Women need to relax and rejoice in their divine differences.
That was part of the message Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson delivered during the General Women’s Meeting in the Conference Center on March 29.
Sister Oscarson, Young Women general president, noted that when women look beyond their differences in age, culture and circumstance to nurture and serve one another they will be filled with the pure love of Christ and the inspiration that leads them to know when and whom to serve.
“The adversary would have us be critical or judgmental of one another,” she said. “He wants us to concentrate on our differences and compare ourselves to one another. ...
“We as women can be particularly hard on ourselves. When we compare ourselves to one another, we will always feel inadequate or resentful of others. …We just need to relax and rejoice in our divine differences. We need to realize that we all desire to serve in the kingdom using our unique talents and gifts in our own ways. Then we can enjoy our sisterhood, our associations and begin to serve....
“We have so much to learn from one another and we often let self-imposed barriers keep us from enjoying associations which could be among our greatest blessings in our lives.”
She referred to the relationship Mary, the mother of Jesus, had with Elizabeth, an older cousin, as a model of “feminine nurturing between generations.”
Sister Oscarson spoke several ways in which service is given. “Thank you to all the women of the Church who are reaching out across age and cultural lines to bless and serve others,” she said. “Young women are serving Primary children and the elderly. Single sisters of all ages spend countless hours watching out for the needs of those around them. We recognize the thousands of young women who are giving up 18 months of their lives to share the gospel with the world....
“Sisters, there is no other group of women in the world who have access to greater blessings than we do as Latter-day Saint women. We are members of the Lord’s Church and regardless of our individual circumstances, we can all enjoy the full blessings of priesthood power through keeping the covenants we have made at baptism and in the temple. We have living prophets to lead and teach us and we enjoy the great gift of the Holy Ghost, which serves as a comfort and guide in our lives. We are blessed to work hand in hand with righteous brothers as we strengthen homes and families. We have access to the strength and power of temple ordinances and so much more. In addition to all of these magnificent blessings, we have each other — sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed with tender and charitable natures which enable us to render Christlike love and service to those around us.”
