Empowerment can be a divisive word. It is often assumed that in order for an individual to be empowered that someone else has to be or will be disempowered. Empowerment isn’t a zero-sum game where there are winners and losers. Actually, the opposite tends to be more accurate. An empowered individual generally empowers those around them. Part of our Statement of Purpose is to provide resources with the direct intent of empowering all members of the Church. To be empowered is to be deeply rooted in your divinity, to know your worth and to act with the authority that is inherently yours. During the General Women’s Session, Sister Niell F. Marriott, second counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, asked a simple yet powerful question: Do you? Do you know how important your presence and contribution is to those you interact with and to God? Your perspective,Your voice,Your experience,Your contribution,Are of infinite worth. What are your thoughts on empowerment? What empowers or disempowers you? How can you empower others? What has been your journey with understanding your infinite worth?

Our mission as Mormons is not solely to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it is also to be seekers of truth. Joseph Smith’s seeking of truth led to the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That would have been enough, but he didn’t stop there. Through his short life, he was continuously seeking and sharing his discoveries with the members of the Church. What is truth? Might it be “anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy”? ( Article of Faith 1:13 ) Perhaps, it’s Alma’s true seed, “…for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me”? ( Alma 32:28 ) We at Our Cooperative Ministry are seeking truths that will bring about more egalitarian gender dynamics in the Church. We invite you to seek with us. Let us seek in our imaginations alternative ways to fulfill our callings and strengthen our wards. Let us seek from each other more effective ways to edify all of our members. Let us seek in the world for skills, research, modalities, etc. that are lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy. Go forth and seek after truths that will uplift us and bring back your findings that we may all benefit. How do you define truth? Where have you found truth in surprising or unexpected sources? How do you seek for truth?

Last week the Churc h announced that the General Women’s Meeting will now be called an official “session” of Conference. We had earlier discussed the significance this change would have if it took place. But there is significance also embedded in the timing of the change. Surely the leaders of the Church were aware of the hearty online discussions surrounding the October Conference controversy, and the voices calling for the “meeting” to become a “session.” Had they any interest in projecting the message that they do not make decisions based on common demand — that they do not listen to church members’ opinions as they consider possible changes — they could have waited a long time before announcing that the Women’s Meeting would indeed be called the Women’s Session. Instead, it seems they don’t mind sending the message that they are listening. As Neylan McBaine wrote , “It would have been easy for decision-makers to dig in their heels, to insist they not bow to external pressure. Instead, I feel the move only confirms the feeling that our leadership is aware of conversations, they are aware of the small, fixable and grating things that can make a woman unintentionally feel slighted, and they are willing to fix those things.” We recognize that in our personal lives, revelation comes by many means. Sometimes it comes direct from God to our hearts. Sometimes we have messengers, or hard experience, to teach us. Why do we expect the process of revelation to be different for those who lead the Church? It does not diminish their divine callings that they listen to those in their stewardship. This is, and has always been, a church of councils. How can you be open about your concerns, hopes, and ideas, while also honoring the divinely-appointed authority of church leaders? How do you make decisions and receive revelation in your calling? What is your response to the new inclusion of the women’s meeting as part of General Conference?

Gospel Doctrine lesson #40: Enlarge the Place of They Tent encourages Church members to find ways to strengthen their wards and stakes in preparation for the second coming of Christ and the millennium. Part of the reading is  Isaiah 65:17-19  wherein the millennium is described as a time when the heavens and Earth will be made a new and the inhabitants will be joyful. “…be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.” Not only will there be joy and rejoicing, there will be no more weeping. In Moses 7: 31-33 , we learn that God and the heavens also weep because of the way in which we treat each other. “ Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood” We can strengthen our wards and stakes by bridging the gap between weeping and joy. It is up to each of us to put into practice the Godly attributes of love, affection and compassion that we may usher in the millennium. What is it that makes you weep? How do you show affection, love and compassion to those you come into contact with? What can you do in your sphere of influence to usher in the millennium?