Raised by an amazing, hard working single mother, I learned firsthand the importance of having women of covenant leadership in my life and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My mom was the presiding figure in my home growing up. She led by word and deed. She was often able to act as God’s hands. She taught me what it meant to be a covenant leader.
Knowing the power of faithful women, I was blown away as I sat in a worship session filled to the brim with women in the Palmyra New York temple. With about 40 women and 4 men, I was surrounded by women of covenant leadership who are changing the Church, and the world. They changed me.

As we walked out of the Palmyra New York temple, with the Sacred Grove in view, I pondered on President Russell M. Nelson’s plea to women.
“I plead with my sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to step forward! Take your rightful and needful place in your home, in your community, and in the kingdom of God—more than you ever have before,” he said. “And I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that as you do so, the Holy Ghost will magnify your influence in an unprecedented way!”
I felt that I was experiencing the promise of a prophet fulfilled as I looked at these amazing sisters. The Holy Ghost was truly magnifying their influence. It was unprecedented!

These women were on a Church History trip — entitled “Women of Covenant Leadership” — led by BYU Professor of Church History and Doctrine Barbara Morgan Gardner and former Young Women General President Elaine S. Dalton.
Beginning in the Sacred Grove, Gardner bore witness of the First Vision received by Joseph Smith over 200 years ago. Standing near a hearth in the Smith log house, she explained that 14-year old Joseph first saw his mother Lucy after his theophany right there.
“I have learned for myself,” Joseph Smith said as he leaned on that hearth, exhausted.
With the experience of Joseph and his mother in mind, Gardner often asked: “What have you learned for yourself?”
Over the next few days, visiting nearly a dozen sites from Upstate New York to Pennsylvania and concluding in Ohio, this group of women would “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118) as they learned for themselves.

Rafaela Harmon, a BYU student, explained that it was incredible to be in the places where the Restoration began.
“So much sacrifice and hard work was given by those whom He chose to be part of His work. I could feel it all, simply by breathing in those sites,” Harmon said.

Lisa Nokes, one of the trip participants, explained that during the trip her “mind and heart were turned to the many sisters that played key roles in the restoration of the gospel here on the earth.”
"If they could see us now!" she recalled thinking.

Concluding the trip in the historic Kirtland Temple, Gardner and Dalton gave a devotional to women and historic site missionaries; one of the first devotionals held in this temple since the church's acquisition in March of 2024.
Nokes explained that being in the Kirtland temple with Gardner and Dalton was a gift she would treasure for the rest of her life.
“To have Barb and Elaine testifying with their powerful testimonies at the pulpit of the Kirtland Temple just makes me feel so humbled, to be in a time and place like this, built on the shoulders of those Saints that sacrificed so much,” she said. “Angels in heaven must be rejoicing.”
Harmon explained that she knew she needed to be on the trip. It was a pivotal moment that changed her life.
“I understand that God wanted me there to strengthen my testimony, deepen my understanding of His gospel, His priesthood, and learn to hear His voice more clearly,” Harmon said. “I received important promptings and blessings I couldn't have imagined before the trip.
Since returning, Harmon has been making efforts to act on the revelations she received.
"I feel closer to my Heavenly Parents and Jesus Christ," Harmon said. "I'm also more proactive in becoming the woman and daughter They want me to be.”
While this trip was life-changing for this small group of women, Gardner and Dalton are also changing the lives of students at BYU and Latter-day Saints around the world.
“Women of Covenant Leadership,” a BYU class taught by Gardner and Dalton, discusses how to be covenant leaders, often bringing in inspiring women to teach the class. Guests of the class have included Michelle Craig, Liz Darger, Reyna Aburto, and many others. The students in the class have visited Welfare Square to meet Sharon Eubank and the Relief Society building to meet Emily Belle Freeman.

In the Religious Study Center’s Fall 2024 Review Magazine, Gardner and Olivia Osguthorpe — a BYU student studying sociology — wrote about the class.
“Upon reaching out to a few women to act as mentors and perhaps guests to participate in teaching the course, it quickly became apparent that many women were united in their desires to fulfill the plea of the prophet to both become better covenant leaders as well as mentor others in the process,” they said.
Aubrey Clark, a student in the class, explained that learning from people like Dalton was an amazing experience. She said that Dalton “invites those she interacts with, including myself, to rise up to any occasion, and to be a virtuous woman. She does this not only in word, but definitely in deed and action.”
Gardner and Dalton also host a weekly Instagram Live entitled “Walk with Him” where they discuss general conference talks from the most recent conference. Thousands of women and men from all over the world study with them each week. For many, it has become a part of their weekly rituals.
One sister in Cairo, Egypt, commented “I feel such love this morning as I listen to both of you speak and share!”
Another sister in Orlando, Florida, said “Thank you for spending time with us. I appreciate your strong spirits and testimonies.”
A sister in Idaho commented, “Wow, this discussion is hitting home for me! Trust is hard for me for all the reasons you ladies talked about, but I'm working on it.”
While Gardner and Dalton are largely focused on helping women become covenant leaders, the concepts they are teaching will help men become covenant leaders as well.
“By virtue of keeping your covenants,” explained Gardner, “you will naturally become a leader.”