President Henry B. Eyring on women, charity, and Zion

President Henry B. Eyring (born May 31, 1933) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"Sisters, you were given the blessing of being daughters of God with special gifts. You brought with you into mortal life a spiritual capacity to nurture others and to lift them higher toward the love and purity that will qualify them to live together in a Zion society. It is not by accident that the Relief Society, the first Church organization specifically for Heavenly Father’s daughters, has as its motto 'Charity Never Faileth.'

"Charity is the pure love of Christ. And it is faith in Him and the full effects of His infinite Atonement that will qualify you, and those you love and serve, for the supernal gift to live in that sociality of a long-looked-for and promised Zion. There you will be sisters in Zion, loved in person by the Lord and those you have blessed.

"I testify that you are citizens of the Lord’s kingdom on the earth. You are daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent you into the world with unique gifts that you promised to use to bless others. I promise you that the Lord will lead you by the hand, through the Holy Ghost. He will go before your face as you help Him prepare His people to become His promised Zion."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Sisters in Zion," General Conference October 2020, Women's Session

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

President Eyring has spoken about the powerful influence of women in his life, including his mother and wife. In these remarks, he spoke to the sisters of the Church about the innate gifts they each have and the power it will bring in future years. As followers of the Savior we aspire to the Zion society described in the scriptures, and prophesied for the last days. President Eyring described the powerful role he foresees for sisters in that transition, in developing unity and oneness.

It's a powerful key for all of us to develop greater "faith in Him and the full effects of His infinite Atonement." How blessed we are for the innate gifts of the sisters of Zion who will lead the way in that wonderful path of hope and faith.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)