News Release

Cape Town Conference for Women Focuses on Building Strong Families

Wives of General Authorities visit Cape Town and leave inspired messages at Women's Conference

Cape Town South Africa was blessed to have a special Women’s Conference on Saturday, October 25th, 2014. Women gathered from the Bellville and Cape Town Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to listen to the inspired instructions from Sister Mary Cook, the wife of Apostle Elder Quentin L. Cook, Sister Kathy Clayton, wife of Elder L Whitney Clayton from the Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Lesa Stevenson wife of Gary E. Stevenson the Presiding Bishop of the Church.  Also accompanying them were Sister Claudia Hamilton, Sister Dorah Mkhabela and Sister Brenda Merrill. The theme of the conference was “Leading and Loving our Children in Ways That Would Promote Faith and Build Testimony.” 

Sister Clayton said, “We know that embracing the gospel will bring our children happiness, and every human soul has a prerogative to selecting faith personally. It cannot be forced upon them, our shared goal is to assist them with developing faith.” Sister Clayton suggested that in Family Home Evening, “ we could do less talking, more listening, more strategizing for engagement on their parts, then the Spirit will be stronger and the change in their hearts more profoundly… Let them own the experience.”  She gave the example of the difference between talking about an apple or eating an apple. You can fill their heads with information, but very little would happen in their hearts. However, tasting, smelling, holding, experiencing the apple deepens the experience. She reminded the women, “It’s not about getting through a lecture it’s about communicating in ways that invites the Spirit to bear testimony.”

Sister Cook spoke on gospel music in a Christ-centered home. She said, “Families can use music to teach the gospel and invite the Spirit. The Holy Ghost can witness truth when you sing about the gospel. In Family Home Evening, you can reinforce the lesson by using music.”  She quoted from LDS scripture: “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”

Sister Stevenson reminded that marriage is a partnership that should be divided in thirds: the husband, wife and the Lord. Also, to build lasting relationships in our homes she offered five suggestions that can bind a family unit: (1) Listen to Prophet, (2) Keep an eternal perspective, (3) Have faith, (4) Be of good cheer, and (5) Bear testimony to one another. Sister Stevenson said, bearing testimony to our families “It is a sweet tender time, I encourage you to make this a custom with your families.”

After the meeting, women expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet together and listen to the uplifting messages.  One sister spoke for many who attended when she said, “I am going away from this meeting wanting to be a better person and better mother.”

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