Elder Quentin L. Cook: LDS Women Are Incredible
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181st Annual General Conference — Church News coverage
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve began his conference address Saturday morning by declaring, "Our LDS women are incredible!"
"Our doctrine is clear," he said. "Women are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves them. Wives are equal to their husbands. Marriage requires a full partnership where wives and husbands work side by side to meet the needs of the family."
Speaking of the unwavering faith of pioneer women who sacrificed all for the kingdom of God, he said, "I believe the women of the Church today meet that challenge and are every bit as strong and faithful. The priesthood leadership of this Church at all levels gratefully acknowledges the service, sacrifice, commitment and contribution of the sisters."
He said much of what is accomplished in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. The relationship between the priesthood and the Relief Society "is like a well-tuned orchestra and the resulting symphony inspires all of us."
Elder Cook noted that the women of the Church are not incredible because they have managed to avoid difficulties in life. "They are incredible," he explained, "because of the way they face the trials of life. Despite the challenges and tests life has to offer from marriage or lack of marriage, children's choices, poor health, lack of opportunities and many other problems, they remain remarkably strong and immovable and true to the faith. Our sisters throughout the Church consistently succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. ... Though they are not perfect and all face individual struggles, their faith in a loving Father in Heaven and the assurance of the atoning sacrifice of the Savior permeates their lives."
Elder Cook said that there are enormous forces arrayed against women and families. As women "prayerfully consider the choices they make and how it affects the family," they should keep in mind two principles.
"First, no woman should ever feel the need to apologize or to feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heaven's plan.
"Second, we should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home. We rarely understand or fully appreciate peoples' circumstances. Husbands and wives should prayerfully counsel together understanding they are accountable to God for their decisions."
Elder Cook then spoke to the single-parent sisters. "Prophets have made it clear '… that many hands stand ready to help you. The Lord is not unmindful of you. Neither is His Church.'"
He also assured single sisters that they are loved and appreciated and no eternal blessing will be withheld from them.
