Notable quotes:
“We are always progressing as long as we are striving to follow the Lord.” “Women wear many hats, but it is impossible, and unnecessary, to wear them all at once. The Spirit helps us determine which work to focus on today.” “Heeding personal revelation leads to personal progression.” Summary points:
- Latter-day Saint women can draw principles of truth from the Prophet Joseph Smith’s experiences for insights into receiving their own personal revelation through faith.
- Learning is integral to progression. The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost can teach individuals what is needful and help them set aside those things that may delay or distract from their progress.
- Individuals access the power of the priesthood through their baptismal and temple covenants with the Lord.
Talk summary:
President Russell M. Nelson taught, “It would be impossible to measure the influence that … women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church.” Since the earliest days of the Relief Society in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith counseled women to “live up to their privileges” and the women of today also have a “divine errand from the Lord.” Every woman’s faithful and unique contributions are vital.
“The Lord loves effort and effort brings rewards” as individuals keep practicing, progressing and striving to follow the Lord. “He doesn’t expect perfection today,” but, as in times past, “our journey does, indeed, take effort, hard work and study.” Such efforts bring eternal rewards.
The Prophet Joseph Smith restored the knowledge of every individual’s eternal worth and because of that, the Lord expects His children to receive revelation from Him.
“Our continuing role is to receive continuing revelation.” With greater capacity and proficiency to receive revelation, individuals receive more power to accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation.
“There is beautiful unity between women and men in accomplishing God’s work today.” Men and women alike access the power of the priesthood through covenants made with the Lord — beginning with the covenants of baptism and culminating with those covenants made in the temple. President Nelson taught, “Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.”
Earlier in life, “I didn’t realize … that I had access, through my covenants, to the power of the priesthood. Sisters, I pray that we will recognize and cherish priesthood power as we ‘cleave unto our covenants,’ embrace the truths of the scriptures and heed the words of our living prophets.”
In the news:
- On Feb. 27, Sister Joy D. Jones joined other Church leaders at the annual Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction in the Conference Center to discuss how temple and family history work is used to minister to all members of the Church.
- Speaking at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Dec. 8, 2019, Sister Jones shared her testimony of Christ as “the gift that never stops giving.”
- In December 2019, President Jones traveled to Mexico with Sister Jean B. Bingham and Sister Becky Craven to visit with Latter-day Saints in the area. During their visit, Sister Jones said she was impressed by the Mexican Saints’ dedication to the temple.
About the speaker:
- Sister Joy D. Jones was called as Primary general president in April 2016.
- The fifth of seven children, Joy Diane Harmon was born in The Dalles, Oregon, in 1954, to Aldo Harmon and Eleanor Adelia Ellsworth Harmon.
- Sister Jones earned an Associate of Science degree in family living from Brigham Young University.
- She met her husband, Robert Bruce Jones, at a BYU family home evening group. They were married in the Manti Utah Temple on Aug. 14, 1974. They have five children.
- Prior to being called as the Primary general president, Sister Jones served on the Primary general board, as a ward Relief Society president and in ward and stake Relief Society, Young Women and Primary presidencies.
Recently on social:
- “Who doesn’t like to have fun?” Sister Joy D. Jones asked in a Jan. 24 Facebook post. Highlighting how serving others can be fun, President Jones explained why service is a key component of the new Children and Youth program.
https://www.facebook.com/PrimaryPresident/posts/2700553130027198
- On Dec. 9, 2019, Sister Jones shared on Facebook a small thought from the address she gave during the First Presidency Christmas devotional. “I testify that Jesus Christ is the perfect gift — the gift that never stops giving. May we all hold that truth in our hearts this Christmas and forever,” she wrote.
https://www.facebook.com/PrimaryPresident/posts/2603154769767035
- In a Dec. 5, 2019, Facebook post, Sister Jones shared her gratitude for the opportunity she had to speak at the United Nations and join other organizations in highlighting the efforts of the partnership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and UNICEF in meeting the needs of children throughout the world.
https://www.facebook.com/PrimaryPresident/posts/2593986494017196
