth, and he suffered and atoned for us in Gethsemane. Do you believe the words of Alma when he said, “…and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (see Alma 7: 11-12). We succor people as we try to see them as they truly are – as Christ sees them. Yes, some people have very rough edges, but sometimes those are the people that need us the most.

Women and the Restoration of the Priesthood

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Joyce Anderson

Today is the 185th anniversary of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. The introduction to Doctrine & Covenants 13 states:

“The ordination was done by the hands of an angel who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time this higher priesthood would be conferred upon them.”

John the Baptist pronounced the following blessing:

”Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.”

With the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and a short time later, the Melchizedek Priesthood, the world was changed forever. Man again had the authority to perform ordinances essential for salvation for all mankind, and the door was open for the further restoration of priesthood keys.

A few years ago, my husband and I had the chance to visit the Church Historical sites in the eastern United States. We pulled off the highway and stopped at the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site. It was not a big place, nor was there a visitor center or name-tagged missionaries there to greet us. There were just some signs explaining what had happened there, and the foundation stones of the Smith cabin. Nearby was the cemetery where Emma Smith’s parents and Emma and Joseph’s first baby are buried. Despite the simple setting, the spirit at this site was very powerful. My husband and I hopped a fence and crossed a rail road track and managed to make our way down to the banks of the Susquehanna River. It was beautiful, reverent and the perfect setting for such an important event. The Holy Ghost testified to both of us of the power and importance of the priesthood and of vital importance of its restoration.

These days there is much chatter and discussion about the priesthood in the Church. The leaders of our church have taught us many times over the years about what the priesthood is, about who may exercise its keys and how all members of the church are entitled to access its power.

In his most recent General Conference address, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 spoke about The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood. In this talk he made some key points that clear up the confusion and contention that cloud discussions on the priesthood. Continue reading →

Mormon Women Stand

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Joyce Anderson

You might have seen or heard of a new group on social media called Mormon Women Stand. Without hesitation I said yes when asked to be involved in the content of Mormon Women Stand. I have wanted to be involved with something like this for a long time, and I think it is a much needed voice in the cacophony of dissent that has had a lot of air time on the internet and news lately. From the feedback we’ve received in our first week of operation, there are many women out there that have wanted a group like this as well. Personally, I am so excited to share my faith and the things I believe in this way, and I am excited and grateful that Mormon Women Stand is a place where those who support the Church can gather online.

So what is Mormon Women Stand about, exactly?

Mormon Women Stand is a collaborative online effort to join like-minded female members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who share a desire to make a public stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ and in support of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. As we ‘Stand’ together, we believe it a reflection of the divine nature and power that LDS women are endowed with to influence others for good. We unequivocally sustain the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—commissioned by God and sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators and stand in support of how the Lord has delegated priesthood authority to organize and administer the gospel among all of His children.

Who are we?

The organizers of Mormon Women Stand consist of over a dozen LDS women from around the world, with varying ages, backgrounds, locations and professions who believe that women have a powerful opportunity to be a force for good both in the Church and online. Mormon Women Stand was established to invite all LDS women to stand together in a positive online community. It will be a safe haven and gathering place for women to join in doctrinally sound and uplifting gospel conversations in an atmosphere of loyalty to those who the Lord has authorized to lead His church. Mormon Women Stand will focus on positive relationships and conversations that bring women closer to Jesus Christ.

As this whirlwind of a week has passed since the group went live on Facebook, we have seen so much activity of faithful sisters and brothers joining us in standing for the Church, and our stated goals. In fact last night, we reached 3000 likes on our Facebook page. It has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am so thankful for that positive vibe. Not that we haven’t been without our detractors. We have had many good and honest questions about what we are trying to accomplish, as well as our fair share of mean remarks and comments. With any good endeavor, we should expect some push back. We’re not going to fight or debate or argue with people either, because that is not what Jesus Christ would do. We are here to STAND!

One thing I DO want to address and STRESS about Mormon Women Stand is that we are NOT against things or groups or people, but rather we are FOR the Restored Gospel and supporting each other in our faithful efforts to be Christians and Latter-day Saints. We want our supporters and even those that do not support us to know this; we are FOR standing as a witness of Jesus Christ at all times and in all places.

So, we are inviting women to STAND with us. We are still getting things going, so the content of some of our platforms is not up and running fully, but bear with us as we work out the kinks.

We can be found at:
Mormon Women Stand on Facebook

Mormon Women Stand on Twitter

Mormon Women Stand on Pinterest

Mormon Women Stand on Instagram

Mormon Women Stand: the Website

We look forward to seeing you there!

PS, guys you’re totally welcome to come and STAND too!