I had the fun opportunity to share some thoughts about women in scripture at Girls Camp.\u00a0 How awesome is it that the youth leaders preparing for camp made space in the busy schedule for daily scripture study, reflection, and a class on women in the scriptures!\u00a0 Last year they asked me to speak about scripture study, and I used women in the scriptures<\/a> for all my examples, so felt delighted that the youth wanted to continue that topic again.<\/p>\n As I prayed for divine guidance, clear direction emerged.\u00a0 The Holy Ghost instructed me to show how women in scripture lived covenant lives.\u00a0 I gathered information from the Church\u2019s website on the saving ordinances women participate in and the covenants made during the endowment. I included a quote for each ordinance and covenant that I felt helped describe the ordinance or covenant and attendant blessings.\u00a0 I included a couple of ideas of women in scripture that I felt applied but actually gave the young women a long list of women in scripture that they could choose as their own examples.\u00a0 We also briefly talked about women in scripture who did not<\/em> live covenant lives and how we could use their lives as examples of the loss of promised blessings and power.<\/p>\n I wanted the girls to identify a woman in scripture and read her story, identifying how her life exhibited one of the ordinances and covenants. I also asked them to apply the story to their lives.\u00a0 Why does that woman\u2019s story matter to them? Which of the woman\u2019s characteristics or actions impacted the young woman?\u00a0 And most importantly,\u00a0 what did the woman in scripture\u2019s story teach the young woman about Jesus Christ\u2019s purpose, mission, characteristics, ministry, and relationship with women\/her?<\/p>\n After our discussion on the ordinances and covenants, I gave an example that we worked through and then I turned them loose to discover their own examples.\u00a0 Some of them shared their examples.\u00a0 I loved how their takeaways and examples were diverse and individual.\u00a0 We explored so many women\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n My hope was that they could identify the many women in the scriptures and perhaps look at their stories in new ways.<\/p>\n President Russell\u00a0M. Nelson reminded us that<\/p>\n \u201cevery activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families\u201d (\u201cPersonal Preparation for Temple Blessings<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0Ensign,<\/em>\u00a0May 2001,\u00a032;\u00a0Liahona,<\/em>\u00a0July 2001,\u00a037).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Elder David\u00a0A. Bednar said:<\/p>\n \u201cI encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0kindred dead. \u2026 As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. \u2026 Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded \u2026 throughout your lives\u201d (\u201cThe Hearts of the Children Shall Turn<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0Ensign<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0Liahona,<\/em>\u00a0Nov. 2011, 26\u201327).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ideas: Lydia (Acts 16:14-15, 40), Manoah\u2019s wife (Judges 13:2-24)<\/p>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\n The initiatory ordinances<\/em><\/a> include special blessings regarding your divine heritage and potential. As part of these ordinances, you will also be authorized to wear the sacred temple garment and instructed to wear it throughout your life.<\/p>\n An\u00a0endowment<\/em>\u00a0is literally a \u201cgift.\u201d In this context, the temple endowment is a gift of sacred blessings from God to each of us. The endowment can only be received in His way and in His holy temple. Some of the gifts you receive through the temple endowment include: *Greater knowledge of the Lord\u2019s purposes and teachings. *Power to do all that God wants us to do.\u00a0 *Divine guidance and protection as we serve the Lord, our families, and others. *Increased hope, comfort, and peace. *Promised blessings now and forever.<\/p>\n \u201cObedience leads to true freedom. The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated. \u2026\u00a0Just as order gave life and beauty to the earth when it was dark and void, so it does to us. Obedience helps us develop the full potential our Heavenly Father desires for us in becoming celestial beings worthy someday to live in His presence.\u201d President James E. Faust, (\u201cObedience: The Path to Freedom<\/a>,\u201d April 1999 general conference)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\n \u201cWe are still commanded to sacrifice, but not by shedding blood of animals. Our highest sense of sacrifice is achieved as we make ourselves more sacred or holy. This we do by our obedience to the commandments of God. Thus, the laws of obedience and sacrifice are indelibly intertwined. Consider the commandments to obey the Word of Wisdom, to keep the Sabbath day holy, to pay an honest tithe. As we comply with these and other commandments, something wonderful happens to us. We become disciplined! We become disciples! We become more sacred and holy\u2014like our Lord!