This Is My Voice Unto All

Over the last few days, I've been reading section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants. This beautiful revelation was directed at Emma Smith. At the very end Jesus reminds us, "And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen." Therefore what does this section say that would be of use to all women?

1. We are to comfort our husbands in their afflictions. I understand this to mean serve my husband. After experimenting over the years, I have decided that I would rather be guilty of serving too much than too little. When I am down and receive a little notice, I means very much to me. Is it so wrong to see that a husband is treated thusly? (see v. 5)

2. We are to expound scripture by the Spirit. (see v. 7)

3. We are to exhort the Church by the Spirit. (see v. 7)

4. We are to give time to writing and learning much. Anyone that knows me understands that this is one of my favorites. Check out LDS Mommy University to see what I am studying. (see v. 8)

5. We lay claim to be supported by our husbands in the Church. We can ask them to watch the children without feelings of guilt or what have you. When we are called to serve from nursery to choir to RS president, we need not worry about the burden we ask our husbands to share in this way. Really it should not be a burden to help out with one's own children. (see v. 9)

6. We are to lay aside things of the world. This is a difficult struggle for some. (see v. 10)

7. We are to seek for things of a better world. The thought of this brings such peace. (see v. 10)

8. We are to select sacred hymns. This is delightful. I love to sing and play and teach the songs of Zion. In our evening scripture study, we include the singing of a hymn each evening. We learn the history of the hymn from Our Latter-Day Hymns. Since I am not compiling a hymn book, this is how I interpret this commandment. (see v. 11)

9. We are to lift up [our] hearts and rejoice. When I read this, I think about my battle with depression in my early mothering years and my more recent health decline. Commanded to rejoice, I don't believe that we should succumb to melancholy but find means to embrace joy. Instead let us seek out professional help or study any alternatives we feel inspired to explore. "It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge and then ask my Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ to sanctify that application to the healing of my body...When we are so situated that we cannot get anything to help ourselves, then we may call upon the Lord and his servants who can do all. But it is our duty to do what we can within our own power” (Brigham Young) (see v. 13)

10. We are to “Cleave unto the covenants.” I have made baptismal covenants and marriage covenants. I can best cleave unto them by being continually reminded of them during scripture study, prayer, hymn study, faithful attendance at Sacrament Meeting and Temple. Truly, I am more able to serve, support, and seek when my cup is full. These things fill my cup. (v. 13)

11. We are to “Continue in the spirit of meekness.” This one I have to admit is quite difficult. Quick to speak before I think, I often display the opposite of meekness. As I thus embarrass myself with my tendency to be offended and walk around with my foot in my mouth, I am humbled time and again. But I try and will keep trying until I conquer this thing. (v. 14)

12. We are to “Beware of pride.” "O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." 2 Nephi 9:28-29 (v. 14)

13. We are to “Let thy soul delight in thy husband and the glory which shall come upon him.” I ask, are you the girl you hoped to be, when you were courting your husband? Probably, there are parts of the true you in the girl on her best behavior that you let your man see back then. This is also probably true of him. Would it not be best to accept and truly love our men with all their faults instead of allowing ourselves to be cheated. If he suffers from ill health or a little pride or depression or inattentiveness or is not a great provider or is quick to find fault, had we better not treat him as if her were the man we supposed? I think we would all be happier and so would our men if we loved them for who they are--warts and all. Instead let us find ways to serve him in the way he likes, taking no thoughts for our own desires. It may be that we will be surprised at the results. Treat him as if her were already the perfect man you thought you married. I took this very course and was pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, my husband had no great failings. It was my flawed idealistic vision of what he "should" be that skewed my view of this great man. But treating him as if he were already the man of my dreams helped me see him differently and amazingly he became just that man. Is he perfect? No, but he's a great deal closer to perfection than me. Let us try this with our children as well. (v. 14)

14. We are to keep the commandments continually. This includes repenting, when we fall short of the mark. Daily we are faced with trials and temptations. Selfishness, pride, anger, contention, covetousness, and so on can blind us. They can keep us from our goal of a crown of righteousness. Let us strive to bite our tongues and say nice things. Let us take a deep breath and think nice things. Let us not react and do nice things. (see v. 15)

Ladies, the world has fed us a big, fat, feminist lie. We were born female and feminine on purpose. We are to be exalted as mothers in Zion. One of my favorite apostles who died, when I was living in Hawaii, Neal Maxwell had this to say.

“We know so little, brothers and sisters, about the reasons for the division of duties between womanhood and manhood as well as between motherhood and priesthood. These were divinely determined in another time and another place. We are accustomed to focusing on the men of God because theirs is the priesthood and leadership line. But paralleling that authority line is a stream of righteous influence reflecting the remarkable women of God who have existed in all ages and dispensations, including our own. Greatness is not measured by coverage in column inches, either in newspapers or in the scriptures. The story of the women of God, therefore, is, for now, an untold drama within a drama. . . .

“Just as certain men were foreordained from before the foundations of the world, so were certain women appointed to certain tasks. Divine design—not chance—brought Mary forward to be the mother of Jesus. The boy prophet, Joseph Smith, was blessed not only with a great father but also with a superb mother, Lucy Mack, who influenced a whole dispensation.

“In our modern kingdom, it is no accident that women were, through the Relief Society, assigned compassionate service. So often the service of women seems instinctive, while that of some men seems more labored. It is precisely because the daughters of Zion are so uncommon that the adversary will not leave them alone. . . .

“So often our sisters comfort others when their own needs are greater than those being comforted. That quality is like the generosity of Jesus on the cross. Empathy during agony is a portion of divinity!

“When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this.

“No wonder the men of God support and sustain you sisters in your unique roles, for the act of deserting home in order to shape society is like thoughtlessly removing crucial fingers from an imperiled dike in order to teach people to swim. . . .

“Finally, remember: When we return to our real home, it will be with the ‘mutual approbation’ of those who reign in the ‘royal courts on high.’ There we will find beauty such as mortal ‘eye hath not seen’; we will hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal ‘ear hath not heard.’ Could such a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly Mother?” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1978, pp. 13–15; or Ensign, May 1978, pp. 10–11.)