On 8 March, women and men around the world will celebrate International Women’s Day.
There are over six million Latter-day Saint women throughout the world, all members of one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations globally, called the Relief Society.
The general president of the Relief Society, Linda K. Burton, recently visited New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa.
Mormon Newsroom states that: “Latter-day Saint women draw strength and inspiration from their identity: they understand themselves to be daughters of God with a purpose in life, and they strive to cultivate the attributes of divinity—such as holiness, wisdom and charity—within themselves.”
“They honour their bodies and minds as sacred gifts, rejecting anything that demeans them. They seek to fulfill their potential and their capacity for joy through worship, study, service and earnest efforts to live a Christ-centered life. They believe that by divine design, women and men experience the most growth, joy and fulfillment together, not in isolation. Through collaborative and unique efforts, they each provide indispensable contributions at home, at church and in the community.
- New Zealand Latter-day Saint Woman
- Relief Society sisters in New Caledonia
- Helen Thomson
- Ellen Chan
- Hippolite Family
- Rangi Parker 1
- Sister Burton with Auckland young mothers
- Sister Ailsa Coutts and Sister Linda K. Burton
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- Mormon Helping Hands volunteers in Beachhaven New Zealand 23 February 2013
- Melanie Riwai-Couch with fellow presenters at the 2012 BYU Women's Conference
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- MHH Porirua Alice Ropata
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- Sister Missionaries in Fiji
- Visiting teachers at door
- Sister missionaries at New Zealand MTC with Sister Burton and Sister Wixom 22 February 2013
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Newsroom continues: “Mormon women embrace their heritage as female disciples of Jesus Christ. They consider it an important mission to reach out to those in need and to care for the best interests of their families, congregations and broader communities.”
Education is an important part of Latter-day Saint women’s lives. Many women in the Church today hold positions of responsibility in business, medicine, teaching, research, etc.
Latter-day Saint fathers and mothers feel that their greatest responsibility is in raising strong, Christ-centered families. Mormon men and women embrace families as the heart of God’s plan for His children and as the fundamental unit of society.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated: “Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. The priesthood leadership of this Church at all levels gratefully acknowledges the service, sacrifice, commitment and contribution of the sisters.”
Author and historian Wallace Stegner was impressed with the early women settlers as they gathered in the Salt Lake Valley. He said “their women are incredible.”