Other than speaking about our Savior, Jesus Christ, the number one topic that President M. Russell Ballard spoke about was family. This is so telling. By my count, of the seventy-nine messages he shared during his ministry, twenty-two of them had family as a main topic. That is over a fourth of his messages!
Family was incredibly important to him. He adored his wife, Barbara, and spoke of her frequently. Together they had seven children. President Ballard seemed particularly sensitive to women. Five out of his seven children are daughters. And he shared several times over the years about counseling with Barbara and his daughters.
While there are so many wonderful messages about family that he shared, my favorite was Be an Example of the Believers from the October 1991 Women’s Meeting. He spoke to women about their role in their families, the example that they set, the faith that they have, and the adversity that we all experience. After I read this message, I wrote in my margin: “I feel seen!”.
This message was full of encouragement for me. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my struggles and feelings. It made me want to be the type of woman that lifts other women. It encouraged me to be content with what I do and not hold myself to a standard that is unfair (and probably not very helpful).
If you have a couple moments, I would highly recommend reading his message – especially for women.
Prompting
I want to be at peace with myself when I have done the best I can in my role as a woman, wife, and mother.
My Favorite Takeaways
“To you who feel harried and overwhelmed and who wonder whether you ever will be able to run fast enough to catch the departing train you think you should be on, I suggest that you learn to deal with each day as it comes, doing the best you can, without feelings of guilt or inadequacy.
Remember, sisters, we all have our own challenges to work out while passing the tests of mortality…Recognize limitations; no one can do everything. When you have done the best you can, be satisfied and don’t look back and second-guess, wondering how you could have done more. Be at peace within yourselves. 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.
Women play a crucial role in helping people accept the gospel and establish firm testimonies in their hearts.
To each and every one of you, please know how much your leaders love you and pray for you. Also know that we understand your challenges, and be assured that regardless of your circumstances at the moment, each one of you is precious to your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
You have much to offer in strengthening the homes and families of the Church. We marvel at your strength, we value your service, and we rejoice in your faithful quest for eternal life.
Through your faith and personal righteousness in keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can qualify for all of the blessings our Heavenly Father has promised to His obedient children.
Righteous daughters of God, our Eternal Father, are absolutely essential if the Church is to fulfill its destiny in preparing the earth for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God bless you dear sisters that each one of you can be an example, a light to those around you. You are daughters of your Heavenly Father, who loves you. May each one of you manifest your love for Him through your righteous, examplary life. Always know in your hearts, dear sisters, that the Church is true.
Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son love the precious women of the Church.”
