When hundreds of women gathered in Suwon, South Korea, on Dec. 1 for the first Korea Women’s Conference, they sang the hymn “I Am a Child of God.”
Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson said from now on, whenever she hears that hymn, she will remember the wonderful feelings she felt when singing with the Korean sisters.
“This is wonderful to have the opportunity to be in Korea with nearly 1,400 women who have assembled for this women’s conference,” President Johnson said. “And I do hope that their conversion is strengthened, that their relationship with Jesus Christ is deepened.”
President Johnson was in South Korea as part of a ministry assignment to the Asia North Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 29-Dec. 7, during which she also went to Japan and Mongolia.
Women’s conference in South Korea
The conference in Suwon included classes, networking opportunities, entertainment and spiritual messages, allowing the women to draw strength from one another.
President Johnson encouraged women to listen to the Prophet and follow the guidance and inspiration found in the scriptures and through the Holy Ghost, reported a news release about her ministry on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
“Maintaining the presence of the Spirit requires effort, energy, prayer, scripture study, study of the words of living prophets, preparation for partaking of the sacrament, repentance, personal acts of daily devotion,” she said.
She shared how much President Russell M. Nelson loves the women of the Church and told them that they are loved, precious and needed.
The president of the Church’s Asia North Area, Elder Takashi Wada, General Authority Seventy, said conference organizers hoped to “energize the members in Korea” by helping women understand “that no matter how difficult their life might be ... they can rely on the Savior, because He lives, and He is our Redeemer.”
In a report on the Church’s Korea Newsroom, one woman said after hearing President Johnson’s message, “I was able to realize how much value and importance I have as a woman in this Church and in this world.”
Another woman said, “This experience was very meaningful in my life and helped me think about how I can plan my future to have a better life.”
Devotional in Japan
After South Korea, President Johnson met with women’s focus groups and spoke in a devotional for women and young women in Tokyo, Japan.
She said covenant-making and covenant-keeping women are needed in the Church. She quoted President Nelson’s words in October 2019 general conference that “those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenants.”
Women can provide the Savior’s relief to others — and in doing so, find their own relief in Him, President Johnson explained.
She also spoke about doing the things that matter most first: “When we prioritize the first and second great commandments — love of God and love of our neighbor and family — then the things that don’t have eternal significance drop off the list.”
In a news release from the Church’s Japan Newsroom, Meredith Mitchell, a first-year student at the American School in Japan, said President Johnson’s message was easy for women to understand — and the experience was powerful.
“It was great to be able to bring youth and adult women together and hear stories about how women can tap into the power of the priesthood. It was good,” she said.
Adrianne Richards from the Tokyo 1st Ward (English) in the Tokyo Japan South Stake said, “The devotional was an example to me personally of my place in the Church and the influence women can have.”
Another woman from the Azabu Ward in the Tokyo Japan Stake said she felt President Johnson’s love for her: “Her talk reminded me again who I am — a precious daughter of God. I am grateful that she came all the way to Japan and spent time with us.”
Elder J. Kimo Esplin, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Asia North Area presidency, said President Johnson’s message was powerful — and growing up with seven older sisters, he recognizes the spiritual nature of women. He reaffirmed President Johnson’s testimony of God’s love for His daughters.
Meeting in Mongolia
After leaving Japan, President Johnson traveled to Mongolia, where she spoke with Church members, friends and civic organizations.
On Dec. 6, President Johnson met with Mongolian Parliament Deputy Speaker Odontuya Saldan in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
About the visit, President Johnson said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with the deputy speaker. We share a common objective to strengthen families in Mongolia.”
