Woman Power

Yesterday we had an incredible Stake Women's Conference all about the power of being a woman.  It was, I would have to say, an empowering experience for me.  I learned new things.  Of course, when you're my age you start to forget enough that learning new things becomes a daily thing.

But it was a great conference.  I have no pictures to share.  Should have at least pulled out my phone, but I didn't.  All I have are some great concepts:

Bishop Mark Ellis discussed the innate power of being a woman.  He encouraged us to do those things that will strengthen our power:
     Sacrifice
     Obedience
     Faith, including prayer in faith
     Minister

I loved this quote he used from President Ezra Taft Benson (in Donald L. Staheli, in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 108; or Ensign, May 1998, 82).:

 “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power”

President Bailey shared an experience he had which helped him wonder if the reason Satan rebelled against God and Christ was because he did not have enough faith in the Savior to know that people could live good enough for the Atonement to take place in their lives.  We need to have faith in that Atonement and use that faith to help us become better people.

There were three breakout classes:  one on music in our homes, one on creating an abundant life through the power of positive thinking,  and a final one by a local seminary teacher (John Kirkman) who talked about the true beauty we have compared to the beauty the world thinks we should have.   It was a powerful message for me and I was grateful that it was the final class we went to instead of the first, because it just seemed like each class built upon the other.  

He shared examples from Mark 1, Mark 5, and Mark 9 where people were possessed by evil spirits.  He had us identify from those the things that the spirits did to the bodies:  tear, cut, throw down - all things we do today:  we tear down and make cutting remarks and we pull away from the spirit of the Lord.  

Then he  showed the picture of the woman at the well and talked about that.  He asked us what we can learn from that example.  For me it was this:  Jesus knows who I am.  He knows my history, he knows my weaknesses, and he knows my potential.  Through Him, I can be made worthy.  I can change.  And Jesus loves me.

And through Him, I am beautiful.