- President Camille N. Johnson encouraged women to invite Christ into their lives, and do "less of lesser things," during BYU's Women's Conference.
- She encouraged women to be more intentional with their prayers, scripture study and temple worship.
- Elder David A. Bednar and his wife will speak in another session on Friday, which will be available to stream live.
PROVO — Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to make an effort to invite Jesus Christ further into their lives, said Relief Society President Camille N. Johnson.
"Sisters, we need more Jesus. I testify that all of us can find relief in Jesus Christ in the midst of our struggles. We can be whole in him while we wait for healing and reconciliation and hard times to pass. We choose to be made whole by hearing his knock and throwing the door wide open, inviting him into our lives," she said.
President Johnson spoke on Thursday at the BYU Women's Conference, which is in its 50th year. She encouraged the women to remember what it feels like to be in that group of fellow "sister saints" when they are feeling alone, or wondering if it is worth it to stand up and defend truth.
"I am not suggesting you add something to your to-do list to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ," she told the women. "I am inviting you to do more with what you are already doing."
She said they may need "less of lesser things" to do this, and asked the women to consider whether their actions reflect that they want a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
"When you do hard things with Jesus Christ, the hard things become holy," President Johnson said.
She encouraged women to turn to Jesus Christ rather than to scroll on their phones.
"We can find emotional resilience in him. He can help if we are bored, lonely, angry or stressed, and if I am just plain tired, I ought to put down the phone and put my head on a pillow," President Johnson said.
She added that she doesn't have a "new formula" for coming closer to Christ, but suggested prayer, scripture study, making and keeping covenants, service and temple worship. She said this isn't a "helpful suggestion" but called it "prophetic direction."
President Johnson encouraged the Relief Society women to be more intentional with prayers by praying at different times and places, being honest and expressing specific gratitude for Jesus Christ.
She also invited women in attendance to study the talks of President Dallin H. Oaks, which she said she does while going on walks.
Another way she suggested that women bring Christ into their lives is by preparing in advance for the sacrament and participating in "celebratory worship" in the temple. She said she has been distracted while in the temple and encouraged the women to try with her to be more focused.
"I am striving, you are striving, and it lifts my spirits to know that we are striving together," she said.
She told the women that as they partner with the Savior to give others relief through service and ministering, they will find their own relief.
"I testify that Jesus Christ is relief. He is my strength, my song and my salvation. I know that I can trust him to sanctify my affliction to my good. I am sure you can trust him, too," President Johnson said.
Elder David A Bednar and his wife, Susan Bednar, will share one of the final messages at the BYU Women's Conference on Friday at 4:45 p.m. Their message will be streamed on the church's broadcasting page and YouTube channel.
Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, told women attending the conference that they are not alone during the opening keynote session on Wednesday evening and encouraged them to share Christ's light.
She asked women to hold up their phone lights if they felt overwhelmed, struggled to see themselves as God does, or felt their light was dim. She told them that each light represents a story.
"Maybe tonight for the first time in a long time, you will feel that you don't have to carry it alone, that nothing is beyond the reach of Jesus Christ," Sister Runia said.
She said that, like the moon reflects the light of the sun, they can reflect the light of Jesus Christ if they feel dim or overwhelmed.
"We are beings of light, here on this planet, to gain more light. And because light is an attribute of our Heavenly Father, this becomes part of our quest," Sister Runia told the sisters.
