Letter-day Saints Women's Conference

Gifted speakers and pie and ice cream, the main events at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Women’s Conference, was enjoyed by the many members who attended the Women’s Conference on Saturday night. The conference was broadcast live from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sept. 26 and reached eight congregations in five chapels in Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Niceville, Sandestin and Fort Walton Beach.

Members of the Cache Valley Choir consisting of girls eight years old and up, young women, and Relief Society ladies sang selections of inspirational songs. Videos were shown to bring home points of fellowship, friendship and service to others.

The speakers were Bonnie Oscarson, General Relief Society president, who conducted the meeting. The Young Women President, Rosemary Wixom, spoke of our divine nature and how that knowledge strengthens us, especially in times of trials here on earth. She put emphasis on the miracle of birth and quoted from the now 20-year old inspired “Proclamation On the Family” and the purpose of our existence here on earth which is to serve one another.

Linda Reeves, 2nd councilor in the Relief Society, spoke on the importance of chastity and avoiding tempting situations and remaining pure and virtuous.

Carol F. McConkie, who is 1st councilor in the Young Women’s Presidency, emphasized our divine nature. She told the story of a 100-year-old lady who helped the young women with their personal progress projects and earned her own in the process when she was 102.

President Uchdorf concluded the meeting with a story about a young girl, Ava, who had to spend the summer with her great Aunt Rose. Ava was dreading those months but by the time the summer came to an end, she had grown to love and appreciate her great Aunt Rose and her ability to remain happy in spite of her trials.

Attending for the first time with her mother was eight-year-old Eliza Ridge who said, “The singing was beautiful. I loved that there were girls my age singing too. I also thought the flute player was very talented. She played perfectly.”

Her mother, Amanda Ridge, was especially pleased with the remarks by Rosemary M. Wixom about the divine nature of humans. She said, "Our divine nature has nothing to do with our personal accomplishments, the status we achieve, the number of marathons we run, or our popularity and self–esteem. Our divine nature comes from God. It was established in an existence that preceded our birth and will continue on into eternity. We identify with our divine nature as we feel and give the love of our Father in Heaven. We have the agency to nurture it, let it flourish and help it to grow.”

I think we often forget that we are born infused with the power of God. We are His children, and that because of this, we have a great responsibility to extend this love and serve all those around us. I am thankful to have these conferences to renew myself spiritually and remember and recommit myself to serving our communities.