Last night was our annual Women's Conference. We were fortunate to have Sheri Dew speak to us. Sister Dew is one of my favorite authors and speakers. Over the years she has influenced many women. She is a great role model and very articulate. She served as second counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society from 1997 ~ 2002 and since 2002 has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Deseret Book Company. She was called by George Bush to be a U.S. Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations
She is a farm girl from Kansas, and is well-rooted. She admits her own weaknesses in her talks and writings, which I find refreshing. She is very humble and has a great sense of humor.
She has a busy life with work and public speaking. We were honored last night when she said for the last few years she hasn't accepted many speaking invitations but felt strongly she needed to be at our conference.
It was a privileged to sit next to her and to introduce her. It was a wonderful night and she gave another amazing message. We had over 500 sisters in attendance and I have had many calls and emails today commenting on the great evening we shared.
A few of my favorite Sheri Dew quotes ...
"On those days when we're not ready to stop being offended, not ready to forgive, still determined to dish out the silent treatment, what we're actually saying is, "Thanks, but I don't want to become more like the Savior today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today." Perhaps those are the times when we need to pray the hardest..."
"My prayer tonight is that we can be equally clear about our mission as women of God. This isn’t just a really nice church that teaches really nice ideas so that we can live really nice lives. This is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, endowed with His power and charged with carrying His truth to the ends of the earth."
"Knowing who you are as a son of God or a daughter of God and that you have a mission on this earth; you have not just been plunked down here to just see how you do. You are here to fulfill a specific mission."