\u201d President Russell M. Nelson (Lessons from Eve<\/a>, October 1987 general conference)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ideas: Eve (Moses 5:11-12, D&C 138:39), Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42), Joanna (Luke 8:1-3, Luke 24:1-11)<\/p>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\n \u201cWe covenant to live the law of the gospel. The law of the gospel embraces all laws, principles, and ordinances necessary for our exaltation. We agree to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and sincere repentance borne out of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. As we comply with the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and continue in faith and prayer, the power of the Savior\u2019s atoning sacrifice covers our sins and we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. \u2026\u00a0\u00a0The law of the gospel is more than understanding the plan of salvation. It consists of partaking of the ordinances and the sealing powers culminating in a man being sealed up unto eternal life. \u2018Being born again,\u2019 said the Prophet Joseph Smith, \u2018comes by the spirit of God through ordinances.\u2019\u201d President Ezra Taft Benson (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,\u00a0<\/em>337. From Prophetic Teachings on Temples<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ideas: Emma Smith (Doctrine and Covenants 25), Lamoni\u2019s Queen (Alma 18:43, 19:1-13, 29-30, 33-34 \u2013 whole story 18:39-19:36), Esther (Esther 4:12-17)<\/p>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\n \u201cThe power to create mortal life is the most exalted power God has given to His children. Its use was mandated by God\u2019s first commandment to Adam and Eve (see\u00a0Genesis 1:28)<\/a>, but other important commandments were given to forbid its misuse (see\u00a0Exodus 20:14<\/a>;\u00a01 Thessalonians 4:3)<\/a>. The emphasis we place on the law of chastity is explained by our understanding of the purpose of our procreative powers in the accomplishment of God\u2019s plan.\u201d\u00a0President Dallin H. Oaks (No Other Gods<\/a>, October 2013 general conference)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ideas: Mary (1 Nephi 11:13-20) Rebekah (Genesis 24:15-67), Ruth (Ruth 3:11), Daughters of the Lamanites (Moroni 9:9)<\/p>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\n \u201cSacrifice is what we will offer, surrender, yield, or give up.\u00a0 Consecration, on the other hand, is to fully develop and dedicate to a sacred purpose. \u2026 As we live the law of consecration, we are willing not only to offer anything and everything that we possess for the sake of the gospel\u2014but we also promise to develop and devote our best selves\u2014our time, our talents, and our ever increasing capacity\u2014to the building of the kingdom of God on the earth. Our pledge is: I will give me and all that I can become, and I will live for the gospel of Jesus Christ. \u2026 True consecration is motivated by charity and produces an increased desire to serve. In these latter days, more is required of us as children of the covenant than our money, substance, and time. We need to consecrate unto the Lord our whole souls.\u201d David A. Bednar \u201cYour Whole Souls as an Offering Unto Him<\/a>,\u201d BYU-I devotional, January 5, 1999<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ideas:\u00a0 Mary (Luke 1:26-38), 3 Virgins (Abraham 1:11), Vienna Jacques (Doctrine & Covenants 90:28-31), Eve (Moses 5:11-12), Women (Hebrews 11:33-35)<\/p>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\n The sealing ordinance is God\u2019s greatest gift to His children.<\/a> It enables us to return to live with Him and all of our loved ones forever. It offers marvelous blessings for this life and the next. It is a constant reminder that families are central to God\u2019s plan and to our happiness here and in eternity. It provides peace, hope, and joy for all who faithfully receive it.<\/p>\n The covenant of eternal marriage is also needed for exaltation. Exaltation is eternal life\u2014the kind of life God lives. He is perfect. He lives in great glory. He has all knowledge, all power, and all wisdom. He is loving, kind, and merciful. He is the Heavenly Father of every person on earth. We can someday become like Him. This is exaltation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood.\u201d President Boyd K. Packer (And a Little Child Shall Lead Them<\/a>, April 2012 general conference)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ideas: Eve (D&C 138:39), Sarah (Hebrews 11:11-12, Doctrine & Covenants 132:29-30)<\/p>\n Woman\u2019s name:<\/p>\n How did she live the covenant?<\/p>\n How do you apply her story to yourself?<\/p>\n How is her story an example of Jesus Christ\u2019s mission and purpose?<\/p>\nWomen in Scripture Handout<\/h3>\n
Baptism and Confirmation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Endowment<\/strong>\u2014<\/strong>Initiatory and Endowment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Covenants of the Endowment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Law of Obedience, which includes striving to keep God\u2019s commandments.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Law of Sacrifice, which means doing all we can to support the Lord\u2019s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Law of the Gospel, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Law of Chastity, which means that we have sexual relations only with the person to whom we are legally and lawfully wedded according to God\u2019s law.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Law of Consecration, which means dedicating our time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed us to building up Jesus Christ\u2019s Church on the earth.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Sealing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Women in the Plan of Happiness<\/h3>\n