In an interview with Church News, President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said councils need to include and encourage the voices of women.
“Women are a vital voice,” he said.
President Ballard said he questions how a bishop can administer or minister in a ward without counseling with the sisters who lead the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary organizations of the ward.
“I’ve been an advocate all my time as a general authority that the priesthood leaders ought to help call capable, good, smart women … and then they ought to be a full and participating part of a ward council.”
This video, titled “The Voice of Women,” features President Ballard speaking about the need to include and listen to women in ward councils and other council settings.
“Many, many times, the voice of women in a ward council is the most important voice that a bishop can hear,” he said.
