This talk, given in 1976, teaches the role of womanhood. For too many years, women have questioned their place in society. This is the work of Satan and evil-designing men. President Kimball, as a prophet of God, speaks the truth here and tells us how God only wants happiness for all of His children.

“Our women are among the best educated and best trained. We encourage all of you to keep abreast of the times, to be familiar with current events, to be able to read the signs of the times, to be prepared to direct your children in the proper paths to guarantee to them a purposeful and eventful life.”

Because many women don’t understand their divine potential, they seek elsewhere for validation. So many women are caught up with image, which is a false creation. It is something we all have accepted as our cartoonish, best self and as a result, we are focused on self-image and self-doubt. But for what purpose? Our prophet boldly declares:

“You read the papers, you watch television, you hear the radio, you read books and magazines, and much that comes to your consciousness is designed to lead you astray. Some of the things they are telling you these days are: it is not necessary to marry; it is not necessary to marry to have children; it is not necessary to have children; you may have all the worldly pleasures without these obligations and responsibilities. There is the pill. There is abortion. There are other ways to give you this loosely held, so-called freedom. They are telling you that you are manacled to your homes, to your husbands, to your children, to your housework. They are talking and writing to you about a freedom they know nothing about.”

Women of God need to recognize their power and ability to be divine. He continues:

“The role of woman was fixed even before she was created, and God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is written: “And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them. … And I, God, blessed them [Man here is always in the plural. It was plural from the beginning] and said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over [it].”

Our womanhood was never an afterthought. It was never placed “under” anyone or anything else. It was designed to be one part of a divine partnership. The world has skewed our role, but because we know who God is, we know better. This talk is full of truth.

“And the scripture says, “And I, God said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man [not a separate man, but a complete man, which is husband and wife] in our image, after our likeness; and it was so.” (Moses 2:26) What a beautiful partnership! Adam and Eve were married for eternity by the Lord. Such a marriage extends beyond the grave. All people should call for this kind of marriage.”

Woman’s divine purpose is to be a partner to her husband and together “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” (Gen. 1:28) “We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

Other religions have taught for centuries that it was all Eve’s fault. She was tricked, deceived, duped into falling for Satan’s lie. Earth life and all its corruptions and misery can be blamed on her. But we know better. We know the truth.

“Eve, so recently from the eternal throne, seemed to understand the way of life, for she was happy—happy!—that they had eaten the forbidden fruit. Adam blessed God and began to prophesy because his eyes were opened and he realized that in this life, there should be joy for them and in the course of events they should again see God in the flesh. Eve was glad, and she said, “Otherwise we never would have had children.” (Moses 5:11) Our beloved mother Eve began the human race with gladness, wanting children, glad for the joy that they would bring to her, willing to assume the problems connected with a family, but also the joys.”

From the beginning man and woman were meant to be together, to birth Heavenly Father’s children and give them an opportunity to live their pre-destined lives on the earth. Because of this divine formula, all of God’s children would have the opportunity to become Gods and Goddesses. We are all guilty of trying to modify this formula in some way, and Pres. Kimball calls us out on it.

“As an indication of the importance the gods gave to women, the Lord said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24) Do you note that? She, the woman, occupies the first place. She is preeminent, even above the parents. Even the children must take their proper but significant place. I have seen some women who give their children that spot, that preeminence, in their affection and crowd out the father. That is a serious mistake. Many marriages have gone “on the rocks” for this very cause. They were partners, each given a part of the work of life to do. The fact that some women and men disregard their work and their opportunities does not change the program.”

So many women use the idea that women are to “obey” their husbands as an insult and a position of subservience. Both men and women need to know that this is complete hogwash. Pres. Kimball says,

“No woman has ever been asked by the Church authorities to follow her husband into an evil pit. She is to follow him as he follows and obeys the Savior of the world.”

No divine partnership can hold either the man or the woman at a lower level than the other. It is only through the desire to be righteous that this formula moves in a fluid motion to perform the works of God. Why would we want to follow any other imperfect plan?

Men need to recognize the divine nature and potential of women, and women need to recognize the divine nature and potential of men. Here on earth, we are all imperfect, yet we are malleable. We are opposites in order to bring out the best in each of us. We work together to overcome our weaknesses and turn to God together to become perfected.

And women can never underestimate the worth of creating a child in the holy order of matrimony. Each precious child must be taught and trained to recognize their own divine nature. They must be loved and nurtured in a home that provides an eternal outlook on life and how they fit magnificently in the Plan of Salvation.

“And we remember that in the modern revelations we learn that if parents do not teach their children to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord, “The sin be upon the heads of the parents” (D&C 68:25)”

“May God bless you sisters, bless you in your homes and in your families, and especially with your husbands that they may recognize in you a great power so that they might better fulfill their responsibilities in life. Your Heavenly Father will smile upon you as you live the commandments and teach them to your children. This is the work of the Lord. God Almighty is responsible for it.”

President Spencer W. Kimball, “The Blessings and Responsibilities of Womanhood,” Ensign, Mar 1976