10 attributes of an "elect lady" in section 25:
1. Comfort husband in affliction (25:5)
2. Give time to learning and reading much (25:8)
3. Lay aside things of the world (25:10)
4. Seek for things of a better world (25:10)
5. Lift up thy heart and rejoice (25:13)
6. "Cleave unto covenants" (25:13)
7. "Continue in the spirit of meekness" (25:14)
8. "Beware of pride" (25:14)
9. "Let they soul delight in thy husband and the glory which shall come upon him" (25:14)
10. Keep the commandments continually (25:14)
What do you know about Emma's life that matches well with the admonitions given to her in this revelation?
The things I do know about Emma's life at this point matches so well with these admonitions because it was at this time and all during Emma's marriage to Joseph that there was much persecution that her and her family had to endure. This could not have been an easy task and as a result these admonitions could be a source of strength to her to know that if she does these things then everything, even despite the persecution would be just fine.
Along with this a great quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith says : “Emma Smith was human, possessing many of the characteristics which are found in most of us. Being the wife of the man whom the Almighty had blessed, she felt, as most women would have felt under like circumstances, that she was entitled to some special favors. It was difficult for her to understand why she could not view the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and other sacred things, which view had been given to special witnesses. At times this human thought caused her to murmur and ask the question of the Prophet why she was denied this privilege.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:125.) This is another great reason that these admonitions match so well with Emma and the life she was leading and the life that she had ahead of her being married to the prophet Joseph Smith.
What in this list would be difficult for women of the world to understand, accept, or even appreciate?
I think that things that would be difficult for women of the world to understand, accept or appreciate is the idea of laying aside the things of the world and seeking for things of a better world. We live in a society that is so focused on things and having all the things that you want in life like nice cars, big house and expensive clothes. When really it is not those things that matter most in this life and in the life to come because we cannot take these things with us.
In what ways are women of the church different from women of the world?
There are many ways that women of the church are different from women of the world. One of the biggest things I feel like is different is the idea that women nurturing and raising their children. It says in The Family: A Proclamation to the World that, " Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." (lds. org, The Family: A Proclamation to the World) This is not something that is even common in the world for the most part but is very common in the church. Another way women of the church are different from women of the world is that their focus in life in general is much different, women of the world focus on a career and themselves before they would think of having a family often times. Women of the church though are taught to of course get an education but that family and the gospel are of the highest importance in this life.
Read Elder Neal A. Maxwell and Sister Julie B. Beck's message on the women of God and share your impressions and a meaningful quote from each talk.
Sister Beck's talk to me was truly amazing and very inspiring! Although I am not a mother yet and am not married yet either it really made me realize how vital it will be for me to be the kind of mother that she talks about because how I choose to structure my home and teach my children will shape the kind of people that they will become. What a huge responsibility this is and I want to do everything that I can to do it in the best way possible. I love the quote that says:
"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all." (Sister Beck)
I want to be able to have a home like this someday! :)
I also was truly amazed at Elder Maxwell's talk, it truly made me feel appreciated and loved in the great capacity and job I have ahead of me someday as a wife and mother. I could feel how much he loves the sisters of our church and it brought tears to my eyes to know how appreciated we really are. He said :
"We salute you, sisters, for the joy that is yours as you rejoice in a baby’s first smile and as you listen with eager ear to a child’s first day at school which bespeaks a special selflessness. Women, more quickly than others, will understand the possible dangers when the word self is militantly placed before other words like fulfillment. You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms." (Elder Neal A. Maxwell)
I want more then anything to be able to be a mother like this that is so selfless and concerned about the well being of my family and those around me. This truly was another testimony to me of how important the role of motherhood and being a woman is and how precious a blessing it is to have the opportunity to have those roles!
I pray daily that I will be prepared to be the kind of women that Sister Beck and Elder Maxwell describe in their talks because I want nothing more then to have home where the spirit can reside and my family can grow in love, together.
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