President Eyring’s talk

President Eyring began his address by talking about the calls from Jesus Christ that the sisters of the Church have received. He talked about being placed on the earth at a place and time chosen by God and about having the opportunity to be baptised. He then said:

‘As a new covenant daughter of God, you made a promise and received an assignment in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which you were then confirmed a member. You covenanted with God to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, to keep His commandments, and to serve Him.

For each one who makes these covenants, the service that the Lord calls him or her to do will be suited perfectly to that person. The covenant daughters and sons of God, however, all share one important and joyful call. It is to serve others for Him.’

We all covenant to:

• take upon us the name of Jesus Christ
• to keep his commandments
• to serve Him
• to serve others for Him.

But President Eyring also says that as well as these covenants we are also called to a service that is ‘perfectly suited’ to us.

How can we discover what this perfectly suited to us call to service is?

President Eyring goes on to explain that we cannot know the time, duration or sequence of some calls to serve. Some may not come in this mortal life.

‘You cannot know when, or for what length of time, your personal mission will be focused on service in calls such as mother, leader, or ministering sister. The Lord, out of love, does not leave us the choice of the timing, duration, or sequence of our assignments. Yet you know from scripture and living prophets that all of these assignments will come, either in this life or in the next, to every daughter of God. And all of them are preparation for eternal life in loving families—“the greatest of all the gifts of God.” ‘

How does it make you feel to receive the assurance from one of the Lord’s servants that all of these assignments will come, eventually, to all of God’s daughters?

‘You will be wise to bend every effort to prepare now with the end in mind. That task is made simpler because each of these assignments requires much of the same preparation.’

What does it mean to prepare now with the end in mind?

You may wish to list, or mark, some of the ways to prepare that President Eyring suggests. This list might include:

• the preparation of a powerful loving heart
• a fearless faith that the Lord gives no command save he prepares a way
• a desire to go and do for Him
• faith in Jesus Christ
• a deep love of the scriptures
• faith to lead people and teach His word without fear
• having the Holy Ghost as your constant companion
• being eager to say ‘I will’
• a capacity to pray for the influence, direction and comfort of the Holy Ghost

Is there anything in your list that you feel you need to start to work on?

Which of the short portraits of covenant women given by President Eyring impressed you?

‘Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered, serving in whatever way and place He has prepared for them. I promise that you will find joy in your journey to your heavenly home as you return to Him as a covenant-keeping daughter of God. ‘

What do you think it means to be a ‘covenant women in partnership with God’?

How would that partnership manifest itself?

How do you fel that you can more fully become a covenant woman in partnership with God?

How can you help those around you to more fully realise that description?

(Note: Passages in italics are excerpts from President Eyring’s talk.)