Prophetess of the Home

Once again it has been too long.

All the same it feels like the perfect time for another blog post! This time about the ultimate desire to be a woman of God.

Specifically a prophetess.

When I came across the term in my scripture studying I basically got the "shivers"- as my son calls them- and became giddy over the thought of possibly becoming one. But what did it mean? All throughout scripture it talks about prophets or apostles of God being wise and male leaders who, at times, had to start of their own journeys a little rocky but it made them into the spiritual giants we have read about in the Bible and/or Book of Mormon.

It's true that they have all been men but that also didn't mean that the woman's role was any less important.

A prophet or an apostle from the scriptures, and in today's time, are given the priesthood of Melchizedek to preform sacred ordinances.  Women can contribute to this priesthood by receiving a testimony of Jesus Christ  and enjoying the Spirit of Revelation. Women who are prophetess' do not hold the keys of the priesthood to preform these ordinances but they are still a very big part of them from the very beginning because they call out to God and answer when he calls back.

This does not mean that as a priestess or prophetess you need to go and build up your own church or preach, but what it does mean- to me- is that I can build up my own house and teach, follow, and do my very best everyday and as long as I have a testimony in Jesus Christ I will be directed where to go and as long as I'm following, my children will also follow.

A prophetess isn't about leading masses of people or preaching the word of God to every person you come across but just continuously learning and BEING that leader.

A natural born leader isn't someone who is looking to rule over others, but through their gifts and talents others follow them anyway.

Being aware of gifts and talents aren't random happenstances but God given to help you thrive by completing challenges to obtain the talents and to add variety and beauty to the world.

Good examples of priestess/prophetess' are found in these scriptures: Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, 2 Kings 4:4, 2 Chronicles 34:22, Luke 2:36 .

Here are a 3 ways we can develop our abilities as prophetess' in our own homes:

1. RISE UP 

And take Christs name upon you. A suggestion to know what that means for you is to look at all the names of Christ and pick which ones stand out or have the most meaning to you and then follow that example. See Jesus Christ as your primary role model and an example of who you are to become. Define your role through Christ and understand that your duties, magnified in Faith is what moves forward the work in the priesthood. Dont despair! Keep Moving!* "Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity. We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve." -A Plea To my Sisters, Russel M Nelson, October 2015 
*Notes taken from "Rise Up in Strength Sisters in Zion", by Bonnie L Oscarson, October General Conference 2016 

     2. BE BOLD
“The world needs the touch of women and their love, their comfort, and their strength. Our harsh environment needs their encouraging voices, the beauty that seems to fall within their natures, the spirit of charity that is their inheritance.
"If we wish the blessing, we must pay the price. A part of that price lies in being faithful. Faithful to what? Faithful to ourselves, to the very best that is within us. No woman can afford to demean herself, to belittle herself, to downgrade her abilities or her capacities. Let each be faithful to the great, divine attributes that are within her. Be faithful to the gospel. Be faithful to the Church. We have all about us those who are seeking to undermine it, to look for weaknesses in its early leaders, to find fault with its programs, to speak critically of it. I give you my testimony that it is the work of God, and those who speak against it are speaking against him.Be faithful to him. He is the one true source of your strength. He is your Father in Heaven. He lives. He hears and answers prayers. Be faithful to God.
" I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."- Excerpts from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B Hinkley manual, Chapter 5, "Daughters of God".

      3.REPENT ALWAYS
"The grace of God is a gift given to us as the atonement through our ability to repent and have faith. Faith unto repentance fills us with joy and hope that we then turn to share and serve others. Faith unto repentance is a lifelong pursuit that can be a joyous journey if we pursue it with faith in Jesus Christ and have hope in his atonement" - Repentance is always Positive by Stephen W Owens from General Conference in October 2017 
James 2:14-26
"God has provided that through faith men might work mighty miracles, for without works faith is dead and with such faith we can accept whatever the outcome and still spiritually prosper. Is our faith focused on simply on wanting to be relieved of pain and suffering, or is it firmly centered on God? Our supreme focus should be on the spiritual miracles that are available to all God's children. When we exercise our faith and go to work, enduring to the end, even in our hardest  days we can be grateful because we understand the deeper meaning and can see the miracles at work." - Has the Days of Miracles Ceased? By Elder Donald L Hallstrom from October Conference in October 2017

In conclusion, don't loose sight of your potential to excel in who you are and your relationship with God and Jesus Christ because through them you will be able to enjoy the blessings of revelation and will know the right opportunities to lead. I know that as I studied this more the more certain I was that my lifelong goal was to become a Prophetess, to know God and to know "my" people. To love them and serve them and to understand the deeper meanings of challenges placed in my life to only become better, stronger, and a more beautiful soul. Writing this out has reminded me that I'm already there, I just need to keep on going.

-Megan