By Tisha Whitmill
Two speakers, including a member of the Young Women General Board, urged Women Conference attendees to increase their service to others and be cheerful in order to remain saintly during disagreeable circumstances.
Nan Hunter, wife of a former mission president, told women to increase their service and church work by at least 10 percent.
“If your service and love will improve, you will not have time to complain and criticize,” Hunter said.
She used songs, poetry, personal stories and Romans 12:9-13 to outline steps women can use to live a saintly life and get through times of trial and complaint. She told women to love as the Savior loves, abhor evil and cling to what is good, be kindly and affectionate one to another, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be eager in giving and hospitality.
“Hospitality is an open hand, an open heart, and an open door,” Hunter said. “Open your heart to whatever is going on in the lives of those around you.”
She said life is full of time-consuming tasks and trials that consume energy and cause stress. However, Heavenly Father wants his children to experience tribulation.
“Hard is just hard; it is not bad,” Hunter said. “Hard is good for us. The way to get over it is to help someone else.”
She closed by saying women can live saintly lives with Heavenly Father”s aid by doing simple things like serving those who need help.
The second speaker, Carolyn P. Toronto, a member of the Young Women General Board, offered three virtues that could help women live more saintly lives.
She said women should generate gratitude, be of good cheer, and seek and enjoy peace.
“Great promises are given to those who receive all things with thankfulness,” Toronto said.
She said recognizing the everyday miracles can help a woman”s outlook brighten. It can also help her to be a more cheerful person.
Toronto said being cheerful is a choice, but it is a choice within everyone”s reach.
She ended by reminding the women that they are the architects of their homes and lives.
“Carefully create life each day instead of just letting it happen,” Toronto said.
