President Camille Johnson and Sister Anette Dennis - 2024 Talks
Background for Discussion:
President Camille N. Johnson - BYU Women’s Conference Address - May 2024
The caption to the Church’s Instagram account (Church of Jesus Christ) from President Johnson:
“I pursued an education, both undergraduate and a law degree. I was married midway through my legal education. I had my first son the year after I passed the bar. I had babies, and my husband and I loved and nurtured them while we were both working. It was busy, sometimes hectic; we were stretched and sometimes tired. I supported him, and he supported me. Family was, and still is, our top priority. My husband and I sought inspiration in these choices and in the timing. It was what we felt impressed to do. We were trying to let Him prevail.
From a financial and professional perspective, it would have made sense to put off having children until I was more established in my career. But sisters, in letting Him author our stories we sometimes do things that the world cannot make sense of. I juggled pregnancy, birthing babies, nurturing children, carpool, little league, Church responsibilities, being a supportive spouse and my professional pursuits. It was a joyful juggle I wouldn’t change. We felt confident in our course because we were letting God prevail.
Being a mother is my highest priority. It is my ultimate joy. That focus is consistent with my diligent pursuit of an education. We are commanded to seek learning—some of which comes in our pursuit of education and much of which comes in our orientation as daughters of God toward motherhood—where we learn to become godlike as we cultivate attributes of love, compassion, and patience.
Whatever our personal circumstances, we are all part of the family of God, members of an earthly family, and preparing to be eternal parents.”
President Oaks’ comment to President Johnson on the Church’s Instagram account:
“President Johnson, thank you for this great message. You are a wonderful role model of a lifelong commitment to prioritize your role as a mother and to continue to seek learning. Women have a unique opportunity to influence family members and society in countless ways. For example, the early development of my faith in the Lord came mostly from my mother and grandmother. Teachings and examples in the home are uniquely influential on all of us.”
President Ezra T. Benson’s 1987 “To the Mothers in Zion” Address
President Russell M. Nelson “Let God Prevail” October 2020:
“The question for each of us, regardless of race, is the same. Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?”
Sister Anette Dennis - The General Relief Society Devotional - “There is no other religious organization in the world that I know of that has so broadly given power and authority to women. There are religions that ordain some women to positions such as priests and pastors but very few relative to the number of women in their congregations receive that authority that their church gives them. By contrast, all women 18 years and older in the Church of Jesus Christ who choose a covenant relationship with God in the house of the Lord are endowed with priesthood power directly from God."
“And as we serve in whatever calling or assignment, including ministering assignments, we are given priesthood authority to carry out those responsibilities. My dear sisters, you belong to a Church which offers all its women priesthood power and authority from God.”
Sister Anette Dennis - Opening paragraphs from her April 2024 General Conference talk
“As my two youngest children were growing, I discovered books that were entertaining and engaging but also used symbolism in their stories. As we read together in the evenings, I loved helping my children understand the symbolism the author was using to teach deeper principles, even gospel principles.
I knew this was sinking in one day when my younger son was in his early teens. He had started a new book and just wanted to enjoy the story, but his mind kept trying to find the deeper meaning in everything he was reading. He was frustrated, but I was smiling inside.
Jesus taught through stories and symbols1—a mustard seed to teach the power of faith, a lost sheep to teach the worth of souls, a prodigal son to teach the character of God. His parables were symbols through which He could teach deeper lessons to those who had “ears to hear.” But those not seeking the deeper meaning would not understand, just as many who read those same books I read to my children never knew there were deeper meanings and so much more to get out of those stories.”
Discussion
The Church’s Instagram account highlighted two responses—one from Anette Dennis and one from the Church’s social media team, stating that “we and our Church leaders are listening and learning from the things you have shared with us. . . Please know we hear you, we need you, and we care.”
There was nothing negative said about any other churches - this is the doctrine - it is the truth - we do have priesthood power and authority— “By contrast, all women 18 years and older in the Church of Jesus Christ who choose a covenant relationship with God in the house of the Lord are endowed with priesthood power directly from God." This is true.
There are hurt feelings that some women have in the church which is a different topic than priesthood power and authority - A woman's place in the church is a problem that can't be disputed
For decades we didn't believe what we did or said in the temple
This has been the truth from the beginning but hasn't set in
Why does it not sink in? Because men's roles are more visible.
How to be more visible? Ideas were shared about how YW can be more visible such as greeting before sacrament meeting, giving sacrament meeting prayers, etc., but if the YW doesn’t fulfill their sacrament visibility role, sacrament meeting still goes on.
We appreciated Sister Dennis’ point about reading the footnotes from general conference talks (her footnotes were educational, too).
In the first several paragraphs of her general conference talk, Sister Dennis masterfully illustrated the importance of searching for the deeper meaning or the true point of any talk, essay, etc. which also related to her Relief Society Devotional remarks.
Discussion - President Johnson’s BYU Women’s Conference Remarks
During the 1970s and 1980s were the men not stepping up? In 1987 were the men not actively engaged in raising their kids? If together wife and husband had taken this question to the Lord, it could have been a beautiful growing and bonding experience.
It was a horrible time to hear from a prophet stay home but still have to work. President Oaks’ comment to President Johnson validated her work and caring for her children.
I didn't get to decide between working because of outside forces.
Children are important - that is the clear message to which we can agree
We didn't take our relationship with our Father in Heaven and Savior personally or seriously, did we? We seem to be better at this now.
What are these talks really about? Answer: Who is Jesus Christ in your life?
The prophet doesn’t give blanket statements for everyone—personal decisions have to be made through prayer - he does not instruct in all things
It’s fine until it becomes a weaponized social media topic
It’s not about not having an education or not having a career or being a mother (everyone has a mother) - it’s about motherhood and the importance and influence of motherhood —
Birthing is a priesthood ordinance
Power of motherhood - The power that they hold on the earth - female priesthood power that every female has
It is this maternal priesthood power that is needed
“In Kind" magazine — “To be maternal does not require children.” “The maternal energy you give to the world right now.”
It’s Motherhood and Mothering that matters—we mother others at home, in our extended families, amongst our friends and colleagues
Another message from President Johnson’s talk: Work or don’t work. just don’t forget to have a family -- and find joy in doing it
Timing is everything - sometimes work/education is for later—another reason for personal revelation
We are most likely all doing okay, keep going
Worked full-time and then kids moved into high school and felt she should go part-time -- she relied on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and it worked out
The answer: personal revelation
What aren't we figuring out now? Were we not taking ownership of our lives? Did the Church not give us ownership, but they are now?
In 1990, President Nelson spoke about calling ourselves the Church of Jesus Christ not Mormons--we didn't pay attention to this topic until 2018 (see link to talk below)
Answer: We cannot answer what was said 37 years ago, but we can say that is not what is being said now
Decide what is right for me and my family
Don't judge others about their choices
Additional links to podcasts and talks discussed:
Barbara Morgan Gardner’s podcast (Grounded) with guest Eva Witesman
April 1990 Russell M. Nelson, “Thus Shall My Church Be Called”