Members of the LDS Church were reminded to “acknowledge the Savior, repent, and obey with gladness” by Sister Neill F. Marriott on March 26.
Sister Marriott, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, spoke during the 186th annual Women’s Session of General Conference held in the Conference Center.
She quoted Eliza R. Snow and reminded members of their responsibilities in light of the upcoming Easter holiday. “‘The Lord has laid high responsibilities upon us.'”
She then emphasized the need to uphold these responsibilities by nurturing, loving and serving others. “Sisters, we build a kingdom when we nurture others,” she said. “However, the first child of God we must build up in the restored gospel is ourselves.”
Sister Marriott reiterated the need to first have a foundation of faith. “We must develop bedrock faith in the Savior’s gospel and move forward, empowered by temple covenants, toward exaltation.”
After completing a year as a convert to the church, Sister Marriott was sealed to her husband. She recalled having a feeling of homelessness in Utah before being sealed. Her soon-to-be Aunt Carol, took her within her arms and Sister Marriott felt “anchored to a safe space.”
“Love is making space in your life for someone else, as Aunt Carol did for me,” she said.
She explained that a mother is someone who gives life, which Sister Marriott reiterated, is actually all women who give hope in “tender, powerful ways.”
When women speak up and testify of truth, that is when they build up the kingdom of God, Sister Marriott taught.
She also recounted an experience when she had to “defend motherhood.” The mother of a big family, she was rebutted by an anonymous caller for bringing children into an “overcrowded planet.” However, she told the caller that she would “do everything in my power to nurture my children in such a way that they will make the world a better place.”
She reminded women worldwide that they can testify of eternal principles. “Women and sisters, we can do these things!”
She closed by testifying that women of all ages can create a sense of belonging for others by nurturing with inspiration, living truth fearlessly and creating a place for healing and hope.
