Guest Stand

Voices of Faith

Our Guest Stand features contributions from writers including Alisa Olson, Allison MacKay, Aubree Gittins, Bethany Packard, Breanna Olaveson, Carolina Sagebin Allen, Cindy Gunderson, Courtney Wilson, Dereana Murcia, Dina Alexander, Eleah Boyd, Gina Holt, and Jenny Oaks Baker, among others.

Topics range from motherhood and spiritual gifts to the Family Proclamation and the search for truth.

The search for truth is a deeply personal journey, one that unfolds across the seasons of a faithful life. For Latter-day Saint women, that search is anchored in scripture, living prophets, and the quiet promptings of the Spirit. It requires both courage and humility, a willingness to ask hard questions while trusting in the Lord’s timing. Truth is not always immediate or convenient, but it is always worth pursuing with an open heart and a steadfast mind.

Motherhood stands as one of the most sacred and demanding callings a woman can embrace. It is a divine role that shapes generations, weaving together patience, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Whether nurturing children within the walls of a home or extending that care into communities and congregations, the influence of a righteous mother echoes far beyond what the eye can see. In a world that often undervalues this labor, the gospel affirms its eternal significance.

The Family Proclamation remains a cornerstone of doctrine for Latter-day Saint families, offering clarity in a time of widespread confusion about gender, marriage, and divine purpose. It speaks with a prophetic voice that transcends political trends and cultural shifts. When public discourse grows contentious, the proclamation provides a steady anchor, reminding covenant-keeping women and men of the eternal nature of family relationships and the sacred responsibilities entrusted to them.

Spiritual gifts are not reserved for a select few; they are poured out generously upon faithful daughters of God who seek them. Discernment, wisdom, healing, and the capacity to teach and lead are among the many gifts that strengthen the body of Christ. Recognizing and cultivating these gifts requires intentional effort, prayer, and a willingness to act. When women develop their spiritual gifts, entire families, wards, and communities are lifted and fortified against the adversary.

Faithfulness in a secular age demands a quiet kind of defiance, a refusal to let the noise of the world drown out the voice of the Lord. Latter-day Saint women are called to be defenders of covenant truth, not with contention or pride, but with clarity and charity. Standing firm on doctrine while extending genuine love to those who disagree is one of the great tests of discipleship in these latter days. Such a witness is sorely needed.

The Relief Society has long been a source of strength, service, and sisterhood among covenant women. Rooted in the restoration of the gospel, it provides a framework for organized compassion and personal growth. Within its gatherings, women find fellowship, instruction, and opportunities to bear one another’s burdens. The bonds formed there transcend age, background, and circumstance, uniting sisters in a shared commitment to follow the Savior and build His kingdom on earth.

Gender is not a fluid social construct but a fundamental element of eternal identity. Latter-day Saint doctrine affirms that men and women were created distinct and complementary, each bearing divine qualities essential to the plan of happiness. In a culture increasingly hostile to this truth, covenant women have both the opportunity and the obligation to articulate it with grace. Embracing one’s divine nature is an act of faith that brings clarity and peace.

The words of living prophets offer a compass when the path ahead seems uncertain. General conference addresses, counsel from Church leaders, and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost together form a pattern of guidance that protects and directs. Staying grounded in prophetic counsel requires more than passive listening; it calls for study, pondering, and deliberate application. In every dispensation, the Lord has spoken through His servants, and this one is no different.