Primary General President Susan H. Porter encouraged women to have more humility in their lives during her address at BYU's Women’s Conference on May 1.
Porter told the women in attendance that humility is not a weakness. She also said that as those in attendance grow in humility, they become less critical and more compassionate.
Porter began her address by talking about her humbling experience of serving in the primary presidency for the past four years.
“We have been stretched in spiritually defining ways. And we’ve had unexpected, joyful moments,” President Porter said. “Our presidency has received countless gifts from children, including tender letters and colorful portraits they have drawn of us.”
She then spoke on the life-altering words of the Lord that the Old Testament prophet Enoch heard when he was consumed with feelings of inadequacy.
“Behold,” said the Lord to Enoch, “my spirit is upon you, … thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me,” President Porter said, quoting from the Pearl of Great Price.
Porter thought of humility as she pondered what is needed to accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to come unto Him, follow Him and walk with Him.
“Humility is an indication that we know where our true strength lies,” she said, quoting from Gospel Library's Topics and Questions.
Porter cited various examples of humility in her address, including her sister-in-law Pam.
She said that despite her sister-in-law's history of suffering with depression, anxiety and severe migraines, she and her husband continue to walk with the Lord, even as healing has not yet come.
Porter said Pam felt a new understanding of Lehi's experience in the Tree of Life dream found in the Book of Mormon.
“Pam said that when she is trying to walk with the Savior but feels she is in a dark and dreary waste, she remembers, like Lehi, to pray that the Lord will have mercy on her, according to the multitude of His tender mercies,” President Porter said.
She concluded her address where she started it, with children. She invited the audience to sing the closing hymn, “I Will Walk with Jesus.”
“In addition to beholding the little ones, I invite you to behold yourself choosing to walk humbly with Jesus,” President Porter said. “I pray you will feel His love for you.”
Karen Dickson, who came to BYU Women’s Conference from North Carolina, said her favorite part was President Porter’s granddaughter sharing her testimony about being a missionary and having struggles.
“We know that we all have struggles and we can overcome them with Christ,” Dickson said.
Kathleen Morris, a conference attendee and primary teacher, said she loved it when President Porter talked about children.
“When you're with the children, Christ is with you because He gathers near them,” Morris said.