Just as the Savior needed the women of His time for a comforting hand, a believing heart and loyalty - even in His hour of agony and death - so do His servants today need the women of the Church to stand with them in stemming the tide of evil, said President Howard W. Hunter.

"Together," continued President Hunter of the Council of the Twelve at the General Women's Meeting Sept. 26, "we must stand faithful and firm in the faith against superior numbers of other-minded people. It seems to me that there is a great need to rally the women of the Church to stand with and for the Brethren in stemming the tide of evil that surrounds us and in moving forward the work of our Savior."Obedient to Him we are a majority. But only together can we accomplish the work He has given us to do and be prepared for the day when we shall see Him."

President Hunter continued, "As we labor with our might to minister to needs in the same caring way that our Lord met those of the women of His day - so we entreat you to minister with your powerful influence for good in strengthening our families, our Church and our communities."

He noted that many women's unselfish and compassionate deeds may be unknown, unheralded, and at times unthanked, but, "The Lord is not unmindful of you. We pray for your welfare. We thank God for the refining influence you have upon our world through your service, sacrifice, compassion, and striving for that which is beautiful and ennobling.

"Thank you for making our lives so much better because of who you are. Your steady example of righteousness stands in contrast to the ways of the world.

"But we are not left comfortless! We have the scriptures which contain enduring words of a loving Father in Heaven who tells us that we are His first priority. He said: `For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39), the generic scriptural term which also means woman."

President Hunter added: "We recognize that much good comes from individuals and organizations who reach out to remedy the ills of the world. We encourage you to follow the scriptural admonition to be anxiously engaged or actively involved in good causes in the Church, in your neighborhoods, communities, and even throughout the world.

"Yet, we also maintain that without taking Christ into their lives and accepting His gospel, with its saving ordinances and covenants, people will not reach their true potential in this life or in the hereafter.

"Those who follow Christ seek to follow His example. His suffering in behalf of our sins, shortcomings, sorrows and sicknesses should motivate us to similarly reach out in charity and compassion to those around us.

"Sisters, continue to seek opportunities for service," President Hunter admonished. "Don't be overly concerned with status.

"It is important to be appreciated. But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status. . . . Visibility does not equate to value."

He continued: "You are chosen to be faithful women of God in our day, to stand above pettiness, gossip, selfishness, lewdness, and all other forms of ungodliness.

"Recognize your divine birthright as daughters of our Heavenly Father. Be one who heals with your words as well as your hands. Seek to know the will of the Lord in your life. . . ."