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SALT LAKE CITY — Twenty-one thousand women and girls gathered in the LDS Conference Center Saturday evening — and millions more from throughout the world joined in online or by satellite broadcast — to participate in the second semi-annual General Women's Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As it did for the first time six months ago, the meeting brought together neighbors, friends and generations of women to share their faith. In a major theme of the meeting, they were reminded of how important they are to God.
“Tonight we gather as covenant women of God,” said Sister Jean A. Stevens, first counselor in the Primary general presidency. “Our ages, circumstances and personalities cannot separate us because, above all, we are his.”
“We have our own roles on the Earth — from daughter, mother, leader and teacher to sister, wage earner, wife and more. Each is influential,” said Sister Neill F. Marriott, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency.
President Deiter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the church’s First Presidency, shared a similar message of love with the women.
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“Do you think (God) wants you to worry or get depressed if someone ‘un-friends’ or ‘un-follows’ you on Facebook or Twitter,” President Uchtdorf asked. “He loves you not only for who you are this very day, but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and desire to become.”
Relief Society General President Linda K. Burton also encouraged the women to invite the spirit of God into their homes.
“As we prepare our home to be places where the spirit is welcome, we will be prepared to feel more ‘at home’ when we enter the house of the Lord,” she said.
Many women who attended the meeting at the Conference Center loved it.
“You know, I think the opportunity to just be here in person brings a different feeling,” said Melissa Chapman, an American Fork resident.
“They talked a lot about the darkness that comes in and just that we are a light, and it’s important to me that my daughter understands that,” said Christina Pearson, a Spanish Fork resident.
The women and girls said this meeting was just the beginning as they look forward to the church’s general conference next weekend.