"Is it any wonder," Sheri L. Dew, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, asked, "that the enemy of all truth and righteousness would launch an all-out attack on LDS women?"
Speaking during the closing general session of the 1999 Women's Conference at BYU, Sister Dew continued: "From the adversary's point of view, we are dangerous. Of course he would target and attempt to deceive us, women who have a clear understanding of who we are.
"We know that we are beloved spirit daughters of heavenly parents. We are women who seek to hear the voice of the Lord. We are women devoted to our families; women whose covenants and influence span generations; women who are not easily deceived; women who find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood; women of integrity, charity and purity."
Sister Dew suggested three "places of security," including the following:
"Strengthening ourselves spiritually. Our first place of security lies within our own testimonies, which form the foundation of our faith. A personal witness of Jesus Christ, and the ability to hear His voice, provide our first and most reliable line of defense against the adversary.
"Strengthening our Families. The foundation of the Church and the hope of the future is the family, and there is no place of security like it. There is power in the family that we will find nowhere else, a power that spans generations and reaches across the veil.
"Strengthening the Church family. If there is anywhere in the world where every one of us, regardless of our personal circumstances, should feel accepted, needed, valued and loved, it is within our Church family. And every one of us can reach out to others and help them feel a sense of belonging."
