Latter-day Saint women and girls were reassured that women are as important as men and are referred to in many key verses of scriptures, but they were counseled against praying to a "Mother in heaven," during the annual Women's Meeting in the Tabernacle on Saturday night.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained that while logic and reason suggest there is a Mother in heaven, it is inappropriate for an LDS Church member to pray to her."I suppose those who use this expression and who try to further its use are well-meaning but are misguided," President Hinckley said.
"The fact that we do not pray to our Mother in heaven in no way belittles or denigrates her," he said, rereading a portion of a talk he delivered last April to regional representatives of the church.
President Hinckley also took time to answer the letter of a 14-year-old LDS girl written to church President Ezra Taft Benson, mainly concerning the lack of women being mentioned in the scriptures.
He quoted verses in the Doctrine and Covenants that refer to "sons and daughters unto God" and said that the "men" mentioned in the scriptures is many times a generic term that refers to men and women, unless it deals with priesthood responsibilities.
He also said that men and women are inseparable in the celestial kingdom and men are not more important than women.
"I am confident that the daughters of God will be as eligible as will the sons of God," President Hinckley said.
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Council of the Twelve spoke about being an example of the believers.
"Some of you very likely are striving to be "super moms," he said, describing many of the tasks that mothers are expected to perform at home today. "It makes me weary just reviewing all of this," he said after his analysis.
"If anything is left or neglected, you may feel that you have failed. To you who feel harried and overwhelmed and who wonder whether you ever will be able to catch the departing train you think you must be on, I suggest that you learn to deal with each day as it comes along doing the best you can, without feelings of guilt or inadequacy."
Elder Ballard also quoted a bumper sticker: "God put me on Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I will never die!"
He stressed that everyone has her challenges while in mortality and that most of us probably believe ours are the most difficult.
"Rather than berate yourself for what you didn't do, congratulate yourself for what you did. . . . Remember, our Heavenly Father never expects more of us than we can do. If your husband and children need this reminder, then feel free to share this counsel with them."
Elder Ballard said that each sister often is required to answer the ageless question of "Who am I?" He offered as an answer to this riddle the Young Women's theme.
He also counseled against succumbing to peer pressure and stressed that transgression of any kind will lead to a loss of self-esteem.
"You young women have a responsibility to live exemplary lives so the young men will respect your values and treat you as daughters of God deserve to be treated," he said.
President Jayne B. Malan, first counselor in the general Young Women presidency, spoke on "These Are Your Days." She asked the young sisters if they know that they are daughters of God, because that knowledge brings a sweet peace to the heart and a confidence to face any challenges that life may bring.
"To you who may question your worth and wonder if God really loves you, these are your days to experiment upon the word of God by obeying his commandments and staying close to him. That feeling of love and acceptance cannot come without obedience," President Malan said.
"Unite in righteousness. Hold your banners high for all to see. Don't be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for you have a cause and the cause is glorious!"
President Ruth Wright, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, addressed "Be Thou An Example." She said one way we can feel Christ's love is through the example of others as they emulate his life.
"Each of us can feel our Savior's love through the righteous example of others," she said. "We, too, can strive to live in such a way that we can be examples of the believers."
President Chieko N. Okazaki, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, named three things she considers blessings from faith in Christ: sisterhood, diversity and charity.
She shared her introduction to Christianity at age 7 after being raised a Buddhist - pointing out the sisterhood of the church is comprised of recent converts and fifth-generation members, women of different backgrounds, educational levels and marital status. She encouraged the women to rejoice in the diversity of sisterhood.
"Mormon women have a complex and vital heritage of sisterhood," President Okazaki said.